Blogs Archives - DaySmart Recreation https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/blog/category/blogs/ Tue, 26 Mar 2024 18:27:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/daysmart-recreation-favicon.svg Blogs Archives - DaySmart Recreation https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/blog/category/blogs/ 32 32 Integrated Payments: 5 Things Every Business Owner Should Know  https://www.daysmart.com/blog/integrated-payments-for-your-business/ Tue, 26 Mar 2024 18:27:57 +0000 https://www.daysmart.com/blog/integrated-payments-for-your-business/ Integrated Payments: 5 Things Every Business Owner Should Know  Owning and operating a business is more complex than ever. In ...

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Integrated Payments: 5 Things Every Business Owner Should Know 


Owning and operating a business is more complex than ever. In addition to delivering the best for your customers and clients, competition gets fiercer all the time. You want to grow, but you also may not have all the resources, time, and team it takes to stay one step ahead.  

Incorporating integrated payments with your business is a way you can stand toe-to-toe with the biggest players in your market, and it’s simpler than many business owners expect.  

The fact of the matter is, if you aren’t incorporating a modern, seamless payment system in your business, you run the risk of falling behind.  

The good news? It’s not too late to get up to speed.  

The better news? Getting started right now can be simple, and the benefits of integrated payments can deliver exponential opportunities for growth, differentiation from competitors, and an exceptional experience for your clients and customers.  

Read on to understand why customers today expect—and deserve—the simplicity and seamless experience integrated payments deliver. You’ll understand not just why your business should utilize integrated payments—but also the dangers of not using it.  

Finally, you’ll learn practical steps to implement integrated payments, and hear from business owners who took the plunge—and reaped the benefits.  


Let’s dive in and explore everything you need to know about integrated payments and why they are fundamental to growing a successful business.  

Start by understanding what integrated payments are—and what they are not.

The easiest way to explain integrated payments is this: it’s a way to handle payment processing for small businesses. But beyond simple point of sale transactions, it’s a system that enables you to accept electronic and card payments, and works directly with your business management software.  

It’s not just about making checkout easier. It can help streamline many of your business operations and give you more opportunities for growth.  

  • Simple Payments: Clients can pay for services and products directly through your website, app, or in your store. That means a faster, easier customer experience that’s consistent online, offline, or on the go. 
  • Inventory Management: Every transaction can automatically update your business’s inventory. So keeping track of what you have in stock—and what you need to order—is simpler than ever. 
  • Data Insights: See what’s selling, and what’s not. Gain insights into what your customers and clients want more of—and make informed decisions that translate into growth. 

For fitness centers, this could mean managing membership payments, and seeing what classes your members want more of. For a vet, integrated payments can help you understand patient lifetime value—and clearly track revenue per visit. For a spa, it could result in streamlined bookings and staffing—and more satisfied clients..  

No matter what your business offers customers and clients, integrated payments can make your systems run more smoothly.  

And while some small businesses may want to avoid credit card processing fees, but it’s important to look at the big picture. When you look at all the benefits to your business and your customers, a small percentage of revenue going to card payment processing companies won’t seem like a roadblock.  

Beyond transactions, integrated payments help small businesses understand sales trends, provide better service, and put you on equal footing with the largest players in your market. Plus, by making your payment process more efficient, you can focus on what you do best: making customers and clients happy. 




Fact: Your customers will notice if payments aren’t seamless and simple 

Right now, your clients and customers expect the same convenience and efficiency from you that they experience from companies like Amazon, Spotify, Venmo and their bank. If you don’t believe you are competing with the Amazons of the world, let’s stop for a moment. Imagine a new bank was launching. How well would this bank do if they didn’t offer online payments, EFTs and full service in their app. What if they didn’t offer customers a debit card? Imagine if deposits and withdrawals meant having to go to their branch, stand in line, and wait for a person behind a glass to help you.  

Obviously, this bank wouldn’t attract much business.  

Customer expectations of seamless efficiency across all kinds of businesses is often referred to as “Amazonification”. It means that service, speed, convenience, and attentiveness have become the norm across many industries. It also means small businesses must adapt by implementing integrated payments to meet these expectations—and not fall behind. 

And if you think it’s just about credit cards, think again. Online payments and mobile payments make up a huge percentage of transactions. In fact, a recent study stated how forecasts show the total transaction value by the end of the year will be $6.68 trillion. $4.195 trillion will come from Digital Commerce and $2.489 trillion will come from Mobile POS Payments. 

If this all sounds intimidating, take a second and relax. It doesn’t mean you have to be as big or complex as Amazon. Far from it. By adopting integrated payment solutions, your business can offer the same level of seamless service as the best businesses on earth. It’s what your clients expect. It’s what they deserve. And it’s what you can offer thanks to integrated payments.  

Reduce errors, save time and increase growth with payment processing for small businesses 

Any and every business can benefit from simplified transactions, efficient scheduling, and more accurate financial tracking.  

The right system will do all the hard work for you and your team—and make running your business easier. 

  • Save Time: Automated processes reduce hours wasted on manual data entries, allowing you to focus more on service, quality, and growth. 
  • Increase Accuracy: With integrated payments, the risk of errors goes down significantly, ensuring accurate bookkeeping and records. 
  • Deepen Security: Enhanced security features protect both you and your clients from fraud—providing more peace of mind. 
  • Avoid Costly Chargebacks: Reduce your risk of financial repercussions from chargebacks to your business. 

Whether you need to automate recurring payments, make POS transactions easier, increase customer trust or just have fewer administrative headaches, integrated payments can deliver the solutions you’re looking for. 

With integrated payments, the efficiency, security, and convenience create a win-win-win scenario for you, your employees, and your clients. 


A hard truth: Without integrated payments, your business will fall behind 



We’ve talked about how integrated payments can be a game-changer for small business owners—significantly saving time and money while delivering a better customer experience. Now let’s discuss the hidden costs of NOT using integrated payments. The price can be steep—and really hurt your business. 

Not incorporating integrated payments means wasted time, lost opportunities and a higher cost of doing business. Manual transactions, ordering, and scheduling will all be more inefficient and time-consuming.[Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]Without integrated payments, transactions will always be slower and inventory management will be harder. The risk of error increases—so staff satisfaction and performance can suffer. That means worse service, increased hassles, and unhappy customers.  

Remember the bank we talked about earlier? It wouldn’t stay in business very long.  

Increased competition. Steeper customer expectations. Supply chain issues. Whether it’s missed salon appointments, lapsed gym memberships—or just not offering the treatment a client is looking for in your spa—things are hard enough today for small businesses to survive and thrive.  

And the sad truth is that many don’t. Not incorporating integrated payments with your systems could be the difference between growing your business—or closing up shop.  

