When it comes to consuming the content of your personal training business, about two-thirds of potential clients use that content to consider exactly how authentic your business is and therefore whether they should hire you.
With that in mind, a fitness community will typically thrive on real content. Content that not only says "I can help you accomplish your goals" but content that actually does or at least shows you can do it.
In order to stand out, you have to engage your audience, stay ahead of trends, and spend less time pitching. If you're not in it for the long haul, it's hard to gain traction. A winning marketing strategy involves having your finger on the pulse of your fitness tribe.
Here are five easy ways to engage and grow your fitness community.
1. Start Small and Focused
This one pertains to all of the online personal trainers out there. It's tempting to think that because you're an online trainer, the world is your oyster.
Maybe it will be but if you put yourself out there in to the whole world of online training, you need to compete with the whole world of online training. And let's face it, there are bigger, more reputable companies out there right now with much larger marketing budgets.
The "big time" online trainers didn't start by throwing their hooks in to a massive ocean and hoping something would bite. They started in a small pond, probably a local pond, where they could easily obtain clients and more importantly, provide a good enough service that those clients spread the word and helped them get more.
In other words, the best way to grow your fitness community is by starting within your own local community.
Maybe it will be but if you put yourself out there in to the whole world of online training, you need to compete with the whole world of online training. And let's face it, there are bigger, more reputable companies out there right now with much larger marketing budgets.
The "big time" online trainers didn't start by throwing their hooks in to a massive ocean and hoping something would bite. They started in a small pond, probably a local pond, where they could easily obtain clients and more importantly, provide a good enough service that those clients spread the word and helped them get more.
In other words, the best way to grow your fitness community is by starting within your own local community.
Starting small in an area where you can help your followers get astonishing results will work in your favor on the long run.
Focus on what you do best is a winning approach until you get traction and build a following base. You're new, you're humble, and you want to make a good impression and build your reputation with amazing testimonials and success stories.
The best way to start is with your own circle and expand on them by entering message boards, related Facebook groups, and other social media platforms to put your name out there as the guy or the girl who is dedicated to helping those who need it.
2. Do Your Research
Knowing what your up against will help you formulate your strategy. Understanding what makes a fitness business stick and learning from fitpros in your field who have already achieved what you are aiming for can be a very cost-effective and efficient way of growing your fitness community.
If, like me, you have less financial resources and more time to invest when starting out, focus on using it wisely and research your target demographics and find out how you can help them.
If, like me, you have less financial resources and more time to invest when starting out, focus on using it wisely and research your target demographics and find out how you can help them.
When joining groups and existing platforms, spend time to answer relevant questions and establish yourself as an expert in your field. Paying attention to and respecting the rules of the community is also very important, as well as taking note of the shortcomings and common complaints to understand what mistakes to avoid when launching your own.
Friendly moderation of message boards and group posts will create a culture of trust. The fitness scene is in a constant tug-of-war with untested, generic, and often dangerous recommendations. You would like to create a free marketplace of ideas, but not one that is filled with unsolicited advertisement and offers. Focus on providing value if you'd like those people to value your expertise and not seeing you as a salesman.
3. Going Viral
Employing viral marketing strategies can prove to be more challenging then you would think if you don' understand how it works. It isn't just about hitting the lottery and having one of your posts reach the news.
Going viral is about nailing the perfect combination of emotions.Check out this Facebook competition our clients, The Barracks Gym used to attract dozens ready to buy leads:
Going viral is about nailing the perfect combination of emotions.Check out this Facebook competition our clients, The Barracks Gym used to attract dozens ready to buy leads:
With a bit of testing and tweaking your can quickly learn what works and what doesn't. Following content formulas and taking a hands-off approach will only get you so far. Those who think outside the box will go viral.
4. Great Content and Rewards
Adding value to the fitness community is all about personal expression and contributions. Providing readers and followers with great content should matter most. Don't just rehash news and blogging topics, tell an interesting story that is relatable for your target audience.
You can include your own personal experiences when discussing hot topics, rather than jut repeating what everybody else is saying. This also makes it easier to incorporate your fitness services into your stories, rather than trying too hard sell at the end of every news report.
You can also use your content updates as an opportunity to reward your most loyal readers. Those who tune in every time you publish an article or release a podcast can get rewarded with a discount code or exclusive offer. They will likely be the people with whom you want to test your products first.
You can include your own personal experiences when discussing hot topics, rather than jut repeating what everybody else is saying. This also makes it easier to incorporate your fitness services into your stories, rather than trying too hard sell at the end of every news report.
You can also use your content updates as an opportunity to reward your most loyal readers. Those who tune in every time you publish an article or release a podcast can get rewarded with a discount code or exclusive offer. They will likely be the people with whom you want to test your products first.
5. Interact with Your Fitness Community
All your social media posts should not be about your business or reporting on the industry. Instead, make the bulk of your posts about individuals and their successes your following base find relatable. These can be industry influencers or your own clients alike.
Showing your tribe what they can achieve will create a more genuine connection within your community. Don't forget to stay on top of your direct messages from members, answer them as soon as you read their questions. You want to remain as accessible as possible for your followers, so they know they can come to you anytime.
If you get to the point where you can't answer and reply to all your social media accounts: hire someone who can do it for you. The money you spend on a social media manager will be converted to sales in the future. Don't get caught up in raw ROI numbers when it comes to social media.
Showing your tribe what they can achieve will create a more genuine connection within your community. Don't forget to stay on top of your direct messages from members, answer them as soon as you read their questions. You want to remain as accessible as possible for your followers, so they know they can come to you anytime.
If you get to the point where you can't answer and reply to all your social media accounts: hire someone who can do it for you. The money you spend on a social media manager will be converted to sales in the future. Don't get caught up in raw ROI numbers when it comes to social media.
If You Build It, They Will Come
Building your brand in the fitness community requires patience and adaptability. Majority of your ideal clients won't be very responsive to cold-pitches and flashing advertising. Quite the opposite.
Sadly, there are many fitness products and services that seem to make lots of money off of empty promises, but they are not sustainable due to the high percentage of non successful costumers.
If you want to solidify your personal training business in the fitness scene and grab a piece of the cak for the long-haul, you need authenticity, interpersonal relationships, and a unique perspective. You need to focus on building trust through familiarity, not just the strength of your product or service.
Are you ready to launch your brand and leave your mark on the fitness community? Take these five tips and start working on your marketing strategy. When it's time, build your team of SEO marketers, social media managers, and strategists.
Contact My Personal Trainer Website for a free consultation on how to hit the ground running. Learn what works and what is trending in the fitness space. Get a strong fitness website built and ready for the future.
Sadly, there are many fitness products and services that seem to make lots of money off of empty promises, but they are not sustainable due to the high percentage of non successful costumers.
If you want to solidify your personal training business in the fitness scene and grab a piece of the cak for the long-haul, you need authenticity, interpersonal relationships, and a unique perspective. You need to focus on building trust through familiarity, not just the strength of your product or service.
Are you ready to launch your brand and leave your mark on the fitness community? Take these five tips and start working on your marketing strategy. When it's time, build your team of SEO marketers, social media managers, and strategists.
Contact My Personal Trainer Website for a free consultation on how to hit the ground running. Learn what works and what is trending in the fitness space. Get a strong fitness website built and ready for the future.
