Helping people feel stronger and more confident through exercise and wellness is, in my view, one of the most rewarding professions, and it's the primary reason why I became a personal trainer. However, there are aspects of the job and craft, particularly the marketing and financial sides of the business, that I wish I had understood before starting on the journey of becoming a personal trainer.
As a beginner, you're rarely seen or even see yourself as a startup business, yet that's exactly what you are. Initially, the focus is so heavily on certification and mastering the skills required to be a trainer that it can overlook the reality of running a business. In this article, I'll share five helpful tips that I wish I had known when I was just starting out, designed to help you thrive and grow in your journey of becoming a personal trainer.
5 Business Tips For Personal Trainers
Here are the five business tips I wish I was told to keep in mind, font and centered; before becoming a personal trainer.
Personal Trainer Business Tip #1: Define Your Expertise
As we all know, fitness isn't a one-size-fits-all matter; individuals perform and see results differently, and the same applies to personal trainers. By honing in on a specific niche, whether it's the type of exercise or the clientele you serve, you can stand out from the crowded market. Specializing enables you to deepen your knowledge and skills in a particular area, establishing you as the go-to expert for clients with specific fitness goals. This focused approach not only enhances the quality of your service but also allows you to define your marketing efforts more effectively.
Personal Trainer Business Tip #2: Adopt a Sales Mindset
Sales skills are crucial for personal trainers. It's easy to become so absorbed in developing our training expertise that we might overlook the importance of enhancing our sales abilities. Learning to comfortably and effectively sell your value and services is essential. Much like strengthening a muscle, cultivating a positive sales mindset and adopting an empathetic approach to sales conversations is a continuous work in progress, but with practice, it can significantly support in client retention and growth.
Personal Trainer Business Tip #3: Word-Of-Mouth Marketing is Powerful
Word of mouth and client referrals remains one of the most effective marketing strategies for personal trainers and I can personally attest to this throughout my career and I‘m not alone. According to several studies, on average 70% of personal trainers contribute to client growth through word of mouth marketing. To make this an effective marketing tool, it's pretty simple: deliver exceptional client experiences and satisfaction. Personal trainers who consistently exceed client expectations not only foster loyalty but convert their clients to become their super fans for their services, naturally attracting new business.
Personal Trainer Business Tip #4: Diversify Your Income
Even when you reach the point of having a full roster of clients, you may encounter gaps between payments or a slowdown in sessions during specific seasons, such as the holiday period. Diversifying income streams ensures financial stability, a crucial strategy for personal trainers aiming to reduce their reliance on a single revenue source. Expanding your services to include options like a nutrition program, online coaching, product sales, or creating digital content with affiliate sales can provide a more stable and sustained income stream to compensate for fluctuations.
Did you know Quoia Activewear offers an affiliate program for personal trainers through our Train. Wear. Earn. program? We aim not only to outfit trainers but also to provide a pathway for you to earn and flourish in your craft. Sign up today to discover more details.
Personal Trainer Business Tip #5: Be Open To Change
Among all the tips, this one stands as the cornerstone of becoming a personal fitness trainer and running a successful business: be open to change. Whether it's embracing new marketing strategies, such as creating online content or engaging in affiliate marketing, or adopting emerging exercise techniques, maintaining flexibility and openness to change is essential to meet your clients' needs and sustain a thriving business. Incorporating new technologies and continuously refining your services based on client feedback are key to ensuring long-term success and fulfilling the purpose and passion at the heart of your career—helping people become stronger and healthier.
Final Takeaway - Before Becoming a Personal Trainer
And there you have it! Five helpful business and mindset tips for personal trainers that I wish I had known before starting on this journey. Personal trainers play an essential role in their communities, and I hope these tips assist you in keeping your business on a path of success and growth.
