Social media continues to be one of the hottest topics, with users of all ages creating, commenting, and networking with people across the globe in ways never before possible. Based on the overwhelming response to this topic, we are pleased to offer: Social Media 101 – Boosting Participation through Friends, Fans and Followers.

Join us September 22nd as Justin Ramers, Director of Social Media at The Active Network, reveals how organizations like yours are leveraging Facebook and Twitter to build awareness, drive interaction and participation through:

• Understanding the basic tools of social media
• Real-world examples of how community organizations employ social media to communicate and build awareness of their programs
• Best practices for engaging consumers and driving participation
• Performing a social media needs assessment
• Developing and implementing a social media strategy
• Tracking success through analytics

Register now for your complimentary webinar – Space is limited!

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Incorporate the following "best practices to-dos" as part of your post camp review. Regardless of your camp size, a commitment to make improvements in each one of these strategic areas will help your camp better maximize participation, revenue and overall cash flow next season.

1. Improved Cash Flow
   • Open registration earlier and promote registration sooner
   • Seek donations during registration with an online donation form
   • Offer flexible payment plan options
   • Move your auto-billing a few weeks earlier
   
   
2. Greater Retention/Growth
   • Create a targeted prospecting follow up process to increase next season’s enrollment
   • Distribute your Prospect/Inquiry Form on all your marketing and outbound communications
   • Build and nurture relationships with auto-birthday emails and other timely communications
   • Encourage referrals with Tell A Friend, Camp for a Day and other marketing outreach programs
   
   
3. Identify New Revenue
   • Include eCamp Photo, Video and Email services as a commissioned-based service offering
   • Build a comprehensive donation program (online and offline)
   • Extend day camp offerings with Pre-Care, After-Care options
   • Transition to a non-refundable or sliding fee for camper cancellations


4. Cut Expenses
   • Reduce paper and faxed registrations to reduce data entry and staff hours
   • Determine your camp’s marketing efficiency by asking and tracking "How did you hear about us" to gained the biggest bang for your marketing dollar
   • Leverage email for mass communications to reduce hefty printing and postage expenses
   • Offer email confirmation and online welcome packets (PDF files) to replace costly printing and mailing

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In order to use Automatic Emails to send birthday greetings to past participants, we recommend you be familiar with how to Create An Email Template and how to Create a Custom Filter.

1. First, navigate to the Communication Center (Tools > Communication Center)
2. Select the "Open Automatic Emails" button and select the orange "Add" button to create a new automatic email task.
3. Next, name the task, and define the "Task Type" as Birthday to send an email out on a registrant's birthday (The second type is Program Date which sends emails out relative to the program event start or end date).
4. Now enter the age range for the participants by adding a Minimum Age and Maximum Age range to determine who will receive your birthday greetings email.
5. Next, select the email you want to send (Note: You must have previously created your birthday greeting email template --refer to how to Create An Email Template)
6. Lastly, select the orange "Save" button and your birthday email will automatically be sent out on the correct dates to participants who falls within the age range you entered!

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In order to use Automatic Emails to send program specific emails to registered or past participants, we recommend you be familiar with how to Create An Email Template and how to Create a Custom Filter.

1. First, navigate to the Communication Center (Tools > Communication Center)
2. Select the "Open Automatic Emails" button and select the orange "Add" button to create a new automatic email task.
3. Next, name the task and define the "Task Type" as Program Date.
4. Next, you will enter the number of days either "before or after" the Program Start or Program End Date which provides you flexibility regarding the automatic emails.
5. If you want your email to go to a specific group, select the name of the filter (Note: You must have previously created you’re the filter--refer to how to Create a Custom Filter)
6. Additionally, you have the option to only send an email to registered participants with an outstanding balance.
7. Once the above options have been set, Select the email and hit the orange "Save" button. Now, the selected email will be sent based anytime the set criteria are met.

Need a quick refresher? View our easy-to-follow video tutorials the Communications Center or on Automatic Emails at your convenience!

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I joined the Active Network as a Sr. Marketing Manager after a friend recommended the team and atmosphere at Active as "fun, fast-paced and enthusiastic". Three years later and she is still right! As the market manager for camps and sports, I look to educate prospects and clients alike on the benefits our technology, marketing and consulting services via our website, newsletter, trade shows or other communications.

Outside of the office, I volunteer for Outdoor Outreach, a nonprofit group that serves at-risk and underprivileged youth through outdoor programming such as camping, surfing, snow boarding, mountain biking and rock climbing (yes, I do them all—some just better than others).

This month I was fortunate to participate in Camp Yellow Ribbon, a week-long day camp program offered with Operation Purple to the children of military families. The kids were treated to excursions ranging from surfing in Del Mar, snorkeling at La Jolla cove to hiking and rock climbing around San Diego. As a camp volunteer, highlights for me included watching the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullens and his wife join the kids in singing/acting out the camp song "Baby Shark" along with the countless smiles and squeals of delights as the kids embraced and mastered each new activity with exuberance.

E-mail Yvonne

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