Bowling Music counts down to its 10th BOWL EXPO!

Next week, the Bowling Music Team is Orlando-bound for International Bowl Expo 2014! This year marks our 10th year at the show and we could not be more excited to connect with current subscribers, meet with new people and showcase Version 10 of the Bowling Music Player.

We always look forward to the great lineup of educational sessions and presentations at every Bowl Expo. This year's Schedule includes a Keynote Presentation from President George W. Bush and educational sessions such as 'Promoting Sales Inside your Four Walls' presented by Kelly Bednar and 'League Retention Strategies' presented by Gerald Morrow and Nancy Schenk.

Stop by Booth #445 for an in-person demonstration of our Music, Music-Video and Marketing service for bowling centers and check out all of the exciting developments introduced with Version 10 including our Audio-On-Demand Service, Play-ANYTHING Playlists and much more.

See you in Orlando!

For more information about the International Bowl Expo 2014, please visit http://www.bowlexpo.com/

Generate New Business with Bowling Fundraisers

Do you offer fundraisers at your bowling venue?

Fundraisers not only support great causes, they directly benefit your business by boosting traffic, exposing non-bowlers to the sport, building your marketing database, promoting repeat business and much more.

What's more, there are several fundraising formats to provide you with flexibility in determining the best fit for your business. These include the Bowl-A-Thon format or a League Rebate arrangement.

Be sure to let the public know about your fundraisers by promoting them both outside of your venue and in. Now's the time to get in touch with local sports teams, church groups and school organizations and share that your bowling business is a great venue to host their next fundraising event.


Get the word out to customers inside your venue by playing our new Audio & Video promotion from the Infotainment Menu of your Bowling Music Player. Have your Scheduler automate the process for you by scheduling the announcement to play when your target demographics come in to bowl.

Happy Fundraising!

See the Bowling Music Network at the BCAO Convention and Trade Show 2014!

As the bowling industry's leading Music, Music-Video and Marketing Service provider, we make it a top priority to network, maintain connections and stay on top of industry trends.

Next month, we're heading to Dublin, OH, for the Bowling Centers Association of Ohio's Convention and Trade Show at the Crowne Plaza, May 19-21. We're looking forward to the opportunity to demonstrate our Version 10 Software which features enhanced Music and Music-Video playlist capabilities, our powerful Scheduling Tool, Smart Marketing Template technology and much more.

This year, the show has an exciting lineup of Educational Seminars including 'Selling Educational Field Trips' presented by TrainerTainment's Beth Standlee and 'Promoting Sales within your four Walls' with Kelly Bednar.

Stop by and say hello to the Bowling Music Team and let's discuss putting our Entertainment and Marketing service to work for your business.

Fore more information on the Bowling Centers Association of Ohio's Convention and Trade Show, please visit http://bowlohio.com/AdvHTML_Upload/documents/WEB%20Registration%20Information.pdf

Drive Customer Traffic with our March Madness Promotional Campaign!

It's March and we're MAD about Hoops! At the Bowling Music Network, we work to boost bowling business nationwide through superior Music and Music-Video and revenue-generating Digital Signage.


We want to make it easy for you to let your customers know that you will be televising March Madness games in your venue. Our 'March Madness' Smart Marketing Template features automated Audio & Video teasers to drive customer traffic for upcoming games.

Give your bowlers another reason to visit your venue. Opt in now to have our March Madness Scheduling Template added to your Account: http://marketing.787networks.com/acton/form/5343/004e:d-0001/0/index.htm?id=004e

St. Patrick’s Day Bowling Parties: A Unique Revenue-Generating Opportunity

On March 17^th, we recommend capitalizing on the uniqueness of St. Patrick’s Day to find your business’ pot of gold.

This year, give bowlers a compelling reason to visit your bowling center this March 17^th. Promotions may include lane discounts, a four-leaf clover special on games (buy 3 get the fourth for free), a ‘greenest’ outfit competition with a prize for the winner and specials on beer and liquor at your bar/lounge area. It goes without saying that if possible, feature green alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and discounts on Irish beer! Use creative St. Patrick’s Day themed expressions to market your promotions including ‘Pot of Gold’, ‘Luck of the Irish’, ‘Green with Envy’, ‘Go Green’ and more.

Once you have finalized the details for your St. Patrick’s Day Party – get the word out! Let bowlers know about the celebration with in-center marketing and let the public know via social media, flyers, e-mail campaigns and your website. Visit http://bowlingmusic.com/themed-stpattys.html and learn about our St. Patrick’s Day Promotions, Automated Countdown and more.