But take a breath. If you’re a small business owner who understands the value of integrated payments to you and your customers—but doesn’t know where to begin or what to choose—getting started is not as difficult as you may think.  

The best small business payment processing choice for you: A practical guide to getting started 

It’s no question that integrated payments are a smart move for small business owners, The next question is this: which solution should you choose?  

Every business is unique—with its own challenges, expectations, and goals. So choosing the right integrated payment system is as important as the decision to use them in the first place.  

To start, ask yourself what kind of transactions you need to process. Do you need to manage recurring payments like gym memberships? Are retail products integral to your bottom line—like a salon’s hair products? Do you need transactions to sync with patient appointments and records for veterinary visits?

  



Choosing a system designed with your specific business type in mind will eliminate a lot of challenges and headaches. Many one-size-fits all payment systems force owners to settle for what they offer everyone—without customizing the solution to specific business needs.  

Think of it this way: It’s not about choosing the best payment processing for small business. It’s about choosing the best payment processing for YOUR small business. 


The best advice? A system designed for your business will be easier to implement and deliver more benefits than an off-the-rack offering.  

That’s where DaySmart can help. Our entire mission is to develop and deliver software solutions designed for specific kinds of businesses, so it’s easier for you to thrive and grow.  

We appreciate that a doggie daycare is different from a body art studio. That a day spa faces challenges a veterinarian doesn’t—and vice versa. A one-person barber shop has different needs than a small chain of mani-pedi salons. That’s why our integrated payment solutions are tailored to your business.  

How to begin?  

  1. Visit DaySmart.com: Explore the website to understand how integrated payments can benefit your specific type of business. 
  1. Explore Your Solution: DaySmart offers different solutions for different industries. Find the one that best fits your business needs. 
  1. Get in touch with a DaySmart Expert: Learn more about DaySmart Integrated payments and if it’s the right fit for your business.

If you want to be more efficient, have fewer administrative hassles—and enjoy more opportunities—DaySmart integrated payments can help.  


Learn from other business owners who’ve been there 

You don’t have to look too far to find small business owners who are glad they’ve made the switch to integrated payments.  

Jason Anderson of Wet Paws Mobile Pet Grooming sees value from integrating his payment system with his scheduling and customer data—and the ability to store and track customer cards for easier payment simplifies everything. As Jason explains, “Since we are 100% mobile groomers, we use the app exclusively…Do I want five platforms to manage and keep in sync, or just one?” 

Ursula Augustine, owner of Ursula’s About Phace Rittenhouse Makeup Studio was able to concentrate on delivering the best service to her clients instead of getting bogged down in complicated systems not suited to her business. In addition, Ursula said,  “I’m not great with technology, so it’s reassuring to know that I can always call in and have a human being help me with an issue.” 

Having a seamless integration of payments also helps Public Services Superintendent, Mike Cresap at Plano Sports Authority, manage his parks and recreation center. “In 2010 over 85% of our administrative work was done face to face, requiring staff to explain programs, review schedules/locations, register users, and take payments. Today less than 15% of that work is done face to face. Using the DaySmart Recreation customer portal. Users can research programs of interest, consider a schedule that suits their lifestyle, then register and pay, online.”  

Making the switch to integrated payments is a smart move for any small business. An even smarter one? Choosing a system that’s part of a complete, seamless suite of software that helps you run every aspect of your business—and is designed especially for your business’s unique needs.  

The bottom line? Integrated payments are essential for any small business to succeed 

We hope you’ve learned more about the benefits of integrated payments. How it can deliver a better experience for your clients and customers—and how it can make transactions, inventory, bookkeeping, and customer management easier for you and your team.  


And more than just learning WHY integrated payments are a smart decision for any small business, we talked about what to look for in yours—and outlined some steps on HOW to get started.  

Know this: it’s never too late to make the decision to incorporate integrated payment processing with your business. 

What’s more, integrated payments will help level the playing field between you and the biggest companies on earth—and it’s easier than ever to launch.   

Think of the bank we imagined before. The one that doesn’t offer electronic transactions, debit cards, or an app to manage customer accounts. Ask yourself: is that a bank you would want to do business with? Now think of your customers. If you don’t offer integrated payments to make things more convenient for them—your competition already does.

Want to learn more right now? Fill out the form to get a demo of DaySmart Payments integrated with a software solution built for your business!



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3 Reasons Why Clients Aren’t Booking with Your Business and How To Fix It  https://www.daysmart.com/blog/3-reasons-why-clients-arent-booking-with-your-business-and-how-to-fix-it/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 19:40:37 +0000 https://www.daysmart.com/blog/3-reasons-why-clients-arent-booking-with-your-business-and-how-to-fix-it/ 3 Reasons Why Clients Aren’t Booking with Your Business and How To Fix It  There’s nothing like seeing a full ...

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3 Reasons Why Clients Aren’t Booking with Your Business and How To Fix It 



There’s nothing like seeing a full calendar of client bookings. Busy periods of your schedule mean you’re at the top of your game, your employees are giving their all, clients are happy, and revenue is rolling in.

 But what do you do during the slow periods when you open your schedule and see a whole lot of nothing? To help, we’ve got three reasons why clients aren’t booking with your business and the steps you can take to fix them.



1. Ineffective Online Presence


Never underestimate the impact that your website and online listings can have on your small business. Your website serves as a vital platform for engaging with potential clients and providing them with the precise information they seek. From showcasing your services and pricing to offering a seamless appointment booking process, it all boils down to ensuring a seamless user experience that leaves clients satisfied and eager to choose your business.

Having a user-friendly and mobile-responsive website is key to increasing appointments booked. In fact, 82% of clients use mobile devices to book appointments. If they can’t easily make an appointment on their phone, they’re going look for a business that does. Once they find your website or online listing, is the information listed there correct and current? Incomplete and out-of-date information is another roadblock to client bookings. Trying to book a service that is no longer available or seeking days and times that have since changed will cause clients to go elsewhere.

Your online reputation matters as well, reviews can be one of the biggest setbacks – or a great leg up – for many businesses It’s common for reviews and ratings to appear in an online search, and they are pulled from social media and business listings sites. If you’re not using reputation management tools to leverage reviews, clients may look elsewhere when they can’t find recommendations.

2. Inadequate Marketing and Promotion


Marketing goes hand-in-hand with your online presence and its ability to drive client bookings. 

Are you using your online and community presence to promote awareness and visibility? Coming up with marketing promotional strategies is helpful, but not having the right tools for execution and follow-up will make these efforts more challenging. Social media is key for business growth. If you’re not posting photos and videos of the work you do, the trends you’re following, and the knowledge you possess, you won’t be noticed by clients in your community. Scroll down for marketing solutions and recommendations.




