9 Simple Ways to Use Video to Promote Your Personal Training Business

​​I'm literally the least qualified person to preach about video because I avoid it at all costs. It's been a weird phobia of mine since forever and I'm still not ready to bite the bullet.

But that doesn't mean my clients aren't using video as a marketing strategy and according to the Internet Trends 2017 report by Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield &Byers (KPBC), one of the largest and most successful venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, 74% of all online traffic today features video. 
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HubSpot conducted a consumer survey in 2016 and discovered that 43% of the participants said they would like to see more content in video format in the future. Video was the third most popular choice after social media and news articles.
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Statistics also showed that 51% of all video plays were on mobile devices in 2016, which is a 203% increase from 2014. 
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Now, I truly believe that personal trainers need to create a marketing strategy that suits their business model, personality and skill-set and those numbers tell us two things:

• more people jump on the more easily accessible new technology and will likely consume information in video format because it requires less effort and less time from the viewer
  
• half of all video plays already happen on mobile devices and that will only increase in the future
  

This means it's time for personal trainers to learn more about how to create and promote effective video content and also suggests that you should use platforms that are already mobile friendly.

Be sure to build your personal trainer website on a responsive platform so both computer and mobile users have a great experience and explore apps like YouTube, Vimeo and Vistia to host your video content for easy access and easy embed options.
 
Here are 10 efficient ways to incorporate video to your content marketing strategy and promote your personal training business.

1. Video as a Personal Introduction ​

​Many prospects, especially those who are new to fitness and those who seek specialized training, look at the trainer’s personal accomplishments and qualifications before making a decision to hire them.
 
You can promote your personal training service on the grounds of your relatability to your ideal clients through a compelling and engaging personal introduction video where you tell them your story, why it's important to you to help and why you are the right person for the job.

Brandon from Raw Motion Fitness uses his own story, his revelations during his personal fitness journey to build trust and engage people that are in the same situation he once was.
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2. Video as a Service Overview ​

You can use video to introduce your audience to the services you offer in a way that they can instantly visualise themselves working with you in your gym, studio or even at their own home if that's your niche. If you offer more than one type of programs, you can compare them and explain the differences.
 
This can be done by you showing people around in your facility, better yet to get your clients to tell what it's like to work with you and describe the service they received, like Michelle did on her In Person Coaching page.
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3. Video Testimonials

Customer testimonials are one of the most powerful promotional tools available to a personal trainer. Create video interviews with your existing clients describing their experience of working with you. Set up questions they can answer to find out why they chose you, what was their original goal, what results they got and how your personal training services helped them to achieve their goals.

Mike Beadle did just that for his website and edited the videos so they have the same branding.
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4. Video as a Knowledge Bank

Videos are great tools for sharing information and ideas and you can position yourself as an expert by answering your clients' problem in a short video. Henry Ives decided to take that route, he made sure the title and description contains all the importand keywords, then he embedded the video on his blog to boost his SEO ranking. 

​If there's a topic that's out of your scope as a personal trainer, for example in-depth nutrition or mind-set problems, even better if you invite experts to answer those questions for your clients. You will be seen as the trainer who cares and goes the extra mile to help clients.

5. Video as a Blog, a.k.a, Vlog

These days, some clients prefer viewing video content than reading blog posts. If you’ve been putting out written material related to health and fitness, this time, illustrate it with a video.
 
For example, record yourself shopping for the right gym shoes, as opposed to just writing about selecting the right workout footwear. Or simply start a YouTube Channel for your vlog and make sure you promote each and every new episode on all your social media channels to build your vlog audience.

6. Video as a Tutorial

This tactic works wonders if you offer online PT services. You can use your online training software library to add new exercise demonstrations, you can add the videos to your YouTube channel or can even publish them in your closed Facebook coaching group. 

Whichever channel you choose, make sure the exercise tutorials contain all the necessary theoretical information and visual clues clients need to be able to perform the exercises correctly.

7. Live Social Media Updates

Facebook Live and the like has exploded in the past year or so and the best thing with going live is that your followers will receive an instant notification that you are live, so they can drop whatever they are doing and check you out.

And that's the key. You see people, personal trainers and other celebrities go live all the time. However, if the live video stream doesn't have an interesting enough purpose, people will drop out very quickly and chances are the next time you go live, they won't even bother.

You can pevent that by building up the hype in advance, announce that you are planning to go live on a specific topic, generate interest and once you have enough people looking forward to it, you set the date and time.

Unannounced live videos are better for occasions when you have an important announcement to make or you'd like to reflect on a significant news or event.

Managed Website client, Aidan, used live video to cook a healthy recipe for his group members.

8. Video as a Teaser Trailer

Teaser trailers are great ways to create a vibe around a new service, feature, equipment or a fitness product.
 
A teaser trailer is short, engaging, and fun. Getting a glimpse of fabulous workouts, high-tech equipment and results that can be achieved will definitely increase demand for your services or fitness product.

9. Thank You Videos ​

​At the end of the day, you are what you are as a result of your clients, and a thank you is owed to the people who made you who you are. Heartfelt 'thank you' videos are great to improve client-trainer relationships.
 
They are also excellent tools for promotion, as they make clients and prospective clients feel cared for and appreciated. When you genuinely thank your clients for their contribution and your prospects for their attention, you appear more approachable and kind. Trust us; nothing works better for promotion than good, old-fashioned gratitude.