Answers (7)
2
Keith, I do it and it works. The best way to answer your questions is to ask your clients those questions and build a package that meets their needs. It may not be your ideal, but a compromise.
It is still important to have other packages and you can never truly forecast your income, but you can implement the main concept.
Good Luck!
Phil Carpenter Lee
LightSpeed Fitness, Inc.
It is still important to have other packages and you can never truly forecast your income, but you can implement the main concept.
Good Luck!
Phil Carpenter Lee
LightSpeed Fitness, Inc.
1
Hello Keith, Hopefully you have resolved this issue prior to this post.
I have had this issue before and I approached it that some clients might get sick, injured, attend a wedding or take that long needed deserved vacation.
We as professional trainers can take off time too for the same reasons..thus leaving those un-used sessions to spill over into another week or two, which puts us in the same situation as your question.
If I hired a trainer and lost sessions because of the reasons I mentioned, I would not return to that trainer and if a trainer took time off and I lost sessions...well that would be even worse. Unforseen circumstances may arise at times, and we must take that into consideration and make financial preparations.
I have had this issue before and I approached it that some clients might get sick, injured, attend a wedding or take that long needed deserved vacation.
We as professional trainers can take off time too for the same reasons..thus leaving those un-used sessions to spill over into another week or two, which puts us in the same situation as your question.
If I hired a trainer and lost sessions because of the reasons I mentioned, I would not return to that trainer and if a trainer took time off and I lost sessions...well that would be even worse. Unforseen circumstances may arise at times, and we must take that into consideration and make financial preparations.
0
I implement this payment method with clientele that have proven an interest in longer commitments (3 months or more). I reduce the cost by $5/session from what a package price for the same time would be and make VERY clear the fine print about NO REFUNDS for missed weekly sessions. Some people like this and believe that the discount will offset their missed sessions and take the option; others know they will be missing a bit and decide it to be more prudent for them to just remain at the more expensive per session price. Just make sure with the later, that you consistently enforce your cancellation policy verbatim! No call/No show and I charge them without hesitaton. Documented emergencies are acceptable but my time is worth money; and they MUST respect that.
0
Hey Keith!
When I accept a new client on my book...
They understand its month-to-month. I do not want to have a client in the studio (paying or not) who is not a good fit. ALL my clients pay monthly on the 1st, so I know exactly what I am making each month. I do a very good job of setting the training goal/timeline expectations and how long they will be "investing" in themselves.
So each client is worth 800-1200/month for me based on their sessions.
I do not give discounts...
I do not sell packages BECAUSE anything can happen to them or me and I choose not to take on that long-term financial responsibility of keeping track of unused sessions, refunds etc.
They do sign a policy sheet which explains the cancellation/no-show policy, returned checks, inclement weather and sickness.
I choose anywhere from 9-15 clients a month to be on my book at any given time. I don't want to be offering discounts, everyone can't train with me, I need to connect with each of them and it can be very mentally draining (in a good way).
So, that said, I keep the rates hi-end, take only a few clients, work less, and make more :)
I have other streams of fitness income (my book, online figure training e-book, videos, affiliate products (trx, gymboss, etc) that are making me money while I sleep - the long-term goal of any fitness professional!
Kimberly
When I accept a new client on my book...
They understand its month-to-month. I do not want to have a client in the studio (paying or not) who is not a good fit. ALL my clients pay monthly on the 1st, so I know exactly what I am making each month. I do a very good job of setting the training goal/timeline expectations and how long they will be "investing" in themselves.
So each client is worth 800-1200/month for me based on their sessions.
I do not give discounts...
I do not sell packages BECAUSE anything can happen to them or me and I choose not to take on that long-term financial responsibility of keeping track of unused sessions, refunds etc.
They do sign a policy sheet which explains the cancellation/no-show policy, returned checks, inclement weather and sickness.
I choose anywhere from 9-15 clients a month to be on my book at any given time. I don't want to be offering discounts, everyone can't train with me, I need to connect with each of them and it can be very mentally draining (in a good way).
So, that said, I keep the rates hi-end, take only a few clients, work less, and make more :)
I have other streams of fitness income (my book, online figure training e-book, videos, affiliate products (trx, gymboss, etc) that are making me money while I sleep - the long-term goal of any fitness professional!
Kimberly
0
I work in packages of 10 with an expiration date attached.I like the consistency of the ten sessions rather than adding up monthly training times. I have had clients train with me for over 20 years using this system, it's easy! If I have a client that travels alot I don't hold their space unless they pay for it and if a client cancels last minute I deduct it.
Simple
Simple
0
Are you looking at EFT billing as well? I know this is an old post but what did you do and how did it turn out?
0
We have over the past 6 months gone from packages to monthly automated billing and it has been a huge help in creating steady cash flow and not having to resell people every 2-3 months to re-up for another 20 sessions. With our existing clients it took a little bit of work but most were receptive and felt it was easier on their budgets. New clients don't give it a second thought. Yes, the price is more per month than a regular gym but that is the only obstacle we have to overcome in the sales process. It's been a very positive thing at our fitness studio.
