Recently a group of students at a nearby trade school, graduated with a degree in personal training and achieve their NASM certification. Like I was when I first became certified, these kids are ecstatic and motivated. Our industry needs motivated and capable trainers. However, I got to thinking is getting certified or graduating with a degree the key to fitness success? The answer is obviously no. The work for these "newbies" has just begun. Here is a to do list for the newly certified/degreed personal trainer:
1. Learn how to market yourself - Being a knowledgable fitness pro is vital but so is having a knack for marketing yourself to others. Getting clients can be one of the hardest aspects of our jobs and can often lead to success or failure. Using social media, going to community events, speaking to businesses are all necessary to market yourself to the community.
2. Learn how to sale - Selling your services is vital, if you are afraid to ask for money it will be difficult to attain clients. Learning that selling is all about listening to what the consumer wants and supplying options for them to pick from will go a long way in building your business.
3. Find a niche - At first you will train anyone and everyone that comes your way. Over time you will realize that you have developed a niche market that you can market too and have the testimonials to back it up.
4. Consult with veterans - Find trainers that have been doing this longer than you and ask questions. In fact, ask as many questions as possible. This will help in the long run to learn from other people's mistakes so you do not fall into the same pattern. Finding mentors is a great idea in developing yourself in the fitness industry.
Certifications are great but they are only the start. You have to constantly evolve in business and mentality as you do in training.
