A little known fact about me is that I started my first personal training studio when I was just 17. As a 17 year old I faced a few challenges as a new PT: I was young, I had no facility and no business experience. And yet within a few years I was a successful personal trainer with Australia’s First Private Personal Training Studio. Four simple tips helped me to gain quick wins.
Always Be On Time
Always be on time, ALWAYS. When you are on time it makes your client feel at ease and comfortable with you. It shows you respect people and their time and your clients know they can always rely on you. If you’re going to be late, let them know and send them something afterwards to let them know you are sorry you wasted their time. That gives your business a level of professionalism that they might not get anywhere else.
Wear a Uniform
Ok, Uniforms sound boring but they don’t have to be. Go out and buy your favourite Nike shirt, then get your favourite quote and your logo printed on it. Not only will it make you stand out against everyone else who’s got a plain shirt, but it might also cause people to want to have a conversation with you.
Say Yes
Everyone wants to be selective about their clients or when they train or where they train. And that can be OK, when you’ve established your businesses. But in the beginning stages, sometimes the best thing you can do is just to say ‘YES.’ Say yes, when a client asks if you can train them at 4:15am. Why? Because most of your competitors will say no. And the more you say yes, the more opportunities will continue to come your way.
Listen.
Stop talking all the time and just listen. In fact, listen more than you talk. You never know what you might learn from your clients, who they might be able to connect you with. Ask them questions, find out more about them – you’ll learn a lot about the type of people you are attracting and how to attract more people like that.
Sure, it’s hard starting out as a personal trainer these days – there’s a heap of competition. But you can still make it as a PT – there’s room for you, as long as you are prepared to put in the hard work and find YOUR people. You’ll connect with some people in a way that your competitor won’t eve be able to. So hang in there!
