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I read a great article in Highway Magazine about how Rvers can set up their own clubs and groups. The article was all about choosing the right folks and planning trips, etc. Because the groups wish to stay together in the parks and resorts they visit, they book well in advance. What caught my attention was this: One of the groups said that if the park will not put their group together as in side by side, they take their business elsewhere! Ouch!
It is almost that time of the year when some managers are counting down to a peaceful winter, while others are counting the days until their winter crowd arrives. Many managers create a 'todo' list for major projects that often aren't applied until just before the next season. However, getting ready to open for a new season is probably already filled with too many things to do.
Halloween arrives on the last weekend of the month, and thus a great time to plan a special weekend and boost your falls sales a notch or two. If you're a family park, then planning for the kids is easy with a little decorations and games. While most kids can operate almost any video game far better than their parents, it is shame they are often not exposed to the games that you might have enjoyed as a child.
Yeah, I know. I told you to capture email addresses from everyone that visits your park for your monthly newsletters and marketing campaigns for special events. If you did, you probably now have a list with several hundred or even a thousand addresses. That is a good problem!
I read a great story a few weeks ago about the increase of onsite dining opportunities for tired travelers. A long drive through construction traffic can drive a visitor to almost lose their cool. Sometimes, they do not want to unhitch the tow car, clean up and fix their hair, and then go back out into rush hour traffic to find a restaurant. Can you blame them?
I have written tips on the importance of using your guest registration form to collect your customer's email and mailing address to continue your marketing. (If you missed those tips go our website “Tips Online” & do a search) The same applies to those that visit your website. If a guest is interested after visiting your website, they are likely to fill out the sign up form for occasional newsletters and special offers.
The most important goals when shooting and selecting photos for your website are Quality and Resolution! Whether you are replacing a page or an entire website, make a list of the shots you'll need for each page, then shoot them.
You'll never know how effective an advertising program is unless you ask how they heard about the park. Many resorts began their website service with a single page featuring contact information, a few details and a couple of pictures, and often designed by a relative or friend. Everybody has to start somewhere, but if they haven't moved up to a site with numerous pages providing more information and pictures of their park, they are missing a grand marketing opportunity.
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In the past few months RV Break-ins On The Rise, there have been a rash of burglaries involving RV units. The thieves are stealing mostly electronics: televisions, stereos, DVD & VHS players, satellite receivers and controllers, microwaves, and anything valuable. They are often hitting up to seven units parked next to each other.
It used to be if you didn’t have a pool, guests might just pass you by. Or no laundry and they looked elsewhere. However, in 2009 the number one requested amenity is Wi-Fi, because everyone wants to be able to check their email from family and friends, and update the same with their travel news. They also want to research destinations, purchase tickets, confirm directions, and check travel weather.
It’s the digital revolution and now small digital cameras are inexpensive and great way to keep plenty of photos in your files for updating your web site, brochures and rack cards, and other advertising venues. Nothing sells a park better than great photos. I once arrived to work on a site map for a busy park with a long list of events scheduled for the year. I was impressed. When I asked for photos of some of last year’s events, they could hardly find a single picture. Ouch!
There’s a trend in the RV world for older campgrounds to change their name to RV Resort. That’s probably a smart marketing tool for many reasons: shorter name, and it implies the park can handle Big Rigs, large 5th wheels, down to small units and perhaps even tents. Resort also implies you have amenities that would make your park a destination to stay a week or more, and feel fully entertained. The guests would expect a pool, laundry, excellent bathhouse facilities, events, and more.
Are you working on a new brochure, rack card, or website, and wished you had some new comments from recent customers? Did you ever wonder what your customers think of your park? Staff? Bathhouse? Campsite? Pool? Entrance? Park Roads? Of course you have, but usually the first ones you ‘hear’ about are in the form of a complaint…sometimes loudly.