Has your club got a family membership option? Usually, parents will
join if their child has a passion for the game, so give them a couple of
options, don’t forget mum. The more practical, flexible and value filled
your junior membership options are, they more return you will get.
Remember, you are trying to build a life member, not a quick buck.
What do you want? Product to value add your junior program.
Six – COMMUNICATE
The more that you can add into your program the more value filled
it is, and the more likely that parents will say, ‘wow, that’s great
value!’. Giving the child a golf club and some golf balls will allow
them to grow an affiliation or bond if you will with the game in their
own time. They will be more likely to practice in their own time and
share the activities with their friends.
Keep in contact with the children on a regular basis. You need to
keep them excited about the golf program, even when they are not
actually participating. How?
Here is how...
1. Email
i. Get their email addresses (yes, even 5 year olds have email
addresses)
ii. Use a free email management service (like Mailchimp) to create
fun and colourful emails that will grab their attention.
iii. Structure the emails on a specific day, so they know when its
coming. If your program is held on a Saturday, send your email off
on a Wednesday. It will give them something to look forward to and
they will talk about it in the playground.
2. Facebook page specific to just children
i. Post photos and videos from the weeks program on the page to
get them using the page frequently - tagging the kids in the photos
and videos will give them instant notifications on their smart phones
(yes, they have these too!)
ii. Facebook pages are a great way to build engagement amongst
the children and begin conversations between them.
iii. Put junior membership options on the area and offer children’s
clothing and golfing equipment on the page.
2. Website
i. Give them a “secret” username and password just for kids so
only they can access the area of the website.
ii. Upload photos and videos.
iii. Post information about membership, upcoming kids programs
and club events.
iv. Have social media share buttons on all photo albums and videos
- expand your viral reach... kids will talk about the program online
through their communication channels.
Most importantly, keep them engaged, so that they expand your
viral reach for the program. You will get more children just through
word of mouse.
Seven – SPONSORS
Every golf company in the world wants to be affili