Fitness Marketing Timesaving Tips. A post By Pat Rigsby.
Jim & I have been at Tim Schmidt’s Tribal Marketing seminar and it’s been awesome. We picked up a lot of fitness marketing tips from it.
There has been tons of great material about building a business within a niche by cultivating a loyal following.
But from a Time Saving standpoint there has been a recurring theme from the people that have presented:
They focus on their strengths.
Let me give you a few examples:
- Tim Schmidt is an engineer by trade so he’s incredibly analytical. He tests and tracks everything possible. So he uses direct response advertising to grow his business since he’s going to stay on top of the exact ROI of everything he does. The results are a strong 7 figure business.
- Carrie Wilkerson – The Barefoot Executive – is the complete opposite. She is not a ‘tracking person’, but instead is a master networker, so she uses social networking to drive her business. She’s cultivated a following of over 50,000 people on Twitter and turned that into a 7 figure business of her own.
- Perry Lawrence – Mr. Video – is a ‘video guy’ so he’s based all of his marketing around the use of video (shocker huh?). He’s all over YouTube and he uses video pretty much everywhere other people would use written copy.
- Andrew Locke has a background in television so he created his own internet TV show…which now has 65,000 weekly viewers and generates tens of thousands of dollars for him each month.
How’s this apply to you and your fitness marketing? Easy – if you’re someone who likes public speaking then make that your core marketing strategy.
If you’re someone who feels most comfortable marketing by having people ‘Try out’ your camp, then set out to distribute tons of free trials or work referral systems to get prospects trying out what you offer.
If you’re a prolific writer then send out press releases and try to get a column in the local paper.
Instead of spending so much time beating your head against the wall doing things you hate doing, look for ways to turn your strengths into your biggest marketing assets.
This simple switch will instantly make you more productive and more profitable.
If you have any examples of how you’ve used your strengths to grow your fitness business – share them below.
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 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.
Facebook comments:
Related posts:
Great post Pat.
I actually discovered that I love to network and it has proven to ultra successful.
For me there is power in meeting with people face to face and learning about what they do. I put all of the focus on them and how I can help them. Ultimately, it turns into a win-win relationship.
I set a goal to power network at least 5 hours a week. From those network meetings I set at least 2 one-on-one meetings with business owners that interest me.
The one-on-one gives me a chance to learn the passion behind what the other person does and they get to do the same with me. Most of the time they are blown away that my business is run as professional as it is and that I do as much for my members as I do.
It’s very important to me that people understand that I don’t run just another workout program.
Donovan “DFitnessguy” Owens
Donovan made a great point in his post when he said “The one-on-one gives me a chance to learn the passion behind what the other person does and they get to do the same with me.”
I think that’s the key…get in front of someone face to face. Leverage those relationships and watch what happens…
As usual right on the “money” Pat.
Having a background in graphic design and video, I have been using these skills as well. Only until I read this post I never thought to really exploit them and I’ve been spreading myself too thin trying to diversify my marketing efforts. I have tried lot’s of things that “didn’t” work. But if using the tools and talents we have is key, then the future is looking bright. This is one of those “A-ha” moments.
Thanks for your insights Pat and idea’s on utilizing our strengths. I’ve come to realize that I enjoy being in front of people and do best working with them face to face. My strengths are tennis and fitness and have created a Tennis Fitness Bootcamp.
I don’t like to write so, I have my virtual assistant do my press releases, write sales copy and any other stuff I don’t have time for or do not enjoying doing.
I use to think that I had to do everything, but I’m finally learning the secret to success is focusing on what you enjoy doing and let others who are good at what they do help you get that stuff done.
It’s not always perfect, but atleast I’m working towards that idea, which will allow me to improve my service, and increase my business.
=VF
Great post. The comments above say it all.
Rick Kaselj
http://www.ExercisesForInjuries.com
Great post Pat! I feel my strength is actually getting people into my camps and letting them experience what we’re all about. Once they start dripping with sweat, feel the electricity and positive atmosphere all around them, they can’t help but sign up for the rest of camp if not more! So one way I’ve gotten people in front of me to showcase what we do in camp is by having a charity camp. We just had our first charity boot camp on Saturday and it went great! 30 new prospects and raising money for a great cause.. not a bad way to spend an hour on a Saturday
See you guys in 10 days!
What a relief. I’m just not ready for public speaking yet, and don’t seem to be able to find the time to make videos and audios. We only have one local newspaper here which is very limited space wise for press releases and really only accepts paid advertising.
What has really been working for me has been giving away free sessions to come and try. I give vouchers to new clients in their welcome packs and ask them to give them away if they like the program. I also offer the first 2 sessions free to anyone who calls me. Even though this has been working really really well, I have been feeling guilty about not utilising the other marketing methods. Well no more!
Thanks Pat I feel much better now.
Wow! I never thought of zeroing in on my favorite way of marketing which is referral marketing! Now I feel like I can really give my all out effort on that and not worry about spending less time on the other ways of marketing whichI don’t care too much about!
Whatsup Pat!
Yeah Andre Locke is one smart dude, and I was lucky enough to interview him this past weekend at Ryan Lee’s Event -
He found one thing to leverage in internet TV, and just exploded with it to a point where he really didn’t have to be great at anything else -
AWESOME
Great info Pat…I really like the free trial approach because I find a lot of people asking “what is the training like?” and it’s so hard to describe unless they just see it for themselves. Finding what works for you is so much easier!
Another great post Pat,
I seem to have a great way of getting people excited about my boot camps with the “bursting out of my skin” enthusiasm I have for telling people about my clients results. I don’t talk much about me.
By doing this I’ve had so many people go “wow, I want some of that”
I’ll let you know how my “top secret” plan goes soon
Marc Kent