Fitness Industry Solutions

May 29, 2006
Author: Tom Perkins - Business Development Coach and Certified Personal Trainer

For entrepreneurs and small business owners, this cold harsh reality holds even more truth because if you aren’t working and producing, you aren’t making money. Therefore, it’s important that you make the most of your time and energy. One way to do that is by finding multiple uses for the products you create. You may need to think creatively as to how you can do that, but you will be pleasantly surprised at the mileage you can get out of one idea and/or product.

Here are a few ways in which you can get the most bang for your creative buck:

1. Use client emails as the basis for your articles.
Chances are if you’ve answered a particular question for one person, that others may be seeking the answer to that same question. What better way to reach a larger audience and possibly generate additional business?

2. Collect all posts you make on message boards and discussion lists. Convert them into a Frequently Asked Questions page. Again, using the same principle as discussed with the emails. This is also a great time saver for you. By directing them to your FAQ, you save yourself that extra time it takes to answer each question individually.

3. Create a members only section loaded with information. Gather all your articles, organize them by category and put them in a private membership site. Also, try to write a new article each week to add to your database. This is great way to increase traffic to your website and have them coming back for more each week.

4. Record your teleclassess and teleseminars and add the recordings to your membership site.

5. Turn all your articles into PDF files, burn them onto a CD and sell it as a collection of "special reports." You can also offer it as a bonus or free subscriber offering with any other product, service, or event you sell. CDs are a dynamic method of capturing a client’s time and attention while getting your message out. If you’re looking for an easy way to sell your services and put a personal spin on your promotional efforts, this may be a good marketing strategy for you.

6. Create case studies based on your coaching sessions, and then add them to your web site for content or as a special report for generating leads. Targeted case studies are always an effective marketing tool favored by people looking for information on a specific topic.

7. Design your programs (seminars, coaching, training, etc.) in modules. This way you can repackage them or sell each module individually in the future.

8. Videotape your live events and offer them as products or bonuses. Technology has evolved so much over the last few years that you may want to consider producing your own video. Check out Fitness Business Radio's interview, “How to Produce Your Own Fitness Video and DVD for Profit with David Wicker” (www.fitnessbusinessradio.com).

9. Create an outline of your new information product (book or e-book). When you write your newsletter, focus each issue on a section or a chapter. By the end of three to six months, you might have your entire product completed.

10. License your materials (workshops, tools, assessments, coaching programs, systems, etc.) to other coaches and trainers. This allows you to maximize your income by expanding market opportunities without having to spend a lot of money in the process. Check out Davison Integration (www.davison54.com/) or Invent SAI (www.inventsai.com).

With a degree in Accounting, certified as a personal trainer, and primary function as a business development coach; Tom Perkins works with personal training departments, fitness professionals, and management of health clubs in the areas of sales, marketing, and promotion; operations and administration, and staffing and human resource management. With 6 startups in 15 years under his belt and over 20 years of working with the fitness industry Tom leads companies to profitability through Fitness Industry Solutions www.fitnessindustrysolutions.com.