3. Subpar Customer Experience 

The customer experience is a key factor in whether or not they’ll come back. Small business owners have the unique challenge of finding unique ways to create positive experiences for everyone who walks in the door. Customers want a personalized, customized experience when they book an appointment. They want staff to acknowledge their individual preferences and expectations, resulting in a service that’s tailored just to them. Lack of soft skills and the ability to build relationships add to the experience, making it unpleasant or unprofessional.



How to Fix It: Solutions and Recommendations for Increasing Appointments Booked

Here’s the good news: these problems are easily solvable. Let’s take a look at some steps you can implement. 


1. Put Time and Effort Into Marketing


The work you put into your marketing will pay off in a full calendar and your business revenue targets. Having marketing plans in place will make it easier to put them into motion when you decide to run campaigns to promote your business. Decide what messaging and platforms you want to use when running a typical campaign. Then target your efforts based on what you’re promoting, who you want to reach, and what you want to accomplish. 

Text and email marketing are particularly helpful in reaching your customers and prospects. You can use both platforms to share special deals, announce new services, and promote your business during busy seasons, such as the holidays. Your clients check their texts and emails multiple times a day, so having a presence in their texts and inbox will make them more aware of what you offer.

Make social media a regular part of your day to highlight the great work you and your staff perform on a daily basis and make your community aware of the services you provide using these tips:

  • Leverage social media platforms in your marketing campaigns and general awareness.
  • Research competitors and industry experts to get inspiration for your own posts.
  • Use hashtags and tag clients, employees, and relevant local businesses and organizations to generate more exposure and engagement. 


2. Prioritize the Customer Experience


Focusing on excellent customer service and personalization will keep it top of mind for staff. If customers are happy, they’ll book return visits and make referrals. A business management platform lets you keep detailed notes on client preferences and personalize your services. It can also provide a seamless booking and communication experience for your clients and staff.

You might offer the best services in the neighborhood, but if they’re delivered by staff with a negative attitude, that’s all the client will remember. Train your staff to provide professional and friendly interactions and leave the right impression on every client in their chair. Having the right ambiance and a clean space will go a long way toward a positive experience. Make sure your decor, music, and cleaning procedures work together to create an environment for customers to relax and enjoy their visit. 




3. Use the Right Software and Information for Your Online Presence


Choosing the best tools is the first step to improving your online presence. Make it easy for clients to learn more about your business and take action. This starts with your website — invest in a solution that provides a mobile-friendly and user-friendly website experience. Your clients need to seamlessly navigate your site no matter what device they’re using. 

Update and optimize your online booking platforms with accurate information. When you’re making changes to your staff, scheduling availability, and services, make sure your booking platforms and business listings reflect the new information. Create a checklist of your web pages and online listings for when these changes are made so you don’t forget where you need to make updates.

Ask them to shout their love from the (digital) rooftops. Make it easy for customers to write a review so you can publish them to your website, social media, and listing sites to bring in new customers.


Fill Your Calendar and Your Revenue Stream 


Having an ineffective online presence, inadequate marketing, and subpar customer service can create barriers to booking. These problems are getting in the way of new and repeat customers who want to do business with you but can’t get past these roadblocks. Solving these issues is vital to running a successful business, generating revenue, and keeping customers happy and eager to return.

If you’re overwhelmed, tackle one problem at a time. The improvements you see will be motivation enough to keep going and breaking down these barriers to success.



A Successful Business Starts with the Right Management Platform

DaySmart is the software solution that’s helping businesses simplify the way they schedule, take payments, communicate, and manage tasks. Find the solution that’s right for your business and request a demonstration today!






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How to Advertise Your Business Locally https://www.daysmart.com/blog/advertising-small-business-locally/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:55:21 +0000 https://www.daysmart.com/blog/advertising-small-business-locally/ How to Advertise Your Business Locally If you own a small business, you know how important it is to develop a ...

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How to Advertise Your Business Locally

Advertising your small business.

If you own a small business, you know how important it is to develop a relationship with local customers. Building a relationship with the locals is essential for continued business and growth; for any small business.

After all, if people who live nearby aren’t visiting their local businesses, why would others from further afield make the trip?

Unfortunately, advertising locally is not as simple as you might hope. However, once you understand how to implement effective advertising, the results you will see will be monumental.

Suppose you can successfully separate your offering from the competition and engage with your local customers. In that case, you will see plenty of knock-on effects, such as more business, more positive reviews, and even some more customers that are not local.

This article will guide you on how to advertise your business locally to good effect and help you continue to grow and build your brand.

Key takeaways for your business

From this article, you will learn the following:

  1. How to create marketing campaigns that resonate with your local customers and help you stand out from the competition.
  2. You can employ a range of digital and physical marketing tactics to experience more local business from local customers.
  3. Any business can use several free and cost-effective marketing tools, regardless of size or marketing budget.

Ways You Can Promote Your Local Business

Start a Company Blog

Developing a company blog is one of the most effective marketing strategies available to you. Not only is blogging completely free to execute, but it can also lead to several new potential clients discovering your business.

By writing plenty of blog content surrounding your industry, you will show potential customers just how knowledgeable you are about the field, and it will build your trust and reputation.

Not only that, but Google’s ranking system will also take note. If your content is deemed insightful, engaging, and beneficial, your business will appear at the top of the rankings when local people search for businesses near me them.

However, to achieve this success, your content must be more thought out than simply writing about industry-related topics you anticipate people are searching in Google. To ensure your content has a true impact on where your business ranks on Google, you must implement a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy.

An SEO strategy includes keyword research, highlighting which topics are constantly searched by your target audience, which you can then use to write content that answers their query. Google values content that solves users’ questions and offers them useful guidance.

There are plenty of free keyword research tools that you can use to map out your blog content, or you can use more advanced tools like Ahrefs, SEMRush, and SurferSEO if they fall within your marketing budget.

Understanding what your target audience is looking for online is the first step toward building content that will lead to traffic and new local customers.

Keep Your Social Media Channels Updated

Once you have spent time crafting the perfect blog content for your audience, you should start sharing it on social media. 

Social media marketing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, are all excellent ways to interact with potential local customers.

Almost all of your local target audience will use social media platforms to search for the best businesses nearby. Therefore, it is crucial that you remain active on each channel and try to respond to comments, queries, or direct messages, as quickly as possible.

As you will know, first-time customers often have plenty of questions, which is perfectly understandable. 

By being active on social media, you allow potential customers to ask these queries, gain more information about what they are looking for, and also build your relationship, making you more trustworthy. The more trustworthy you are, the more likely they are to choose your business.

Each social media platform offers its own unique benefits. Instagram and TikTok offer excellent opportunities to showcase your work and get potential local customers excited over what you can do. Obviously, some social media channels are better than others when it comes to industry; Tattoo artists, stylists, and groomers tend to get much more of their business from Instagram than Facebook or LinkedIn, due to the nature of the industry.

