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Subject: 10 things needed to help promote racquetball at your facility.
Date: 05 Feb 2002 18:50:22 GMT
From: jordan
10 things needed to help promote racquetball at your facility.
1. The facility must have a membership interested in racquetball, or
a large
membership interested in many departments of the facility.
If a facility is "members only" and most all members are happy
with their
personal activity, fitness, tennis, weights, aerobics, dance and so on,
it will
be difficult to start up a new program, like racquetball.
2. If the facility allows non-members to participate (at a nominal extra
fee),
and then there is a chance for members to bring in family members and
friends
to participate in programs.
3. The facility must have a manager that is sensitive to the special
needs of a
start-up program, that will allow special considerations to get a program
built
and make concessions for program times and dates, even if the times conflict
with a few existing members.
4. Staff instructors need to make an initial effort to offer programs
around
the schedules of prospective participants.
5. Know your membership! Knowing the seasonal habits of members is helpful.
Adults may play golf; kids may have school, camp or other sports.
6. Promote, promote, and promote! Put up signs (posters) in part of the
facility that has heavy traffic. Have flyers available to take. Have staff
help
"push" programs to members. Plan ahead and get information in
facility program
guides or newsletters. Direct mail to members who may have an interest.
7. Offer free clinics on days and times programs will be offered. Get
names and
other information that can be used to contact these individuals.
8. Youth programs have the advantage of the "mom network".
Moms plan ahead and
have an existing network with other moms. One mom could do the work of
a
facility staff person-making phone calls all week.
9. Be flexible. Some of the best programs were actually "accidental"
programs
that happened based on other efforts. There will also be late registration
and
participants who drop out. Be prepared.
10. Have a plan. Most facilities only offer one or two types of programs.
Have
a plan that allows for growth, including additional programs as participants
excel. This also looks attractive for new participants in a program flyer
or
guide.
Be careful not to "step on toes" of other department heads.
If your program
grows as a result of other departments losing participants, the facility
really
didn't generate new income, and you will become dislike by other department
heads.
On the other hand, if another department has a "waiting list"
or possible
participants, that department may want you to help by offering programs
to
these people on the waiting list.
Keep an open relationship with key facility staff. Learn from their mistakes;
ask questions and suggestions for your programs. You will be surprised
how
happy they are to help you, If only asked.
Good luck,
Jordan
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