I use ZERO advertising in magazines or newspapers. Too small a return. Digital advertising and concentrating on referrals from current customers has a much higher return in general and for the money.
Good points. When I had my room, I relied very heavy on encouraging repeat business which meant to find activities for all levels of play. I had no alcohol or food, so relied almost entirely on pool time to pay the bills. My primary method for advertising was by way of a newsletter I developed that covered all activities and upcoming events. Peolpe love to see their name published and I found ways to make sure I included as many different names as possible, for whatever reason there could possibly be. I was sending out roughly 400+ newsletters every month, covering the in-house 8-ball league, the handicap tournaments, hi-scores on video games, upcoming tournaments, exhibitions, who said what to who and I gave as many of those clients as I could, nicknames.
If I would do it today, I would create an on-line newsletter to be sent out periodically, but often.
Part of my staff's instructions or requirements, was to get names and addresses of everyone that ever came in the door. Those names would be separated into catagories of interests. That way I had an established tactic to contact everyone I needed to for whatever type of function that was to take place.
It worked big time for me. I always had big fields for tournaments, always had successful league turnouts and a strong social following.
Radio, TV, billboards, newspapers, coupons, etc. are a waste of your money.
Unfortunately, after ten plus years, I got tired of paying huge rent ($8000/month on a 20 table room), plus I was developing any real equity for myself. I was paying the bills fine. But, at the end of the year, all I ever had to show was that the bills were paid and that's it. Of course, I had a ton of fun and met lots of great people and suffered and perservered through tragedies and good times.
My best advise is to develop new business from the business you already have. Your reputation as to how you treat your customers, how you take care of your equiptment and how clean your bathrooms, etc. are, will win you kudos from those that support you now.
Good Luck.
