What Business are You in?

Duh! The Fitness Business, Dave! No, if you are a fitness professional you are not in the fitness business. You are in the business of changing lives. You are in the business of creating experiences for your clients. You are the dream realization business. Too many times have I seen fitness professionals fail because they believe that the business they are in is working out. They believe that it is all about anatomy, biomechanics, sets, reps, and soreness. This is one reason we are having a hard time converting people who currently do not exercise into gym members. Here is a list of things we need to keep in mind when trying to get a prospect to use our services.

1.) Clients buy for their reasons not yours.

2.) Clients want an experience

3.) Clients want their problem solved

4.) Clients buy when they TRUST you

Keeping these four reasons in mind when approaching your business will help when you are in the prospecting mode and trying to gain more business. Don’t get caught in the trap of thinking that you need to inundate a prospect or client with tons of scientific terms and movements. Keep it simple and remember that you are in the business of changing lives and solving problems. If you just focus on solving the client’s needs you will be guaranteed to generate more personal training sales.

Part III of 7 tips on how to get more personal training clients

Last week I started a series of posts on, “7 tips on how to get more personal training clients” and today I want to finish the series with the final two. Before I finish the series let me give you a piece of advice that will help you. First of all, reading and agreeing with me is okay, but if you do not act and do something then you are missing out. One of my short comings for a long time was the fact that I read a lot, had great ideas, but never acted and implemented them. That all changed one day when a previous supervisor told me that you have great ideas but you don’t do anything about them. That lit a fire and since that day when I find myself talking about how I want to create more passive income or start a business I say to myself, “Quit talking and do something”. I hope I light a fire in you. Okay onto the final two tips. The first one is a simple action tip, but few personal trainers take advatange of what they have at their finger tips.

6.) Ask your current clients – Your current clients should be your biggest fan and you have at your fingertips the potential to get several more clients but you have to ask. Now, the key here is to make sure that you have an incentive for your client. For example, for every client they refer you can give them a few complimentary sessions in return. Think long term and big picture here. Also, don’t go to the well too often and if you ask them once and they do not respond then move onto another client. 

The final tip has to do with a marketing strategy called positioning.

7.) Position yourself – this final tip will take sometime to develop and understand. The biggest mistake I see personal trainers make is they want to everything to everyone. It is important to become an expert in a niche and market yourself as the expert. Once you have established your self as say the expert in “Back Pain” then people will come to seek you out for your help. If you are having a tough time figure out a niche just ask yourself what you are passionate about and gravitate towards that to start with.

Well that concludes the seven tips on how to get more personal training clients. Remember you need to start putting things into action because action will lead to results! Good luck!

Part II of 7 tips to getting more personal training clients

Yesterday, I presented to you the first three of the seven tips to getting more personal training clients. So, today I am going to give you two tips that could be the most important money making tips for your personal training business. Yes, I believe these next two tips will separate you from everyone else. Okay here is tip number 4 and 5.

4.) Create a blog- by now everyone has heard of blogs but not everyone has one and contributes regularly to it. The reason having a blog is so important is that you create a platform to share information, articles, and ideas about who you are and what you believe in. Now this is not a “how to start a blog post” but if you want some great info or program to create your blog then you need to check out Darrren Rowse’s 31 days to Build a Better Blog Click here to view more details. Once you have your blog set up make sure all your clients subscribe to it and tell them that you will post regularly to it. The number one goal is to provide valuable content that adds value to the relationship you have with your clients. 

5.) Write an ebook – It has never been easier to write a book. The technology we have today allows you to write your own book and self publish it. You can make it an e-book or a traditional hardback and market and distribute it online. Writing an e-book will do two things for you. One, you will be recognized as an expert and gain tremendous credibility. The second benefit will be that you now can gain new clients with out even training. You essentially will have created another passive income stream while not having to wake up at 6 am to train. Once again this is not a “how to” article on writing an ebook but if you want more info on that email me at Dave@DaveMcGarry.com and I will consult with you on how to get started. Now, since I believe in leading by example you can check out my ebook at www.anatomyofsales.com . Good luck and start writing.

7 tips on getting more personal training clients

How would you like to know seven tips to start doing today that will help you get more personal training clients? Now, my goal for you is over the next month try and implement two or three of these tips and six months from now you will start making more money and have more personal training clients. Today’s post is going to include the first of three posts that I will share with you on how to get more clients. Here are the first three.

1.) Get more knowledge – Yes, the first thing I tell new fitness professionals is to read, listen, and watch anything that is related to improving you as a trainer and business person. I am sure you have heard the phrase “Leaders are Readers”. This is so true if you want to be the lead personal trainer in your area you need to keep learning.

2.)Write articles – This is something I wished I would have done sooner. Newspaper and magazine editors are always looking for a great story and by being published it does two things. One, you become tagged as an expert and two, you get free marketing to hundreds of readers and potential prospects.

3.) Speak at local companies – In today’s economy, companies have had to dial back the perks they are giving out to their employees. So, having an expert come in and speak on health and fitness is something that employees want and value. You are doing the company a big favor and also yourself because it gives you a chance to market yourself.  Also, this will continue to build you up as an expert and give you the credibility you need to make the sale. If you do a good job you will be asked to come back and each time you speak you have the potential to get more clients.

Tomorrow I will share with you two ways to get more clients without physically training anyone. As for now pick up a book or listen to an audio of someone who can give you more knowledge, which will start you on a path to more money.

What it takes to be Customer D…

What it takes to be Customer Driven by Tony Alessandra http://tinyurl.com/ner2ku. I came across Tony’s principles awhile ago and have used them ever since. The Platinum Rule, which is his book on how to determine the four different personalities a person may possess is a must read. In the book you find out if a person is a socializer, relater, director. or thinker. Using this you can tailor your actions to meet the dominant personality style your client possess. By understanding the dominant style of personality you will be able to meet the needs of the client more easily and establish a relationship that will bring a win-win for everyone. Go check it out and apply this to all of your personal training clients!

Coach Dave