19 December 2024

What’s the Deal with Pokemon Go and Why Your Small Business Can’t Ignore It?

By Ronald Smith

Let me tell you all about Pokemon Go and why it’s a big deal for your small business.

So, what exactly is Pokemon Go? Well, it’s a super popular game that you can play on your smartphone. It’s all about exploring the real world and catching virtual creatures called Pokemon. Pretty cool, right?

But why should you care about Pokemon Go for your small business? Let me break it down for you.

First of all, Pokemon Go has become a huge sensation. People of all ages are playing it, and it’s taking the world by storm. That means there’s a massive audience out there just waiting to be reached.

Secondly, Pokemon Go encourages people to get out and explore. Players have to physically go to different locations to find and catch Pokemon. This presents a unique opportunity for your small business to attract customers. If your business happens to be a PokeStop or a Gym (which are special in-game locations), it can draw even more foot traffic!

And here’s the best part – you can actually use Pokemon Go to promote your business! For example, you can set up lures in the game, which attract more Pokemon to a specific location. This means more players will come to your business, giving you a chance to showcase your products or services.

Another clever way to engage with Pokemon Go players is by offering special promotions or discounts exclusively for them. This creates excitement and gives players an incentive to visit your business.

But how do you let people know that your business is Pokemon Go-friendly? Simple! Just spread the word on social media, put up signs, or even host Pokemon-themed events. Let everyone know that you’re part of the Pokemon Go craze!

So, in a nutshell, Pokemon Go is an incredible opportunity for your small business. It’s a popular game that gets people moving and exploring, and you can use it to attract new customers and promote your business. Don’t miss out on this trend – embrace it and watch your business thrive!

What's the Deal with Pokemon Go and Why Your Small Business Can't Ignore It?

If you haven’t noticed lots of people around you running after things that aren’t really there on the streets, in parks, or, hopefully not, into traffic, then you’ve probably heard of Pokemon Go.

Maybe you’re at the point where if someone talks about Pokemon, you pretend to know what they’re talking about and laugh, but in reality you’re still clueless about it.

The last time you heard about Pokemon was probably like 15 years ago, right?

But don’t worry. Most adults, and even fewer small business owners, know what Pokemon Go is, so let me explain how it works and how it could help your small business now and in the future.

What is Pokemon?

Can you believe it? This whole thing started 20 years ago! That’s when they first released the first two Pokemon video games for the Nintendo Gameboy. Since then, the franchise has grown and changed in so many ways. And despite some ups and downs in popularity, it still remains a phenomenon.

In Pokemon, people called Pokemon Trainers collect these made-up creatures known as Pokemon. They do this by capturing them in special PokeBalls. And then, they use these Pokemon to battle against other Pokemon owned by rival trainers.

Who wins these battles? Well, it all depends on how strong each Pokemon is compared to the other.

That’s probably all you need to know, especially if you’re a small business owner and not interested in becoming a Pokemon Trainer.

So, what exactly is Pokemon Go?

Guess what? On July 6 in the U.S., something super cool happened! The awesome developers Niantic and The Pokemon Company released a brand new mobile app called Pokemon Go. It’s available for both Android and iOS, so you can play it on your phone!

Now, if you’re a Pokemon fan like me, you’re probably jumping for joy! This app is really exciting! But you know what? It’s not just good news for Pokemon lovers. If you own a small business (or any type of business, really), there’s a great opportunity here for you too. You can take advantage of the popularity of Pokemon Go to boost your own business! Plus, it’s a chance for you to explore the world of augmented reality and consider how you can use similar ideas in your own mobile app.

So, let me break it down for you. Pokemon Go follows the same basic idea as the original Pokemon games. But here’s the twist: instead of playing on a handheld device, you play on your smartphone! All you have to do is download the app, create your own Pokemon Trainer avatar, and then you’re ready to go! Then, you’ll see your little Pokemon character moving around on your screen, just like you’re walking around in the real world. Your goal is to find virtual Pokemon hiding in different places around you!

