I ran into the awesome dudes from the Crowdfunding Nerds podcast (highly recommend!) a while back and they gave me a great mental model for gaining traction, and that is to think of your followers like a bank account. You must both BANK your followers (AKA keep them in a dedicated location so you don't lose them) as well as INVEST your followers (AKA keep them engaged and excited over time) before you can then CASH your followers (actually launch the game and ask them to buy it). Any hype moment is great! But it's also pointless if you aren't banking the hype. My two favorite places to do this are a Discord and an Email list. Start one, put excited people in them, and then consistently deliver them solid content to keep them interested!

To turn buzz into real traction, prioritize building a loyal community through constant engagement on social media, live events, and involving players in the development process. Amplify that buzz by connecting with influencers who resonate with your game’s style and story. Refine your game with user feedback pre-launch and create urgency with limited releases or exclusives. Nail down your monetization strategy early—whether in-game purchases or memberships—while staying true to your game’s unique identity. Consistent, quality post-launch updates will keep momentum, turning initial buzz into sustained success.

In order to turn buzz into success, engage players by launching a beta version and gathering feedback to refine the game experience. Amplify your marketing efforts by targeting social media, influencers, and gaming forums, creating shareable content like gameplay videos to sustain interest. Encourage early adoption by offering in-game rewards or exclusive content for first players. Build a community through platforms like Discord, where fans can connect and share experiences. Finally, leverage player analytics to identify and enhance the most engaging features, aligning the game with user interests to drive lasting traction.

Turning buzz into growth is challenging! Engaging directly with players—like through live streams—has helped me build a stronger community. Authentic influencer partnerships also go a long way in reaching new audiences.

To turn praise into traction, I’d focus on building awareness and converting interest into action. First, identify the barriers to adoption—whether it’s visibility, pricing, or accessibility—and address them directly. I’d leverage the buzz by amplifying it through targeted marketing campaigns, influencer partnerships, and community engagement. Offering hands-on experiences, like free demos or early access, can entice hesitant players. Collaborating with press and showcasing the game at high-profile events can expand its reach. Finally, harness player feedback to refine the experience and demonstrate responsiveness, creating a momentum loop that turns curiosity into a loyal player base.