Fitness Business Questions. By Pat Rigsby
We had almost 50 fitness business questions last week when we provided you with the opportunity to tell us what you wanted help with the most. Over the next several posts we’ll address the questions you’ve asked.
Here’s installment #1.
There were several questions about effective marketing or lead generation…so Romen, David, Amir, Kevin, Matt, Leks, Chris, Jimmy, Ty, Matthew and Mahmoud…
Here are the most effective ways to generate new prospective clients for your fitness business:
Every day you should be doing a couple of things to grow your fitness business and generate new prospects. With that in mind, here are the marketing strategies I’d focus on:
- Public speaking. If you’re not doing at least 2 speaking engagements per month you’re leaving money on the table. If my numbers were low, I’d be doing one speaking engagement per week.
- Networking. Nothing sexy about it, but you should be passing out 1-2 week trials – preferably 3 per day, attending networking events on a weekly basis and reaching out to everyone already in your personal network.
- Business of the Month. We use this in the Bootcamp Blueprint. Reach out to local businesses and offer their employees a free trial of your services. If they want to continue, give them a great deal. If you contact several businesses each week, you’re sure to bring in a bunch of new leads.
- Fitness Referrals. Remember though – it’s your job to grow your business, not your clients. Therefore you need to be the proactive one and stop waiting around for them to do your work. Ask for referrals early. As soon as someone joins camp – even on a trial – ask for referrals. Ask them to give you the names and contact information of 3-5 people that they might like to join them in camp and you’ll provide their guest with a 2 week free trial. If that person joins you’ll give the referrer $50 off their next month.
- Joint Ventures. I just went into detail about this marketing strategy here.
My 2nd five:
1. Press Releasing
2. Direct Mail
3. Radio
4. Pay Per Click
5. Lead Boxes
All of these can work for your fitness business and work well – but you have to be consistent with them.
On a similar note, Donovan, Dan, Maureen and Tyron all wanted to hear more about what all of you are successfully doing to grow your businesses. So, if you don’t mind, please share your best marketing strategy, tip or system in the comments section below.
I’ll be back Wednesday with installment number two…
Dedicated to your fitness business 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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Awesome post, Pat!
I’m definitely going to work more on those ideas that you gave. I especially like the business of the month idea. I’m always looking to improve my marketing and you sure gave me some great ideas!
Great Post!!! I really appreciate the info. I do have one question though…what type of speaking engagements are you speaking about?
Thanks again!!!
Great post Pat.
I asked this question in the last post where you wanted our feedback, and I have no doubt you’ll be getting into this topic in depth in a future post, but I’ll ask this again since I’m so eager to get firing on all cylinders on this front:
Where are the best places to get speaking gigs? How do we find places to speak at, how do we approach these places to get them to say yes, how do we structure our presentations, how long is the best length, and how do we convert people who listening to these talks into paying customers?
Not a lot to answer there, I know
Thanks so much for all your help.
Yudi
Hey Fellas – we’ll be covering speaking engagements in one of the upcoming posts…should be within the week.
Great post Pat. You know I love networking thing.
Quick Networking Tip:
Every city has this – Find the one resource that lets you know everything that is going on in your city in the way of networking events, awards ceremonies, charity fundraisers etc.
This resource may be in the form of a business journal, community magazine, local community tv station etc.
Just find it and make sure you subscribe to it and refer to is regularly.
I just found a killer resource in my area and one of the first events I found out about was something called the FAST 50 COCKTAIL where the 50 fastest growing companies in my area were being awarded.
That means the CEO’s of all of the companies and everyone else that wants to rub elbows with them were going to be there.
You better believe I bought tickets for me and COO to go. Made some awesome contacts and already have some lunch dates set.
Find your city resource.
Donovan Owens
The Boot Camp Godfather
Thanks for these simple and effective tips. Sometimes we need to be reminded what we should be doing to gain new clients.
Your advice transcends countries as I am in Australia. I look forward to your simple and effective emails filled with awesome advice and tips. Thanks again!
im really in as form next year on marketing more public speaking , more networking with othre buisness as you said .
@Donovan “The Boot Camp Godfather” Owens – That’s an awesome tip, Donovan! Nothing like getting out there and hustling instead of sitting around HOPING your dumb a** Craig’s List ad is going to work.