In my 11 years in our great business, the single most impactful marketing strategy has always been word of mouth. I have seen gyms pour thousands of dollars into print media, social media, television advertising and radio only to come up empty handed. Not only is advertising expensive, it often times doesn't give you a good return on investment. Pure and simple, counting on this strategy alone is a money pit and there is no way to get out.
As a personal trainer you have a wide variety of ways to attain clients. Today, many trainers struggle with getting their business off the ground because they lack the amount of clients that it takes to turn a profit and they have no idea how to get new clients. The solution is very simple and will become a staple for you in your career in fitness. It is simply about creating a great word of mouth for you. Essentially getting people to start talking about you and what you do. This is the easiest and most impactful way to get people in front of you and become a part of your fitness program. So how do I do this? Here are a few things to remember when trying to create a buzz about you.
Provide Top Notch Service
This is the most important. No matter what, always provide the best service possible. Even if you have one client, make sure that one client feels the good energy from you and knows you are on their team to help them down their fitness journey. They will tell someone else and then you provide the same service to that person and so on. If you are the best at what you do people will find you, somehow and some way.
Get Testimonials
In all my years in this industry the most powerful statement we can make is through testimonials. Potential clients want to see what you have done with people similar to them. Whether it be before and after pictures, written testimonials or a video, whatever it is this is a huge selling point for you and will generate a buzz with your community.
Community Events
Hold community events for people to attend. Lunch and learns at local businesses, charity group sessions or volunteering to help a local high school's sports team, is a great way to get people to talk about you and expose your excellent service to the masses. The more people you can get in front of the better.
Be Authentic
All too often trainers say the same thing they heard another trainer say, "Come try us out with a free personal training session and body assessment." For most people this doesn't ring in their ear saying, "I have to go to this place." It is the same boring stuff we hear all the time. Be original and be authentic, not a knock off of the other fitness place around the corner.
"If you build it, they will come," is a great line from the movie Field of Dreams but I would like to change it and say, "If you are great, they will come." Meaning if you are truly top notch, the masses will find you, you just need to be easy to find.
Provide Top Notch Service
This is the most important. No matter what, always provide the best service possible. Even if you have one client, make sure that one client feels the good energy from you and knows you are on their team to help them down their fitness journey. They will tell someone else and then you provide the same service to that person and so on. If you are the best at what you do people will find you, somehow and some way.
Get Testimonials
In all my years in this industry the most powerful statement we can make is through testimonials. Potential clients want to see what you have done with people similar to them. Whether it be before and after pictures, written testimonials or a video, whatever it is this is a huge selling point for you and will generate a buzz with your community.
Community Events
Hold community events for people to attend. Lunch and learns at local businesses, charity group sessions or volunteering to help a local high school's sports team, is a great way to get people to talk about you and expose your excellent service to the masses. The more people you can get in front of the better.
Be Authentic
All too often trainers say the same thing they heard another trainer say, "Come try us out with a free personal training session and body assessment." For most people this doesn't ring in their ear saying, "I have to go to this place." It is the same boring stuff we hear all the time. Be original and be authentic, not a knock off of the other fitness place around the corner.
"If you build it, they will come," is a great line from the movie Field of Dreams but I would like to change it and say, "If you are great, they will come." Meaning if you are truly top notch, the masses will find you, you just need to be easy to find.
