How to Market my Learn to Swim dvd?

This number C8SB52T29GU9, is so that I can claim my Learn to Swim with Miss Bea swimming blog on one of the search engines.  

Teach you child to turn around and get the wall if he falls in the water

But I want to write about what I have been doing to let people know and want my dvd.  I first spent days contacting swimming teachers on isport.  There are over 800 swimming teachers registered!  I contacted more than 80 then I stopped!  I had 30% responses and then another 10% who wrote back a second time.  Most of them wrote me about their very successful swim schools and or at home programs.  They very kindly rejected my offer.  All but a few had their own techniques.  So far I sent business cards to several and 3 of them bought the dvd.  I'm writing to two of them who might sell it.

I am making lots of connections on linkedin.  I need to learn how to market my video in different ways.  I have also "met" many children's books authors.  Many of them "liked" my facebook page.  I now have my own use name and can see my "insights" (but I don't know what those mean yet)

You can now find 8 video teasers from my Learn to Swim with Miss Bea dvd, including the introduction.  I am trying to make a "trailer" but am having trouble...

I'm thinking about facebook or google ads.  This is where it all started.  I got a call asking me if I wanted a facebook ad.  This company wanted me to pay a certain amount of money each month to manage it!  I hadn't thought about it...  Now I am way into it, with the blog and facebook and 1000 more swimming lesson dvd's coming within a month.

We are in the season of summer vacation and most parents are thinking about swimming lessons and or already have started.  If you are one of those parents, you might want my dvd! Read all about it.

See you at the pool.

Swimming in South Africa

Here is a link to swimming lessons in South Africa.

I have been contacting swimming instructors to promote the swimming lessons dvd and have "met" with Mark Dixon of Swimming South Africa.  I love their beginners chart which the child completes with stickers.

It is also interesting to read their water safety rules.  How many apply to where you live? (especially number 6!)

Rule 1: Learn to swim.

Seventy percent of the earth’s surface is covered by water. Learning to swim is therefore a survival skill which helps reduce drownings.

Rule 2: Never swim alone.

Although swimming is a survival skill, even good swimmers can drown when they experience difficulties in the water; for instance a cramp which immobilizes a muscle. Therefore swimming alone is always unsafe.

Rule 3: Do not swim at a river mouth.

An undercurrent forms where the river and the sea meet which flows in a different direction from the surface current. An undercurrent is very strong and sucks anything and anybody into the sea.

Rule 4: Never dive into unclear or shallow water.

Diving headlong into something invisible underneath the water or into the bottom of a body of water could cause serious damage, unconsciousness and even paralysis.

Rule 5: Do not play in swamps, on rocks or river banks.

Slippery and unstable surfaces near water are always dangerous and may cause sudden falls into unknown depths.

Rule 6: Beware of animals like crocodile and hippopotami under the water.

These large and dangerous African aquatic animals keep close to riverbanks and attack easily when humans intrude upon their habitats.

Rule 7: Beware of swift flowing undercurrents.

Water can flow very forcefully through constricted areas, especially during floods when the volume of water strengthens the current.

Rule 8: Check the depth of the water before you enter.

Familiarize yourself with the depth of a river, lake of dam by using a dipstick.

Rule 9: Have a rope or stick handy to help someone in trouble.

Only go into the water to help someone in trouble if you are a qualified lifesaver. Otherwise try to help someone in trouble by means of a rope or stick or a floatation device tied to a rope that is thrown into the water.

Rule 10: Adult permission and supervision is a must.

Never go swimming without permission and always swim where a parent, guardian or adult may oversee you and your friends.

Some kids will cry at EACH Swimming Lesson

I am meeting many wonderful Swimming Specialists on-line. Here is what Victoria Campbell  writes to help parents of crying kids:

"First Days of Swim lessons are often filled with tears. Even my returning little ones who loved the water last year typically start off the new season with a day or so of tears.

For new students tears usually fall into 3 categories. First the little one who would just as easily start to cry if left in the church nursery is reacting to being handed by their Momma or Daddy to an unfamiliar person. Second, starting lessons is an introduction into a whole new experience with the water. Some have only been in the bath before. Some have been in the pool but never had their face in the water. Finally, tears are fairly common in the older child who has gotten comfortable wearing their floaties or staying only on the pool steps. Many of these children are cautious by nature and have become somewhat reluctant/apprehensive regarding the idea of learning to swim.

Seeing a child cry during lessons can be one of the most difficult parts of the process. As a parent who loves their child that is completely understandable. Here's a few things to help both you and your child through this time. First remember your child's cries are caused by many different things. It is still the way that they communicate when they are frustrated, angry, hungry, tired etc. Try to be encouraging and positive before during and after your child’s lesson. If your child brings up swimming for example saying , “No swimming lesson Mommy,” you can either gently redirect him or her to something else or say something like Mommy is so proud of how you are learning to swim like a fish. Don’t get caught up in a discussion trying to rationalize with him…it won’t work! Also don’t apologize for making her go to lessons or say, “I know this is scary.” This only focuses both of your attention on the negative and will promote more tears. During lessons, your child wants to see your confident smile when she looks at you on the pool deck. Let your child see that you feel good about what is going on in the lesson and your pride at how hard she is working. Clapping and smiling works great! Once the lesson is over praise him for his hard work is a must. Say, “Daddy saw you use your arms and legs to get to the steps. Wow, you went underwater just like Nemo or Ariel!”

As the days pass, you will be amazed by your child’s accomplishments. Most parents will see a decrease in their child’s level of crying and in some cases it will stop as the child feels the sense of accomplishment and revels in the praise he or she is receiving. It is this transition from tears to cheers that I find most satisfying as an instructor. I accept that some tears are part of the process but when a child shows up happy and ready to swim truly enjoying the experience this is as good as it gets! Nevertheless even if your child does continue to complain throughout the lessons, don’t despair. He or she is learning a valuable, potentially lifesaving skill and by next year that child will probably be done with tears. Some children also cry at every lesson but don't cry at all in the pool with Mom or Dad. Every child is unique.

As hard as these days seem, you will look back and be so grateful having made the commitment to giving your child this instruction at an early age. And sadly for his or her instructor the day comes when lessons will not even be a memory and your child will only remember the joy that comes with swimming."

Your child forgot what she learned last year!

Spring is here and you have not had time to go to the pool all winter!  Your child thinks that she has forgotten everything he learned but he really hasn't.  Just like in school, everything has to be retaught over and over.  Start from the beginning.  Don't give your child a feeling of inadequacy or let her get scared because she has lost the confidence she had last year. 

Each child will learn at her own pace, gently lead her to overcome fears while understanding her feelings.  Keep eye contact with the child when you give directions and use a soothing voice.  

And don’t let the child forget during the year again.  Practice in the tub or try to go to an indoor pool or a Jacuzzi once a month.  Then your child will look forward to swimming all year long!