How to fill an Ocean Diver course

Autumn is traditionally Try Dive season for BSAC clubs. If you haven’t already it’s time to set a date for an Ocean Diver course to start.

Success in recruiting new trainees is largely about the planning, involving members and acing your online presence. Here are our top tips to get new trainees lining up this autumn.

How to fill an Ocean Diver course - masterclass

1. Set a date and goal – what exactly do you want to achieve and when? 
   For example, 8 new people to start an Ocean Diver course on 19 September
2. Write a simple plan – use the BSAC Try Dive guide to help you do this
3. Delegate tasks – share the tasks to work more effectively
4. Nail your online presence:
   - Have a great ‘Learn to dive’ page on your website - website top tips
   - Create an ‘Event’ on Facebook - Facebook Events top tips
   - ‘Boost’ a post on Facebook to advertise the upcoming learn to dive course - Facebook advertising top tips
5. Order plenty of materials - posters, leaflets, Try Dive packs etc from BSAC - order now
6. Ask all members to promote the event – using posters, leaflets, social media etc.
7. Be excellent hosts – ensure visitors are seamlessly looked after
8. Have an itinerary – know exactly what is happening when and who is doing what, before the event
9. Follow up quickly – contact your Try Divers within 48 hours if you can
10. Debrief with your team – what worked well, not so well?

These are just a few tips. Whether you’ve run an event before or not, it’s worth reading the How to run a successful Try Dive event guide before running an event. We’re confident you’ll get more new members if you do. 

Check out the Five steps to recruit new members guide for further tips and advice.