How Claymore Games Used ZapMyWork to Streamline Their Ad Campaigns and Drive Player Signups

Building the Game Was Only Half the Battle

Claymore Games, a small but ambitious gaming studio headquartered in Seattle, had spent the last 18 months immersed in the development of Warden’s Keep—a co-op tower defense game with RPG elements and fast-paced multiplayer action. Designed for both casual gamers and competitive players, the game had generated some early buzz in forums and Discord communities. Internally, the team was confident in the gameplay mechanics, the art direction, and the server performance. What they weren’t confident in? Marketing.

With the beta launch just a few weeks away, the pressure was mounting. They needed to start generating serious interest, especially among early adopters and streamers who could help spread the word. But Claymore’s core team consisted mostly of developers and artists. No one on staff had deep experience in running digital ad campaigns, let alone optimizing them for conversions across multiple platforms.

They had tried paid ads in the past—mostly small experiments on Facebook and Instagram—but the outcomes were all over the place. Sometimes a trailer would perform well with one audience, but bomb with another. Their targeting felt too broad, and ad creatives weren’t being properly tested. Worse, they had no idea if they were wasting money or just missing the mark. Every dollar spent felt like a gamble.

It became clear they needed outside help—someone who knew how to navigate ad platforms, test and adjust campaigns quickly, and help them reach the right type of players. Not just more traffic, but the right kind of traffic: people who would play the game, invite friends, and maybe even become long-term community members. They weren’t looking for fancy branding or overly polished pitches. They needed performance—fast.

That’s when they turned to ZapMyWork.

Finding the Right Help—Without the Overhead

Committing to a full-time marketing hire didn’t make sense for Claymore Games—not at this stage. Their budget was tight, and the team was focused on pushing Warden’s Keep out the door with as few distractions as possible. Onboarding someone new in-house would take weeks, and they didn’t have time for trial and error. What they needed was someone who could hit the ground running, plug into their process, and deliver results without a lengthy ramp-up.

That’s when they turned to ZapMyWork, a freelance services marketplace known for connecting businesses with specialized talent across industries. Unlike generic gig platforms, ZapMyWork made it easy to narrow down candidates by service category, past project examples, client reviews, and niche focus areas. Claymore quickly zeroed in on the Ads Setup & Management category, where several freelancers had direct experience working with gaming studios, app developers, and eSports projects.

After shortlisting a few promising profiles, they scheduled discovery calls to get a feel for each freelancer’s style, communication approach, and campaign strategies. One freelancer in particular stood out—a digital ad strategist who had worked with multiple indie game launches and was comfortable running multi-platform campaigns, from Meta and Google to Reddit and TikTok. What sealed the deal was their ability to speak the same language as the Claymore team: clear about performance metrics, realistic about timelines, and deeply familiar with the gaming community.

The freelancer wasn’t just focused on ad clicks—they understood the value of engagement, user retention, and community growth. For Claymore, that alignment made all the difference. Within a couple of days, contracts were signed, assets were shared, and the freelancer was already mapping out a campaign structure that fit the team’s goals.

Finding the Right Help—Without the Overhead

Committing to a full-time marketing hire didn’t make sense for Claymore Games—not at this stage. Their budget was tight, and the team was focused on pushing Warden’s Keep out the door with as few distractions as possible. Onboarding someone new in-house would take weeks, and they didn’t have time for trial and error. What they needed was someone who could hit the ground running, plug into their process, and deliver results without a lengthy ramp-up.

That’s when they turned to ZapMyWork, a freelance services marketplace known for connecting businesses with specialized talent across industries. Unlike generic gig platforms, ZapMyWork made it easy to narrow down candidates by service category, past project examples, client reviews, and niche focus areas. Claymore quickly zeroed in on the Ads Setup & Management category, where several freelancers had direct experience working with gaming studios, app developers, and eSports projects.

After shortlisting a few promising profiles, they scheduled discovery calls to get a feel for each freelancer’s style, communication approach, and campaign strategies. One freelancer in particular stood out—a digital ad strategist who had worked with multiple indie game launches and was comfortable running multi-platform campaigns, from Meta and Google to Reddit and TikTok. What sealed the deal was their ability to speak the same language as the Claymore team: clear about performance metrics, realistic about timelines, and deeply familiar with the gaming community.

The freelancer wasn’t just focused on ad clicks—they understood the value of engagement, user retention, and community growth. For Claymore, that alignment made all the difference. Within a couple of days, contracts were signed, assets were shared, and the freelancer was already mapping out a campaign structure that fit the team’s goals.

Real Results in Just 30 Days

By the end of the first month, the impact of bringing in a freelance ad manager was undeniable. The numbers spoke for themselves—and more importantly, they told a story of clarity, direction, and finally getting traction after months of guesswork.

• Cost-per-click on Meta ads dropped by 48>#/strong###
  Previously, Claymore had been spending a good chunk of their limited ad budget without seeing much in return. With tighter audience segmentation and better creative rotation, the freelancer slashed their CPC by nearly half. This meant more visibility for less money—something that had a direct effect on how many players they were reaching every day.

• 2.3x increase in beta waitlist signups
  The game’s landing page had been redesigned slightly based on ad feedback, and the campaigns were now driving visitors who were actually interested in the gameplay style. Instead of random traffic, they were attracting potential fans—people who not only signed up for the beta but started sharing it with friends.

