could anyone throw me some local marketing ideas?

18 years ago

anyone? i would really appriciate ideas or input!

Thanks
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Tuzic Banned 18 years ago

hi,

join free chambers of commece they do some marketing for you & definitely point you in the right direction as it can cost you.
- Thanks
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Dana_W

18 years ago

Have you joined the local chamber of commerce and other business associations?

So are you working on getting yourself established as a personal trainer and also selling an informational package on fitness?

Thanks

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

actualy the package is completely free at this point to people interested in personal training...

it will be further developed and used as a frontend product to a membership website i am currently building and will be ready for launch in 2009.

i am trying to essentially ofer this free package to build trust and give value to my potential clients and also get in the door.

Thanks

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grafxgold

18 years ago

I have personally done the following for OFFLINE promotion.
There are also many flyers and booklets presented to
my home in the following manner.

What I am about to say works and I have had no
complaints whatsoever.

I live in a neighborhood with covenants and restrictions
for door to door soliciting. In so saying this is what I do
in as many sub-divisions as I wish (with no complaints).

What I and others do:
Flyers/Advertisment are placed in ziplock bags
and weighted with a small rock (if needed for throwing)
and then just go into a neighborhood of your choice and
deliver from the car to the driveway or lawn.

Our telephone books are delivered this way, by the way.

Hope this helps you with another way of delivery.

Thanks

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

hey thats pretty cool, thanks for the idea! with the price i can get ziploc baggies, rocks and flyers i could really use that deffinetly will do!
thanx bro!

Thanks
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grafxgold 18 years ago

You're welcome,
One oher tidbit,
If you let them know that you are ABSOLUTELY
local and include a local Phone or Cell number,
I found that I could even get into their homes
for more info if needed.

People like to think they are special.
Be sure to add something to your advertisement
to keep them feeling that way.
Special price, friendly neighbor deal and etc.

Originally Posted by IRON_STRONG

hey thats pretty cool, thanks for the idea! with the price i can get ziploc baggies, rocks and flyers i could really use that deffinetly will do!
thanx bro!
- Thanks
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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

also sorry to forget your other question dana, i havent joined the chamber of commerce as of yet, i never really considered the benefit of it, i have been to a couple trade shows ptu on by them and their rather small. we live in an extremly affluent part of florida, i think i will try it out. anything else you would suggest?

Thanks

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Dana_W

18 years ago

What's the purpose of your membership site? Are you targeting trainers, or people who want to get fit?

Thanks

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

its going to be a site dedicated to the consumer (poeple who want to get fit) with different plans based on different niches.

ex.

six pack
womans weightloss
body building
etc etc

there will be content and complete libraries deveoted to each including complete exercise demonstration videos, workout videos, workout plans, forums, an article library of over 10,000 articles, a custom designed training program every month, live exercise class's and a bunch of other stuff i dont want to give away to the public LOL.

basically the fornt end product is the fitness system, then the monthly membership keeps them recurring for a cheap price...

i am trying to focus on buildng my private clientelle right now for more testimonials, more funds for the luanch, and to further establish my Bicks and Mortor foundation

Thanks
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zenmn 18 years ago

Get a google adwords account.

You choose (down to a 4 block radius) where your ad will show up.

You pay only when they click on your ad!

Use Integrated direct Marketing:

-Choose an event like a Health Expo

-Get in on cards decks/mailers/and magazine ads promoted by the expo. I used to do 4 big trade shows a year and this method worked very well. With adwords it can be even more successful.
- Thanks
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Adam Kenzington

18 years ago

Hey Man,

How about going to your local Rotory Club and offer to be a guest speaker. Rotory's are a club for 20 somethings (I believe 32 yr old is cutoff age to be a member) business people that network to advance their businesses. Many clubs are looking for speakers for their meetings.

I think you could adapt you offer for this demographic quite easily.

From there, there's nothing to stop you from approaching the Lyons Club, the Elks, etc... Let your imagination fly. Everyone would benefit from a fitness program. The BBB needs speakers, too.

