They always say the simplest ideas are the best and nowadays I'm inclined to agree. I've run a small bar for several years and until recently, was losing money hand over fist; it wasn't that the bar was unsuccessful - I've had a couple of dozen regulars keeping the beer taps in business for as long as I can remember - it was just that with the bills rising because of the state of the economy, I needed to get some more money coming in.
Raising the prices wasn't something I was keen on doing; we were competitive with the bars in the area but I couldn't afford to undercut the chain bars and I didn't think my regulars would stick around if I raised my prices, so I looked into advertising. I hired a local company and they composed a cutting-edge multimedia campaign for my bar, with video clips on YouTube and adverts on all the major social networking sites. Though it brought a few new people in, the improved custom didn't keep up - it turns out that lots of bars do this kind of marketing and the people it reaches tend to go to one a few times then follow the advertising to the next bar. Considering this method an overly expensive, overly complicated bust, I looked into other ways to make some money. One
night a regular customer had a headache and asked me whether I had any painkillers and the idea of installing a washroom vending machine was born.
Many bars and clubs have a washroom vending machine and until I thought of getting one for myself, I never realised that I was missing a trick. My customer asking if I had any painkillers wasn't the first time someone had asked me about that, or other things which are often found in the machines in pub toilets and I felt the expense would be justified - certainly more so than that advertising campaign had been.
After a quick look on the internet I found a supplier and looked through the range of products I could fill my new washroom vending machine with - it was very impressive, meaning I could target my products to both the men and women who frequented my bar rather than just putting painkillers and condoms in them both.
The machines weren't very expensive or difficult to install and I soon had a unit in each bathroom with products targeted to my customers. They've been such a success that I'm actually making enough money to comfortably cover my bills now. Though the internet marketing campaign brought in a solid short-term boost to my business, it seems that my washroom vending machine has provided me with the perfect long term solution.
Author Resource:-
Thomas Pretty is a bar owner who recently saved his business by installing vending machines. Find out more about how a washroom vending machine can help your business at http://www.personal-products.co.uk/
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