detric, Author at DETRIC SMITH

Ace Your Personal Training Interview!

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As the owner of Results Performance Training for over 14 years, I have done tons of interviews. Some were great, others were horrible! Here are a few tips to ace your next personal training interview.

Communication before the interview

Write professional emails and texts without slang or abbreviations. Do not take forever to respond to emails, calls, and text messages. Be professional when talking on phone interviews. This tells me so much about you! A major turn off if you have horrible communications skills.

Resume Current

Make sure you have an updated professional looking resume. This is your first impression. This can be the difference between getting called in for an interview, or not. We are not asking for your life story, just an overview of your previous positions. When I see training positions left off your resume, that come up during the interview, it raises a red flag.

How to Dress

It’s important to look professional during an interview. Make the most out of your first impression.

No need to underdress or overdress. Even though workout gear is what you will wear to work, I recommend not wearing workout gear to the interview. No Need to wear your Sunday best. Find an outfit that looks professional. Do not hesitate to ask if you will be required to demo exercises or workout.

Don’t brag about yourself!

The interview is a place to highlight your strengths. Do it in a way that does not make you seem arrogant.

When I hear someone say they were the best trainer on their old staff it turns me off. Never tell me that being a great athlete automatically makes you a great personal trainer. Heard a former athlete, uncertified with no experience, tell me “my playing career speaks for itself and this experience will make me a great trainer.” No, it does not.

Don’t Complain about your previous jobs!

This gives me bad vibes. If you complain about your previous job, I know it’s only a matter of time before you will complain about me. If asked why you left or plan on leaving, focus on career growth.

What If you are Not certified or have any experience?

Create a professional email to ask if they allow new trainers to shadow. This is a great way to get your foot in the door and learn more about the industry.Learn more about the facility you might end up working at.

Lots of gyms and personal training studios have positions for those who are in the process of getting certified. I have hired a lot of trainers who took the time to shadow or do unpaid internships before getting hired.

Must Read About Community and Network Marketing for Personal Trainers

Show up on time- AKA Show up early

This has ended so many interviews before they even started. I really hate when people show up late to an interview. If you somehow get lost , send a quick message beforehand. Still looks bad, because you should have done a test drive.

Arrive early and sit in your car vs trying to get there right on time. If you are late, don’t walk in acting like you were on time…ugh!!!!! At least apologize!!

Research the business and who you plan to interview with! –

It’s very important to research the company and who you plan to interview with! I am impressed when I can tell someone has done their research. Have intelligent questions to ask. It never hurts when a potential employee has a compliment for me:)

Qualifications and experience matter, but they are not everything

I have hired trainers with a million certifications and lots of experience, who were horrible. Or I should say, they were not a great fit on our team.

I have hired trainers in the process of getting certified who lack experience, who were great!

The person interviewing is looking at the little big things. Do you have a great personality? Good work ethic? Great at communication? Good energy? Will you show up on time? Growth mindset and coachable? If the answer is yes, then you are in a good position to get the position and have a great career in this industry!

Success is about the team. You have to be a great fit on that team. If you get rejected, it’s not the end of the world. Keep sending out those resumes and get experience with interviews.

Community and Network Marketing for Personal Trainers

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In my last post, I discussed that marketing is more than just posting on social media. You need to get out in the community and meet people. Do good things for people, the community, and it comes back to help out your business. A win- win! Plus, it feels good! It’s Fun!

Below are a few ways my business Results Performance Training helps out in the community. These are low cost marketing options for personal trainers. You can steal a few of these ideas for your business. If you are interested in a FREE Coaching call with me to help you design your marketing plan, text 757 589 7028

Joint Ventures with other Businesses

Partnering with other businesses is a great way to get more leads. The key is to figure out what’s in it for them. Go in with a series of questions that make it hard for them to say no to. An example we use is….

“Can I post your information on our community board for our members?”

We have a community board at our studio where we post community events, business cards, and information about local non-profits. We encourage our members to post and share what they have going on.

Partner with Nonprofits

Nonprofits are always looking to raise money to help out in the community! We research local nonprofits to see what events they have going on.Don’t forget to check with your current members to see what organizations they are passionate about.

They usually have events such as silent auctions, event nights, golf fundraisers, and other ways to collect money for great causes.

Silent Auctions

We donate our training packages, shirts, books, and consultations to organizations so they can auction them off. A win-win. They get your services to raise money for their organization. You get a lot of new eyes learning about your personal training business. We throw in friend passes, shirts, and books, so they can help bring in more of their friends after they win.

