Well the new year has started and I am sure your members and clients have made those typical new year resolutions – lose weight, eat healthier, drink less and so on. But what about the New Year resolutions for your fitness business? Have you thought about what you will do different this year to get your business in better shape?
Well let me share with you the top 10 marketing and social media resolutions you should commit to for 2018:
1. I will have a marketing plan for this year.
The vast majority of fitness businesses I work with don’t have a marketing plan. Not having a plan is kind of like being in a kayak with no oars – you have to work so much harder, you don’t have any direction and it is almost impossible to stay on course.
Having a plan, knowing what you want to achieve and how you are going to achieve it, is going to make your life so much easier. It will give you better direction, you can manage your resources and time better and you will dramatically increase your chance of success.
2. I will also have a social media marketing plan
As social media is more than likely where you will spend most of your marketing time and money and because it is so different to traditional marketing, you need a social media plan too. You then have a better understanding of your goals and objectives and measure your results.
Make sure you include in your plans your target audience, competitors, SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats), objectives, strategies, tactics, campaigns and budget.
3. I will take a good look at my web site
When was the last time you had a really good at your web site? Last week, last month, last year?
Your web site is often the first point of contact a potential client has with your business so you want to make sure it gives the best impression. Check the design is up to date, it is easy to navigate and find what you are looking for, the information is current and puts your business in the best possible light.
4. I will check my brand is consistent across all platforms
After your web site, now is a good time to review all your branding materials such as your social media channels, flyers, signage, emails, newsletters and so forth. Does it all look like it comes from the one company or does it look and feel different? Does it reflect the image you want to portray or does it give conflicting messages? Is it all up to date or is there anything missing? Would this entice someone to contact you to find out more? What does your brand say about you and your business?
5. I will start blogging!
If you aren’t blogging now, make 2018 the year you started. Whether it be weekly, fortnightly or monthly, just as long as you are consistent and the content is unique, timely, interesting and relevant to your audience.
Not only will your audience appreciate the information you provide but it portrays you as an expert in your field and could put you ahead of your competitors.
6. I will make sure I get more testimonials and reviews
Sometimes we may feel a little uncomfortable or awkward asking people for reviews – or maybe you just forget. But testimonials and reviews are worth gold to your business. They carry a lot more weight than advertising as people often use testimonials when they are making the final decision of who to give their money to.
7. I will work out what I do better than anyone else
With so much competition around, you have got to work out what you do better than anyone else. And make sure you tell everyone about this. Whether it be the biggest range of classes, the latest technology, 24 hour support, the leading instructors, the best value for money, specialised training programs, you must have something unique which appeals to your audience so they choose you and not the personal trainer down the road.
8. I will listen to what my members and clients are saying
Sometimes what we think our members want and what they actually want are two different things. So it pays to listen to what our members, prospects or those outside our network are saying about us – you may be surprised.
So every now and then, ask your members are they happy? Do they enjoy training with you? What can you do to make the experience better and help them reach their goals?
Commit yourself to say twice a year, conducting a questionnaire for your clients (and ex-clients) and ask them are they happy, how can you improve the services you provide, what would they like more or less of in 2018.
9. I will make sure my members know about my referral program
Generally everyone has some member referral program but when was the last time you told your members about it? Actually let’s take another step and ask when was the last time you actually asked your client for a referral? Again this may be an area where we feel a little uncomfortable but trust me your members won’t take any offence at all. In fact most will be happy to tell their friends and family how happy they are with you. This has to be the easiest and most cost effective ways to get quality leads for your business.
10. And I will ask for help when I need it
This is probably the one I really need to work on.
When you manage any business, there is always something you need to do. You have to be the accountant, HR manager, marketer, social media expert, business manager – oh and of course training clients and running your business. It is just impossible to do everything – you don’t have the time to do it all properly.
If you need help, ask someone. I am not an expert in web design so I have someone do this for me. I know what designs look good but I am not going to undertake a graphic design course to do it myself. I need to focus on what I do best and what will give me the best return on my time and money.
So there are the top 10 resolutions for your business. Maybe you already have achieved these goals or maybe there are some others you need to work on – but like any resolution, write it down, stick with it and get your fitness business in the shape of it’s life for 2018.