Turning Around a Bar

Off Topic
101

But its free so nothing lost and no bad…

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:

[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:
Lanky, where is this place? Center City?

Sorry if you posted it. I didn’t read the whole thread.
[/quote]

A Philadelphia Suburb, right outside NE Philly.

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

[quote]gregron wrote:
Like I said, I haven’t read though this whole thread yet so if this has already been stated ignore it… Once you get your bar renovated you need to hit up the social media outlests. Start a FB page for your bar and also start a twitter account. If you’re going for the 20something crowd this will help you get more exposure. You can advertise specials and upcoming events on there and it will be free.[/quote]

Disagree.[/quote]

I agree, my girlfriend is putting a lot of stock in the bar’s facebook page which she is renovating and posting specials on, but I don’t believe that will be making much of a difference.
[/quote]

102

This may have been said, I don’t have time to read the whole thread:

Ladies drink for a dollar Thursdays.

Bring in the bitches, and the dudes will follow.

103

[quote]postholedigger wrote:

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

[quote]gregron wrote:

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

[quote]gregron wrote:
Like I said, I haven’t read though this whole thread yet so if this has already been stated ignore it… Once you get your bar renovated you need to hit up the social media outlests. Start a FB page for your bar and also start a twitter account. If you’re going for the 20something crowd this will help you get more exposure. You can advertise specials and upcoming events on there and it will be free.[/quote]

Disagree.[/quote]

with what part? You disagree that having a FB page and twitter account for the bar will help get them more exposure? Or the fact that you can advertise for specials and upcoming events for free?

I never said that social media outlets would be a big deal but there is no denying that it is better than nothing. If it gets one or two people there then it is more money than not having those few people show up. It takes virtually no time to set up and use and is free. [/quote]

He is the owner NOT the promoter. He facilitates a party and his staff sends the invites. Lanky makes a facebook advertisment for his bar; it hits between 600 and a 1000 friends (assuming he has an average number of FB friends). He’s now plugging away on this account/ad/event and taking responsibility for the busyness of his bar, letting his STAFF off the hook.

OR he hires an adaquete manager, a promoter, a DJ, 5 popular bartenders, 5 popular doorman, a barback and 3 servers who ALL have 1000 friends on facebook. He tells his manager whoever has the most people in the bar gets the most shifts, if they don’t bring people in tell me and they’re fired.

THOSE staff members now figure out a way to get people into the bar. If they want to use Facebook go for it. Twitter sure. But Lanky has more important stuff to deal with right now in terms of creating an infastructure that will allow his staff to bring in their friends.

So again, I disagree.[/quote]

So let me get this straight. You think using Facebook and Twitter to get some advertising in is OK but you think that Lanky himself shouldn’t be the one doing it so you discounted the entire idea and post with a “disagree”?[/quote]

Yes I disagree with the BAR advertising itself on social media completely. Individuals within the bar using it as a communication tool to encourage their own friends individually to come in is different.

104

Some of these ideas sounds promising, I like the pees or flees events, although free or 10 cent beers sounds a little TOO cheap. :slight_smile:

105

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

[quote]postholedigger wrote:

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

[quote]gregron wrote:

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

[quote]gregron wrote:
Like I said, I haven’t read though this whole thread yet so if this has already been stated ignore it… Once you get your bar renovated you need to hit up the social media outlests. Start a FB page for your bar and also start a twitter account. If you’re going for the 20something crowd this will help you get more exposure. You can advertise specials and upcoming events on there and it will be free.[/quote]

Disagree.[/quote]

with what part? You disagree that having a FB page and twitter account for the bar will help get them more exposure? Or the fact that you can advertise for specials and upcoming events for free?

I never said that social media outlets would be a big deal but there is no denying that it is better than nothing. If it gets one or two people there then it is more money than not having those few people show up. It takes virtually no time to set up and use and is free. [/quote]

He is the owner NOT the promoter. He facilitates a party and his staff sends the invites. Lanky makes a facebook advertisment for his bar; it hits between 600 and a 1000 friends (assuming he has an average number of FB friends). He’s now plugging away on this account/ad/event and taking responsibility for the busyness of his bar, letting his STAFF off the hook.

