Trust is a big component of a successful training business. Whether you work with an established fitness centre or run your own personal training company, you can benefit greatly from having a strong online brand. Personal training has evolved to adapt to the tech advancements and fitness trends that have moved to a digital space.
Learn how to follow suit and see your personal training brand flourish.
While there always will be new theories on fitness best practices that personal trainers can produce online, the best results fitness professionals may find is developing close, understanding relationships with clients. People are willing to put in the work as long as they have a supportive figure like a personal trainer.
With modern innovations in fitness, personal trainers can be that figure for thousands by cultivating a robust online presence. You can tap into the network effect, wherein the value of a service increases as more people use it. You can use online platforms to connect with a broader audience, transcending geographical limitations and attracting clients globally. The following you gain can offer immediate credibility to your work as a trainer.
Offering valuable content through blogs, social media, or online tutorials not only builds credibility but also fosters trust among potential clients. Even if you run a successful fitness studio, it’s still worth diversifying your services. Offering online courses, virtual training sessions, or customized workout plans not only broadens your client base but also enhances your adaptability. This can help you stand out from other online fitness creators.
Moreover, an online presence is inherently cost-effective. You can master your personal training finances by lowering marketing costs while bringing in more clients. It’s a winning investment for long-term success in the fitness domain.
When building your brand as an online personal trainer, you should have specific goals in mind. Write them down somewhere you can refer to them often. SMART goals, in particular, can help you set efficient milestones. This method of goal-setting includes goals that are:
Your goals for an online fitness brand should relate to how you want to be perceived online and in the industry. Be specific with numbers and timelines, like gaining a percentage of followers in a certain amount of months. This can help keep you on track and look back to see where you can improve.
Just make sure to not overpromise yourself. For example, a goal of a million followers in one month can be unrealistic and discouraging if it doesn’t happen. Instead, track key performance indicators (KPIs) like engagement and reach, and set goals depending on historical data. This can be your own data after testing online branding for a while, or you can look to similar creators for inspiration and precursory milestones.
Networking your personal training business is inherently different online. You can hand business cards to people in person at fitness facilities. Online, your social profiles and website act as business cards, allowing any interested parties to contact you. You can start by distributing your social profile handles and website address to your existing network. Make sure to link the two together for easy access as your accounts and visibility grow.
A professional and user-friendly website is crucial, serving as a centralised place for potential clients to learn about your services, expertise, and client testimonials. Implementing search engine optimization (SEO) techniques ensures that your website can rank well in search results, driving organic traffic.
A well-designed website as a touchpoint is important, but leveraging social media platforms allows you to share valuable content, such as workout tips, nutritional advice, and success stories. This helps engage and expand your online community.
Regularly updating these platforms with relevant and visually appealing content only reinforces your credibility and visibility. Embrace trends like short-form videos and lives to add a personal touch and foster a stronger connection with your audience. Collaborating with influencers or fitness-related brands can also enhance the visibility of your accounts.
Being part of an active community as a personal trainer has multiple purposes. In addition to showcasing your brand and your expertise, it’s also a way of connecting with future clients. Whether it’s on social media, a community like Discord, or through a newsletter, some of the different ways that you can keep your community engaged are:
Creating a community is also a good way to tweak your branding to fit well with your target audience. You can use analytics tools to see what types of content are resonating most with your potential clients, and the extent of your reach, and adjust accordingly.
Being a good personal trainer isn’t just about being on trend – it’s also about making sure that you have the best science to meet your client’s needs. While the minimum requirement to be a personal trainer in the UK is a Level 3 certification, opting to pursue continuing education offers a variety of benefits. Opting for a higher level of certification means that you can provide additional specialized knowledge to your customers, including information about nutrition, training under specific conditions, and more.
You can also build this continuing education into your personal brand. Highlighting your special areas of expertise can help you connect with a target audience of potential clients. Having additional certifications and keeping up to date on the latest scientific research and advancements in exercise science is also a way to demonstrate to your clientele that you are knowledgeable and trustworthy.
Finally, you need to learn how to network in a modern, online world. Actively participating in online forums, communities, and discussions on other social media pages can demonstrate your expertise. For example, LinkedIn and Facebook have dedicated groups to specific topics. Look for platforms that are conducive to your specific training methods and join the discourse from your social pages. Like-minded people can find you this way and potentially turn into valuable clients.
By adopting a comprehensive and dynamic online strategy, you can stay competitive as a personal trainer. It’s possible to have a thriving personal training business in person and online. Whatever combination works for your situation, it’s important to establish a compelling digital presence that resonates with a diverse and engaged audience. You will garner more loyal clients, online and off, and safeguard the future of your business.