Just thinkin' outloud.

Hope this helps,

Adam

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Dana_W

18 years ago

Do you work at any local gyms? That seems to be one logical place to get clients and get your name known.

The Health Expo idea sounds good.

Send out press releases using free press release services - I also hear that Webwire is good and costs $19. Link to whatever site you are promoting, talk about your giveaway, etc.

You could emphasize how your site is cheaper and more convenient than going to a gym, et.

Thanks
1 reply

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

Originally Posted by Dana_W

Do you work at any local gyms? That seems to be one logical place to get clients and get your name known.

The Health Expo idea sounds good.

Send out press releases using free press release services - I also hear that Webwire is good and costs $19. Link to whatever site you are promoting, talk about your giveaway, etc.

You could emphasize how your site is cheaper and more convenient than going to a gym, et.

hey Dana, i actually used to work at local gyms all around the county and picked up a good bit of leads there, until the onwers started catching on, i was brining buisness cards and flyers with me hitting up anyone who came in thats really how i got started!

unfortunatly now im the competition and anyone whos anyone in my industry within 25 miles knows IRON STRONG - lol no job for me...

i tried having other trainers do it for me but the gyms catch on quick...

Thanks
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simmer 18 years ago

Why don't you work out a deal with the local gyms to promote your back end - The membership site... Additional revenue for them

Simmer
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Don Schenk

18 years ago

I do a large amount of postcard mailing. I use postcards to send people to my webpage.

There are many sources of 4-color printing for postcards online, and one of them I started hearing about a couple years ago at photo studio seminars is a company called clubflyers.com (I'm not an affiliate.)

I've been using them for 4-color printing over the past two years and the quality is good. The full color cards will let you attract more than will a black on white card, the cards get read because there is no envelope for people to open, the price is lower than letters, and can be mailed in small quantities or in large quantities by a lettershop.

Gotta' love 'em.

Don

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

adam and dana thank you both, i actually didnt ever think of the rotary club and wealthy business people are actually my prime customer for private training.

i will try to combine both your ideas, i think trying to organize some free speaking event like that and using press releases to generate some word of mouth and publicity could go very well... maybe i could offer a free fitness kit to everyone who attends?

then i could get alot of targeted leads!

thanks guys! anything else? anybody? im all ears here!

Thanks
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clawHAMMER

18 years ago

Well, you should bop on over to Keith's local biz building forum over at LocalBizBuilders.com
There's a bunch of really good info there (and posters) for alot of great ideas on how to market your business locally.

Most of them are over here as well and I'm surprised nobody from there has chimed in here since your all about getting a leg up locally.

Between here and there your bound to get plenty of good, creative suggestions to get your wheels turning into overdrive.

Best of luck

Thanks
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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

Originally Posted by clawHAMMER

Well, you should bop on over to Keith's local biz building forum over at LocalBizBuilders.com
There's a bunch of really good info there (and posters) for alot of great ideas on how to market your business locally.

Most of them are over here as well and I'm surprised nobody from there has chimed in here since your all about getting a leg up locally.

Between here and there your bound to get plenty of good, creative suggestions to get your wheels turning into overdrive.

Best of luck

Great resource! thanks for that one bro!

Anything else? anybody have any good ideas for local marketing? any bricks and morot business owners here?

Thanks

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

thank you for the tip don, i actually just found club flyers and overnight prints.com

i have a post card in development right now and i will deffinetly give them a shot to my targeted list!

Thanks

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

whats the biggest success any of you have had with marketing your bricks and mortor business?

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ShayB 18 years ago

The biggest successes I have had have been with getting local press coverage for my business.

Nothing beats free promotion from a third party!
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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

thank you shay, how did you go about getting coverage by the local press?

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ShayB 18 years ago

Originally Posted by IRON_STRONG

thank you shay, how did you go about getting coverage by the local press?

