If you run a business in a college town…are you ready for game day?
Even though I’ve been in Chapel Hill for over 30 years, the number still amaze me every time I see them. When Kenan Stadium is sold out, that means 63,000 tickets have been sold. The estimated economic impact is $7.8 million which generates $546,000 in sales tax – an extremely important source of revenue for our state and local governments – now more so than ever.
If $7.8 million sounds too big to be true, …all it takes is for each of the 63,000 fans to spend $125. It would be easy to do – ticket, game program, concessions, parking , bus ride, dinner on Franklin Street, shopping in your store, etc. Some spend more. Some spend less. But it’s a huge influx of people and cash into our community.
The share for each of our businesses can range from none to a lot – depending on location, the type of business and mainly – game day strategy. Even businesses that don’t sell game day “items”, can get a boost or two from the buzz about game day. Boosts in energy, productivity, morale, customer loyalty – all of which have a way of boosting business.
Here are 10 possible components of a game day strategy, most of which require no cash investment. If you aren’t in Chapel Hill, just substitute your team and town name as needed below.
1. Put Go Heels signs in your windows and doors. You can get a ready-to-print signs right here.
2. Hang a Carolina flag outside your business or in your window.
3. Make a window display of Carolina items that you sell in your store.
4. Display Carolina items at the entrance to your store.
5. No Carolina items in inventory? Just add a few pompoms to whatever you do have.
6. Use Carolina Football screensavers on your computers. Download these for free at from Tarheelblue.com. Here’s the link.
7. Offer game day or game week specials. It doesn’t have to be a special price. Just a cool name like: Tar Heel Tire Special, Tar Heel Toddy, Pigskin Print Package, Touchdown Two-fer. Add a couple named for the opposing team. For example, this weekend, we play the Dukes from James Madison University. So – you could offer a Dukes Deal of the Day or a Special for 2 from JMU.
8. Invite staff members to wear Carolina Blue all week – or at least on Friday and Saturday (if open). If your budget allows, make this easy by purchasing tee shirts or jerseys for all to wear.
9. And be sure to show signs of class. Welcome visiting fans of the opposing team with signs in the window. Take it a step further and ask staff members to greet visitors by saying “Welcome to Chapel Hill”, “Welcome to Carrboro” or “Welcome to Chapelboro. We make it easy by providing signs you can download for free. Click on Welcome JMU Fans. And if you want to prepare for future games, go to SignsForGameDay.biz
10. Looking for ways to direct your advertising to the fans that come to town for the games? If they aren’t sold out already, your business can get a piece of the action by purchasing ads in the Daily Tar Heel. Or by purchasing spots on the radio broadcast.
Got any game day suggestions to add to the list?
Note: 10 by 10 on Tuesday (also know as a Quick List) is a weekly feature is for managers who don’t have time or don’t want to make time to read lengthy articles or even short paragraphs. Here you will find 10 tips or questions or steps or ways to Get 2 Goal or Be a Better Manager, etc). And it will be posted by 10 (AM – EST) on Tuesdays. Here’s our collection of Quick Lists to date.
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