Qualifying and stepping into the world of business is an exciting time for you as a Personal Trainer. You might be the most enthusiastic and motivated PT around, knowing every inch of the gym environment but it’s also important to take stock of some key business skills. This will enable you to market your business successfully, have the structures in place to efficiently maintain and grow a client base and have the online business tools ready to help you, and your clients, reach their goals.

Here, Emma Excell, Fisikal COO talks us through her tops business tips to help you succeed:

  1. Bookings

Firstly, decide on your working session time and have a timetable of your available session times that is simple for you to view, manage and amend. Make it easy for your clients to book, reschedule and cancel sessions. Save yourself and your client time by providing a digital, online, instantaneous booking solution enabling one touch editing such as fisikal.com. Ideally, this solution will incorporate automated appointment reminders, helping you to reduce the number of ‘no-shows’.

  1. Payments

In todays connected world, it’s vital that you provide an easy way for your clients to pay by card and online such as Paypal or Stripe. Consider creating session packages to see, which clients can purchase directly online and pay using your automated payment system. Link your payment system to the same platform as you use for your timetable and session booking. Many platforms such as fisikal.com have integrated solutions which allow clients to do this. Having an online solution like this can remind clients when they have to pay, or when their subscription has nearly expired, so you don’t have to waste time manually keeping track. This will also give you real time access to your financial status, so you always know where you are.

  1. Marketing

Creating a client base can take longer than you think so plan financially. Ensure you have a cash flow projection plan in place that includes all of your incomings, outgoings and investments in the business and ensure you include marketing costs within your financial plan. Write and operation marketing plan and timetable of your activities to keep you on track. Dedicate time when you start out to consider your USPs, how you are going to market your business and to whom. Social media will be a vital resource here, put time and effort into your channels, content and messaging. Content is key. If budget allows, consider some targeted regional posts to engage directly with your target audience. Keep content fresh, authentic and engaging. Remember, social media is a two-way conversation so don’t just push content out.

Research the geographical area where you are operating, encourage word-of-mouth, offer premium content, create your own bespoke, branded workouts and have a digital solution to offer your clients so they can access information anytime, anywhere. And importantly, offer a solution that can send push notifications, reminders and promotional offers to clients.

  1. Track your expenses – cash is king!

Tracking all of your expenses online will help keep you up to date with your financials in real-time. Turn your cash flow projection into actual as you go so that you can see if you are on target or falling behind.  See as you spend, making sure to capture (take photos) of all of your expenses as you go. This will help you make sure you don’t spend more than you are earning, and will save you a lot of time (and money!) when it comes to compiling year-end your accounts.

  1. Documentation

It may not be the most exciting job, but before you start out make sure you have all your documents in order. Ensure you have contracts, with a defined cancellation period, Terms & Conditions and ParQ forms ready for your client to agree to online. This will make you look professional and will protect you from  misunderstandings which can arise if documentation isn’t in place and instantly accessible.

 

EMMA EXCELL COO

Emma heads up the operations team. Emma has over 4 years experience in investment banking and over 14 years international property development. Emma has a degree in economics, provides business analysis, digital marketing strategies and project management skills.

Emma is in charge of everyone at Fisikal and we like it that way. Emma keeps us all in check and has great vision for the products and how they are executed.