When you have a video game project in development, it’s smart to partner up with a publisher. This way, you will get to focus on making the game instead of worrying how you’re going to market and promote it. When you present your idea to a publisher, they will figure out the best approach to getting your game to as many people as possible. However, getting a meeting isn’t going to be easy, especially if you just have an idea.

In order to set up a pitch meeting, you will need to provide a solid glimpse into your project. But just because you get to present your idea doesn’t mean that they’ll invest in it. Here are some of the things you can do to increase the chance of your video game getting picked up by a publisher.

Show Them Your Game

Keep in mind that you won’t be given a lot of time to pitch your project, so it’s best that you use every minute wisely. In most cases, you’ll be given only 5 to 15 minutes to present your video game. Instead of talking about what your project and vision is, it’s much better that you just show the publishers. Know that these companies get presented with a ton of ideas regularly, and they’ve learned how to determine whether a game is any good by getting just a glimpse of it.

As soon as you have the publishers interested in what they see, you’ll have a lot of time to talk about the project and your vision for it. Of course, before you present them with your video game, it’s recommended that you provide the publishers with a brief summary of your background.

Make Sure Your Laptop Is in Sleep Mode

One of the worst mistakes you can make is going into a pitch meeting with your laptop turned off. While you wait for it to boot up and prepare everything, you’ll most likely spend a minute or two in silence or awkwardly attempting to make small talk. Doing this may leave a bad first impression with the publishers. Because of this, it’s best to open all project files before the pitch meeting and simply close the lid on your laptop. This way you’ll be prepared to start with your presentation immediately and there won’t be any awkwardness in the beginning.

Be Confident

You’ve worked on your idea for months, maybe even years, and now it’s time to show it to someone else. It’s completely normal if you’re nervous at this point. Nevertheless, remember that you need to be confident in your presentation as well. After all, you’re the person who believes in your project the most and you know how successful it can be, so make sure you help the publishers understand that too.

Dress Nicely

Dressing nicely is a great way to make a good first impression. Publishers will take you more seriously if they see you take care of your appearance. Showing them that you took the time to look good will let them know how invested you are in this project and how much it means to you. Of course, the more stylish you look the better impression you’ll make. Aside from choosing a good outfit, it’s also a good idea to include an elegant accessory into your look. For example, you can get a watch from the Jaeger LeCoultre Polaris collection.

Prepare a Video

There’s always a chance that your game won’t work properly during the pitch. This is completely understandable when it’s still in development. However, in the event that this happens, you need something that you’re going to show the publishers. That’s why it’s essential to prepare a video presentation of the gameplay and features in the game. In fact, it’s recommended that you start your presentation with a short video and then give a live demonstration. This way, if the game won’t work properly, the publishers will still know what your project is.