Make pickleball repeatable.Follow up with a first-time pickleball player within one day of their first game, in a short personal message with four parts: their name and a moment from the game, a real date to come back, an invitation for the friend who brought them, and one easy way to say yes. Send it only if they agreed to be contacted, and track who replies and who plays a second time.
Most first-timers do not come alone. A friend brings them. If nobody from the club follows up, their second visit depends entirely on that friend's schedule. This article gives example messages, a two-message plan, a simple tracking sheet and the mistakes to avoid. It is part of the guide How to get pickleball players to come back.
When should you follow up with a first-time player?
Send the first message within one day of their first game, while the experience is still fresh. A message the same evening or the next morning connects to something the player remembers. A message a week later reads like a promo.
Pick one person to send follow-ups, and a set time to do it, such as each morning before the first session. Follow-ups that depend on whoever remembers tend not to happen.
What should the follow-up message say?
The message should do four things, in this order:
- Use their name and a moment from the game. This shows a person wrote it. "Great rally at the net, Sam."
- Give a real date. A day and time, not "come back soon." "Beginner open play is Thursday at 7 PM."
- Include their friend. "Bring Jo again. We'll put you on the same court."
- Ask for one easy yes. "Reply YES and we'll save you both a spot."
Full example:
Hi Sam, great rally at the net on Saturday. Beginner open play is Thursday at 7 PM. Bring Jo again and we'll put you on the same court. Reply YES and we'll save you both a spot.
Keep it short enough to read in one glance on a phone. Use the channel your players already message on, such as SMS, WhatsApp, Viber or Messenger.
How do you get permission to message first-timers?
Ask at check-in. Add a line to your sign-in sheet or form: a name, a phone number or handle, and a checkbox saying the player agrees to receive messages about sessions at the club. Only message players who ticked it.
Privacy and messaging rules differ by country, so check the ones that apply where your club operates, including how long you may keep contact details.
What if they don't reply?
Send one more message about a week later, then stop. Two messages show you want them back. More than two feels like pressure.
| Message | When | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| First | Within one day | Name, a moment, a real date, the friend, one easy yes |
| Second | About seven days later, only if no reply | A different date, and that their spot is open whenever they're ready |
Example second message:
Hi Sam, no pressure. We have beginner open play again next Tuesday at 7 PM if that suits you and Jo better. Just reply YES and we'll hold two spots.
How do you know if your follow-ups are working?
Track every first-timer in one sheet and check two numbers each month: how many replied, and how many played a second time. The second number is the one that matters.
Tracking sheet columns:
| Column | Example |
|---|---|
| Name | Sam |
| First game date | Saturday |
| Came with | Jo |
| Agreed to messages | Yes |
| First message sent | Sunday |
| Replied | Yes |
| Second message sent | Not needed |
| Played again | Thursday |
An example month at a club, to show how to read it:
| Step | Example count |
|---|---|
| First-timers | 20 |
| Agreed to messages | 16 |
| Replied | 9 |
| Played a second time | 7 |
In this example, 7 of 20 first-timers returned. Compare the same month next quarter, after changing one thing, such as the time you send the first message. One busy week can make a club feel healthy when few players return, so count second visits rather than crowd size. See why a busy weekend isn't a repeat-play strategy.
Should the follow-up include a free game or discount?
Usually not in the first message. The first message works because it is personal and gives a date. Adding an offer turns it into a promo and puts a price on something the player may have done anyway.
If you do add an offer later, give it a job, such as a bonus on the player's first top-up, and know what it costs first. See what a free game really costs your club.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- A group blast instead of a personal message. "Thanks for visiting, see you soon" gives no reason or date to return.
- No date. "Come back anytime" leaves the decision to later, which often means never.
- Forgetting the friend. The friend is often the reason the player came. Invite both.
- Messaging without permission. It can break local rules and it damages trust.
First-timers are one group of players. Regulars and familiar faces return for other reasons, so they need different invites. See why different players need different reasons to return.
How can repickleball help?
When a first-timer is ready to commit, repickleball lets a club run offers such as a first top-up bonus or bring-a-friend, with paid credit and bonus credit tracked separately for each player. Take the 2-minute fit check.
Frequently asked questions
How soon should I message a first-time player?
Within one day of their first game, while the experience is still fresh.
What should I do if a first-timer doesn't reply?
Send one more message about a week later with a different date, then stop.
Which messaging app should I use?
Use the one your players already use, such as SMS, WhatsApp, Viber or Messenger, and only with their permission.