Your summer camp is awesome! But how many people know about it?
It can be easy to assume that a summer camp is a “sells itself” type of business. After all, there are always going to be parents who are looking for fun and exciting things for their kids to do each summer, right?
Well, it’s important to remember that, just like any other business, your camp has competition out there. What sets your summer camp apart from the rest? Answer that question for parents who are in the market for great summer camps for their children and you will enjoy a profitable summer year in and year out.
Let’s take a look at some of the most effective ways to advertise your summer camp.
How important is your website in the marketing of your camp?
Simply put, it couldn’t be any more important to have a freshly updated, easy-to-navigate site that is inviting and eye-catching for all visitors.
Why? Well, it should go without saying that most people go online to learn about the businesses they may be interested in. People commonly browse items and compare prices when doing their online shopping.
Your company website should be one with ample vibrant photos, detailed and up-to-date information and plenty of links to appropriate pages that can answer any and all questions had by your visitors.
Of course, your contact information should also be clearly displayed to encourage as many phone calls as possible. That way, you’ll be given more opportunities to answer questions directly.
Your website should also allow parents to register their children to your summer camp. This will help to boost your registration numbers.
Many people love taking care of things online – from banking to shopping to setting their kids up for the summer!
How effective is email marketing?
Email marketing is still considered a huge tool for business. Studies have shown that people actually prefer businesses to communicate with them via email.
Hundreds of millions of emails are sent out each and every day. So, people are pretty used to sending and receiving them on a daily basis. It’s a communication medium that should not be overlooked in spite of the idea that it may be an outdated communication platform. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Research has also found that the majority of American adults like to receive promotional emails from the companies they do business with. Therefore, your email lists should definitely include addresses of parents who have sent their children to your camp in the past.
Many companies report that they grow their successes and maintain their momentum by regularly communicating with their customers. And they consider emailing to be an essential part of their communication efforts.
We suggest that you send out email newsletters over the next few months to let parents know of the wonderful things that your camp has to offer this summer. It’s never too early to start!
How important is social media in your marketing efforts?
The popularity of such social media platforms as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter cannot be understated. They continue to be hugely popular as millions and millions of people worldwide are logging on to them every day.
Social media have become top choices for both receiving information and spreading news for many people. If you haven’t yet set up social media accounts for your organization, it would certainly be a good time to start.
It’s important to remember, however, that the best ways to use social media is to actually be social. This requires interaction with others.
Social media marketing is most effective when you’re posting comments on, sharing and “liking” the statuses posted by others. The point is to be engaged in conversation. This is why it’s wise to post statuses that elicit responses.
A tweet or Facebook post that asks “What do you most look for in a summer camp?” is a great way to start an important conversation that can provide you with very valuable insight.
It’s also important to use social media in ways that fit your business strategy. You’re looking to attract young people, right? In that case, Instagram is highly recommended because of how many young people enjoy posting pictures and commenting on the photos posted by their peers.
It can be especially effective because it enables you to visually showcase your camp grounds as well as the various happy faces that have attended your summer camp in the past.
What are some offline ways you can set your summer camp apart from others?
Are there some things you can offer that other camps do not? What about hosting birthday parties?
Perhaps, you can advertise the fact that your summer camp is the ideal place to host parties that involve outdoor games. Playing such traditional games as “Capture The Flag” or hosting a soccer-themed birthday experience may encourage parents to utilize your camp grounds in ways that they can’t with your competitors.
How about working with schools? Contact your local elementary and secondary schools and request permission to distribute flyers and pamphlets on the school grounds. You may also wish to offer your camp as a location for school field trips so that both youth and teachers can get a first-hand feel for your summer camp.
It’s also a good idea to get in touch with community centers where many school-aged children go after the final bells at school. Offer to conduct a short presentation for parents and their children so that they can have the opportunity ask questions and learn more about your camp in person.
Get in touch with local sports leagues for youth as well. See if there’s a way to effectively market your summer camp programs at games.
The USA Camp Association would love to help you attract more attention to your camp.
For more information about how we can boost your registration numbers, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!