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OakParkCoach

Newspaper Ads For Flag Program

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Hello All:

I'm working closely with our local YMCA to improve their flag football program and I've mentioned to them that their local newspaper ads could be more dynamic than what they have presented in the past. Because I'm in marketing/advertising for a living, I have some of my own ideas, but I thought I'd reach out to the group to see what if any ideas you might have. What's worked and not worked; specifically was there anything in an add that you thought led to greater enrollment/signups. I would love to see PDFs of ads that have worked but I'll take just commentary...anything would be appreciated.

Thanks, OakParkCoach

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I'll presume that you want to increase the participation in the YMCA's flag football program. If it's something else, like increasing overall YMCA membership, or getting parents involved in what you have, let us know.

Our local YMCA does not advertise in the local newspaper. They do have a PDF that is pretty generic and really just directs people to the YMCA web site. The most effective way is to go through the schools and any other parental groups. Our school has a weekly "e-blast" that the elementary school principal sends out that can have a link. There is a "dad's club" blast email that can be used for this purpose. And there is a PTA Yahoo Groups email that anyone can use. The YMCA can also hang banners on the fence that surrounds the school, and that all parents see when they drop off their kids. Although the YMCA doesn't use it, they could distribute hardcopy in each kid's "friday folder" that gets sent home. It has to get approved by the principal, but that's generally not a big deal.

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If I were trying to get more folks to sign up, hitting the local schools, churches, and rec centers would be on the top of my list. Our local i9 puts out yard type signs (smaller real estate looking signs) that have a few keywords with a phone number. Not quite sure how they get permission to stick them where they do, but they appear to be in neighborhoods, near schools, and around busy intersections.

Do you know what the competition does from the standpoint of how many games for the $, when the games are played, league philosophy, etc? The i9 here tends to promote the convenience of practicing and playing all in a few hours on one day.

With regards to the ad, whatever you put in there, make sure the league does it. I've seen the local i9 here lose entire teams b/c their ads promised something they couldn't deliver.

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I think I-9 has the right idea. They do that here also, with the yard signs that are all around the schools, playgrounds and parks. Some other club teams do the same thing around here, like basketball, lacrosse and soccer. I even saw a select basketball team use signs when they were looking for a couple of new players for their tryout only travel team.

Our YMCA uses emails and flyers which I think are moderately effective.

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