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You're a board game store owner. Let us pose a question - are your social media posts effectively attracting more gamers into your store?
We're asking because we've noticed that many board game retailers face challenges when it comes to crafting engaging social media content.
That's why we've created a free social media planner template, specifically designed for board game store owners. This resource is designed to streamline your content creation process, helping you engage and captivate your audience with every update.
Additionally, if you're looking to enhance your store's visibility and apply proven marketing strategies, be sure to explore our Marketing Pack for Board Game Store Owners.
Continue reading to learn how you can utilize this tool to boost your store's online presence and ensure that each post significantly contributes to your business success.
What social media platforms are best for promoting a board game store?
It's a common misconception that all social media platforms are equally beneficial for promoting your board game store.
The effectiveness of each platform varies significantly due to differences in user demographics, content preferences, and interaction styles. For instance, LinkedIn, which is predominantly used for professional networking and business-to-business communications, may not be the best choice for a board game store looking to connect with gaming enthusiasts and casual shoppers.
As a board game store owner, it's crucial to focus on platforms that support community building, visual and interactive content, and event promotion, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch. We've simplified this selection process for you with the table below.
Additionally, we've compiled specific guides for each recommended platform in our kit for board game store owners aiming to expand their reach.
The best social media platforms for a board game store
| Social Media Platform | Relevancy Level for a Board Game Store | Detailed Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| High | Instagram's visual format is perfect for showcasing new arrivals, game art, and live play sessions, while its story feature can be used for quick updates and promotions. | |
| High | Facebook's broad user base and group features make it ideal for creating a community around your store, organizing events, and running targeted advertisements. | |
| Twitch | High | Twitch is essential for live streaming gameplay, engaging with the gaming community in real-time, and hosting interactive events like tournaments or game nights. |
| Medium | Twitter is useful for quick updates, engaging with trends in the gaming industry, and customer interaction, though it's less visual than other platforms. | |
| Low | While LinkedIn is great for B2B connections and industry networking, it generally offers limited direct engagement with everyday gamers and customers. | |
| Medium | Pinterest can be a great tool for showcasing high-quality images of board games and themed game nights, which helps in building a long-term visual presence. | |
| Snapchat | Medium-Low | Snapchat might attract a younger audience with its ephemeral content and filters, but it may not provide the sustained engagement necessary for detailed game promotion. |
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How to get started on social media for your board game store?
Setting up and managing a social media account for your board game store is a task you can absolutely handle on your own, and it's often best to start off this way.
It might seem daunting at first, but with a little planning and creativity, it's quite manageable. We've broken down the process for each platform in our marketing strategy pack for board game stores.
Identify Your Target Audience
Firstly, understanding your target audience is key.
The tone, style, and content of your social media should be designed to resonate with your specific audience. Think about who frequents your store. Are they families, hardcore gamers, or casual players? Maybe they're collectors or hobby enthusiasts? Knowing who you're engaging with will shape your social media strategy.
Optimize Your Social Media Profiles
When setting up your profiles, make sure your board game store’s social media bio includes all the essential details that potential customers need to know.
This should include the types of games you specialize in, your location (very important), business hours, and unique selling points like “Largest selection of strategy games in the city” or “Weekly gaming tournaments.” Don’t forget to link to your online store or event calendar if available.
Is It Time-Consuming?
Yes, initially, setting up your account and getting familiar with social media tools might take some time.
However, once you establish a routine, managing your social media can become as regular and straightforward as any other daily task.
Should You Hire a Professional?
Whether you need to hire someone depends on how comfortable you are with social media and how much time you can invest. Starting on your own is a great way to learn what engages your customers.
If your store expands or managing social media becomes too overwhelming, consider hiring a professional with experience in social media management for retail businesses.
7-Day Social Media Kickstart Plan for Your Board Game Store
Let's outline what you should do in the first week after setting up your board game store's social media. For a more comprehensive 30-day plan, please check our marketing strategy pack for board game store owners.
| Day Number | Actions | How to Do It Well |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Select the right platforms | Choose platforms where gamers and collectors are most active, like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. |
| 2 | Set up your profiles | Ensure high-quality images for your profile and cover photos. Fill out all the bio details, focusing on what makes your store unique. |
| 3 | Identify your target audience | Reflect on who your store appeals to and customize your content to match their interests. |
| 4 | Plan your content | Create a content calendar that includes promotional posts, game reviews, event announcements, and interactive content. |
| 5 | Start posting | Introduce your store, highlight popular games, showcase your staff, and share what sets you apart. Keep the tone engaging and inclusive. |
| 6 | Engage with your community | Reply to comments, participate in discussions, and share customer posts. Community engagement is crucial. |
| 7 | Analyze and refine | Monitor which types of posts gain the most traction and adjust your strategy to better meet the interests of your audience. |
What are the best strategies to increase the followers of your board game store organically?
