I just read this post by Chris McCombs. Very good stuff. Go here to read it.
I totally agree with all that he says. It’s huge right now to focus on camps and semi-private training. I’ve read most of the books that he mentions and they are all great. Most trainers don’t realize the importance of customer service and follow-up. You have to establish a relationship with clients, not just tell them what to do then kick them out the door.
Definitely do things your own way. Most trainers have no freaking clue what they’re doing – look at what the vast majority of trainers do and go the opposite direction! Follow what top trainers do (I’m not talking celeb trainers here). Feel free to search the list of blogs and sites on here to see who I follow (there are probably some that I look up to that I haven’t listed).
Marketing is huge. Trainers want to focus on the training side of things, but if you work for yourself or eventually do want to work for yourself (which I recommend), it is crucial that you learn the marketing side of things. Marketing and writing sales copy is my next business venture, which will be run out of my home while I play the role of mom as well. (So if you’re a trainer reading this and want some killer ad copy, drop me a line.)
Anyway, just read the post. It’ll give you lots of new ideas and insights. Take the points he makes and expand them, read up on them, never stop learning.
(That should be a goal for the New Year for you – learn as much as possible. In all areas of life. Soak it all in.)
