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Boost Pro Shop Revenue With Effective Sales Programs
Aug 19, 2022
A racquet club pro shop’s goal is maximizing its revenue per customer. There are several different tactics managers can apply to increase their profitability and take advantage of players who are looking for a deal. Court-fee play, memberships, food and beverage, and pro shop sales are income streams that can lead to an increase in revenue. Within each revenue stream many specific opportunities exist for racquet clubs to produce more...
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Pickleball’s Growth Reveals New Trends and Controversies
Aug 19, 2022
Pickleball has never been more popular than it is today. No one could have predicted that 55 years after the sport was invented by three dads looking to keep their children occupied during the summer months that pickleball would perennially be named the nation’s fastest growing sport. Pickleball grew in 2020 to 4.2 million players in the U.S., for a growth rate of 21.3% compared to the previous year, according to the Sports &...
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Affiliate marketing programs adds value to members and generates club revenue
Aug 19, 2022
Racquet club members are a coveted demographic for affiliated marketing companies. The reasoning to bring on affiliated marketing programs can be compelling for a membership director or general manager. First, these programs bring value to members, because getting discounts on apparel, equipment and services like lessons appeals to everyone—we all like to get a deal. Second, the racquet club can make a commission percentage off...
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How to Get New Racquet Club Members Through Social Media
Aug 19, 2022
Social media like Facebook and Instagram are more popular than ever—research shows people will spend more than five years of their life using social media. For racquet and paddle sports clubs, having a robust social media program is a great way to keep members connected—and to attract new members. Here at the South Towns Tennis Club in Orchard Park, New York, where I am the Executive Director of Racquets, we are using a...
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Staffing In The Age Of Racquets
Aug 19, 2022
If you have ever heard me speak, read any of my articles or (let’s face it) work in the hospitality industry you know that we are living in the Age of Racquets. It is no longer enough to just be great at running tennis programs. The consistent growth in other racquet sports such as pickleball and paddle have lead to an unprecedented demand for racquets. This will change how we staff, program, teach and ultimately connect the dots from...
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How Far Can Pickleball Grow?
Aug 19, 2022
Kyle Whatnall represents the quintessential young pickleball player the sport is hoping to continue to attract if it wants to continue to be the leader in the competitive racquet and paddle space. The 23-year-old Southern California resident Whatnall played soccer in college and upon graduation two years ago settled into a full-time job with a national sports public relations firm. Seeking a competitive outlet, Whatnall quickly became a...
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5 Keys to Hiring a Great Racquet Teaching Pro
Aug 19, 2022
Making a great hire for your racquet club teaching professional position is challenging. The true “cost” of making a poor hire extends beyond the balance sheet—it can set the club back in membership and reputation. Club managers, however, can use objective criteria to identify great teaching professionals during the interview process. You don’t have to rely on your gut in today’s information-packed world. The...
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Why Tennis and Pickleball Instructors and Clubs Need Racquet-Pros.com
Aug 19, 2022
When racquet clubs need racquet sport professionals—and when qualified instructors or directors need teaching jobs—how can these two parties meet? Today’s hyper-fast environment and competitive marketplace makes it challenging to find the right person or position, at the right time, in the right location. It can be extremely challenging and time consuming on managers and owners to find the right fit. Relax. We have the...
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Welcome to Racquet-Pros
Aug 19, 2022
Mike Manzella is an experienced racquet club teaching professional and has been a certified p-1 Performance, Adult, and 10 & under member of the United States Professional Tennis Registry since 2005. Mike’s international experience, coaching in Austria, England, the Virgin Islands, and the U.S. has helped shaped his vision for the racquet sport industry. He founded Racquet-Pros.com in 2020 after finding just how difficult it was...
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USPTA World Conference Makes Triumphant In-Person Return
Oct 01, 2021
LAS VEGAS – Hundreds of tennis and court sport directors and teaching pros attended the annual United States Tennis Professional Tennis Association World Conference from Sept 19 to Sept 23, at the Westgate Resort in Las Vegas, marking a successful in-person return following a one-year hiatus because of the COVID pandemic. “With the explosive growth racquet sports has been experiencing, it’s encouraging and exciting to see...
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