As another successful camp season comes to a close, take some time to reflect on the effectiveness of your marketing plan. What worked? What didn't work? How will you adjust and adapt next season? Evaluating your efforts and making changes for the upcoming year is the best way to stay competitive and continually increase enrollments.
While considering a new marketing plan, be sure to avoid these common camp marketing mistakes!
- Not Listing Contact Info on Your Web Site
Your web site should create openings, not put up walls. Offering an email form as the only way to reach your camp will turn parents off. List your full address, phone, and email address so potential customers can reach you with questions and concerns year-round. - Using Social Media to Broadcast
Social media should be social. Facebook & Twitter are not soapboxes, but tools for interacting and engaging with customers. Actively seek new prospects by posting on the Facebook wall of parenting magazines and local newspapers, or start a Twitter conversation with parents in your area. Update your social media feeds regularly with quality content and invite interaction with former campers to keep the memories alive. - Being a Faceless Entity
Get personal when promoting your camp and invite customers to get to know your camp directors & key staff by name. Present your camp like the shop around the corner, not a big warehouse store, and customers will feel more of a connection. - Giving Up Too Soon
Your marketing should be long-range, not focused on instant gratification. If one aspect of your plan doesn't meet your expectations, don't toss it out. Make adjustments and try again. Studies have shown customers need to see an advertising message several times before they act. A comprehensive and consistent plan creates consistent results. - Not Advertising Online
Yes, camp is a local business, but even locals are going online to search for camps. In fact, everyone is online - on their computers, on their Smartphones - so go where your customers are! Online advertising is cost-effective, targeted, and can be customized to meet your goals. One of the best ways to reach customers online is to advertise in camp directories like MySummerCamps and KidsCamps, where millions of parents search for camps each month.
