Monday, September 10, 2012

Wow, Wow, Wow


You can’t get open play business by more price specials. Didn’t the last three years teach you that? Didn’t we all figure out that the low price position kills?  And even though Joe down the street is selling bowling for 99 cents in September and October, Joe is also closing a bunch of centers he USED to own!! Like maybe 30 or 40.

Make your open bowling a spectacular event. Make it an affair to remember.Make it an NFL game. Make it a college football homecoming.

Don’t people want that? Look at the special events all around you charging $25 to $250 per person even in the worst markets?                                                                                                                                        

Because people will pay for DIFFERENT.  Because people will pay not to be bored. Because people will pay to feel good.              
                                                             
Now Imagine communicating through an old time megaphone by a ringmaster who says:

“Ladies and gentlemen and children of all ages, happy lanes is introducing  rock n rolling, the greatest show on earth featuring bowling, music, lights, music and fog. Only THIS Friday and Saturday night; starting at 9pm until midnight for just $19.95 per person includes unlimited pizza and those cool rental shoes.” Say it in a loud and proud voice.

If it’s an event you can charge a higher price. If it’s every week, it’s the same old same old same old that gets less entertaining, less spectacular and more boring every week regardless of the price.

The only question you should be asking is what are you going to do next week? Will you have a band?  Will you have a theme?  Will you include 50s music with milk and cookies for free?

C'mon - get out of the rut of marketing open play the same old way. Create a spectacular event every weekend. It will wow your customers…and your accountant.