Marketing a dive shop/resort

[Ronondo Rico]

As a operator of a diving business. I am constantly challenged to market our company in a cost effective way. OTA's and their high commissions, Banner Adds that don't pay for themselves, marketing experts that are more of experts on getting money from you then your business. What thoughts do you have on the most effective ways that you market???

 

[The Chairman]

Guerrilla marketing is always best. It's fairly cheap and people LOVE it. If you're at DEMA, I'll be giving several seminars on Social Marketing yourself for peanuts.

 

[Ronondo Rico]

Thanks Pete, can't make it. Busy cleaning beach, teaching a few guests Open water and retraining staff. As a small boutique dive resort, we are at the bottom of the food chain, so we know what you mean about Guerrilla marketing. We spend hours and hours each day trying to get that one guests to come and enjoy the Philippines. We use 100% personalized service. "When was the last time the Dive Shop/Resort/Live aboard picked you up personally at the airport? " We do cuz it makes sense to try and be the best. Just as your site wasn't always the big guy on the block. You did all those little things that make it unique in a busy world. If you have an online PDF of your presentation I would love a copy.

Cheers

Ron

 

[rob@diveinutila.com]

We've given up on all marketing except our own website and social media such as facebook, twitter, scubaboard, etc. Finding this to be more effective and much cheaper than any other form of advertising we have done in the past. The only problem is to do this properly is a full time job in itself which we can't really justify at this time. So several people in the business try and squeeze it in around their main jobs - hardly ideal but you have to do what you can.

 

[Ronondo Rico]

Thanks Rob. It seems we spend countless hours on Social sites, Our group page has 1700 members, our business page has 3,400 likes, Our home page has close to 4,000 friends. Twitter, Blog writting, press releases, it's enough to make a guy very tired. We are thinking of hiring a full time Social network employee.

 

[SGR Jeff]

You can always list your dive shop on Scuba Gear Reports.com for free. Take a look.

 

[Babydamulag]

We have learned that the Social Media Tools are the only way to advertise. With the advent of SMART PHONES and 2D bar codes our range is getting extended every day. We have had our virtual store front since 2005. We have not spent one penny on "outside" advertising. Our Asian market is way-smart Internet savvy. We are fortunate to have the best Internet connectivity in the world.
Our challenge is trying to find something to spruce up our tired web page, our Facebook page, with POS software built-in.
I have been searching for an "Out of the box" solution. If you know of a tool (s) then fire away and let me know. I am always looking for new ideas. I am not one to reinvent the wheel is someone smarter already has done it!!! Let me know what you smart folks know!!

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Lots of great ideas here and good feedback on what is working! Thanks

 

[Scuba Tom]

Another good way to promote your business is to list your business in directories.
I just launched Scuba Diving Directory, Info, News & Reviews for Divers I Ediving.com and the registration is free.
We get direct link from your detailed profile page to your website and booking email.
You just have to spend 15 minutes to get listed.

Benefits for you:
- direct contact with divers preparing their dive trip
- back link to your website
- part of an international webplatform
- with the reviews you have a better understanding of your customer service,
- better e-reputation than your competitors
- don't need to spend your time

Take a lot and hope you like it
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[rob@diveinutila.com]

Thanks Rob. It seems we spend countless hours on Social sites, Our group page has 1700 members, our business page has 3,400 likes, Our home page has close to 4,000 friends. Twitter, Blog writting, press releases, it's enough to make a guy very tired. We are thinking of hiring a full time Social network employee.

I would love to be able to afford a dedicated marketing employee to work on web content and social media, or even to understand how to figure out how many sales our social media brings us so I could know if that person pays for themselves.

I am getting close to making social media part of the instructor and divemaster job requirement. I'll probably tackle that in a month or three. Every instructor required to facebook each course with a group picture. Every divemaster to blog their dives as well as log their dives. Or something like that.