Just remember to keep your social media posts relevant to your local audience, and you will quickly see your follower count grow.

Sign Up for Local Listings or Local Directory

Another important way that you can advertise your small business locally is to submit your contact details and business profile to local listings, ones that are specific to your industry.

Often these local listings are run by professional organizations, such as local directories like Yelp or review sites like Tripadvisor.

By locally listing your business, you allow potential customers to research your business before making a commitment.

Implement Locally Targeted Ads

While some businesses believe that digital marketing is only beneficial for brands that focus on a nationwide or worldwide audience, that isn’t the case.

Facebook advertising has become incredibly popular as a local advertising option for businesses due to the extensive details they have on their users.

You can create digital ads for your business and then personalize them to only target a specific audience, using several targeting options to narrow down your audience:

  • Geofencing
  • Demographic
  • Address
  • Interests
  • Page likes
  • Age

These are just some of the options you can use to identify your local target audience with your advertisements.

Don’t be put off if your audience volume drops significantly; that is always going to happen when you start hyper-targeting. 

It is much better to spend advertising money promoting your product or service to people that want to hear about it and are potential buyers rather than focusing on sending it to a large group that doesn’t fit your target audience.

Geofencing allows you to only target people within a certain radius of your business, ensuring you are only targeting local people.

From there, you can also add rules surrounding the demographic, their interests, what pages they have liked, and even how old they are.

Focusing on people who show an interest in your industry or similar industries is a good way to identify people who are likely interested in getting one at some point.

Create a few very similar audiences, possibly split by age or by interests, and see which ones perform the best.

Once you have identified the best-performing ads, put more of your budget into those groups to reach more similar people, and take money out of the underperforming ads.

Locally targeted ads take a little bit of funding and trial and error, but once you identify your audience, you will quickly see results.

Create a Direct Mail Campaign

While digital marketing campaigns have plenty of value and can be really fun to get your head around, don’t discard traditional local advertising methods like direct mail.

Direct mail might’ve been around for a long time now and may not be the most popular choice, but it is still extremely effective.

Due to how the internet is set up, users are hit with ads almost everywhere they go. While this gives you plenty of advertising opportunities, it also means they lose some of their impact.

One way to stand out from the crowd is to go back to basics and start sending out physical brochures.

You may want to design your own brochure or hire a freelance designer to do it for you. Whichever option you choose, ensure you include your business details and contact information, and possibly a first purchase incentive, such as a discount.

You could also consider posting an advert in the local paper, although that might not be as effective depending on whether or not your target audience is avid readers of the daily newspaper.

Build Your Email List

It might not be quite as traditional as direct marketing, but email marketing is another effective advertising technique that has proven successful over many years.

Email marketing is fantastic for building brand awareness, increasing customer acquisition, convincing customers to repurchase, and so many other benefits.

The bigger your email list, the more opportunities can come from each message you send.

Offer incentives for people to register for your email list, and include them on local flyers, direct marketing, and even on small business cards you have on show at your business.

Take Part in Community Activities

If you are searching for the most organic way to promote your business locally, then showing potential clients you are a contributing member of the local community is a great place to start. 

Showing people you genuinely care about the area will go a long way to showing prospective customers that you are loyal to the area, and they should be loyal to you.

Keep an eye out for volunteering opportunities, fundraisers your business can donate to, or any local events your business can get involved in.

The key to these events is not to heavily promote your brand, as the local people will see through this as fake generosity and loyalty. Instead, offer genuine support and allow people to learn about the brand behind your support organically.

You might even consider partnering with local charities or hosting your own fundraising event for a local cause. Essentially, any opportunity to get involved with the local community should be taken.

Create a Loyalty Program

Another way to advertise your business locally is by promoting a loyalty program for your customers. This type of advertising will help you gain repeat business from locals and develop customer loyalty.

Existing local customers will be more tempted to work with your business again if there is an incentive to do so.

That incentive could be gaining a discount on each purchase or a free gift after a certain amount of purchases are made, for example.

The more you work with existing customers, the more you will build up your local business community and develop a foundation that you can build upon.

Build a Referral Program

Finally, one excellent way to build up your local customer base is by offering a referral program. While some of your customers will willingly share how amazing your business is with their friends and family, others may need a little push.

Offering a discount on their next purchase with you is a great referral option. You can increase the discount the more people they refer to your business. The choice is up to you. 

For any customer who is happy with their experience, they will be more likely to want a second one. Offering them the chance to get a discount will incentivize them to promote your brand to other people, which will carry much more weight than any marketing message you can create.

Studies have shown that over 60% of customers trust recommendations from friends and family over the word of a company.

Therefore you can quickly start to see why this advertising strategy is a fantastic way to develop awareness organically via word of mouth.

Final Thoughts on How to Advertise Your Business Locally

Now you have several ways to advertise your small business efficiently and effectively. Many of these options of easy to implement, and while some do come with an associated cost, they should not be too significant.

However, marketing can take plenty of your time, the time you may not have to spare. To free up time for essential marketing strategies, consider using Daysmart. 

Ditch the pen and paper and embrace tech to manage more of your business. DaySmart software solutions help businesses simplify the way they schedule, take payments, communicate, and manage tasks.

Once you have freed up additional time with this software, you can start implementing your marketing strategies and growing your business.

Find the solution that can help you seize your day, smarter!

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Maximize the Value of Recreation Management Software: 4 Reasons To Invest  https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/blog/4-reasons-to-invest-in-recreation-management-software/ Wed, 24 Jan 2024 20:35:44 +0000 https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/?p=787 Maximize the Value of Recreation Management Software: 4 Reasons To Invest  Recreation management software is a must for any recreation ...

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Maximize the Value of Recreation Management Software: 4 Reasons To Invest 


Recreation management software is a must for any recreation facility in order to streamline facility management, scheduling, payments, and community engagement.  In fact, implementing software like DaySmart Recreation can increase efficiency by up to 40%, saving valuable time and resources.Let’s take a look at the four top reasons to invest in a recreation software platform.


1. Recreation Management Software streamlines the registration and booking process

Recreation software makes the registration and booking process easier for both the customers and staff. With DaySmart features like automated online registration and reservation management, your members can sign up for classes or programs and book space in just a few clicks. Your dashboard will show real-time availability and scheduling updates so your staff has the most up-to-date information about class registrations and facility scheduling.

2. It provides an enhanced membership management experience

Using recreation management software takes the guesswork out of how busy your facility is on any given day. DaySmart’s centralized management of programs, classes, and events includes an all-in-one calendar to enable you to view how your facility is being used during business hours. You can also track participant information and attendance to spot trends in your facility’s programming. 