Donation Drives

We have a few months out of the year where we collect supplies for local nonprofits. Food items, school supplies, clothes, and the list goes on. This is a fun way to get your members involved in the community events.

Fitness Nights and Teambuilding

We have partnered with local colleges and businesses to have team building events at our studio. This is always so much fun! We give them a great workout! To get the most out of these events we have a special offer for them after the session. We also have an incentive to leave a google review.

Charity Fitness Nights

Charity fitness nights are similar to the above, but we are donating money or supplies to a great cause. A certain amount of the proceeds, or all of the money, goes back to the organization. We have even done nights where they donate supplies for a free group training session.

Public Speaking

Public Speaking is a great way to show the community that you are the fitness expert in your area. Meeting people in person is way more effective than just posting on social media. Get out and have real conversations with people. Educate, have fun, and connect with people!

Other Tips and Reminders

Connect on LinkedIn and Social media – Use Social media to enhance what you are already doing. It’s so powerful!

Get organized! – Some organizations are doing these things, but lack the organization to improve them over time. You need systems in place with all the details listed out. The small details like remembering to take that picture with them to share on social media, is a big deal. You need organized lists and documents.

Hey Personal Trainers! Stop Hiding behind Social Media!

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You post 30 times a day on IG, because the marketing guru tells you it will get you clients.

You spend all your time on IG getting exercise variations.

I see so many personal trainers hiding behind social media. All of you would benefit from having real conversations. Not messaging, but actually talking. Go to a conference and meet people. Schedule a time to shadow the coaches you are viewing. Have real conversations!

Posting 30 times a day on social media is NOT a marketing plan. Social media should be a part of your marketing plan, but NOT the entire plan. Get out and speak to people in Person! Go Network!

There is so much low hanging fruit outside of social media that will allow you to get more clients. I have coached trainers on things such as …..

Email marketing
Systems to get referrals
Systems to get reviews/social proof
Websites and landing pages
Blogging
Google and SEO work
Community marketing
Sales skills
…a million other things outside of social media

Do not get me wrong. Social Media is VERY important! Many of you reading this are older trainers like me. Probably happy you did not have to grow up in this era of social media controlling your life. So far, you have been nodding your head in agreement with everything I have said so far. Well, I am going to call you out…

Check out these essential Tips for Building Your Personal Training Business.

So many of you need to DO MORE with social media!

You have been changing lives for decades. You need to share that on social media! The newer generation of trainers can learn from you. Your next client can find you on social media.

A few tips for using social media….

Find the platform that works for you and your business. I see a lot of us older personal trainers afraid to use IG. Or a lot of the younger personal trainers not being on Facebook. In my opinion, everybody should be on at least those two platforms.
Make sure your content resonates with the person you are trying to reach! I see so many trainers making content for other trainers, when their target market is the general population just trying to get in shape. Your content is scaring them off! They are thinking “is he/she going to have me doing that?!”
Social media enhances what you are doing. It’s a way to share it with the world. It’s an amazing tool! But you need more tools in your toolbox!

Writing this blog post in the hopes that it will help you find a balance! Have a reason for being on social media. Who is your content helping? What is the goal? Who are the people you can learn from? Think about these questions before spending 20 hours a week on content creation. Before scrolling for hours to find 80 million variations of glute exercise!

Send me a message if there is any way I can help you grow as a personal trainer!

Tips for Building Your Personal Training Business

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Would you have your 60-year-old client who has never worked out before follow the LeBron James workout plan? No!

Then why do so many new trainers copy the marketing plans and advice from those big businesses. It works for them, so it must work for you. It will not. They did not do those things to get big. At least from the very start.

There is a big difference from going from 0 to 5k/mos, or 5k to 10/mos, or 10k to 15 or 20k per month.

So, this article series is for those with no money to spend on marketing. Those who have some experience as a trainer but are not fully booked with clients.

I will break this series down into a few parts….

New to Training and Working at a Big Gym with the Goal to Become Independent

Independent with Minimal Clients, but Needing More

Independent Personal Trainers Who are Getting Busy and Looking to Hire

Small Studio Owners

Today is an overview with a few quick tips….

Step One – Master Your Craft and Get the Basics Right

Please make sure you have taken the time to get the basic certifications and invested in becoming a solid trainer first.

