1st Edition

Creating Great Visitor Experiences A Guide for Museums, Parks, Zoos, Gardens & Libraries

By Stephanie Weaver Copyright 2007
    209 Pages
    by Routledge

    209 Pages
    by Routledge

    Museum and other non-profit professionals have begun to realize that the complete visitor experience is the key to repeat attendance, successful fundraising, and building audience loyalty. Taking lessons learned by successful experience-shapers in the for-profit world, Stephanie Weaver distills this knowledge for museums and other organizations which depend on visitor satisfaction for success. Is your institution welcoming? Are the bathrooms clean? Does the staff communicate well? Are there enough places to sit? These practical matters may mean more to creating a loyal following than any exhibit or program the institution develops. Weaver breaks the visitor experience down to 8 steps and provides practical guidance to museums and related institutions on how to create optimal visitor experiences for each of them. In a workshop-like format, she uses multiple examples, exercises, and resource links to walk the reader through the process.

    The need for change* Chapter 1: Competing in an experience-driven world* Chapter 2: The bear on the bicycle: the customer experience defined* 2 Your customers and your staff* Chapter 3: What do they want?* Chapter 4: Getting them to come back* Chapter 5: What's in a name? Defining your brand* Chapter 6: Putting people first* Your siteBreaking it down: 8 steps to a better visitor experience* Chapter 7: 1: Invitation-Designing for your guests * Chapter 8: 2: Welcome-Dust off your first impression* Chapter 9: 3: Orientation-Lost in space * Chapter 10: 4: Comfort-From toilets to typefaces* Chapter 11: 5: Communication-Craft your words carefully* Chapter 12: 6: Sensation-Fun and the five senses* Chapter 13: 7: Common Sense-Using your head* Chapter 14: 8: Finale-Take a bow* How to use this book* Instructions & calendar outlines* Exercises and Resources

    Biography

    Stephanie Weaver is a consultant to commercial and non-profit organizations on marketing, branding, and the customer experience, and creator of the concept EXPERIENCEology(t). With a background in film and public health, she has spent over fifteen years developing programs, exhibitions, special events, and conducting visitor studies at major museums, including the Chicago Children's Museum, Chicago Botanic Garden, and San Diego Zoo. She is principal in the firm Experienceology, which works with businesses to create memorable customer experiences.