Capitalizing on Trends, Games and the Poke-craze

​Are you part of the Poke-craze that's sweeping the nation? Even if you aren't, I'm sure you've heard enough from your friends and family about the game to have a feel for the basics. If not, here's a one sentence recap: Pokemon are everywhere and people are flocking to catch them.

I read a great article last week about using Pokemon Go to attract people to your business. I highly recommend you read it, as it has real world examples of people who have capitalized on this trend to bring traffic and a bit of extra fun to their business. Most of these ideas involve finding out if there's a Pokestop near your business, then dropping lures there to attract wild Pokemon and people. If there's a Pokemon gym, you can put up a leader board and offer discounts for trainers who are part of the team that currently controls the gym.

​But how can these ideas be best utilized for a pool? After all, it's no secret that smart phones and water don't mix. The first thing to do is to download Pokemon Go and see if your facility is nearby any Pokestops or gyms. If it is, consider advertising that on social media. The article I mentioned has lots of examples of how to use your lucky location to your advantage.

If your facility isn't close to a Pokestop or gym, there are still ways to get involved. You can advertise any rare Pokemon that your customers have caught on your grounds, or announce a discount for anyone who has the "Pokemon of the day." Set up a couple power strips around your snack bar and it could be a haven for players—and Pokemon training is hungry work!
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Don't be afraid to get creative! There are dozens of ways to market this craze, and what works for one business may not work for another. At the end of the day, though, you're sure to have fun!