What promotions or specials do you have that are low cost but a good income generator? I hope that if everyone contributes just a few different ideas, we all can "borrow" a couple for ourselves. This helps us and helps the players too.
My favorites:
Free Pool on your Birthday.
Cost-Minimal. The only time it really costs you anything is when someones birthday just happens to be on a Saturday night and is alone the whole time. Most people will celebrate a birthday with some friends. This brings a whole group of people to your place to play pool, buy drinks etc. The birthday guy/girl will suggest your place over a movie etc.
Half Price Tee Shirt Night.
Cost- $7 per tee shirt up front appx. We have half price pool when you wear a Cue & Cushion tee shirt to play pool one day a week. This gets your customers to advertise for you helping bring in word of mouth customers. Pick a slow night and it doesnt affect your bottom line. You could do the same thing after midnight even? We even have promotions and contests where you win tee shirts. Some customers on a limited budget will only come on that teeshirt night, but hey, better they come there one night a week than zero?
I even have unannounced days twice a month. So customers that get in the habit of wearing your shirts every day gets a nice surprise now and then with a reduced bill.
Internet site.
Cost- $1500 max...If you have time..find a customer who has webdesign experience and maybe work a trade. Free pool for a year? You might get a better website than a pro company dollar for dollar. I paid about $900 upfront for our website and regular updates have been $100 here and $200 there. Not a huge expense. I am very lucky with my webmaster.
Just having a website with basic information and pictures of your place I think is a huge deal these days. It gives a person a sneak preview of your prices and specials and what kind of place you have. Set up is a pain but once up the monthly costs are pretty low. Putting your web address on every single piece of advertising is really important. It doesnt have to be a secure website for selling anything. The websites that have the shopping carts and retail sales on them is where it gets more complicated. Pictures of people having fun. Emphasize your specials for those who have never been there. Internet coupon for the first timer? Show pics of cues or merchandise you have. Once setup it will over time bring new customers on a regular basis.
Those are my top 3 favorite promotional ideas that have worked really well for us. Hope other room owners add to it.
My favorites:
Free Pool on your Birthday.
Cost-Minimal. The only time it really costs you anything is when someones birthday just happens to be on a Saturday night and is alone the whole time. Most people will celebrate a birthday with some friends. This brings a whole group of people to your place to play pool, buy drinks etc. The birthday guy/girl will suggest your place over a movie etc.
Half Price Tee Shirt Night.
Cost- $7 per tee shirt up front appx. We have half price pool when you wear a Cue & Cushion tee shirt to play pool one day a week. This gets your customers to advertise for you helping bring in word of mouth customers. Pick a slow night and it doesnt affect your bottom line. You could do the same thing after midnight even? We even have promotions and contests where you win tee shirts. Some customers on a limited budget will only come on that teeshirt night, but hey, better they come there one night a week than zero?
I even have unannounced days twice a month. So customers that get in the habit of wearing your shirts every day gets a nice surprise now and then with a reduced bill.
Internet site.
Cost- $1500 max...If you have time..find a customer who has webdesign experience and maybe work a trade. Free pool for a year? You might get a better website than a pro company dollar for dollar. I paid about $900 upfront for our website and regular updates have been $100 here and $200 there. Not a huge expense. I am very lucky with my webmaster.
Just having a website with basic information and pictures of your place I think is a huge deal these days. It gives a person a sneak preview of your prices and specials and what kind of place you have. Set up is a pain but once up the monthly costs are pretty low. Putting your web address on every single piece of advertising is really important. It doesnt have to be a secure website for selling anything. The websites that have the shopping carts and retail sales on them is where it gets more complicated. Pictures of people having fun. Emphasize your specials for those who have never been there. Internet coupon for the first timer? Show pics of cues or merchandise you have. Once setup it will over time bring new customers on a regular basis.
Those are my top 3 favorite promotional ideas that have worked really well for us. Hope other room owners add to it.
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