I want to market my new business to personal trainers and GFI’s, but how do I find them?
I am thinking of starting a business. I would provide the space for personal trainers to bring their clients and the space for group fitness instructors to bring their classes and equipment for both. The folks using the space would rent the space from me. This would alleviate much of the start up costs for a new business. But how do I find the PT’s and GFI’s in my area in which to market this business?
judging by the posts on this site I think there are a number of people who are offering this service, so it seems likely to be a good model.
Have you done a business plan?
I just think before looking for people to offer a space you need to see what sort of space you can get and what sort of rates you would have to charge.
It would seem like a good idea to look first at how many existing studios there are in your area, whether there are other spaces that rent to trainers and instructors and what they charge, what are the start up costs for you (rent, utilities, equipment, and so on), what spaces are available that offer parking and appropriate space, talking to your insurance company re: coverage and relationships to those who rent from you…. well there are a lot of things to think about.
Some people have posted here. There are also a lot of fitness job posting sites where people list space available (you could try indeed.com…. oh there are lots). You could look for facebook and linked in groups that are local (for example I belong to a facebook group for yoga in the east bay part of Rhode Island).
I agree with Ariadne and has some great points. Do your research of other similar businesses close to you (about 5miles radius should be sufficient) and see what they offer, rental fees, the number of trainers they have, etc. Advertising is not the tough part here, but rather your ability to offer a space that will make other trainers want to come there. It’s a good idea if it’s successful and could generate some good revenue to you. Some times just because you built it, doesn’t mean they will come.
Hi again Lori,
I just checked your profile and saw you live in Madison WI. After living there for the past 2 years, I’ll have to say that it’s a tough market for this type of business model. There is too much competition and the market is not that big to support it. The rental fee for space is too high. I don’t know any details of your situation so I can comment on it. I know a couple of trainers there who tried to do the same as you are thinking to do and didn’t go very well for them. Please keep in mind that this is just my opinion after observing the market in that area for a while. I wish you the best.
Best,
Harris
You’re going to want to do some grass roots advertising to get started, I would think.
1) Facebook – groups for fitness professionals in your area
2) Craigslist – find the “at-home” trainers and mail them that you have space for rent if they need it.
3) IDEAfit – you can find people with profiles here that are within a certain distance from your site and message them
4) Some companies like ACE and AFAA will do targeted mailings to your desired demographic. You provide the demographic, the artwork, the postcard, and they mail it. You don’t get access to the contacts, just proof that your information was mailed. I haven’t done this, but I explored it a few years ago to attract gyms to a training I was hosting. For that purpose (I didn’t make money, I just wanted enough attendees to host the training) it wasn’t worth it, but with a profit motive, that might be worth it.
5) Message boards for equipment companies that you carry. For example, if you have specialty equipment that trainers might want to use but might not own themselves, you might go to the websites of the equipment and see if they have message boards.
6) If you have a nice floor with mirrors, you might want to expand your rental opportunities to other professionals, like ballroom dance. In our city, we have cross-over between ballroom dance companies that rent to instructors, and smaller spaces that rent to dancers for private lessons and parties.
It seems so glamorous to “own a studio”. I have watched many studio owners regret this decision once reality set in.
It’s not a money maker, it takes a ton of work, you have to really know business and numbers, assume liability, have top notch trainers, equipment, original ideas, be ready for any and all emergencies, absorb unforeseen costs to name a few.
Even if you are only going to rent to trainers, you still have to maintain the space, make sure they pay on time, make sure they are reliable, and they honor their contract, etc. If they are true independent contractors, they are required to bring in their own equipment and have liability insurance.
Regardless of your business model, you will still have start up costs.You will need a business license, you will have to pay for over head things such as gas/electric, plumbing issues, your own liability insurance etc.
I would really think about this. Check out your competition
Harris has a ton of experience I would really listen to his comment above.