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How To Expand Your Bridge Clubs Membership Base - FREE BRIDGE CLUB WEBSITES

 

How To Expand Your Bridge Club’s Membership Base

 

So, you are wondering how to expand your Bridge Club’s embership base! Traditional promotion often falls short: While Bridge clubs often hold introductory lessons, relying solely on local ads, social media posts (when available), and flyers isn't enough. These efforts often yield inconsistent results.

How to get more people at your Bridge lessons

Dedicated Publicity Officer: Assign a member with communication experience to spearhead publicity efforts. The year I did this for my own Bridge Club, we had in excess of 35 people attend the lessons, more than ever before. But it does take a lot of time and effort and I wrote around 8-10 articles throughout the year. But it paid off in spades, it simply created a lot of awareness about the game and when lessons were announced, the people flocked in.

Embrace the local media: Local media crave interesting stories. Look beyond basic announcements and highlight:

Unique events:

  • Tournaments, charity initiatives, educational programs.

Achievements:

  • Club or individual successes within the bridge community.

Community involvement:

  • Partnering with local causes.

Craft compelling press releases:

Focus on the "why":

  • What makes your announcement valuable to the public?

Engaging headlines:

  • Grab attention with concise and clear titles.

Informative first paragraph:

  • Briefly answer who, what, when, where, and why.

Visuals matter:

  • Include high-quality photos or videos whenever possible.

Go beyond tournament results:

  • While results can be newsworthy, consider stories that showcase the human side of Bridge:

Local members' achievements:

  • Feature their successes in regional, national or international events.

The social aspect of Bridge:

  • Highlight the sense of community and lifelong friendships the game fosters.

By replacing passive statements with action-oriented language and emphasising newsworthy content generation combined with a strategic media approach, you can significantly improve your Bridge Club's outreach and attract new members.

How To Expand Your Bridge Clubs Membership Base

Free Tools To Help Write a Press Release

With just a little bit of input into this AI generated press release tool you can have a ready-made press release within seconds and ready to send to your local newspapers (ideaaly with a high quality photo). Simply register for free at https://www.einpresswire.com/ai/generator 

 

Here is an example of what it can produce:

PresswireDraft Press Release 

 

FREE BRIDGE CLUB WEBSITE NOW OFFERED

Having a modern website is crucial for Bridge Clubs for several reasons:

1. Visibility: In the digital age, the first place people often look for information is online. Having a website makes your club easily discoverable to potential new members. It is your storefront so make it work for you.

2. Information Sharing: Websites can provide a wealth of information, such as club history, event schedules, membership details, and contact information, all in one accessible place.

3. Attracting Younger Members: A modern, well-designed website can appeal to younger demographics, who are often tech-savvy and expect organisations to have an online presence.

4. Communication: Websites can facilitate communication between members and the club, providing updates, news, and announcements.

5. Online Resources: Websites can host online resources, like tutorials, game rules, and strategies, which can be beneficial for both new and existing members.

6. Community Building: By showcasing member stories, event photos, and more, websites can help foster a sense of community among members.

Your website can significantly enhance a Bridge Club’s visibility, communication, member recruitment, and community engagement. It’s a worthwhile investment for any club looking to grow and modernise.

We offer a special package to Bridge clubs at a significant discount. Have your own stunning website created for FREE (usually $700-$800) with a $20 a month hosting fee. If a domain name registration is required this will be charged at $35 annually.

 

Free lessons

 

Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Offering Free Bridge Lessons

Whether to charge for your Bridge Club lessons or offer them for free depends on various factors.

Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Charging for Lessons:

Pros:

Revenue Generation: Charging for lessons can provide a source of income that can be used to improve the club’s facilities, pay for instructors, or fund other club activities.

Perceived Value: People often associate cost with quality. Charging for lessons might lead people to perceive them as more valuable.

Cons:

Potential Barrier: The cost could deter potential members, particularly those who are unsure about their interest in Bridge or those who have financial constraints.

Offering Free Lessons:

Pros:

Attract More People: Free lessons can attract more people to try out Bridge and potentially join your club.

Community Service: Offering free lessons can be seen as a service to the community, enhancing the club’s reputation.

Cons:

Resource Intensive: Free lessons can strain the club’s resources, as you’ll still need to cover the costs of instructors, materials, and facilities.

