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Sports Facility Business Plan

Read eSoft Planner’s blog and news section to learn tips and tricks that can help you with your sports facility business plan using scheduling software. Your sports facility will grow with a business and marketing plan in place.

Use Room Scheduling Programs to Rent Rooms in Churches and Schools

Room Scheduling Program Features to Optimize Your Business

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Churches, schools, and libraries usually have rooms that they want to rent out. Businesses can have conference rooms left empty when their employees aren’t using them. Renting them out can increase their revenue. Organizing the rentals of all those rooms can be difficult, especially when it’s the responsibility of volunteers or employees with a lot of other work on their hands. One way to easily solve this issue is by taking advantage of room scheduling program software.

Room Scheduling Program Features 

Lots of locations still use paper or spreadsheets to track their rentals. With room scheduling software, it is far easier for clients to book – they just have to visit the page online! Organizers can track their rentals and view reports on pricing and scheduling much faster. Here are some amazing features that our room scheduling software offers: 

Pricing Features

  • Peak pricing for busy times 
  • Offer prepaid or unpaid options during scheduling
  • Send invoices with payment via the web

Customization Features

  • Custom durations and pricing 
  • Offer special rates per group or scheduling rights
  • Ability to offer add-ons (such as for projectors) 
  • Limit how far people can schedule or how much notice you need

Access and Booking Features

  • Access from desktop and custom mobile app
  • No double booking
  • Offer email or text reminders
  • Get signed waivers for liability and cancellation policies 

Conclusion

Room scheduling software can be valuable for all sorts of organizations, from churches to businesses. Empty rooms can be costly for an organization, with a single empty conference room costing your business $6789 per year. In addition, these empty rooms can be used for multiple reasons by people willing to rent them. Make the organization easier for your company and start using room scheduling software.

For more information on how eSoft Planner’s scheduling and management software, including our room scheduling program, can benefit you, schedule a demo with us today. 

Send Automated Communications through Email or Text Message

Sports Facility Operations: Automated Communications

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Did you know that you can reduce no-shows by 29% with automated reminders? Automated communications via text and email can benefit your facility in many ways, including reducing no-shows. Our software utilizes these to send a variety of messages for your customers and staff. 

Features For Automated Communications

Here are some features of our software that will make your facility more streamlined:

Client Communications

  • Confirm any order or scheduled event via email
  • Send reminders by text or email for scheduled events
  • Remind your client of your cancellation policy
  • Confirm all reschedules and cancellations

Staff Communications

  • Confirm lessons or camps booked
  • Send reminders (itinerary) of their day
  • Notify them of all reschedules and cancellations

Benefits For the Facility

  1. Improves customer services: Now, you don’t have to miss any communications. All reminders and confirmations will be sent easily. With personalized messages, it will improve the relationship between you and your customers. 
  2. Reduces administrative costs: The services can do all the automated text and email communications. You don’t have to pay someone just to send out messages to your customers. Also, no need to show someone how to send all those communications themselves – it will just send automatically! 
  3. Improves staff communication: Staff can easily check their schedules and plan for the day. They don’t have to worry about missing any appointments or messages.

Conclusion

Automated communications can be very beneficial for your facility. Not only will it save you time and money, but it will also improve your communication and your customers’ impressions. 

To take advantage of our software’s automated communications, request a demo. 

Mobile Lesson Booking Software

Top Questions About Lesson Booking Software

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Introduction

Instructors with strong followings and clientele often have issues with booking clients. eSoft’s individual instructor lesson booking software is designed to be affordable and customizable. For those wondering about how this system can fit into their lives, read more to get top questions about this software answered. 

1. What Should I Look For In Lesson Booking Software?

A good lesson scheduling app should make your life easier! First, it should automate processes like sending reminders and notifications to clients/instructors. Next, allow instructors to set their own schedule to book whenever they are available. It should be able to collect payments from clients ahead of time, reducing the risk of cancellation and driving business. Lastly, it should include any features that pertain specifically to your industry. 

2. Who Could Benefit From It?

This program is mainly for instructors who are looking for an affordable program to help with clients scheduling and tracking their lessons. Any type of instructor can use it – from sports to arts and photography! If you need help booking clients, it’s perfect for you. 

3. What Are The Benefits of Lesson Booking Software?

There are multiple benefits! First, it saves instructors time – they don’t have to worry about messaging back and forth with clients, as they can book online at any time. Clients will also get automated message reminders. Also, it saves instructors money. In fact, some businesses reached a 30% to 45% revenue increase with scheduling software. It reduces the risk of cancellations and requires upfront payment.

