Little Red's Big Ideas

6 Tips to Turn Up Promotional Heat at Outdoor Summer Events

Ready or not, the summer event season is only days away.  As you get ready to welcome campers, parents, swimmers, concert-goers and other fun-loving patrons to your facilities and parks, consider turning up the heat on your on-site advertising efforts.  Increased traffic means extra opportunity to promote future programs, generate brand loyalty and spread the word about the many benefits of parks and recreation. 

Blowing in the Wind -  Your message will soar when imprinted on kites, which come in all varieties and styles.  Whether you have a kite-making contest, use kites as a giveaway or sell as a fund-raiser -- almost everyone loves their whimsy.

Have a Ball -- Beachballs aren't just for the beach anymore.  They are a great for impromptu games, picnics and can add interactive fun for anticipatory crowds. Other fun and games such as Frisbees, hula hoops, koosh balls and yo-yos can also be printed with your logo and website. Click here for 585 summer promotional ideas.

Tattoo You (And Everyone Else, too!) Kids (parents and grandparents, too!) love, love, love temporary tattoos.  They are so fun, trendy and affordable (1000 full-color custom tattoos are as low as $79; 50,000 as low as $799).  You can also choose from hundreds of stock designs.

This is No Inflated Offer! Large inflatables are show stoppers and can be used over and over again.  At $1200 this 8 foot tethered balloon is a great value compared with the huge impact it can have attracting attention and participation.  Inflatables come in many stock shapes and can also be custom created (like those on the left) to match your theme. Your sponsors and media will love the visual appeal of these huge animated characters.

No More Boring Banners! Go beyond the traditional and explore what's new in the world of banners and other POP (point of participation) media tools.  Whether on the golf course, at the entrance to events or to frame a stage -- ground banners are the latest in large graphic promotions.   

We've Got You Covered - Each and every time you attract small or large crowds of people to your site, facility of park you should take the time to set up some type of information booth where you can promote future activities and build brand awareness. Even a table staffed by volunteers in brightly colored uniforms or shirts can distribute catalogs, flyers or discounts coupons for upcoming events.  For under $100 you can order a custom printed table cloth complete with your logo, website and tag-line. Of course, you can always use one of our ready-to-go logos to promote the many benefits of parks and recreation . 

To learn more about any of the ideas above, email Andy and he'll answer all your questions -- and while supplies last, he'll even send you some Fun for the Sun summer promotional samples, too. 

Advergaming is Here to Stay

CBS News this week is airing a feature that looks at how marketers are reaching kids in the digital age.  The story focuses on "Advergaming" which translates to product placement via computer games. Kids, the article explains play online games bursting with blatant and subliminal ad messages.  Young players can keep score with Skittles, race with Chips Ahoy or hang out with SpongeBob.  (For those "old-schoolers like me, think Ms. PacMan chomping on Cheerios.  And, yes, Cheerios has a game site, too.

As a Mom of an eight-year-old, none of this was news to me.  Recently Spencer was invited to a birthday party for a school buddy.  When I asked Spencer what type of gift his friend might like, I prodded, "What's Conner into?  What does he like?  What should we get him?  After giving it two seconds of thought Spencer finally said, "I don't know Mom.  Don't you watch Nickelodeon?"  Okay, I get it.  If Nick doesn't sell it, Conner doesn't want it.  In all defense of Spencer and Conner, they have lots of interests beyond what they see on TV.  Both are gross motor kids and love to run and jump and chase each other. 

But, today's successful marketers, like ALL successful marketers of every generation, MUST use media that matters to their target audience.  Kids don't read activity guides, catalogs and text-laden brochure.  (as a matter of fact -- children under the age of eight don't read much beyond the first grade level.  Go figure.)  Even preschool children have sites such as PBS Kids and Fisher Price chock full of age-appropriate games to boost brand loyalty and recognition. 

Red Hot Idea  This year, when developing your marketing budget and updating your web site, maybe it's time to bring in someone who can help you create some custom online games and interactive activities.  At the very least allow young visitors to link to their favorite safe online gaming sites such as Webkinz, Club Penguin and others.  If you aren't familiar with this sites -- talk to parents of grade school customers to get some insight. better yet, check them out yourself -- but beware -- they are addictive.  By familiarizing yourself with these sites, you will get a first hand look at where your Millennial customers are hanging out after school and when they aren't at your activities.   

Click on COMMENTS below to share your favorite kid-friendly sites.  How are you using online gaming to increase your site's stickiness?

