359: Feeling Like You Can't Compete With "Free"?: How to Sell Out Paid Events at Your Indoor Playground

If you’ve ever opened social media and thought, “How am I supposed to compete with all these FREE events and classes?”—this episode is for you.

BLOG for this episode-- click here!

In this episode, I break down why indoor playgrounds and play cafés don’t actually compete with free events—and how to position your paid classes, camps, and events so they consistently sell out.

Free events often come with crowds, long lines, and unpredictable experiences, while paid events offer structure, convenience, and a higher-quality experience that many families are happy to pay for.

We’ll cover:

• Why you don’t need to compete with free events at all
• The mindset shift that changes everything for your marketing
• How to attract the right customers (not everyone)
• Why smaller, curated events can be more profitable
• How to position your events as premium, not optional

If you’ve been second-guessing your pricing or struggling to fill events, this episode will help you reframe your strategy and sell with confidence.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society

Getting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]

What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 Guide

Fund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]

Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting Waitlist

Michele’s Instagram

Michele’s Website

Play Cafe Academy YouTube Channel

ETSY Template Shop

Prepare Your Indoor Playground For a Recession

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society

Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com

TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD

Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com 

TOOLS:

Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)

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