I've wanted to post some prototypes of games and art recently, and while I do have a bit of a following, I haven't gained a following that is dedicated. The only place where I do have an audience is on other people's Discord servers, but it doesn't help a lot since nobody cares who you are in those places. I think having a small following would be good to start off with when I do start doing bigger projects. I'm thinking starting a smaller project that I'm capable of doing without taking too much time can help. Horror games get a decent amount of views and while I do enjoy some of the games, that's just isn't my thing, and I would like to start building up some concepts, ideas, and characters, but it just doesn't seem like I would get a following by only presenting some original concepts and characters at this stage. What should I do about this?

Hello,

It sounds like you're facing a common challenge for artists and creators: building an audience! Here's a breakdown of how to approach your situation and some actionable steps:    

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1. Find Your Niche (and Define Your Audience)

Horror might not be your passion: That's perfectly fine! Focus on genres and themes that truly excite you. What kind of games do you love to play? What stories do you want to tell?

Who are you trying to reach? Are you aiming for fellow game developers, casual gamers, art enthusiasts, or a specific subculture?

2. Start Small, but Start Strong

"Smaller project" doesn't have to mean "less ambitious." Could you:

Create a short, polished game: A simple puzzle game, a charming 2D platformer, or a short visual novel.

Develop a compelling character: Give them a unique backstory, personality, and visual style. Create some art pieces around them – concept art, character sheets, a short comic.

Focus on a single, well-executed idea: A unique game mechanic, an interesting world-building concept, or a novel art style.

Showcase your process:

"Work-in-progress" posts: Share sketches, early prototypes, and your creative process on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or even TikTok.

Live streams: If you're comfortable with it, streaming your work can build a sense of community and show your personality.

3. Build a Consistent Online Presence

Choose a platform (or two): Where do your target audience hang out?

Post regularly: Even if it's just a quick sketch or a thought about your project, consistency is key.

Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, ask questions, and participate in relevant online communities.

Cross-promote: Share your work across different platforms.

4. Explore Alternative Platforms

Game jams: These are excellent for quick projects, feedback, and community building.

Art contests: A great way to showcase your skills and get your work seen.

Online forums and communities: Reddit, Discord servers, and forums dedicated to game development or art can be valuable for networking and feedback.

5. Focus on Quality Over Quantity

Don't rush things. Take your time to create something you're truly proud of.

Seek feedback: Share your work with trusted friends, fellow creators, and online communities for constructive criticism.

Polish your presentation: Make sure your online presence is visually appealing and easy to navigate.

6. Be Patient and Persistent

Building an audience takes time. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately.

Keep creating and sharing your work. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you are to connect with people who appreciate your art.

Important Note: Don't just chase views. Focus on creating work that you're passionate about. The more authentic you are, the more likely you are to attract a genuine following.

Best Regards

Be patient. Don't ask for much. Interact with people both Devs and players. Be consistent and increase your following slowly over time. Taken me almost 3 years to get 166 followers 

Hello there! I hope you are well 🤗

I have a big proposition: I am trying to collect opinions on my battle royale sword game ⚔ Paper Strike ⚔ and/or potential investors. For this, I am giving free subscriptions for 1 year. The only condition is to test my game and give an honest opinion (positive and negative on the game) and to be on my Discord channel.

If you are interested, do not hesitate, I give you the link to my website, you can send an email to be informed or join my Official Discord channel.

PS: Search for the game "Paper Strike" on Google Play or App Store, it is not a scam 😅

Here is my website: http://paper-strike.com/

My official Discord: https://discord.gg/uKnBgRqNty 

If your not entering jams here, consider it. Every jam has a focus with a theme and attracts people with similar interests

Patience and consistency does also work I think. I update my youtube weekly and my game development monthly for years. Like Hodslate said, its slow and can feel like you're just throwing stuff out to into empty universe. sometimes we see "big hit" and this that is what success looks like, but I think for many smaller creator who is just looking for some engagement, this expectation is more feasible.