Knowing where you want to take your fitness business in 2018 is important if you want it to succeed. It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day client contact, teaching and running of things and neglect your business plan. Use these steps to help kick start your New Year.

  • Review your plan – Are you achieving your goals? Are you using your strengths to make the most of your opportunities? Consider where you want to be this time next year and decide how you’ll get there. Set new objectives and growth strategies for your business and personal development.

 

  • Refresh your offer – Are your services still as attractive as they were? How could you enhance them? Perhaps other trainers, teachers or clubs are leaving you behind. Conduct fresh market research. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complex. Simply chatting to clients and class members. It might also be time to reassess your prices. Maybe you could even put them up. You could add one to one training to your group sessions or vice versa, you could go outdoors, you could add nutrition or screening or running. You are only limited by your imagination. If you want career advice, give us a call. 0203 326 3009.

 

  • Maintain healthy cashflow – Solid finances underpin healthy growth, so examine your cashflow projections for the year ahead. Are there any potential problems that could hinder your ambitions. You need measures in place to cope with any likely cashflow problems. If you haven’t done any cashflow projections – why? If you need help, give us a call.

 

  • Earn more from existing sales – Try to sell more to existing clients: it is easier than selling to new ones. Your clients come to you because they recognise the value you provide, so the hard work is already done. Ask them how your business could better meet their needs. Add value to the relationship. Always try to subtly bulk up or up sell your services or classes etc.

 

  • Target new clients – Sounds obvious? But too many people rely too heavily on a few loyal clients. The more clients, the less the risk. Each year, some of your clients will drop off. Think about which new clients you should target and how. Set monthly new targets and track your progress. Learn which marketing methods work and those that don’t. Tactics such as introductory offers of free tasters or loyalty tasters can help to attract new clients, but ensuring they remain loyal is a massive challenge.

 

  • Open up new channels – Most people focus on one or two sales channels, but using others could make all the difference. You could start selling online, if you’re not already. Using online could enable you to reach clients in other areas of the UK or start selling to overseas customers. Maybe you could turn your business into a franchise or licence your products to other businesses.

 

  • Promote yourself online – Even if you can’t sell online, you can still market your fitness business online. Make sure your website represents your business effectively. If not, think about getting a new one done. Social media marketing is fast becoming the best way to promote many businesses. Twitter, Instagram and Facebook could help you to attract and retain customers. Need help? Speak to us, or come along on our digital marketing course.

 

  • Reinvigorate your outlook – Even the most committed fitness business owner can become jaded. Step back and pause for thought. Try to build new relationships with people who can refresh your thinking and maybe even provide new commercial opportunities. Online and offline networks are a great way to meet new people and share knowledge, but you’ve got to give to get.

 

If you need help with your business or career choices for 2018 why not give us a call or come along on our business and marketing module or our social media and digital marketing modules.

Adapted from IOD