Bars and restaurants are known for being a meeting spot for locals in the same community. A place to get out for the day or night to have fun, eat, drink and socialize .
So, why is sports content so important to add in your establishment? Well, the answers are pretty straightforward…
SPORTS HELP TO ELEVATE THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Bar owners and managers across the country are always looking for new ways to promote their businesses. And in the long run, what it comes down to is the experience customers have at a bar. A good, different experience is what will keep them coming back for more.
Dana White, President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has said that if fans can’t catch a UFC event live in the arena, then the next best place to go is a sports bar.
That’s because fans go out looking to meet other fans and bond over a common interest. The camaraderie they feel when they are watching a sporting event together is unmatched. The electric environment that sports can bring to a business can be pure magic. Simply put, sports are an absolute must if you are thinking of labeling yourself as a ‘sports bar’.
You may be wondering, “How exactly do I create the perfect environment & develop the bar experience?”
When planning out your watch party logistics, it’s important to remember the four factors bar watchers find most important in picking a place to watch an event:
- The presence of large-screen TVs
- The number of TVs in the venue
- Seating proximity to TVs
- Sound and volume levels
Once you have the details planned, be sure to promote your watch party, whether that is on social media or a different channel. Communicate the above points in the messaging so that future customers have an idea of what to expect. You can include a call to action or a special offer, things like buckets of beer, VIP seating or reservations, special menus, and more!
SPORTS WILL HELP BRAND YOUR BUSINESS
Obviously, sports bars are expected to have sports. But, remember that it’s not just the “Big Four’’ leagues your customers are looking for. With different sports content comes different demographics of fans. Fans with varying ages, genders, ethnicity and disposable income, just to name a few.
If you are hoping to increase your foot traffic, boost food and beverage sales and get ahead of your competition, then think outside of the box when it comes to your sports content.
Have you considered boxing, MMA, wrestling, golf, college sports, or soccer? If not, it’s not too late! Brand your business as ‘the spot to catch EVERYTHING!’
Of course, you will want to have the most popular events that fans are expecting. But, you can also introduce them to new events that they may not have heard of yet. By doing so, you will become the sports authority figure in your community and people will look for you to tell them what they should be interested in.
Mix it up! You never know who you can be attracting or influencing.
SPORTS CREATE REPEAT CUSTOMERS
Like we said above, when you choose to introduce new sports content, you will be introduced to new fan bases you may not have had a chance to meet before. This will help draw many first-time or rare visitors into your venue. Even better, it provides you the opportunity to keep them coming back for more. These fans can start out as new customers, turn into repeat customers and hopefully in the end remain loyal customers.
And, if they enjoy the overall experience, chances are they will start spreading the word to other potential customers. Encourage them to tell their family and friends, and offer them something special for leaving a review. You can market and promote your bar as much as you can, but in the end, many customers will listen to the opinions of other customers. If they are hearing or reading positive reviews, that will help your efforts in word-of-mouth marketing.
SPORTS DRAW BIG CROWDS
At the end of the day, the main goal is to pack your venue. Sporting events help you do just that! We’ve said it before and will continue to keep reminding you – people come together for a common interest. When sports fans feel like they have found a place where they can watch their beloved teams and athletes, they will continue to come back. They will feel comfortable with the community they’ve created within your doors.
Once you’ve created the one-of-a-kind environment and found your loyal customers, you will see your customer base naturally expand. The bigger the crowd, the more exciting the experience. Locals will hear what it’s like at your venue and want to experience it for themselves.
If you follow what we’ve been saying, you will reap the benefits in no time!