Here is a table of 12 very specific and creative content tactics a board game store owner can use on social media to organically increase their followers, along with the types of content that customers engage with the most.
This table is concise and summarized. If you require a detailed description, complete with step-by-step actionable tips, and winning theories derived from studies of actual real-life use cases of successful board game stores, please refer to our board game store strategy pack.
| Strategy | How to make it so it brings you profit |
|---|---|
| Game Night Events | Host regular game night events and stream them live. Encourage participants to share their experiences and use a specific hashtag. This not only engages your current followers but also attracts new ones interested in joining future events. |
| Behind-the-Scenes Stories | Share behind-the-scenes content of the store, including unpacking new games, setting up game demos, or day-to-day operations. This humanizes the brand and builds a stronger connection with your audience. |
| Game Reviews and Tutorials | Create and share video or written reviews and tutorials for popular or new board games. Offer insights and strategies that help followers get more out of their games, encouraging engagement and sharing. |
| Local Gamer Spotlights | Collaborate with local gaming influencers to create content or host events at your store. Their followers become exposed to your brand, potentially increasing your follower base. |
| Sneak Peeks of New Games | Tease upcoming game releases with sneak peek photos or videos. Create a buzz by letting your followers vote on which games they want to see demoed or stocked next. |
| Themed Gaming Nights | Host themed gaming nights and share the experiences on social media. Themes can be based on game genres, historical periods, or pop culture, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere that encourages sharing. |
| Exclusive Playtesting Events | Promote exclusive events where followers can playtest new games before they are released. Share these experiences on social media to attract high-engagement followers. |
| Interactive Polls and Quizzes | Use polls and quizzes to engage your audience, such as guessing the next game to be featured or voting for their favorite game genre. This interactive content keeps followers engaged and encourages them to visit your profile often. |
| Featured Game of the Month | Highlight a game each month through informative posts or stories. This educates your followers on different games and showcases your range of offerings. |
| Customer Highlight Posts | Share customer reviews or photos of customers enjoying their games, with their permission. This not only shows appreciation for your customers but also encourages others to visit your store and share their own experiences. |
| Community Support Initiatives | If your store focuses on community support, share your initiatives, such as hosting charity game nights or supporting local gaming clubs. This attracts followers who value community and want to support like-minded businesses. |
| Limited-Time Offers | Create urgency with limited-time offers or exclusive game bundles available only to your social media followers. This encourages people to follow you to not miss out on special deals or unique gaming opportunities. |
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What are some common social media mistakes to avoid as a board game store?
Running a board game store involves unique challenges, especially when it comes to engaging with your audience on social media. Below, you'll find a detailed table that highlights common mistakes board game store owners might make on social media, the potential impacts of these mistakes, and recommendations for more effective strategies.
| Mistake # | Mistake Description | Consequences | What Not to Do | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ignoring Customer Feedback | Negative impact on reputation and customer loyalty. | Do not dismiss comments, questions, or reviews about games or events. | Engage actively with feedback, showing appreciation and addressing concerns promptly to build a community. |
| 2 | Inconsistent Posting | Loss of audience engagement and reduced event participation. | Avoid erratic posting or overwhelming followers with too many posts at once. | Create a content calendar to ensure regular updates about new games, events, and store news. |
| 3 | Overly Promotional Content | Followers may lose interest if they don't find posts engaging or valuable. | Don't focus solely on pushing sales of board games and accessories. | Balance promotional posts with engaging content, such as game strategies, fan polls, and community highlights. |
| 4 | Not Using High-Quality Images | Poor visual content can make games and store events less appealing. | Avoid using blurry or poorly lit photos of your products and events. | Use clear, attractive photos of gameplay, new arrivals, and vibrant event images to draw in enthusiasts. |
| 5 | Ignoring Local SEO Practices | Missing out on potential local gamers and event attendees. | Don't forget to use location-based keywords and hashtags in your posts. | Optimize your posts with local keywords, tag your location, and use relevant hashtags to boost local visibility. |
| 6 | Not Engaging With Other Local Businesses or Community Groups | Missed opportunities for community building and collaborative events. | Avoid isolating your store from the local gaming and business community. | Partner with local businesses and gaming clubs for cross-promotions and to host joint events. |
| 7 | Failing to Highlight Unique Store Features | Difficulty in differentiating your store in a competitive market. | Do not rely solely on generic content that could apply to any board game store. | Showcase unique aspects of your store, such as exclusive games, special editions, and community events. |
| 8 | Neglecting User-Generated Content | Missing out on authentic, engaging content created by your customers. | Don't overlook the impact of customer testimonials, game session photos, and reviews. | Encourage sharing of user-generated content and feature it on your channels to enhance community trust and engagement. |
| 9 | Poor Handling of Crisis Situations | Potential for negative publicity to spread quickly. | Avoid ignoring or defensively responding to negative situations online. | Address issues transparently and professionally, showing your commitment to customer satisfaction and quality service. |
| 10 | Lack of Personality in Posts | Failure to connect with your audience on a personal level. | Don't let your social media presence become too impersonal or corporate. | Inject your personal enthusiasm for gaming into your posts, and share stories or experiences that resonate with your community. |
| 11 | Not Tracking Analytics | Missing insights into what types of content engage your audience the most. | Avoid the "post and forget" mentality. | Utilize analytics tools to monitor which posts get the most interaction and adjust your strategy to maximize engagement. |
| 12 | Not Adapting to New Social Media Trends | Falling behind in an ever-evolving digital landscape. | Don't ignore emerging social media features and trends that could benefit your store. | Stay updated on new social media features and trends, experimenting with them to see what engages your audience effectively. |
How to implement a successful system on social media for your board game store?
