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Sports Performance Facilities

Read eSoft Planner’s articles filled with expert tips, advice, and news regarding sports performance facilities to learn the advantages of sports facility scheduling software for your business.

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.

The Alternative – 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. Your system should also 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 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.

Lesson Pricing Models for Pickleball Facilities

Lesson Pricing Models for Sports Facilities

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When it comes to lesson types, and the different lesson pricing models, facility owners often have questions as to how to properly set their pricing.  Whether group or individual lessons, there are 3 main models and it’s important to understand the differences of each.

Standard Pricing

The key to the Standard Pricing Model is consistency.  Regardless of lesson type or instructor, every lesson in the facility is the same set price. Facility owners that use this model enjoy the ease that comes with it. Marketing and promoting for each lesson is seamless for both the facility and the customer. The only aspect that changes pricing in this model is the length of time for each lesson. When facilities use lesson pricing models like this, they choose a per hour price as their baseline and create additional durations and prices from there. 

Tiered Pricing

In most facilities, there are a variety of instructors with different expertise levels. When choosing prices, some facility owners and instructors choose to consider experience and background. That is where the Tiered Pricing Model comes in. Typically, this breakdown is based on past career development. Lessons from instructors that play or played for a professional organization are priced higher than those taught by an instructor with only high school experience. Customers will pay more for higher qualified instructors. When choosing this model, facilities generally choose three to four tiers such as professional, collegiate, and high school.  Or, it may be determined by coaching experience. 

Individual Instructor Pricing

In the Individual Instructor Pricing Model, instructors become involved in the price rates. Pricing is different for each instructor depending on experience, demand, and more. This can be more confusing for customers to track, but instructors will often prefer this model because it accurately represents their “worth.” 

None of The Models Fit What You Need? 

There is a fourth option for facilities that don’t fit into any of the three pricing models listed above. The Combo Pricing Model is some combination of the three pricing models. Facilities can choose to tier their pricing but also consider the instructor’s wants when it comes to pay. In this combo model, there is a range for each tier.  For example, professional-level instructors may charge anywhere from X-amount to Y-amount. Collegiate level instructors also have a set range, and so on. This allows personalization and instructor input, but also incorporates structure in the pricing model. 

Have more questions or want other insight on how to successfully manage the ins and outs of your sports facility? Schedule a consultation with an eSoft Planner expert today by reaching out at contact@esoftplanner.com.

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.
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Sports facility lesson models

Sports Facility Lesson Models

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Types of Lesson Models for Sports Facilities

Holding lessons in your sports facility is a great way to boost revenue, when done correctly. No matter which of the sports facility lesson models you choose, an online software platform is crucial to the behind-the-scenes scheduling process. With so many moving parts, facilities need an online lesson scheduling app to stay organized and efficient.  Online scheduling software allows clients to book lessons at any time of the day, not just during business hours.  Because clients can schedule themselves, it also allows staff to focus on training clients and growing the business. It also helps avoid major scheduling mistakes by eliminating double-bookings. Lastly, it builds an organized, structured calendar for the entire facility.

Once the scheduling system is in place, the next important decision to be made is who will control the billing, the facility or the instructor?  In other words, which lesson model should you choose?

Rental Model

With a rental model, the facility’s only responsibility is to exist. The instructors bring in their clients and handle charging for the lessons they teach. This makes things really easy for the facility owner. It reduces efforts in securing clients, paying employees, and fewer taxes are paid by the facility. However, this model has drawbacks for the facility. The clients coming in and out will likely not be added to the facility’s database.  As a result, crucial marketing data is not collected and liability waivers are not signed. 

Additionally, client loyalty will suffer.  With the instructor doing the work to bring in clients, those clients are loyal to their instructor, not the facility. If the instructor wants to move locations, the clients will go with them.  Client loyalty can make or break a facility.  And with the rental model, facilities lose valuable opportunities to cross-promote their other services. 