The software is completely customizable. It can be branded for each instructor’s own business. It has features that can’t be found anywhere else – like back-to-back availability and location priority. These will force clients to book lessons one after another to reduce the waste of time. Lastly, instructors can see detailed reporting on their lessons and revenue. 

4. Will This Help My Customers?

Yes! The software makes it easier for clients to schedule and reschedule appointments at any time or place they want. They can access their schedule on their phone. Also, they will get automated reminders so they don’t need to worry about remembering when/where their lessons are! They can store payment methods to make the check-out process quick and simple. Lastly, they should be able to view a detailed payment history.

5. How Do Clients Book Appointments?

Clients will be able to access your app via your website or any social media accounts. Then, they will create their own family profiles and sign off on liability/registration waivers. Once their account is fully created, they can book and pay for lessons on their own time 24/7. 

6. Can I Schedule Group Lessons With This Software?

Absolutely! Instructors can choose to offer group and/or individual appointments for clients to book. This allows your clients to do the booking themselves, reducing time spent booking clients yourself. 

7. What Do I Do If I Have Multiple Instructors, Locations, or Types of Appointments?

The software is customizable, making it easy for someone to put in all of the above! It includes categories that you can change for each type of appointment. Also, it’s easy to add instructors and locations. There are options for instructors to add location priority, so they don’t have to worry about going back and forth to different locations for multiple appointments. They can also choose to book appointments back-to-back, so there aren’t any long breaks between appointments. 

8. How Long Will It Take to Set Up Lesson Booking Software?

The set of processes is up to you. It can take as little as a week. Once set up, you will have hyper care/close support from an Implementation Specialist for the first six weeks of use. The Implementation Specialist will be the go-to person to train you and set up the software using video meetings. 

Conclusion

If you’re an instructor looking for a new and affordable way to book clients that you don’t have to do yourself, look no further than eSoft Planner’s customizable lesson booking software. 

If you are on the lookout for a web-based lesson scheduling app that fits all of your needs, learn more about eSoft Planner.

eSoft Planner is flexible, affordable, simple, and perfect for small businesses and instructors. Request your free demo today. See how we can help you consolidate effort, save time, and increase revenue.

Pickleball Courts Reserved with Pickleball Club Management Software

Start Growing with Pickleball Club Management Software

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Introduction

Pickleball is exploding both as a sport and as a business. Pickleball is currently the fastest growing sport in the United States, with participation nearly doubling just last year. Facilities with courts will miss out on large amounts of revenue if they haven’t considered running their own pickleball leagues. Take advantage of this growth and add pickleball to your facility today with pickleball club management software.

Improve Efficiency and Seasonal Revenue With Pickleball Club Management Software

Businesses centered around pickleball need to ensure they are efficiently scheduling their court time. With outdoor courts, that court time and demand will be seasonal. It is especially important to manage efficiency, as facilities geared towards specific sports are almost always seasonal. With eSoft Planner’s software, you can offer peak and non-peak pricing based on the time of day or year. That way, you can earn more money when filling spots with higher demand. 

Streamline Your Pickleball Facility with eSoft Planner’s Pickleball Club Management Software

With eSoft Planner’s management software, you can: 

  • Lower admin costs by allowing clients to book their own rentals and lessons
  • Offer 24/7 registration for summer camps/beginner classes and even leagues
  • Become more efficient while spending less time managing the facility’s schedule
  • Improve communication and reduce cancellations with automated email/text reminders 

Conclusion

With the massive growth of pickleball as a sport within the last few years, it would be a great benefit to your business to add it to your facility. It will help your facility grow, especially with the community pickleball currently has. Finally, with the help of eSoft Planner, it will lower admin costs and improve efficiency, even in the off-seasons. 

Want to learn more about how adding pickleball club management software can benefit your facility? Talk with eSoft experts today. Also, if you would like to consult with experts on how to improve your sports facility, visit Sports Facility Expert now. 

PreSelling Memberships Online Are a Good Promotion for New Business

Promotion for New Business – Start Preselling Your Memberships

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Introduction

Are you an existing facility looking to add new products or services? Are you a new facility wanting to add memberships? Do you need to add a promotion for new business? eSoft Planner’s new feature for preselling memberships is perfect for both types of facilities. 

A facility’s membership will have the option to be sold before the start date. The fees will be paid approximately a month before the membership’s start date. It provides opportunities for supportive customers to get it first, and at a discount. 

