Being gym based as a personal trainer there can be limited chance to market yourself, with most gyms having stringent rules about posters and fliers. One of the key tools that is still available is your personal trainer profile, with it being a prime piece of real estate on the gym wall.
When you sit down to write your profile it really should take some thought, many PT’s rush through this process and end up with a profile that in some cases does not really represent who they are and what they do. But in nearly all cases does not show the consistency to be a powerful marketing tool. Before you even start to write you should look at who you are and what you do, I have spoken many times before about defining your niche… and this is the very thing you are trying to get across to your potential clients. To stand out against the other trainers on the wall you need to be different and offer a clear message about what you do.
Things to remember when putting your profile together:
Photo – you should pick a photo that is professional that also maybe says a little about you. I think that rather than a head and shoulders or a shot of you working out, you should look for an image that shows you at work, for real! This immediately allows the potential client to see and identify what you do, I would shy away from anything too challenging that may put some off but pick an activity that is engaging and achievable to the average person.
Speciality – as mentioned about having a niche or speciality in the gym is very important to allow you to differentiate yourself from the crowd. When picking a speciality you should look at initially what you enjoy and what you are good at, you should then seek to ensure that your niche is sufficiently different from the rest of the training team to allow your profile to stand out.
About me – as much as this section is about you it is important to maintain your client focus. It is great for clients to hear how great you are… but how will it help them? For example the fact that you have had a personal weight loss journey and managed to loose 5 stone is great… But bringing it back to the client you should say that this personal experience has left you with a better understanding of their position. Feel free to talk about you, but always bring it back to how your experiences will help you get the potential client results.
Qualifications – as we all know our qualification base is important, however as with any industry people on the outside generally do not understand what these mean. So having a list of your qualifications is important but don’t overdo it listing every small course you have done. This is much better demonstrated in your portfolio that you will show to a potential client during your initial meeting.
Contact details – it is important that the methods of contact that you list are professional, so for example make sure any e-mail addresses appropriate. Also if you list a phone number ensure that it is one with a business focused answerphone message. You should also aim to get back in contact with any enquiry within 24 hours.
If you are new to a gym then I hope these simple steps will help you better understand how to get your profile together, if you have been there a little longer it might be worth reviewing your profile and looking for any improvements that can be made. Remember your PT profile is an important marketing tool that can help to get clients, so make sure it represents you!
