Are you wondering how to broaden your business potential and make more money as a fitness professional? Try promoting brands!

How to promote brands as a fitness professional

Let me tell you how. We use products from specific companies every single day of our lives. Whether the product is from food, equipment, or apparel, we have made a conscious choice to purchase that certain company’s product and use it.

When we use the product, we ultimately end up promoting it. Sponsorship can enhance your business by offering your desired products of choice to your clients.

Wouldn’t you love to have that company’s products that you use provide you with free samples? It’s a win-win situation for both you and the company you choose to represent because you become a spokesperson for them.

You provide that company with hands-on, face-to-face marketing to your clients and your clients benefit from having access to products which can optimize their performance.

How to work with brands as a fitness professional

Here are tips on how to work with brands and products you believe in:

1. Reach out to the company. Matt Forsman, owner/founder of Marathon Matt, a personal coaching group for runners, works with GU Energy and Somersault Snacks. He has established a mutually beneficial relationship. The products he receives, he offers to his clients before/during/or after their runs to they can fuel themselves. People keep on coming back and ultimately buy the products on their own.
2. Be selective in your products and do your research. Dorette Franks, co-owner of Trifiniti Endurance Performance Coaching, a competitive company for training endurance athletes, emphasizes that sponsorship enhances Trifiniti’s lifestyle and the lifestyle of her athletes. Products need to be innovative with good supporting research and data to back up their claims. Trifiniti works with Vega and Generation UCAN who have products Franks believes in and uses herself. She knows what the products stand for and how they can assist her clients.
3. Stay committed to your sponsors of choice. Franks advises to stay devoted to your specific sponsors in order to build a relationship with them and possibly become a spokesperson or ambassador like she is for Vega. Forsman agrees and states to develop quality relationships with a few sponsors versus having multiple companies that may cross-compete with products.
4. Be visible - Whether you are visible online through social media, sharing quotes for publications, attending conferences, or reaching out to brands directly - let them know you exist and how you may be able to support them. Make sure you add the keyword Brand Ambassador to your LinkedIn profile too.
5. Share unique, creative, and specific ideas for partnership - Think from their perspective - how could you help them specifically? Think about current trends and timely opportunities or ways you can incorporate them into your existing nutrition messaging.
6. Make it an authentic fit - Brands don’t necessarily want to work with just any dietitian; they want to work with RDs that are the right fit for their company. Seek out companies that specifically align with your audience or expertise to ensure the best fit and authentic recommendation.
7. Think beyond social media - Brands are seeking new and creative ways to reach consumers. Do you host cooking classes or store tours? Have an ebook, cookbook, or podcast? Hosting events or presentations? The opportunities are endless - think about what you currently offer and how a brand could get involved.

How working with brands can help your client

Remember, your products you represent also reflect your beliefs and attitude so choose wisely. Sponsorship can increase your clients’ experience and provide them with new products to add into their routine. So who are you going to contact today for sponsorship?

Learn how to work with brands

My friend Amy Gorin is a dietitian who helps other health professionals (dietitians and fitness professionals) learn how to partner with brands and the media to make money. She has a great coaching program that I highly recommend. She opens her doors to her Master The Media Coaching Program on occasion. I highly recommend getting on her list for the next upcoming cohort. This is my affiliate link to her program - let us know you signed up and we will offer you a free LinkedIn profile review!

Takeaways

As a fitness professional, you have a trusted relationship with your client. They trust that you will recommend only the best products to improve their health. Working with companies and brands you trust and sharing with your client can be a win-win situation that can ultimately increase your revenue.

About the author

Sarah Koszyk, MA, RD, the founder of Family. Food. Fiesta. A family-based wellness program and recipe blog where she also conducts cooking videos with kids and provides families with healthy living tips. She is a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Coach where she specializes in sports nutrition and adult and pediatric weight management. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, or LinkedIn.