Nothing annoys me more than some model, influencer, or athlete with no certification but expects to make six figures overnight as a trainer.

Okay, maybe the dude on YouTube who says you can make six figures online even if you have no certification or experience. With custom-designed programs blah blah blah…….No wonder so many of these new trainers have unrealistic expectations of the grind it takes to actually make six figures in this industry!

Step Two – Embrace the Less Glamorous Tasks

Building a strong foundation is never flashy but always required for success.

Some trainer making a ton of money says to post on IG a million times per day and it will make you rich! Social media is important, but just posting on social media is not going to make you money. You do it because of the rush you get when people like your post. You feel like you are doing something. Just like the person who does biceps curls and calf raises 6 days a week without a squat, deadlift, or press being programmed.

What is a strong foundation? Thanks for asking. Here are a few things I coach my personal training clients on……

Clear goals, mission, values – You must get clear on where you are going in order to get there. Why do you want to do this? Not liking your boss is not a strong enough why!
Understanding the numbers behind running a business – You need to be good at math to run a good business. It helps when you have a mentor that really understands the expenses you are getting ready to take on. The number of hours it will actually take.
You need a website, even if it’s a cheap one at first – You need a place to share your story, collect leads, and display value. Start somewhere. Build on it over time.
Are you swimming in red oceans or blue oceans – What really makes you unique?

If you are a 20 something year old trainer who wants to work with those who are already in pretty good shape then guess what? Just about all of your competitors want the same thing. Your ideal client does not have the money or a strong enough need to choose you over YouTube or IG. Or they can just go to the latest group fitness/fitness boot camp beat-down franchise that has way more money to spend on marketing.

Must read about MARKETING STRATEGIES TO GROW YOUR FITNESS BUSINESS

I teach you to be unique and authentic. I work on finding a target that has money and can see the value in what you are doing. I help you build value in the consumer’s eyes.

Self-awareness and living in the real world – This comes with time, but I know my ideal target has changed in the last 20 years of being a trainer. The target population for my studio has changed over the past 14 years. A lot of that has to do with me understanding the new landscape of competitors. Understanding me. I have changed over the years and so will you. The goal is to have a long successful career in fitness.
Create a social proof plan – People would rather eat in the restaurant with 5-star google ratings and a line out the door, correct? They would pay more to eat there when compared to the one that has no social proof. I help you create social proof, even if you do not have that many clients yet. You have to look popular and have reviews to get more clients.
Make sure your record keeping is on point when it comes to emails, phone numbers, etc. – So many trainers are sitting on a goldmine called reactivating their old clients. But they don’t have the record keeping or systems in place to make it happen. A simple how are you doing to a former client, or newsletter tips can be worth thousands to your business.
Using social media for money and not to impress other trainers – Look at social media from the standpoint of the person who wants to give you money. Not from the perspective of another trainer or fit person who will give you a like on your post.
Sales skills and understanding value – Sales do not happen by accident. They need to see value. I will help you create value in your programs.
Referrals – Do not leave them to chance. You need systems in place for this. Going back to my point at the top of this article. Become great at your craft!

Excited to work on this series of blog posts! As usual, send me a DM or email with questions. It helps me create content!

Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Fitness Business

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Introduction:

In today’s dynamic and competitive landscape, the fitness industry is experiencing unprecedented growth and evolution. With an increasing emphasis on health and wellness, more individuals are actively seeking fitness solutions to enhance their physical well-being and overall lifestyle. This surge in demand presents a golden opportunity for fitness businesses to thrive, provided they employ effective marketing strategies tailored to their target audience.

Effective marketing strategies are not just about promoting products or services; they are about understanding the needs and aspirations of your audience and crafting compelling narratives that resonate with them. In this blog, we delve into the world of marketing strategies specifically designed to propel the growth of your fitness business.

From identifying your target demographics to leveraging digital platforms and implementing data-driven techniques, we explore a comprehensive range of strategies that will not only expand your reach but also foster meaningful connections with your clientele. Whether you’re a small boutique gym, a personal training studio, or a health and wellness brand, the insights shared here will equip you with the tools and knowledge to navigate the competitive landscape and carve out a successful niche in the fitness industry.