“DaySmart runs our entire sports operations. We use it as our CRM, our calendar, and our primary communication tool. Leagues, birthday parties, programs, you name it. It really is all-encompassing for us,” said Robert Herbst, DaySmart customer and Vice President of recreation facility the Plex. 

Recreation management software can help you allocate resources effectively, allowing you to dedicate your staff, space, and equipment when and where it’s needed most.



3. It generates comprehensive reporting and data analysis

Get access to more than 60 standard reports and create custom reports with DaySmart Recreation. These insights will give you the information you need to evaluate your programs. The reporting tools can also show you details on participant trends and feedback. Reporting and data analysis enables you and your staff to make data-driven decisions that impact planning and resource allocation.

“It’s important to have reliable reporting because you’ll want to know what programs you’ll need to discontinue due to low participation, or which ones to pay more attention to that seem more successful for your facility,” according to Dale Geiger, Vice President of Sales, Recreation, at DaySmart. 



4. It saves you time and money

Every recreation facility prioritizes saving time and money. Using DaySmart’s features means you’ll reduce the number of manual administrative tasks staff complete. Streamlining your facility management will increase operational efficiency, which results in significant cost savings for your recreation facility. 



Don’t wait to invest in the future of your recreation center

Running an efficient recreation facility business starts with the right recreation management software. You’ll be able to streamline processes, easily oversee facility scheduling and usage, communicate effectively with customers and staff, pull the data you need for business decisions, and improve how you spend time and money.

Take the time to explore different software options for recreation management — each platform has a unique combination of features — and choose the software that best fits your facility’s needs. Book a demo with us for a more personalized review of what recreation management software can do for your facility.





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What Recreation Facilities Need to Know When Evaluating Facility Management Software Solutions https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/blog/evaluating-facility-management-software-solutions/ Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:41:05 +0000 https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/?p=627 What Recreation Facilities Need to Know When Evaluating Facility Management Software Solutions Recreation facilities need software to help them manage ...

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What Recreation Facilities Need to Know When Evaluating Facility Management Software Solutions


Recreation facilities need software to help them manage many moving pieces for their day-to-day and long-term operations. Does your current recreation facility scheduling and management software meet your needs? 

If you’re using multiple tools, doing administrative tasks manually, or spending time on operations at the cost of offering the best customer experience, it may be time to research a new software solution. The right recreation facility scheduling and management software will improve efficiency, provide better customer service, and boost revenue. 

Don’t feel overwhelmed on your path to searching for a better software solution. We’ve created this buyer’s guide to support your research. The guide covers:

  • Common barriers to adopting new software and how to overcome them
  • Reasons you should consider transitioning to a new software provider
  • How to prepare for conversations with potential recreation facility scheduling and management software companies


Common Barriers That Interfere with the Switch to a New Facility Management Software

It’s natural to be hesitant when making the decision to bring on a new recreation facility scheduling and management platform. But it’s important to remember that these changes may be necessary in order to find a solution that is a better fit in order to meet the needs of your operation.

Let’s take a look at some common barriers that arise when researching a new recreation facility scheduling and management software.

Onboarding uncertainty

The concern: Not knowing how much time onboarding a new software may take and how frequently it will take staff away from their daily tasks.

The opportunity: Many recreation facility scheduling and management software providers work with their customers to find the best options for onboarding. They’ll reach out about scheduling and often have additional resources for recreation employees who need assistance after the initial onboarding, including webinars, blog posts, videos, a frequently asked questions page, and a dedicated support team.

Working with your budget 

The concern: A new recreation facility scheduling and management software won’t work within your budget.

The opportunity: Choosing software that’s a better fit for your recreation facility will actually save you money. An all-in-one solution will eliminate the need to pay for multiple tools. Plus, the features of an up-to-date, cloud-based platform will enable you to streamline and automate tasks, allowing money, time, and other resources to be dedicated to efforts that increase revenue.

Impact on customers and staff

The concern: Onboarding, switching systems, and adapting to change will have an impact on the customer experience and the ability of staff to do their work. 

The opportunity: Software providers have worked with many recreation facilities just like yours. They have a solid plan in place to minimize downtime. One of the benefits of purchasing best-in-class software is that it gives your facility features that make it easier for your staff to streamline their work and for your customers to have a seamless experience.

Why You Should Reevaluate Software Options for Your Recreation Facility

Any of the barriers listed above can be overcome once you assess the opportunities and embrace the benefits of adopting new software for your recreation facility. Focus on the ways that new software can help transform your business.

Here are several reasons to consider researching a better software solution for your recreation facility:

  • Your facility could be running more efficiently
  • New software will help your staff work more efficiently, which prevents burnout
  • You will save time and money
  • You’ll have the top features developed for your industry
  • You can focus on business growth
  • You can provide your customers with a better experience

How to Prepare for Your Conversations with Prospective Recreation Facility Scheduling and Management Software Providers

Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to research new options for recreation facility scheduling and management software, you’ll want to schedule interviews with representatives from software providers. 

You might already have questions or need a place to start. We’ve pulled together some questions that will help you seek the information you need to make the best decision when purchasing new facility scheduling and management software.


Ask These Questions of the Recreation Facility Scheduling and Management Software Providers You’re Researching

  • Can you share your typical transition timeline?
    • Do you anticipate anything different for us? 
    • Should we expect any delays? 
    • How will you support the transition?
  • What does your pricing structure look like?
    • Are there hidden fees? 
    • How can you save my facility money? 
  • What is the data transfer process like?
    • Will we lose access to key information? 
    • Have you ever experienced issues during data transfer?
  • How would this transition impact our customers?
    • What disruptions should we anticipate?
    • Do you offer a portal for customers to access important information?
    • How do you support appointment booking for customers? 
  • What kind of training would you provide for us to learn your software?
    • What kind of support do you offer? 
    • Will we have points of contact we can reach directly for help?
  • What successes or challenges have you seen with other facilities?
    • Do you have case studies to share? 
    • Do you have references we can contact? 

Based on the Information You Receive, Ask Yourself These Questions

  • How will the logistics of a transition impact my recreation facility? My customers and employees?
  • Will I be well-supported by this provider during the transition and beyond? 
  • Will this software scale with my facility as it grows? 
  • How will my team benefit from a transition? 
  • Is it financially feasible and/or beneficial to switch? 
  • Does it make sense for my recreation facility to make a transition at this time? 


Top Features to Look for in Recreation Facility Scheduling and Management Software

As you research facility scheduling and management software providers, take a deep dive into the features they offer. Consider how comprehensive the features are and if they’re flexible and robust enough to support your recreation facility in the short and long term.

