One of the keys to making money in the kiteboarding industry is to create partnerships outside the kiteboarding industry. This is especially true for kiteboarding instructors and schools. As a kiteboarding instructor or school when you are not on the beach giving kiteboarding instruction your number one priority is to let people who don’t know about kiteboarding or who do and are curious to try know about you and your services.
One Of The Most Overlooked Opportunities
If you haven’t heard about MeetUp.com you’ll want to check it out as soon as you finish reading this post and clicking the “like” or “tweet” button. MeetUp is basically the ultimate online community bulletin board for people who want to get together for everything from eating to business to book clubs to mom groups, to adventure. Name even the most obscure hobby or interest there is probably a MeetUp group for it. If there isn’t you can start one and they will come.
I use MeetUp for my own business by giving presentations to business oriented MeetUp groups. It’s a win all around. I get the opportunity for new people to learn about me. The organizer gets a great event for their group. And the members of the group get an entertaining and informative presentation.
It’s a Win/Win/Win
Most MeetUp group organizers want to have a great MeetUp group with events that members actually attend. One of their biggest challenges is consistently coming up with great events. I can’t tell you how often when I’ve approached and organizer about giving a presentation they’ve responded with a “Yes!” dripping with gratitude and relief as I’ve just saved them the worry and trouble of figuring out what to offer their members next month.
When you check out MeetUp.com you’ll likely find many groups that would love an event on introductions to kitesurfing – a day on the beach with an expert to answer all the questions they’ve always wanted to know but were afraid to ask and the opportunity to try the trainer kite.
Don’t Make the Mistake I Made
When you hold the event don’t make the mistake I made when I first started. I gave a great presentation. The participants had a great time and learned a great deal. They went home inspired. I went home feeling happy and excited about how well it went. But I didn’t have a single person’s contact information. I didn’t share with them how they could continue working with me. Which is really unfortunate because it is when I have the opportunity to work with people over an extended period that they get the lasting change in their lives.
If you don’t offer participants the opportunity to sign up for lessons you are depriving them of the fulfillment and joy we all know kiting provides. Ok, maybe you are doing them a favor. Since kiting also ruins lives by making settling for the routine unbearable. You will need to discuss with the organizer what kind of offer you can make. Some organizers are very sensitive to having a hard sell to their participants. Though with kiteboarding it is natural participants would want to know about lessons.
At the very least be absolutely sure to get their email addresses and add them to your list so you can directly share with them future opportunities to take lessons.
Utilize MeetUp for SEO
Search Engine Optimization isn’t just about having the right words on your website anymore. One way to fill the first page of a Google search is to put a stake in other sites that have great Google optimization. Sites like Yelp, Facebook, Twitter and MeetUp. Set up a MeetUp profile. Along with a description of who you are and your services you have the opportunity to post your website, facebook page, etc. You’ll need it anyway to communicate with MeetUp group organizers. Consider also establishing your own MeetUp group.