Also, read about Interview With Generationally Speaking

Advantages of Making Strategies to Grow a Fitness Business:

Targeted Reach: By developing strategies, you can focus your efforts on reaching the right audience for your fitness business, increasing the likelihood of attracting interested and qualified leads.
Brand Visibility: Implementing marketing strategies increases your brand’s visibility across various channels, making your business more recognizable and memorable among potential customers.
Competitive Edge: Strategic marketing allows you to differentiate your fitness business from competitors, highlighting unique selling points and value propositions that set you apart in the market.
Customer Engagement: Effective strategies foster engagement with your audience, encouraging interaction, feedback, and participation in promotions, events, and community initiatives.
Lead Generation: Marketing strategies generate leads through various channels such as social media, email campaigns, SEO, and advertising, expanding your customer base and potential revenue streams.
Customer Retention: Strategies focused on customer satisfaction, loyalty programs, and personalized experiences help retain existing customers, leading to repeat business and positive referrals.
Measurable Results: Implementing strategies with clear objectives and KPIs allows you to track performance, measure ROI, and make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement and optimization.
Adaptability: Having well-defined strategies enables you to adapt to market changes, industry trends, and customer preferences, staying agile and responsive to evolving needs and opportunities.
Long-term Growth: Consistent and effective marketing strategies contribute to sustainable growth for your fitness business, building a strong foundation for future success and expansion.
Brand Reputation: Implementing successful strategies enhances your brand’s reputation and credibility, earning trust and loyalty from customers and stakeholders in the fitness community.

Here are the Names of All the Strategies Mentioned in the Outline for Growing a Fitness Business:

Understanding Your Audience
Online Presence and Branding
Content Marketing
Email Marketing Campaigns
Social Media Marketing
Paid Advertising
Customer Retention Strategies
Local SEO and Community Engagement
Analytics and Performance Tracking
Continuous Learning and ImprovementUnderstanding Your Audience:

This strategy involves identifying your target demographics, analyzing their behavior, preferences, and motivations, and creating detailed customer personas. By understanding your audience on a deeper level, you can tailor your marketing efforts to resonate with their needs, interests, and pain points, leading to more effective communication and engagement.

Online Presence and Branding:

Building a strong online presence and brand identity is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. This includes creating a professional website that reflects your brand’s values and offerings, optimizing your presence on social media platforms, and consistently showcasing your brand’s personality and expertise to establish credibility and trust with your audience.

Content Marketing:

Content marketing involves creating and sharing valuable, relevant, and engaging content such as blogs, videos, podcasts, and infographics. This strategy aims to educate, entertain, and inspire your audience, positioning your fitness business as a thought leader and providing solutions to their fitness challenges and goals.

Email Marketing Campaigns:

Email marketing is a powerful tool for nurturing leads, fostering customer relationships, and promoting your services. By building an email list, sending personalized and targeted emails, and leveraging automation for efficiency, you can stay connected with your audience, deliver relevant content, and drive conversions.

Social Media Marketing:

Social media platforms offer opportunities to connect with your audience, showcase your brand’s personality, and engage in conversations. With social media marketing, you can create compelling content, interact with followers, run targeted ads, and build a community around your fitness business, driving engagement and brand awareness.

Advertising:

Paid advertising involves using platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and PPC campaigns to reach specific audiences and promote your services. By strategically allocating budget, targeting relevant keywords and demographics, and measuring ROI, paid advertising can amplify your reach and drive traffic and conversions.

Customer Retention Strategies:

Customer retention strategies focus on nurturing existing relationships, encouraging loyalty, and increasing customer lifetime value. This includes implementing loyalty programs, sending follow-up emails, providing exceptional customer service, and creating memorable experiences to retain customers and encourage repeat business.

Local SEO and Community Engagement:

The goal of local SEO tactics is to increase your presence in local search results and draw in nearby clients. This involves optimizing your Google My Business listing, participating in local events, partnering with community organizations, and engaging with the local community to build relationships and establish your fitness business as a trusted local resource.

Analytics and Performance Tracking:

Analytics and performance tracking are essential for evaluating the effectiveness of your marketing efforts, measuring ROI, and making data-driven decisions. By monitoring key metrics, analyzing trends, and optimizing strategies based on insights, you can continuously improve your marketing campaigns and achieve better results.

Continuous Learning and Improvement:

Continuous learning involves staying updated with industry trends, experimenting with new strategies and technologies, and adapting your approach based on feedback and data. By embracing a culture of learning and improvement, you can stay competitive, innovate, and drive ongoing growth for your fitness business.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, implementing effective marketing strategies is vital for growing a successful fitness business in today’s competitive landscape. By combining a deep understanding of your audience, a strong online presence, engaging content marketing, strategic email campaigns, active social media marketing, targeted paid advertising, customer retention initiatives, local SEO efforts, and data-driven analytics, you can create a comprehensive and impactful marketing strategy that drives business growth.