In a nutshell, I did some research on the local reporters and then sent a press release to one reporter from each local tv station.
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- ShayB 18 years ago
  
  PS - In addition to 3 tv interviews, I have had newspaper press coverage, too.
  
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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

Pretty cool shay thanks for that, i think i will write up a press release about how im offering free services and a free fitness kit to help out in the economic down turn.

maybe i could get some decent coverage

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ShayB

18 years ago

Originally Posted by IRON_STRONG

Pretty cool shay thanks for that, i think i will write up a press release about how im offering free services and a free fitness kit to help out in the economic down turn.

maybe i could get some decent coverage

Don't make the story about you you you - pick an angle or a "gimmick" that would appeal to a local reporter and make a great story!

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ShayB

18 years ago

Originally Posted by Shay60654

Don't make the story about you you you - pick an angle or a "gimmick" that would appeal to a local reporter and make a great story!

Let me give an example off the top of my head (not a well-thought-out idea by any means, but hopefully will make my point):

Run a "Staying Strong in a Weak Economy" promotion and have people enter a contest where they can win a free year of fitness (or whatever). Tie it in to current events - have people write a short (25 words or less) entry about how they would fix the economy if they were elected President. The best entry wins.

It would be unusual and current - and might attract local media attention.

This is, of course, just an example. I am sure you could come up with something better!

Thanks
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Frank Bruno

18 years ago

Originally Posted by Shay60654

Run a "Staying Strong in a Weak Economy" promotion and have people enter a contest where they can win a free year of fitness (or whatever). Tie it in to current events

Thats a really Catchy headline no doubt sure to catch the interest of a lot of people.

Also the contest is a great idea as well...

Frank Bruno

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ShayB 18 years ago

Originally Posted by Frank Bruno

Thats a really Catchy headline no doubt sure to catch the interest of a lot of people.

Also the contest is a great idea as well...

Frank Bruno

Thanks!

I'm just full of ideas....:rolleyes:
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Frank Bruno 18 years ago

After reading all the posts here I also came up with another idea thatyou may want to consider.

I don't know if you have already thought about this, but you could offer a "fitness camp" to the wealthy that would be more along the lines of a getaway to co-mingle with other wealthy people who are most likely business owners as well.

You may even want to call this a "fitness retreat".

A lot of the rich people like to go to exclusive parties and events where they can do two things at one time. Those two things are socialize and talk business.

If you integrate the two into your services I think you might have something that would interest them.

You can offer this as a backend service for your higher end clients or just offer a real simple "fitness camp" or "fitness treat" on a more simpler level just to gather a bunch of interested folks.

Anyways just thought that I would brain dump this on you...

Frank Bruno
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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

thats quite a feat, im sure that would thwart most traditional print ad's ehh?!?!

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ShayB 18 years ago

Originally Posted by IRON_STRONG

thats quite a feat, im sure that would thwart most traditional print ad's ehh?!?!

Heck yeah! Nothin' beats having a reporter rave about how great you are!
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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

thats a brilliant idea... let me see what i can do with that!

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ShayB 18 years ago

Originally Posted by IRON_STRONG

thats a brilliant idea... let me see what i can do with that!

"Brilliant"?

WOO HOOOOOO!!!

Thanks! You made my day!
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Michael Chris 18 years ago

Get some chocolate candy bars made up in shiny package with your business name, logo, and a catchy slogan on them and hand them out for free.

You might show someone's really fat bottom on them and a picture of you pointing outward at them (kind of like Uncle Sam) and saying something like:

Hey Tubby, after you're done packing on the pounds come to Iron Strong Gym and we'll pound your rotundas rear back into shape!

Special Offer: Bring this candy bar back unopened and get $XX off any of our products or services.

You have targeted people who need your service... people eating candy and treating their bodies like crap. You have given them food for thought. You have given them a reason NOT to eat the candy. You have given them a "coupon"... which people love.

Theoretically, you could then hand the candy bar back out. (Check your local ordinances and laws, blah, blah, blah.)

