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The Trend Report - January 2024
Here is the first trend report for 2024. It’s still a new concept for this newsletter so let me know what you think - if you have any feedback on things you want to see or how you want it structured I’m all ears.
The data is accurate as of 22nd Jan 2024 - the trend charts will have a steep drop-off at the very end but this is due to a lack of data.
I’m working on creating a live dashboard for all of these trends, sort of like Exploding Topics but with way more info and actionable insights.
Some of these trends and ideas may be spoken about in future newsletters but you get exclusive first access before anyone else.
The Trend Report - January 2024
Identify market trends before anyone else. Every month, Pro subscribers get a breakdown of rapidly growing trends you need to be aware of.
💡 Opportunity #1 - Bingo Raves?
🗂 Overview:
Starting a Bingo company almost definitely wasn’t on your 2024 Bingo card, but if it was cross it off because this might be the most fun business you could start. Don’t believe me? Look up Bongo’s Bingo and Bingo Loco right now. There’s also Hijingo Bingo here in London that’s similarly wild. There are also Drag Queen Bingo nights which are a lot of fun.
Now the idea doesn’t necessarily have to be based on Bingo - it could be based on a different game but the theme needs to stick. Just think of a game and figure out how crazy you could make it and then double it.
My suggestion would be, if you live in a country/area where this hasn’t become a massive thing then do it, otherwise consider some of the games below.
This fits in with the bigger trend of activity bars.
Other Game Ideas:
Darts: If you’ve ever seen a professional Darts match, you’ll know it’s already pretty crazy. There’s also been a great success with bars like Flight Club that offer virtual Darts games with your friends. Could you turn this into a Darts / Bongo’s Bingo-style event but without the pro-Darts players?
Beer Pong: Maybe more suited to a specialised bar (like Bounce or the aforementioned Flight Club) but could be turned into an event somehow I’m sure.
Never Have I Ever: Get guests on stage at random to do odd things that they likely would never have done before to win prizes for their team/themselves.
Minute to Win It Games: Think picking up Cheerios with a toothpick (and their mouths), reciting the alphabet backwards (without any mistakes!), sorting a big bowl of M&Ms or Skittles by colour, or bouncing ping-pong balls into an egg carton.
Traitors: this is a really big game show in the UK at the moment and could maybe be brought to life in a fun way. This game is also known as Mafia, Assassin, Werewolf, or Village.
Two Up: is a traditional Australian gambling game, involving a designated "spinner" throwing two coins - it’s technically illegal in Australia but is allowed on ANZAC day. It could maybe be done without gambling actual money and instead in-game currency/prizes - this would likely depend on your country.
Musical Chairs
Limbo
Simon Says
Pub Quiz (but nuts)
📈 Trends:
Searches for events are seeing a decline due to cost of living pressures. But searches for giveaways and ways to win prizes are seeing an increase.
📊 Stats:
There's a growing emphasis on creating unique experiences that combine gastronomy, décor, and entertainment. Traditional players in the hospitality industry are finding it challenging to reinvent themselves to meet these new demands. (source)
The UK nightclub industry is facing a decline due to the cost-of-living crisis, with a decrease in revenue growth expected. This is partly due to reduced disposable income and changes in alcohol consumption trends. (source)
The global nightlife industry, including pubs, bars, and nightclubs, is expected to experience significant growth. A report forecasts the market size to grow by $24.60 billion from 2021 to 2026.
⭐️ Examples:
Bongo’s Bingo: They sold nearly one million tickets in 2022 and have recently broken into the American market. “It all started with a playlist on a laptop, a bingo machine, an empty warehouse space and a crazy idea from two men in Liverpool.” Learn more about how it started here.
Bingo Loco: Similar to Bongo’s Bingo with a considerable number of locations.
Hijingo Bingo: Marketed as “next-generation bingo that will blow your mind”. A popular bar in London. According to their company accounts they made over £5.4m in revenue for the 22/23 tax year - up from £3m the prior year. (source)
👎 Problems:
Activity bars are becoming more and more popular as people start looking for more exciting events and activities outside just going to a regular bar and drinking.
With the cost of living pressures many people are experiencing, having a more fun and exciting night out will more often than not trump going to the pub or local bar. People would rather spend their money on something unique and exciting.
🚀 How to Build/Grow:
How to Build:
Market Research: Determine what makes the other events so popular and captivating. Figure out what’s missing and what could be improved. Attend events, read reviews and speak to the target demographic.
Start with local events: Start small with local ticketed events at event halls, bars and so on. Try and lock in dates for when the spaces are quietest. That way you help the event space and potentially get a better price. Student events would be a good start.
Determine Game Rules: Figure out the rules of your crazy game. determine prizes, brainstorm and develop weird aspects that’ll make it fun and stand out.
Partner with Event Companies & Artists: Partner with other event companies, artists, dancers, DJs and celebrities to make the events bigger and better.
How to Grow:
Local Advertising: Advertise locally through local press, local influencers, local organisations, universities, and student groups.
Student Nights: Start by running student nights and giving student deals.
TikTok Content: Create TikTok videos showing how fun and wacky your events are. Interview guests asking them how they found it.
Encourage Word of Mouth: Put on events so good people have to tell their friends. If your events are great everyone will tell their friends, and they’ll keep coming back.
Get in the Press: Beyond local press try and get national PR coverage of your events as you start to expand.
New Locations: Repeat this process in new towns/cities as you expand and move around the country.
Paid Social: Once you’ve had success and started moving into bigger venues, run paid social ads to increase ticket sales.
🔒 Builder’s Toolbox
🔗 Useful Tools:
🐣 Thoughtful Tweets
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🔒 Opportunity #2 - City Scavenger Hunts
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🗂 Overview:
📈 Trends:
📊 Stats:
⭐️ Examples:
🚀 How to Build/Grow:
👍 Tips:
🔒 Opportunity #3 - Productized Services
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