It’s essential to continually assess and optimize your marketing efforts, adapt to changing trends and customer preferences, and foster meaningful connections with your audience. Building a strong brand identity, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and providing value-added services are key elements in retaining customers, fostering loyalty, and generating positive word-of-mouth referrals.

As you navigate the dynamic and evolving fitness industry, remember that successful marketing is a continuous journey of learning, experimentation, and improvement. Stay proactive, stay connected with your community, and stay focused on delivering results that align with your business objectives and customer needs. With dedication, creativity, and strategic planning, your fitness business can thrive and achieve sustainable growth in the long run.

Interview with Generationally Speaking

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Reinvention

Finding someone who has built and held onto that kind of success is like looking at Tom Brady or LeBron James. No matter what you think of them off the field or the court, they are special. They’ve had to adapt to countless unprecedented circumstances. The game is brutal, and they found a way to keep climbing, no matter the curveballs.

Running a business takes more than a typical skillset if you plan to survive (and thrive) long term. And it’s not the type of game where you shake hands with your competitor at the end of the day- it’s cold and unrelenting.

Reinvention

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Let me shoot straight:

It’s rare for a business owner to survive beyond the decade mark.

I’ve been in business with Results Performance Training for over a decade. Owning RPT has tested me and challenged me to my limit. I fought hard for these insights, and I hope they help prepare you for the wild journey of business ownership.

Always be ready for change.

Who you think you are now, how you run your business now, all your systems, all your knowledge of how your world functions… at some point, that will need to change. You started as just a trainer, but you will need to become a manager and leader- and so your relationship with your clients and employees will change. Relationships may end, even the ones you thought would last forever. The people you work with come and go.

The market changes. The industry changes. People change. Your business will change.

And you will change, too.

When you’re the owner, your business is your baby. It’s like watching a child go from a newborn to a 12-year-old hitting puberty. You love them just the same, but their needs are entirely different. One day you were changing diapers, and now they’re worried about dating, or flunking their math test.

And they just keep growing up- you have to learn to let go of your image of them. You need to let them be who they are. You have to get good at letting go.

But that’s an integral part of growth. Change is hard, but growth is impossible without it.

And too many businesses fail because they stick to a plan that worked when they started but failed to adapt to new circumstances.

So, be fully prepared to cultivate both resilience and flexibility. Some of your colleagues and employees will resist your transformation, especially when your success means change for them. You need to buckle down and stand by your vision, even when that means facing some uncomfortable situations.

Money may not be the end game, but it can end your game.

Most trainers don’t get into this industry for the money- we do it to help people. Well, guess what it takes to stay in this industry, to take care of yourself, and to impact even more lives? Yeah, money. If you’re holding onto judgments or fears around money, you’re screwed from the start.

Let the market give you the answers. Or, you can stick to your guns when the market isn’t responding, and go the way of Blockbuster (and if you’re young enough not to know what Blockbuster is, I rest my case).

Keep your head in the game.

Be prepared to make tough decisions- and make decisions based on numbers, not emotions. We don’t play this game with unlimited time. You only have so long to get the score you need to win, so sometimes you need to make decisions quickly, and following the numbers is the most reliable way to make those choices under pressure.

Again- staying in business helps more people long-term. Make this your mantra!

Stay sharp.

The better at your craft you are, the better you can adapt to your new roles. Stay invested in learning, and build your chops in training, marketing, sales, and leadership.

Life was so simple back when I was “just a trainer”. Now, I wear a lot of hats, and all of them require me to invest in my knowledge and skills so that I’m always expanding. I’m always preparing for the next step.

Know your worth.

You are providing a unique, special service that changes lives. That alone is worth its weight in gold, so feel confident charging your worth. You need to turn a profit to stay alive; no one will make it a decade by being a discount trainer. Identify what you bring to the table, and realize how valuable that really is.

Become an adaptable leader.

A successful business owner must become a leader. Eventually, you will have a team of employees. You will be put in unexpected situations and it’ll be 100% on you to direct the next course of action. You have to be ready to take that responsibility and the feeling of pressure that comes with it.