• Reddit ads achieved a 27% click-through rate
  Targeting subreddit communities like r/IndieGaming and r/CoOpGaming, the freelancer crafted short, conversational ad copy that resonated with the platform’s audience. It didn’t come off as spammy or salesy—it looked like something a gamer would naturally click. The result? A higher CTR than Claymore had ever imagined possible on Reddit.

• Over 6,000 new members joined their Discord server
  The Discord server had always been a focus for the team—they wanted to build a community, not just collect signups. Thanks to strategic retargeting and in-ad callouts that nudged players to “join the guild” early, their community exploded. Within a month, their server went from a quiet beta lounge to a thriving space full of player feedback, co-op team formation, and even a few early fan memes.

A Win for the Team—and a Lesson for the Future

After the campaign wrapped up, Claymore’s marketing lead, Jenna Alvarez, pulled the team together for their usual Monday standup. But this time, the energy in the room felt different. The numbers from the campaign weren’t just good—they were game-changing. Player interest was rising, the community was buzzing, and the waitlist was filling faster than anyone expected.

As part of her update, Jenna reflected on the decision to go the freelance route:

“We weren’t sure if freelance help would be the right fit. We thought it might take too much time to get someone up to speed, or that we’d have to do a lot of hand-holding. But honestly, using ZapMyWork made the process easy. Everything from browsing profiles to setting up the first call was smooth. The freelancer understood our game, knew the platforms inside out, and delivered results that genuinely moved the needle.”

Jenna went on to say that what impressed her most wasn’t just the metrics—it was how quickly the freelancer became a seamless extension of their team. They didn’t overcomplicate things or suggest flashy campaigns that didn’t fit Claymore’s style. Instead, they listened, asked sharp questions, and focused on what mattered: getting the game in front of the right players.

That one decision—bringing in outside help through ZapMyWork—shifted the tone of the entire launch cycle. For a team used to doing everything themselves, it was a powerful reminder that the right freelancer can take a heavy lift off your shoulders and drive meaningful progress without slowing you down.

From that point on, Jenna made it clear: when they needed help again—whether it was for influencer outreach, video trailers, or another round of ads—ZapMyWork would be their first stop.

Why More Teams Are Going Freelance for Ad Support

Claymore Games’ experience isn’t an outlier—it’s becoming more common across industries. Whether you're a small startup launching your first product or a mid-sized company navigating a competitive space, the need for smart, responsive advertising support is constant. And increasingly, companies are choosing to meet that need by working with freelancers instead of building out full in-house marketing teams.

Here’s why this approach is resonating with so many business owners and marketing leads:

Flexibility That Fits Real-World Workflows

One of the biggest draws? You're not locked into a long-term hire. If you only need someone to manage a two-month ad campaign, that’s all you’re committing to. Freelancers can be brought in for a single product launch, a seasonal push, or to handle overflow work when your in-house team is swamped. That kind of flexibility is invaluable—especially for businesses that go through busy and slow periods.

Speed That Keeps Up With Deadlines

When timelines are tight, waiting three months to recruit, interview, and onboard a full-time employee just isn’t practical. Freelancers often start within days, sometimes even hours. On platforms like ZapMyWork, you can connect with someone on a Monday and have your campaign live by Friday. That kind of agility is a major advantage in fast-moving markets where every day counts.

Specialization Without the Overhead

Need someone who’s run ads for mobile games, or managed cross-platform campaigns for subscription services? You’ll find them. Freelancers tend to niche down, which means you're often getting someone who already knows the terrain. They understand what creative formats work on each platform, what metrics matter for your industry, and what pitfalls to avoid. You’re not paying for someone to learn on the job—you’re hiring someone who’s been there before.

Results-Driven, Not Title-Driven

Freelancers live or die by their results. They’re not buffered by corporate structure or long-term contracts—if they don’t deliver, they won’t get hired again. That mindset often shows up in how they work: frequent updates, clear reporting, and a proactive approach to optimization. Many freelancers take pride in being both strategic and hands-on, jumping in wherever needed to make a campaign succeed.

Freelance advertising support doesn’t mean settling for “good enough.” In many cases, it means getting exactly what you need, when you need it—without having to build an entire department from scratch.

And for companies like Claymore Games, that approach didn’t just save time and money. It gave them a competitive edge when they needed it most.

Thinking About Getting Help with Your Ads?

If you’re trying to run a business, keep customers happy, manage your team, and still find time to fine-tune ad campaigns… something’s going to give. And let’s be honest—digital advertising isn’t something most people can just “figure out” in their spare time. Between changing algorithms, evolving privacy rules, and the constant push for fresh creative, it's a full-time job on its own.

So if your ads aren’t performing the way you hoped—or worse, you’re not even sure where the budget is going—it might be time to bring in someone who actually lives and breathes this stuff.

Whether you’re launching a new product, trying to build your brand’s presence, or just feeling stuck with campaigns that seem to plateau, a freelance ad manager can be the difference between spinning your wheels and getting traction.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to spend weeks searching or commit to a long-term contract to get help. On ZapMyWork, you can browse through a range of freelancers who specialize in Ads Setup & Management, view their portfolios, check out client feedback, and reach out directly—all in one place.

You’ll find people who know what makes a click-worthy ad, how to stretch a tight budget, and when to scale up. Most importantly, you’ll find someone who can take that mental load off your plate so you can get back to running your business with fewer distractions.

Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Growing?

No pressure, no complicated onboarding. Just a few smart clicks and a clear path forward.

Find your next freelance ad manager today on ZapMyWork—and start seeing real results, without the headache.