IDEAS Needed... please.

[NightAngel]

Okay, so we are allowed to do all kinds of fun things to drive up revenue.
Such as we're going to have a blow out parking lot sale with a local radio station, free food, charity drive, dancing- the whole nine. Like a party-sale.

Another thing we're talking about is getting a big plasma tv and a X360 and having a video game tournament for charity.

A haunted house (come Halloween)- also for charity.

A "Good Grades" free rental reward for kids who maintain a B average or higher.

Yes, we expect that people will come to the store for these fun/charity events and then, you know, spend money with us also.

I'm looking for suggestions for events. What would YOU enjoy?

Disclaimer:
No, these events cannot have alcohol or scantily clad women... LOL!
Think FAMILY oriented.

[powerboy]

We are not allowed, to have a video game tournament, becuase it would be bad for business. Seriously, I mentioned about doing a tournament, that way, we can bring in more money, more business, and that way, they can know that our shop exists. Also giving the winner, an anime series that costs in the bracket, of how ever much we brought in - letting them choose BTW. Everyone thought it was a good idea, but the main owner shot it down, becuase he is paranoid dumbass. Our first day, we got a letter in the mail, asking if we had a catalog. It was a good question, but the main owner, thought, that the person asking for one, that he is trying to shut us down.

[DarthRetard]

Give a karaoke contest a try?

Or, as a very struggling musician myself, in a band, hold a small concert somewhere and then a free showing of a movie.

Uhh......Bikini Pageant?

Talent Show?

Dunking Booth!!!!!!

[Xarthedia]

Face painting?

No, not as is "dunk-face-in-paint-and-smear-on-surface". But a couple of people on stools, painting patterns, masks, flowers, symbols etc. on childrens (or adults) faces.

I remember one lady doing that to my brothers at the Children's Carnival when they were around 5. Male toddlers with Ladybug-faces is a scary thing indeed.

[nick1091]

Around here, the "Tase of (Yourtown)" things do pretty well. You know, contact a few local restaurants with different ethnic fare. It can be a win win in that you're getting more people to your shop, and the restaurants will probably enjoy the plug as well.

[BookstoreEscapee]

How bout some kind of movie trivia game? You could do one geared towards kids and another towards adults...

[ahanix1989]

Around here, the "Tase of (Yourtown)" things do pretty well. You know, contact a few local restaurants with different ethnic fare. It can be a win win in that you're getting more people to your shop, and the restaurants will probably enjoy the plug as well.

Taste of (mytown) == Me working 10½ hours, constantly cooking more crap on-demand, nasty shrimp, as well as shoveling

[Jack7957]

Show a movie outdoors on a big screen? Need warm weather of course.

[NightAngel]

Thank-you to those of you who have given ideas

Show a movie outdoors on a big screen? Need warm weather of course.

It's Florida... we have more than our fair share.

[digilight]

Just a few ideas.

Here locally we have a pretty prominate artist who in addition to his other projects does caricatures, they look kind of like http://www.caricatures.com/ . He gets hired out for parties, and special events like grand openings and other things. These are always fun with the kids (I have no idea what an artist would charge for something like this though).

Another idea would be a special where they rent any new release and get a free family/kids rental at the same time, some type of family pack.

Partner with local pizza places, they place your coupons on their boxes and you hand out their coupons with your rentals.

Also, what type of product are you trying to focus on the most, Video Rentals, Video Games, Previously Viewed (used). If PPV's then deals where you get a buy 2 for 20/ 3 for 25. or a nothing over $9.99 sell. Yeah I used to be a PPV whore : )

[BlaqueKatt]

one that works pretty well up here is "charity car wash"-get volunteers in shorts and t-shirts(non-white), and someone with a sign car wash $5, wash done with cheaper soap, bought in bulk of course-

[Ringman]

how about a weekly movie trivia question?, every week post a trivia question at the registers where anyone can guess and have their name put in a drawing that could be held at the end of the week, the winner gets their choice of either a 1 free movie or game rental.

[CrazedClerk]

You could run an event at a bowling alley or perhaps host a picnic with some friendly competitions (three legged races, etc.).

If you're looking to go a little bigger, maybe a baseball or basketball tournament and charge an entry fee for each team.

You could run a poker/euchre/some other card game tournament and charge a flate rate to play, have prizes, not money for the winners.

[April]

A big old raffle? 2 bucks a ticket and have some cool prize? You could have one big prize and then several smaller prizes, and see if you can get the radio station to advertize it. like have a stereo as the main prize (like a 100 dollar one) and then also have a CD and a movie or something?