Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Strut Your Stuff

(1:04) Are you presenting your marina in its best light? To be perfectly frank, I see too many Pro-Op messages that are dull, lack appeal, and are repetitive, or are missing altogether. I don't mean to be harsh but if you are wasting this valuable real estate simply restating the amenities that are already detailed in the rest of your marker or if you have failed to create a promotional message at all, you are missing a terrific opportunity to let boaters know why they want to stop and see what you have to offer.

(0:51) The Pro-Op message is a feature that is only available to our Sponsor marinas. Only a Sponsor can have a promotional message that allows them to show off a little, letting boaters know what they will be missing if they pass you by. Don't waste this valuable resource.

(0:44) The Oxford Dictionary defines promotional as, "of or relating to the publicizing of a product, organization, or venture so as to increase sales or public awareness." It's tooting your horn!

(0:38) The best messages are about what makes you different and appealing, not what makes you just like everyone else. So don't tell me you have showers, heads, and laundry. Most marinas do and that's covered under the Services section of the ActiveCaptain data anyway.

(0:31) Before the holidays I saw the perfect promotional message when Denis Frain at Gulfport Municipal Marina updated his Pro-Op. It starts out:

(0:26) "We've been called funky, eclectic, artsy, charming, progressive, welcoming, warm, and yes, even weird. We are a small town, but we have a big heart. It's easy to make yourself at home here. Visit us and we think you'll agree."

(0:19) That certainly gets your attention. It goes on to describe what makes Gulfport different, unusual, appealing, and worth visiting. After reading the Pro-Op I am intrigued and have a sense that this is a place not to be missed.

(0:12) You can see the full Pro-Op message here. It is just beneath the contact information.

(0:08) Think about what makes your marina a special stop. Give boaters a reason to visit and you'll be rewarded with increased sales. Don't hesitate to strut your stuff!

(0:02) And that's the marina minute.