With World Tavern Entertainment
Like Any Promotion, It Takes Time To Build
It is important that we set the proper expectations for your Poker Promotion. We have given you a lot of information over the last few days, and if you followed the tips and checklists, you are off to a great start!
"The key to a successful poker night is to Market hard and get your staff involved for the first 3 months. That's what we did and have 30+ customers every week for over 10 years!"
-John Ellery - Ellery's Bar & Grill, NJ
12 Week Growth
Your first night might be only a handful of poker customers...but do not worry, if you keep marketing, it will keep growing.
Below is a chart that is the 'standard' curve you will experience over your first 12 weeks.
6 Critical Success Tips!
Our most successful venues follow these 6 tips:
1. Promote, Promote, And Promote Some More
Are your posters and flyers up? Are you promoting on Social Media regularly? Have you added your new poker night to all of your marketing channels? The more you promote the bigger your crowds!
2. Get Your Staff Engaged?
Have you gotten your staff excited about the new promotion? The more excited they are, the more they will tell other customers and the more they will appreciate the additional customers.
3. Show Appreciation To The Customers
Even if you have 5 customers your first week, get out there and thank them for coming. Ask them to invite their friends, or even jump into one of the games and play with your customers.
4. Have Great Servers!
Be sure you have servers who are constantly working the poker 'area'. Learn the customer's drinks (they will soon be regulars) and greet them by name. Great service increases sales and gratuities as well as keeps customers coming back!
5. Consistency Is Key!
Remember, this is just the first week...if you want to grow your crowds week after week, be consistent with your Marketing, Staff, Prizes etc.
6. Give It 12 Weeks Full Throttle
I hate to use the cliche 'Rome wasn't built in a day', but this is true with any promotion. If you give it your full effort for the first 12 weeks, you
Measuring Sales Accurately
Keep The Music Up
Remember, we are not trying to duplicate the World Series of Poker. This is a bar game that should have a bar atmosphere. Keep the music up and the fun going all night. The more fun they have, the longer they will stay!
Side Games
Many venues have side games to keep customers around. Simply have your TD put some chips and cards on a side table for customers who have been knocked out. Consider giving away some bar swag or a free drink/app to the winners. REMEMBER, NO GAMBLING!
Thank Your Customers!
A Thank You for coming to your venue goes a long way! Our most successful owners and managers do this on a regular basis to show their appreciation to their customers.
Motivating Your Staff
Keep The Music Up
Remember, we are not trying to duplicate the World Series of Poker. This is a bar game that should have a bar atmosphere. Keep the music up and the fun going all night. The more fun they have, the longer they will stay!