How to Attract Players
Before you can run your Tennis league you must have some players. Here are some
thoughts in attracting lapsed and occasional players:
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Word of mouth: This really works! Start “talking up” your new league among existing tennis
players and club members.
•
Poster/Flyers: Place these in areas where potential players regularly frequent. This may be:
libraries, pubs, gyms, schools, universities, festivals, etc.
•
Local companies: Speak to HR departments of local businesses. They will be interested to
provide their employees with healthy offers. Invite their employees to join your league. Create
incentives for them with the company (discounts, free give-aways, additional leave, etc.).
•
Sponsors: Share information on your league with your local sponsors’ customers.
•
Incentive program: Use incentive programs creating additional benefits (like discounts,
vouchers for your pro-shop, etc.) for players bringing a friend or returning players
•
Cooperate with other sports clubs: You might both benefit from addressing different
members demographics. Ask other clubs to share your league information in their
newsletters, events or social media.
•
E-mail / Social Media: It is quick, easy and inexpensive. Develop a list of interested players
and ask them to forward league information to their friends.
•
Find ambassadors: Find local celebrities, radio personalities, blogger etc. with a large
follower base, get them involved in the fun experience and make them talk, twitter, blog
about it.
•
Newsletters: Placing information about your league into existing newsletters of your council
or school newsletters will expand your reach.
•
Web Site: Establish a web site for your league and include the URL on all printed materials.
This will help add credibility to your program and will create a portal for player information.
•
Print ads: Depending on your environment, this may be a very effective way to reach
occasional players. Also, ask for a free listing in the coming events/calendar section of the
paper and online.
•
Database development: Build a database consisting of existing and potential players to
market your program. You can seek referrals from these people and easily communicate with
this group throughout the year.
•
Cross-Promotion: Use your other programs and events to cross-promote your league. E.g.
stage a FAST4 showcase at your Free Tennis Day.
•
Think outside the box: Remember, you are targeting occasional tennis players. Try to think
of additional ways to reach them. They might have completely different ways of
communication, regular places etc. than what your current players do. Be creative!
•
Consistency: Please make note, it is extremely important that all promotional materials
should have a consistent message and look. This will help you create an identity for your
Tennis league and everybody will begin to easily recognize the program.
How to Attract Players
When promoting your event, remember the 5 'P's of marketing, so make sure:
• Your product is valuable to customers
• Your price is what your target markets are willing to pay
• Your promotions appear in the right places at the right times
• Your benefits are delivered in places where your customers
wish to receive them
• Your people are service-oriented and capable of meeting the
needs of customers