A Career in Personal Training

HOW DO I GET STARTED IN PERSONAL TRAINING?
That seems to be the number one question, and concern, after graduation. You have spent an enormous amount of time and effort to get your degree in exercise physiology or kinesiology, nailed a few certifications, and now you are ready to start your business. You are the fitness expert. You like people. But you haven't thought much about how to get the business started. Or maybe you think about it all the time but feel paralyzed by what it takes to build your client base. Starting your own personal training business not only requires that you know the fundamentals of exercise physiology and the basics of how to work with people but it also requires a little business savvy.

MARKET YOURSELF

• your business card: keep it clean and simple with your name, your credentials, your telephone number that you will ALWAYS answer professionally, your professional email address, web address, and your promise (this is optional but it could include your promise to your clients, a slogan, a goal for your clients, a quote, etc.)
• your brochure: include your price structure or price packages, information from your business card, and testimonials. Always give EACH client the opportunity to offer a testimonial. Testimonials sell new clients.
• your website: keep it clean, up-to-date. Forget about flashy intros and noisy background music. Your clients want to know why you are qualified and how to contact you. And make it really simple for potential clients to contact you. If you use a 'contact us' form on your website make sure you return their email as soon as possible (within 24 hours). Remember to include your testimonials here as well.
• moonlight: you may need to patch a few training gigs together to make ends meet in the beginning. That may mean that you work part-time for a local health club. This is also a great way to meet potential new private clients and to build your business. It also keeps you current and helps you hone your personal training style.
• advertise: online (banner ad), or in print. You may need to offer a promotional code, such as JULYHERALD (for an ad placed in your local Herald newspaper during the month of July) for 30% discount on first visit, to track the success of each ad campaign.
• social networking: do you have fitness advise, training tidbits, exercise longevity pearls? Start a blog. Create a professional presence on Twitter, Facebook or MySpace. Social networking is a surprising way to get the word out about your business and get some dialogue going as well.
• seek out volunteer opportunities: public speaking for local philanthropic organizations, such as the Rotary Club, is a great way to establish yourself as a fitness professional.
• create opportunities to invite private clients: offer a group walking session, or strength training session with a group. Be sure to make contact with each participant to develop a relationship that could extend into a private client relationship.

THE BASICS OF RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESSFULLY

• show up on time: it's respectful and shows that you are organized and trustworthy
• dress well: obviously you won't be wearing a 3-piece suit but your workout attire must be clean, professional, tidy, and not show too much skin
• make time to workout: your strength, agility, is one of your best testimonials