These scheduling and management software features should be top of mind for your recreation facility: 

  • Easy-to-use booking and reservation tools
  • Alerts for double-booking
  • Automated registration confirmations and reminders
  • Manage invoices and contacts
  • Pain-free resource management
  • Versatile accessibility from a computer, tablet, or mobile device
  • Seamless online and in-person payment acceptance
  • Available integrations for functions like accounting and marketing
  • Custom reporting for tracking trends, customer engagement,  and growth 
  • Easy navigation for customers to view and register for upcoming events


Seize Your Day with DaySmart Recreation

DaySmart Recreation is the all-in-one recreation management software solution that allows you to engage your community, boost participation, increase member retention, and strengthen customer loyalty. 

A partnership beyond software. We’re committed to providing high-quality services and support so you can focus on managing your facility. No matter your go-live deadline, our dedicated onboarding team professionally trains, tests, and does quality assurance checks to ensure you have a successful product launch. Our in-house customer success and support team will be there to help you with any questions that might arise and can be reached by phone, email, and chat.

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How Facilities Use DaySmart Recreation to Seize Their Day https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/blog/daysmart-recreation-to-sieze-their-day/ Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:40:13 +0000 https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/?p=583 How Facilities Use DaySmart Recreation to Seize Their Day Your recreation facility has hundreds of details that need to be ...

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How Facilities Use DaySmart Recreation to Seize Their Day

Your recreation facility has hundreds of details that need to be taken care of every day, from the moment you open it to the second you turn off the lights at night.

How can you ensure that no detail is overlooked and that every day is successful? A facility management system like DaySmart will help you manage your daily operations, simplify scheduling and registration, increase efficiency, and provide better community engagement.

Take a look at how your facility’s day improves by using DaySmart:

Get an overview of the day.

When you power up your computer in the morning, the first thing you’ll do is open any incoming messages and review your DaySmart Recreation dashboard, messages, and calendar. Because your facility data is all stored in one place, you’ll have a good sense of what to prioritize for the day, how to direct your resources, and where time gaps are available to allow for catching up on other tasks.

Prepare for the day’s events

Having all your data in one DaySmart system takes the guesswork out of what staff and resources you need for the day. So, when it’s time to hit the ground running, you and your team have the most up-to-date information at their fingertips to run events and complete tasks with our mobile-friendly solution.

Keep your programs filled

Your members have busy lives, but upcoming events at your recreation facility won’t get lost in the shuffle. DaySmart features enable members to register and pay for classes and events in just a few clicks. They can add everything to their digital calendars and receive reminders right in their inbox, and you don’t have to worry about no-shows.

Picture of an ice program.

Maximize facility usage

Having a full-picture view of your facility with DaySmart allows you to easily see gaps in facility usage so you can find new ways to fill the space. Rentals and offering new events or additional program times allow you to optimize your facility space while engaging with members and uncovering new revenue opportunities.

Keep members updated

Weather delay, cancellation, or late start? You can quickly let your customers know about any important updates with DaySmart’s CRM feature that stores your customer information so you can automatically message customers about programs and events they are registered for.

Person viewing important reminder on their phone.

Streamline your planning

Your day is going smoothly – tasks are done, and customers are starting to show up for programs. Now it’s time to start planning for the next season. Your DaySmart dashboard provides you with historical data that shows how your programs have performed in the past so you can make data-driven adjustments for the upcoming season — such as offering more team slots for popular leagues or reducing programs with low activity — to fit the demands of your community.

Promote upcoming events

Next season is planned, now it’s time to get the word out for your customers! With all your customer data stored in DaySmart Recreation, you can send promotional emails, newsletters and other email campaigns to your target audience based on customer’s historical activity at your facility.

Offering an adult league next season? Build a report of who registered for previous seasons and let them know registration for the new season is coming up.

Picture of a 5K event.

Wrap up the day

Your workday is ending, but before you leave, get a quick glance at how your facility’s week, month, and quarter are shaping up with 60 standard reports built into the platform. Because you’re using DaySmart Recreation, you can have a clear view into the works of your facility so when you step out of those doors, you can go home and no worry about tomorrow and enjoy time doing what you love outside of work.

Seize Your Day

DaySmart Recreation is an all-in-one recreational facility management software solution complete with tools to help you better manage your operations, streamline your registration processes, and more fully engage with your community.

Owners and operators of recreational facilities take on the demanding responsibilities of variable programming, and DaySmart Recreation is there to simplify it all. With features built to help you easily handle scheduling, sales, resource management, marketing, and more, you can focus on delivering the best programming to the community you care about.

To discover if DaySmart Recreation is the right solution to support your transition into the next season and every season, schedule your free demo.

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DaySmart Acquires Sawyer https://www.daysmart.com/blog/daysmart-acquires-sawyer/ Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:15:14 +0000 https://www.daysmart.com/blog/daysmart-acquires-sawyer/ DaySmart Acquires Sawyer Further expands DaySmart’s support of the recreation vertical DaySmart Software, a leading provider of vertically-focused business management ...

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DaySmart Acquires Sawyer

Further expands DaySmart’s support of the recreation vertical

DaySmart Software, a leading provider of vertically-focused business management software,
today announced the acquisition of Sawyer, a leading provider of business management
software for the children’s activities end market. The acquisition expands DaySmart’s offering
within the recreation market to include scheduling and payments solutions for K-12
extracurricular activities.


Since its founding in 2015, Sawyer has focused on simplifying the discovery of children’s after
school and extracurricular activities. Its two-sided model, offering software solutions for
customers to run and grow their business, as well as a marketplace for parents to discover kids’
activities in their area, provides a unique solution to a segment of the recreation market
otherwise not offered today.


“With the addition of Sawyer, DaySmart offers the broadest range of recreation-focused
business software and services in the market,” said Pat Shanahan, CEO of DaySmart. “We are
delighted to welcome the Sawyer team to DaySmart and serve our customer base together.”

“Sawyer’s mission since day one has been to build best-in-class technology solutions to connect
parents with providers of out-of-school learning opportunities,” said Marissa Evans Alden, CEO
and Co-Founder of Sawyer. “DaySmart’s history within the recreation space and its commitment
to SMB excellence is well aligned with our priorities of providing our customers with best-in-
class technology and support. We are excited to accelerate our growth potential as part of the
DaySmart team.”


About DaySmart


Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, DaySmart Software is committed to providing SMB and
enterprise clients tailored business management solutions to help them run and grow their
businesses. Since 1999, DaySmart has offered vertically focused cloud-based applications and
payment processing solutions to businesses of all sizes, spanning across the recreation, vet,
pet, salon, spa, and body art industries. The company’s comprehensive platform empowers
customers to manage, connect, and grow their client base within a single solution. For more
information about the company and its suite of solutions, visit www.DaySmart.com.


