You might think that your small gym isnt newsworthy. Think again! Do something to help others, and you in turn will reap rewards. Your health club marketing opportunities are only limited by your own imagination.
1. Canned food drive
Free Enrollment when you bring in 5 canned foods! You can partner with your local soup kitchen or Salvation Army, and then tell the newspapers and news stations about the partnership...they eat that stuff up! (And of course, youre also helping those in need, which always feels good)
2. Write for your local newspaper
You can volunteer to write up a fitness tips section for your local newspaper. There might even be multiple opportunities if there are other smaller newspapers or local newsletters or area magazines you could write for. And don't forget websites. There are probably some local sites that would appreciate free content from you. If you write poorly, it shouldn't be hard to find a colleague, significant other, or employee to write for you
3. Run a contest with a local radio station
The DJ can be your main contact person and they can help you promote a 2 month weight loss program to their listeners, who just happen to be local prospects for your fitness business. The DJ can make announcements regularly over the air, can get lots of listeners to send in applications, and form two teams to compete against each other to make the announcements more exciting. Make sure as part of the contest all contestants receive a complimentary membership. This will be a benefit to the radio station since they get to offer this bonus to their listeners. You can even give something to the people who weren't selected for the contest and/or ask for their contact information to follow up with them.
4. Host a charitable event
Get members to have friends and family pledge an amount per mile you spend on the treadmill or for every step you climb on the stairmaster. Even if you only get 2 people to participate, it doesnt matter. Tell the radio station about it and they will do a story on it. Its different, its interesting, and its not negative news...which seems to be all there is on the news these days.
5. Provide free seminars
These can either be onsite at your facility or at a community center. If you call or visit your local Chamber of Commerce and ask about a listing of presentations, you will be amazed. People give presentations on anything from basketweaving to coding HTML. If they dont already have someone regularly presenting on fitness-related topics, just ask them to put you on the schedule. They announce all upcoming presentations to their member and email list.
6. Promote one of your members as local hero
Media loves success stories, especially ones that involve someone overcoming incredible odds. You probably know someone like this in your club, but why not allow members to submit applications to be SmithTown Fitness Hero. Have everyone submit a 300 word article on how they have overcome the odds and how your club has helped them. Once you select a winner, send a press release to the newspaper, Local SmithTown citizen wins Hero award. Of course, give something to everyone who submits an application. Perhaps frame and post all of the success stories and create a SmithTown Fitness Wall of Heroes at your club to let all of your members be inspired. Think of how powerful this would be to show a prospect as youre touring them!
Of course, these 7 strategies only scratch the surface of how you can get free publicity in your fitness facility. Be creative and you will see your club become more popular the more proactive you are in your PR efforts. - 15246
1. Canned food drive
Free Enrollment when you bring in 5 canned foods! You can partner with your local soup kitchen or Salvation Army, and then tell the newspapers and news stations about the partnership...they eat that stuff up! (And of course, youre also helping those in need, which always feels good)
2. Write for your local newspaper
You can volunteer to write up a fitness tips section for your local newspaper. There might even be multiple opportunities if there are other smaller newspapers or local newsletters or area magazines you could write for. And don't forget websites. There are probably some local sites that would appreciate free content from you. If you write poorly, it shouldn't be hard to find a colleague, significant other, or employee to write for you
3. Run a contest with a local radio station
The DJ can be your main contact person and they can help you promote a 2 month weight loss program to their listeners, who just happen to be local prospects for your fitness business. The DJ can make announcements regularly over the air, can get lots of listeners to send in applications, and form two teams to compete against each other to make the announcements more exciting. Make sure as part of the contest all contestants receive a complimentary membership. This will be a benefit to the radio station since they get to offer this bonus to their listeners. You can even give something to the people who weren't selected for the contest and/or ask for their contact information to follow up with them.
4. Host a charitable event
Get members to have friends and family pledge an amount per mile you spend on the treadmill or for every step you climb on the stairmaster. Even if you only get 2 people to participate, it doesnt matter. Tell the radio station about it and they will do a story on it. Its different, its interesting, and its not negative news...which seems to be all there is on the news these days.
5. Provide free seminars
These can either be onsite at your facility or at a community center. If you call or visit your local Chamber of Commerce and ask about a listing of presentations, you will be amazed. People give presentations on anything from basketweaving to coding HTML. If they dont already have someone regularly presenting on fitness-related topics, just ask them to put you on the schedule. They announce all upcoming presentations to their member and email list.
6. Promote one of your members as local hero
Media loves success stories, especially ones that involve someone overcoming incredible odds. You probably know someone like this in your club, but why not allow members to submit applications to be SmithTown Fitness Hero. Have everyone submit a 300 word article on how they have overcome the odds and how your club has helped them. Once you select a winner, send a press release to the newspaper, Local SmithTown citizen wins Hero award. Of course, give something to everyone who submits an application. Perhaps frame and post all of the success stories and create a SmithTown Fitness Wall of Heroes at your club to let all of your members be inspired. Think of how powerful this would be to show a prospect as youre touring them!
Of course, these 7 strategies only scratch the surface of how you can get free publicity in your fitness facility. Be creative and you will see your club become more popular the more proactive you are in your PR efforts. - 15246
About the Author:
Curtis Mock has quickly become the go to person for gym marketing advice. You can sign up for his gym marketing strategy of the week and be sure to take advantage of your trial membership to the powerful gym marketing resource site created specifically for gym operators.
