Leveling Up : Reddit’s Game-Changing Playbook

Maxine Mchunguzi
Marketing in the Age of Digital
3 min readNov 12, 2023

Hello again, My dear Muses,

Lean in close because I’m about to share a little industry whisper: gaming isn’t just the future; it’s the turbo-charged present. Twitch is flexing, YouTube’s game streamers are thriving, but there’s another contender stealthily leveling up: Reddit. That’s right, our cozy, under-the-radar nook of the internet has dropped a power-up for marketers: a shiny new gaming advertising playbook.

The Reddit Revolution in Gaming Ads
Now, if you’re anything like my best friend, your phone is practically a gaming console. It seems Statista backs up our screen habits, revealing a boost in digital video game users, with mobile gaming leading the charge. What’s more, the average revenue per user (ARPU) isn’t just climbing; it’s scaling the leaderboard

Gaming has evolved beyond traditional demographics, with Activision Blizzard Media, the powerhouse behind Call of Duty and Candy Crush, reporting that females make up 40% of their 400 million users. This shift is catching the attention of brands like Maybelline, which are tapping into the gaming scene to connect with female consumers. And here’s Reddit, handing out the cheat codes to marketers on how to score big in this digital playground.

Why’s this a win, you ask?
Reddit’s new gaming advertising handbook isn’t just a guide; it’s the treasure map to one of the most devoted gaming audiences out there. With over half of Redditors being gamers, we’re talking about tapping into a community that’s already primed and ready to engage. And guess what? These aren’t your garden-variety gamers. According to Reddit’s stats, a whopping 65% of gaming Redditors look to the platform for nuggets of wisdom on in-game purchases, DLCs, or microtransactions. That’s a goldmine of potential customers waiting to be wooed with the right campaign.

A Strategy That Scores
This guidebook is more than just a nifty piece of content; it’s Reddit rolling out the red carpet for gaming advertisers. Social Media Today has the scoop, spotlighting how Reddit’s playbook delivers insight straight from the source. What’s not to love about a platform giving you the insider tips to win big in their own backyard?

Picture this: 95% of gaming Redditors trust fellow Redditors’ recommendations over flashy ads. That’s the kind of brand loyalty and community trust that money can’t buy, but smart marketing can leverage. And let’s not overlook the authentic, unfiltered conversations happening on Reddit every day.

The Game Plan
So, what’s the strategy behind this playbook? It’s simple: know your players. Reddit’s gaming communities are niche, nuanced, and engaged. They’re not just consumers; they’re contributors, critics, and champions of their gaming experiences. By harnessing this vibrant community’s insights, gaming advertisers can level up their game, create more targeted campaigns, and, most importantly, join the conversation.

What’s the Catch?
No game is without its challenges. Reddit’s diverse ecosystem means that one size does not fit all. Marketers will need to be agile, creative, and ready to customise their approach for each subreddit.

In Conclusion
Reddit’s gaming advertising handbook is a love letter to digital marketers: a testament to the potential of community-driven marketing. It’s not just about selling a game; it’s about immersing yourself in the culture, understanding the discourse, and playing the long game. So, muses, are you ready to press play on your Reddit marketing adventure?

--

--

Maxine Mchunguzi
Marketing in the Age of Digital

Traveller, foodie, Masters student and now blogger? Follow along to hear more about my marketing musings.