Come St. Patrick’s Day, ensure you’re setting up an atmosphere to remember! Utilize our St. Patrick’s Day-themed Music and Music-Video programs and decorate your bowling center with easy decorations like green streamers, balloons and wall banners. Lastly, ensure that your staff members dress the part! If you have encouraged bowlers to wear green, your staff better be in full green attire too.

St. Patrick's Day presents creative ways to bring more bowlers into your center. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to bring in the green!

St. Patrick's Day Programming to Bring in the Green!

How do you plan on bringing in the St. Patrick's Day cheer? We believe that St. Patrick's Day is a unique opportunity to bring more traffic into your bowling center and we have created brand new themed St. Patty's Day Programming to help you spread the word and provide a superior entertainment experience to your bowlers this March 17th.

This year, we're featuring two dedicated St. Patrick's Day Music and Music-Video Programs: ST. PATRICK'S, your Irish-only go to, and ST. PATRICK'S PARTY which features a mix of PARTY hits and high-energy, fun Irish Music to pump up the spirit. We have also put together an automated countdown featuring St. Patrick's Day promotions, toasts and jokes to build excitement for the big day.

Themed parties are better with the Bowling Music Network. Check out our St. Patrick's Day Programming here:


All of this and MORE at www.bowlingmusic.com/themed-stpattys.html

LOVE CLASSICS: Your Valentine's Day Entertainment Go-To

Today's consumers have higher expectations than ever before!

Are you using your Music Video System to create a unique entertainment experience this Valentine's Day?

Bowling Music programmers have just created the 'LOVE CLASSICS' Music-Video channel specifically for February 14th. Subscribers can also utilize Infotainment content to promote their Valentine's Day specials as well as the Video Text function to create unique Valentine's Day messages.



Our goal is to help you maximize your TV real estate with creative Entertainment and Infotainment content. Put the power of the playlist to work for your center with the Bowling Music Network!

3 Quick & Easy Solutions to Increasing Open Play Revenues

Most bowling proprietors spend a great deal of time and effort addressing the question 'How do I increase my Open Play Revenue?' They are often met with a lack of results and feel as though drastic structural changes are needed. 

As the only Music, Music-Video and Digital Signage service dedicated to the bowling industry, we strive to continually assist our subscribers in improving their businesses. We recently created a Whitepaper '3 Quick and Easy Solutions to Increasing Open Play Revenues' which provides key strategies to enhancing the revenue-boosting power of your packages, coupons and more.

We hope that this will allow you to take a step back and with a few simple changes, start getting the results you've been hoping for.

Download your free copy today: Open Play Revenues Whitepaper

Bowling Music Network San Diego-bound for Bowl Summit 2014!

Every January, we look forward to attending the BPAA's Bowl Summit, a strategic conference intended to prepare bowling center managers, proprietors and industry leaders for the upcoming year. As a Music, Music Video and Marketing service designed to build the business of bowling, conferences like these aid us in bettering our services for our subscribers through educational seminars, committee meetings and great networking opportunities with industry figures.

This year, we are looking forward to attending exciting Learning Labs such as an Introduction to the New Youth Membership Model presented by Chad Murphy as well as this year's Thought Leader Keynote Presentation from Founding President of Starbucks International, Howard Behar, based upon his book 'It's Not About the Coffee'.

If you plan on attending Bowl Summit this year at the Omni San Diego Hotel, we encourage you to meet with Partner and New Business & Marketing Director, Jim Juniper, and Sales Director, Adam Melrose, to discuss your bowling business' entertainment and marketing needs. See you there!

For more information on Bowl Summit 2014, please visit http://www.bowlingsummit.com/.

Daytime NYE Parties made easy with Bowling Music!

New Year's Eve doesn't have to be just for grown-ups. Give your bowlers the chance to celebrate with their young ones and a reason to forego 'staying in with the kids' by hosting kid-friendly daytime NYE parties in addition to your traditional Midnight bash. Add some appeal and excitement by offering unlimited bowling for the duration of the party at a reduced price, non-alcoholic specialty drinks for the kids, food specials and complimentary party favors.

With the help of our MOM-Approved Music and Music Videos, Simulated/Mock countdowns and Audio + Video promotions leading up to the big event, the Bowling Music Network makes it easier than ever to appeal to both the early and late night crowds on New Year's Eve. Visit your Infotainment menu and tell bowlers about your upcoming Daytime NYE parties and schedule one of our Simulated Countdowns to play when you plan on ringing in the 'Noon' year. The little ones will enjoy taking part in the celebration and they'll still make it home well before bedtime which will be music to Mom's ears.

