Being active in your local community and taking part in local activities can generate new interest in your club.
Many BSAC clubs take part in local annual events every year, building relationships with the organisers. This can raise much-needed club funds as well generate new interest.
Did you know…?
BSAC has a selection of banners and tall outdoor flags that your club could loan for your event (subject to availability). To find out more and/or to book these promotional materials please contact the BSAC membership department by email or call us on (+44 (0)151 350 6201).
Here are a few ideas to inspire you…
Supermarket events
A few clubs have had recent success with their local supermarkets. It takes a bit of planning but this has been successful for some branches who were given permission to set up for a day at the supermarket, typically in the car park - generally with their RIB, flags, banners, members in full gear and anything else to catch attention! Many also raised funds, for example, for the RNLI and signing people up for Try Dives.
Please get in touch as we have template planning documents which can be customised for your club and given to the supermarket. Please contact us for assistance on +44(0)151 350 6254) or by email.
County fairs and other local events
Some clubs go to the same events every year as they know they work for them. For example, we have a club that sells BBQ food at a local regatta – raising awareness of their club and raising funds at the same time, another club that goes to their County show every year to run the try dive pool and another that provides the safety boat at a river raft race.
Why not have a think about the events in your area and how you could get them to work for you? If you are not sure or want to sanity check your ideas, feel free to contact BSAC for advice on +44(0)151 350 6254 or by email.
Shopping centres
These are tough to crack but sometimes you can sneak into shopping centres by having a good relationship with the local management. Why not offer a promotion to win a scuba diving course which the club can fund, in return for space in the shopping centre one weekend?
This could also be promoted in advance in your local media. Weekend days are best. Wear your gear, have display boards of your activities, hand out promotional leaflets. And make sure you follow up with everyone that entered – they may not have won but they did show interest!
Remember….
- You can order a range of free promotional material online for your club to use at community events.
- You could sell Try Dive vouchers for people to give as gifts. Perfect for Christmas fairs and markets!
For more ideas, hints and tips on promoting your club, check out the Five-Steps to recruit new members guide.