ACA Mid States "Talkin' 'Bout My Generation" Handouts

Greetings to all my Midwestern friends.  I hope registrations are going well and that your camps are filling up fast.  As promised during my keynote session "Talkin' 'Bout My Generation" at the recent ACA Midstates Conference, handouts are now available for you to download.  Just click on this link and enjoy.  Download talkin_bout_my_generation_2006.doc .    You are welcome to edit, customize or include these handouts in upcoming staff training or orientations.  In a nutshell don't forget these important points when working with Millennials  -- born between 1982 and 2002:

1. Most Millennials have short attention spans and like variety.  When it comes to duties and tasks, cross train and mix it up a bit.
2. Millennials have a sense of specialness and entitlement.  As Bob Ditter, camp staff development expert says, "they are hard working, creative, have incredible self-esteem, think they and their generation are special and feel like great things are expected of them.  They have also grown up with parents who have done everything for them."  With that in mind, go overboard to compliment, reward positive behavior and highlight successes (especially in public forums such as staff meetings and assemblies).
3. They were likely raised by "Helicopter Parents -- or as Bob has renamed them -- "Attachment Parents."  They are used to parents intervening if something goes wrong.  Help staff understand that this is THEIR JOB, their resume, their future -- not their parents.  But don't shut out parent completely,  Including parents of staff on email lists, newsletter distribution, etc.  All parents like knowing what's going on in their kids' lives -- especially when the news is positive. 
4. Don't micro manage -- but rather guide and facilitate.  When giving millennials a task give them the outcome you expect, a timeline and let them figure out new solutions.  When given the chance they will shock you with your ingenuity and innovative ideas. 
5. Let them help you with technology.  These "digital natives" have super-short learning curves compared to their Gen X and Boomer managers.  Use their expertise to update your website, electronic newsletters, blog, podcasts, MySpace page, etc.  (Don't worry if you don't have a blog or My Space page, yet.  One of your Millennial staff can get you set up in about 15 minutes if you give them a chance.)
6. Remember that no matter what their age, young staff want what we all want -- respect, acknowledgment, acceptance and a little appreciation every once in a while. 

Please help! Let me know if you find this post-conference information helpful.  Click on COMMENTS below and tell me what you think!  It only takes a minute and your feedback is critical to building a great blog.  Thanks in advance! -- Jodi

God Bless America

Most of us around this great nation of ours have experienced pretty strange weather this spring so it's easy to forget that summer is right around the corner. 

Now is the time to be setting your sights on your 4th of July celebrations and community events. 

To help with your planning I've created a virtual gallery of all types of patiotic items you can use at events to build brand awareness, thank volunteers, highlight sponsors and generate revenue and promote the overall benefits of parks and recreation.  Whether you use your artwork or choose a stock design from the ever-expanding logo gallery -- let  everyone in your community know that your department is much more than fun and games and that you are in place to also "protects heritage, help and happiness" in good times and bad. 

Not only should you place order for promo items; but now is the time to send news releases about July events to your regional monthly magazines who often may require two months lead time to include your information.  Weekly publications will also appreciate longer lead time. Use these fill-in-the-blank news release templates to breeze through the process. Download publicity_templates_print.doc . 

Learn more about using these logos in your summer promotions.

Millenial Job Seekers: Beware of Your Online Persona

After laughing my way through Careerbuilder.com's list of the most unusual resume blunders (my favorite was the candidate who proclaimed he worked well in the nude) I realized that one of the most common blunders of the day wasn't mentioned. 

Many of my clients hire young seasonal staff to work as camp counselors, lifeguards, recreation leaders and other front-line positions.  To be hired most complete applications and interviews.  Common sense dictates that prospective staff present themselves as trustworthy, reliable and dependable.  After all, recreation staff are often responsible for the safety and well-being of children.  Whether they know it or not, they will be role models.  Kids and teens will look up to them; they want to be like them and act like them.  So, while applications may paint the picture of the perfect employee -- today's employers are using the Internet to dig deeper.  Social networking sites such as My Space and FaceBook are as common to today's teen and young adult as the telephone (I'm talking about old school land line phones) was when I was growing up.  The difference between phone conversations of the 70's and 80's and My Space is that no one had ongoing, 24/7 access to my conversations (except for an annoying brother or sister picking up an extension every now and then).  Today's youth seem to forget that anyone -- parents, relatives, prospective employers and college admission counselors can access My Space, too. 

As a young adult I was a very motivated, conscientious employee.  But that doesn't mean I would have wanted my boss to see me in action on a Friday or Saturday night.  Sure, times have changed.  But there are certain rights of passage that are common to every generation.  So while "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and most of us, at one time or another, are "Born to Be Wild," it may be up to yesterday's hippies to teach today's youth the value of discretion and privacy.

What do you think of using the Internet to screen employees?  Click on COMMENT below to share your opinion.

250 Must Read Blogs

As a new blogger, I confess I'm a bit obsessed with all the possibilities.  It's exciting to read all the comments (although I'd love more to help me know if I'm going in the right direction.)  But I've also had a great time searching and scouring the web for great content to share with you.  Because my blog is dedicated to the unique needs of park and recreation professionals, my job is to cull the seemingly infinite web for information that will help elevate your marketing and customer service success.  And, boy did I hit the jackpot when I came across the 250 Must Read Search Engine Marketing Blogs.  I suggest that you share this article with your IT folks to talk about ways to increase accessibility for your prospects.  Better yet, now might be a great time to talk about starting your own blog.   