Dude, that idea is gold... too bad I don't run a gym or am a personal trainer.

Now, even though the idea is gold... it may not be a low budget promotion. However, you could always keep it in mind for the future. Also, something like that might be able to get some local press and generate some local buzz.

Wait, wait, wait... I just made it cheaper. Buy the candy bars already packaged from the store and print the "ad" on sticky backed paper which you then just affix to the candy bar. A little less finished look, but that definitely brings the cost down, I am sure.

Something in my head tells me there is another idea that could be done related to soda cups or something, but the details are less clear.

-Michael

PS I am a little over-weight therefore I am automatically qualified to use the word Tubby. :p
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BrianMcLeod

18 years ago

Couple of thoughts...

Local media is a great suggestion, really a must. Triangulate on all the local tv, radio and print media with a cohesive "event" based angle and you'll get some action and possible lots of repeat action from future interviews, quotes from the expert, etc.

Second, I really liked that suggestion for "Getting Strong In A Weak Economy". Timely, clever and easy to imagine a powerful tie in to scientific studies of physical fitness positively affecting business success or other personally profitable activities (investing, whatever). Deeply embed positive mental conditioning into the physical conditioning.

Third, it sounds like you have a valuable info package put together. Get some Point of Sale countertop displays and place them with local supplement and fitness supply stores with a full-color 8.5x11 sell-sheet.
Label a section at the bottom with the name and contact info for the store you're placing the display at and offer rev-share with the owner.

Set up a free clinic at their store once or twice a month to promote.

Fourth, partner with like minded clients and offer them revenue sharing for new recruiting that they do. Give them credentials for your program and supply them with personalized collateral. Easy and flattering to share with co-workers, friends, family, etc.

Anyway, you get the idea - partner, leverage, scale.

Good luck with it, I like it.

Brian

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

ehy bro thatxs a great promotional idea and when i generate the funds i will deffinetly be using that one!

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AndrewCavanagh

18 years ago

Ideas for marketing a local business:

# 1 Give out forms asking for feedback from all your cilents (do this as an ongoing exercise).

If they give you positive feedback ask if they mind you using the feedback on your website.

If they say yes get a photo and/or video of them and use that on your site as well.

Give each 1-3 testimonials their own page, use a keyword phrase people are likely to search for to title the page.

Name your photos and videos according to related keyword phrases too.

This is a neat way to add a ton of ongoing content to your website that will attract the search engines like a magnet and be filled with keywords your best prospects are looking for.

# 2 If you got video testimonials on an ongoing basis and named those videos according to keyword phrases you can submit them to YouTube and other video sites.

In many cases you'll be coming up on the first page of Google for the keyword phrases you target on YouTube as well as on the website where you embed the videos (embedding the videos on YouTube also gets your pages indexed on Google).

# 3 Use Craigslist ads...tons of Craigslist ads.

And put full sales letters into those ads.

In most cases there's no real length limit on Craigslist ads so tell your whole story...make a full sales presentation.

# 4 Have a lead generating report, video, email course or all of these and follow up by email with special deals, offers etc.

You should be capturing the email addresses (and other contact details) of every one of your clients and following up with useful information, deals etc.

Over time this follow up can create a huge boost in your sales and bring back customers who would normally just forget about you and stop coming.

There are many other strategies you can use too but most of these are fairly simple, more or less free and don't require a lot of skill.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

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ShayB 18 years ago

Also remember that once you get a few interviews under your belt you can develop a relationship with the reporter(s) and get more interviews/publicity. They all give you their biz card with phone number and email address - you will eventually get on a first-name basis with some of them!
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clawHAMMER

18 years ago

Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh

Ideas for marketing a local business:

# 1 Give out forms asking for feedback from all your cilents (do this as an ongoing exercise).

If they give you positive feedback ask if they mind you using the feedback on your website.

If they say yes get a photo and/or video of them and use that on your site as well.

