One Easy Way Local Businesses Can Attract Pokémon Go Fans Right Now

If you were ever a fan of Pokémon as a kid or teenager, you’ll know about Pokémon Go, a new app developed by Niantic. Pokémon Go creates an augmented reality experience (something virtual appearing in the real world), to allow you to chase Pokémon characters all over town, to lure them, capture them and train them for battle. It’s currently the no. 1 free app on iOS and the Google Play Store and is beating Twitter, Instagram and even Snapchat in terms of downloads and users.

One of the ways small, local businesses can jump on this trend is by using digital signage to flag their store or business as a key part of the action. Pokémon Go has already done most of the hardwork - local businesses everywhere are seeing higher footfall, more customers and a warming community vibe, from users obsessed with the game and the nostalgia of it.

This is because users have to get out and about to ‘Pokéstops’ and ‘gyms’ if they want to catch rare Pokémon characters - the shiny Charizards and the elusive Tauros  - or battle other users. Other features, such as egg incubation, can only be unlocked by walking.

According to this article by INC, Pokémon Go is driving an insane amount of business (and sales) to those in the right areas. It also gives multiple ways small businesses can capitalize on the action. From setting up pop-up shops, through to advertising on Facebook.

Using digital signage to attract Pokémon Go fans

There’s a super simple way to maximize on this crazy fad even further - setting up the screens you already have in your stores, restaurant or local business as a visual attractor to those playing the game. Here are a few ways digital signage could be the next big thing that attracts Pokémon Go fans to your local business:

1. Use digital signage to show Pokéstops

Pokéstops are where players head to for rewards - if your business is one, or is near one, you need to let users know. Switch the screens in your store window (or add one) to let people know you’re a Pokéstop, or the amount of metres to the next one. You could even get players to tell you the recent rewards they’ve had and share this on your screens. (Hint: ScreenCloud allows you to change the content on your screens from your laptop, adding images, videos and PDFs to playlists, for easy content update as you learn more.

2. Capitalize on your proximity to a gym

Gyms are the place to battle Pokémon and they change hands frequently as battles are lost and won. If you’re on or near a gym, why not use your digital screen to show who has taken charge of the gym at that time? This will attract customers but also show your local business as getting in on the fun - making users want to spend more time with you (and buy more of your stuff!)

3. Show screenshots of rare Pokémon near your business

Rare and difficult-to-lure Pokémon are the holy grail of the Pokémon Go world. Use your screens to show big, juicy shots of the rare Pokémon that have been captured near your business. You can easily find images of most rare Pokémon on Google, even if you haven’t managed to capture them yourself. Or get passer-bys who have to send you images, in return for a free drink or even just the use of your bathroom! With ScreenCloud, uploading a new image to your digital signage playlist is as easy as uploading an image to Facebook, or any other social media channel, so you can add in rare Pokémon characters all the time, seconds after you find them.

4. Offer discounts to Pokémon Go players

Catching Pokémons is thirsty work. Sometimes it can take hours. Use your digital signage displays to highlight the discount you’re giving to those with this tough task. Entice them in with a digital menu board, offering a discount on a snack, or drink and then reap the rewards each time they enter, in search of Squirtle.

Pokémon Go is undoubtedly becoming the next big thing in location-based marketing (at least for a while). With ScreenCloud, a screen and a little bit of Pokémon-knowledge your local business can feel like it’s just found Vulpix.

Start your free ScreenCloud trial today.