How to Get More Parents to Open Your Emails: Top Tips for Children’s Activity Providers

Written by
Melih Kalender
3
min read
Growth
Business Advice

Are Your Emails to Parents Getting Ignored?

Do you ever feel like your parent emails vanish into a black hole? You spend time putting together thoughtful messages, but then... crickets. It can be tough to get parents to open emails from your kids’ club, especially with all the other emails competing for their attention.

But don’t worry, you’re not doomed to this Bermuda triangle of parent emails! With a few smart strategies, and a little help from ClassForKids, the industry-leading booking and management software for kids’ activity businesses, you can get those emails to parents opened, read, and actually acted on.

Ready to increase email open rates? Keep reading to learn how. And if you’re more of a “show me, don’t tell me” type of person, check out our interactive demo to explore our booking and management software at your own pace.

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1. Nail the Subject Line

The subject line is your first – and sorry to break this to you, but often only – chance to grab parents’ attention. It’s like the signpost for your email, so make it clear, engaging, and relevant.

  • Be clear and specific: Parents need to know what’s in it for them. Instead of “Update from Shining Stars Dance Academy,” try something more specific like “Spaces Filling Fast for Spring Term Classes!”
  • Add urgency and excitement: Use phrases like “Last Chance to Book” or “Don’t Miss Out on Early Bird Discounts” to encourage immediate action.
  • Get personal: Personalise your subject lines with names or activities, e.g., “Liam’s Swimming Lesson Schedule is Here!”

Pro tip: Avoid words like “Free” or too many exclamation marks, as these can trigger spam filters.

2. Personalisation Makes Perfect

Your customers are far more likely to engage when your parent emails feel tailored to them. Instead of sending generic messages, make them feel personal and relevant.

  • Use their name: A simple “Hi Sarah” or “We Can’t Wait to See Oliver at Gymnastics This Week!” creates a more personal connection. And no one wants to be interacting with bots!
  • Mention specific activities: Mention their child’s class or booking, e.g., “Get Ready for Lucy’s First Trial Lesson!” or “What to Expect on Ashley’s First Day at Summer Camp”.

How ClassForKids helps

With ClassForKids booking and management software, personalisation is effortless. Whether you want to email all the parents who booked trials or secured summer camp spots for their kids, you can do it with just a few clicks. Plus, you can attach schedules or event posters to make your parent emails even more helpful and engaging.

Looking for more ways to keep parents engaged and coming back to book classes with you? Check out our blog, [.pink__text]‘Effective Communication Strategies for Kids’ Activity Club Owners‘[.pink__text] for easy and effective communication strategies.

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6. Build Anticipation and Value

Parents will look forward to your emails if they consistently offer something valuable or exciting. Make them feel like opening your parent emails is a must.

  • Share exciting news: “Get Ready for Our New Summer Camps – Booking Opens Tomorrow!” or “Introducing New Artistic Gymnastics Class”.
  • Offer early access: “Exclusive Early Bird Discounts for the First 10 Families to Book!”
  • Provide useful info: Updates about their child’s progress, sneak peeks of upcoming events, or notes about what to bring to class.

When parents see your email, they should feel like they’re getting something of value that they don’t want to miss.

With kids’ activity booking and management software, engaging with is easier than ever. Curious to see how? Head over to our blog, [.blue__text]‘10 Parent Communication Tools Every Kids’ Club Owner Should Know About‘[.blue__text].

7. Attachments that Hit the Spot

If your email includes an attachment, make sure the file is clearly labelled and explained in your email.

  • Descriptive file names: Use names like “Summer Camp Schedule 2024.pdf” instead of “New Word Document.docx.”
  • Explain the attachment: Briefly describe it in your email, e.g., “Attached is the permission slip for the upcoming field trip.”
  • Keep files small: Compress large files to avoid download issues.

Pro tip: Always run a virus scan on attachments. Nothing erodes trust faster than customers encountering infected files in your parent emails.

8. Track, Test, and Improve

Your first email won’t always be perfect, and that’s okay. The key is to learn what works and keep improving.

  • Test and learn: Try different subject lines or send times to see what performs better.
  • Monitor responses: Track how many parents respond or take action after each email.
  • Adjust based on feedback: If parents mention issues, tweak your approach to meet their needs.

One last reminder: Give yourself time to figure out what works for your kids’ activity club. Results won’t happen overnight, and it’s okay if something doesn’t go to plan. Knowing what doesn’t work is just as valuable as knowing what does.

Enjoy Effortless Parent Communications with ClassForKids

Struggling to keep up with parent emails? With ClassForKids, staying connected is easier than ever.

  • Target the right parents instantly using smart contact filters.
  • Create personalised emails effortlessly, so every message feels thoughtful and relevant.
  • Track email performance to see what’s working and improve engagement.
  • Attach key documents to ensure your communication is clear, helpful, and impossible to miss.

Ready to make your life easier? Start by making it effortless to stay connected with the parents who book classes at your kids’ activity club. Take a free tour of ClassForKids today and see how it can transform the way you manage parent communications!

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Melih Kalender

Melih’s our go-to for blogs that intrigue, guides that inform, and ads that grab your attention. When he’s not writing content, you’ll find him chasing the stories behind words, experimenting in the kitchen, or plotting his next big adventure.