When it comes to social media management for a board game store, the focus is as much on creating a community and showcasing your collection as it is on direct sales.
Developing a strategy for this involves a mix of tactical planning and genuine engagement with your audience.
How to track results?
For tracking the effectiveness of your social media efforts, analytics are your best friend. Each social media platform provides specific tools to help with this.
For instance, Instagram and Facebook offer Insights; Twitter has its Analytics. These tools help you monitor engagement rates, follower growth, and the overall reach of your posts.
Key performance indicators for a board game store might include interactions on posts featuring new game releases or events, the number of inquiries about game availability or store hours, and user-generated content, such as customers posting photos or reviews of their game night purchased from your store. An increase in these metrics usually means your strategy is on point.
What marketing budget?
Regarding the right marketing budget for your board game store, there isn't a universal figure. However, for a small to medium-sized store, starting with a weekly budget of $100 to $500 for paid advertisements can be a good initial approach.
This budget allows you to experiment with various ad formats, targeting options, and platforms to discover what brings the best return on investment. You can adjust your spending based on the campaign's performance and your specific goals.
While paid advertisements are not essential, they are highly beneficial. We delve deeper into this in our strategy pack. With the decline of organic reach on social media, paid ads are crucial for ensuring your content reaches both existing customers and potential new gamers.
The advantages include increased visibility, targeted reach (allowing you to focus on specific demographics, locations, interests), and valuable insights from ad performance data. These insights enable you to continuously refine your strategies for better outcomes.
How often should you post?
The key to posting frequency is consistency rather than volume.
For a board game store, posting once a day on visually driven platforms like Instagram and Facebook is effective. Utilizing Stories and live features can also help maintain daily, informal interactions with your audience.
On Twitter, where interactions are more immediate, posting two to three times a day can keep you relevant without overwhelming your followers. The goal is to maintain a steady presence that keeps your community engaged and informed without overdoing it.
Make your board game store more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best board game stores in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
Where can you get the social media strategies that will actually work for your board game store?
We understand the hesitation many board game store owners might feel about diving into the world of social media marketing.
It's not uncommon to view the realm of digital promotion as daunting, especially when terms like "online community engagement" and "conversion rates" seem like a foreign language.
Running a board game store is already a full-time commitment, and finding the time, resources, or budget to dedicate to what might seem like an unnecessary luxury can feel overwhelming. Add to that the skepticism born from past attempts that didn’t yield results, or the belief that the quality of your games and customer service should naturally attract gamers, and it’s easy to see why stepping into social media marketing might be sidelined.
Recognizing these challenges, our team has crafted a strategy pack specifically tailored for board game store owners like you.
This set of tools is designed to demystify the process, breaking down the marketing jargon into simple, actionable steps. We've focused on strategies that are not only cost-effective but are also easy to implement, ensuring they don't require a large upfront investment or deep marketing expertise.
Our board game store strategy pack addresses each concern, from the misconception that significant financial resources are necessary, to the challenge of keeping up with the fast-paced evolution of digital marketing.
We offer clear, straightforward solutions that highlight the value and effectiveness of social media, aiming to transform skepticism into optimism.
By doing so, we aim to make it easier for you to see the potential in leveraging social media to enhance your store's visibility and customer engagement, without detracting from the core operations of your business.
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Most board game store owners don't know how to grow their business. Let us teach you the right strategies.
