I need suggestions on how to get clients?

Tommy, I know nothing about Kansas, I don't know if it the city you live in is a diverse city, however, it might be a good idea to broaden you scope.

Perhaps you can start working with people of different cultures or ethnicities. You might need to change your surroundings or offer something no one else is offering.

I hope this is helpful to you.

Before graduating you should be preparing your business model. Most people will wait until they graduate to start a job search or in your case get clients. However, they just end up setting themselves up for failure. I recommend start prepping yourself now. I am assuming your graduate degree is in an exercise science related field. So this is something you want to heavily market to distinguish yourself from the competition.

The problem with small facilities is they do not have large turnover of members on a daily basis so client search will evolve outside the club. Sometimes, club owners will reimburse for marketing expenses because new clients are also new members providing a dual advantage (So looking into that).

As for Preparing:
Welcome Packet (Degree Info/Insurance/CV/etc.)
Business Cards
Marketing Posters/Flyers (Post in local establishments which could be potential avenues for clients)
Start Branding Yourself (Create a unique name for yourself/training)


Most of success will be in the marketing of yourself within this town. You need to get yourself out there and start sooner rather than later.

This is speaking from experience when moving to a new area and training at small 24/hr Snap Fitness. Learned really quickly how you need to market yourself outside the club.

Good Luck,

Fuel the Movement,
JM

I've just started out as a trainer and the best advice I've gotten that seems to work is to ask prospective clients about their last workout plan. Explain to them why that plan didn't work and how your plan will work. I've found most people never had a plan other than to hit the tread mill or lift weights. Once I explain the balance between nutrition, cardio, and resistance training, they give me a chance to prove myself.

Finding a niche and sticking to it is some of the best advice I've ever gotten-being everything to everyone means you know a little about a lot of things, but not a lot about anything. When you have a niche, or at least a group you ENJOY working with, it will show, and they will spread the word for you.

As a college town, you probably need to look at your demographic strategically-if they are broke college students, one-on-one training may not be the best way to market yourself. Consider in-tact groups that have people of similar situation/likes/dislikes, such as student groups/organizations, and offer to give them a free fitness session for the whole group as a part of their meeting. Then-you can introduce yourself to a large group of people, help them meet you in a non-sales situation, in which they may just think you're fun. Then, if they can't afford one-on-one, you can suggest the group workout you just did could be a way to minimize the cost, and go from there.