For assistance in scheduling NYE programming, please contact Meaghan Alexander at 1-866-684-8324 ext. 244.

Industry Leading In-Center Marketing & Entertainment for NYE

Have you started planning your bowling center's New Year's Eve celebration? According to Event Management Company, Event Brite, the early bird catches the worm when it comes to marketing your New Year's Eve party. Event Brite recommends making your NYE event public before the American Thanksgiving when only 30% of events are live. Not only does this allow for ample planning time but will also give you the momentum you need to sell out of tickets. We'll help give you a leg up on your competition with our all new NYE Audio + Video promotion found in your Infotainment Menu.

If you're more of a last minute type, you may find comfort in another NYE statistic from Event Brite: 45% of tickets are purchased after Christmas Day and 10% are bought the day of. Whatever your planning strategy this year, utilize the Bowling Music Network's in-center marketing tools and industry-leading entertainment and ring in the New Year right!

For more tips on planning your New Year's Eve event, please visit http://blog.eventbrite.com/new-years-numbers-5-stats-to-improve-your-event-planning/

Black Friday Bowling: The Safe & Fun alternative to Shopping

Total Black Friday sales and shoppers may be on the rise but some Americans are opting for lower key Black Friday activities that don't involve large crowds, long lines and deep holes in their wallets. With the recent advent of violent Black Friday acts and concerns about the tarnishing of Thanksgiving, it's not hard to see why.

Appeal to the non-shoppers this Black Friday and offer "doorcrashing" Black Friday specials on bowling. With more and more consumers scouting Black Friday deals online and on social media sites, be sure to get the word out on your website, Facebook and Twitter pages and utilize the hashtag #blackfriday. Take it one step further by making bowling deals sweeter for your valued customers: provide exclusive discounts to e-mail subscribers.

Be sure to market in-center too. Visit the Infotainment menu of your Bowling Music Player and play our Audio + Video 'Black Friday' promotion today:

Visit http://blog.intuit.com/marketing/11-black-friday-marketing-tips-for-your-small-business/ for more Black Friday Marketing tips.

Happy Hour: A Bowling Center Must-Have

As a Music, Music Video and Marketing service built entirely upon the needs of bowling centers, we recognize the importance of staying on top of the latest and greatest bowling industry trends. We have always found the educational seminars at Bowl Expo to be a great resource. One such seminar, "Bar Trends and Your Bowling Business", was presented by Rick Heim from BPAA's Bowling University who touched on some promising statistics and tips for Happy Hour.

Why host a Happy Hour? Heim explains that not only does it appeal to value-oriented consumers but it is also on trend with a shift from eating full meals to grabbing snacks and appetizers. In one survey, 98% of guests said that they prefer to eat during Happy Hour. While Friday was the most popular choice for Happy Hour, 64% of surveyed guests said they would attend a Saturday Happy Hour if offered. Heim recommends considering new Happy Hour times to accommodate a shift from traditional work schedules and eating habits. Consider hosting your Happy Hour later into the evening and even on weekends as opposed to just weekdays. Unsure what specials to offer? 50% off any drink, 2-for-1 drinks and classic cocktails offered at the same price point were among the most appealing.

If you already have a Happy Hour or will be introducing one soon, use our Audio + Video promotion to tell your bowlers to make a visit to your bar or lounge area today:


For more Bar Trends from BPAA's Bowling University, please visit: http://www.bowlinguniversity.net/getmedia/37bd5185-619a-42f4-be5b-10ae3bf25c49/Heim-Bar-Trends-Bowl-Expo-2013.aspx

Turkey, stuffing, pie and bowling?

We've all been there. The whole family is over for Thanksgiving weekend and aside from the main feature, the big turkey dinner, you're left wondering what to do with all of your loved ones. Not surprisingly, in my searches of suggested Thanksgiving activities, bowling often appeared on the list. After all, it is one of few activities that doesn't depend on the weather and it's the perfect outlet for some friendly competition among relatives. I also came across stories of families who have made bowling a tradition every Thanksgiving weekend - a tradition that for some goes back 50 years and for others includes up to 40 people making a visit to their local bowling center. What does this mean for bowling proprietors? An opportunity to provide the venue for family bonding experiences.

If you plan on keeping your doors open on Thanksgiving, be sure to let your bowlers know and perhaps they'll start a family tradition of their own. Make it more interesting by introducing a Thanksgiving weekend special. Head to the Infotainment menu of your Bowling Music Player and use our all new Audio + Video promotion today:

Mid-October means Mid-South Bowling Conference 2013!

