Welcome to the great outdoors of marketing, where standing out means lighting up your campground’s presence like a campfire in the night. If you’re a campground owner, part of a marketing team, or a decision-maker eager to pitch your tent in the perfect spot online, you’ve found your map. Today, we’re exploring 5 effective campground marketing strategies to attract more campers this season – hello 2024! Drawing from the latest insights, like the Outdoor Industry Associations 2023 Industry Report, that the outdoor recreation participant base grew 2.3 percent in 2022 to a record 168.1 million participants or 55 percent of the U.S. population ages six and older, our guide is your compass to navigating the trails of digital marketing for campgrounds. With our strategies, your site bookings will be as full as a campsite on a holiday weekend. So, grab your marketing gear as we set out on the path to increased bookings and a bustling season ahead.
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Optimize Your Website for Campers’ Convenience: Ensure your website is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and loaded with essential information like rates, availability, amenities, and local attractions. Implement SEO best practices with keywords like “campground marketing” and “increase campground bookings” to improve visibility. Consider adding a virtual tour to give potential campers a glimpse of the adventure that awaits. For more information on how to do this, read our latest blog article here.
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Leverage Social Media to Build Your Community: Use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to showcase the beauty and fun of your campground. Post engaging content, including stunning visuals, happy camper testimonials, and special offers. Encourage user-generated content to boost your credibility and attract more campers. Learn more about organic social media strategies with our blog post here.
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Engage with Email Marketing Campaigns: Keep your campground top of mind with regular email updates. Share exciting news, seasonal promotions, and exclusive deals to entice previous visitors to return and welcome new faces. Make sure your emails are mobile-friendly and visually appealing. We do a great article about email newsletters here.
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Foster Partnerships with Local Businesses: Collaborate with local attractions, restaurants, and outdoor gear shops to offer bundled deals or discounts. This not only enhances the camping experience but also encourages local businesses to recommend your campground, leading to increased site bookings. It is additionally a reminder to make sure your local SEO is up to date, so campers can find both you and the local attractions they are looking for in their search.
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Utilize Paid Advertising Wisely: Invest in targeted ads on Google and social media platforms to reach potential campers actively searching for their next getaway. Use compelling visuals and persuasive copy that speaks to the heart of the camping experience. We talk a lot about how to get started with this in our blog article here.