What is the best marketing strategy for my client a diving instructor?

22 replies
I have a client who is a diving instructor. He travels around the world. He works in exotic locations. So, I have every reason to hate him. Of course, this is a joke and I want to help him the best I can. So, here are some things to know about his situation. He definitely wants to move the things to the higher level. This is something I would do, if I were him. He plans to invest tens of thousands of dollars in the certification process. Very few guys in his field of work have them at the moment. Now, he has every right to benefit from this investment and do his best to get the money back and profit, as well. Here's his situation.

He will launch a website at the beginning of 2017. We are working hard on the content. He makes notes and I turn them into quality content. He has a lot to say about his work. Now, the important thing to remember is that his website and services aren't oriented toward guys like you and me, who want to do some occasional diving while on holiday. My client provides services to future diving instructors. Guys who want to learn diving as pros are my client's future clients. So, as a part of our content marketing strategy he will show that he knows his stuff. Obviously, diving is much more than knowing which piece of equipment to choose. Now, here comes the part where we need some help.

He told me that he keeps a record of all of his students. This guy was methodical about his work and his working records. I saw excel files with hundreds and hundreds of emails, names, addresses, phones, and other contact data. Yet, there's a problem. These people already went through his diving school. They got what they wanted and they are already working as divers. This is something I already discussed with my client. I said that we can expect from some of them to wish to get additional certificates and training. This is something my client can definitely help them with. But not all of them wish to improve. That's the first problem.

The main goal is to attract new divers. How? Well, he can certainly take an advantage of his existing network of former students. They can recruit and recommend him to new students. OK, we can send emails to them informing them about my client's decision to offer new type of services. We can create a Facebook group and invite all former students. However, we still haven't solved the problem of attracting the newbie inexperienced divers planning to get their first certificates. As you could have expected, the competition is tough. There are schools and some well-known names in this business. On the other side, my client has built a respectable reputation for himself. So, this is a fight worth fighting.

Needless to day that if my client prospers I will be also able to keep my job. I mean if he gets more clients and more work to do, I will be in a position to take care of all other things, regular blog maintenance, emails, newsletters, and similar. So, this is supposed to be a win-win for both us. However, we need to do something first and attract all those clients. How?
#client #diving #instructor #marketing #strategy
  • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
    To start, you need to take a hard look at the competition. What does your client have that they do not have? Usually there is something. It could be as simple as location. People may prefer to get their diving instruction at a certain location, for whatever reason.

    Once you find a point of difference, and are sure that it's something that would have big appeal to a portion of prospects, build the business around that.

    Good luck,
    Marcia Yudkin
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    • Profile picture of the author technotronic
      Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

      To start, you need to take a hard look at the competition. What does your client have that they do not have? Usually there is something. It could be as simple as location. People may prefer to get their diving instruction at a certain location, for whatever reason.

      Once you find a point of difference, and are sure that it's something that would have big appeal to a portion of prospects, build the business around that.

      Good luck,
      Marcia Yudkin
      Well, I guess that is one of the rare good things about his situation. It's some kind of a closed system when it comes to these instructors. These guys aren't what you may call tech-savvy. They rely on word of mouth references. So, in a way, my client can really do some serious damage to the competition with this new approach. On the other hand, the more I work and talk with him, I realize that in this business it's about geography. It's all about the location where you are at the moment. So, there are slim chances that someone can jeopardize you. These guys are also territorial among other things. Yet, you made your point. I will definitely suggest to the client that we do one thorough scan of the competition. We also have to be careful who are we going to treat as the legitimate competition worh of our attention and focus. Thx. TT
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  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
    I would stick a banner on Gum tree and I am not kidding it works , GT is international so you will get traffic and if this bloke is traveling a lot you an set up meet and greets anlong the way

    Jason
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  • Profile picture of the author domain finder
    In my opinion, in order to attract newbies into diving is first to show them what they are in for. Why don't you start with videos of your client's diving expeditions or tour and create a plan from there. You mentioned he travels a lot and he should be able to do that, he will be able to set up diving expeditions along with lessons on how to dive.
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    • Profile picture of the author technotronic
      Originally Posted by domain finder View Post

      In my opinion, in order to attract newbies into diving is first to show them what they are in for. Why don't you start with videos of your client's diving expeditions or tour and create a plan from there. You mentioned he travels a lot and he should be able to do that, he will be able to set up diving expeditions along with lessons on how to dive.
      Oh, this is great! How come I haven't thought of that in the first place, lol. I will have to sell this idea as one of my own and impress the client, lol. Just kidding. I recommended the forum thing, but he was all busy and you do it. So, I'm thinking about a YouTube channel. I completely forgot about it to tell you the truth. He mentioned that there's a catch when you make this underwater photos. You have to use these top quality cameras which happened to be insanely expensive. Not a word about the videos, though. But my best guess is that you can't make a picture without making a video, can you? This is something I definitely need to check with him. He is a fair player. Meaning that if I suggest ideas that work I can expect more work for myself. Thank you one more time. TT
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  • Profile picture of the author blackli0n
    For some like this, I'd create a batch of useful content that those diving instructors can pass off to their students or other local divers.

