Freaking Cool Indies

Steam isn’t a storefront — it’s an algorithm.And if you don’t understand how it works, your game gets buried.In this episode of Freaking Cool Indies, I’m joined by Jarvs Tasker (Head of Communications at Happy Volcano) to break down how Steam actually decides which games get seen — and what indie devs can do to improve their Steam pages without spending more on ads or social media.We cover:- Why click-through rate (CTR) is Steam’s ...

Game Localization for Indie Games. Learn how proper localization boosts Steam wishlists, global reach, and revenue, with expert insights from Alconost’s Yana Tarasevich.Did you know only 36% of Steam players use English as their primary language? If you’re shipping your indie game in English-only, you're missing a huge global audience, and leaving potential wishlists and sales on the table.🌐 Connect with Yana:LinkedIn: https:/...

Discover how Annie and Lucas transformed a 48-hour game jam entry into A Little to the Left, selling over 2.5 million copies through authentic marketing and genuine passion. This husband and wife duo from Halifax, Nova Scotia, behind Max Inferno Games, prove that sometimes the best business strategy starts with caring deeply about your craft and trusting that authenticity will find its audience. From their kitchen table conversatio...

Think you need to grind 15 hours daily to succeed in gaming? Veteran Twitch streamer Dan 'Indie' Long proves otherwise. Learn the hidden costs of gaming success and sustainable strategies.🏆 7 Day Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/resources/📬 Newsletter: https://freakingcoolindies.com/newsletter/🌐 Connect With Dan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealindie/https://indiegamebusiness.com/https://...

Discover how empathy driven marketing can transform your indie game's success by understanding player motivation vs behaviour. Andrew Pappas from RenGen Marketing reveals why download numbers and analytics create blind spots, how to research what players really want through Steam reviews and Reddit, and practical frameworks for creating content that resonates. Learn the Strange Horticulture strategy for finding hidden audiences...

Discover the 3 main types of indie game funding and learn which option is perfect for your studio. From traditional publishers to venture capital to revolutionary project financing, we break down exactly when to use each funding model, common pitch mistakes that kill your chances, and how to determine if your game is actually ready for funding conversations with Almost Ready Games Fund co-founder Harlis Öunapuu.

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Most indie developers think getting featured on IGN or Game Trailers is like winning the lottery - reserved for studios with massive marketing budgets. But what if I told you there's an 80% success rate method that most devs don't know about?Chapters:00:00 Why Most Devs Watch Trailers Wrong02:15 The Correct Order for Game Announcement Assets04:30 Steam Page & Key Art Requirements06:45 The 80% Success Rate Method for Gam...

You're posting on Twitter and Reddit, but what if the most powerful business platform for indie devs is the one you're ignoring? Jon Hanson went from unknown to top 1% on LinkedIn in 3 months and shares his exact strategy for indie studios to build publisher relationships, secure deals, and attract talent. Learn why LinkedIn beats other platforms for B2B growth, how to personalise outreach instead of cold messaging, and why...

Watch the Full Podcast: https://youtu.be/0w1D_ubxTko🎯 Free Cold Email Template: https://freakingcoolindies.com/6-2/Cold email outreach for indie game developers learn how to build real relationships with streamers journalists creators and publishers so your game gets noticed and wishlistedWatch the full episode with ready to use email templates follow up strategies and real examples here add your linkWhat you will learn• Why skipp...

📬 FCI Newsletter: https://freakingcoolindies.com/newsletter/Get In Touch With Sam:Indievelopment: https://www.indievelopment.uk/X [Twitter]: https://x.com/_IndievelopmentThinking of launching a Kickstarter? Learn how to design reward tiers that build real backer engagement while protecting your budget. Sam Jarvis from Indievelopment shares proven strategies from campaigns such as Volunteer The Ascension, Tales of Fate and Atomic O...

Learn essential legal foundations for indie game development with lawyer Jacob Vela. Discover how to protect your IP, build strong trademarks, and create bulletproof contracts that prevent costly disputes and save your studio. Picture this: You and your best friends spend years building your dream game together, but once money starts rolling in, everything changes. Who owns what? Who gets paid? What happens if someone wants to leav...

🎥 DEREK LIEU:Derek's Website: https://www.derek-lieu.com/Derek's Youtube Channel  @DerekLieu  How to Make a Game Trailer Course: https://vgta.teachable.com/Derek's Asset List Blog Post: https://www.derek-lieu.com/blog/2019/11/5/game-trailer-editor-asset-list🏆 7 Day Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/resources/Want to learn how to make an indie game trailer that actually sells your game on Steam, itch....

🏆 7 Day Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/resources/Ever wondered how to approach a publisher? Or maybe just felt nervous about reaching out? Well, my friend, this episode is for you.Today, I'm joined by Corey Caplan, Director of Business Development and Partnerships at tinyBuild, to break down four essential things that every indie dev should know before pitching to a publisher. Learn what you sh...

Announcing your game is one of the most important steps in your indie dev journey — but most developers get it wrong. So how do you nail your game’s announcement?In this episode, I’m joined by PR expert Robby Bisschop from Pirate PR Game Marketing to break down everything you need to know about announcing your indie game the right way. Learn how to prepare your Steam page and trailer, write a press release that actually gets covera...

90 days to launch and no marketing plan? Don't panic – you're not out of options!In this episode, we're joined by Devin Dixon, founder of Glitch, to break down his proven 90-day last-minute marketing plan that can transform your game from wishlist graveyard to Steam success. Learn how to build lightweight marketing strategies, create engaging content that resonates with gamers, and develop post-launch tactics that keep ...

Cold email outreach for indie game developers doesn't have to feel salesy! Learn how to build genuine relationships with streamers, journalists, and content creators that actually get your game noticed.In this episode, we're joined by marketing expert Taylor Rodriguez (Coach Taz) to break down the psychology behind effective cold email marketing. Discover how to overcome your fear of "bothering" people, target the right creators fo...

Game branding for indie developers: Think branding is just a logo and colours? That's the biggest mistake indie game marketing makes! Learn authentic brand identity strategies.In this episode, we're joined by marketing powerhouse duo Katie and Jonathan Binns to reveal what game branding actually means. Katie brings over a decade of marketing experience (including Warhammer 40K Mechanicus), while Jonathan is a senior brand m...

Email marketing for indie game developers isn't dead - it's your secret weapon. While most indie devs chase social media followers, smart developers build email newsletters that directly reach their audience.Jordan Brown from OP Game Marketing shares the strategies that grew his newsletter in just months. Learn why email lists might be more valuable than Steam wishlists, how to choose between Substack and Kit, and the exact Reddit ...

Ever wonder how successful indie studios like Drinkbox manage to consistently release amazing games? In this episode, we get the inside scoop from Associate Producer Josh Davis on their production strategies.Stop letting production hurdles kill your creative vision! In this must-listen episode, Josh Davis from Drinkbox Studios shares his expert advice on everything from managing timelines and taming feature creep to using data to i...