Clubs and activities thrive when people know about them and want to take part. This is why marketing your sessions is essential.
Marketing makes people aware of your organisation and activities. To do it effectively you’ll need to be clear about what your offer is, who it’s for, and how and where to pitch it so people want to join. Good news is, we’re here to help.
Promoting your club is about telling people what you can offer them.
Sport England, Club Matters
We know marketing can feel like an effort when all you want to do is run great activities. So we’ve created 5 simple steps to speed things up. For a more detailed introduction to strategy, research and training hop over to Club Matters.
Setting a clear goal will help you achieve it quickly and efficiently so you can get back to doing what you love. Decide whether you want to:
Being clear about this goal from the outset will enable you to make the most of every single communication. You might want to make this a measurable goal with a set number of people you want to complete an action within a specific time frame.
Next, you need to decide who you want to reach. For example, if you’re launching a new running session for beginners then you might want to target women who don’t do much activity. Or if you’re launching a new youth team then you might want to reach teenagers in a certain area.
Once you’ve defined your who, learn as much about them as you can. Check out Sport England’s Know Your Audience page and our Insight guides to help.
It’s also worth asking participants or friends to help you find people from within your target audience to help you test ideas. Chat to them about their priorities and what they might want from an activity. Ask them where they look for activities. And get them to review your promotional materials and tell you what they like, don’t like, or want to know more about.
It’s easy to just communicate what your activity is and when it happens. But your ‘whole offer’ is much more than that. It is everything your participants get out of taking part. This could be meeting new people, relieving stress, or feeling healthier. These benefits are important to your message.
Get your current participants to tell you why they keep coming back. This is great research, but it’s also an opportunity to capture quotes and videos that you could use in your promotion.
Powerful messages connect what you can offer with what your target audience wants. And they do it with images that are representative of the audience you are trying to reach.
For example, if you’re targeting teenagers during exam time of year then a message about de-stressing might resonate. Or if you’re targeting women then This Girl Can style messaging might help you connect.
Start with your own website and social media channels for a quick win. Make sure the message you’ve crafted to achieve your goal is prominent. Often club websites are geared towards existing members. If your goal is to attract new members then make sure your homepage speaks to them. Otherwise you may never get to meet them.
Once you’ve optimised your own channels then you can reach further. Consider partnering with local organisations who already work with your target audience. Or explore social media advertising or press targeted at specific groups. And be sure to make use of free tools like Get Active and Open Sessions detailed below.
But, whatever you do, make sure you utilise your greatest asset – the people who already know and love what you do. 92% of people believe brand recommendations from friends so your participants could be your no.1 marketing tool. Get them to help you spread the word by featuring in social media posts or by sharing introductory offers with friends and family.
I've realised our website only talks to current members. It doesn't make it easy for new people to join.
Marketing workshop participant
We’re working with London Sport to connect activity providers and potential participants in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Reach people who are looking for activities near you with Open Sessions and Get Active. The process is simple:
A website for people who are looking for physical activity and sport sessions in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Visit siteA website where you can upload and promote your physical activity and sport sessions to people who are looking for activities to join nearby.
Visit siteThis page is an introduction. For more detailed marketing support check out the websites below. You’ll find everything from strategy templates and online courses to images and posters. But get in touch if you can’t find what you need.
Master inclusive communications with guides and training from Activity Alliance.
Visit siteExplore guides and training to walk you through marketing strategy, research and tactics.
Visit siteFacebook Business is packed full of online training and resources to help you master Facebook ads and more.
Visit siteDevelop your digital marketing skills with free training and support from Google.
Visit siteAccess the This Girl Can image library and other resources to help you market your sessions effectively to women.
Visit siteAccess We Are Undefeatable resources to help you engage people with long-term health conditions.
Visit siteJoin webinars to learn new skills and expand your knowledge of marketing physical activity.
Visit siteCreate share-worthy social media content for all platforms for free using this tool.
Visit site
Helping us tackle inactivity to boost health and happiness
