|
KEEPING YOUR WEBSITE FRESH
By Andrew Ackerman
(Reprinted in Canada Camps, Feb/Mar 2003; et. al.)
Camper retention is all about relationships. The more you do to keep that relationship alive and active, the more likely campers are to reenroll. Your website can be an easy and inexpensive way to keep campers and their parents involved in the off-season but only if you keep it fresh.
But this is about more than just making changes, it's about changes that matter. Merely cosmetic changes are actually bad; they confuse return visitors who are used to your current layout. So what makes campers want to come to your website during the winter? Here are some ideas:
Pictures
There's something about seeing their summer cabins covered in snow that really intrigues campers. It's a side of camp they never get to see. So take winter pictures and post them to your website.
Bunk reunions are another great time to take pictures. Even if you aren't there, have the organizer send you copies of the pictures and post them online.
Surveys
Campers (and parents) love it when someone asks their opinion. In the fall, ask them what they liked best and least about camp, the facilities, their counselors, etc. and use that to make next summer better. In the winter, ask them about school, winter vacation, etc. and use that for your newsletter.
Newsletters
The key with newsletters is to write about things that interest your readers. Sounds simple but you'd be surprised. Do campers really care about your fundraising drive? Nonsense. They want to know what big changes to expect next summer (hint: The new kitchen doesn't count but a new swimming pool might) and what's going on with their friends. The more they feel in touch with camp friends, the more they will want to see them next summer.
Message Boards
Message Boards are a great way to keep campers in touch. You can kick off a topic, jump in, or just sit back and let them chat away. You can even host 'virtual bunk reunions' online!
NOTE: For legal and safety reasons, camper Message Boards should always be password protected and must be moderated. This means you have to review all messages and approve them before they appear on your website. Given that you probably want to read these messages anyway (they can be a great source of ideas!), this need not be much extra work.
If you are concerned about the technical challenge of building and maintaining these features (especially the Message Boards!), the good news is that there are a number of camp-focused companies that offer simple, inexpensive, turn-key solutions.
Of course, once you commit to keeping your website fresh, you need to let campers know that there's something worth coming to see… but that's a topic for another article.
Andrew Ackerman is the Chief Operations Officer of Bunk1.com. Bunk1 provides password protected Community features, full websites, staffing services to summer camps and maintains a widely used camp search engine. For more information regarding this article or Bunk1, please contact owners@Bunk1.com or call 1-888-465-CAMP.
|
|
BUNK1 MESSENGER IS LAUNCHED
By: Andrew Ackerman
TECHNOTRENDS: BEYOND CAMPER EMAIL
-
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?
By: Andrew Ackerman
TECHNOTRENDS: CELLPHONES, BLACKBERRIES ... WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE?
(A LOT, ACTUALLY)
By: Andrew Ackerman
WHAT IF PHONE CALLS WERE AS EASY AS EMAIL?
By: Andrew Ackerman
THREE YEARS OF COPING WITH COPPA
By: Andrew Ackerman
KEEPING YOUR WEBSITE FRESH
By: Andrew Ackerman
10 THINGS YOUR CAMP WEBSITE ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE
By: Andrew Ackerman
STAFFING
YOUR CAMP IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPTEMBER 11TH
By: Andrew Ackerman
COPING
WITH COPPA:
PROTECTING CAMPERS' PRIVACY AND AVOIDING BIG GOVERNMENT FINES
By: Michael Steinig, Bunk1.com
CAMP
SEARCH ENGINES: IF YOU BUILD IT… SO WHAT?
By: Andrew Ackerman and Ari Ackerman
|
