S3 Ep 28_ Don't Sell Yourself Short with League Bowlers

Summary

The 'Seeds of Success' podcast, hosted by Doy San Martin and Orley Rivera, offers insights and tips for transforming bowling centers into thriving successes. They discuss strategies for attracting and retaining league bowlers, emphasizing the importance of showcasing the center's unique offerings beyond just pricing. The hosts suggest leveraging technology, such as auto-scoring and kiosks, and providing perks like discounts and sponsorship opportunities to enhance the bowling experience and stand out from competitors.

Takeaways

• 🎯 Fall leagues are an important topic for bowling centers, especially in mid-July when they start planning for the upcoming season.
• 📝 Bowling centers should have staff prepared to showcase the full range of services and benefits they offer, beyond just the price of league bowling.
• 📞 It's recommended to have a lead coordinator to handle inquiries about league bowling, but if they're not available, other staff should be able to take basic information and have the appropriate person follow up.
• 🌐 Bowling centers should drive people to their website where they can find information about league offerings and contact the center for more details.
• 🔢 Highlighting features like auto-scoring, league statistics, and online score posting can set a center apart and provide value to potential league bowlers.
• 🍽 Emphasizing the full kitchen and bar services, as well as any food and beverage perks for league bowlers, can enhance the overall experience and attract more business.
• 👟 Offering perks such as discounts on bowling shoes, special rates for practice sessions, or loyalty programs can add value to the league bowling experience.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Mentioning amenities like arcades for kids or other family-friendly features can be important for bowlers who bring their families along.
• 💼 Encouraging leagues to seek sponsorships can provide additional prize funds and offer unique advertising opportunities for sponsors through custom scoring grids.
• 🏘️ Bowling centers should make use of existing features and services to enhance the league experience without necessarily investing in new equipment or amenities.
• 📈 Proactively reaching out to companies to offer corporate leagues can be a way to grow business and foster camaraderie outside the workplace.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'Seeds of Success' podcast?

The 'Seeds of Success' podcast focuses on providing knowledge, insights, and actionable tips to transform bowling centers into successful businesses, catering to both seasoned industry professionals and newcomers.

Why is the topic of choosing a bowling center for leagues relevant at mid-July according to the podcast?

The topic is relevant because fall leagues will be starting soon, and it's the time when leagues may shop around and look for new bowling centers, potentially moving their entire league to a different center.

What is the importance of not just providing a price when someone inquires about league availability?

Providing only a price can lead to customers making assumptions based solely on cost. It's important to showcase the full range of services and benefits offered by the bowling center to give a complete picture and enhance the customer's decision-making process.

What role does a lead coordinator typically play in managing inquiries about league bowling?

A lead coordinator usually manages customer inquiries, either in person or over the phone, and ensures that potential league bowlers receive comprehensive information about the center's offerings, including pricing and additional perks or services.

Why is it suggested to drive people to the website for inquiries about league bowling?

Directing people to the website allows them to contact the center through a preferred method and provides an opportunity to showcase the center's offerings through a league page, which can serve as a good representation of what the center provides.

What are some features of a bowling center that can be highlighted to attract league bowlers?

Features such as auto-scoring systems, online score posting, lane machines, a full kitchen, a stocked bar, and an arcade for kids can be highlighted to enhance the appeal of the center to league bowlers.

How can a bowling center offer additional value to league bowlers through sponsorships?

By seeking sponsorships, a center can offer custom scoring grids with sponsor logos, digital advertising on scoring screens, and additional prize funds for the leagues, which can be a significant perk for both the league and the sponsor.

What are some perks or benefits that a bowling center might offer to league bowlers that are often overlooked?

Overlooked perks can include discounts on shoes, food and beverage discounts, special pricing for practice sessions, loyalty programs, and the convenience of kiosks for placing orders without waiting in line.

Why is it beneficial for a bowling center to have a kiosk for ordering during league nights?

A kiosk helps reduce waiting times for food and drink orders during busy league nights, enhancing the overall experience for bowlers and ensuring they don't have to spend excessive time away from their lanes.

How can a bowling center use existing resources to improve the experience for league bowlers without spending extra money?

Centers can utilize existing resources like auto-scoring systems for custom grids, offer discounts on future visits, or provide additional services like weight staff assistance to enhance the experience without incurring additional costs.

What is the significance of the Lane Chatter feature mentioned in the podcast for league bowlers?

Lane Chatter allows for text messaging between consoles, enabling bowlers to communicate efficiently without having to physically go to another lane, which can save time and improve the overall league experience.