At this very moment, thousands of personal trainers are convinced they need pricey promotional tactics to stay ahead of the competition, and are quickly draining their bank accounts as a result.
Mail-outs, magazine ads, newspaper listings – not only are these strategies expensive, but they don’t even snag enough clients to keep your business afloat.
Thankfully, a number of free strategies are right at your fingertips. Instead of pumping money into marketing sinkholes, make use of these inexpensive methods to bring in clients.
1. Create a Blog
You could always hire a professional to build you a multimedia-heavy business website...for a few thousand dollars. That said, you're reading this article, which probably means you can't afford to spend that kind of money.
An expensive website might wow your potential clients, but it doesn't matter how shiny your homepage is: it can't guarantee a return on that investment. A blog can attract new prospects, give you an online presence, spread your name across the Internet, and keep you connected with current clients – all for free.And the best part? Making a successful blog takes only slightly more Internet savvy than visiting this website. As long as you post new content on a regular basis – including health tips, fitness info, and a dash of shameless self-promotion – you can create a resource that’s valuable to your readers and lucrative for your business.
2. Offer “bring a friend” Training Days
Want to give prospects a free trial of your services but don't feel like losing time or money? Establish a monthly “bring a friend” session for your clients – and tell them to invite someone who wants a killer workout for free. It won't cut into your schedule to train two people at once, and if that friend is impressed by your services, you may have a returning customer on your hands.3. Set up a Referral Web with other Health Professionals
Let’s face it: you’re a pro at giving your clients incredible workouts, but they have needs you can’t always meet. That stressed-out executive suffering from stiff shoulders? A massage therapist could loosen him up. That client with recurring back pain? A chiropractor might be just what the doctor ordered – literally.Instead of trying to expand your services to encompass absolutely everything your clients may need, you can construct a network of personal health professionals in a wide variety of fields. You scratch their back, and they'll scratch yours: establish a system where you direct clients towards the services they need - nutritionists, masseuses, physical therapists and the like - and in turn, those services will send their clients to you. If you weave a well-crafted web of cross-referrals, you’ve just opened the door for more clients – without spending a cent on advertising.
4. Advertise on Craigslist
Why run expensive ads in newspapers and magazines when you can advertise online for free?Craigslist is how you can let the entire Internet know about your business. Just spend a little time writing up an attractive advertisement, and away you go. Thousands of Internet users visit Craigslist every day, and unlike print-based classifieds, you can continue to post your advertisement as often as you want for free. Provide your phone number, your e-mail address, or a link to your site, and voila: you’ve created a way for prospects to contact you without spending a dime.
5. Dive into the Sea of Social Networking
- FacebookYour rivals are already using social media to bring in clients; why aren't you? Use networking avenues to usher traffic to your amazing new blog, to advertise your special promotions, to promote upcoming seminars, and to post other updates you deem important.
Social utilities don't have to consume your life or your business, but the more of them you make use of, the more prospects you can reach. These networking tools can help you bring in business if used wisely.
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Here are the best Personal Trainer Marketing Strategies to take your Personal Training business to the next level.
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