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What makes a 
great indie-game trailer?
(Thread)
great indie-game trailer?(Thread)
1) Have a solid PR strategy 
Don’t create a trailer until you know how you’ll use & distribute it
Plan how you’ll secure press coverage for it
Know where you’ll share it
Release it at the right time (e.g. release date announcement, mid-point gameplay trailer & launch)
Don’t create a trailer until you know how you’ll use & distribute it
Plan how you’ll secure press coverage for itKnow where you’ll share itRelease it at the right time (e.g. release date announcement, mid-point gameplay trailer & launch)
2) Know its purpose 
Understand what this *particular* trailer is for. Tailor your approach accordingly. Great thinking > great editing.
A gameplay trailer = focus on gameplay
A story trailer must be, itself, a piece of storytelling (with its own rise & fall)
And so on
Understand what this *particular* trailer is for. Tailor your approach accordingly. Great thinking > great editing.
A gameplay trailer = focus on gameplayA story trailer must be, itself, a piece of storytelling (with its own rise & fall)And so on
3) Get your messaging right 
Every trailer should be an elevator pitch - communicating the essential hook(s) of your game as quickly as possible.
It’s not enough to look cool. It needs to tell players specifics:
What is it about? What genre?
How does it feel to play?
Every trailer should be an elevator pitch - communicating the essential hook(s) of your game as quickly as possible.
It’s not enough to look cool. It needs to tell players specifics:
What is it about? What genre? How does it feel to play?
4) Make it snappy 
The received wisdom is, keep it under 2 mins.
Our thoughts? For indies, even shorter is better. Between 30-90 secs = ideal.
If you need longer, consider whether your core game ‘hook’ is too complex/detailed. Refine your message & try again.
The received wisdom is, keep it under 2 mins.
Our thoughts? For indies, even shorter is better. Between 30-90 secs = ideal.
If you need longer, consider whether your core game ‘hook’ is too complex/detailed. Refine your message & try again.
5) Create a proper marketing funnel 
End with a clear call-to-action, like:
Join our mailing list/discord
Wishlist on Steam
Available now on Steam
And don’t forget to include the proper links in your copy!!! Make it *easy* for viewers to do what you want them to do.
End with a clear call-to-action, like:
Join our mailing list/discordWishlist on SteamAvailable now on SteamAnd don’t forget to include the proper links in your copy!!! Make it *easy* for viewers to do what you want them to do.
6) Make it look great 
Ok. So this one’s obvious
Make it as high-quality as you can (at LEAST 1080p)
Show off your game’s best-looking features
Bonus points if you make sure it still makes sense with the sound off (social media = a lot of silent viewing)
Ok. So this one’s obvious
Make it as high-quality as you can (at LEAST 1080p)Show off your game’s best-looking features Bonus points if you make sure it still makes sense with the sound off (social media = a lot of silent viewing)
7) Put your logos at the END 
Just take our word for it. Don’t put them at the beginning.
The first 10 secs of the trailer need to be instantly engaging. And logos (no matter how pretty) won’t cut the mustard.
Just take our word for it. Don’t put them at the beginning.
The first 10 secs of the trailer need to be instantly engaging. And logos (no matter how pretty) won’t cut the mustard.
8) Test it on people who don’t know anything about your game 
Get feedback from people who don’t know your game inside out. They’ll let you know what’s unclear, unnecessary, or unappealing. And they might surprise you at what they think is great about your game.
Get feedback from people who don’t know your game inside out. They’ll let you know what’s unclear, unnecessary, or unappealing. And they might surprise you at what they think is great about your game.
