A Tip from Pat Rigsby For Your Fitness Business.
Some people prefer to run their fitness business far away from their customers or clients.
They opt for as little contact with others as they can get away with.
While I understand that some people prefer their privacy, I have always felt like relationships were at the core of the best businesses.
And relationships are my favorite part of our businesses.
I prefer live meetings over phone calls.
I prefer phone calls over email.
That’s just me.
But even as much as I treasure relationships, I’m far from perfect when it comes from cultivating the ones I have and building new ones.
But I do make a sincere effort and I look for ways to keep improving at it.
Here’s a strategy I think will benefit you as you build your network – give everyone in your phonebook an A, B, C, D, or F.
That’s your A-list (call every 3 weeks), B-list, (every 5 weeks), C-list (every few months), D-list (twice a year), and Friends.
There are a few people in my life that would have disappeared long ago if there weren’t periodic phone calls – and now facebook to a lesser extent.
Go through your database, and reach out to people just to say, “Hi.”
Or – even better – to ask how they are and if there is anything you can do for them.
Or maybe share something that would be of interest to them.
For people newer to your network, really get to know them. Ask questions.
Listen. Make a point of discovering what you can do for them.
Don’t just call to say “I’m launching this new program” or “do you know anyone who can help me…”
Call unselfishly. Call with some news that will make them happy.
Keep in touch to make both of your lives better.
Remember – Everything great that happens in your fitness business career almost always starts with someone you know.
Dedicated to your success,
Pat Rigsby
Pat Rigsby is a Co-Owner of the International Youth Conditioning Association & the youth fitness franchise Athletic Revolution as well as a fitness industry consultant serving thousands of personal trainers and fitness entrepreneurs. Sign up for his fitness business free newsletter to discover proven marketing, sales and business strategies, along with blog updates, news, and more! While you’re at it, follow him on Twitter.
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Thanks for the post Pat and reminding us how important relationships are to a successful business, especially in our industry. This is the one thing that doesn’t cost a dime that can put you head and shoulders above your competitors! Just sending a client a text message or a quick phone call if they miss class or you haven’t seen them in awhile goes a long way in their eyes. Clients don’t expect you to call them if they miss a class to see how they are doing because any other business they’ve dealt with just wants their money and doesn’t care if they use the service or not.
Another thing I’ve been doing that I learned from Pat is to organize my Personal Contact with clients each month. I have all my clients on an excel sheet and I have 5 columns (personal email, personal phone, before/after camp talk, coffee, lunch). I put a check mark in the column after I’ve completed one of these and the goal is to check all 5 by the end of the month with every client. It may take you a couple months if you have larger camps but it’s a great way to organize and make sure you’re giving your personal touch to every client.
Get after it!
Mike