Business Sense For Indies

Business planning is a critical process that indie game developers should prioritize to increase their chances of success. It involves creating a roadmap for the development and launch of your game, outlining your vision, target market, unique selling proposition, and financial projections.

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Here are 4 good reasons why business planning matters for indie game developers​

It entails several key elements that indie game developers should consider.

Goal Clarity

A well-defined business plan helps you clarify your goals and objectives for your game. By outlining what you want to achieve, you can focus your efforts and resources on the most important aspects, ensuring that you stay on track and aligned with your vision.

Resource Management

Business planning allows you to anticipate the resources you will need, whether it’s funding, manpower, or technology. By understanding these requirements upfront, you can allocate resources more efficiently, identify potential gaps, and take appropriate actions to address them.

Risk Mitigation

Building a business plan involves identifying potential risks and challenges that you may encounter during the development and launch of your game. By anticipating these risks, you can proactively develop strategies to mitigate them and increase your chances of success.

Financial Projections

A good plan includes financial projections that estimate your expected revenue and expenses. This helps you understand the financial feasibility of your game, make informed decisions about funding options, and demonstrate the potential profitability to potential investors or partners.

In Summary

By engaging in thorough business planning, indie game developers can set a solid foundation for success, align their efforts with their goals, and increase their chances of creating a game that resonates with players and achieves their desired outcomes.

How can we help you?​

Navigating the business side of indie game development can be challenging, but mastering it is crucial for success. The following items are some of the essential business topics tailored specifically for indie developers, addressing common problems and providing practical solutions.

Business Planning & Strategy

Outline the vision, target market, unique selling proposition, and financial projections to create a roadmap for the development and launch of your game. Anticipating risks, using resources efficiently, and achieving the ultimate goal are all aided by strategic planning.

  • Crafting a Business Plan: Learn how to create a detailed business plan that outlines your vision, mission, goals, and strategies for achieving success.
  • Defining Your Unique Selling Proposition: Discover how to pinpoint what makes your game unique and how to leverage it to attract players and investors.
  • Market Research: Understand why market research is important and know how to do it well to find your audience and competitors.

Funding and Finances

Securing funding and managing finances are essential for turning your game idea into reality. Effective financial management, including budgeting, expense tracking, and revenue forecasting, ensures that your resources are used wisely and your project stays on track.

  • Budgeting and Financial Planning: Learn about setting up and maintaining a budget, effectively tracking your expenses, and predicting future revenues.
  • Funding Options: Explore different funding avenues such as loans, grants, revenue sharing, crowdfunding, publishing deals and venture capital.
  • Monetization: Explore a variety of strategies, such as in-app purchases, ads, premium models, and subscription services.

Marketing and Promotion

To ensure your game successfully reaches its target audience, use the right tactics in various phases during its development to create a winning marketing plan. You can build a thriving community and generate excitement for your game through social media, content marketing, and influencer partnerships.

  • Content Marketing: Create valuable content that attracts and retains a clearly defined audience, ultimately driving profitable player action.
  • Marketing Plans: Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing plan that covers pre-launch, launch, and post-launch phases.
  • Social Media Strategy: Utilize social media platforms to build a community, engage with your audience, and promote your game.

By booking a free session, you will

Unlock your game’s potential with strategic business planning, effective funding management, and targeted marketing strategies. Our expert guidance will help you create a solid roadmap, secure vital funding, and reach your audience.

Pitching and Partnerships

Our pitching practice and deck creation services are designed to help you not only deliver a flawless pitch, but also strategize when and to whom you should be presenting your idea.

  • Pitch Deck Creation: Tips for developing a compelling pitch deck that covers your game’s concept, market potential, team capabilities, and financial projections.
  • Building Relationships with Publishers: Learn how to approach and build relationships with game publishers.
  • Negotiating Contracts: Understand the basics of negotiating publishing and distribution contracts.

Networking and Community

Effective networking can lead to partnerships with other developers, exposure to potential investors, and increased visibility in the industry, all of which are crucial for your game’s success.

  • Online Communities: Engaging with online communities and forums to share knowledge, get feedback, and build relationships.
  • Industry Events & Conferences: Learn what kind of events are better to attend for networking and learning.
  • Collaborative Projects: Benefits and strategies for collaborating with other indie developers on game jams or joint projects.

Project & Team Management

Our tailored productivity methods and tips are designed specifically for solo indies and small studios like yourself, to help you take charge and build a strong sense of control over your creations.

  • Install Accountability: Without clear expectations and ownership, it’s easy for tasks to fall through the cracks and for miscommunication to arise.
  • Agile Methodologies: Implement agile project management techniques to enhance productivity and adaptability.
  • Time Management: Strategies for effective time management to ensure deadlines are met without compromising quality.

By addressing these key topics, developers can better navigate the complex landscape of game development, from initial planning and funding to marketing and legal considerations.

Do you hate marketing with a passion?

Many indie developers struggle with this too. We believe this is because they are unfamiliar with the mechanics of this essential tool. A solid business plan should at least outline your marketing strategy. Our service will guide you through the process, integrating it seamlessly into your business.

Who knows? You might even start to enjoy it over time. We’re confident that, as you see the results, you’ll practice it more often and find it rewarding.

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Business Sense For Indies​

Having a great idea is just the beginning – effective planning and strategizing are essential to turn that idea into a reality.

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