1-888-353-5012Over the years, the Royalty Rewards® Team has created a lot of traditions. As co-workers, we’ve shared a lot – struggles, failures, growth, successes – we’ve shared a purpose. And sharing a purpose, with anyone, is a powerful force to build relationships and achieve common goals. It’s from those outcomes that some of our FAVORITE traditions were born.
One of those traditions came to be after our live events, and you can probably relate. After completing a massive project, finishing a milestone event, or accomplishing a key goal, it’s natural to come together to celebrate and reflect on what you accomplished as a team. For our events team, it’s a celebration of food and drink. Albeit simple, it is a 20-year, long standing tradition that we look forward to and will remember for years to come.
It was at one of those dinners that we went to the FUNNEST restaurant we’ve even been to – Rustler’s Rooste in Phoenix, AZ. It was just up a hill (well, up a mountaintop actually) from a hotel where we held one of our annual events. But they do not JUST serve food. They serve a complete experience that starts with a slide… to get to your table. Of course, it’s optional, but how many times have you ridden a SLIDE to get to your table? Whether someone in your party takes the plunge or not, the slide creates a stir and sets the tone for exactly what you’ll experience at Rustler’s Rooste as soon as you step in the door.
What else does Rustler’s Rooste have in store for their guests – drinks with crazy names (one even comes in a glass shaped like a cowboy boot that you get to keep!), and a rattlesnake appetizer, these are just a few of the things you can expect when you visit. During our visit, a magician came by and did card tricks for us while we were waiting for our meals. There was even a guy making balloon animals. There was a dance floor with live music. A gift shop. They even have a BULL out front. Yes, the animal! Apparently, the legend goes that the original site was a hideout for cattle rustlers. So, the bull represents the owner’s contention that Rustler’s Rooste is “the Valley’s highest and brightest beacon of the total cowboy western experience.” How’s that for a unique selling proposition? If you asked us for one word to describe the experience, it would be FUN. If you’re ever in Phoenix, AZ, check it out.
Fun appeals to people at an emotional level. Their lives get busy, they’re juggling work and kids, social engagements, and household management – all things that we spend our lives navigating. And a lot of it gets repetitive and mundane. Your business has an opportunity to stand out, to be a bright spot in that busy life – ESPECIALLY if you make it fun.
Improve Customer Retention And Create Positive Word-of-Mouth Marketing:
This is a no brainer. When customers have fun, they are more likely to return and tell their friends and family about it.
Improve Employee Morale And Attract Top Talent:
Good employees want to have FUN at work. And the top talent in your market has options for where they land. When employees enjoy where they work, they’ll be more engaged, motivated, productive and loyal.
Stand OUT From The Crowd:
Get a leg up on your competitors. Be different. When your customers decide to get their car serviced, go shopping or make a dinner reservation, they have a ton of choices. Give them another reason to choose you.
Of course, not all businesses need to provide a fun experience to be successful. And the importance of it will depend on your type of business and the expectations of your customers and employees. So before you start, know your audience and understand what they find fun and engaging. Regardless of where your business falls on the spectrum, make sure your business leverages one of the best human emotions: Joy.
Pick A Theme, Or A Timeline, And Run With It. Some of the easiest ways to create FUN are around a theme, an occasion, or based on a recurring timeline (ie. every Friday, or during the last week of the month). If your choice is an event/occasion, we recommend building it around an entire month so you can extend your reach as much as possible.
Need ideas? Your Cash Creator Calendar™ is FULL of ideas for every business, every month of the year (Need a copy? Call your Coach at 1-888-353-5012). Upcoming opportunities? Christmas in July (check out the last edition of the EZ Profit Report for ideas – or ask your Coach!), Hawaiian Week, Patriots Month, Ice Cream Month, or events unique to your community. Once you’ve got a starting point, think of all the ways you can incorporate it.
- Use Decor & Wearables: Decorate your front entrance or waiting area, put up signs and posters, make sure that it is evident throughout your business that the event is going on. Provide staff t-shirts, hats or buttons based on your theme.
- Product Tie-In’s: Create or tie in one of your products or services into the theme. Restaurant? Create a special menu item or give away a special glass (remember the cowboy boot at Rustler’s Rooste?) Auto repair? A special inspection package, service bundle or a bonus. Retail? A compelling package deal. Best when the item is not always available, or not available at the same price or in the same manner.
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Make It Interactive: Customers LOVE to interact, especially when prizes are involved. An Auto Repair Shop I visited had a Spin to Win game set up. When I picked up my car, I got to spin the wheel for a special offer. I won windshield wiper fluid, which was exciting since it’s not something I generally keep on my shopping list. Think photo contests, quizzes or scavenger hunts! -
Include PARTICIPATION: How can your customers or staff participate? During a Hawaiian week event, one client offered a FREE Mai Tai to anyone wearing a Hawaiian Shirt and gave leis to every customer that came into his business. This same idea can easily be adapted to any industry. -
Don’t Forget About FUN For Your Team. One of our Auto Repair Clients provides lunch for their staff on Fridays and the highest performer of the week gets to pick where they order from. Simple, yes. But the team loves it. It creates friendly competition that they banter about all week long. Another client gives their team the opportunity to make fun videos for their social media. At Royalty Rewards®, we incorporate fun with periodic games and trivia (with small prizes) at our daily morning meeting.
“Where people aren’t having any fun, they seldom produce good work.” - David Ogilvy
Tell A Story. Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of communication. In marketing, it’s a great tool to capture attention, create powerful connections and inspire your customers to take action.
And it has long been a theme in our own marketing as well. Years ago, we hosted a live event centered around our founder’s birthday. Our marketing told the story, we used photos from his childhood birthday parties, mailed party hats and noisemakers with the event invitations, arranged for a big birthday cake and even sang to him at the event. It not only created a purpose… it created FUN.
One of our restaurant clients created and sold pancake kits based on his father’s recipe. His marketing told the story of his childhood, growing up with Dad preparing pancakes for the entire family every Saturday morning. So, his customers didn’t just buy pancake kits, they bought an experience. Over Christmas, for a few lucky customers, he personally delivered kits on his Vespa (dressed as an elf). Naturally, he took pictures, told the story in emails and newsletters, and turned it into an even bigger seller over that holiday season.
What childhood story can you tell? About the favorite item your mom bought for you as a teenager? The time your Dad taught you how to change a tire? You have a story that can be adapted for your business and your marketing. Once you have it, use it everywhere – social media posts, emails, Sales Boost Campaigns, text messaging, etc.
Simple Tips To Create Some Fun
1. Create Excitement: Customers are more likely to engage and respond positively when they feel excited.
2. Build Curiosity: Everyone loves a secret – it’s why Scratch and Red Envelope Campaigns work so well. Create an element of mystery or exclusivity to pique interest and encourage customers to act.
3. Leverage Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO): No one wants to miss out on something exciting. Create a sense of urgency or scarcity and trigger FOMO to influence customers to act before it’s too late. A Premium Giveaway is a great option…they’re only available ‘While Supplies Last’, so you better hurry!
4. Make People Laugh: Use humor in your marketing materials, social media posts and email campaigns to create a light-hearted tone that resonates with your customers.
5. Choose Exciting Offers: People love gifts and rewards. Tweak your offers regularly and offer premiums and unique giveaways from time to time so customers don’t get bored.