I want to share a quick marketing tool with you: I started my version of a 'Core Performance' Class at the corporate fitness center a while back, and tweaked it with some of the API stuff to kick it up a bit. All multi-joint, full-body motions combining strength & stability...people love to hate the class! I have participant who has lost 30 pounds to date! I sent her a couple of questions about her experience, and then used her answers as a success story - and the front page of my monthly newsletter. (Don't think that that didn't get some people's attention during the holidays!) This is a great way to use your success stories - send the client some leading questions, and use the responses for marketing - here's what mine looked like:
Success Story In Progress: Sandy O. - Baxter International
What initially inspired you to hire a personal trainer?
I am one of those people who couldn't get down to the office fitness center if I didn't have an appointment or a paid class to attend. My college daughter was the one who told me I should put exercising on my calendar, so I did. (Then she convinced me to pay for her to use a personal trainer on campus!) Several of my colleagues recommended Andrew to me.
What were your goals when you started?
I wanted to be fitter so I wasn't out of breath every time I walked up a flight of stairs. I wanted to lose weight and I wanted to have more energy to get through each day. I also had back problems, so I wanted to strengthen my core muscles.
What has been the biggest change you had to make?
Two things changed: First, I had to decide I wanted to be healthier. I recognized that, if I didn't change something, I would continue to put on weight, my back would hurt and I wouldn't feel good. I had to change the way I thought about my health and well being and make it a bigger priority. Once I did, it was easier to get into the habit of exercising several times a week. Second, I started eating about every 3 hours, so I eat more often than I used to.
What have your results been so far?
With only the personal training, I was seeing some limited results in that I was fitter, but not losing weight. When I added in regular conditioning classes and a nutritional weight management program, I saw dramatically better results. I lost weight, my energy level was better, and my back felt good. There are other tangible results too. I can look at the difference in the amount of weight I can lift now or the number of push-ups I can do versus what I did when I first started working out.
Now that you've achieved these results, what are your next goals?
I haven't hit my optimal weight, so I want to continue losing a few more pounds (or at least stay level during the holidays!) and I want to be able to hold a plank for 40 seconds. I think the benefit of having a trainer was that as I got better at a particular exercise, Andrew could modify it to keep it challenging. There's always something new to try and achieve and it is very rewarding to see the progress.
I am happy to share this success story with you! Sandy O. started training with me in April of this year, with a 12-month goal of losing 25 pounds. I am happy to report that, having combined individual training, group training classes, and a supportive nutrition program, she has already achieved her goal, and she’s not done yet! Please congratulate her on her great accomplishments! -- Andrew
Choose questions that lead your client to provide information that would be relevant and motivating to others. I wanted people to know that others were referring me, that she had hit her goals, and what changes she'd needed to make in order to succeed, so I chose questions that led her to provide that information. Better still, she's become a bit of a celebrity at work, and the new attention she's getting helps her to talk about - what else? - working with me! Free marketing!If you have any tips or ideas that have been successful at improving your business? Share them! This is our forum - keep using it!
Happy Holidays to you all -
Andrew, aka 'The Professor'
