How to use SMS at a Bar or Nightclub

Any type of bar or nightclub that wants to increase business would profit by using Short Messaging System (SMS), commonly known as texting. Once the general ebb and flow of a business is recognized, the establishment's manager or owner can successfully manipulate its customers by implementing mobile text campaigns that offer admission on a VIP guest list or money off from such items as a coffee, a drink or a meal.

Things You'll Need

• SMS customer relationship management (CRM) system
• Modem
• SIM card with texting ability
• SMS gateway

Instructions

Mobile Campaigns

1. Use mobile coupons to increase business. When residing on a mobile phone, mobile coupons are literally in the palm of a patron's hand, which means they are much more likely to be used.

2. Send out early bird mobile coupons to entice diners to come to the restaurant at off times. A $1 off coffee mobile coupon could also help a coffee shop drum up business during the slow late-afternoon hours.

3. Keep customers informed of daily specials or DJ nights with a simple SMS message. SMS is a great way for bars and nightclubs to keep in touch with their patrons.

4. Accept reservations with an SMS-CRM system. With an SMS-CRM system, a patron can text in a reservation time to the restaurant any time he wants to. The SMS-CRM system will easily populate a database of reservation times and then send out a confirmation to the patron, as well as a reminder text an hour before the reservation if requested.

Increase Customer Service

1. Receive instant customer feedback with SMS. A quick text to a customer who has patronized an establishment can be instantly returned and, should the patron have had a bad experience, the bar or nightclub will instantly know and it can quickly make amends by offering an apology and a mobile coupon for a return visit.

2. Create powerful and enticing marketing campaigns with SMS. McDonald's Italy ran a holiday mobile campaign asking people to send an SMS to Santa that received a stunning response rate of 25 percent. The company printed unique codes on cups, and patrons who sent the SMS texts received presents ranging from free airtime and prepaid credit cards to mobile content, such as personal calls from Santa. More than 1.5 million people responded to the campaign, an almost unheard of 25 percent response rate.

3. Build guest and subscriber lists of patrons with SMS. Nightclubs can turn to SMS text messaging to promote their weekly parties and special DJ nights. Guests can be asked to text a keyword to the club's SMS number to receive exclusive invitations to upcoming events.

4. Set up mobile fan clubs for bands or DJs playing at the bar or club. An SMS-CRM system can allow mobile users to opt in to a mobile club that can keep them informed of a band or DJ's next show or album release.

5. Allow patrons to order drinks through SMS. A bar or nightclub can cut down its employee count by allowing patrons to text in their drink or dinner orders. An SMS text sent directly to the bar's SMS-CRM system can instantly notify a bartender of an order. The waiter or waitress is then only needed to deliver the drink rather than to both take the order and deliver the drink.

Tips & Warnings

• Messaging plans that contain unlimited text-message features should be used when possible.

References

• The Mobile Revolution
• Mobile Marketing Association
• Coretalk
• McDonalds Text Message Holiday Promotion

Resources

• The Mobile Revolution
• Text SMS Marketing Resources