Pokémon Go has only been out for less than a month, and it is the most popular and most talked about mobile-gaming app thus far. It is currently the top grossing app in the mobile-gaming market, and we can see why.
This augmented reality mobile game allows players to catch Pokémon out in the real world. The game uses your phone’s GPS and smartphone camera to turn your world into a Pokémon paradise. Pokémon can pop up in different places such as your own home and more often in public places. The game is so innovative and exciting that Nintendo shares increased by nearly 25 percent. Players are so enthusiastic about this game that they even lose a bit of their sense trying to “Catch ‘Em All.” Some players were caught trespassing into live tiger exhibits, falling into ponds, walking into poles and even catching Pokémon in sacred areas such as the Holocaust Museum in D.C. and the Arlington Cemetery. One player even found a dead body while trying to catch some water Pokémon!
Despite all of the insanity that the game seems to bring out of its players, it has been a treasure to many historical sites and businesses who welcome eager visitors. The National Mall in D.C. recently had an event where they encouraged Pokémon Go players to explore the park while searching for rare and hard-to-find Pokémon such as Charizard. Even adoption centers are encouraging players to walk their dogs while searching for rare Pokémon. But, no one has received more of an advantage from this Pokémon Go hysteria than local businesses. For example, the owner of L’Inizio in Long Island City in Queens, NY, Tom Lattanzio, claimed that business has boomed up to 75 percent after paying $10 to have a dozen Pokémon lured to his store.
While it may seem a bit annoying for Pokémon Go players to just walk up to or into your storefront or business to catch Pokémon, there will be hundreds of customers who will catch the Pokémon they came there for, look up from their phone and notice what you have to offer. If your storefront has a nice buzzing atmosphere, interesting items for sale or a yummy aroma, chances are these players will want to stick around until their next venture. Other businesses such as hotels, office buildings selling commercial space, or even apartment buildings can also use Pokémon Go to advertise their business and increase traffic and potential buyers or renters.
Your best bet as an entrepreneur who wants to increase sales, customer traffic and capital gain as well as keep up with trends that will benefit your business is to follow suit of businesses like L’Inizio‘s:
First, if you haven’t downloaded the app, make sure you do to ensure that your business is a Pokéstop or a Pokémon gym or has one nearby. If you are not a Pokéstop or a Pokémon gym, you can request to become one!
Next, set up a lure near your business (or at your business if your business is on the map as a Pokéstop) to attract Pokémon and players. Business owners and players will be more likely to buy or rent the space, and customers will more likely purchase your items for sale if you have constant lures set up at your business.
Advertise all of the Pokémon and other Pokémon gyms or Pokéstops in the area to increase traffic. Realtors looking to sell homes, hotel owners or any other business with commercial office space would find it in their best interest to advertise for Pokémon Go to get people interested in buying, renting or even booking a room at a hotel.
Offer a deal or discount for Pokémon Go users who show their app such as 20 percent off of clothing or $5 off drinks.
If your business is a Pokémon gym, encourage users to come in and grab a bite, shop or check out an apartment for rent while training or fighting Pokémon.
You can also encourage players to fight in your gym and whoever the winner is gets a great discount on drinks, food or store items. While winners benefit from this deal, other players will end up purchasing something depending on how long they were there trying to take the gym.
As a business owner, it is imperative for you to keep up with hot new trends such as Pokémon Go because of the large benefit it will have for your business. Think of new and innovative ways to encourage Pokémon Go players to enter your storefront or business. Don’t be the person who misses out on the Pokémon hysteria. Use it to your advantage, and just like other businesses across the nation who have claimed prosperity since Pokémon Go’s release, you will see profits rise for you as well.