OR he hires an adaquete manager, a promoter, a DJ, 5 popular bartenders, 5 popular doorman, a barback and 3 servers who ALL have 1000 friends on facebook. He tells his manager whoever has the most people in the bar gets the most shifts, if they don’t bring people in tell me and they’re fired.

THOSE staff members now figure out a way to get people into the bar. If they want to use Facebook go for it. Twitter sure. But Lanky has more important stuff to deal with right now in terms of creating an infastructure that will allow his staff to bring in their friends.

So again, I disagree.[/quote]

So let me get this straight. You think using Facebook and Twitter to get some advertising in is OK but you think that Lanky himself shouldn’t be the one doing it so you discounted the entire idea and post with a “disagree”?[/quote]

Yes I disagree with the BAR advertising itself on social media completely. Individuals within the bar using it as a communication tool to encourage their own friends individually to come in is different.
[/quote]

A bar or any other establishment advertising itself on social media is practically the norm these days. From McDonalds to Applebees to BJ’s to Stone Brewery, their Facebook pages offer updates, special offers, events and specials to draw customers in. Advertising via social media is pretty much commonplace these days as a way to get your name out there.

I understand where you’re coming from where you don’t want your employees getting off the hook, but claiming that a bar shouldn’t advertise itself on social media is just incorrect. Gregron is right in that it is free advertising. Now Lanky doesn’t have to be the one who opens and maintains the bar’s social media campaign. He could make it the responsibility of one of his employees to maintain the campaign.

This is just one topic that I have a stronger opinion on due to a background in advertising, SEO, and PPC. There is merit to having a social media presence by said bar, not just via its employees’ word of mouth.

106

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Some of these ideas sounds promising, I like the pees or flees events, although free or 10 cent beers sounds a little TOO cheap. :)[/quote]

Best of all, you can advertise the event on Facebook!

…I kid Mementomori, with love. :stuck_out_tongue:

107

[quote]postholedigger wrote:

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

[quote]postholedigger wrote:

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

[quote]gregron wrote:

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

[quote]gregron wrote:
Like I said, I haven’t read though this whole thread yet so if this has already been stated ignore it… Once you get your bar renovated you need to hit up the social media outlests. Start a FB page for your bar and also start a twitter account. If you’re going for the 20something crowd this will help you get more exposure. You can advertise specials and upcoming events on there and it will be free.[/quote]

Disagree.[/quote]

with what part? You disagree that having a FB page and twitter account for the bar will help get them more exposure? Or the fact that you can advertise for specials and upcoming events for free?

I never said that social media outlets would be a big deal but there is no denying that it is better than nothing. If it gets one or two people there then it is more money than not having those few people show up. It takes virtually no time to set up and use and is free. [/quote]

He is the owner NOT the promoter. He facilitates a party and his staff sends the invites. Lanky makes a facebook advertisment for his bar; it hits between 600 and a 1000 friends (assuming he has an average number of FB friends). He’s now plugging away on this account/ad/event and taking responsibility for the busyness of his bar, letting his STAFF off the hook.

OR he hires an adaquete manager, a promoter, a DJ, 5 popular bartenders, 5 popular doorman, a barback and 3 servers who ALL have 1000 friends on facebook. He tells his manager whoever has the most people in the bar gets the most shifts, if they don’t bring people in tell me and they’re fired.

THOSE staff members now figure out a way to get people into the bar. If they want to use Facebook go for it. Twitter sure. But Lanky has more important stuff to deal with right now in terms of creating an infastructure that will allow his staff to bring in their friends.