Perceived Value: If lessons are free, some people might perceive them as less valuable or question their quality.

It’s important to consider your club’s specific circumstances and goals. You might also consider a hybrid approach, such as offering the first few lessons for free and then charging for more advanced lessons. This allows newcomers to try out Bridge without any financial commitment, while also generating revenue from more committed members. Remember, the ultimate goal is to grow and improve your club while making it a great place for people to learn and play Bridge.

 

Retaining New Club Members

 

Retaining New Bridge Club Members

Retaining new members after their initial lessons is crucial for the growth and sustainability of your Bridge Club. Here are some strategies that might help:

 

  1. Make Newcomers Feel Welcome: Ensure that new members feel welcomed and included from the start. This could involve assigning a mentor or buddy to each new member.

 

  1. Provide Ongoing Learning Opportunities: Offer advanced lessons or workshops to help members improve their skills. This not only helps them get better at Bridge but also shows that your club is invested in their development.

 

  1. Create a Strong Community: Foster a sense of community among your members. This could involve organising social events, creating an online community, or encouraging members to participate in club governance.

 

  1. Recognise and Reward Participation: Acknowledge the contributions and achievements of your members. This could be as simple as a shout-out in a newsletter or as formal as an annual awards ceremony.

 

  1. Offer Incentives: Consider offering incentives such as discounts or promotions for members who refer new members to the club.

 

  1. Solicit Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback and be responsive to it. This shows members that you value their opinions and are always looking to improve.

 

  1. Communicate Regularly: Keep members informed about what's happening in the club. Regular communication helps members feel connected and engaged.

 

  1. Create a System Card: Start them off with a very simple Bridge system produced on the New Zealand Bridge standard system card. This gives them basic bidding rules to follow and study.

Remember, every club is unique, so it's important to consider what will work best for your specific situation. I hope these strategies help you retain your new members!

 

How To Write A Press Release

 

How To Write A Press Release

Writing a press release involves several key steps. Here's a step-by-step guide:

  1. Identify Your Angle: Focus on how your announcement provides value to your target audience. That's your angle (and your hook). When it serves people, it's worth sharing.
  2. Write a Catchy Headline: Your headline should be brief, clear, and to the point. An effective headline will grab a journalist's attention and encourage them to read more.
  3. Craft a Compelling Lede: This is the first paragraph of the press release, where you should concisely present the most critical information. The lede should answer the "who," "what," "why," and "where" of your story.
  4. Write the Body Copy: Expand on the details provided in your lede, giving additional information about the "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," and "how" of your news story.
  5. Include Quotes: Quotes from key stakeholders or industry experts can provide a personal touch and add credibility to your press release.
  6. Provide Background Information: Towards the end of the press release, include a section that provides background information about your Bridge Club.
  7. Add Contact Information: Include the name, phone number, and email address of the media contact who can answer any potential questions from journalists.
  8. Proofread: Make sure to check for any grammatical errors or typos. Your press release should be polished and professional. Try running it through Gemini https://gemini.google.com/It used to be called ChatGPT) or Microsoft’s Copilot https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot

Remember, a press release should be succinct, usually just a page long. It's an official statement that an organisation distributes to news outlets or the public. It's a formal way to collect all information relevant to a story into a one-page source.

How To Expand Your Bridge Clubs Membership Base

About the author

Steve Baron, an astute entrepreneur and seasoned marketing professional, is the driving force behind Webprecision, a company specialising in crafting affordable, fast, and SEO-friendly websites. Before his venture into the digital realm, Steve established Baron Marketing Ltd, an advertising agency that flourished under his leadership for over two decades. His entrepreneurial spirit further propelled him to launch several successful online startups.

A staunch advocate for nurturing budding entrepreneurs, Steve has served as a mentor for Business Mentors NZ. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from the University of Waikato, complemented with a Political Science Honours Degree from Victoria University of Wellington.

A prolific writer, Steve has penned three books, and his insightful editorials have graced the pages of newspapers across New Zealand. When not immersed in his professional endeavours, Steve fulfils his role as the Clerk of the Scales for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, is a competitive Bridge Grandmaster, and indulges in his passions for walking, running, and savouring the café experience.

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