| A lot of sports facilities owners find they have a | | | | and most importantly work hours. All they have to |
| great marketplace, all the right people, and state of | | | | do is select the right instructor for them and then |
| the art systems, and yet find that their facilities are | | | | slot in an appointment in an available space. |
| not booked solid. People tend to prefer just a few | | | | Focus on bigger issues |
| slots a day, and for much of the rest the instructors | | | | Using a phone only booking system means that you |
| and facilities are left idle. | | | | and your staff will often find yourselves tied up on |
| Most of the time, this isn't due to a lack of interest in | | | | the lines just booking appointments. You might be |
| a facility, it's a lack of facilitation. Remember that we | | | | able to spend your time more productively in other |
| are living in the computer age. People just don't like | | | | areas, and using an online appointment system will |
| to communicate in the traditional way. The days of | | | | allow you to do just that. |
| the phone appointment are rapidly fading, in favor of | | | | Expand your client base |
| the more convenient and less consuming Internet | | | | Have you ever sat around at night, thinking how |
| appointment. | | | | much you would like a burger, and wishing that your |
| Every facility which offers sports instruction would do | | | | favorite restaurant delivered? |
| well to include a program on their website which | | | | That's what we call impulsive thinking, and the truth is |
| allows customers to make their appointments online. | | | | people have it for just about every business aspect |
| Incorporating such a program will benefit your | | | | there is. Who knows how many potential clients you |
| business in several ways. | | | | are missing just because you don't have an online |
| Avoid awkward introductions! | | | | presence! |
| Batting cages, driving ranges, even go kart tracks all | | | | If you were to use an online booking service on your |
| have resident professionals who can improve the | | | | webpage, these clients might be drawn to your |
| skills of interested clients. In fact, this area is where | | | | business. Instead of thinking, "Gee, I'd like to improve |
| many sports businesses make their extra money. If | | | | my tennis game", but letting the thought pass after |
| you're typical, you have several instructors for the | | | | realizing working hours are over, potential clients could |
| same sport, all of whom appeal to clients in different | | | | go to your website, review your successes, and |
| ways. | | | | book an appointment all in a manner of minutes. |
| The problem with using phone appointments to book | | | | Finally, people just like to see what's going on with |
| instructors is that for first time clients (not to | | | | their appointments. We all worry from time to time |
| mention the person who works your phone lines) | | | | that we forgot to book an important appointment. |
| getting the details can take a very long time. If a | | | | With an online appointment system, clients can |
| customer goes online, however, all the information | | | | double check any time they want to ensure that |
| they need about an instructor is right at their | | | | their lessons have been booked and ready to go. |
| fingertips. They can check out biographies, potentials, | | | | |