How to Use Social Media Outreach to Boost Foot Traffic

In the age of AI, automation, and sophisticated ad platforms, it’s easy to overlook the power of simple, grassroots marketing. But for location-based entertainment (LBX) brands—especially those just getting started or trying to build local awareness—there’s one time-tested tactic that still delivers: digital hand-to-hand combat.

Coined (or at least borrowed) by our own Chuck DeMonte, this term refers to the act of personally engaging with local users on social platforms. It’s not glamorous. It’s not scalable. And yes, it’s a little bit of a grind. But it works—especially when paired with other strategies like paid ads and email campaigns.

So What Is Digital Hand-to-Hand Combat?

It’s about intentionally reaching out to your community—one like, one comment, one DM at a time.

On Instagram, this means:

• Searching your town or city under “places” or hashtags.

• Finding local parents (if you’re a family entertainment center) or 20-somethings (if you’re an adult-focused concept).

• Following them, liking their posts, replying to stories, and occasionally offering free passes or discounts to visit your location.

On Facebook, it’s about:

• Jumping into local community and parent groups.

• Offering event tickets, giveaways, or exclusive promos.

• Building trust by showing up regularly and engaging genuinely—not just dropping links and disappearing.

Why Does It Work?

Because people trust people more than ads. When you reach out with a personal touch, invite someone to visit, and they have a great time—they’re far more likely to:

• Share about it on their own social feed.

• Tell friends and family.

• Come back again (with more people).

This organic word-of-mouth snowballs into real growth. We’ve seen it firsthand with clients who were struggling to get certain events off the ground—only to watch things take off after a few weeks of focused outreach.

And here’s the kicker: this tactic enhances your paid ad performance too. The people who engage with your page now become warm audiences for retargeting. You can show them ads for upcoming events, parties, and promotions, knowing they’ve already interacted with your brand.

Who Should Be Doing This?

Honestly? Everyone.

Even high-performing parks with strong walk-in traffic can benefit from building deeper community ties. But if you’re trying to raise local awareness, boost party bookings, or launch a new offering—this is a must.

You don’t need a marketing degree to do this either. You could even outsource it to a virtual assistant for a few hours a week. The key is consistency. Fifteen minutes a day goes a long way.

“You could hire a VA to do this five hours a week. Done consistently over time, this has a great impact—not only on your social following but on your local foot traffic too.”— Chuck DeMonte, Raydius CMO

Bonus Tip: Know Your Audience

Before you jump in, take a second to define your audience. Are you targeting moms of toddlers? College students looking for late-night fun? Axe-throwing date-nighters?

Tailor your outreach and your offers accordingly. A couple of free jump passes for a parent is a great move. A free drink or round of mini golf might be better for the 21+ crowd. Get creative.

Want More Ideas Like This?

Check out our recent blog post on Why First Party Data Matters More Than Ever for FECs to see how this tactic fits into a broader multi-channel approach.