Planning

Before you do anything, think about putting together a marketing plan, it doesn't need to be fancy or complicated or take up much time and a lot of it is common sense. It could be the first step to establishing a successful business, so here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Know your product or service (Personal Training)

• What are its benefits to your customer
• What are its strengths & weaknesses
• How is your service different
• Consider its unique selling proposition, what's different about you

• Are you going to work on your own, if so how many hours can you effectively manage
• Do you want to build a bigger company
• How will you grow the business
• What investment are you prepared to make

3. Research your local market

• Who are your competitors - gyms, sports clubs, other trainers
• How much are they charging
• What is their business catchment area

4. Focus on the customer

• Understand what the customer needs
• Select more affluent areas to market your service
• Talk their language

5. What are the objectives of your campaign

• Identify & choose your target customer
• Position your business to serve your chosen market
• What results are you expecting, short term business generation or long term brand building

6. Networking

• Use your existing customers as a potential base for business referral
• Promote your business wherever you go - always keep a business card with you
• Establish contacts with other complementary businesses in your area to develop joint marketing activity

7. Set a budget

• Know how much you want to spend
• Select the most appropriate medium, advertising, web, direct mail etc.
• Accept that you have to "speculate to accumulate"

And then monitor results....

• Track where your business comes from as this will assist with future marketing activities
• Build a database
• Plan your next activity

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