“I was concerned about moving everything to an online system but with Kids Club HQ we've saved hours on invoicing, creating registers and updating children's files. As an additional bonus, I don't need half the storage for all these things any more!”
Introduction
In today’s digital age, social media is a powerful tool for marketing your out of school club. Engaging with prospective parents through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can significantly boost your club’s visibility and attract new members. However, simply having a presence on these platforms is not enough. You need a strategic approach to make the most of your social media efforts.
This article highlights the foundation you need to set up when starting your online marketing journey. Although it can be confusing at first, with the right approach you can reach new audiences in no time.
Utilise Visual Content
Parents are more likely to engage with visual content. Share photos and videos of your club’s activities, events, and facilities. Highlighting the fun and educational aspects of your club can capture the interest of parents looking for enriching experiences for their children. For instance, a well-crafted video showcasing a typical day at your club can be very effective. Use high-quality images and short, engaging videos to tell your story. Remember to include captions that explain what’s happening and why it’s beneficial for the children.
Actionable Outcomes:
Content Plan: Develop a monthly visual content calendar and schedule regular photo and video shoots.
Professional Tools: Invest in quality cameras and editing software like Canva for high-quality content.
Engaging Captions: Write captions that explain the activities and benefits for children.
Share Success Stories
Showcase testimonials and success stories from current customers. Positive feedback from other parents can build trust and credibility. Share stories about children’s achievements and progress to demonstrate the impact your club has on their development. These stories can be in the form of written testimonials, video interviews with parents, or before-and-after anecdotes that highlight the positive changes in children who attend your club.
Actionable Outcomes:
Collect Testimonials: Use online forms and direct requests to gather stories.
Various Formats: Create written, video, and before-and-after stories.
Prominent Display: Feature testimonials on your website and social media.
Host Live Sessions
Host live Q&A sessions or virtual tours of your club. This interactive approach allows parents to ask questions and see firsthand what your club offers. Live sessions can help create a personal connection with prospective parents. Schedule these sessions at convenient times for parents, and promote them in advance through your social media channels and email newsletters. Be prepared to answer questions about safety, activities, staff qualifications, and more.
Actionable Outcomes:
Plan and Promote: Schedule sessions and promote them via social media and email.
Engage During Sessions: Prepare FAQs and encourage real-time interaction.
Follow Up: Send thank-you emails and share session recordings
Leverage Local Influencers
Collaborate with local influencers or bloggers who cater to parents and families. Their endorsement can reach a broader audience and lend credibility to your club. Look for influencers who share your values and whose followers are likely to be interested in your services. Provide them with a unique experience of your club so they can share authentic reviews and experiences with their audience.
Simply asking parents to share your posts, particularly success stories and testimonials can help boost your audience reach.
Actionable Outcomes:
Identify Influencers: Research and approach local influencers with a strong parent following.
Build Relationships: Offer unique experiences and maintain ongoing engagement.
Create Content: Develop collaborative content and track performance.
Create Engaging Content
Develop a content calendar that includes a mix of posts, such as educational tips for parents, activity ideas, and behind-the-scenes looks at your club. Engaging content keeps your audience interested and encourages them to interact with your posts. For example, share craft ideas that parents can do at home with their children, or tips on how to prepare healthy snacks.
Actionable Outcomes:
Content Calendar: Plan a monthly mix of educational, promotional, and engaging posts.
Diverse Formats: Use blog posts, videos, and infographics to keep content fresh.
Encourage Interaction: Ask questions, run polls, and host contests to engage parents.
Monitor and Respond
Regularly monitor your social media channels for comments, messages, and reviews. Promptly responding to inquiries and feedback shows that you value parent engagement and are committed to excellent customer service. Use social media management tools to help keep track of interactions and schedule posts.
Actionable Outcomes:
Monitoring Tools: Use social media management tools to track interactions.
Response Strategy: Develop guidelines for consistent and timely responses.
Proactive Engagement: Post updates and join relevant online communities.
Gather and Display Online Reviews
Positive online reviews can significantly influence a parent’s decision to enrol their child in your club. Encourage satisfied parents to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Display these reviews prominently on your website and social media channels to build credibility and trust.
Encouraging Reviews:
Ask Directly: Request reviews from satisfied parents via email or in person.
Provide Incentives: Offer small rewards or discounts for parents who leave reviews.
Respond to Reviews: Engage with all reviews, thanking parents and addressing any concerns.
As you implement these strategies, remember that an efficient booking and management system can make a huge difference. Kids Club HQ offers an easy-to-use platform with features like daily registers, automated invoicing, and simple booking for both contracts and ad hoc sessions.
These tools can streamline your operations, giving you more time to focus on creating great social media content and engaging with parents.
If you are confused about where to start or would like an actionable template to help you get started you can download our free marketing checklist to help you get started.