July 12, 2016 - Hackettstown, NJ - Pokemon Go is a great example of a trend that can help your business get exposure. The game generates automatic foot traffic, maybe not the ideal customer or even a person that can purchase your product right now, like a teenager. But they will always remember the time when Pokemon Go came along and your business had fun with it. Instantaneous positive brand image comes along once in a lifetime
Suggestions for Pokemon Go in particular
1) If a Pokemon appears in your business location, take a screen capture and share it on Social Media
2) Have a special offer, sample, promotional product, coupon or even a gift bag available for anyone coming in to capture a Pokemon
3) Hold a selfie contest with any players that come in – the winner getting a $25 gift card to your business
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All three options give great exposure to the business or any time a flash trend or situation comes along.
Other situation that can be turned into positives
Car accident or Road Construction blocking traffic – again, be ready with coupons to hand to drivers stuck in front of your business. Take a selfie and hold a contest.
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Power Outage causing food loss – I did this once at a restaurant, make soup and give away to neighboring businesses and their customers, along with a coupon or business cards, you’ll be a hero.
Unwitting participant in a video game - Freddie’s Pizza in Long Branch, NJ – Freddie’s Pizza is a fictional location in a Video Game. Kids from across the country are calling in to see if a certain character is there.
I posted on his Facebook page this answer:
Okay Freddie's, I feel bad that this happened to you, but other than the local press, see if you can find a way for this to benefit from it. A couple of suggestions
1) Have a teenager or family friend (they're off of school anyway) answer the phone and pay them in Pizza or gift cards, so they can bring their friends and be an 'ambassador' for your business. Obviously trained to take legitimate calls for orders.
2) Create a quick 'selfie' of other photo contest with your business name clear and visible for the players of the game or even just the general public
3) Always, Always, Always answer your phone with your Business Name, regardless of where in the country the call comes from, find a reason to say YES this is Freddie's and give them an answer related to the game ---- You may not see immediate results in increased business, but you'll have kids visiting from out of town that will insist on having a meal from your shop ---- just some suggestions and try to have fun with it.
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Any time there is what would normally be a negative situation, there is always a way to have fun with it.
And of course, when the situation is over write up a press release and send it to your very local media outlets, it’s just the fun feel-good story that people are looking for.
#PokemonGo #MakingLemonade
