Earlier this year, PIC online became available to all PADI Members. This popular option shortens processing time and costs 55 cents less than a paper PIC.
At long last, PIC online can be ordered from our online shopping cart. Here's how:
Log on to the PADI Pro's Site
Click the red Shop Online Icon
Use product number 10020 for Scuba PICs, 10246 for EFR
PIC credits must be purchased from either the online shopping cart or a PADI Sales Rep. Credits cannot be purchased via the PIC online website.
Job Summary The employee serves as Scientific Diving Program Specialist in the SI-Scientific Diving Program and Marine Science Specialist in the SI-Marine Science Network and is responsible for assisting SDO with diver training certification and re-certification of SI and non-SI scientists diving under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution.Go to the official job posting.
Smithsonian Job (click picture above for complete job description)
I belong to the University of Portland Alumni Group (go Pilots). A travel operator (class of '94) recently posted a special deal for alums. The destination wasn't diving-oriented, but it certainly caught my attention.
LinkedIn Groups and the Alumni Department of your school are both great marketing opportunities that shouldn't be overlooked. The incentive can be something as simple as a T-Shirt. Use of the school name may be copyright protected, but often there are workarounds. Instead of "University of Portland Diver" the t-shirt could read "Pilot Diver." Or, set up a discover event tied into alumni weekend with proceeds going to a sports team or scholarship fund.
Idea #10 - Be Our 100th Caller and WIN
Regular readers of this website know my previous life was in the radio biz. I just read about a cheap and easy promotion that marries Facebook and the old radio standby "be caller number 100 and win today's prize."
A restaurant in Hilton Head, SC came up with a brilliant new way to bring in business using social media. They posted to their Facebook page something to the effect of, "caller 21 wins a free dinner for two."
... and then the phones started ringing.
Callers number 7, 8, 9, 10, etc were offered a $25 gift certificate good for 60 days. One person hung up and called back over and over - the restaurant offered this person a max $50 certificate no matter how many times they called.
While You Have the Customer on the Phone
Mention whatever event or special you have coming up. For example:
"Thanks for calling - you're caller number 12. Sorry you didn't win the grand prize but....
...you've won a $20 gift certificate good at our anniversary sale this weekend."
...come dive with us this weekend and get a free DPV rental."
... we have an underwater pumpkin carving contest this Saturday. Grand prize is a new wetsuit"
Here is the video with the blow-by-blow of people calling into the restaurant after they posted their "be caller 21" promotion on Facebook. Oddly they didn't film the winning call.
We've simplified the process for buying eLearning Gift Passes (formally known as Access Passes). Here is an updated overview of how and why a PADI Member would use an eLearning Gift Pass.
This is a two-part article.
The first part describes what a gift pass is and how to buy one.
For those of you already familiar with eLearning Gift Passes, scroll to the bottom.
What is an eLearning Gift Pass Used for?
Independent instructors must purchase a Gift Pass to offer eLearning
For PADI Dive Centers, an eLearning Gift Pass allows you to seamlessly include eLearning as part of your regular course price (read some sample scenarios) and ensures that the customer affiliates with your store.
Anyone can buy an eLearning Gift Pass - including divers. As a PADI Member, it's important that you purchase through the new PADI Pros site (as opposed to regular padi.com).
Buying and Using PADI eLearning Gift Passes
Step By Step
From the drop-down menu click PADI eLearning Gift Zone
- Individual members must complete some sign-up information if this is your first purchase
When the new webpage loads, click Purchase an eLearning Gift Pass.
On the purchase screen, choose the course you want.
Pick carefully - we can't change the course on the back end.
We now offer optional themes: holiday, graduation, wedding, birthday or generic, and the option to include a personal message
To purchase multiple gift passes (up to 20 at a time), click the link on the upper right of the screen
Click Buy Now
Dive Centers who've never purchased an eLearning gift pass must create a new account.* Individual members, and folks who already have a Gift Pass account - skip to step 8.
Tips for creating a new PADI On-Line Account
If you're a PADI store: use the store name
(example: First Name “Scuba Steve's” Last Name: "Dive Center")
Once you’ve created the account, click on the “Home” link to return to the page and click the Purchase button.
Enter your payment information (credit cards only)** and click Purchase.
Once the purchase is complete, you're ready to email the codes.
* To buy eLearning codes, you must create a login just for this site. The Gift Pass login is separate from PADI Pros and eLearning.
**For now, the codes must be purchased through the website using a credit card, we can't sell you eLearning credits like we can PIC online.
Ready to email eLearning codes to your students?
Click image above to enlarge
From the PADI Pros Site, click on Online Services, then eLearning Gift Zone.
On the new webpage, click View Your Purchased eLearning Gift Passes
Clicking the "Open Gift Passes" and "Redeemed Gift Passes" you can view which students have redeemed and registered their codes. You can also re-send codes from this page.
eLearning Gift Pass - New Features
Add a theme (holiday, wedding, graduation or birthday) and include an optional personal message.
Minimum age requirements listed during purchase process (ex. min. age 15 for Nitrox Specialty)
A more prominent medical statement shows up multiple times during the registration process and urges customers to download and complete the form before visiting a dive center or resort.
Dive Center Locator stresses the importance of choosing a PADI Dive Center or Resort