Give each 1-3 testimonials their own page, use a keyword phrase people are likely to search for to title the page.

Name your photos and videos according to related keyword phrases too.

This is a neat way to add a ton of ongoing content to your website that will attract the search engines like a magnet and be filled with keywords your best prospects are looking for.

# 2 If you got video testimonials on an ongoing basis and named those videos according to keyword phrases you can submit them to YouTube and other video sites.

In many cases you'll be coming up on the first page of Google for the keyword phrases you target on YouTube as well as on the website where you embed the videos (embedding the videos on YouTube also gets your pages indexed on Google).

# 3 Use Craigslist ads...tons of Craigslist ads.

And put full sales letters into those ads.

In most cases there's no real length limit on Craigslist ads so tell your whole story...make a full sales presentation.

# 4 Have a lead generating report, video, email course or all of these and follow up by email with special deals, offers etc.

You should be capturing the email addresses (and other contact details) of every one of your clients and following up with useful information, deals etc.

Over time this follow up can create a huge boost in your sales and bring back customers who would normally just forget about you and stop coming.

There are many other strategies you can use too but most of these are fairly simple, more or less free and don't require a lot of skill.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

Andrew- you always provide some excellent advice in every post I read from you no matter where I read it.

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pmgguy 18 years ago

In my previous "traditional" business days, I would print up some postcard sized pieces (Even Kinkos photocopied cardstock cut in 1/4s when I was real poor!) and drive through the targeted neighborhood I felt held my ideal demographic, drive through it and have my kid stick them in the newspaper boxes attached to the mailbox.

Another great way...

I had a client that owned an outrageously successful Chiropractic Practice and it was only 2.5 years open. I asked her what her secret was. She said that for three months before opening her practice, she knocked on EVERY DOOR within a 5 mile radius of her office, introduced herself, and left a little brochure. Bang! She was busy from day one! To the tune of her second full year open she made $425,000 in 1994!!

If you could do that, offer personalized ONSITE training (if they're wealthy they probably have a home gym) or at your facility of choice, I bet you would see quick business. The onsite offer would also prevent the anxiety of dragging one's fat butt into a gym full of hard bodies!!

Good luck, keep us posted!
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Loren Woirhaye

18 years ago

WOW - that's quite a lead-generating premium. If you are
giving that whole kit away to anybody who wants one I think
you will lose money.

I'm not clear on what you want to sell. Is it personal training?

Anyway I would advise you to focus on promoting local talks
about getting in shape and you can sell your kits from the back
of the room. Of course filling rooms will be tricky for you all
by yourself - and maybe even getting people to show up.

Try to partner-up with somebody who give talks about nutrition
for example... maybe a seasoned speaker with his or her own
product...or even cross-promote with local MLM people who
want to sell juice.

Jeffrey Lant has some very practical books. You might want to
check out "Money Making Marketing" - more in-the-trenches
than Jay Conrad Levinson's stuff in my opinion.

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

thank you andrew, wonderful advice, i really appriciate it! My oh My i feel like i should be paying to get all this help - thank you all very much!

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

Very cool, yes for every one my main goal here is to Promote my Private In Home personal training services!

the actual promotional packages costs me about 4 dollars to fulfill and i market to targeted welathy individuals. the idea is to get in their homes where i can bust their butt with a free session, give them a wake up call with the free analysis and then offer a convient exclusive solution!

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

oh yes i alos have over 10,000 fitness articles and over 100 exercise videos - what should i do to utilize them? eventually they are going to be content for my membership website but for now they are just stagnent...

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Loren Woirhaye

18 years ago

Get Dan Kennedy's new book "No B.S. Marketing To The Affluent" -
it's really excellent and will give you a lot of insight.