Scheduling Model

The scheduling model takes the disadvantages of the rental model and turns them into advantages. With the Scheduling Model, the facility is in charge of hiring instructors and bringing in clients for lessons.  Although it requires more resources from the facility, it secures a loyal list of clients and collects critical marketing data.  Plus, the facility protects itself by ensuring clients have agreed to the necessary liability forms.

Not only does this model require more work from the facility in terms of client scheduling, but also requires more effort in regard to payment and taxes for the instructors.  In many cases, instructors are independent contractors, meaning the facility must track their income and provide a 1099 tax form every year. 

Both sports facility lesson models have their pros and cons. Some facilities even use both models to maintain current clients while also filling extra space with rentals. The biggest thing to consider as a facility owner is: do you want more or less billing power when it comes to lesson scheduling?  

With the help of an online scheduling software, like eSoft Planner, any answer to that question can turn into a successful business model for a sports facility.

Editor’s Note: this is Part 1 of Sports Facility Lesson Models, stay tuned for Part 2 soon…

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.
Follow us on Facebook to stay current on industry news.

Fitness-Skills-Evaluation-Memberships

Use Fitness and Skills Evaluations to Sell Memberships

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You may be asking, won’t an upfront fee scare away new business? The answer – it won’t if you provide something of value in return. If you properly utilize the fitness evaluations in your sales pitch, potential clients will understand that the assessment is essential to their success. Then, they will pay for it. It’s for the same reason they choose to pay for the classes and training. Some other things you can include with onboarding new members would be facility branded T-shirts, a bag to carry fitness gear, a printed manual going over the programs offered at your facility, and more. The potential member is happy with the free gear. In addition, you can send out marketing materials. Then, they will be seen by friends, classmates, and teammates.

Pricing for this upfront fee can vary based on your membership pricing, how much you pay your staff, and more. In my past experience owning DNA Sports Center, I charged $69 (not including tax) for the enrollment fee. This cost allowed me to pay for the staff’s pay for the assessment, the onboarding member materials, and the equipment used for the evaluation. It even covered the commission for the staff member that sold the membership.

Once laid out in front of them, clients will now understand the benefits. For a small fee to get started, they will walk away with a private assessment that uses industry-leading fitness evaluations technology, plenty of merchandise, and a written in-depth report to guide them through their membership program.

Make it a Sales Tool

Additionally, use the assessment as a great incentivized sales tool when a client is stuck on the overall cost of the membership. Waive or discount it as a strategy to confirm the sale. Another way I allowed the staff at DNA Sports Center to utilize this tactic is waiving the enrollment fee with the purchase of a longer membership package. Waiving this small, but often intimidating, fee is typically more cost-effective than discounting other services that come with the membership.

Learn More About eSOFT PLANNER

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

Training Program for Sports Facilities

Benefits of a Sports Performance Training Program

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Benefits of a Sports Performance Training Program

If your sports facility hosts its own teams, consider developing a training program designed for those teams and their sports.  Too often, practice only focuses on team strategy, preparation for the upcoming game, or other specific drills. Generally, pure physical conditioning is not stressed enough.  Instead, it is treated as a checkmark on the “to-do” list and only briefly addressed at the beginning or end of practice.

Your team should focus on both specific training and game-like drills.  Below are key benefits to creating a specific sports performance training program.

  • Improved athletic performance. Specific skills such as throwing, passing or shooting improve as players become stronger and more agile.
  • Injury prevention. Repetitive movements can cause strain and lead to injury. Increasing general strength and learning proper technique helps prevent burnout and poor mechanics, which helps avoid injury.
  • Improved mental performance. Players struggling with certain skills may excel in your performance training program.  You can track improvements over time, which builds confidence and improves gameplay.

Your players are at greater risk for injury and burnout as competitive seasons become longer and longer.  To combat this risk, your training should focus on improved strength, speed, agility, and confidence.  These fundamental fitness techniques help keep players healthy.

