Not all summer camps are created equal. Some are better than others, and your summer camp is probably the best of all.
But marketing for summer camps isn't easy. There are so many camps out there, and even the poorly-run camps have slick websites and ad campaigns.
It can be difficult to break through the clutter, especially if you spend your money on supplies and activities instead of marketing. But getting your camp out there is possible.
Here are the 5 essential tips for marketing your summer camp that will make parents and campers and take notice:
1. Know Your USP.
What is your unique selling proposition? What makes your summer camp stand head and shoulders above others?
If you are a camp with the latest robotics, then lean into that with your marketing. Come up with catchy slogans about how your tech and STEM activities are the best. Attach yourself to current events related to robots in your marketing and social media.
If your summer camp has the best views of mountains in all of America, then make sure to put pictures and vistas at the forefront of your marketing campaign.
2. Get the Best Pictures and Videos.
So how do you market your unique selling proposition? With pictures and videos of course.
It's never been easier to get high-quality pictures and videos. Most smartphones today can take HD pictures and videos. And with the right settings, you can even make sure these images are fit to print.
Since the technology is there, make sure to capture the right moments. Campers having fun. The sites of your camp. Videos of the activities.Â
3. Know Your Marketing Strategy Early.
Summer camp is seasonal, so don't wait until May to start your big marketing push.
When you're huddled by the fireplace in winter, that's when you should be thinking about your marketing plan for summer. Identify your target market. Gather your materials (pictures and videos).
And don't wait to bring a team of creative designers and writers on board. Start designing web ads, posts for Facebook, and other campaigns. Then you'll have them ready to fire off when the time comes.
4. Build an Online Presence.
Online is the way of the world. Nobody will hear about your summer camp if you're not online, nowadays.
Make sure to have a functional website, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account. Try to post frequently as you ramp up your marketing. You can even repurpose articles on your website into Facebook posts and tweets.
Create high-quality content that appeals to your target camper and their parents.
5. Offer a Trial Camp.
Trial camps are just what they sound like. A few days of camp to show off the activities, friendly staff, and vibe of your summer camp. It's a camp appetizer.
While not strictly marketing, trial camps are a pre-camp experience that can help parents and potential campers understand what you're all about. This can help build word-of-mouth and convince any fence-sitters that you're the best around.
If you follow these five steps, you can get the word out and compete with the slickest advertisements in the camping business.
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