I was staring at this picture of a confused tennis player—no idea why it drew me in, but it did. It made me think about how folks in the tennis biz often get tangled up in their own to-do lists. You know, running a tennis school or selling tennis gear feels busy, but it’s kinda like being on a treadmill. Moving but not going anywhere.
So, you send out newsletters, fire off posts on Instagram, maybe tweak your homepage a bit. And yeah, launch some ads while you’re at it. Sounds productive, right? Except, it’s not. These things are just tactics, not a strategy. Not to sound all dramatic, but it’s like you’re spinning wheels at full speed.
Okay, wait—what’s the difference, anyway? Good question. So, tactics are all those bits and bobs you do day-to-day. Strategy, on the other hand, is the big picture. It’s like asking, “Who are my people? What makes us… us? What’s the story we’re telling ’em?”
In tennis, it’s easy to fall into this trap. You feel productive, checking things off a list. You know, that quick little rush of accomplishment when you send out an email blast or slap a new reel on Instagram. But without a strategy, you’re just swatting at flies.
Here’s a weird comparison: imagine showing up to play tennis with all the gear but having no idea what the other player’s game is like. You’re just reacting, playing catch-up. No plan, just chaos.
Seen this a lot, especially in tennis. Like, one academy blew a bunch of bucks on Facebook ads but didn’t bother defining who they were even talking to. Guess what? It tanked. Another brand’s Instagram game was strong—daily posts, you name it—but they hadn’t a clue which posts were actually turning into sales. Kinda like shouting into the void.
So, let’s say you actually want to get strategic, right? You don’t need some massive document or anything. Just clear steps. First, think about what makes you unique. Sure, everyone’s got tennis balls, but maybe yours are eco-friendly or super durable. Maybe your academy is the only one offering college placement.
Then, pin down who you’re talking to. Not just “tennis players.” Real specifics. Maybe it’s parents hunting for after-school programs, or juniors eyeing college scholarships. Know their pain points and what lights them up.
Map it out. The journey a customer takes from hearing about you to actually buying in. And, craft messages that hit home. Not just what you do, but why they should care. Like, instead of, “We offer lessons on Saturdays,” maybe go for, “Boost your kid’s game confidence every Saturday.” You see what I mean?
Think about where your crowd is hanging out. Parents might be scrolling Facebook, while coaches might be lurking around LinkedIn or sticking to emails.
And, it’s not just setting goals. It’s knowing why they matter. Is it about new sign-ups, or a boost in website traffic? Whatever you do, measure it, tweak it, do it again.
When you start with strategy, things start to click. Content makes sense, your brand stands out. It’s like hitting every shot with a clear aim.
Most tennis businesses work like crazy. But many confuse staying busy with doing what actually matters. Taking a step back could save a lot of headaches.
If all of this sounds like Greek to you and you need a bit of help, hit up ResourcelyMarketing.com. They’ll help turn that swirling chaos into a game plan.