As more and more park and recreation agencies jump on the blog bandwagon I think I'll start my own list of "Must Read Blogs for Parks and Recreation."  Got any blogs you think I should include?  Click on COMMENTS below and tell my your favorites and I'll be sure to check them out.

Reflections on Youth by Joseph Conrad

"I remember my youth and the feeling that will never come back any more --the feeling that I could last for ever, outlast the sea, the earth, and all men; the deceitful feeling that lures us on to joys, to perils, to love, to vain effort --to death; the triumphant conviction of strength, the heat of life in the handful of dust, the glow in the heart that with every year grows dim, grows cold, grows small, and expires --and expires, too soon, too soon --before life itself." -- Joseph Conrad

For more quotes go to The Library Spot. Or share your favorite quote by clicking on COMMENTS below.

The Power of Losing

I have to tell you that I was never one to pass along email jokes or funny photos or videos to my friends (or enemies, for that matter.)  My email box is so full of work stuff that I never have time to read them.  But now that I'm an official blogger, I guess it's my responsibility to share the most relevant email content -- funny, sad, inspirational or intriguing with the world.  Today my friend, Krysti, who's son is an avid baseball player, shared this story with her address book.  While the original source has slipped into Internet anonymity, its a great story to promote the value of parks and recreation.  So, whether the story is urban myth or not, use it inspire new staff during orientations, promote your impact to decision makers or close a speech with powerful emotion.   And, if you happen to know the original source of the story, send me an email and I'll be sure to give credit.

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child."

Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?"  Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

  At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.  The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.  By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. He was the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third!"

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, "Shay, run home! Run home!" Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

"That day", said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world".

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy; and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

Please share your inspirational stories about the value of parks and recreation by clicking on COMMENTS below.

Customer Service H.E.R.O.S.

Last week MSNBC's homepage featured a series of articles on customer service including "The Customer Service Hall of Shame."  The website also featured articles about companies which consistently put customers first and offered solid suggestions for improving service at your organization.

As camps, parks, libraries and recreation agencies get ready for their busy summer season, it's critical to include basic customer service skills during each and every staff orientation and training event.  Every staff member and volunteer who has contact with your customers has the power to attract (or repel) future visits.  Even those working behind the scenes impact the customer experience by quickly handling registrations, paperwork and requests for information.

Park and facility maintenance workers are often approached by customers for directions or information.  Help these important members of your team to understand that their job description might say "grounds-keeper," "gardener" or "maintenance worker;" but they're real job is to insure a safe and enjoyable customer service experience.  Ban the words, "It's not my department." from your department's list of acceptable customer responses.  Help customers easily identify staff with shirts, buttons or other on-person promotions that literally say, "Ask me! I'm here to help," "Follow me to the Fun," or simply the word, "PLAY!"

When it comes to handling customer complaints or suggestions teach the H.E.R.O.S method...
Hear Everything.  Reiterate. Offer Solutions.  Check out my complete H.E.R.O.S formula in this article.  Or better yet, consider booking a Customer Service Workshop to energize and prepare staff for a super season.  While it may be too late for Summer 2007, it's never to early to book next year's summer staff training.

Click on comments below to share your very worst (or very best) customer service story.

Rebranding Libraries

Last week I was in beautiful Virginia Beach presenting marketing workshops for their Library and Volunteer Resources staff.  During my trip I caught several fantastic episodes of Matt Lauer's globe trotting adventures on the Today Show.  During the Friday enstallment, I heard a few seconds of a car ad in which two men were talking about how quiet the ride was.  The one man said to the other, "It's 'library quiet.'" His friend responded in awe and repeated the soundbite, "Really?  It's 'library quiet?" 

Obviously, these guys (and those involved in creating the ad) haven't been to a libary in a while.  Sure, most libraries still have places for quiet reading, study and reseach; but today's libraries are much more than a place where voices are shushed and silence is golden.   Virginia Beach Libraries, for example, buzz with interactive programs, lively discussions, festivals, events and a brand new coffee house called, "The Bookmark."

As a matter of fact, the Project for Public Spaces this month, highlighted libraries as "community centers for the 21st Century."  The article says, "The creation of the 'information superhighway' threatened to make libraries obsolete, but today they are as prominent as ever. In the latest issue of Making Places, PPS and our partners at the Americans for Libraries Council explore how libraries are redefining themselves" 

This type of re-branding and repositioning is critical for public and private agencies wishing to remain relevant and competitive in this dynamic and digital age.  Request a free catalog full of great ideas to promote your library or recreation agency.

What have you done to update your brand over the past few years?  Click on comments below to share your story...