The park had not shown a profit in five seasons. Its national ratings were less than 60%. Some of the 194 sites were seasonal campers or empty. The park’s website was out of date. Park reviews were more negative than positive, and staff turnover was high. The campground was in dire need of maintenance. Camper and staff morale seemed at an all-time low, And Then Came The Manager!
WELCOME
TO
Getting More
Guests!
Tips and Ideas To Help You
"Fill The Park."
The author, a former full-time RVer and the general manager of two successful parks (AZ & PA), writes to help parks.
WE HELP PARKS IN TWO WAYS!
(1) A STUDY GUIDE - 500 PAGES
ON A USB DRIVE!
(2) SELECT ONE OF OUR 8 BOOKS!
IF I WERE HIRED
TO FILL YOUR PARK
WE HAVE TAKEN THE BEST TIPS AND IDEAS FROM OUR 8 BOOKS TO CREATE
AN ONLINE STUDY WITH 12 LESSONS
ON 500 PAGES THAT COMES ON A USB DRIVE!
The park had not shown a profit in five seasons. Its national ratings were less than 60%. Some of the 194 sites were seasonal campers or empty. The park’s website was out of date. Park reviews were more negative than positive, and staff turnover was high. The campground was in dire need of maintenance. Camper and staff morale seemed at an all-time low, And Then Came The Manager!
A hypothetical campground with fictional characters provides the background for an exciting story of one man’s attempt to save a failing RV park.
CONTENTS
Preface, Ownership Impossible
The Hiring, Moving On
The Evaluation, Seclusion
A New Name, 55+ or Family
Ambassadors, Dean’s Neighbors
A Side Trip, The Town, The Museum
Media Director, Remodel /Replace
Park Model Living, Staff Training/Goals
Finding talented people to become part of the park staff was an everyday effort. One of his favorite guidelines came from Walt Disney:
Hire the personality,
Teach the skill.
Managing or owning an RV park can be
one of the most rewarding yet difficult careers that anyone could pursue. One
of the most disappointing aspects is a space that is empty. The revenue for
an RV site that is empty tonight is lost forever. It’s history, gone, just forget it.
It didn’t matter how many RV sites I had,
it was always how many were filled. Nor does it matter how nice the site is if it remains empty.
Contents
Section One Setting the Fundamentals to Be Full
Article 1 The Magic of Full
Article 2 The Attitude of Full
Article 3 Developing an All-Star Team
Article 4 Pricing
Article 5 Basic Concepts
Section Two – Internal Promotions
Article 6 Curb Appeal
Article 7 The Office
Article 8 Common Facilities
Article 9 Park Tour
Article 10 Print Literature
Article 11 Park Rules & Pets
Article 12 Activities
Article 13 Names, Birthdays, Hometowns
AND MORE
$20.00
To have a successful RV park means filling available sites. Our approach to this effort is called “Internal Promotions.” Giving guests a reason to return and to tell others. Hopefully, these ways will help guests have a great experience. This collection of comments and suggestions represent some of our best. Please share them with your
entire park staff
Contents
www.YourPark.com
RV Park Traditions
Who Is Your Copywriter?
3 Ways To Gauge Your Success
Why Haven't You Written?
I'm Sending A Secret Shopper
A Guest’s Lifetime Value
The Hidden Chair
The Coffee Room
Checkout Time
Are You Busy Mowing?
Every Street Every Day
Who’s Behind Your Counter?
The Art of Saying Goodbye
AND MORE
$20.00
We divide park management efforts into two areas:
Internal:
Giving guests a reason to return
and to tell others
External:
Inviting people to the park
Here’s hoping you get at least one idea that will move your park closer to full!
How many hours do you work each week? Are you burned out before the season is over? Can owning/managing a park ever be a normal hourly job? Working all those extra hours seems acceptable to me when you are just starting out to make a park successful. When I was asked to turn an old park around for the new owners, I only took one day completely off in six months. To do this year after year is admitting failure. The passion in the beginning should lead to the increase in park income and the building of a qualified staff. With success in these two areas, your weekly workload should be moving towards normal. If you are really good, the park can run on its own and you can enjoy more time with your family and friends
$15.00
Looking Forward To Getting Away
Something special happens when you finally set your plans to get away. Once the plans are in place, anticipation begins! There is now something to look forward to, something that will be fun and enjoyable. With the “Getting Away” anticipation fully working, daily problems and challenges we face somehow become smaller, more manageable bumps in the road. When a little stress pops up, you remind yourself … “That’s OK! I’m going to the park in two weeks!” The anticipation can be as rewarding and fun as the actual experience.
The Park Model Solution
So, if you really want to
Get Away, and if you want to have your own Second Home, and if your budget is Small, then a Park Model Home is your answer.
$20.00
You are challenged to get campers to stay with you and, then, convince them (and their family and friends) to come again. Some campers are worth one night’s stay as they are just traveling through. Some come every year for a special holiday weekend. I know seasonal campers who have been at the same park for over ten years. Can you convince a camper to
return again and again? Consider what each camper’s lifetime value could be.
Contents
Lifetime Value, Do You Wave? Three Types of Guests, To Hot Too Cold Too Wet, Local Ambassadors, Returning Guest Recognition, Extend Your Season, Legacy Camping, Seasonal/Full Time/ Overnight, Tutoring In The Park, The Art Of Doing Nothing, Interns, 24/7/365 Web Site, Shoot ‘till You Hit, The Porch, Don’t Get In The Way, Your Staff Wants A Raise, Have A Great Store, Season Campers And Their Stuff, Invite Them for Lunch, The Best Library
$20.00
First 10 Contents Of 52
1. Let’s Talk Maintenance
2. Just Change The Pictures
3. Staff Advancement
4. Adult Swim
5. Speakers and Free Coffee
6. The Best Library
7. Invite Them for Lunch
8. Going Digital
9. A Place For Everything
10. Staff Meetings
The Arrival Experience
The better the arrival experience, the more likely your guest will come into the office in a positive frame of mind. Keep those good feelings flowing with an inviting and pleasing landscape just outside the office door. Well groomed, lush flowers and plants will say “welcome” to everyone. A welcome mat with your logo and sparkling clean windows are sure to please. However, having windows full of papers and out-of-date advertisements is a negative you don’t need. Your incoming guest is about to open the office door. So, ..
AND MORE
$20.00
SAMPLES