THE GOOD CLUB GUIDE EXTRA: FOR A MARKETING/PROMOTIONS & PRESS OFFICER

1. THE GOOD CLUB GUIDE EXTRA:FOR A MARKETING/PROMOTIONS & PRESS OFFICER

2. GETTING STARTED The following sections will provide additional help and support for a Club Marketing/Promotions and Press Officer in key areas of the role. This resource contains additional information to the ASA Good Club guides, and should be read in conjunction with the other ASA Good Club Guides, available through the British Swimming website at www.britishswimming.org

3. HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE • As a reference to assist you/others in their role • To assist a club in recruiting volunteers by giving information about a role • To prompt discussions at your club about the standards and qualities of volunteers needed • As part of an induction for a new volunteer at the club • To input into the development /action plan for the club

4. ACTIVITY 1: HOW DOES THAT FIT WITH YOUR ROLE? Using the role description in the ASA Good club guide for a Marketing/Promotions and Press officer, consider how this relates to you, and the role you are doing / could be doing in the future? E.g. are there areas, as a marketing/promotions and press officer that you may need to consider as part of your role having read the above information?

5. ACTIVITY 2: WHAT MARKETING ACTIVITIES DOES YOUR CLUB DO? From the activities listed within the ASA Good Club Guide for a Marketing/Promotions and press officer, tick the activities that your club does and then in the next column note how effective/useful these are for the club currently (be honest too!)

6. ACTIVITY 3: THE CLUB’S CURRENT MARKETING MIX With reference to the ASA Good Club Guide for a Marketing/Promotions and press officer, list how and your club currently contributes to the marketing mix.

8. ACTIVITY 3: THE CLUB’S FUTURE MARKETING MIX Use the table below to write down where your club can develop and grow in the following areas

10. ACTIVITY 5: WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW? Based upon the above activities, what will your top 3 recommendations be to focus your club’s marketing and promotions strategy upon? Who do you need to tell/ what do you need to do with this recommendation?

11. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: PRODUCING A CLUB MARKETING PLAN Just like a club strategic plan, the objective of a marketing plan is to provide specific, measurable guidance to your club in relation to its marketing activities. Without such a plan, marketing activities are likely to be ineffective, expensive or not be given the priority they require.

12. BENEFITS OF YOUR CLUB HAVING A MARKETING PLAN • Guides the club in its marketing and activities • Enables the club think and plan ahead • Assists in selecting the most appropriate / relevant marketing activities • Helps a club to pre-empt and plan prepare for change • Focuses best use of the club’s funding and resources • Results provide tangible evidence of improvements/increases etc

13. The structure and design of marketing plans varies, however commonly used categories include

14. TOP TIP If you have lots of actions here that may seem daunting for one person, think about how you should share the workload with other volunteers at the club, or perhaps prioritise and schedule the actions required over a longer period of time, within your club action plan. You could share your thoughts with your club Chairperson or Workforce Co-ordinator.

15. ACTIVITY 6: WHAT MEDIA ACTIVITIES DOES YOUR CLUB DO? From the media activities listed within the ASA Good Club Guide for a Marketing/Promotions and press officer, tick the activities that your club does and then in note how effective/useful these are for the club currently (be honest too!)

17. ACTIVITY 7: WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW? Based upon the above activities, what will your top 3 recommendations be to focus your club’s future media activities upon? Who do you need to tell/ what do you need to do with this recommendation?

18. An example of a media release from a local swimming club For immediate release Billfish Swimming Club Swimming Festival – It’s Your Sport The inaugural “Billfish Swimming Club - Swimming Festival” will be held on the [date to be inserted], and it’s an event for “everyone”.  The “Festival” will run each day from 9am to 4pm and will be held at the Billfish Aquatic Centre, on the corner of Smith and Devlin streets, Swimville, UK.  The aim of the festival is to encourage participation by all sections of the community in the sport of Swimming. The activities such as swimming, synchronized swimming, diving, mini-polo along with expert coaching and a series of races and activities.  There will be coaching sessions for juniors, beginners and experienced swimmers. “The Festival will also expose the local community to the wide range of services offered by the highly qualified and experienced staff of the Billfish Club”, explained Mrs Belinda Side, Club President.  “Those wishing to learn new skills, or develop their swimming, will be given coaching tips by qualified teachers and coaches, and/or have some fun with some of Britain’s best young swimmers will have a great time.”.  “Those wishing to attend the festival at any stage over the weekend can do so at no cost.” --------------------------------------------------ENDS------------------------------------------------- For further information: Mrs Belinda Side Phone/Fax: Date: Monday 6 September 2007.

19. ACTIVITY 8: SELF REFLECTION ACTIVITY What could you do to gain further experience in being a marketing/promotions and press officer having now read this resource? Eg. Have a go at preparing a marketing plan and sharing with the chair of the club      What information might be useful for you to follow up / gain further information on to help you during you term of office as a marketing/promotions and press officer?

20. Who are the people who will be important for you to speak / communicate with in order to achieve the above and why? What further help do you need in developing your skills as a marketing/promotions and press officer? (You may be able to discuss this with the ASA Communications department or your ASA Regional Office)

21. 12 months from today, what is the one thing you would like to have achieved in being a fundraising and sponsorship officer? TIP: Set a reminder in your phone / diary / calendar that you have committed to doing this, and to re-visit this page!

22. SUMMARY We hope you have found this guide informative in guiding you in your role, and providing you with information and helpful tips. We wish you a great experience in your role and thank you once again for all your time and commitment you are giving to the sport.

23. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The ASA are grateful for the contributions and input from the ASA Volunteer working group in ensuring these resources are written and reviewed by volunteers, for volunteers. These resources also draw upon the work developed by swim21 clubs, runningsports and Volunteering England. The ASA would like to acknowledge and thank these organisations for their support and permission in using the work they have completed.