Bowling as a Social Experience
From bowling with family on weekends to competitive bowling leagues, the activity has become a social experience. Bowling can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, offering a competitive, yet relaxed way to spend time with friends and family. This social activity has the potential to be enjoyed by many people around the world, but has not been fully developed and marketed to reach its full potential.
The strategies and tactics outlined in this paper will draw attention to the social aspect of bowling, emphasizing the fun and relaxed atmosphere that bowling offers. By cultivating a marketing message and developing strategies to reach potential consumers and customers, the bowling experience can become a popular and fulfilling activity for many people.
Message Development
When looking to gain the attention of the public in regards to the social aspect of bowling, a cohesive message must be created and executed. Without a pertinent message, the idea of bowling as a social activity may be lost on potential customers. Several key points should be highlighted when creating the message for bowling:
• Fun and Relaxed Atmosphere: The bowling experience should be characterized as a fun and relaxed environment for all who participate. Whether it is a league night with friends or family night, bowling can be a fun and exciting activity for any party.
• Competition: While the experience is meant to create a relaxed and fun environment, there should also be a sense of competition. The competition, however, should be focused on having fun and enjoying the activity, not just focusing on winning.
• Variety: Bowling can offer a variety of experiences, whether it’s joining a league, hosting a party, or just going for a fun night out.
• Accessibility: The experience should be easily accessible to all; it should be relatively inexpensive and easy to find a bowling alley.
These four components represent the core message for marketing bowling to the public. This message should be clearly communicated in all marketing and promotional efforts.
Market Segmentation
The potential market for bowling as a social experience is large, as it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. To reach the public, the market should be segmented into several target groups.
• Youth: bowling can be enjoyed by all age groups, but there is potential to tap into the youth demographic. Highlighting the adventure, team-oriented nature, and competition that the activity offers may resonate with this group.
• Adults: This group represents an already established segment of the bowling market. By tapping into the camaraderie and relaxation offered by the bowling experience, this demographic can be reached.
• Retirees/Seniors: This segment should be targeted to emphasize the relaxation, camaraderie and ease of access that bowling offers.
• Families: Family bowling night can be a great way for families to spend time together. This should be highlighted in the marketing and promotional efforts.
These market segments represent a few of the possible target markets for the bowling industry, and the marketing and promotional efforts should be tailored to each particular market.
Marketing Strategies
Bowling has the potential to become a popular and fulfilling social activity, but to do so it must be properly marketed and promoted. To spread the awareness and reach potential customers, multiple strategies can be implemented.
• Social Media/Digital Marketing: tapping into the popularity of social media can be key to reaching potential customers. Utilizing digital marketing strategies such as SEO, PPC, and content marketing can help drive traffic to a website or social media page and disseminate the message of bowling as a social experience.
• Sponsorships: partnering with different brands or sporting organizations can be beneficial to the bowling industry. Through these sponsorships, the bowling industry can be exposed to a wider audience and increase awareness of bowling as a social experience.
• Events: Creating events and tournaments can be a great way to reach potential customers. Hosting tournaments or league nights can showcase the social aspect of bowling and garner attention for the activity.
• Promotions: Offering discounts and promotions can help to attract new customers. Partnering with local businesses to offer discounts and coupons can be beneficial to both entities.
• Traditional Advertising: Traditional media such as radio, television, billboard, and print (newspaper/magazine) advertising can help to spread awareness of the potential bowling has as a social activity.
By implementing marketing strategies such as these, bowling can draw in customers and become a popular social activity.
Conclusion
There is potential for bowling to become a popular and enjoyable social activity. By developing a cohesive marketing message and implementing strategies to reach potential customers, the bowling experience can become a popular option for people of all ages and backgrounds. Through creative marketing, the idea of bowling as a social activity can be spread to a wider audience and the activity can become a fun and fulfilling experience enjoyed by many around the world.