I doubt many wealthy people want to have you "kick 'em in the ass" -
the people I know who have done what you want to do in the
personal training/yoga niches (I lived in Malibu, CA - so fitness
was a big business there) provided a mixture of coaching and
emotional support to their clients. Don't underestimate people's
willingness to pay you a lot of money to listen to them talk about
themselves while you work with them. When you realize that
some of your client relationships will have a therapeutic component
then you'll see areas where you need to read and work on your
people skills.

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

you are absolutly right! many of my affluent clients are very into the coaching relationship we have, and to be honest most of the woman want their butt kicked rather than the men.

im not your typical drill sargeant trainer either, more so with my athletes but actually i get some flak from my trainers that im too soft. none the less when i do get an appointment i sell them. i just need to generate the leads now!

i will deffinetly get that book! i love dan kennedy read both his other books on marketing and sales letters... great reads!

Thanks
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Paxton 18 years ago

Ok, I'll get accused of plugging, but building trust with the local community and monetizing this via the internet is the basis of a guide I'll be putting on a WSO.

It's a simple method to monetize what you know best - your local community and includes:

AdSense Income
Affiliate Sales
Responsive List Building

Might be worth a look when the WSO goes out.

Apologies for the plug - but if you've got it flaunt it.

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

will do - thanx pax!

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Paxton 18 years ago

Many thanks

You've hit the nail on the head though - trust. Build trust with your traffic and they become visitors, and visitors convert very well. It's amazing how simple it is to do.

I'll keep you posted on the WSO and thanks once again.
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Terry Hatfield

18 years ago

Hi,

One thing you may want to try is local coupon magazines. Around here there is a company that delivers a magazine door to door about once a month.

It contains local news in it along with alot of coupon type ads from local businesses like pizza places, insurance companies, and restaurants.

The thing is this magazine is only distributed once a month therefore it has a whole month shelf life before the next issue is delivered. Because of the longevity of people keeping this thing laying around, because they may use the coupons sometime soon, having ad in it can create a great return on your investment.

It is a lot cheaper than advertising in newspapers and a newspaper has a exposure rate of like one day before getting tossed into the trash.

Good luck,
Terry

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Dave777

18 years ago

Here's a little different take on things to consider for your business. Incase you're not aware and working the following fitness niche, outdoor fitness training is a booming trend to getting into.

Not only is there great income potential. The media buzz you can create doing it can over-power traditional marketing tactics. Other extentions can be writing a fitness column for a variety of local publications focused on your expertise, training videos (don't forget youtube and other video marketing!) Your location definitely has the tourism market to go after, specializing in fitness training away from home. Especially when all the tourists spend their winters vacationing in the Gulf Coast. Bet locals would also enjoy the outdoor fitness concept too including the hotels and resorts right on the beaches...

YouTube - Crazy Outdoor Fitness Training

Outdoor fitness training; Outdoor fitness trainer certification; outdoor workouts; certification for outdoor fitness; fitness training outdoors

And if you haven't followed and studied Matt Furey's system, right in your niche, definitely one to touch base and network with...

Matt Furey - Zen Master of the Internet
http://www.mattfurey.com/email.html

Dave

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gjabiz

18 years ago

Originally Posted by IRON_STRONG

how would you Market your business to the local area? i have just had my first real success on my own using direct mail, becuase it has taken me so long to figure this out im running low on the amount of funds i can spare at the moment uintil the newly generated leads my direct mail campaign has produced turn into clients. (big thanks goes out to David Johnson for the campaign here!)

I don't understand, could you help me?

You have had your "first real success" using direct mail. What does that mean? Did you not get sales from your mailing?

You don't want to market your business to a local 'area'. You want to target your marketing to those PEOPLE within that area who would most be interested in your services. Throwing flyers out the window, or even putting them on doors will be a total waste of your time and money.

How exactly did you use direct mail and what were the results? If it was successful, then you do more of the same, increasing the size of your mailing.

Also, once they have all this FREE stuff, what are you offering them? When you send this stuff out, what offer do they get at that time?

Can you help me understand a little better and I'll be glad to offer up some useful and practicable and actionable advice for you.

gjabiz

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

Originally Posted by gjabiz

I don't understand, could you help me?