About Sawyer


Sawyer, founded in Brooklyn in 2015, connects children, parents, and providers of the best
enriching childhood experiences through a suite of industry-leading technology solutions with a
goal to ensure every child has the opportunity to discover their own love of learning.

Sawyer reaches thousands of small business owners, enterprise organizations, non-profits, and
traditional educational institutions and gives them the business intelligence tools to drive
decision making. Sawyer also helps over a million parents navigate the intense, fragmented
world of early childhood development by creating tools that manage their children’s day-to-day
lives. Leonis Partners served as financial advisor to Sawyer during the acquisition process.

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DaySmart Acquires TeamUp https://www.daysmart.com/blog/daysmart-acquires-teamup/ Wed, 25 Oct 2023 19:27:17 +0000 https://www.daysmart.com/blog/daysmart-acquires-teamup/ The post DaySmart Acquires TeamUp appeared first on DaySmart Recreation.

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DaySmart Acquires TeamUp

Featured image for DaySmart Acquires TeamUp post

Expands portfolio of business management software to further support fitness and recreation vertical

ANN ARBOR, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– DaySmart Software, the leading provider of vertically-focused business management software, announced the acquisition of TeamUp, a leading provider of fitness studio and gym management software. Through this acquisition, DaySmart expands its presence further into the fitness and recreation verticals.

TeamUp is a SaaS-based software solution that empowers fitness facilities and instructors to flexibly manage their businesses in-person, online or on-demand. Supporting more than 3,000 customers, the company has facilitated 50,000,000 class bookings across studios in Europe and the United States. TeamUp is known for its ease of use, superior customer service and broad feature set focused on helping fitness facilities and their customers thrive. As part of this merger, TeamUp will look to grow its presence in North America and invest in accelerated product development.

The combination of TeamUp with DaySmart Recreation (acquired in 2021) positions DaySmart to serve fitness and recreation facilities of all sizes and disciplines. DaySmart is committed to investing in an expansive set of integrated solutions otherwise not offered in the recreation and fitness market today.

“Bringing TeamUp into the DaySmart portfolio allows us to enter a new market segment as we grow and diversify our reach into the fitness and recreation verticals,” said Patrick Shanahan, CEO of DaySmart. “I am thrilled to partner with Matt and the entire TeamUp organization to bring this powerful software to more fitness facilities.”

“Over the last 10 years, TeamUp has established itself as a leading software for studios and gyms by providing best-in-class technology and superior customer support. I am proud of what the team has accomplished and excited to start this next chapter with the support and experience of the DaySmart team,” said Matt Pegler, CEO of TeamUp. “Through this partnership, we will continue to prioritize our customers and provide the seamless experience they are used to while investing in expanding our presence in North America”

About DaySmart

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, DaySmart Software is committed to providing SMB and enterprise clients tailored business management solutions to help them run and grow their businesses. Since 1999, DaySmart has offered vertically focused cloud-based applications and payment processing solutions to businesses of all sizes, spanning across the recreation, vet, pet, salon, spa, and body art industries. The company’s comprehensive platform empowers customers to manage, connect, and grow their client base within a single solution. For more information about the company and its suite of solutions, visit www.DaySmart.com.

About TeamUp

TeamUp is user-friendly management software for fitness businesses. Since 2012, TeamUp has developed a unique customer-centric software and service that has enabled thousands of business owners to build thriving businesses through strong connections with their customers. TeamUp’s people-first approach has led to multiple industry awards and is consistently rated by customers as one of the most recommended solutions for fitness industry businesses. PEAK Technology Partners served as financial advisor to TeamUp during the acquisition process. For more information on TeamUp visit goteamup.com.

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Prepare for Seasonal Transitions of Multisport Programming With the Help of Your Sport Scheduling Software https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/blog/prepare-for-seasonal-transitions-with-sport-scheduling-software/ Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/blog/prepare-for-seasonal-transitions-with-sport-scheduling-software/ The post Prepare for Seasonal Transitions of Multisport Programming With the Help of Your Sport Scheduling Software appeared first on DaySmart Recreation.

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Prepare for Seasonal Transitions of Multisport Programming With the Help of Your Sport Scheduling Software

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The nature of owning or managing multisport facilities and ice houses demands flexibility, adaptability, and a knack for multi-tasking. It also requires an ability to understand, plan for, and successfully move through transitions. As summer comes to a close and families return to their back-to-school schedules, every multisport facility owner is likely thinking about the transition into cooler seasons and how community engagement will change in the coming months. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide advice for bringing your facility through a smooth transition into fall and winter, with the support of your sport scheduling software.

How your sport scheduling software can support your shift to fall and winter sports programs

Places like multisport facilities and ice houses have the remarkable ability to bring communities together. The programming you deliver offers people of all ages opportunities to make connections with those around them, through meaningful experiences shared in your spaces. As an owner or manager of these facilities, your role is to create an environment for those experiences to happen — all year long.

It’s all part of the job, and at this time of year, you’re probably getting ready for the changes that come with a new season. You may be preparing to bring your outdoor programming indoors, at your multisport facility, or getting your ice house ready for full capacity this winter. Even if your facility hosts indoor activities year-round, part of your programming is likely shifting to accommodate the turnover of activities your customers look forward to during the fall and winter months.

To effectively manage the perpetual changes of your business, having the right tools, resources, and systems in place will make all the difference. Consider the following steps you can take, with the help of your sport scheduling software, to ensure a successful seasonal transition of your facility.

1. Optimize the use of your existing resources

To make the most of multisport facilities, owners and managers are always looking for creative ways to ensure their space is sufficiently used for the entirety of the year. The same goes for facility resources — that includes everything from staff members to rental equipment, to concession supplies.

To help you determine how your resources can conclude one season of programming and seamlessly fold right into another, use a sport scheduling software that gives you the tools you need to track and manage the assets across your entire facility. With a detailed record of your available resources and the ability to track their current or anticipated usage, you’ll be able to better optimize how they’re being repurposed throughout the year among your various programs.

Facility complex

2. Streamline program scheduling

If you’re juggling dozens of programs throughout the year, you’re probably used to managing a thousand moving parts to keep everything running smoothly. The best way to navigate the chaos is to stay organized with the support of a sport scheduling software designed to support multisport facilities and ice houses.

Pro tip* Look for one that enables you to maintain your facility’s ever-evolving schedule with a streamlined calendar tool that makes it simple to build leagues, book facilities, and confirm rentals — all in one place. Since change and transition is all part of the job, stay away from rigid systems that don’t support your seasonal transitions and instead use tools that support the flexibility you need.

