I was thinking about Netflix and Video on Demand the
other day, and trying to figure out how video stores can
compete with them.
So I started thinking about what I personally think
about Netflix and VOD, and why I personally don't
subscribe to either. And the answer was simple. I know
why I don't subscribe, and why I'd
rather go down and rent a video at the video store! If
this is how I feel or think, there may be other people
that think the same way! (or, I could just be nuts and
nobody thinks like me at all!)
Netflix is easy. I am too impatient. When I want to
watch a movie (or my wife wants to watch a movie), we want
to watch it now. To wait for a movie (that I may not even
get) is beyond my level of patience. And if it's too slow
for me, then it's too slow for plenty of other people.
So why not use that in your marketing?
" Why wait for a movie in the mail when you can
have it today? " or
" We'll deliver the movie you want, right now.
Come on by today! "
Just throwing things out there... you can use the
negatives of the competition to show the positives of
doing business with you!
How about VOD. Well, as far as I can tell, VOD will be
similar in pricing to pay per view (PPV). That means I get
this great big bill at the end of the month. For some
people, that's no big deal (I guess). For me, I'd much
rather spend $3 at a time out of my cash. And I'm sure
there must be some ways to capitalize on that problem.
Then there's the problem of people purchasing movies
instead of renting them. Well, for me and my business
partner Don, we both agree that it's a fad. As time goes
on, people will wake up and realize they don't watch 10%
of their movie collection that they've spent $1000, $2000,
or more.
I've got a couple of movies I bought for my wife that
she loves to watch, and they've never even been opened!
Why? Because she'll catch it on TV as a repeat. She'll
even watch the movie sometimes with commercials! We
watched Red October for the umpteenth time the other
day... with commercials! That's a big reason I don't even
buy even the super duper movies.
So, point that out to your customers. Ask them how big
their collection is? If they purchase 52 new releases a
year they spent around $1000.00. To see the same movies by
renting them from your store (at $3), they can save at
least $800.00.
" Save up to $800.00 a year by renting movies
at our store! "
Put that on your front window or your newspaper ad and
see how many people ask about that! Then explain it to
them, sign them up, get their Email address, send them a
weekly offer or newsletter in the mail or the Email, etc.
How much would they save by renting regular movies
versus the $5 movie bin at Wal-Mart?
" Save over 60% by renting our Classic Movies!
"
Granted, these aren't the greatest headlines in the
world. But you know your business. Maybe I've given you
some idea's to help you compete against the so called "
Video Store Killers ".
Video Stores can survive, it's just a matter of
learning some new skills, working hard, and of course,
Great Software! :)
Have a great week!
P.S.
If anyone has any input that you'd like to share with
other independent stores... please send it our way!
PSS
And one more thing... we did change our credit card
software here at the office to X-Charge. It is fantastic.
As you may know, we use Video Shoppe to process all of our
orders. It interfaces with X-Charge perfectly and easily.