Promotion For New Business: The Features

A new feature in preselling memberships is that you can set a specific date for the membership to start. That way, you get to choose which day (usually the 1st or the 15th) works best for your facility. Also, staff will be able to buy these memberships for any customers, in case they run into any issues with purchasing the membership themselves. 

Promotion For New Business: The Benefits

One of the main benefits of memberships is that it brings in consistent revenue. With preselling memberships, we can improve cash flow before offering products or services. This extra cash flow allows you to potentially save or invest in expanding the product or service. It is also a good tool for improving customer awareness, especially for newer facilities. 

One of the powers of preselling memberships is the ability to offer special promotions. Oftentimes, facilities will discount a standard membership in order to create the fear of missing out in their new possible customers. This allows them to sell more memberships in advance, which, in return, increases cash flow and improves confidence in your business model. 

Conclusion

eSoft Planner’s new feature for preselling memberships is a great promotion for new businesses. Not only will it increase revenue, but it will also be easy and accessible for your staff and customers to utilize.  

Want to learn more about how preselling memberships can work as a good promotion for your business? Talk to eSoft experts today. If you’re looking for some other ideas on how to improve your business, learn more about our new access control features here or our event tickets options here. Finally, if you want to consult with experts on how to improve your sports facility, visit here. 

Person Scheduling Appointment using Lesson Scheduling Software

Lesson Scheduling Software Benefits

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Introduction

Instructors with strong followings and clientele often have issues with booking clients. By making use of a instructor lesson scheduling software, it can help with client scheduling and lesson tracking. Read more below to find out all the ways it can help you and your business!

1. Lesson Scheduling Software Saves You Time. 

Lesson scheduling software makes it easier for clients to schedule. They can go to a system to schedule or reschedule their own bookings, without having to text or call instructors to ask them to change it every time. It also allows you to automate texts and emails to clients to remind them about appointments. Overall, it saves instructors and business owners a lot of time previously spent organizing client appointments on their own. 

2. Lesson Scheduling Software Saves You Money.

Lesson scheduling software can reduce the risk of cancellations by requiring upfront payment. It also lets you offer different priorities and pricing to different clients based on their “Client Grouping.” Something else it takes off your workload is it allows clients to safely tokenize their payment method to be stored on their client account. This will streamline payments and will also make booking streamlined for your users. 

3. Lesson Scheduling Software Allows For More Customization. 

Anyone who uses lesson scheduling can use this software! Instructors who teach sports, arts, music, and more will find advantages in adding this software to their business. This software is also fully customizable! Each feature can be turned on or off. It has categories you can edit to the types of lessons you offer. You can also change pricing based on season or time of day. Also, you have detailed lesson and financial reports that you can look at and filter by several categories. 

4. Lesson Scheduling Software Helps Instructors. 

eSoft has special features that can be turned on to help instructors manage scheduling and notifications. You can use back-to-back availability, so instructors never have to wait hours between sessions. They can go straight from one lesson to another. It also lets you turn on location consistency, so instructors don’t have to change locations from session to session. They can stay in the same spot! 

Conclusion

Many robust software programs offer systems that are expensive and include extra features that you would never use that they charge you for. That is why we created an individual instructor program at eSoft Planner to be able to offer instructors an affordable scheduling app that can be branded to help launch their own businesses. 

If you are on the lookout for a lesson scheduling app with a web-based app that fits all of your needs, learn more about eSoft Planner.

eSoft Planner is flexible, affordable, simple, and perfect for small businesses and instructors. Request your free demo today. See how we can help you consolidate effort, save time, and increase revenue.

Plus, Follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn to stay current on industry news and the latest from eSoft Planner.

Youth organization scheduling for urban community athletics programs with baseball fields, tennis courts, and parking lots.

Youth Organization Scheduling Software Benefits

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A youth organization is a machine with many moving parts. What’s more, each part needs a volunteer (or volunteers) to ensure they run properly. With volunteer priorities focused on the kids, organization and facilities management can fall short. That is why investing in a youth organization scheduling software is highly beneficial to all key players in the organization. 

Whether your youth organization includes indoor/outdoor court scheduling, indoor/outdoor field scheduling, or all of the above, the benefits are endless. So take a look at a few things to consider when choosing facility management software.