3. Simplify your booking and registration process

The simpler it is for your customers to engage with your facility’s programming, the easier it will all be to manage. Deliver an optimal experience to your program participants with hassle-free sport facility booking features that make it easy for them to sign up for the activities you offer. Ideally you’ll look for a software that supports a variety of program registration types ranging from drop-ins and classes, to leagues and camps. If you can give your customers the option to book programs right from their phones with an easy-to-use mobile app, even better.

4. Stay on top of your marketing

Way before the season turnover, it’s important to get your marketing tactics in place, and give your upcoming fall or winter programming enough promotion to keep your facility filled. Prepare for the seasonal transition with early promotion of your lesson packages, leagues, classes, and events. Your customers may be busy getting back into the swing of the school season, or even stuck in a summer state of mind. Give them the nudge they need by informing them of the other programs available for the new seasons.

Look for a multisport facility or ice house management software that enables you to customize your marketing with features like tailored ads. For customers that typically join your summer programs, you can encourage them to consider other options that keep them coming back to participate in programs later in the year. If your software offers comprehensive reporting tools, you should have access to valuable customer data that empowers you to better understand your client base and discover new opportunities to improve customer relations, such as creating a customer loyalty program that converts single-event customers into regular attendees.

Find a sport scheduling software that fits your programming transition needs

As you move from season to season, delivering the programming that connects you to your community all year long, ensure you have the support you need to make the most of your spaces. DaySmart Recreation is an all-in-one recreational facility management software solution complete with tools to help you better manage your operations, streamline your registration processes, and more fully engage with your community.

Owners and operators of multisport facilities and ice houses take on the demanding responsibilities of variable programming and DaySmart Recreation is there to simplify it all. With features built to help you easily handle scheduling, sales, resource management, marketing, and more, you can focus on delivering the best programming to the community you care about.

To discover if DaySmart Recreation is the right solution to support your transition into the next season and every season, schedule your free demo.



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Recreation Programs to Fill in Gaps in your Calendar https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/blog/recreation-programs-to-fill-in-gaps-in-your-calendar/ Wed, 21 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.daysmart.com/recreation/blog/recreation-programs-to-fill-in-gaps-in-your-calendar/ The post Recreation Programs to Fill in Gaps in your Calendar appeared first on DaySmart Recreation.

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Recreation Programs to Fill in Gaps in your Calendar

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Recreation facility managers face a unique challenge of optimizing their schedules to make the most of their available space and time. As managers, we’re always looking for innovative ways to fill schedule gaps and ensure our facilities remain bustling hubs of activity throughout the day. This post will provide you with a handful of ideas focusing on auxiliary and accessibility-focused activities that you can incorporate into your facility’s schedule to boost engagement and inclusivity.

Auxiliary Activities

Empty space in your calendar is a great time to have fun with your offerings, so think outside of the box. Adding auxiliary activities to your schedule can diversify your offerings, attract different audience segments, and engage community members who aren’t typically served.

Fitness Classes

Consider hosting fitness classes during downtime. Yoga, Pilates, or Zumba classes can attract a variety of individuals looking to improve their health and wellness. Fitness classes can either complement your main activities or offer an entirely new avenue for community members to engage with your facility. They’re a great one-time class because the community can take the routines home with them.

Arts and Crafts Workshops

Workshops are a fantastic way to utilize your facility during quieter hours. Consider partnering with local artists or craft enthusiasts to host a weekly arts and crafts session. From pottery and painting to jewelry making and scrapbooking, the possibilities are vast. Flip through some hashtags on Instagram to find local crafters in your area who might be interested. Try hashtags like #craftsaltlake, #diysaltlake, or #homemadesaltlake.

Social Events

Regular social events can foster a sense of community within your facility. Consider hosting themed events, game nights, or even networking sessions during off-peak hours. These activities can make your facility a social hub in your community, driving regular footfall.

Accessibility-Focused Recreation Activities

Incorporating accessibility-focused activities can make your facility more inclusive and welcoming for all community members.

Adaptive Sports

Adaptive sports modify traditional sports to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Offer wheelchair basketball, goalball for visually impaired individuals, or seated volleyball games during your facility’s downtime. Partnering with local organizations dedicated to impaired individuals is a great way to make sure the programming has participants.

There are some great recourses to help you run adaptive sports.

The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation has information on their website to get you and your referees up to speed on how the rules differ from standing basketball. Goalball’s rules can be found on the United States Association for Blind Athletes; and USA Volleyball is a good resource for Sitting Volleyball.

For more inspiration, check out this story about Greg Grant and how he found a creative way to serve adaptive athletes in his community.

Sensory-Friendly Sessions

Many individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, may find the noise and bustle of a busy recreation center overwhelming. Consider scheduling sensory-friendly sessions where the noise is reduced, and lighting is adjusted to create a calmer environment.

Fitness Programs for Older Adults

Offering fitness classes tailored to older adults, such as low-impact aerobics, chair yoga, or aqua fitness can make your facility more appealing to this demographic. Regular classes can provide health benefits, social interaction, and a sense of community for older adults.

Pickleball

Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport that caters to a wide demographic. It’s easy to learn, requires less physical exertion than other racquet sports, and promotes social interaction. As such, it’s an ideal candidate to fill gaps in your schedule.

Consider organizing beginner clinics, round-robin tournaments, or social pickleball evenings to draw crowds during off-peak hours. Additionally, adaptive pickleball, using modified equipment or rules, can provide an inclusive activity for those with mobility or sensory challenges.

Utilizing DaySmart to Manage Your Diverse Schedule

Increasing the types of programs you provide can be a daunting task, especially if you aren’t confident in your registration software. DaySmart is a great option for managing your facilities so that you can focus on optimizing your schedule, and not the tedious administrative work behind the scenes. From scheduling classes and managing capacity to facilitating easy online registration, DaySmart streamlines everything on the backend of your new and established offerings.

Scheduling auxiliary and accessibility-focused activities with DaySmart is simple. The software’s flexible calendar tool lets you view your facility’s entire schedule at a glance, making it easy to spot and fill any gaps. Additionally, with its online registration capabilities, community members can sign up for their desired activities in just a few clicks.

In conclusion, filling gaps in your facility’s schedule requires creativity, inclusivity, and effective management. Whether it’s auxiliary activities like fitness classes and craft workshops or accessibility-focused recreation activities like adaptive sports and sensory-friendly sessions, these offerings not only maximize your space utilization but also make your facility a hub of diverse and inclusive recreation opportunities.

In your quest to fill schedule gaps, remember that each activity you add enhances your facility’s value to your community. Auxiliary activities introduce new ways for people to engage with your facility, while accessibility-focused recreation activities ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can participate and enjoy what your facility has to offer. A full schedule means a bustling facility, and a bustling facility means a thriving community. With creative scheduling and the power of DaySmart at your fingertips, your facility can be the beating heart of your community.

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