Foremost Golf has seen membership of its Elite Marketing Programme (EMP) increase by over 100 during the space of the last 12 months. That impressive influx takes the total EMP membership to over 290 and with a further 220 Central Marketing Programme (CMP) members it means that over 500 Foremost members are now taking advantage of the group’s sophisticated digital marketing programmes.
Elite Marketing Programme membership has grown a staggering 35% over the past year and enquiries about membership continue to flood in as Foremost members all over the country realise the benefits that membership provides.
For a monthly fee of just £100 Foremost’s growing band of EMP members receive support designed to drive their whole business from help to improve their retail turnover and margins to increasing their teaching income and enhance the relationship they have with both customers and officials at their clubs.
The Elite Marketing Programme gives members access to a wide range of EMP supplier promotions designed to drive sales of current product lines and clear obsolete product.
Each EMP member is allocated a campaign manager who will help him to put together customised digital weekly email newsletters designed to advertise product launches, special promotions and all the services that a member provides.
The EMP also provides each member with six free Special mails a year to promote Special Events, Demo Days, Fashion Shows and Shop Specials as well as a personalized website put together by Foremost’s experienced support team and featuring a wide range of content provided by the team at Golf Monthly magazine
“The EMP is widely regarded as the best and most powerful marketing tool in golf retail and we firmly believe it provides a wide range of real benefits for its growing membership,” said Foremost Company Director, Andy Martin.
“We have recently spent a good deal of time talking to new EMP members and the vast majority of them have told us they wish they had taken out membership sooner.
“Several have also told us they believe professionals who aren’t involved run the risk of being left behind and that is clearly not an ideal situation to be in during these difficult economic times.”
Stuart Mason, the Head Professional at Welwyn Garden City Golf Club in Hertfordshire, is one on the recent converts to the Elite Marketing Programme and he has been delighted with the results to date.
“I have only been an EMP member since October so I still don’t have concrete financial figures but I would be surprised if my turnover hasn’t increased by at least 20% and my profits are definitely up as well,” he said.
“I am very pleased with the results from some of the special promotions I have taken part in but for me the biggest benefits have been the digital weekly newsletter and the regular marketing support I receive from the Foremost team.
The support means a lot because you can get on with your teaching knowing your marketing is being taken care of. The regular have been a Godsend because they have opened up a whole new means of communication with my members.
“Since I have started with the EMP the shop has definitely been busier because my members read the newsletter and want to know more about what is going on.
“I have heard a few pros suggest that £100 a month is a lot to pay for EMP membership but I disagree,” he added. “In fact I would turn that argument on its head and pose the question whether members can afford to do without it.”
A large number of EMP members have been delighted with the effectiveness of their new-look newsletters and websites which feature a wide range of personalised instruction, equipment testing, videos and generic golf content provided by Golf Monthly magazine.
“It has been a big success,” confirmed Martin. “Golf Monthly is one of the most respected magazines in the business and its authoritative content has clearly helped to make our weekly EMP newsletters more interesting and informative.”
“That in turn has helped members build their databases which has obvious benefits for their businesses in the future.”
Golf Monthly Editor Michael Harris agrees the new business partnership has been successful and believes the agreement benefits both parties.
“This agreement is of great importance to Golf Monthly and we’re excited to be working with Foremost,” he said. “Both companies are market leaders in their sectors which makes the partnership a perfect fit.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to diversify from our core business but at the same time to utilise our extensive experience to provide the same sort of quality editorial content found in our magazine.
More information about the EMP and details on how to join are available from Graham Starkey on graham.starkey@foremostgolf.com or by phoning 01753 218913.