Sports clubs can be found everywhere in the UK, and most of us have participated in sports clubs at some point in our lives. But those who manage a sports club know and understand that it takes more than a bit of dedication and commitment, and managing one with ease can be difficult. You have to be responsible for the data of your members and scheduling sessions and events, and you also have the task of recruiting more members – and retaining their membership. But recruitment isn’t an easy thing, especially if you don’t have the right strategies. So how can you really attract more members to your sports club, and what are the top strategies you can use? Let’s find out.
- Strengthen your website – and your blog
Most sports clubs will already have an existing website, but the question is, how strong and robust is yours? A good website can go a long way in terms of attracting new members, and if you can, try to look at your website from the eyes of a first-time visitor. What makes your site different from others out there? What can you do to improve its user-friendliness and appeal? One thing to do, for instance, is to create a good blog. With a blog, you can engage potential and existing members, and you can also give the right impression of your club and your expertise. Your website should also contain vital information, such as your membership fees and your schedules. Once you have a good website and blog to go with it, make use of proper membership software, such as Coacha, so you can integrate your website into the software and engage current members even more with email blasts, SMS messages, and the like.
- Be active and attractive on social media
There’s no doubt: having a strong social media presence is a must for your sports club. Almost everyone will be on social media or have a social media account, and you can create your own social media channels so you can reach out to more prospective members. You can utilise social media to create a number of things, from a web-based community to a forum for new and existing members. You can use it to share news and updates about your sports club and to answer questions from people in your community and showcase your community involvement. Here’s one tip: try to avoid being too focused on having a ‘sales pitch’ in your social media platforms; no one appreciates being asked to join an event or activity at every turn. Mix up your social media posts, so they include various topics and agendas. For instance, one of your posts can feature your members and players in a game, and your next post can give information on how people can join.
- Go the traditional route with leaflets and posters
Aside from being active online, you should also go the traditional route with leaflets and posters. With leaflets and posters, you can get exposure in your own community, and you can hang up your posters where there is a lot of activity and traffic, such as in shops and supermarkets, gyms, and cafes. You can even join local events and activities to make your presence known, and it also shows your involvement and gives people a better impression of your social outreach activities.
