We are certain you have already heard about the application available for mobile devices that dominated these past couple of months.
At the same time, you may wonder how this pertains to your business and more importantly how you can capitalize on this game that inspired all ages to get out of the house and play.
So what is Pokémon Go?
It could simply be described as a treasure hunt in which players move and hangout in town or around landmarks to hunt for and capture digital creatures that are part of the Pokémon family. Previously a card collecting game with various features is now mobile and requires players to go out into the real world in order to play.
Since the first mobile game, Pokémon Go, was released, the company brought a new version to the market that makes the game safer.
“The Pokémon Go Plus is a small device that lets you enjoy Pokémon Go while you’re on the move and not looking at your smartphone. The device connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth low energy and notifies you about events in the game, such as the appearance of a Pokémon nearby, using an LED and vibration.”
The Game
The game’s strategies include two types of fixed locations that are crucial to the game. One is called PokéStops, which is a digital stop at buildings or places around a town/city where players can collect extra Poké Balls (is a type of item that is critical to a Trainer’s quest, used for catching and storing Pokémon) and potions (it is used to heal a Pokémon).
The second location is called a “gym”. These are locations where players meet and battle their Pokémon to gain control of a location.
Attracting Pokémon Go and Increase Your Revenue
In order to play the game, the players need to visit the fixed locations. Many of these locations are businesses, or nearby businesses attracting players multiple times a day. The question is: How can your business get involved and capitalize on the foot traffic to generate more revenue? There are various ways to get involved and attract the players to your business:
1. Offer Free WiFi and Charging Stations
Advertise that you are offering free WiFi and charging stations. Put a sandwich board in front of your business or use other means of advertising to invite players to take advantage of your offering.
2. Host a Poké-Hunt
Invest in an advertisement, announcing that your business is hosting a community wide “Pokémon Go” hunt on a certain date and time that starts and ends at your business’s doorstep. This strategy doesn’t depended on the proximity of gyms or PokéStops. Players will meet at your business, and then depart together for a hunt around your neighborhood. Invite the hunters back for conversations about the hunting experience. As an option the business could offer a reward, for example 10% discount after the hunt, which is very effective for coffee shops and restaurants.
3. Gym Battle Tournaments
Another option for your business is hosting a tournament. However, you need to be close to a Pokémon Gym or a PokéStop. Again, it is a good idea to entice players to visit your business by offering a discount. Alternatively, or in addition, a bigger discount could translate into a bigger incentive for gym battle winners and players that successfully become gym leaders (gamer ID required). Gyms consist of multiple players as they battle in teams. They spend a significant amount of time as well as money at your business.
4. Lure Party
A very affordable and easy form of marketing is hosting a “lure party”. Your business can acquire a package of “lure modules,”which is very effective if your business is located at or near PokéStops. The activated lure modules will attract wild Pokémon and most importantly players, to your location.
How to buy “lure modules”: create a “Pokémon Go” account by downloading it for free from the Google Play or App stores. Then buy a package of lure modules and set them up at your nearest PokéStop. Each lure is active for 30 minutes, so you can use them in succession to create a lure party that lasts as long as you’d like. Consider special deals during the lure party at your business to make some extra money.
5. Social Media and “Pokémon Go”
Use “Pokémon Go” to increase your visibility on social media by offering customers a discount when taking a screenshot of a Pokémon in your store or restaurant and then post it on social media with a tag to your business. It will show nearby players how many rare and exotic Pokémon can be found at your business, which may encourage them to visit and possibly spend a few dollars at your establishment.
Remember, while you make an investment in form of a discount and utilize one of the most affordable marketing vehicles, “social media” your return on investment could be threefold. While creating a buzz around your business and having an online presence, you are increasing your bottom line.
Your marketing efforts can be enhanced by promoting your events through traditional media tools such as print and radio.
Source:
- Official Pokémon website: http://www.pokemongo.com/
- Business News Daily July 12, 2016 : 4 Ways to Put “Pokémon Go” to Work for Your Small Business, by A.C Uzialko http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9228-pokemon-go-business-strategy.html#sthash.njOvTIFZ.dpuf
This article is courtesy of the Town of Okotoks