Escape Room Marketing: How to Boost Your Bookings Success

If you’re an escape room owner looking to get more customers through your doors, you've come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through escape room marketing strategies that are both easy to implement and effective in boosting visibility, increasing bookings, and making your business the talk of the town.

We get it – marketing can feel overwhelming. But with the right approach, it’s manageable, and, better yet, it works. Whether you're just starting or have been in the game for years, these actionable tips will help you get the results you want.

Why Marketing Your Escape Room Matters

Escape rooms are all about creating memorable experiences. But even the best experiences need a push to get noticed. With the right marketing plan, your escape room can stand out in a crowded space, attracting more adventure-seekers. Effective event and bookings marketing isn’t just about showing people your escape room exists—it’s about convincing them that yours is the one they need to try.

Who Is This Post For?

This post is for escape room owners who want to:

• Get more people booking their escape rooms.
• Increase their business’s visibility online.
• Optimize their marketing budget.
• Better understand the tools (like Google Ads) to grow their business.

Ready?Let’s dive in!

How to Get Started With Escape Room Marketing

1. Define Your Goals and Target Audience

Before spending a single dollar on marketing, you need a plan. What are you trying to achieve? Do you want to boost bookings, drive traffic to your website, or introduce a new escape room theme?

Once you define your goals, it’s time to figure out who your target audience is. This means knowing who’s likely to book your escape room – are they families, corporate groups, thrill-seeking friends, or tourists? Your marketing will be a lot more effective if it speaks directly to the people most interested in what you offer.

Pro Tip: Use tools like Google Analytics or social media insights to learn more about who’s already engaging with your brand. This will help guide your event and bookings marketing efforts.

2. Choose the Right Marketing Channels

There are several platforms to get the word out about your escape room, but not all of them will be a good fit for your goals. Start by considering:

Google Ads

Google Ads is a great way to get your escape room in front of people who are already searching for one. Set up search campaigns that show your ads when someone looks for keywords like “best escape rooms near me.” It’s direct, and it works. You can also run display ads to target people based on their interests and behavior, showing up where they spend time online.

Social Media Marketing

Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are perfect for engaging with your audience and showcasing the fun experiences your escape rooms offer. Use photos and videos to show the action and excitement. Don’t forget to run targeted ads on these platforms to reach people in your local area.

Local SEO

Optimizing your escape room for local search is critical. Ensure that your business is listed on Google Maps and that your client's GBP keyword (Google Business Profile) is accurate. This makes it easier for people nearby to find you.

3. Craft Compelling Ads and Content

When you’re running ads or creating content for your escape room, make sure it grabs attention. Your copy should be clear, engaging, and action-driven. Highlight the unique themes, challenges, and experiences that your escape room offers. Use visuals—photos and videos—that make people want to book a spot right away.

For Example:
Use phrases like “Test your limits,” or “Step into the ultimate adventure” to spark interest. Pair these with exciting images from your rooms.

4. Use Keywords and Target Locations

If you're running online ads, you must use the right keywords. Keywords are the terms your potential customers are typing into search engines when they’re looking for a fun escape room experience. Think of words like “best escape rooms near me,” “family-friendly escape rooms,” or even “corporate team-building escape rooms.” These are the phrases people are actively searching for, and you want your business to show up.

To make this work, you’ll need a good mix of general and location-based keywords. General keywords target a broad audience, while location-specific ones will help you reach people in your immediate area. If your escape room is in Chicago, for example, use keywords like “escape rooms in Chicago” or “best escape rooms in Chicago” in your Google Ads and on your website.

But that’s not all. You also want to make sure your website and Google Business Profile are optimized for local SEO. This means your escape room needs to pop up when someone nearby searches for escape room experiences. Update your business listings, make sure your location details are accurate, and include location-based keywords throughout your website content.

Pro Tip: Use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or SEMrush to discover the most relevant and high-volume keywords for your business. It’s worth spending time on this research so that your marketing budget is working hard to drive actual bookings.

5. Set Realistic Budgets and Track Your Results

Marketing isn’t a one-time activity. It’s an ongoing process that needs regular attention, testing, and tweaking. And that’s why it’s essential to set a realistic marketing budget. You don’t want to blow through your funds too quickly, but you also want to make sure you’re spending enough to see results. So how do you find the balance?

Start small. Test different platforms, audiences, and ad styles, and then track your results to see what’s working. For example, Google Ads can be incredibly effective, but they can also eat up your budget if you’re not careful. Pay attention to your cost-per-click (CPC) and your return on ad spend (ROAS). If a particular campaign isn’t performing well, adjust it or shut it down.

It’s equally important to track key metrics using tools like Google Analytics. Are you getting traffic to your website? How many visitors are converting into actual bookings? What’s the average cost of acquiring a new customer? These insights help you decide where to put more of your budget and what areas might need improvement.

Remember, marketing is an investment. Over time, with the right strategies, you’ll start seeing more bookings and more revenue. But be patient and stay flexible.

Pro Tip: Set a monthly budget for your escape room marketing efforts and plan to review your results every week. Look for trends and be ready to make changes based on what the data is telling you.

6. Retarget Past Visitors

If someone’s already visited your website but didn’t book a room, that doesn’t mean they’re not interested. Maybe they got distracted, needed to check with friends, or simply forgot. Retargeting ads are a perfect way to bring these visitors back to your website to complete their booking.

Retargeting works by using cookies (small data files) to track users after they leave your website. When they browse other sites or scroll through social media, you can show them ads reminding them about your escape room. These ads act as a gentle nudge, encouraging them to return and finalize their plans. It’s one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies because you’re targeting people who’ve already shown interest.

For even better results, personalize the retargeting ads. For instance, if a visitor looked at your haunted escape room theme, show them ads featuring that specific room, and add a call to action like “Only a few spots left this weekend! Book now!” Urgency and relevance can significantly increase the chances of them returning.

Pro Tip: Facebook and Google both offer easy-to-use retargeting tools. It’s worth setting up a retargeting campaign on both platforms to capture potential customers wherever they’re spending their time online.

FAQs About Escape Room Marketing

In Conclusion: Marketing your escape room business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these simple steps, you can effectively target your audience, increase bookings, and create a steady stream of customers. If you need expert help, Custer Marketing is here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to us, and let’s get started on your journey to success!