In episode 550 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers take a hard look at online ads and why they rarely deliver the wishlist conversions indie devs hope for. They break down misleading metrics, misclicks, and the high cost of chasing visibility through paid channels. The conversation also gets into conventions and showcases, exploring why in-person events are great for networking and playtesting but often fall short as direct sales drivers. It’s a grounded look at where marketing effort actually pays off and where it evaporates into thin air.
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Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes
00:00 Cold Open
00:12 Introduction and Welcome
02:48 The Role of YouTube Shorts in Game Promotion
05:32 Understanding Steam's Algorithm and Wishlist Dynamics
08:44 Challenges of Scaling Marketing Efforts
11:27 Exploring YouTube Ads and Their Effectiveness
14:31 Evaluating the Impact of Advertising on Game Visibility
19:54 Navigating Google Ads for Game Promotion
22:51 Analyzing Click-Through Rates and Conversions
26:07 The Efficacy of YouTube Ads
29:45 The Illusion of Effective Advertising
34:47 The Uncertainty of Marketing Outcomes
41:47 Evaluating Events and Conventions
43:09 Digital Events and Showcases
45:39 The Challenge of Exclusivity in Marketing
49:09 Understanding Randomness in Game Promotion
51:45 The Cost-Effectiveness of Marketing Approaches
55:02 Balancing Development and Marketing Efforts
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