Consumers undoubtedly have endless bar and nightlife options. Therefore, ensuring that customers can find your bar amidst the competition is half the battle. Don’t miss out on vital opportunities to get customers into your bar with these strategies.
Optimize your bar’s online listings on Google Places and Yahoo Local:
Millions of consumers rely on location-based web searches to find bars within their vicinity. Make sure that your business is listed on Google Places and Yahoo Local and that the listings are current and accurate. You can then optimize your listing with photos, information, specials and coupons to make your bar stand out from the crowd.
Build a mobile-friendly website:
While it’s one thing to have a well-designed website, if it isn’t mobile-friendly you are missing out on new customers! According to this Infographic provided by Microsoft Tag, 2014 will be the year that mobile internet usage will take over desktop internet usage. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile devices, you can be sure that consumers will go elsewhere.
Get tweeting:
Twitter is full of opportunities to connect with your potential customers. Use it to attract people to your bar by tweeting coupons, events, drink specials, promotions, etc. to get more people through your door. To augment your Twitter presence, encourage existing customers to tweet photos and videos from your bar and share their experience with your Twitter followers.
Make sure your bar is on the map:
Many businesses lose out on potential customers because their accurate location doesn’t show up on GPS and mapping sites. Report your business location, contact information and address to Google Maps and other major mapping directories to make it easy for customers to get to your bar. Here are some steps to add your business to GPS.
Hit the streets:
Traditional guerrilla marketing techniques still have an important place in bar promotions, especially if your establishment is one of dozens of bars within walking distance to your potential customers. Have a lively street team pass out flyers and drink specials to people passing encouraging them to stop in for a drink or two.
Tap into your loyal customers to spread the word:
Your most loyal customers are among your biggest arsenals to attract new customers. Use them to spread the word about your bar to their own friends and social networks. Incentivize them with free drinks and other perks to take simple actions that help promote your bar, such as checking in at your bar on Facebook or posting a fun video or photo from your bar with relevant hashtags.
Score press exposure:
According to a Pew Research Internet Project survey, 39 percent of adults rely on TV or newspapers to get information about local bars, restaurants and nightlife. Build relationships with local bar and nightlife bloggers and journalists and give them convincing reasons to include your bar’s special events and other news in their editorial coverage. Perhaps you have a popular band performing live or a special private charity event that you’re hosting at your bar. Give your media contacts the inside track to make sure your news is on their radar.
Article provided by Buzztime.
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Trusted by over 3,200 bars and restaurants in North America since 1985, Buzztime integrates trivia, card and sports games with in- and out-of-venue messaging and communication tools. With over 4.2 million player registrations on the Buzztime platform and over 52 million games played each year, Buzztime players spread the word and invite friends and family to their favorite Buzztime location to enjoy an evening of fun and competition.