20+ Ways To Keep Connected To Your Members
It’s lockdown time… Again… But that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep connected with your members – here are a number of great ways that your whole venue can keep in touch:
The Video Stars
In this new world of online Zoom, Vimeo and YouTube one of the easiest ways to engage with your members at home is to directly film or broadcast live a video. You can go as fancy as you like with camera tech or simply use your phone or tablet.
Below are some ideas that you can either host live as a Q&A or join in with/training type session via the likes of Zoom and Skype, etc, or you can host them on your YouTube/Vimeo channel. I have split them into areas for your ease
For you Managers and Secretaries:
- what you are currently doing at the club
- wishing them well
- what plans are for opening
- Short videos about the club
For the club pro
- Coaching courses, drills and fitness
- How to make a golf course at home
- Review products
- Interviews – get to know the team
For the Greens Staff, out keeping the course in great condition
- What they are doing
- Secrets/trick of the trade
- Did you know? (i.e. how many hours/gallons/seeds/types of grass/etc)
- Get to know the team (done separately of course!)
And not forgetting our Chefs!
- Cooking classes
- Top tips (the best way to do xyz)
- Secrets of the trade
- Interviews – get to know the team (done separately of course!)
For larger venues, that offer health and fitness or other sports, the above ideas can easily translate into their areas too.
Membership Matters
Remind members of the benefits of being a member, like Platinum Amex Credit Card does, so whether you remind them of special offers or partnerships with local companies or you create a virtual social event or talk.
A couple of great examples comes from Formby Golf Club and Farleigh Fox with their quiz evenings, virtual race to Dubai, an evening with professional sports men and local member only offers from local businesses.
From the F&B section, this year, alas for those of in UK, there will be no romantic dinning out for two, however, that doesn’t stop your club from preparing that special meal in a take away form (as we (should!) know that a pizza doesn’t quite cut it! Alternatively, how about hosting an evening or two prior to the day teaching members how to cook that special meal or a desert to die for?
Creating That Personal Touch
It’s renewal time for most, a short hand written note thanking them for their support over the past year will be much more effective and appreciated then a “bog standard” computer printed one, no matter how eloquently it is written.
Having done a whole bunch of hand written letters myself, I know how time consuming it can be, but it is worth it. If you do have a very large membership or trying to manage 101 things yourself due to the rest of the staff being on furlough there is no reason that you couldn’t have your computer generated letter with a short thank you note attached.
Planning Forward
Last but not least, don’t forget to plan forward about how you are going to reopen. Look at what worked, what didn’t. What can be changed, tweaked, developed or started all over again. It might be easier as this is 3rd time (lucky?) but what happens next? The world has changed, there may be more lockdowns over the next few months or even years (I so hope not!) and as an industry, we need to consider these things.
It is also worth considering the impact of technology. The club industry has suddenly been forced into the world of digital with little time to really consider their options and what is/isn’t working for them and their members. Do you really need 2,3 or even 4 apps just for your members to play or book at your venue or would it be better to have them hosted within 1 app?
Does your current technology options allow you free reign on communications and marketing of all kinds or is this still something that is time consuming for you and your team?