So again, I disagree.[/quote]

So let me get this straight. You think using Facebook and Twitter to get some advertising in is OK but you think that Lanky himself shouldn’t be the one doing it so you discounted the entire idea and post with a “disagree”?[/quote]

Yes I disagree with the BAR advertising itself on social media completely. Individuals within the bar using it as a communication tool to encourage their own friends individually to come in is different.
[/quote]

A bar or any other establishment advertising itself on social media is practically the norm these days. From McDonalds to Applebees to BJ’s to Stone Brewery, their Facebook pages offer updates, special offers, events and specials to draw customers in. Advertising via social media is pretty much commonplace these days as a way to get your name out there.

I understand where you’re coming from where you don’t want your employees getting off the hook, but claiming that a bar shouldn’t advertise itself on social media is just incorrect. Gregron is right in that it is free advertising. Now Lanky doesn’t have to be the one who opens and maintains the bar’s social media campaign. He could make it the responsibility of one of his employees to maintain the campaign.

This is just one topic that I have a stronger opinion on due to a background in advertising, SEO, and PPC. There is merit to having a social media presence by said bar, not just via its employees’ word of mouth.

[/quote]

I see where you’re coming from and its hard to say no to social media advertising given the fact its FREE.

My strong feelings on this subject come from 3 years in the bar industry and a degree based on this field. I think the form Facebook advertising yourself and some other’s are advocating has become white noise. In fact to some people the bombardment is so high it can almost create negative advertising through harassment.

108

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

I see where you’re coming from and its hard to say no to social media advertising given the fact its FREE.

My strong feelings on this subject come from 3 years in the bar industry and a degree based on this field. I think the form Facebook advertising yourself and some other’s are advocating has become white noise. In fact to some people the bombardment is so high it can almost create negative advertising through harassment.

[/quote]

True, social media has become like white noise. But it’s white noise that the consumer has opted into by taking deliberate steps. Joining a social media site, friending or following a fellow user, and following or becoming a fan of an establishment. If someone considers it harassment, they can opt out at any time.

I’m not gonna lie, when the Facebook app on my smartphone lets me know that Panda Express is offering a free extra entree this week with the purchase of a regular 2 or 3 entree meal, I just might hit it up for lunch that day. If I see on facebook that a bar has a live band performing that night during happy hour, I just might check it out and if I like it, I might “check in” and share my location with others. I’m just sayin’ it has its merits.

109

[quote]postholedigger wrote:

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

I see where you’re coming from and its hard to say no to social media advertising given the fact its FREE.

My strong feelings on this subject come from 3 years in the bar industry and a degree based on this field. I think the form Facebook advertising yourself and some other’s are advocating has become white noise. In fact to some people the bombardment is so high it can almost create negative advertising through harassment.

[/quote]

True, social media has become like white noise. But it’s white noise that the consumer has opted into by taking deliberate steps. Joining a social media site, friending or following a fellow user, and following or becoming a fan of an establishment. If someone considers it harassment, they can opt out at any time.

I’m not gonna lie, when the Facebook app on my smartphone lets me know that Panda Express is offering a free extra entree this week with the purchase of a regular 2 or 3 entree meal, I just might hit it up for lunch that day. If I see on facebook that a bar has a live band performing that night during happy hour, I just might check it out and if I like it, I might “check in” and share my location with others. I’m just sayin’ it has its merits. [/quote]

Twitter is far, far better for marketing IMO and IME.

110

[quote]RSGZ wrote:

[quote]postholedigger wrote:

[quote]MementoMori wrote:

I see where you’re coming from and its hard to say no to social media advertising given the fact its FREE.

My strong feelings on this subject come from 3 years in the bar industry and a degree based on this field. I think the form Facebook advertising yourself and some other’s are advocating has become white noise. In fact to some people the bombardment is so high it can almost create negative advertising through harassment.

[/quote]

True, social media has become like white noise. But it’s white noise that the consumer has opted into by taking deliberate steps. Joining a social media site, friending or following a fellow user, and following or becoming a fan of an establishment. If someone considers it harassment, they can opt out at any time.

