How to promote a game server hosting company?

Hey linuxfan2718

I am in the same boat as you but with a fitness product. My whole goal for the next 3-4 months is to simply learn from a super minimal course version of what I want to eventually turn into an app.

I'm right there with you on this, "I'm 100% all-in to make this a great game hosting company. If I get some customers I'm going to "do things that don't scale" to make sure they have a great experience."

My problem is I keep getting ahead of myself. All of my instincts tell me to leap right into Mega Awareness mode followed quickly by Acquisition.

I have to keep reminding myself that this is not my strategy for my own personal startup. It's hard because I work in environments where money has already traded hands and traction and growth is the name of the game.

I am doing another soft launch in a couple of weeks after a painful complete rework of my product and rebranding.

My goal this time is different. I am taking a very qualitative approach in an attempt to understand triggers, acquisition paths and to gain personal 1:1 communication with each user as use my product for the first time.

Since your product is Saass I would even go as far as running a small, super targeted contest, or come right out and pay a small group of people to "test" your product.

Just think of it as money spent on research rather than a potential waste on nonsticky customers.

If you're lucky this small test group will feel like they helped you build the product and they will turn into your biggest fans with loud voices.

I hope it all goes well. Make sure you post an update with what you decide to do and how it works out.

I'll try to post later on to share how my soft launch goes.

Break a leg :)

Short term I would reach out to the community on a personal level (I'm talking like steam private messages etc.)—Try not to be spammy, perhaps offering them a free trial or something.

Longer term I would invest some time creating blog articles, how-to guides, steam guides, youtube how-tos, with titles like 'how to create a 7 days to die server' that explain the process. (the fact it's dead simple will only sell it even more from articles)

I also noticed 7 days to die has a wiki page on gamepedia.com — I would have a look to see if your service could be listed in a beneficial way for users on there.

Also don't forget to post on their official forums - https://7daystodie.com/forums/

Lastly I'd look into partnerships with twitch streamers. I'm sure there'd be some streamers that would be happy to promote you for free if you simply let them use your service for custom games etc. on stream without paying for the server. Of course this will come down to the size of the streamer, so start big and work your way down till someone you like says yes to the partnership. (I would write up a simple contract to be signed for this)