Little Red's Big Ideas

Great Rivers ACA is Great Group - Keynote Recap

Today's keynote session at the Great Rivers American Camp Association Fall Conference focused on the idea that marketing truly is part of everyone's job no matter what one's professional strengths or weaknesses.  While I tend to be high energy and mildly addicted to strangers, I rely on others to tackle the marketing details, timelines and administration.  As promised during my workshop I'm posting the PowerPoint slides for attendees to download or share with others in their organization.  Feel free to use them to guide a conversation with staff, board members or volunteers who can, certainly, become part of your marketing team.  Better yet, I'd love to help your camp or organization develop a "whole team" marketing approach.  Contact me to brainstorm ways I can help jumpstart this process.

Download Economy Stinks Keynote

Millenial Moms Devoted to Technology

As more and more Millennials become parents it will become increasingly difficult for camps and other youth-oriented organizations to ban or limit the use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices. 

 

Social Media Today reports on a new whitepaper by Mr. Youth, Millennial Moms, (those born after 1977) are quickly surpassing college students to become the most dependent users of the on-line and wireless communication tools. 

 

The report documents this segment of the population's ability to multi-task, utilize multiple devices and over share on popular social networks. Another interesting point is that this generation utilizes communities, or even creates communities when they are dealing with important life changes.

 

The blogosphere is exploding with "Mommy Bloggers," who cover everything from child-rearing and household finance to summer camps and youth sports.

These moms are young, digital natives who may feel entitled to a different type of connectivity than their Gen X predecessors before.  Further, they will respond, expect and, even welcome marketing messages delivered to them via social networking and wireless applications. 

 

How ready are you to speak their language?  Let me know your thoughts by commenting below.

Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Conference - Workshop Extras - Go Blog Wild!

During the WPRA 2009 Conference at the incredible Wisconsin Dells I presented a way to brief session called, "Save a Forest, Sprout a Blog" which introduced an enthusiastic group of park and recreation professionals to the wonderful world of web logs.  As promised during the session, I'm happy to share a few resources mentioned during the workshop.

The first is a link to a YouTube Video from "In Plain English" which VERY simply defines the what, why and how of blogging.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI

The link below will take you to the entire PowerPoint presentation. It's almost as good as being there -- I said almost...

Download Blog Wild 

If you attended the session -- please leave a comment below to tell me what you thought.  If you didn't attend but need help getting on the blog bandwagon -- let me know by posting a comment here. 

Workshop Bonus - American Camp Association New England

The document below is the expanded version of the handout used to inspire and motivate the wonderful camp directors, managers and supervisors who joined me at the American Camp Association's Fall Workshops in Massachusetts and Maine.  Wouldn't you love to bring a workshop like this to your camp or region?  I'd sure love to talk to you about it.  Shoot me an email and we can start brainstorming! jodi@advisorsmarketing.com or call me at 760.809.3231.

Download 50 Essentials Camps Plus Critique 2009 - Expanded

November Events - Give Thanks

Gobble up these celebrations from Chase's Calendar.  Just when you  thought it was all about turkeys and stuffing, it's good to know that there's a month dedicated to fantastic causes like adoption and diabetes.  Connect yourself to these national events and invite the media to help you tell your story.

November

• Adoption Month, Natl
• AIDS Awareness Month, Natl
• Alzheimer's Disease Month, Natl
• American Diabetes Month
• American Indian Heritage Month, Natl
• Aviation History Month
• Celebrate Empty Nester Month
• COPD Awareness Month, Natl
• Diabetic Eye Disease Month
• Epilepsy Awareness Month
• Family Caregivers Month, Natl
• Family Stories Month
• Georgia Pecan Month, Natl
• Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month
• Hospice Month, Natl
• I Am So Thankful Month
• Inspirational Role Models Month, Natl
• Learn Chinese Month
• Lifewriting Month, Natl
• Lung Cancer Awareness Month
• Marrow Awareness Month, Natl
• Microfinance Month, Intl
• Peanut Butter Lovers' Month
• Pet Cancer Awareness Month
• Pomegranate Month, Natl
• Prematurity Awareness Month
• Roasting Month, Natl
• Scholarship Month, Natl
• Vegan Month

Email Subject Lines - What works?

