Marketing to sports fans always seems like a slam dunk, but it’s just as easy to get wrong as it is to get right. As the fall sports season kicks off, here are some things to keep in mind if you want to draw in the sports crowd and keep them coming back each week.
- Figure out what kind of sports fans live near you. This is something that’s easy to overlook—“Well, everyone here loves football, so they will come out regardless.” That’s not entirely true! What teams do people in your community support? Is the local team so bad that nobody really cares? Do you have an opportunity to become the hubspot for an out-of-town team and its fans? (That’s an underrated niche, especially in larger cities or suburbs.)
- Cater specials to the schedules of pro leagues and teams. Pay attention to the schedule of the team your customers want to come see. Monday and Thursday Night Football are great opportunities for food-and-drink promos and happy hours. Know when the baseball postseason starts, as many MLB fans like to watch those tense matchups at their favorite public hangouts. They also fall on weekdays, so you can bring in more business during the slower days of the week.
- Have a seasonal sports marketing schedule. Be aware of when all the major seasons start and end, and of the major dates and marquee matchups in between. This might be a pain, especially if you’re not a sports fan. But you serve sports fans, and with the right marketing schedule, they will keep your business booming during down times of the week and down times throughout the year.
- Make sure you’re staffed up for all major games and events. A lot of customers get really annoyed when they aren’t served efficiently. When you run sports-related promos or are gearing up for a big game day, put staffing at the top of your priorities. Your customers and bottom line will thank you.
If you’re interested in opening a Rosati’s franchise and want to know how we can help you market to sports fans, contact us today!