Question asked by Charles Bigelow 85 days ago
How to I explain my experience?
I would like suggestions on how I can market my experience. I have been involved with working out, in one form or another, since I first walked into the gym at the age of 15. I am now 40 and am have just recently (2012) made the decision to become a certified PT. I am working on my website, business model, etc., so my business is still in its infancy. Looking for helpful tips and ideas.
Answers (7)
0
Hi Charles,
congratulations on your decision to become a personal trainer. I also started at the age of 40, and I did not regret it for a moment.
What I found useful is to tell of my own life experiences, how they related to fitness and what makes me unique in my training. When people look for a personal trainer, they look for more than a guy who knows muscles and exercises. They don't call it 'personal' training for nothing. What makes me successful is not primarily my knowledge in anatomy but the entire rest of me, (hopefully) personality and communication skills. I feel that people will relate to the person behind the trainer. An orthopedic surgeon may be able to get away with lack of bedside manner, we have to have bench side manner.
So much for my words of wisdom.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
congratulations on your decision to become a personal trainer. I also started at the age of 40, and I did not regret it for a moment.
What I found useful is to tell of my own life experiences, how they related to fitness and what makes me unique in my training. When people look for a personal trainer, they look for more than a guy who knows muscles and exercises. They don't call it 'personal' training for nothing. What makes me successful is not primarily my knowledge in anatomy but the entire rest of me, (hopefully) personality and communication skills. I feel that people will relate to the person behind the trainer. An orthopedic surgeon may be able to get away with lack of bedside manner, we have to have bench side manner.
So much for my words of wisdom.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
0
I suggest attending fitness conferences and seminars and pay attention to what inspires you.
I also highly recommend being as educated as you possibly can be. Make sure you are certified with a Nationally Accredited Certification
Zero in on a niche, formulate your business model, structure and enlist your goals, and the rest should fall into place.
I also highly recommend being as educated as you possibly can be. Make sure you are certified with a Nationally Accredited Certification
Zero in on a niche, formulate your business model, structure and enlist your goals, and the rest should fall into place.
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Charles, I think it might be a good idea to speak with someone who does marketing professionally.
There are insights that a professional marketer can give you that you likely won't find on this portal.
Search individuals like Bilray Alsac and Amanda Vogel on this sight. From what I remember they are quite good at assisting fitness professionals in marketing themselves.
All the best!
There are insights that a professional marketer can give you that you likely won't find on this portal.
Search individuals like Bilray Alsac and Amanda Vogel on this sight. From what I remember they are quite good at assisting fitness professionals in marketing themselves.
All the best!
0
Usually when I'm talking to people, I talk about two things.
1-My experience.
2-What they want.
Find out what they are looking from you first. After that, tailor your experiences. I'm not saying make things up, but emphasize your past work that is related to what they're looking for in a trainer.
What have you done in the 25 years of working out? Sports? Been in physical therapy? Coaching? Bodybuilding? Make what you have done stand out.
They wont sign on unless they know you can help them.
1-My experience.
2-What they want.
Find out what they are looking from you first. After that, tailor your experiences. I'm not saying make things up, but emphasize your past work that is related to what they're looking for in a trainer.
What have you done in the 25 years of working out? Sports? Been in physical therapy? Coaching? Bodybuilding? Make what you have done stand out.
They wont sign on unless they know you can help them.
0
How can your "market your experience" in one word? Storytelling!
Like Bryant said, this doesn't mean lying or misleading potential clients. It does mean speaking from your heart, sharing stories from your past that people can connect with, as well as describing what you've learned over the years and the impact that's had on you. You'll have a much better chance of getting people to trust you as an "authority figure" if you're transparent and humble.
Does all that make sense?
In case you're interested, here's a link to a short article from a few years ago about the art of better storytelling:
- http://shiftingcareers.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/5-tips-for-telling-b...
Here's another link you might find helpful when it comes to building authority and "likeability" into your website and online presence in general:
- http://www.copyblogger.com/30-know-like-trust-actions/
Let me know your thoughts if you get a chance and if the links spark any additional questions.
Best of luck to you regardless!
Like Bryant said, this doesn't mean lying or misleading potential clients. It does mean speaking from your heart, sharing stories from your past that people can connect with, as well as describing what you've learned over the years and the impact that's had on you. You'll have a much better chance of getting people to trust you as an "authority figure" if you're transparent and humble.
Does all that make sense?
In case you're interested, here's a link to a short article from a few years ago about the art of better storytelling:
- http://shiftingcareers.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/5-tips-for-telling-b...
Here's another link you might find helpful when it comes to building authority and "likeability" into your website and online presence in general:
- http://www.copyblogger.com/30-know-like-trust-actions/
Let me know your thoughts if you get a chance and if the links spark any additional questions.
Best of luck to you regardless!
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Hello Charles Bigelow,
Try to put yourself in a client's shoes; what would you want to hear that would answer the question: "Why work with you?"
I like how Karin Singleton calls it "bench side manner".
I hope this helps and congratulations getting into personal training.
Take care.
Try to put yourself in a client's shoes; what would you want to hear that would answer the question: "Why work with you?"
I like how Karin Singleton calls it "bench side manner".
I hope this helps and congratulations getting into personal training.
Take care.
0
Hi Charles. Every fitness professional's career is comprised of two main components - their education (e.g. certifications, degrees or whatever other technical knowledge they have gained) AND their experience (which can be gained through personal experience as well as training OTHERS). It sounds like you have a great deal of the personal experience, and now have the certification; so I would focus marketing efforts accentuating those. As you continue your career and work with a wide-variety of clients, you can then begin to market those experiences as well.
I hope that this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
I hope that this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
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