1. Article: How to Prepare your RV Park for a Better 2009

2. RV Parks and Campgrounds For Sale

3. Comments

4. Featured Listings

5. RV Park and Campground Memberships For Sale

6. RV Park Employment

7. Links to some interesting articles we have found this month.

8. Tell us what you think and send us your articles!

No doubt about it, 2008 was an ugly year for the RV industry. The stock of RV manufacturers has sunk so low that you can probably buy the whole company for the price of a decent rig with pop-outs. Most RV parks experienced flat or lower revenue, and the lending side for RV parks virtually disappeared overnight. Still, there is reason for hope in 2009. Here’s how to align your park for a productive 2009, and what makes things look brighter.

Lower Gas Prices

2008 was the worst year for gas prices (adjusted for inflation) since the 1970s. Every time I went to fill up my car and the total on the pump neared $100, it made me sick. A lot of RV owners felt the same way. At around $4 per gallon, it was hard to rationalize doing anything that required filling up. Many people took to bicycles and carpooling. Our nation changed from a gas consumption mentality to a gas conservation mentality. It could not have gotten any uglier.

The good news for 2009, and the most important news story for the RV industry, is the sudden decline in gas prices. At the pump, the price has dropped from around $4 to under $2. This makes it much more attractive to drive an RV to a destination. As more RVs get back on the road in 2009, they will log more nights in RV parks.

If you have to name one RV industry MVP for 2009, it would have to be lower gas prices.

Better Use of Marketing

Many RV park owners have a dreadful grasp on marketing their property. A sign in front is not a total marketing program! You have got to be more proactive about promoting your RV park if you want to have a better 2009.

At a bare minimum, you must have the following in place in 2009:

• A great looking sign in front that invites RV customers in and reassures them that you are a professional outfit.

• Great looking, professional flyers at all highway rest-stops in your area, as well as city hall and anyone else who has RV inquiries.

• Signage on all highways heading toward your location, even if it means putting up “bandit” signs if you can’t afford real ones.

• A mention in Woodalls or other RV publication’s listings for your area.

• A decent internet site that is appealing and professional.

If you do not have this type of marketing program in place in 2009, and you have less revenue than you wanted, then it’s your fault for not trying harder. None of these items costs much money, so there is no financial excuse not to get more aggressive.

Great Drive-Up Appeal

Even if you get the customer to your RV park, they can still turn around and not pull in. You have not finished the job until they check-in and pay. And if your park is not inviting, you may have a lower closing ratio then you should.

Here are the minimum standards for drive-up appeal:

• an attractive sign at the entry that reassures customers that they won’t be disappointed.

• professional landscaping, especially at the entry, that makes the customer have a favorable first impression. This may include perennial or seasonal color, and some evergreen shrubs and trees.

• Solid roads without potholes, freshly striped.

• Professional signage telling customers where to check in.

• All park-owned structures should be attractively painted and in good repair.

• Adequate lighting at night that makes the park not spooky, but inviting.

A Positive Attitude

Every member of your team should have a professional, positive attitude. All customers must be treated with respect. Some RV park owners think that once someone has checked in, they can take them for granted. Wrong! If you want to be successful, you need repeat customers. Make those customers think so highly of their experience, that they not only want to come back again, but tell all their friends about you, as well.

Always remember that the customer has many options on where to stay. You may only get one chance to impress them – don’t blow it. If they are happy, they may even stay more nights.

Conclusion

2009 has the makings of a much better year than 2008. So put in some effort in the next couple of months to make it a winner. Every inch of your organization and attack plan should be professional grade. Don’t let another year pass without mounting your best battle plan ever.

We currently have over 500 RV Parks for sale and the list is growing daily. 

If you are looking to sell your RV Park or Campground you can do so Risk FREE.  Find out more about Selling your RV Park. 

Featured Listings:

RV Park For Sale in Southern Maine

Maine Riverside R.V. and WATER park, for sale. Cash flows $1,000,000 per year, currently.

Find out more about this RV Park For Sale Opportunity!

RV Park For Sale In Dolores, CO

One of a kind RV Park in Southwest CO. 26 1/2 acres. 90 Sites.

Find out more about this RV Park For Sale Opportunity!

RV Park and Campground Memberships For Sale:

This section of RVParkStore.com is growing quickly.  Memberships are being listed and sold quickly.  With about 200 memberships currently for sale, this continues to be the prime outlet to buy and sell campground memberships. 

Best of all, when you are selling your membership, we do not charge you up front to do so.  You only pay us if you are successful in finding a buyer from RVParkStore.com. 

Find out more about Selling your Campground or RV Park Membership

Thank you RV Park Store, We found and accepted a job within 3 days of you posting our ad, it was great. You can bet on us telling everyone about your service and referring them to you

Thomas

RV Park Employment Listings:

Are you searching for good quality employees or looking for a position with an RV Park?  Then be sure to visit our ever growing employment listing sections.

Learn About FEMA Flood Maps & RV Parks
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A Good Resource

Dave Reynolds
RVParkStore.com
18923 Highway 65
Cedaredge, CO 81413
PH: 800-950-1364
FX: 970-856-4883