http://www.ProfitablePersonalTrainer.com Did you know that an email list of just 500 is enough usually to generate more than 6 figures of annual income?
In this personal trainer business tip I share with you my “mechanic” breakdown of how to revitalize your list, provide tonnes of (more…)
http://www.ProfitablePersonalTrainer.com Today I share two quick tips to improve sales and service. The first is to stop constantly creating new “packages” to get your clients through the door. By rotating between two to three solid ones you can perfect the next steps, which leads to better customer (more…)
Ok so you’re training a few people and getting a taste for this idea of being “self-employed.” At some point you start thinking how great it would be to have your own space, one where you make the rules, where you control the environment. It seems like a grand plan, it feels as good as when you thought about moving out from mom’s house and taking control of your life once and for all. Then you start thinking about all the costs, get scared, keep doing what you’re doing and think to yourself, “those other trainers just got lucky…somehow.”
In the past sixteen months my coaching program has seen seventeen new studios open. People just like you, people that had the same fears as you the only difference being a little knowledge and a group of colleagues for support.
I may not be able to help you today with the support you need to overcome your fears about opening your own space but maybe I can help a little with the knowledge.
Here’s 5 tips that can help:
1) Don’t be distracted by high traffic locations
You may not yet have figured out how to capture an audience through multiple marketing channels like social media, email and events to name a few. As a result you might think that it would be a massive benefit to be in a location that’s visible, that has a lot of immediate traffic or visitors. Though this is logical it’s one of the things I’ve seen sink new studios really fast. The premium you pay for these locations is never justified in the sales that are produced as a result. Look for locations that are 1-2 blocks off the main arteries, we’re a destination location. A fraction of the cost savings invested in efficient marketing campaigns will way out perform that high traffic location.
2) The drive radius
The ideal location is really easy to access but off the beaten path. Next consider how far you can drive in 15 minutes at the worst time of day for traffic. Look at a city map and draw the boundary of how far you can go in those brutal 15 minutes; this will give you a very realistic idea of your real customer area. In fancy technical terms we call this your Isochrome.
3) How far can I get with paint and mirrors?
Don’t look for perfect, look for usable potential. Does it have a small reception and/or an office space? Does it already have 1-2 bathrooms and a big open space? Is there ample parking? Look for the space that you can get started with just paint, mirrors and equipment. Don’t think it needs to be perfect or look like the million dollar facility; truth is that’s a prehistoric business philosophy. Today people want to be involved in the story of your growth and development; they want to experience it as it happens. Even more importantly people are looking for places that present that “down to earth culture” and not the big box “I’m a number” environment. Hence the success of the garage gym!
4) Don’t sign a long lease
Now this might be more my opinion then sound advice, but then heck so are all the others tips in this column. I’ve signed a long lease and I’d never do it again. I believe the key to success in our industry is to be continually evolving. You never know how fast your business is going to grow (I outgrew my initial space in just 5 months), or the challenges you may face in dealing with a building owner (just ask me about unpredictable building operating costs.) I’d never want to be this restricted again I’d much rather face the risk of renegotiating costs every 3-5 years in an effort to keep my options open. Additionally here is where risk is a consideration, what can you carry for an extended period of time?
5) The secret sauce of where to look
Here’s the real gem of how to find that right space. Start by looking for all the dance and martial arts studios in your area of interest. Generally where these types of businesses are located you will find spaces in the appropriate price range for your business. They are often just off the beaten path and yet within realistic drive reach of people you wish to cater to. Additionally, sad but true, a number of these types of businesses often fail. This is important because their space is 90% setup for what you need; they’ve done the work and absorbed the cost for you!
Map out your plan, getting into your own space isn’t as difficult or as expensive as you first believed. The old adage of business was it cost a lot of money to get started, that you weren’t profitable for months or years. I don’t subscribe to this philosophy, if you’ve done your homework you can be breakeven or cash flow positive either by the time you open or soon after. Remember fortune favors the bold!
http://www.ProfitablePersonalTrainer.com After more than 2 decades in the industry and thousands of physical client transformations I realized a few years ago that my passion had shifted. As I learned effective fitness marketing strategies and fitness business systems from some of the best in the business I began (more…)
http://www.profitablepersonaltrainer.com Wouldn’t it be great if someone could narrow it down to just 3 things to focus on that would assure your success as a fitness professional? In this personal trainer business tip I share with you the 3 most prominent things that were discussed at a (more…)
I have been in this industry for about 8 years. I love what I do – somedays I think I am slightly addicted to my amazing career. I have been coaching in the 7 Figure Mastermind for what seems like an eternity (just kidding Cabel, it’s been a slice), I have watched some powerful and inspirational women rise and shine such as Shawna Kaminski and Lori Kennedy and I think its time we just chatted a little bit about the power of being a woman in this industry.The things I am going to say in this blog are going to be controversial. I may upset a few men out there – I may even upset a few woman but thats ok, controversial debate is often what broadens our horizons.
As a woman I have worked a 9-5, had a baby, lost 120 lbs, became a certified trainer, opened a training and nutrition business business, went back to school for 3 years, opened up an FBBC boot camp, became a 6 figure earner and now i’m onto my third enterprise of coaching and mindset mentoring. While I did all of this, I made sure homework was done, the leaves were raked, the dishwasher loaded (and actually turned on), sleepovers arranged and kick ass birthday parties created. I have made sure that anniversaries were not forgotten, offered shoulders to cry on, dropped everything for family emergencies and paid the bills.
I have done it all and I know many women out there, also have to do it all. Men, do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that we are forced into this, we actually CHOOSE to take on all these roles. We volunteer to wear all these hats because as women, we are the Queens of Multitasking. We have this incredible, amazing, wonderful ability to some how manage it all without spontaneously combusting (although some days we come close). We can go from Super Mom to Super Trainer in the blink of an eye (those who have ever had to calm a fussy baby while your in-home client finishes a 3rd set of push ups know what I mean).
Women in the fitness industry, women entrepreneurs and women following their dreams have an awful lot of responsibility to manage. Yes, we get lots of support and probably even more if we remembered to ask for it but the fact remains that even in 2014, we are more often than not the home maker, breadwinner and business owner.
Geez, we rock.
And so, I want to move forward in this blog with some words of encouragement to my fellow females.
I want you to remember a few things, things that mentors have taught me over the years and things that I cling to when times are less than easy:
You have unlimited energy. Yes you can train for 10 hours, set up a wicked marketing promo and then go look after your sick child before you clean up the kitchen. You have enough energy and resources at your fingers tips to get everything done.
Realize that you are not a man. Realize that we have an amazing journey of learning and expansion and that while we may see others charging towards their goals, we realize that we have children to raise or relationships to cultivate or weddings to plan in addition to the long term dreams. Will this slow you down….yea, maybe a little. Will you be a stronger and more well rounded person because of it…..ABSOLUTELY.and lastly
With our massive hearts and desire to look after the world, please remember to love yourself. I have spent many years caring for others including clients, friends, husbands and children, sometimes without too much care for myself. You are the #1 priority. Get over feeling selfish about spending more time on yourself. Do your workouts, get your calories in and go to bed when you should. In this industry we have to “be the product”. Ensure that you are keeping yourself happy and healthy. Focus on your needs each and every day.
Thanks for reading. I am sure this may have raised some eyebrows so please feel free to comment or email:tm@tmtraining.ca.
Questions can also be directed to that email address and I have some amazing resources in regards to mindset and energy if you are interested.
Till next time
Misty