by Caitlin Kullberg, Alignable
Yesterday we at Alignable talked about how to use “Lure” in Pokémon GO to Lure New Customers. While the cost associated with this method is low, it could add up if you wanted to light up your PokéStop for hours at a time every day. It’s also possible you don’t have a PokéStop conveniently located right next door to your place of business. If that’s the case, how can you utilize Pokémon GO to boost business?
Here are a few ways without any in-app purchases:
Trendy social content!
Snap some screenshots using the built-in camera tool when a Pokémon wanders into your area (the rarer the better!). Even when there isn’t a Gym or PokéStop within range, the Pokémon are always roaming. Post your photo on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for content that’s topical, sharable, and free.
Refresh the players!
If you’ve got yourself a restaurant or bar, you’ve got what these Pokémon GO crazed players need: sustenance. We know that this game is getting people to walk around way more than they normally do, which means they probably need to fuel up. Use a sandwich board to let them know that you’re there for them. “Chasing Pokémon making you thirsty? Grab an ice-cold lemonade for your hunt!”
And their phones!
Man, does this game drain your battery. You can turn on “battery-saving mode” in Settings, but still, users are bound to need a charge if they’re on the prowl all day. If you’ve got accessible outlets, offer them up to customers who play.
Giveaways!
Incentivize people to share! Whether they’re existing customers who play or Pokémon GO players who found their way to you, they’re much more likely to tweet about you and your Pokémon population if they might get something out of it.
Pick a team!
Once players reach Level 5, they can enter and battle at Gyms. The first time you do this, you’re instructed to pick a team: Team Mystic (blue), Team Instinct (yellow), or Team Valor (red). Feel free to choose sides and reward customers on “your team”. Maybe you run an electrical company so naturally you side with Team Instinct, led by Spark and represented by the Pokémon Zapdos (electrical type). Offer players on Team Instinct a discount. Because players can’t switch teams once they choose, you won’t have to worry about people switching teams just to snag your discount.
The possibilities are endless.
Caitlin Kullberg is a Growth Marketer at Alignable, a Boston-based social network for local business owners to connect. She’s a graduate of Northeastern University from the D’Amore-McKim School of Business. Caitlin is passionate about small business marketing and strengthening communities.