    - Best places to dives in [location]
    - Top 10 things to do before your first dive
    - 10 Awesome things divers will see underwater (put photos)

    Etc. and etc.
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    • Profile picture of the author technotronic
      Originally Posted by blackli0n View Post

      For some like this, I'd create a batch of useful content that those diving instructors can pass off to their students or other local divers.

      - Best places to dives in [location]
      - Top 10 things to do before your first dive
      - 10 Awesome things divers will see underwater (put photos)

      Etc. and etc.
      We are already working on the list of the most suitable topics. These are some great ideas to attract attention. Appreciated.
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  • Repackaging the perspective of your client would be a good idea. I think you guys could approach this diving school by levels, determine locations that are for beginners, level 1 and so on, and build modules or how-tos from those perspective. It's like making his former students realize that they still have a lot to learn, similar to having exhibitions or mastery in taekwondo or something. I hope that helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author technotronic
      Originally Posted by raven lodge motel View Post

      Repackaging the perspective of your client would be a good idea.
      You made me think about this repackaging idea. Yes, he will get these new certificates. Meaning, his students will be in a position to improve. He explained me how it works. The more certified you get, so to speak, the more work you get. You can dive deeper and longer, get access to some exclusive locations so it makes sense. I'm gonna show off with this fancy term "repackaging perspective" that's for sure, lol. Thx.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    Ok so you already got the video advice so I won't go on about that too much, except to say that he could create a bigger plan for the purpose of the videos, so that he can create short term useful content while also creating something more substantial. For example - if he thinks about what an ideal training video would be (could be online or DVD) and then set out the chapters and create videos that can be used for short term marketing but also end up being a full course. (could deliver online as membership on a monthly basis rather than have to finish the whole course before starting to sell).

    He could find existing Youtube channels and contact their owners to have them interview him or advertise him.

    Then - my other advice is for him to find travel agents that special in waters sports holidays and come to some mutually beneficial arrangements for them to refer their holiday bookers to him for lessons. Anyone booking a diving holiday can probably understand the value of some training and he could collaborate with some holiday destinations to offer training while he's in their area. These could also then create great testimonials to use in his videos etc.

    Basically - don't try and go find the new customers - find people who are already talking to them and work with them. Think ahead about content and make sure it can be used for multiple purposes.

    Also look at what locations are in the news / celebrity vacations etc. and push out social media comments for trending subjects.

    Andy
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    nothing to see here.

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    • Profile picture of the author technotronic
      Andy,

      Actually, you made me think about the YouTube/video idea from a completely different angle. This is something I would definitely recommend to my client. We have already discussed the eBooks. Now, sending a DVD, or better to say allowing them to download some video content exclusively really sounds great. This guy has a lot of interesting things to show, that's obvious. He just needs to organize and focus. So, I really expect some repetitive work here I can benefit from.

      Thanks again,
      TT
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  • Profile picture of the author Mattj84
    The best game plan would be to go to the Google keyword planner tool and find some keywords that get visitors every month for they diving niche. Once you have the keywords, get a website with a domain name (ideally with the #1 keyword in the name) to drive traffic too.

    From here they can post some articles using the keywords to help boost organic seo. He can also do some pay per click ads to drive targeted traffic to his site as well. Facebook would probably be the best way to do that as it can get super-laser targeted and supply a ton of quality leads!

    That's like a 10,000 foot view, but is an easy and affordable way to get started! Hope that helps
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    • Profile picture of the author technotronic
      Originally Posted by Mattj84 View Post

      The best game plan would be to go to the Google keyword planner tool and find some keywords that get visitors every month for they diving niche. Once you have the keywords, get a website with a domain name (ideally with the #1 keyword in the name) to drive traffic too.

      From here they can post some articles using the keywords to help boost organic seo. He can also do some pay per click ads to drive targeted traffic to his site as well. Facebook would probably be the best way to do that as it can get super-laser targeted and supply a ton of quality leads!