You have had your "first real success" using direct mail. What does that mean? Did you not get sales from your mailing?

You don't want to market your business to a local 'area'. You want to target your marketing to those PEOPLE within that area who would most be interested in your services. Throwing flyers out the window, or even putting them on doors will be a total waste of your time and money.

How exactly did you use direct mail and what were the results? If it was successful, then you do more of the same, increasing the size of your mailing.

Also, once they have all this FREE stuff, what are you offering them? When you send this stuff out, what offer do they get at that time?

Can you help me understand a little better and I'll be glad to offer up some useful and practicable and actionable advice for you.

gjabiz

Yes, sorry for the confusion! my first real success meaning this is the first time i have ever created delivered and recieved results from any marketing campoaign.

i did schedule consultations out of the mailing, two very interested prospects want the personal training and the analysis. along with 2 othe rphone calls. but its already potential for 4800 dollars in revenue, and i have a great closing rate in home with trial sessions and fitness analysis.

once people get the kit its promotes our private training and private fitness chef services, but not before giving valuable fitness knowledge and delivering a tested and proven way to revamp your body and your life. the kit basically teachs you everything you need to know to get in shape, and thats the issue were targeting rich busy successful poeple who dont have time to spend 2 hours every day trying to change their body - then we offer the solution by coming and doing for them when its convienient for them!

basically i sent out 300 mildly sales letters to a mildly targeted list. it worked farily well, i was just wondering if there were any other ways. i want to keep mailing my letters but i need a more targeted list.

anyone know of a good broker? perhaps a broker who can get fitness targeted prospects of high affluency?

Thanks

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JohnMcCabe

18 years ago

Originally Posted by IRON_STRONG

Very cool, yes for every one my main goal here is to Promote my Private In Home personal training services!

the actual promotional packages costs me about 4 dollars to fulfill and i market to targeted welathy individuals. the idea is to get in their homes where i can bust their butt with a free session, give them a wake up call with the free analysis and then offer a convient exclusive solution!

Here's a couple of ideas for you...

Since you're targeting wealthy individuals on your part of the Gulf coast, don't forget the snowbirds. A lot of those fancy houses sit empty for most of the year, even a couple of years at a time. Go down to the local courthouse, look up the owner of record, and mail an offer to them.

And since (snow)birds of a feather flock together, when funds allow you might want to try a zip code mailing.

Some portion of your target audience is probably still working, so you might want to do lunchtime 'brown bag' events. First, you lead them through a sample training session (non-sweaty), then give them a short lecture/pitch while they eat the lunch they brought with them. They leave with a flier summarizing your talk and an offer for a sample full session and a month's trial of your membership site.

A variation would be to partner with a deli or restaurant to provide box lunches at a nominal cost.

This might tie in well with the "staying strong" theme, and get you ongoing publicity, even if it's only the local events calendars.

Thanks

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naruq 18 years ago

Hello Iron Strong. Place a small 20-25 Word Classified Ad In your local Penny Saver in the Health and Fitness section for 4 consecutive weeks. Once you test this ad for 4 consecutive weeks you made want to test in a major newspaper in your area.
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Adam Kenzington 18 years ago

Hey,

I had another thought. How about doing a press release? Make it interesting, concise and informative (hint around in it you have an interesting personal story without going off topic).

Submit it to the local newspapers, radio & TV stations. (Jonny Andrews, who is a warrior, here, has a really good package for writing press releases) If you do this right, you will get listed in the newspaper and get offers to do interviews on the radio (and possibly TV), or at the least you'll get free advertising as the commentators mention you at the end of the news broadcast.

These radio interviews are the best (Talk radio, especially...or those morning drive shows where they do music and commentary). The stations are looking for new interesting ways to entertain & inform their listeners. The DJ's are a natural for this kind of thing.

Here's one of those "just poped into my head" thoughts...
Find a popular radio DJ and approach him/her about them doing some training with you and then going on the radio to talk about the experience.