The physical and mental grind of business ownership will eventually require delegation. You’ll need to learn when and how to delegate with confidence. Those skills don’t always come naturally- it might feel uncomfortable at first. You’ll probably make some pretty dumb mistakes. That’s ok- it’s all part of the metamorphosis of your professional persona.

And once you’ve put in the years of grinding to become a good leader, you need to lead a generation you probably don’t have much in common with. You’ll need to find fresh tactics for interfacing with employees and clients. That will require reinvention, too.

Your evolution will constantly cycle to new levels and perspectives.

Who are you really competing with?

Be real with yourself- you probably aren’t competing with a major corporation any time soon. You don’t need to try to upstage a major big-box chain.

Who has a specific need you can cater to better than any other business? Zero in on that. You will only make things harder for yourself if you try to start a small business by just copying others.

Know your purpose.

You need a rock-solid foundation to support you through this. Make sure you have a clear, strong sense of purpose. Define it. Return to it when it feels like things are falling apart. If you don’t have that, you won’t have the fortitude to overcome the battles ahead.

What truly matters to you? Why is this your passion? Are you creating a high-quality, welcoming environment that gets people to kickstart their fitness? Are you supporting people’s transformations? Are you serving a niche market that gets shafted by the big-box gyms? What are your core values, and what is your mission?

Keep a written record of your answers, and let them be your guide when you inevitably hit one of those dark days where you question everything. Oh yes, I promise you- you will have those days!

But you’ll have ones where you’re on top of the world, utterly in love with what you’re creating, too.

The game isn’t easy, but if this is your calling, trust me- the level of transformation that awaits you is immensely rewarding. Remind yourself of your purpose daily, be willing to change, put in the work, and watch your creation flourish.

Low Cost Marketing options for Personal Trainers – Email Marketing/Newsletters

Low Cost Marketing options for Personal Trainers - Email Marketing/Newsletters

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WHY Email marketing?

Helps you close the long sale. They are all long sales!

The biggest sales mistake trainers make is not realizing how important follow-up is! I use my newsletter to follow up without feeling like a pain in the ass. I get in front of them every week with content that helps to solve their problems. They appreciate this more than “Hey, buy my stuff “ a million times.

You still need to have an offer in every single newsletter. You will also want to create a signature that explains the ways they can contact you and get started with your services.

Helps you get members to return to your services!

Most of the people who leave you will come back at some point. They are going through this thing called LIFE. Bonus points if you know what song that came from!

The best way to stay in front of them is to continue to provide solid advice that lets them know you are the best option! A solid email marketing plan will allow you to set up reactivation campaigns to get past clients back in the doors.

Helps you build trust and increase the value of your services!

You will stand out from the rest if you put out solid content. Not the same ol thing that everyone else is doing!

Some tips …….

Create a Lead Magnet! – Create, or have someone else help you create, an ebook in exchange for their contact information.

Make it about your readers- It’s about them! If your average client is over 50 with an injury or two and has not worked out in 10 years, then videos of you deadlifting 500 pounds is not going to work! Dive deep into their specific problems. Survey your members on the type of content THEY want!

Have offers, but don’t go too crazy trying to sell – The quickest way to get them to unsubscribe is by sending out emails with buy my stuff every week! You must add value with quality content. I am NOT saying don’t ask for the sale!!

Have a super signature and subtle CTAs inside of the newsletter – Create offers that are weaved into your content. For example, if you need my business coaching services to help you figure out how to set up a solid email marketing campaign then text business coaching to 757 589 7028 🙂

Segment your list – If you serve different types of people then segment your list. For example, if you serve athletes and gen pop, then that should be two different lists.

Helps you become a better writer/communicator – Forcing yourself to write every week for your newsletter will improve your writing skills! Improving your communication skills will lead to more money.

Hire a writer if necessary – Too busy? Consider hiring a fitness writer to help you create content! If you need any assistance with this text “fitness writer” to 757 589 7028 and I can help you develop content for your target market.

Make a video – No time for writing? Make a video if that is your thing!

Repurpose this as your blog post and social media posts- No need to come up with different content for every platform!

How often should I send out a Newsletter?

Something is better than nothing! We say this to our clients all the time, but we often get hung up on the all or nothing mindset ourselves.

If you are crazy busy and don’t have as many clients, even once a month or twice a month can work. As you get more clients, increase the frequency to at least once a week, then maybe more than that. Focus on keeping the content quality! Don’t just send out something to send out something.

Can I use my regular email or should I choose a Platform –

Not a good idea to use your regular email. If you are truly in the beginning stages with next to no clients, then it’s not the end of the world.

