Personal Fitness Professional - January 2008 - (Page 23) coming events or reminders of annual activities. Creating a blog on your site for clients to share insights on their training, successes and struggles in achieving their goals is also a fun way to attract new clients and share fitness information. with the public — it is essential. So it really is elementary, if you look beyond the obvious in order to attain clients. Look for the clues that are all around you — the people, the businesses, the places you visit. Everything, everyone is an opportunity. Get creative through networking by forming alliances and providing unique services and events. Sleuth out every marketing prospect, and be tenacious. Marilyn Gansel is the founder of Fitness Matters, the personal training studio. Since 1993, her “balanced approach to fitness” and her Optimal Functioning Method have helped thousands improve the quality of their lives. Her customized, creative programs are designed for all fitness levels. Marilyn’s credentials include advanced degrees in education and certification by ACE and AEA. She is also a cancer recovery specialist and is currently pursuing her PsyD in applied sports psychology. Marilyn and her daughter, Dr. Heather Gansel, are in the process of franchising the business. She can be contacted at fitnessmatters@msn.com, or you can visit her website at www.fitnessmatters.com. ● IT TAKES A VILLAGE Hillary Clinton was right. Communities that sponsor walkathons, marathons and triathlons offer a perfect way for you to volunteer your services. You can help train the athletes prior to the event, do a warm-up or just be on-hand with information on preparing for an event. Get involved with other local charities or organizations that raise awareness for cancer, diabetes or MS, and auction your services off for any of these charitable causes. School auctions, town festivals and causes such as affordable housing and fundraisers in our community, offer fitness professionals a way to be seen as experts in their field and show you care. Be supportive of your community — it is another way to demonstrate your proficiency. NOVEL IDEAS Get creative by offering monthly special offers. Create a boxing night, a mother-and-daughter exercise program, a father-and-son night, husband-and-wife partner training, a special bride-and-groom wedding party package or teen training. Hook up with a local retail clothing store, and host a fashion show and make-over, which can be combined with a weight loss program. See which public holidays are celebrated during a specific month, but look beyond the obvious, like Mother’s Day. For example, did you know that National Correct Posture Day is celebrated in May or Healthy Aging Month in September? You can create an activity, contest, workshop or a special offer around these events. PRESS ON Press releases are another way to get free publicity. Contact your local newspapers, and collect names and email addresses of the people to whom you should send the press release. Find out the cut-off date, and provide “who, what, where, whom and why” in your writing. After sending the release to the proper contact, follow up with a phone call to make sure it was received and to make certain it has met the deadline. Creating a unique business name, logo, tag line, business card and stationery sets you apart when you meet people or write to them. It is more than professional to have these in place in dealing JAN-FEB2008 · WWW.FIT-PRO.COM 27 23 http://www.fitnessmatters.com http://WWW.FIT-PRO.COM
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