How group automation software helps organizers of extracurricular programs
The following is an excerpt from our ebook “How to grow your extracurricular program using group automation software.” Sign up to read the entire ebook.
There are so many moving parts to consider when running an extracurricular program, and most organizers use several different free or cheap online tools to manage them.
With separate tools for registration, payment collection, event planning, website maintenance, communication, marketing, membership tracking, accounting, scheduling and more it’s no wonder you and your staff are exhausted!
It’s this inefficient, error prone way of operating that can prevent amazing programs from ever reaching their full potential.
The importance of easy registration
It’s that time again: the schedule is live, the notice has been sent, and registration is now open! Perhaps you picture yourself staring at the computer, refreshing the page every 5 seconds in hopes that the numbers will climb, or maybe an image of you running after parents in the street with paper enrollment forms in hand comes to mind... The key to sustainable growth is a healthy balance of long-term learners and steady new enrollments.
“Studies have found that 74% of people won’t even sign up if registration is too complex. ”
Having a user-friendly, automated registration process can dramatically improve enrollment rates, customer experience and, ultimately, your bottom line. Stop chasing parents for late payments, stop obsessing over enrollment numbers and focus on the delivery of your program.
A well-run program can grow without overwhelming its administrators. When your systems work, you welcome that growth and you are ready for it.
Why learner retention is the key to program growth
Those students and families who come back year after year not only pay your bills, they are also your best marketing assets and program stakeholders. Happy learners talk to their friends about how much they love your program, happy parents tell other parents about the benefits their kids experience with you. Positive word of mouth remains the best promotional tool in your tool box and the more time you invest in these families, the more invested they will be in helping your program grow! Don’t spend all your resources attracting new customers, focus on retaining your existing ones.
Automation software designed specifically for groups like yours
A report by New Voice Media showed that 58% of customers will leave and never return after just one negative customer experience. That negative experience could be anything: a miscommunication, an issue that wasn’t sufficiently addressed, a forgotten email, a disorganized system, information gaps, a confusing registration portal, over or under communicating.
These might seem relatively small, but they add up quickly and you don’t want members to leave because of preventable administrative issues. Without members, your program can’t function, and that means everyone loses: you, your staff, and the children you care about. The good news is that today there are accessible, all-in-one group management solutions that make running an extracurricular program efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable and decrease the opportunities for those small, negative customer experiences.
We know that changing to new software can seem daunting. You might expect a steep learning curve, asking teams to spend hours educating themselves for greater promised efficiency down the line. That isn’t the case when you find the best software solution for you, designed to meet the specific needs of extracurricular programs like yours. There may still be a learning curve, but you and your staff will experience the almost immediate benefits.
Sign up to read the entire ebook: “How to grow your extracurricular program using group automation software.”
