Internet cafes have generated much controversy and interest over the past couple of years. Those who own internet cafes have the challenge of competing with other internet cafes in the area as well as compliance with local laws and regulations. Sometimes I enter a cafe and it’s empty with a few customers and other times it is completely packed with a waiting list. How does a cafe bring in more customers?
The most common way to attract new customer is word of mouth. Patrons that come to the cafe share their experiences with friends and family. Others like myself go to the cafe with my mother. This gives us a chance to spend some time together out of the house while trying our luck at playing sweepstakes games. Customers that have a great experience win or lose will always recommend their favorite cafe to their friends.
Having a website is almost crucial to any business that wants to compete in today’s market. A good internet cafe website will include directions, specials, pictures, recent wins, reviews and other information that would drive new and returning customers to their site. Marketing in traditional venues like the local newspaper, radio and depending on your budget, TV will also increase traffic to your business.
Networking with other businesses in your area is also a great way to advertise your cafe. Beauty shops, hotels, bars, and small businesses are often underrated marketing tools. Small businesses can build their own network by advertising for each other. Having a board with business cards of local businesses in your cafe and placing your business card in other small businesses gets the word out around your local area.
Work with your software provider to list your businesses on their website. This will promote both your local business and the sweepstakes software. You learn who your local competition is with the same software. If a competing software company also lists the businesses that contain their software, you will learn where your competitors are and what games they have to offer. You can’t compete for customers if you don’t know what you’re competing against. Do the research to better market your own cafe and sweepstakes games.
Become a voice in the neighborhood and actively participate in the local politics. There are resolutions that can pass that may affect your business and you won’t be aware of it. Just as you market to customers, you must market your business to the community at large. Participate in events whether physically or monetarily that benefit the community. If the community perceives internet cafes as strictly a money-making scheme, public trust will turn and they will make their voice heard to their local politician.
Marketing should be on a local or regional scale. Most internet cafes are not large enough to host huge events or have a huge advertising budget. If there are no legal restrictions, advertise by making donations to local charities, sports leagues, schools, etc to get more publicity. Some of these places have purchased advertising for yearbooks, and charity balls that allow you to buy a page of advertising.
Join your local chamber of commerce and work with your visitors and convention bureau. This is another way to advertise to those who may not be aware of the internet sweepstakes community. Get involved with internet sweepstakes forum. http://www.internetsweepstakesforum.com/ This website gives internet sweepstakes information by state as well as other information related to the internet sweepstakes community.
Get reviewed. All publicity is good publicity. I’ve given good reviews and not so good reviews under the Jackpot Johnnie Mae goes to… series. I have found that there is a large interest in the casinos and internet cafes that I’ve reviewed. People are searching the internet to find internet cafes and how to open cafes. People also look for locations to see if any are close to their house as well as what type of games are available and the payouts.
Misty Parker's Thought Revolution 
Leave a comment