There are quite a few platforms that can work and you are not locked into one forever. Aweber, constant contact, mailchimp, and quite a few others. These platforms allow you to track stats as to who has opened your email, what they clicked on, and will allow you to segment and schedule emails. You will want people to have the option to unsubscribe.

Detric Smith, CSCS, ACSM -EP

3 ways to work with me!

Are you a New Personal Trainer Looking for Guidance to Get certified and Survive your first year or two of training? Check out my “Certified, Now What?!” Coaching Services and TEXT “ Survive Year One” to 757 589 7028 to set up a No charge consultation to Learn More!

Trying to make a REAL Career out of Fitness?! Check out my individualized Business Coaching for Personal Trainers and TEXT “ PT CAREER” to 757 589 7028 to set up a No charge consultation to Learn More!

Are you a studio owner or Fitness Manager Looking for A Trainer/Studio owner with over 2 decades of experience to Develop your Staff? TEXT “Staff Development” to 757 589 7028 for More information!

Low Cost Marketing Options for Personal Trainers – Networking

Low Cost Marketing Options for Personal Trainers - Networking

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Most personal trainers ask me “How am I supposed to compete against the big gyms when it comes to marketing? I am broke! ”

I am sure you have heard business coaches say it takes money to make money. This is true to an extent. As your business grows,you should be investing back into your business in every possible way.

When you are first starting it’s a grind. But you have a few things on your side that can help you get clients, even if you are broke. In this series of blog posts I plan to discuss a few marketing methods personal trainers can use to get clients.

Network Marketing for Personal Trainers

About 15 years ago I moved to Williamsburg to start my personal training business. I knew absolutely no one in the area. I had a full time job as a teacher while training people before and after my school day.

I was not exactly breaking the bank as a teacher. I was not able to spend money on ads, direct mail, or anything to acquire clients. I had to hustle and use some grassroots techniques with the main one being networking.

Most trainers say they are networking, but they are not! They have no systems in place at all. They put no effort into it. And just like the clients they train, they have no patience.

A few strategies you will need to put into place….

Write it down! —

Create documents to organize your networking list. Every trainer I meet says they network, but they just have it up in their head. No!

Create a google doc , excel, or anything to record people you meet under categories. This is the first thing I do with the trainers that I coach in my Business Coaching for Personal Trainers program.

Use LinkedIN, FB, Instagram, and other social media networks —

Now I know most of you younger ones out there are not doing a lot with FB. I can hear you saying “but that is for old people!” Yeah, as in old people who have the money and time to actually pay you for your services!

I can also hear you old people saying “But I can’t keep up with all these platforms the young people are on! I did not grow up with that stuff!” You will be the first one’s getting left behind. Suck it up and adjust to the times!

When I first moved to the area I connected with a lot of local celebrities so to speak. Back then it was mostly using FB and LinkedIN. Your goal is to get people in your area to see you are connected to a lot of these people. Even if you do not train them. Others will assume you train them or you are a person they should meet.

These platforms will also help you organize your network. They help you see how people are connected. They will make you realize just how small this world is!

Don’t forget the obvious!

So many personal trainers forget to list their entire network of family , friends, or businesses they frequent.

“Oh, well they can’t afford my services” or “They won’t hire me as a coach.” Yes, that might be true. But I can GUARANTEE you they know someone who can.

It’s a small world out there! Think about opportunities and keep an open mind!

Get out to local events!

Get away from the gym and meet people in the community! I have been able to get so many clients from working at coffee houses, having conversations, and handing over my business cards.

Find local events that support nonprofits in the area. Most would be excited if you donated a silent auction gift around your training services.

Start a newsletter !

This is another great way to grow and organize your network! The best way to stay in front of a potential client long term is providing great content to their inbox!

Writing has made me so much money over the years! They will appreciate this so much more than hearing “buy my training” a million times from you! You want to be in front of them when they are ready to make a decision to change their health. This is a BIG decision for them, so use your content to build trust over time.

“But, I am not a writer!” Practice it, or hire a coach and/or writer! If you need any assistance developing content or finding writers text “fitness content creation” to 757 589 7028 and I can send you more info on hiring writers!

One more thing. If you like my content, make sure you sign up for my newsletter here => Detric Smith Newsletter

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Top programming mistakes robbing your clients of great results

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You’ve earned your cert and clients are rolling in. Now it’s your job to keep them happy, coming back for more, and seeing fantastic results.