In addition to helping improve performance, sports training programs are a great marketing tool for your business.  Offering specific programs helps you bring in revenue throughout the year and cross-promote other offers. Also, these can be offered to the players on your teams as well as the general public.  To incentivize more teams to train at your facility, provide them special access and discounted rates.

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.

Sports Facilities Sports Performance

Integrating Tech and Data for Sports Performance Facilities

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Integrating Tech and Data for Sports Performance Facilities

Owning an indoor sports facility can be a great option if you’re looking for more control over when you can offer your services. Sports performance athletic training and practice can continue in a safe and comfortable space, at a time that is convenient for your clients. They are not restricted by the whims of mother nature.

But many of your clients are looking for more than just a place to practice. We all know the percentages. For example the NCAA says just 7.5% of high school baseball players will play in college – and athletes are looking for an edge. It is important to offer results-oriented strength and performance training to your athletes. And this starts with integrating technology and data into your sports facility.

Ironworks Performance

One strength and performance facility that uses technology to take their athletes to the next level is Denver’s Ironworks Performance. They were founded in March of this year by Christian Backes, Director of Athletic Development. He has worked hundreds of players – including professional and Division I, II and III college athletes.

Christian had been using eSoft Planner to help manage his business as he supported athletes in their efforts to reach their goals even before he started Ironworks. Once his facility opened, Christian knew that in order to offer the individualized support an effective training program requires, he would need the same kind of powerful scheduling solution.

“We have a variety of programs, including private, semi-private and team training — not to mention our online services,” Christian said. “The software helps us to avoid over-booking. With only two full-time coaches and one part-time, it was important that we have a way to optimize our time.”

Here are a few more ways that Christian said he integrates eSoft Planner into his data-driven and results-based business model.

Assess Initial Ability

When athletes first sign up, the Ironworks Performance team does a complete assessment of an athlete’s skill level. This includes determining past issues and experiences with movement, agility, and nutrition. Performance metrics are measured and documented to set a baseline. The real importance of this initial meeting is to find the athlete’s goal. Whether this is to increase speed, mobility, strength, or injury prevention.

For the first few weeks after they opened, Ironworks used pen and paper to keep track of sign-ups. But after many of their teenagers began losing their waiver forms, they quickly understood their need for scheduling management software. Using the member profile to collect data and paperwork is critical.

“eSoft gave our athletes the ability to simply click to agree to a waiver,” Christian said. “We still provide them with a hard copy of the waiver forms, but the software just makes the process easier for everyone involved.”

Build a Schedule to Meet the Client Needs

Based on an athlete’s specific goals, Christian and his team develop class schedule that is personalized specifically for the athlete.

“We use eSoft to send reminders to our athletes, to track attendance for individual and team classes. It all helps us to help keep the athletes accountable for their own development,” Christian said.

Ironworks also looks forward to utilizing eSoft Planner’s member portal. Which gives athletes and their parents the same insights into class attendance and scheduling as their coaches have.

Keep in Touch

Prior to starting his own strength training program, Christian used the TrainHeroic app to remain in contact with his athletes even when they were away visiting colleges, at another gym or playing in state tournaments. It’s no surprise that online training has become a large part of Ironwork’s business — especially in an age of COVID.

“We do a lot of private training, and eSoft allows us to set up individual plans for online-only training where a client only pays so much for a certain amount of hours a month,” Christian said.

By using eSoft Planner to manage their coaching resources even with their online communications, Ironworks can maintain a balanced approach that helps athletes avoid regression in strength and performance.

eSoft Planner for sports performance gives facilities the ability to manage teams, track class participation, send reminders to athletes and even communicate facility closures. If you’re tired of cumbersome scheduling software — or worse, pen and paper. Let eSoft streamline your operations by providing the same team schedule visibility for all your clients.

If you want to discuss how eSoft Planner can help you integrate data-driven technology for your athletes into your facility, contact us for a demo today!