Turn Viral Trends Into Marketing Success

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Every business wants to create the next big marketing success story. Many spend countless hours brainstorming original promotions, hoping to come up with an idea that captures attention and drives customers through the door. But some of the most successful marketing campaigns don’t begin with a completely new idea. Instead, they begin by recognizing what people are already excited about and finding a creative way to become part of the conversation.  

A surprising example came during the World Cup when ranch dressing became an unexpected social media sensation. International visitors began sharing videos of themselves trying the popular American condiment, and the trend quickly spread across social media. It generated so much attention that even the TSA reminded travelers that ranch dressing counts as a liquid in carry-on luggage. What started as a simple food trend became one of the most talked about moments surrounding the tournament.  

The real marketing lesson wasn’t about ranch dressing. It was about attention. 

Businesses that recognized the growing excitement found ways to participate instead of sitting on the sidelines. Hidden Valley distributed ranch seasoning packets during World Cup events. Kraft joined the conversation by joking about TSA compliant travel size ranch packs on social media. Neither company created the trend, but both amplified it by engaging with something people were already talking about.  

This is an important reminder for bowling and entertainment centers. Successful promotions don’t always have to be completely original. Sometimes the best marketing opportunities come from observing what’s already capturing people’s attention and adapting those ideas to fit your business. 

Many operators feel pressure to constantly invent fresh promotions from scratch. Guests rarely care where an idea originated. They simply care whether the experience is fun, memorable, and worth sharing. Looking at trends, community events, holidays, sporting events, blockbuster movies, or viral social media moments can provide endless inspiration for promotions that already have built-in excitement.  

The key is to adapt rather than copy. 

For bowling and entertainment centers, that could mean creating promotions inspired by major sporting events, offering themed menu items tied to cultural celebrations, hosting country versus country bowling competitions, or building family events around popular trends that are already generating conversations online. The goal is not to duplicate someone else’s campaign but to create an experience that feels relevant to your audience while connecting to something people are already excited about.  

Social media provides one of the easiest ways to identify these opportunities. Every day, customers reveal what interests them through the videos they watch, the topics they discuss, and the experiences they share. Those conversations often provide valuable clues about what could resonate with guests at your center.  

This approach works particularly well because bowling centers are in the experience business. People don’t usually share ordinary moments online. They share experiences that are funny, surprising, unique, or memorable. A creative themed event, an entertaining challenge, or a clever promotion connected to a current trend has the potential to generate organic social media exposure as guests post about their visit and the products they used while visiting your center. This is important especially when you’re trying to promote your newest products like Neoverse, Kiosk, BES NV, or other new exciting products. When that happens, customers become some of your most effective marketers.  

Another important takeaway is that marketing doesn’t always need to be serious. Some of the most successful campaigns simply make people smile. Unexpected ideas often generate more conversation than carefully polished advertisements because they feel authentic and entertaining. Bowling and entertainment centers are uniquely positioned to embrace this playful approach because guests visit specifically to have fun.  

Before planning your next promotion, take a moment to look beyond your own business. Ask yourself: 

  • What trends are people talking about right now?  
  • What major events are happening in my community or around the world?  
  • How can my center creatively participate in those conversations?  
  • What experience can I create that guests will want to share with others?  

Great marketing isn’t always about having the biggest budget or the most groundbreaking idea. Often, it’s about paying attention, recognizing opportunities, and acting quickly while excitement is building. The businesses that benefited from the ranch dressing phenomenon weren’t necessarily the ones that started it. They were the ones that noticed it first and found creative ways to participate.  

The next successful promotion for your bowling or entertainment center may not come from your next brainstorming session. It may already be trending online, generating conversations in your community, or capturing people’s attention. The opportunity is simply waiting for someone to recognize it and turn it into an unforgettable guest experience.

This blog topic was featured on the Seeds of Success Podcast Ep 121_What Ranch Dressing Can Teach Us About Marketing

Visit one of the podcast platforms below to listen.

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/v2ap2cpv

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3nuvafwp

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/355skzwp

The 1% Rule: Small Changes That Create Better Customer Experiences

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Business owners often believe growth comes from major renovations, expensive marketing campaigns, or adding the latest attractions. While those investments can make a difference, long-term success is usually built through small, consistent improvements.

This is the idea behind the 1% Rule. Instead of waiting for one big breakthrough, focus on getting just a little better every day. Those small improvements compound over time, creating better customer experiences, stronger operations, and lasting business growth.

For bowling and entertainment centers, this mindset can have a huge impact. Maybe it’s reducing wait times at the counter, making your facility feel cleaner, responding to party inquiries faster, or training staff to greet guests by name. None of these changes require a major investment, but together they create an experience that customers remember.

Even technology benefits from the 1% approach. Centers using modern scoring systems like QubicaAMF BES NV or engaging attractions like the Neoverse already have powerful tools to enhance the guest experience. The real opportunity comes from using those tools consistently. Refreshing digital content, promoting interactive games, highlighting scoring features, or simply encouraging guests to explore everything your center offers are small actions that can increase engagement and keep visitors coming back.

One of the simplest improvements any business can make is personalization. Hearing your name when you walk into a business instantly creates a connection. Whether it’s recognizing a returning guest, remembering a family’s favorite lane, or simply offering a friendly welcome, these moments build loyalty far beyond a single visit.

Finding your own 1% improvement is easier than you might think. Look at your business through your customer’s eyes. Ask yourself where guests experience confusion, delays, or unnecessary friction. Then choose one thing to improve. It could be simplifying the booking process, updating outdated signage, or responding to inquiries just a little faster.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s creating a culture of continuous improvement.

The most successful businesses aren’t always the ones making the biggest changes. They’re the ones consistently asking, “What’s one thing we can improve today?”

When those improvements become part of your daily routine, they create momentum. Over time, that momentum leads to happier guests, stronger customer loyalty, and sustainable business growth.

Success rarely comes from one giant leap. More often, it’s built through hundreds of small improvements that make every guest visit just a little better than the last.

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