We're packing up and heading down to Tunica, MS for the Mid-South Bowling Conference 2013. Each year we have the pleasure of meeting with numerous bowling proprietors, fellow exhibitors and reconnecting with familiar faces in the industry. We're also always eager to take in the conference's selection of educational seminars. On deck this year are informational sessions such as 'Social Bowling Clubs' presented by Trainertainment and 'Bowling 2.0' with Bart Burger. If you already run Bowling 2.0 or will be introducing Bowling 2.0 at your bowling center, visit your Infotainment menu to take advantage of our Audio + Video promotion and tell your bowlers about your upcoming Bowling 2.0 classes:

Are you planning on attending this year? If so, we encourage you to stop by and say hello to Account Manager Josh Doub to discuss your bowling center's entertainment and marketing plans. Josh will be demonstrating Version 9 of the Bowling Music Player and our new HQ Music Video Library. We look forward to seeing you soon! 

For more information on the Mid-South Bowling Conference, please visit www.arkansasbca.com

Bowling Music hits the Boardwalk for ECBCC 2013!

Every Fall, the Bowling Music Network looks forward to attending the East Coast Bowling Centers Convention in Atlantic City, NJ. As the largest American Regional Bowling Convention, the ECBCC is a unique networking opportunity for Industry Service Providers and Bowling Proprietors alike that cannot be missed!

Highlights to look forward to at this year's show include a great selection of Seminars and Workshops including 'Using Technology, WiFi and Apps in your Centers' presented by Joe LaSpina and Frank Wilkinson and 'Making Open Play a Bigger Contributor to your Bottom Line' by Bruce Davis as well as an all new ECBCC App for iPhone and Android devices!

Come stop by Booth #53 and say hello to Account Manager Andy Sparks for a Demo of our industry leading Music, Music-Video and Marketing Services designed for the business of Bowling! This year, we're eager to showcase Version 9 of the Bowling Music Player, our new HQ Library and much more. See you there!

For more information the East Coast Bowling Centers Convention, please visit www.eastcoastbowl.com

Welcome your League bowlers back to the 2013 Fall Season!

 With the 2013 Fall Season on the approach and under way for some in the bowling industry, we have always felt it to be best practice to give Fall League bowlers a warm welcome back. Every year, we produce a new Audio + Video promotion for Bowling Music Network subscribers to do just this. Visit the 'Leagues' category of your Infotainment menu and show your customer appreciation and best wishes for the season today! Looking to schedule the message to automatically play? Watch our all new Player Version 9 Tutorial Video for some scheduling guidance: http://vimeo.com/71361314

In-Center Marketing That Sells!

We take pride in providing the bowling industry the most extensive library of “In Center” announcements and promotional videos. The exciting part, is that it’s provided at no additional charge to our subscribers. We continue to strive to increase the content to cover any profit center a bowling center decides to pursue. We are in the process of releasing a new and exciting themed promotional category. This series will be our best yet, featuring effective, fun animated videos with industry leading voice talent.

Effective In-Center marketing must:

- Be fun and entertaining
- Be professionally produced
- Be to the point
- Create a sense of urgency
- Be demographically appropriate
- Be targeted to the current customer 

A wise business associate once told me that you shouldn’t try sell ice to an Eskimo. But, if you are going to try, it better be good ice.

Our goal is to assist our customers with enhancing their customer’s experience at the bowling center by introducing additional fun products and services. When it comes to fun, no one delivers like your local bowling center.

We have over 350 announcements in 18 different categories that can be scheduled to play when you want them to be played. Hundreds of bowling centers utilize these every day. Let’s put them to work for you too!

If you have an idea for a product or service to promote at a bowling center, I’d love to hear it. E-mail me:jim@bowlingmusic.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

What do you do?

People often say to me: So, what is it that you actually do?

They find it difficult to understand when I say that we create positive, energetic reactions. I guess it would be easier to understand if I said we provide music and music-video services to bowling centers throughout North America. Maybe it would make more sense if I said: we develop a leading edge web based software that schedules music/video programming and promotional announcements for businesses.

The fact is, that’s how we do it. What we do is make people jump, smile, dance, high five, eat, drink and be merry.

We always make it a point for every member of our team to understand that our customers do not subscribe to music programs, a web site, an interface, promotional announcements, the latest music video’s or industry leading customer service. They subscribe to their customer’s reaction to the delivery of all of the above. If the reaction is not making people jump, smile, dance, high five, eat, drink and be merry, we are not delivering value to our subscriber’s business.

Nobody delivers this value better than the Bowling Music Network. That is why we are the fastest growing service in the industry. It’s what we do!

What does your music service provider do?

-Jim Juniper, Partner & Sales Director.