Fort Myers Lan Gaming Center

**george_cruz10** · 04-29-2009 11:15 AM

Hello All,
So, I am looking to venture into my own business and start a LAN Gaming center. I do realize most LAN center usually close down because of bad management and poor marketing skills. Well with my planning I believe I have come up with a plan to change that.
I have a focus on memberships and marketing for confirmed revenue. Food and beverage, computer repair, and classes in the summer to learn the basics of computers. Half computers and a student lounge along with half consoles like Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. This is a prime gaming center without a LAN center within at least 40 miles.
My business plan is finished already. I am looking for investors or partners. If you want to talk ideas or live in the area we can meet up just email me or post on here...

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**Gaulkin** · 04-29-2009 04:18 PM

"I do realize most LAN center usually close down because of bad management and poor marketing skills."

**myfayt** · 04-30-2009 10:53 AM

Sounds awesome, if I still lived in Florida, I'd join.

**JohnGalt** · 04-30-2009 11:44 AM

Fort Myers is awesome.

A guy I used to talk investments with ran a LAN lounge out in California and I think was doing alright with it. I think one of the biggest attractions would be in hosting and promoting tournaments with prizes. You could charge an entry fee then give prizes and hopefully people who are knocked out or just came to watch would spend money buying drinks/snacks or playing on other machines. If you can track down a couple pro gamers in your area you might be able to do "play against the pros" days or something similar where people will come to test their skills.

Also, maybe look into signing up to be a promoter for one of the energy drink brands as energy drinks are popular among a lot of hardcore gamers. Once you grow you might even be able to work out tournament sponsorship deals.

I'm not sure how much interest there would be in this but if you have a solid internet connection and a good atmosphere you might even be able to try and attract online poker players. Tournaments can last hours and a comfortable computer setup with snacks/drinks might be appealing to players.

**byrneof** · 05-01-2009 12:43 PM

I think JohnGalt nailed it. I wish you luck. You seem to have your research done so go for it. Good luck.

**chrispalko** · 05-02-2009 06:58 PM

I'm an established web designer in Fort Myers. I'm familiar and experienced in your industry, and I'm sure I can pass some profitable promotion ideas by you.

PM me.

**george_cruz10** · 05-03-2009 08:51 PM

I have many marketing ideas and contacts I have already met with. I know how to get radio time and had a quirky but decent idea. Like pizza places through people out in the street with a sign, I will buy a Halo outfit or something with a sign and possibly a squirt gun or sometihng. I know the owner of a little ceasars who will do a promotion with me buy a pizza get 1 hour free play time.

**Nevrak** · 06-16-2009 03:22 PM

Hey, I live in Fort Myers and am a serious gamer with alot of experience in setting up lan parties, competitive gaming, fixing computers, and obviously understand the field.

If you are looking for employees please email me so we could possibly set up an interview.

**Joshua Jones** · 06-16-2009 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by george_cruz10

I have many marketing ideas and contacts I have already met with. I know how to get radio time and had a quirky but decent idea. Like pizza places through people out in the street with a sign, I will buy a Halo outfit or something with a sign and possibly a squirt gun or sometihng. I know the owner of a little ceasars who will do a promotion with me buy a pizza get 1 hour free play time.

Those are some great ideas there George! I especially like the idea of a halo suited guy tagging passers by with a squirt gun

As you know, the face of business is literally evolving before our eyes and in fact has been for the past decade.

Here are some additional concepts to consider - I hope you find them valuable as you go forward with your venture:

1 - Build your email list. The more emails you have on your list the more profit potential you have in your business. This is a huge void for most small businesses. If you don't have a tool in place to manage your list, get one ASAP. Make sure your site has a form to get new subscribers.

2 - Whenever possible automate your processes online. You can use great tools like this business marketing automation tool, or even have your own custom application built. Processes include, client account setup, game time, subscription management, email marketing, incentives, affiliates, credit/points management etc...

3 - Leverage social media whenever possible. You can use videos, audios, pdf, social groups, affiliate contests or even a referral process on your website. Social Media and Web 2.0 is not synonymous with Social Networking Sites alone, but rather a concept of virtual, word of mouth marketing.

4 - Think subscriptions. You can offer blocks of hours for an automated monthly draft from the gamers credit card of choice and even offer unlimited or vip subscriptions that include drinks or other low cost items as 'perks'. Subscriptions, and more specifically, automated subscriptions is the best move a business can make. Selling a product one off is great and all, but it's much nicer to have the base of passive residual income flowing!

5 - Get in the news! Every client of mine that has a retail establishment and has no news about them gets me excited! Why? Because I know I can help them generate returns with a well executed press strategy. Anyone can submit a press release, but not everyone has the reporters calling them!

Please let me know how I can be of service.