I’m not gonna lie, when the Facebook app on my smartphone lets me know that Panda Express is offering a free extra entree this week with the purchase of a regular 2 or 3 entree meal, I just might hit it up for lunch that day. If I see on facebook that a bar has a live band performing that night during happy hour, I just might check it out and if I like it, I might “check in” and share my location with others. I’m just sayin’ it has its merits. [/quote]

Twitter is far, far better for marketing IMO and IME.[/quote]

Disagree.

…just kidding :stuck_out_tongue:

Just a question. What are your opinions based on? I’ve always been under the impression that Twitter was peanuts compared to Facebook in membership and there’s so many avenues within Facebook other than status updates to promote what you’re selling.

111

Small update - no outdoor patio, we can’t get the zoning from the county. :frowning:

112

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Small update - no outdoor patio, we can’t get the zoning from the county. :([/quote]

Why not? What kind of zoning do you need- some kind of special commercial thing? And really, you can’t pay anybody off? What kind of state do you live in?

113

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Small update - no outdoor patio, we can’t get the zoning from the county. :([/quote]

Can we use some of that money to put Giants memorabilia up then? Maybe a huge picture of Lincecum feasting on some In-N-Out? or shirtless Panda?

In all seriousness though I’ve been following the thread, wish you the best, and am interested to see how things turn out.

114

[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Small update - no outdoor patio, we can’t get the zoning from the county. :([/quote]

Why not? What kind of zoning do you need- some kind of special commercial thing? And really, you can’t pay anybody off? What kind of state do you live in?[/quote]

I live in PA - to give you an idea what kind of a pain some zoning laws can be, a dunkin donuts was not allowed to put in a drive through for some reason that is still a mystery to me. It’s not the state, though, it’s the county (as far as I’m aware).

The majority owner tried to put in an outdoor patio a few years ago and the people of the county in which this bar is located were complaining about possible noise and shit and the whole thing got squashed.

[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Small update - no outdoor patio, we can’t get the zoning from the county. :([/quote]

Can we use some of that money to put Giants memorabilia up then? Maybe a huge picture of Lincecum feasting on some In-N-Out? or shirtless Panda?

In all seriousness though I’ve been following the thread, wish you the best, and am interested to see how things turn out.[/quote]

Fuck you. :slight_smile:

I’m not sure we currently have the money to go forth with the idea immediately anyway, but I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to a shirtless Panda, I’d like to think my potential customers would find that humorous.

I’m not sure if the majority owner would buy into this idea just yet (I’ll have to show him some sort of return before he takes all my ideas seriously enough to do) but I’ve been contemplating a “flash your badge” promotion where anyone who comes in and shows a police badge gets their first drink on the house. I figure that will get some police officers as customers and around these parts, police officers love to come in big groups and spend a lot of money. I have a couple cop buddies that roll around to a few different bars and drop cash all night. I figure large crowds of police officers on a regular basis would be great for business.

We’ll see how April and May go (sales wise) and try and get that started in June.

115

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:

[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Small update - no outdoor patio, we can’t get the zoning from the county. :([/quote]

Why not? What kind of zoning do you need- some kind of special commercial thing? And really, you can’t pay anybody off? What kind of state do you live in?[/quote]

I live in PA - to give you an idea what kind of a pain some zoning laws can be, a dunkin donuts was not allowed to put in a drive through for some reason that is still a mystery to me. It’s not the state, though, it’s the county (as far as I’m aware).

The majority owner tried to put in an outdoor patio a few years ago and the people of the county in which this bar is located were complaining about possible noise and shit and the whole thing got squashed.

[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Small update - no outdoor patio, we can’t get the zoning from the county. :([/quote]

Can we use some of that money to put Giants memorabilia up then? Maybe a huge picture of Lincecum feasting on some In-N-Out? or shirtless Panda?

