5 reasons why Yacht & Sailing Clubs should be active on Social Media

Social media is a set of internet-based tools and platforms used to share and communicate information. Social media is not a fad and it is not going away. Remember when the first mobile phone was introduced and we all resisted using them. Well, that is where many yacht and sailing clubs find themselves now. Social media will only evolve and it is the perfect way to keep in touch with the members.

Membership clubs globally are, in the main, all suffering the same fate – a demise in membership and a decline in revenue. There are many reasons why this has happened and I am sure every yacht club member has an opinion on this, but the bottom line is that most clubs are not in touch with their members.

Long have gone the days when the members came to the club for extended drinking hours and cheap alcohol (they can go to Wetherspoons now). And, when they do go to the club, they find private functions being held and they are kept to a small area in the bar whilst paying wedding parties to enjoy their facilities.

Being an active committee member takes up quite a bit of free time and therefore it does seem to be a job for those with more time on their hands and more often than not retired. They do a great job for the club but most are not in touch with the community needs or the needs of the youth sailors. Attracting new members when you have a board that is still trying to get the clubhouse back to where it was in the 70's is not going to happen.

5 ways that Social Media can help yacht & sailing clubs.

1. Communication - It makes the transfer of text, images, audio, video, and graphics easy. Events can be published on social media pages for members and non-members to see. Video's of regattas will be shared by members and non-members will see what a fun and active club it is.

2. Increase Revenue – even non-profit organisations need to generate revenue. The end game for social media is to support a club in generating income through communication and socially engaging current and potential members.

3. Retain members, especially younger members who might drop out of club activity at certain points of their life. Social media can help to keep them informed and interested and to feel part of something bigger, we all want to belong.

4. Attract new members – social media can help people discover sailing as an activity, provide resources and promote the benefits of yacht club membership in a subtle way.

5. Reduce Average Membership Age – It is the goal of many yacht clubs and social media is a way of communicating with a younger demographic on their channels.

If you are part of a yacht club or sailing club which you feel would benefit from using social media more consistently and effectively, then please send this article to one of your board members for discussion at the next board meeting. SPC Marine Marketing would be happy to offer a free consultation to any of the board members and do currently manage social media channels for yacht clubs as well as many marine companies.