The fitness industry is ripe for some major disruption. We need new voices and we need them now. The professionals that position themselves to provide both an outstanding in person and online experience will show up as the winners.
Now more than ever, consumers are looking for tremendous value and the individuals and brands that provide that will reign supreme.
If you want to be one of the victorious, learn from these five mistakes fitness professionals are making.
1. Offering deep discounts on services.
When we discount, we devalue our services. We are sending a message to our clients that although we asked X for our service, we are really only worth Y. Deep discounting creates an environment of distrust. If you offer a discount once a client asks for it, your client will wonder why you didn't offer them the lowest rate from the beginning. When you extend big discounts, you set the tone for future expectations and the client now knows if you offer a discount once, you'll do it again.
Referrals are the lifeblood of any business, but even more so in the fitness business. When we give a discounted rate to a client, they will tell their referral to ask for the same and you now need to make more sales to hit your monthly take home goal, thus creating more work for yourself. Try offering bulk discounts instead of deep discounts. This is a win for the client, since they get the lower rate per session and a win for you because you just got a cash infusion and commitment.
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2. Failing to deliver value.
Right now, people are cutting expenses that don't deliver value, and are keeping what is important to them. Deliver value to your clients by ensuring that you are providing an experience they can’t get elsewhere. This means checking in on clients and providing accountability, giving them your time and attention. Anyone can look up a workout on YouTube. What they need you for is the extra push and the accountability to keep showing up because you'll call them. Consistently deliver gold standard service and you'll be amazed to see how others rise to meet your energy and effort level.
3. Not asking for help.
Even coaches need coaches. Investing in a mentor or business coach to help you get organized with creating a vision and a clear pathway to success. There are no guarantees in life, however investing in yourself delivers an unmatched return on investment. Afterall, you are your most valuable asset. It’s ok to not be great at everything - nobody is! Your job is to be the best fitness professional you can be and getting valuable insight from an expert will help you save time and money in the long run.
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4. Not thinking long term.
While you might be able to see 10 clients a day while teaching at three studios now, it's not a long-term strategy. A long-term strategy includes multiple revenue streams. Multiple revenue streams means being able to take a vacation and still having money come in. Freedom is priceless. It means working only with clients and brands that you absolutely adore, and not having to endorse products on Instagram that you don't believe in, simply because you need money.
5. Not operating in your zone of genius.
You may have a variety of talents and be able to help a variety of people, but that's not a business plan. Getting clear on the specific client that benefits the most from your services and packaging that in a clear offer makes all the difference. Don't waste time trying to be a little bit of everything to everyone. Focus on the people that you can make the most impact on and help the most. Examples of this is deciding to focus your business specifically on youth athletes, or post-natal clients, or eliminating lower back pain in an older population.