      That's like a 10,000 foot view, but is an easy and affordable way to get started! Hope that helps
      Sure thing. It's a start, but we already have a list of things to do. So, we feel confident about them. We are aware of the content importance, but your thing with this Google tool is strongly appreciated. Have to check with the client about the domain situation. Not sure if has already acquired one, honestly. If it's not too much expensive, then we can get a new one. Also, we talked about Facebook and Twitter ads, but I'm definitely more interested in those related to Facebook. I'm on the same page when it comes to this with my client. Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author PPG19
    All the suggestions you got are good. Is he a certified PADI instructor? If yes he could get listed on the PADI website as a certified instructor, he will get many leads from that. Also placing some ads on their site would be great, if you can (i think you can because i have seen ads in their website).
    Everyone that wants to become a certified scuba diving instructor visits that website..
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    • Profile picture of the author technotronic
      Originally Posted by PPG19 View Post

      All the suggestions you got are good. Is he a certified PADI instructor? If yes he could get listed on the PADI website as a certified instructor, he will get many leads from that. Also placing some ads on their site would be great, if you can (i think you can because i have seen ads in their website).
      Everyone that wants to become a certified scuba diving instructor visits that website..
      Here's a guy that knows what we're talking about, lol. Yes, he's certified. Yet, there's a catch. He's eager to exploit the existing contacts first. So, we are talking about hundreds and hundreds of former students. Some of them will wish to get higher level certificates, just like my client is doing right now for himself. Others will be a good source for the precious word of mouth recommendations. That's understandable. So, we need to take care of this first, then I will discuss the official website situation with my client. Not sure how it works and how it's going to cost, to be quite honest about it. Need to make sure this is something he can afford at the moment. Thx. TT
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  • Profile picture of the author tristatemedia
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  • Profile picture of the author marydelacroix
    I would suggest writing an ebook on diving. Building it in such a way that the skills are determined or differentiated on every level, tips and tricks mode of survival. throw in recommendations of equipment and locations, that would surely be useful to beginners and experienced divers. It might not exactly be a unique idea but how you make it will determine its effectiveness.
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    • Profile picture of the author technotronic
      Originally Posted by marydelacroix View Post

      I would suggest writing an ebook on diving. Building it in such a way that the skills are determined or differentiated on every level, tips and tricks mode of survival. throw in recommendations of equipment and locations, that would surely be useful to beginners and experienced divers. It might not exactly be a unique idea but how you make it will determine its effectiveness.
      No worries Mary, every advice is more than welcome. You actually gave me an idea to suggest a series of eBooks to my client. We already talked about a series of videos. So, we should definitely do the same for eBooks. He's going to be busy this time of year. You know how it goes, Christmas and everything. Where he works is quite warm this time of the year, lol. Yet, as soon as he finishes, we will have plenty of time to do some quality of work. So, I'm making a list of ideas based on the suggestions I got here. Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    If he already has 100s of clients/divers, why aren't you repeating what he has already done to get additional clients/divers?

    If it's not broke, don't fix it.
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  • Profile picture of the author EDWARD COLLEY
    Would your client consider partnering with his former students sort of upping the diving game? I think that could work in the sense that you build a network of diving schools and your client manages the certifications for future diving instructors.
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    • Profile picture of the author technotronic
      Originally Posted by EDWARD COLLEY View Post

      Would your client consider partnering with his former students sort of upping the diving game? I think that could work in the sense that you build a network of diving schools and your client manages the certifications for future diving instructors.
      That's really an interesting idea Edward. I will definitely suggest that to the client. To tell you the truth, he's really a cool guy. I'm not saying that because he is a client of mine. That's a fact. So, he isn't some kind of an egomaniac. You take people under the surface. Those are always potentially dangerous situation. So, he has this trait of personality to be ready always to help. And he is definitely not in some kind of a mood, I decided to be rich. So, I'm sure he would gladly accept this idea. How come I haven't thought of it, lol. Thx.
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  • Profile picture of the author aizaku
    for certain focus on video content

    diving lends itself to the visual

    have your client build out a youtube channel

    -Ike Paz
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  • Profile picture of the author MPPTrainer
    Facebook, Youtube, Direct Mail, Advertisements in Diving Magazines, websites, and blogs. Train the Trainer course including Destination Diving Throughout The Year (20 to 30K)

    Websites are 2006, they're boring, and they're not necessary. If you are going to use one, it should be simply as a place to hold all your content and people can look at all the content there.

    Create the content, get some waterproof bags, a go pro camera, get underwater and go diving with him. Let him explain his stuff on youtube and build a following, then post that stuff on facebook and promote it. Get an opt-in page and thank you page, and hold webinars to teach people how lucrative the profession can be, and how amazing it is.

    Then get people to sign up for the 20 to 30K program to become professional diving instructors, have perks of Destination dives, and have them become world trained divers.

    Just some ideas!
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