1. Save Field/Court Coordinator’s Time 

A Field/Court Coordinator’s workload can be cut in half. With online scheduling software, they no longer have to answer calls, texts, and emails on availability and scheduling. And, they don’t have to organize and update the calendar to avoid double booking. As a result, they can focus on facility maintenance.

2. Give Coaches Flexibility

In short, a coach’s first job is not coaching. Creating ease and simplicity will prevent headaches. Let coaches focus on their passion – teaching kids to play their sport. Most youth organization scheduling software options include many features for coaches to schedule. This includes games and practices, as well as adding on details such as field maintenance and light requests. Coaches won’t have to worry about these details on game day and coordinators will be aware ahead of time. 

3. Customize and Organize

A field or court scheduling software can be customized to fit any organization’s needs. For example, some youth organizations give each team a set number of field/court reservations and games per season. But they don’t have a tracking system in place to keep count. Scheduling software can handle this tracking. In addition, the software offers features like:

  • special field hours,
  • restrictions on booking in advance, and
  • rules for the amount of notice needed for cancellations.

4. E-Commerce Capabilities 

No more checks/cash exchanges and bank trips. A youth organization scheduling software allows coaches from outside organizations to reserve field or court space, and pay for it on the spot.  

A Youth Organization Scheduling App Makes It Even More Mobile

Choosing software with an app brings even more benefits into the mix. Coaches will be able to see the field schedule 24/7 and book their teams from a phone or tablet. Finally, the app offers automated communication. That is, it sends reminders to coaches on their field reservations, any updates from the organization, and more. 

Do you run a youth organization? Are you looking to make everyone’s jobs easier? Learn more about eSoft Planner and how it can help. 

eSoft Planner is flexible, affordable, simple, and perfect for small business owners. Request your free demo today. We can show you how to consolidate effort, save time, increase revenue, and grow your business.

Plus, Follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn to stay current on industry news and the latest from eSoft Planner.

Card Reader and Payment Methods

Venmo/Cash App Are Changing – Here’s How to Approach Future Payment Methods and Credit Card Fees

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There’s some big news in the world of Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, and more peer-to-peer payment methods. Starting January 1, 2022, any seller of goods or services receiving more than $600 per year will receive a 1099-K and be required to report that income on their taxes. This is a game-changer for small businesses that use those platforms for all kinds of payments. 

Not only will the taxes increase on the business, according to an article covering the update, facility owner workload just increased. Owners/managers will need to print all transaction reports, sort through and distinguish each transaction from the peer-to-peer payment apps, and gather invoices and receipts as supporting documentation for the IRS. 

That is a lot of additional work, right in time for the busy season.

Alternative Payment Methods – Credit Cards (But Without The Crazy Fees) 

With credit card companies forcing facility owners into 2-3 year contracts, constantly changing their rates, and requiring monthly minimums – all topped with horrible customer service that will keep you on the phone for hours – payment methods and processing seem like a hopeless case. 

But here’s our approach… 

CardConnect/CardPointe

eSoft Planner’s partner CardConnect/CardPointe is the fix that facility owners are looking for. 

Here are the benefits our team negotiated for facility owners in need of a new payment method: 

  • 2.75% Flat Rate for Visa, Mastercard, and Discover
  • No Monthly Minimums
  • No Contracts 
  • PCI Compliance Check Ins from eSoft Planner – yearly reminders for facility owners
  • Customer Support through eSoft Planner – no bouncing from person to person, we can answer your questions.

Learn more About eSoft Planner.

eSoft Planner is flexible, affordable, simple, and perfect for small business owners. Request your free demo today to see how we can help you consolidate effort, save time, increase revenue, and grow your business.

Plus, Follow us on Facebook to stay current on industry news and the latest from eSoft Planner.

Sports Facility Management Software

Facility Management Software is a Timely Choice

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The temperatures are rising, the sun is coming out, and your facilities are slowing down. It may be your first instinct to sit back and relax, but this is the perfect time to evaluate your business. Ask yourself, what performed well this year, and what could have performed better? Could facility management software have increased our performance?

Here are a few things to consider:

  • Did your packages and memberships sell? 
  • Are your instructors generating enough revenue to support your staff expenses?
  • Did you see results from your marketing practices?
  • Am I using the right Sports Facility Management Software? 

If you answered no to any of these questions, it may be time to make a change. 

Overall, these fixes come down to facility management. Instructors need to be scheduled efficiently to ensure the facility hits – and hopefully surpasses – its revenue goals. A lack of sales with packages and memberships can come down to selling processes, and time restrictions for your staff to make the sale. For example, is staff only selling during open business hours? Marketing can come from a lack of information and consistency within the practices set by the facility management. 

