what type of marketing tools do you Use?
All the obvious and then most of all…being everywhere as the expert. We’ve hosted radio shows, worked with our local paper for weekly column, and a monthly column in a woman’s tabloid, stayed in contact with local TV news anchors, health & fitness news writers so that we’re called on for an ‘expert’ spot if they need an interview. We also write our own ezine articles and encourage members and clients to share and let it be known that we have a fitness speaker’s bureau who will gladly go their group or host them in the club.
Thanks to social media, we really have a number of convenient and inexpensive ways to market ourselves and our businesses. For social media, I use Facebook and Twitter. I also try to update my blog at least once a week.
Another thing I periodically do (probably about every couple months) is make sure my website accurately reflects myself and my business. Sometimes your mission and goals change personally and professionally, so it’s good to make sure your marketing initiatives reflect what’s relevant and up to date.
As helpful as social media and online promotional tools have become, never underestimate the face-to-face, human contact component. Building your business and your own brand/self has a lot to do with cultivating relationships. Online marketing has helped me with re-connecting with contacts, growing existing networks and developing new ones, but I’ve found that people still look for and need the personal contact for a connection to grow.
For existing clients, your retention marketing could include periodic phone calls and customized e-mails to encourage them with their goals. To obtain new clients, attend community events, go to health fairs, and try word-of-mouth referrals: these are marketing tools powered by human capital, which can provide the personal touch you have to offer.
Melissa Rodriguez, MBA, CSCS
www.myexercisecoach.net
[email protected]
Hi Rances. There are many, many ways to market yourself (literally, “the sky is the limit”). Blogs, articles, health fairs, free assessments, flyers, websites, Facebook and other social media, and DEFINITELY word-of-mouth are all excellent ways to market yourself, and are things that I have or are currently using).
When it comes to marketing, I’m a firm believer in “the shot-gun method” of using several different methods. You never know where your clients may come from (for example, I just conducted a sports conditioning clinic and from that had several people ask me about working with their school-aged athletes), and so it’s a good idea to reach out to them in many different ways.
I hope this helps, and good luck!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
[email protected]
