Your 12-month escape room marketing plan. Month by month.
The plan structure we use for new escape room clients from day one.
[ WHY A PLAN ]
Marketing without a plan is just spending money
The escape room owners who grow consistently have a plan. They know what they are doing in October (Halloween campaign). In September (corporate outreach). In February (Valentine\'s package). They are never scrambling.
The ones who struggle try things randomly. Boost a post this week. Try Google Ads next month. Run a discount when bookings drop. It feels like action but it is not strategy.
This is the 12-month plan structure we give every new client. Adapt it to your budget and venue size. The phases are the same whether you are spending $1,500/month or $10,000/month.
[ THE PLAN ]
Month-by-month marketing plan template
Foundation
- Install Google Analytics 4 and Google Ads conversion tracking
- Set up Meta Pixel with Conversions API
- Audit existing campaigns and kill wasted spend
- Optimize Google Business Profile (photos, booking link, categories)
- Build out first Google Ads campaign with proper structure
- Set baseline KPIs: cost per booking, current monthly bookings, ROAS
Launch and Learn
- Launch Meta Ads campaigns (awareness + retargeting)
- Build corporate landing page and run LinkedIn/Google Ads to it
- A/B test 2-3 ad copy variations per campaign
- Start weekly performance reviews
- Begin collecting email addresses with booking platform export
- Send first email campaign to past customers
Optimize and Scale
- Scale campaigns that are hitting target CPA
- Pause or restructure campaigns missing targets
- Add Microsoft Bing Ads for additional corporate reach
- Build SEO foundation: room pages, Google Business Posts, citations
- Launch seasonal campaigns 6 weeks before peak periods
- Set up automated email sequences for post-visit and birthday offers
Compound and Retain
- SEO starts delivering organic bookings (3-6 month lag from setup)
- Expand content: blog targeting "things to do in [city]"
- Corporate client outreach program at full speed
- Review and adjust annual budget allocation based on channel data
- Plan next-year seasonal calendar with campaigns ready 8 weeks out
- Build loyalty program or repeat customer offer system
[ BUDGET ALLOCATION ]
How to split your marketing budget
Google Ads (spend)
Primary acquisition channel
Meta Ads (spend)
Awareness and groups
Agency/Management fees
PPC, SEO, strategy
Tools and software
Email, CRM, analytics
Creative and content
Photography, video, copy
Adjust percentages based on your growth stage. New venues might allocate more to Google Ads (50-60%) initially. Mature venues invest more in retention and SEO. See our pricing page for how we fit into your budget.
[ READY TO START? ]
Want us to build and execute this plan for you?
Book a free audit. We will customize this framework to your venue, budget, and market within 48 hours.
Free audit. No credit card. Results in 7 days.