I found myself opening some email ads today from some of my favorite retailers -- Costco, Kohls, Ulta and asked myself, "Self, what does these marketers do or say that compels me to click and read?"  In some cases it's the offer, I realized.  In other cases (like Costco) I'm a raving fan so I will read almost anything they send.  But in other cases -- they are just darn good subject lines.

After wasting a few more minutes looking at all the bargains I couldn't afford -- I decided to do a little research to find out what experts really know about what works and what doesn't when it comes to good email subject lines.  While there are certainly some best practices, it seems that the most consistent advice is this: Simple Sells! 

Using templates from Pinpointe Email Marketing Blog I've edited 10 subject lines that may offer some of the best chances of getting emails opened by your recipients.  I've inserted sample agencies/programs/teaser copy.  Edit to suit your needs.  As always, I encourage you to share your ideas by commenting at the end of the article.

Email Subjects with Best Open Rates

[Westerville Parks and Recreation] Monthly Newsletter

[Westerville Soccer News] - November 2009: “Fields to Close/Girls Beat Boys/Injury Update”

[Winter Fitness Webinar]: 15 Tips to Reduce Holiday Weight Gain

[Coaches] Webinar: Vice Lombardi's Secrets to Success - Join Us Feb 15

[Coaches] Clinic - Webinar Slides Available

This Week’s Activities/Phone Call/Meeting (Personalized note from coach, instructor, coordinator, director, etc.)

Jodi - 8 Customer Service Tips that Work

Exciting Update from [The Teen Scene] - Westerville's Parent Free Zone

Reminder: [Bike Trail] Survey- Your Input Required

Invitation - Breakfast on [Childhood Obesity is Killing our Kids]

"The Economy Stinks, Your Marketing Shouldn't" Workshop Recap

Last Friday morning at the National Recreation and Park Association's Annual Congress in Salt Lake City, I presented one of my signature programs to more than 100 early risers. I promised these park and recreation professionals a non-stop whirlwind of ideas which I'm happy to share as a Word Document with my blog readers. 

Download the handouts from this session below.  But, if you want to feel the whirl of the wind -- you'll have to attend an upcoming live workshop.  If you'd like to learn how to bring the red-headed whirlwind to your community or conference shoot me an email and I'll make it happen (no matter how stinky your economy or budget.)

Download Economy Stinks - 101 Ways

NRPA Creative Critique Workshop Recap

For the first time at a National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress, I presented one of my most popular workshops "The Professional Creative Critique." This unique session encourages attendees to bring in their flyers, brochures, ads and other print promotional pieces to be reviewed, critiqued and evaluated.  Peer-to-peer feedback as well as evaluation by actual customers make this a truly practical event.

The following handouts offer the overview of the session, however they will never replace the live experience. 

Download Creative Critique

Shameless Self Promotion -- If you'd like to experience this or any of my sessions for yourself, why not pass my name along to your state conference committee OR better yet -- if you are serving on your state conference committee or want to bring a stand-alone educational workshop to your region -- contact me and I'll be happy to work out all the details.

NRPA Workshop Recap - Make Me an Offer I Can't Refuse

Today the NRPA Congress opened in Salt Lake City.  Although attendance overall is down about 30 percent, my session, Make Me an Offer I Can"t Refuse was filled to the rafter with more than 200 people looking for ideas to motivate today's customer with compelling marketing offers.  Not only was there lots of laughter, we also shared some "motivation memories" which enabled attendees to tap into their own behavior. 

Whether you were at the session or not, I'm happy to share the handouts from this session as well as a white-paper with dozens of specific techniques to create marketing offers sure to increase response, action and participation for their parks and programs

Download Make Me an Offer Short

Download Make Me an Offer with Definitions

The PowerPoint Presentation shown during the workshop is below:

Download Make Me an Offer I Can’t Refuse P&R

I hope you'll not only download and review the handouts -- but put the ideas to work for you.  Although there are more than 50 ideas included, it only takes ones to inspire action.  Comment below to share other ideas that have (or haven't) worked for you.

Expedia Launches Web Site for National Park Trips - ABC News

Expedia Launches Web Site for National Park Trips - ABC News

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