I am a relatively new trainer but am pretty old hat at business so thought I would share with you what I did to start my personal training business. I am sharing this because the results of it surprised even me and I am already not able to take people in to train who are requesting me. I am pretty sure that I could earn 6 figures in this job right away if I made it my full time job.
At my age, I have a fairly extensive network of people that I know. I am guessing that you all do as well. What I did was around the holidays (market window) I sent out a mass mailer to all my friends, coworkers and casual acquaintances telling them that I was going to become a trainer. I then explained my holistic approach to fitness and well being and offered a little bit my philosophies on teaching. Finally I offered a free program design and initial session to anyone wishing to learn more. I told them I was doing this because I was new and needed the experience in the gym (this is true but it wasn't the only thing I was after)
My inbox and phone went crazy. I did 8 consults that first week and sold every one of them on more sessions. I have more people in the queue, but I cannot even take the 8. 2 of those 8 people (btw) recommended friends to me. As an experiment I doubled up 2 of them and did a session that way. It was a lot of fun and it was also a big money maker.
Like I said, I can easily see growing this into a pretty substantial income. Alas, I cannot do this for multitude of reasons including the fact that I am only part-time doing this and I am still so new. I need to protect my rest time and focus on 1 or 2 clients and learn, learn, learn....
I just thought I would share this story with you in case it is a marketing strategy that you have not yet thought of. I never expected it to work so well.
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The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
Good job Karla!! You are definitely doing more training than some other trainers are.
I like that you are cautious of not taking on too much. So many professionals when they start out in the field, try to train every Tom, Dick, and Harry. BIG ROOKIE MISTAKE! And within a matter of months, the quality of their service begins to rot, their products have errors, and they fall off the wagon.
Continue to manage your client list and avoid burn-out. Take your rest and "me" time seriously. It will give you own training time to hit your own fitness goals and remain happy and passionate about helping people--face to face.
This is awesome! Way to go! I agree with John - being selective about clients and making sure you have "down time" is super-important and will keep you kickin' butt in this business for a looooooooooooooong time!
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Wow, Karla. That's awesome! Your post couldn't have come at a better time for me. I am finished at 24HR and about to embark on my own part time personal training business at this moment. I don't have the network that you have, or your personality, but you have definitely inspired me to start really getting creative with marketing myself.
Since I still consider myself a new trainer as well, I also plan to start with just a few clients and build my business gradually. I do want this to be my only job someday, but I'd rather go it slow and develop a solid reputation. At 24HR we were expected go for quantity and it could be overwhelming. Plus, more often than not, the clients I was training just happened to have purchased a membership package that included a handful of training sessions. Although the price of the training was included in the membership fees, to these people the training was 'free' and had no real value. I am looking forward to working with clients who are there because they are seeking my help rather than clients who are just using up their free sessions and aren't really into it.
You've really got me thinking now about my next step (well, besides liability insurance, business license). I've already found a small independent gym where I can train my own clients for a reasonable monthly usage fee. Thanks for your ideas...I'll have to figure how do something similar.
kfishrex it seems like you got tonns of experience at lots of things and your real good at it like business and training. Do you teach anywhere cuz I bet people would get much better at things if they learn with you? The succsess should also help your spirituality.
I like that you are cautious of not taking on too much. So many professionals when they start out in the field, try to train every Tom, Dick, and Harry. BIG ROOKIE MISTAKE! And within a matter of months, the quality of their service begins to rot, their products have errors, and they fall off the wagon.
Continue to manage your client list and avoid burn-out. Take your rest and "me" time seriously. It will give you own training time to hit your own fitness goals and remain happy and passionate about helping people--face to face.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarah Rippel
This is awesome! Way to go! I agree with John - being selective about clients and making sure you have "down time" is super-important and will keep you kickin' butt in this business for a looooooooooooooong time!
Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure if my post would be of value to anyone else but I figured if even one person benefited it was worth the typing. WRT the "me" time it is interesting that I figured out how important this is already by my work with my own trainer (Alan Aragon) this week. I was sort of crashing on my workouts and my training and my appetitie was off as well (I was actually starving all the time) and when I got into it with him as to what the possible change was in my program it boiled down to this new job and the work I was expending to launch everything. It took me just a few hours to assess this and fix the problem. I have things back on track now for me and am just going to approach this slowly and concentrate on learning. I already know I can make the money now I have to prove that I can provide the service. (Your 100 dollar an hour post John also inspired my decision making. While I know emphatically that I can make 100 dollars an hour I do not know I can be everything I need to be if that becomes my focus.)
My guitar teacher says that to become the very best that we can be in any endeavor it takes a triangle of performing, learning and teaching. I am currently prepping for my first show (2010), studying with Alan and a handful of others, attending the summit, etc and now I complete the triangle with my teaching.
Life is awesome!
PS: Kathy I declined offers from 24 Hour due to the things you have experienced. Good luck with establishing your own business. It will be fun!
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The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
Your learning guitar too?! Thats wicked!! How do you make so much time for this stuff. Mabey you dont sleep or your just good at the management of it.
What kind of songs do you play on the guitar? Do you do the classical or do you like to rock out? I like the classical but mostly I like to rock out to the heavy metal
Charlie... I am an avid classical guitarist. I have been playing for 5 years now and last night did a performance of the Bach Cello Suite I prelude that I was actually quite proud of. It took me 3 years to bring that sucker up to where I could play it for audience. LOL!
I go full speed for every hour I am awake all day long.... There is no other explanation for the 2400 cals a day I burn even in rest. LOL!
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The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
You two are definitely on the right track - The approach you are taking --not taking too many clients, allowing a waiting list to build is good for several reasons -
First, if you're picky about your clients, it allows you to not only specialize, but train clients you enjoy training - your enjoyment is very important -
The second thing you're doing right is staying calm, and allowing a waiting list to build up. With a deep waiting list and solid marketing and results from your current clients, you'll be able to up your fee faster than you think -
Great job! You're setting yourself up for success - (And my definition of success is more along the lines of working part time for a full-time income)
Well done! Having a waiting list is a great feeling! fficeffice" />
One thing I have found that is vitally important is to maintain contact, or you may find when you get a slot people on your list have gone else where. This is not such a problem if you are a specialist working in a niche market. But try and give those waiting an approximate time when you should be able to take them on, this I have found takes the edge off waiting.
Also always remember those who have referred you good clients, find your own way of letting them know you value their referrals.
TOM
Well done! Having a waiting list is a great feeling! fficeffice" />
One thing I have found that is vitally important is to maintain contact, or you may find when you get a slot people on your list have gone else where. This is not such a problem if you are a specialist working in a niche market. But try and give those waiting an approximate time when you should be able to take them on, this I have found takes the edge off waiting.
Also always remember those who have referred you good clients, find your own way of letting them know you value their referrals.
TOM
How I already got a wait list....
I agree with John - being selective about clients and making sure you have "down time" is super-important and will keep you kickin' butt in this business for a looooooooooooooong time!
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