Find the Right Solution

Finally, if now is the time to make a change, the right facility management software is likely the solution. There are plenty on the market that can handle your rentals, camps, and daily classes, but make sure they can do so much more. The right software will open up 24/7 sales/purchase capabilities by allowing clients to purchase rentals and memberships anytime online. Also, your system should track marketing information like emails and phone numbers. Lastly, the system can cut down on expenses – no more paying staff to answer phones or handle the schedule. It is all done for you! 

Using the off-season is CRUCIAL to implement a (new) system effectively for you and your staff. The convenience of the software comes once it is fully adapted through education and testing for each facility. Do the research, learn the software, and test before your business ramps up again. 

Learn more about eSoft Planner.

eSoft Planner is flexible, affordable, simple, and perfect for small business owners. Request your free demo today to see how we can help you consolidate effort, save time, increase revenue, and grow your business.

Plus, follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn to stay current on industry news and the latest from eSoft Planner.

24/7 Access

The 24/7 Facility Access Trend

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Sports facilities have to go through shifts and follow trends, just like every other business. The key is to maximize each trend and market shift for growth and revenue opportunities. Potential clients no longer want to be limited to a facility’s schedule. Instead, they expect easy access whenever they can fit it into their busy days. This is why the 24-hour fitness facilities are taking off. If you want your facility to stay at the top of its game and offer a great first impression, 24/7 facility access to equipment and machines will put you ahead of your competitors.

To many, though, this seems like an intimidating thing to offer. Questions like: Who will work those late night/early morning hours? How will I ensure proper care is being taken with equipment and machines? How much more staffing expenses will this rack up?

Don’t stress. Before you fall down the black hole of questions and concerns, know there is a solution. Third-party access control companies can handle it all for you… through digital technology.

24/7 Access Abilities

There are plenty of third-party systems with a variety of capabilities, but here are the basics. The system you choose will allow you to set access restrictions for memberships and rentals. Think of it like those commercialized 24-hour gyms like Anytime Fitness, Planet Fitness, etc. Based on your needs/wants, you can choose a system that uses key fobs, barcodes, an app on the client’s phones, or even fingerprint technology to give access to members and renters. Based on membership levels and rental packages, you can design your access system to give different varieties of access and permissions within the facility.

Depending on what your facility offers, this can be as simple or as complex as needed. Some facilities will require reservations. Though others will allow a first-come, first-serve policy with the machines and equipment. A feature that many facilities like is the time restriction feature of access control software. Facilities can set limits that allow access to begin 10 minutes before the rental/space reservation and will last 10 minutes into the reserved time. When the client misses their reservation, it is canceled and will not allow interference with any other reserved spots. This keeps clear guidelines in place and restricts the ability to abuse the freedom that digital access offers.

Security System

Not having someone to monitor the 24/7 facility access can make some owners nervous. However, these third-party systems thought ahead and provide systems within the digital technology to ensure safety and security within the facility. Many systems have a camera connection that will turn on security cameras every time someone enters the facility. The scanning procedure also allows facility managers to know exactly who is entering and exiting the facility at exact times. Facility owners will always be able to keep an eye on the machines, equipment, and client behavior as necessary.

24/7 Revenue Opportunities

Many of you are probably wondering – why is it so important to use software like this? Why can’t we just extend our hours and have staff in the facility for more hours during the day? Well… you could, but why add those unnecessary expenses and continue to limit the revenue opportunities. These systems help cut facility staff expenses AND it opens up more time to make money for the facility. Use an access control system with or without staff in the building. Running 24/7 provides more opportunities for booking rentals and reservations. This means more money without the expense of hiring a person to open the door.

Overall, 24/7 facility access is where the industry is moving. Gain the advantage over your competitors and hop on the trend while it is still early. Lay out a list of what you need, do your research, and extend those hours of operation.

Consider another added feature in this process – compatibility with facility management software. For instance, eSoft Planner is teaming with a third-party access control system and implementing it in the upcoming new version. You limit expenses and maximize revenue with everything done in a single app. Keep that in mind in your search for the perfect fit.

Learn more About eSoft Planner.

eSoft Planner is flexible, affordable, simple, and perfect for small business owners. Request your free demo today to see how we can help you consolidate effort, save time, increase revenue, and grow your business.

Plus, Follow us on Facebook to stay current on industry news and the latest from eSoft Planner.

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