The Profitable Play Podcast
The Profitable Play Podcast
Michele Caruana
359: Feeling Like You Can't Compete With "Free"?: How to Sell Out Paid Events at Your Indoor Playground
35 minutes Posted Mar 19, 2026 at 4:21 pm.
Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: [email protected] TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: [email protected] TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
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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 allThe mindset shift that changes everything for your marketingHow to attract the right customers (not everyone)Why smaller, curated events can be more profitableHow to position your events as premium, not optionalIf 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 SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: [email protected] TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: [email protected] TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS