What is Pokemon Go?<\/h2>\n
Pokemon Go was released on July 6 in the U.S. by the mobile app developer Niantic and The Pokemon Company. The\u00a0 app is currently available on the iOS and Android platforms and has a combined daily active user base of over 30 million<\/a>\u00a0players\u00a0in\u00a0about 35 countries around the world<\/a>, with Japanese gamers\u00a0still waiting for the release in their app stores.<\/p>\n The premise of the mobile game is the same as it was in the original computer games. Open the app on your smart phone and allow\u00a0it to access your GPS coordinates and phone camera and you’re ready to get started.<\/p>\n You will see a map of your surroundings which will change in real-time while you walk with the app open at any given time. Once a Pokemon appears you can click on it and your phone will show your camera-view in real-time with the added Pokemon in the picture. You are then able to capture the Pokemon.<\/p>\n This process of adding virtual elements to real-life scenarios is also known as augmented reality<\/a> (AR).<\/p>\n There are two important places where Pokemon Go players go to in order to advance in the game: PokeStops<\/em> and Pokemon Gyms<\/em>.<\/p>\n PokeStops are hubs where you need to go to collect items for the game and Pokemon Gyms are \u201carenas\u201d where you go to fight with your Pokemon against other players. Both kind of places are generally located in public places such as squares, libraries, train stations, lakes and fountains.<\/p>\n Since players need to move to unlock new items and find new Pokemon, they are constantly walking with their Pokemon Go app open and ready to play. Players often find themselves in new places which they previously haven\u2019t visited, simply to catch a new Pokemon.<\/p>\n This means that locations which might have been previously seen as second class locations with reduced foot traffic are now buzzing with players (and potential customers)<\/em>.<\/p>\n So how can you capitalise on an increase in foot traffic, PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms near you?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re lucky enough to have a shop close to a Pokemon Gym or PokeStop you will definitely see an increase in foot traffic.<\/p>\n Some players might even want to enter your premises\u00a0to catch a new Pokemon which is hiding somewhere in your shop, parking space or yard.<\/p>\n There are plenty of ways you can capitalise on these players.\u00a0 You can either only allow paying customers to catch these Pokemon in your premises or you might want to choose to allow anyone to enter your shop, but you then advertise some of your special deals to the players while their inside.<\/p>\n You can even advertise that a specific Pokemon can be found in your shop and welcome passers-by to enter your shop and capture the Pokemon.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re willing to go all-in on the Pokemon craziness and spend some more money on advertising to your customers, then give any customer who shops at your business and catches a specific Pokemon some kind of merchandise of the same Pokemon (e.g. a small action figure)<\/em><\/p>\n Yelp has recently launched<\/a> a new feature to filter their listings by \u201cPokeStop Nearby\u201d.<\/p>\n This means that if your business is located close to a PokeStop you might now get more exposure on your Yelp <\/a>listing.<\/p>\n Firstly make sure that your business is already listed on Yelp, and if it isn’t list it as soon as possible. You can also promote special offers on your company’s Yelp page. Make use of it as much as possible.<\/p>\n![\"Pokemon](\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.invoiceberry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/pokemon_go_for_businesses_getting_started-e1469110919332-473x600.png?resize=473%2C600&ssl=1\")
Pokemon players’ locations<\/h2>\n
Players are exploring new spots every day<\/h2>\n
Increased foot traffic, PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms<\/h2>\n
![\"Pokemon](\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.invoiceberry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/pokemon_go_instagram_advertisement_for_businesses-e1469111816317-485x600.png?resize=485%2C600&ssl=1\")
Provide\u00a0customers with Pokemon merchandise<\/h2>\n
![\"Pokemon](\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.invoiceberry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/pokemon_merchandise_for_small_business_marketing.jpg?resize=500%2C332&ssl=1\")
Yelp shows PokeStops nearby<\/h2>\n
Use Pokemon Lures to attract new business<\/h2>\n