Fantastic results don’t happen without great programming.

You probably know a little bit about programming… well, you know what’s worked for YOU based on your specific athletic background. You know the basic model you studied for your certificate. You know how to throw someone through a high-intensity circuit and make them feel like they got their money’s worth.

But does that translate to stellar long-term outcomes?

I’ve worked with enough new trainers to identify these incredibly common mistakes that are preventing your clients from reaching their maximum potential.

Choosing “fancy” movements over the most appropriate exercise.

Never sacrifice quality movement to try and make your workouts interesting. Choose exercises that your client is capable of performing and that actually suit their goals.

There’s no point in doing a complicated combination or advanced movement your client can barely grasp if their form and muscle activation go out the window. Always explain your reasons for choosing specific movements, even if they seem simple. When your client understands the “why”, they will be on board with your program because you’re demonstrating your professional expertise.

Programming for novelty over optimal design.

Yes, some clients get bored with repetition, and you should include some fresh variations to keep them interested- but, you need to make sure you’re still creating effective programming. That means proper frequency, intensity, and progressive overload. You need to hit every muscle group at least twice a week, with enough increase in intensity to stimulate optimal muscle growth.

It’s important to repeat key movements with enough regularity to document an increase in reps/weight. Explain this to your client, so both of you are on the same page about tracking their results. Be sure to celebrate PRs! It keeps people excited about coming back to the same movements.

Skipping the foundation.

If your client is new to working out, chances are they’ll need a stabilization phase, or some kind of introductory phase, where you will train their coordination, mind-muscle connection, and overall endurance rather than hammering their strength or power.

Don’t be afraid to include a realistic timeline for this phase if your client needs it. If they’re starting from scratch with no prior athletic experience, that means they aren’t going to jump straight to the barbell, even if their long-term goals include bodybuilding.

Again- communicate with your client. Share your vision and get them on board with the long game. Show them you have their best interests at heart, and you want them to get the best results possible while ensuring injury prevention.

Skipping cardio, conditioning, or mobility.

Yes, resistance training is important- but cardio is also key to long term health, and can improve overall endurance and even work capacity for lifting. It’s also an easy way for clients to get used to more consistency and encourage fat loss. You don’t need to spend a whole session on cardio- they can do it on their own time. Just make sure it’s included in their overall program.

Many clients are coming from a sedentary lifestyle and really need mobility work. It can seem annoying to take time out of your session to teach stretching techniques, but if you spend a little time on it up front, your client can start implementing stretches and mobility drills on their own. Mobility is the key to injury prevention and overall recovery in fitness.

Conditioning is key to improving work capacity and recovery for clients of any level. Your clients will feel more energized and athletic, and recover more quickly between challenging sets and after intense workouts.

Overdoing frequency.

Do you hammer your client with daily full-body workouts that don’t allow enough recovery for each muscle group?

Or maybe you split the muscle groups up so much that they’re really only targeting a given muscle once a week, even though they work out nearly every day. It’s difficult to stick to this frequency, and if they skip a day, you’re stuck with a two-week gap between working that specific muscle. You won’t see much progress.

Or, you launch a beginner into an advanced split like a 6-day PPL routine, where they hit everything twice a week, but aren’t conditioned to lift heavy every day. This will leave your client exhausted, especially if they’re already busy.

Forgetting to account for your client’s lifestyle.

New clients are going to struggle with the lifestyle change of a new fitness routine, and it’s unrealistic to ask them for 6 sessions a week in the gym. Most clients only need 3-4 resistance training sessions a week plus some cardio and mobility work. That’s enough for them to stick to it, stay consistent, recover, and have some time and energy to work on their nutrition and sleep.

If you’re assigning a “homework” workout, make sure they can complete it in a reasonable time. Suggest activities that are enjoyable or even allow them to combine fitness with social time- hiking or outdoor sports, biking or walking on their commute, dancing… basically, make fitness motivating and flexible for where they’re at in life.

Always look at the big picture.

As a trainer, your job goes beyond a single workout- it’s about looking at the big picture and truly changing your client’s life. With a truly great program, you build the momentum of a client’s fitness journey to set them up for success for many years to come.

If you’re ready to level up your programming game and spark amazing results for your clients, check out my Mentorship Opportunities After over 20 years of experience in the industry, I can improve your Programming and Coaching Skills and Take your Business to the Next LevelTake your Business to the Next Level.