Then it becomes much more personal to the DJ who will talk about how you worked his ass off, how good he feels afterwards, some of the things you had him doing...and like that.

We had a local talk radio personality who went on a weight loss/exercise regimen. He gave weekly updates about how much weight he had lost, how the diet was going, how toned he was getting doing new exercises with his trainer, etc... Then, after reaching his weight goals he still had some lower belly fat that just wouldn't go away, so he had lypo suction and gave us all updates on that, too. And he was giving free plugs for his trainer and lypo sergeon.

Think along those lines and I'm sure you will come up with even more ideas.

You've gotten some good suggestions in this thread, so go bust them out.

If something else strikes me I'll post again.

Adam
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- ShayB 18 years ago
  
  Hey, Iron!
  
  If you want, I can help you with the press release.
  
  PM me with the general info and I will work with you to craft a press release.
  
  Thanks
  
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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

Ahh thank you john good idea - i will amrk that down, and yes we did think about the snow birds - after we mailed lol, i can tell becuase one of our leads came from someone who is coming back down for the season in a week.

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IRON_STRONG

18 years ago

hey thats genius, thanks dude, i could even tie that in with the "staying strong in a weak economy"

this just landed a huge idea in the ol brainhere! thank you all so very much!

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Rachel Goodchild

18 years ago

contact a magazine or local apaper and offer a giveaway for new subscribers
they really push your brand free, and it's cheaper than apying for advertising

I use this idea with alot of my offline clients

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kf 18 years ago

Two questions:

Who is your target market? Affluent/wealthy
Where do they hang out? In other words, who has access to them.

Look at getting to them in more personal ways. For example, finding someone who does in-home massage therapy, or asking the buff pool boy (or gardener) to let his clients know he received personal training from you.

Get in touch with someone who does in-home clothing shows or catering or is a private chef --- partner up with them to do in-home presentations (a la tupperware). Imagine having one client get a group of 15 women together to see your presentation on how you could help them as a personal trainer.

Talk to the local golf pro, tennis instructor, supplier of high-end gym equipment.

Get in touch with the local gardening club, bridge club. Go do presentations.

Other leads - domestic workers, alarm/security companies. All of these people are marketing and you may be able to piggy back or do inserts.

Word of mouth is going to work best for you in this market.

And, make sure your photo is on all your marketing materials.
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kf

18 years ago

You might also do online and print advertising where newly divorced, single or widowed people might hang out. Like dating sites.

Possibly grief and single support groups (with the focus on how physical activity will release endorphines and fight off depression, etc.)

If you can find a 'Desperate Housewives' angle to your marketing, that might be fun ... and paint a picture for people of how they would want to look or may already see themselves/their lives.

Just spit-balling. All the best with it.

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IRON_STRONG 18 years ago

thank yo both very much! very good ideas, as long as i have been doing this i never thought of almost every partnering Op you just listed they are absolutly fabulous!

thank yo all very much. i'll be printing this entire thread and putting it in my marketing planner. feel like i've just had a session with an a-list marketing firm.

thank yo to all the warriors willing to give me their advice and experiences, its invaluable to me!
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JohnMcCabe

18 years ago

Originally Posted by kf

You might also do online and print advertising where newly divorced, single or widowed people might hang out. Like dating sites.

Possibly grief and single support groups (with the focus on how physical activity will release endorphines and fight off depression, etc.)

If you can find a 'Desperate Housewives' angle to your marketing, that might be fun ... and paint a picture for people of how they would want to look or may already see themselves/their lives.

Just spit-balling. All the best with it.

Don't forget cardiologists. I saw an article a while back that said the two things that motivated middle-aged men to get in shape were divorce and heart attack...

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carmene

18 years ago

Not sure if anyone's mentioned this since I haven't read all the threads.

Bandit signs! I use them for my online and offline business with great success!

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could anyone throw me some local marketing ideas?

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