The Pokémon GO craze has swept across the nation. If you aren’t playing it yourself, you’ve at least heard of it. But what you might not know is that the Pokémon fad has the potential to bring an influx of customers into your business.
How it works
Pokémon GO works by using GPS technology to place Pokémon avatars at locations in the real world. Using the Pokémon app, players must go to the physical locations in their communities to capture the Pokémon, which are visible to them through their phone cameras. Once the Pokémon are visible, the player can capture them by using Poké Balls. Later, players (known as Trainers in-game) can battle other players in virtual spaces known as Pokémon Gyms.
Just how big is the phenomenon? According to MoneyNation, nearly $3 million a day is spent on in-app game purchases, with approximately $233 million earned as of the end of August 2016. And that doesn’t factor in ad revenue, which hasn’t been calculated yet but is forecast to be in the billions. In July, an estimate from Recode put the number of American players at 9.5 million.
How can your business benefit?
In addition to hunting Pokémon, players need to frequent PokéStops. PokéStops are places where players can get accessories to be used in the game. This includes Poké Balls which are needed to catch Pokémon. PokéStops are typically public spaces, such as libraries, art installations or other public landmarks. As a business owner, taking advantage of a PokéStop that’s near your business can be very rewarding. First off, the popularity of the game means that PokéStops will draw traffic to their areas, and any local business can benefit from this. To really take advantage of the craze, you can open a Pokémon account yourself and purchase Pokémon Lures ($1.99 in-app purchase).
When Pokémon Lures are cast near PokéStops, wild Pokémon are attracted, drawing yet more traffic to the area. As a business owner, you can take advantage of this by advertising on social media that you are going to cast a lure. Incorporating Pokémon into your social media is a great way to raise your profile and bring in business. This July, Joyride Nashville, a Tennessee tour guiding service, created a Pokémon Go Tour. In the first 24hrs they booked seven tours at $45 per person. The L’inizio pizza bar in New York increased sales one weekend by 75% by spending $10 on lure modules.
Better yet, why not turn your business into a PokéStop? By submitting a request to Niantic, the game developer, it’s possible to make your business into a dynamic Pokémon hub. There’s no guarantee that your business will be accepted, but if it is you’ll suddenly be a hot-spot of activity. Imagine owning a restaurant or coffee shop that’s a PokéStop. People will come there just to get game items, and while they’re there you’ll be able to provide the refreshments. More players will come when you cast lures, and by advertising Pokémon food and drink specials you’re looking at a bonanza of sales.
Where to start
If you’re interested in taking advantage of the Pokémon craze, the best thing is to download the app. It’s free, and it will help you get your bearings. Learn about the game and find out where the nearest Pokéstops and Pokémon Gyms are and see how close they are to your business. There might be troves of new customers just around the corner.
Paul Fitzgerald is a science and technology writer with Inventorspot.com and blogs for CNN International Report. He is also tech and celebrity writer with Hoss Magazine, one of North America's leading home lifestyle publications.
The Pokémon GO craze has swept across the nation. If you aren’t playing it yourself, you’ve at least heard of it. But what you might not know is that the Pokémon fad has the potential to bring an influx of customers into your business. How it works Pokémon GO works by using GPS technology to place Pokémon avatars at locations in the real world. Using the Pokémon app, players must go to the physical locations in their communities to capture the Pokémon, which are visible to them through their phone cameras. Once the Pokémon are visible, the player can capture them by using Poké Balls. Later, players (known as Trainers in-game) can battle other players in virtual spaces known as Pokémon Gyms. Just how big is the phenomenon? According to MoneyNation, nearly $3 million a day is spent on in-app game purchases, with approximately $233 million earned as of the end of August 2016. And that doesn’t factor in ad revenue, which hasn’t been calculated yet but is forecast to be in the billions. In July, an estimate from Recode put the number of American players at 9.5 million. How can your business benefit? In addition to hunting Pokémon, players need to frequent PokéStops. PokéStops are places where players can get accessories to be used in the game. This includes Poké Balls which are needed to catch Pokémon. PokéStops are typically public spaces, such as libraries, art installations or other public landmarks. As a business owner, taking advantage of a PokéStop that’s near your business can be very rewarding. First off, the popularity of the game means that PokéStops will draw traffic to their areas, and any local business can benefit from this. To really take advantage of the craze, you can open a Pokémon account yourself and purchase Pokémon Lures ($1.99 in-app purchase). When Pokémon Lures are cast near PokéStops, wild Pokémon are attracted, drawing yet more traffic to the area. As a business owner, you can take advantage of this by advertising on social media that you are going to cast a lure. Incorporating Pokémon into your social media is a great way to raise your profile and bring in business. This July, Joyride Nashville, a Tennessee tour guiding service, created a Pokémon Go Tour. In the first 24hrs they booked seven tours at $45 per person. The L’inizio pizza bar in New York increased sales one weekend by 75% by spending $10 on lure modules. Better yet, why not turn your business into a PokéStop? By submitting a request to Niantic, the game developer, it’s possible to make your business into a dynamic Pokémon hub. There’s no guarantee that your business will be accepted, but if it is you’ll suddenly be a hot-spot of activity. Imagine owning a restaurant or coffee shop that’s a PokéStop. People will come there just to get game items, and while they’re there you’ll be able to provide the refreshments. More players will come when you cast lures, and by advertising Pokémon food and drink specials you’re looking at a bonanza of sales. Where to start If you’re interested in taking advantage of the Pokémon craze, the best thing is to download the app. It’s free, and it will help you get your bearings. Learn about the game and find out where the nearest Pokéstops and Pokémon Gyms are and see how close they are to your business. There might be troves of new customers just around the corner.
