Cheap Aerial Videography for Summer Camps

http://www.tomguilmette.com Looking for a cheap way to shoot aerials? I may have found a solution. Get 30 balloons, a fishing pole, some helium, a bit of Styrofoam and a GoPro HD camera. I call it "Skyfishing". I was amazed at how smooth the shots came out. Let me know what you think. Get out there and try this! Be careful in windy conditions and I assume no responsibility if your camera ends up getting away...

Give this video some time - you won't regret it.

If you are looking to get some great aerial video shots of your summer camp you can see how it is done here.  Using a GoPro HD camera and a $20 helium ballon kit from Walmart you can take some beautiful video of your camp on a calm day.

Try it for:

  • Special Day or your "Olympics"
  • Polar Bear dip at sunrise
  • beach-front campfire at sunset (** I'm looking at you, Kintail)

What else can you picture using this set up for?

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Top 10 Tips for Using Your Camp Web Site to Increase Enrolment

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Top 10 Tips for Using Your Camp Web Site to Increase Enrollment

  1. Keep camp details up year-round. Rather than take down registration info after the season ends, keep fees and session details posted so potential customers can see what next year might look like.  Add a note stating that the season is over, but new dates will be posted soon.  Parents who find a site without any details will simply move on.
  2. Invest in online advertising. “If you build it, they will come” does not apply. Just because you have a website doesn’t mean parents will find you. Camp directories, Facebook ads, and online display advertising on relevant sites are low-cost ways to drive traffic to your camp Web site.  And more traffic means more campers!
  3. Use multi-media to showcase your camp.  A photo gallery gives parents a visual taste of camp activities and facilities. Flip video camcorders start at $149 and can be used to create and post videos to your site. The better glimpse you can give parents, the better chance you’ll have to sell your camp.
  4. Install Google Analytics. Google Analytics is a free service that can generate detailed statistics about your site, including how people found it, which sections are the most popular, and much more. Don’t rely on asking your customers where they found you – many of them won’t remember. Tracking these details can help you determine where to emphasize your advertising dollars in future seasons.
  5. Display contact information prominently. Post your camp phone number, email, and address on every page or make sure a link to a “Contact Us” section is well-displayed.  Making it easy for parents to reach you with questions and concerns is vital.
  6. Keep the design simple and easy to navigate. Skip flashy gimmicks like an animated splash page and open with important basics like camp dates and locations.  Also, include a map that shows where your camps are located.  A site that delivers information in a clear, straightforward manner is the best way to sell your camp.
  7. Offer multiple ways to register. In addition to online registration, offer alternatives such as a phone hotline or a downloadable form that parents can print out and send.  More options makes enrollment easy and accessible for all parents.
  8. Create an email marketing list. Collect email addresses and send out notices when camp enrollment opens or to announce special events or fundraisers.  Include anyone you’ve ever received an inquiry from, even if they didn’t attend. Refreshing people’s memory throughout the year ensures your camp will be on their radar as they plan for the next summer.\
  9. Include an FAQ.  Answer all those questions you’ve been asked repeatedly in the past, including questions about meal options, activities, bunk setup, etc.  Providing answers to common questions will save parents time and help them make an informed choice more quickly.
  10. Give parents a take-away. A printable brochure (PDF) or one-sheet that includes your URL and contact info will help people find their way back to your site later.

Phillip Gilbreth is the Camps Sales Manager for MySummerCamps.com and KidsCamps.com, the leading online camp directories for connecting parents with kids and teen summer camps in the United States, Canada and worldwide.  Contact Phillip at pgilbreth@internetbrands.com.

5 Tips for Social Marketing Your Presbyterian Camp

In September I was asked to speak at a national conference of Presbyterian Camps of Canada (thank you to Camp Kintail for being such gracious hosts!).    Here are the slides from my presentation. I'm hoping that one day I'll get the audio of the presentation attached!  My presentations don't always mean a lot with out what I say at the time.
I was searching through the blog history to make reference to this presentation this morning and realized that I hadn't yet posted it.

5 Tips for Social Marketing Your Presbyterian Camp

View more presentations from Walking Maverick Consulting.

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Teaching as Marketing - Beber Camp - URDoingItRight

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Many of your summer camp peers realize that the best possible marketing tactic is to teach people. By teaching (something we are great at!) parents about summer camp in general we can demonstrate to our potential clients that we are knowledgable, smart, (maybe funny), and we can talk to kids.   All of this leaves the lasting impression that we are great leaders and trustworthy to send their kids to.

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With thanks to Dave Bell from CampLeadership.org, I found this web page from Beber Camp in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. It is a brilliant example of Teaching as Marketing.   I'm certain that this page has been crafted to help parents who's kids are already signed up but the genius of it is what it says to potential client families.

What we can learn from Beber (click the thumbnail image to see it full-sized)

  1. Breadcrumbs - this is a great website usability (and Search Engine Optimization) trick.  Not specific to today's Teaching as Marketing lesson but... people find it helpful to be reminded of how they arrived at a web page.
  2. Visual Medium - don't forget that the web is primarily a visual medium and we need to balance text with images.  Besides, pictures of smiling kids at your camp gives readers a good impression.
  3. What Parent's are Looking For - by acknowledging that parents need this info (and have many questions) Beber establishes some trust.  Parents will feel respected if you let them know that they are not the only ones with questions.
  4. Credibility - Beber Camp has further reassured parents of the thought put into this page by alluding to the fact that real-life-experts have contributed to the material.
  5. Referral Credibility - Not only does Beber have "expert" contributors they have been recommended by actual parents - ones just like the reader.
  6. Perusability - Notice how usability is the root of this word? This page is setup so that parents can easily find what they are looking for.  Plus: it shows them things that are available that they may not have even thought of yet.

The Next Step in Teaching As Marketing

When you write your brilliant Parent page - be sure to reference this page in all of the material that you send out to potential client families.

What do you do to show that you are a leader?