If you haven’t heard already, everyone is doing this thing. Well, maybe not you, but definitely everyone else! It’s the most popular mobile app download ever. It even beat Candy Crush!

How does it work?

You see people walking around, heads down, staring at their phones, and you wonder why. Well, they’re playing Pokemon Go.

But let me tell you, this is causing a lot of problems. We already have people glued to their phones, and now there’s something even more phone-focused!

When you play the game, you can see Pokemon right in front of you on your phone screen, as if they’re actually there in real life. The app uses your phone’s camera and gyroscope, along with other cool technologies, to show Pokemon images on top of the real world that you see through your phone.

So, how about capturing some Pokemon, collecting them, and joining forces with other Trainers to battle against different groups in the game? There are three factions, but don’t worry about that for now. Let’s focus on something more important.

As a small business owner, you can really see the social aspect of this game. Not only are people connected through an app, but they’re also interacting with the real world around them. If we were to rate its social engagement on a scale of 1 to 10, it would definitely be an 11!

How Pokemon Go Can Help Your Business

PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms

There are two main hotspots in the game: PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms. Becoming one of these spots as a business might be a bit tricky, but there are still ways for you to benefit from being close to them.

Let me tell you about PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms – they’re pretty neat! As a Pokemon Trainer, you can visit PokeStops to get special items for the game. It’s like a central hub where you can stock up on goodies.

Pokemon Gyms, on the other hand, are places where Trainers gather to battle with their Pokemon. It’s like a meeting spot for all the awesome Trainers out there.

Now, here’s the interesting part – these PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms are usually found in public places like parks, libraries, and train stations. You know, those cool spots where everyone can hang out.

But wait, there’s more! You can actually request to have your business or something nearby listed as a PokeStop. That would be pretty cool, right? Unfortunately, it’s not easy to get those requests through to Niantic, the app developer, so don’t get your hopes up too high.

But hey, don’t lose hope just yet! If your business happens to be close to a PokeStop, it could actually be a good thing for you. There have been lots of reports of businesses near PokeStops seeing more people coming in and boosting their sales. How awesome is that?

This new craze is so popular that even Yelp is now showing whether a business is close to a PokeStop.

What's the Deal with Pokemon Go and Why Your Small Business Can't Ignore It?

Pokemon Lures: Bring Pokemon to Your Business!

If you want to attract more people to your business using the Pokemon Go app, I’ve got the perfect solution for you.

It’s like fishing, but not the bad kind. You know, the kind that starts with a ph-. Using Pokemon Lures is a lot like casting a line and hooking a big catch.

But here’s the catch (no pun intended): You need to open up the Pokemon Go game and make a small purchase within the app. Then, you’ll need to do a little marketing on social media to spread the word.

Once you’ve got everything set up, you can use a Pokemon Lure. It costs $1.99 through an in-app purchase, but it’s totally worth it. When you place the lure near a PokeStop, you become the go-to spot for Pokemon in your area for the next 30 minutes. With the game being so popular everywhere, you can bet that people will come flocking to your business to catch some Pokemon.

Attention antique shop owners or anyone who sells delicate items: You might want to reconsider this marketing trend, unfortunately!

But hey, if you own a coffee shop or a restaurant, celebrate! Just imagine a group of tired and hungry Pokemon Trainers stumbling into your place. And then picture them deciding that they desperately need some caffeine or food — or maybe both — before continuing their adventure.

So, that’s Pokemon Go in a nutshell (or should I say, a Pokemon Ball, just to keep the theme going!). It’s a relatively new game that’s interactive in a completely different way than what you may be used to. It’s incredibly popular. And it’s not THAT confusing (although it can be a little weird and silly). Plus, as a small business owner, YOU can benefit from it!

One day, Pokemon Go will most likely become Pokemon Gone. But this cool app will surely have revolutionized how you and your friends are using your smartphones and exploring your surroundings by then.

The idea behind this game can actually be applied to your own small business and your mobile app. And it’s not as far-fetched as you might think.

Pokemon Go Photo via Shutterstock, Other Images: Google, Yelp, Niantic