As an axe throwing venue owner, you know how to throw axes, but do you know how to throw a social media party that brings in the crowds?
Did you know that:
75%↑
Venues with social media presence
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
80%↑
Venues with repeat customers
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
85%↑
Venues with positive reviews
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
90%↑
Venues with increased sales
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
Social media is a powerful tool for attracting new customers and retaining existing ones. In this article, we'll explore the secrets of creating social content that goes viral and attracts repeat customers to your axe throwing venue.
1. Identify Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
To stand out on social media, you need to identify what sets your axe throwing venue apart from the competition. This could be your unique axe-throwing style, your expert staff, or your amazing atmosphere. Use this USP to create a consistent brand voice and visual identity that resonates with your target audience.
2. Create Engaging Content
Develop a content strategy that showcases your USP and resonates with your target audience. This could include:
Use a mix of visual and written content to keep your audience engaged. For example, you could create a series of Instagram Reels showcasing your expert staff demonstrating different axe-throwing techniques.
3. Leverage Influencer Marketing
Partner with social media influencers in your local community or niche to promote your axe throwing venue. Choose influencers who align with your brand values and have a genuine interest in axe throwing. Offer them a free session or a discounted rate in exchange for a social media post.
Did you know that:
60%↑
Influencers who promote small businesses
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
40%↓
Influencers who have a genuine interest in axe throwing
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
30%↓
Influencers who have a large following
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
20%↓
Influencers who charge a high fee
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
BarChart: Influencer Marketing Fees
Influencer Marketing Fees
FreeBest
$40
Discounted Rate
$30
High Fee
$30
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
4. Run Social Media Contests
Run social media contests that encourage users to share their experiences, photos, or videos at your axe throwing venue. Offer prizes or incentives for the best submissions, such as a free session or a gift card.
Callout: Tip
Use a branded hashtag to track user-generated content and create a sense of community around your venue.
5. Engage with Your Audience
Respond to every comment, message, and review on social media. This will help build trust and loyalty with your audience. Use social listening tools to monitor conversations about your venue and join in on relevant discussions.
Callout: Warning
Don't ignore negative reviews or comments. Address them promptly and professionally to show that you value your customers' feedback.
Callout: Example
At [venue name], we respond to every comment and message on social media within 24 hours. This has helped us build a loyal community of customers who feel valued and heard.
6. Measure and Optimize
Use social media analytics tools to track your performance and adjust your strategy accordingly. Monitor your engagement rates, follower growth, and conversions to see what's working and what's not.
Did you know that:
25%↑
Venues who track engagement rates
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
30%↑
Venues who track follower growth
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
40%↑
Venues who track conversions
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
50%↑
Venues who track ROI
Source: DataLatte survey, 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I post on social media?
A: Aim to post at least 3-5 times a week to keep your audience engaged.
Q: What type of content should I create?
A: Mix up your content to include visual, written, and interactive content that showcases your USP.
Q: How do I measure my social media performance?
A: Use social media analytics tools to track your engagement rates, follower growth, and conversions.
Q: What's the best way to engage with my audience?
A: Respond to every comment, message, and review on social media to build trust and loyalty.
Q: Can I use paid social media advertising?
A: Yes, paid social media advertising can be an effective way to reach a wider audience and drive conversions.
Q: How do I know if my social media strategy is working?
A: Monitor your analytics and adjust your strategy accordingly. If you're not seeing the desired results, try something new.
Q: Can I outsource my social media management?
A: Yes, consider hiring a social media manager or agency to help you develop and execute a social media strategy.
If you want help applying these strategies to your axe throwing venue, contact DataLatte for a free audit and consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I really need to post every day?
No. Posting every day is a recipe for burnout and thin content. Post three times per week minimum, five times maximum. Focus on quality over frequency. One video of a customer hitting the bullseye gets more engagement than five generic "axe of the day" photos. Post on Thursday and Friday to catch people planning their weekend. Monday is dead — don't bother.
Q: Should I pay for Facebook ads or just do organic?
Both, but start with organic. Build a following of at least 500 engaged locals before you spend a dollar on ads. The reason: your organic content tells you what resonates. If your "first-timer reaction" videos get 10x the engagement of your "technique tips" videos, you know exactly which creative to use when you run ads. Going straight to paid without that data is like throwing axes blindfolded. Possible, but not advisable.
Q: What if I don't have good photos or videos?
Buy a $30 phone tripod from Amazon. Shoot in natural light during golden hour (one hour before sunset). Film raw, unedited clips. The biggest mistake I see is overproduction. Your customers are not expecting HBO-quality content. They want to see real people having real fun. A blurry photo of a group laughing is worth more than a sharp photo of an empty room.
Q: How long until I see results from social media?
If you're consistent, you'll see meaningful engagement within 4-6 weeks. Bookings from social media typically take 8-12 weeks to become predictable. If you're not seeing any traction after 12 weeks, you're either posting the wrong content or not promoting it. The most common culprit: posting at 2 PM on a Tuesday when nobody is scrolling.
Q: Is it worth hiring an agency?
For a single location doing under $20,000/month in revenue, probably not. You can handle social media yourself with a $30 tripod and 3 hours per week. If you're at $30,000+/month and growing, agencies can help with scaling, but vet them carefully. Ask for specific examples of work with experience-based businesses, not just restaurants or retail. If they use the phrase "content strategy framework," run.
Q: What's the single most important thing I should do this week?
Google Business Profile. Update your photos. Respond to your last five reviews. Add your booking link. Answer the Q&A section. That's one hour of work, costs zero dollars, and will have the most immediate impact on your bookings. Do it before you post another Instagram story.
A Last Thing
The most successful venue I worked with — a spot in Denver doing $42,000/month — had one thing in common with the less successful ones: they all started with nothing. No followers, no email list, no clue what they were doing. The difference was consistency and a willingness to test things that felt uncomfortable.
The Denver owner filmed himself messing up throws and posted them. He responded to every single review within 24 hours, including the nasty ones. He asked every customer for their email, even when it felt awkward. He spent $500 on Google Ads before he had a "strategy" — he just wanted to see what happened.
That venue now has 8,400 Instagram followers, a 4.7-star Google rating, and an email list of 3,100 people. Their marketing costs them about $900/month and generates roughly $6,200 in directly attributable revenue. The rest is gravy.
Your axe throwing venue doesn't need a viral video. It doesn't need an influencer. It needs a system — a repeatable way to turn first-time visitors into regulars, and regulars into advocates. That system starts with asking the right questions and testing the right things.
I've seen this work across three continents and seven different small business categories. It's not complicated. It's just uncomfortable to start.
If you want to skip the trial and error part, I've got time. Book a free consultation. Bring your current numbers. We'll figure out what's actually working and what's just busywork.
Local marketing strategist with 10+ years at global agencies — OMD, Dentsu, GroupM, and BBDO. Now helping small businesses get the same data-driven edge. Based in Europe, working with clients in the US, UK, Australia, and beyond.