In all seriousness though I’ve been following the thread, wish you the best, and am interested to see how things turn out.[/quote]

Fuck you. :slight_smile:

I’m not sure we currently have the money to go forth with the idea immediately anyway, but I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to a shirtless Panda, I’d like to think my potential customers would find that humorous.

I’m not sure if the majority owner would buy into this idea just yet (I’ll have to show him some sort of return before he takes all my ideas seriously enough to do) but I’ve been contemplating a “flash your badge” promotion where anyone who comes in and shows a police badge gets their first drink on the house. I figure that will get some police officers as customers and around these parts, police officers love to come in big groups and spend a lot of money. I have a couple cop buddies that roll around to a few different bars and drop cash all night. I figure large crowds of police officers on a regular basis would be great for business.

We’ll see how April and May go (sales wise) and try and get that started in June.
[/quote]

I think getting known for a certain night is a must. Around here, specific bars have specific nights such as trivia night, karaoke night, or bottomless pint glass night. On those respective nights everyone goes to that bar and you usually can’t even get a seat since their so packed.

Once you have that set up, then you can start to continually impress customers with your changes/additions/refinements, so they’re not only coming on that one night.

Just a thought.

116

Today my girlfriend took the daytime bartending shift because the old guy needed a day off. The regulars all boycotted the bar today because they thought one of the other bartenders deserved the shift (even though my girlfriend has been helping this old guy for the last month, without tips, because he’s too damn old and can’t move well enough to get everyone their drinks fast enough). I’m pretty sure the boycott was driven by this one toxic bartender that I’m working overtime to fire.

A total identity change is definitely necessary. No smoking is officially going into effect May 1. I think this will be the driving force that gives us our start to becoming profitable once again.

WC - That’s definitely a goal of mine. But right now other local bars already own every night of the week with whatever special/event they have going on that night. Right now I’m kinda forced to just increase traffic any way I can with the hope that we’ll get enough traffic to start events/specials that will get us known for a specific night of the week.

117

[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:

[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Small update - no outdoor patio, we can’t get the zoning from the county. :([/quote]

Why not? What kind of zoning do you need- some kind of special commercial thing? And really, you can’t pay anybody off? What kind of state do you live in?[/quote]

I live in PA - to give you an idea what kind of a pain some zoning laws can be, a dunkin donuts was not allowed to put in a drive through for some reason that is still a mystery to me. It’s not the state, though, it’s the county (as far as I’m aware).

The majority owner tried to put in an outdoor patio a few years ago and the people of the county in which this bar is located were complaining about possible noise and shit and the whole thing got squashed.

[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Small update - no outdoor patio, we can’t get the zoning from the county. :([/quote]

Can we use some of that money to put Giants memorabilia up then? Maybe a huge picture of Lincecum feasting on some In-N-Out? or shirtless Panda?

In all seriousness though I’ve been following the thread, wish you the best, and am interested to see how things turn out.[/quote]

Fuck you. :slight_smile:

I’m not sure we currently have the money to go forth with the idea immediately anyway, but I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to a shirtless Panda, I’d like to think my potential customers would find that humorous.

I’m not sure if the majority owner would buy into this idea just yet (I’ll have to show him some sort of return before he takes all my ideas seriously enough to do) but I’ve been contemplating a “flash your badge” promotion where anyone who comes in and shows a police badge gets their first drink on the house. I figure that will get some police officers as customers and around these parts, police officers love to come in big groups and spend a lot of money. I have a couple cop buddies that roll around to a few different bars and drop cash all night. I figure large crowds of police officers on a regular basis would be great for business.

We’ll see how April and May go (sales wise) and try and get that started in June.
[/quote]

I think getting known for a certain night is a must. Around here, specific bars have specific nights such as trivia night, karaoke night, or bottomless pint glass night. On those respective nights everyone goes to that bar and you usually can’t even get a seat since their so packed.

Once you have that set up, then you can start to continually impress customers with your changes/additions/refinements, so they’re not only coming on that one night.

Just a thought.[/quote]

Free bacon night.