The photo here is from Truluck's, one of my favorite restaurants. The entrees are awesome…and then they bring out this dessert tray. You think you're full. You think you're completely satisfied. And then they bring out the tray and you change your mind. You simply won't be happy until you have some of that!
Evidently, there's science to back that up. Researchers at the California Institute of Technology have found that if you can "see and feel" a product, you'll be willing to buy and pay more for a product…maybe even a lot more.
If that's true (and I know it's true in my case) then how can you translate this basic scientific fact to your camp and conference marketing? How can you give prospective campers and/or group leaders a chance to see your program and facilities up close and personal?
Here are just a few ideas
- Open Houses – we've all done these before but remember, nothing sells camp like camp. When you can have prospective camper families or group leaders/pastors out to your place for a couple of hours to see your facility, meet the staff, eat the food, play, hike, etc. they may actually begin to create in their mind a case for coming back with their group or family (Kind of like making a case for having dessert even though you thought you were satisfied)
- "Fam" Tours – Familiarization Tours are to your guest group market what Open Houses are to your prospective camper family market. When you invite a group of pastors, meeting planners, group organizers, etc. to your place for a few hours you can treat them like kings and show off your place at the same time. You put your best foot forward and in the process help them see how a weekend or event at your place is something they simply can't live without.
- Tours – We all take the time to show folks around our place when they call to request a look around. But how many of us treat this experience like the waiter bringing around the dessert tray? If more people will make the decision to come to our place if we "show them the goods," then what are you doing to get folks out for a tour of your place? And what can you do to enhance that experience? Brainstorm this in your next staff meeting. And have your housekeepers clean the facility early in the week so you will have a clean and ready facility to show of to prospective group leaders.
- What about having a "fashion show" of camp gear during one of the meals? Use your staff to model sweatshirts, t-shirts, camps, etc. from your camp store. You'll be surprised how many more folks will come through your store to buy gear.
Don't forget to bring around "the dessert tray!" Remember, more of your prospects will become customers if you let them see and feel firsthand what their experience could be like.
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