As a new small gym owner how cynical can I be?

C

chicken_hawk

Joined
May 7, 2018
Messages
253
Social media is a necessary evil for many small start ups such as ours. I am not a guru but we try to post up a few times a week as I don't put to much stock in it as many do. I also think flooding social media makes people less interested in your content.

That being said, my question is just how much be can one point out as a gym owner. I am a bit over the top as is our gym making sure to point out the differences between us and the box gyms. I don't use names or such things. But, I wonder what line in the sand can I draw to make sure I don't cross it as I move in to make more educational vids.

I mean, these internet gurus with 20k followers and have never competed in a knitting competition drive me crazy. Truly I have nothing to gain, but I sure do hate when they try to give me advice. I am like you have 16k followers and have never won a meet or contest and make zero money from the industry and are giving me and others advice?

Hawk
 
We're in a different age where a lot of these guys are all on social media nowadays. I know you don't want to flood it but give it a whirl. Figure out some incentives to get people in there and make them want to check it out. Can you have weekend barbecues? We were gonna smoke ribs out in the parking lot for member appreciation when we were running ideas before it fell through on ours. I know I'd sure show up for that.
 
Have a few of your members agree to be in some of the vids and say a few things about the place.
 
b52 said:
We're in a different age where a lot of these guys are all on social media nowadays. I know you don't want to flood it but give it a whirl. Figure out some incentives to get people in there and make them want to check it out. Can you have weekend barbecues? We were gonna smoke ribs out in the parking lot for member appreciation when we were running ideas before it fell through on ours. I know I'd sure show up for that.
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At our location we can do a bunch. It's not a busy place and we have a wide open back lot that is unused besides our dumpster LOL. We plan on grilling at our strongman and Pling events already. But we do need new members desperately so I am open.

Hawk
 
Think about something that you can offer to both your current clients and potential clients that you can put on social media and that all they have to do to win it is share your video.

And then video the winner and share that too.
 
Educational Marketing...……...right now our operations manager is literally posting two to three posts per day on IG and FB. The majority of the posts are educational in nature ie; nutrition related, equipment/training related posts. She is very creative in her posts and what we are hearing is that people are looking forward to her posts everyday. Our followers on IG and FB are growing at a steady pace. Yes our memberships are slowly increasing also.

I for one just want to puke every time I open my personal fb page but I also think it is a necessary evil from a business standpoint. We are also starting two different campaigns for the new year. First we teamed up with the local radio station and will be doing a biggest loser contest. People can join for 3 months, they get one group training session a week and one personal training session per month. The radio station is putting up all the prizes for the contest winners. Cost to us is minimal for the amount of exposure we will receive.


Second campaign is for the new years resolution's called Get Paid to Get Weighed. For every new member that signs up in January, we will measure your body fat at the start and then every three months after that. For every percentage of body fat that you lose, we will drop your monthly membership fee by that amount. So if you lose 3% in the first quarter, we drop your membership fee by 3 dollars for the next quarter.

Those are just a couple of ideas we have for marketing and utilizing social media and radio
 
Ads are the best thing until you get enough people where word of mouth kicks in but ads are always good. Come up with something slick starting you guys get results as opposed to big box gyms hiring shit trainer's who don't get results. Put something in the ad like "for those who are serious about getting in shape" of you make people feel like it's not just their effort and your staff is the to take the journey with them I feel like more people would be drawn to that atmosphere. Be the place that is not just a gym but a community. It will take time but sick with it.



Have you tried the every door mail I was talking about? You should see something from that. Or get an email list. I'm not sure how that would work but I'm sure there's companies that will sell you a list of emails in the area.
 
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Moto Ace said:
Educational Marketing...??...right now our operations manager is literally posting two to three posts per day on IG and FB. The majority of the posts are educational in nature ie; nutrition related, equipment/training related posts. She is very creative in her posts and what we are hearing is that people are looking forward to her posts everyday. Our followers on IG and FB are growing at a steady pace. Yes our memberships are slowly increasing also.

I for one just want to puke every time I open my personal fb page but I also think it is a necessary evil from a business standpoint. We are also starting two different campaigns for the new year. First we teamed up with the local radio station and will be doing a biggest loser contest. People can join for 3 months, they get one group training session a week and one personal training session per month. The radio station is putting up all the prizes for the contest winners. Cost to us is minimal for the amount of exposure we will receive.


Second campaign is for the new years resolution's called Get Paid to Get Weighed. For every new member that signs up in January, we will measure your body fat at the start and then every three months after that. For every percentage of body fat that you lose, we will drop your monthly membership fee by that amount. So if you lose 3% in the first quarter, we drop your membership fee by 3 dollars for the next quarter.

Those are just a couple of ideas we have for marketing and utilizing social media and radio
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Thanks Moto, just saw a video where the wtfgymtalk guy advised informational marketing as a key tool. And wow, those are some awesome ideas! Kick ass in fact! You have given me somethings to think about.

Hawk
 
b52 said:
Ads are the best thing until you get enough people where word of mouth kicks in but ads are always good. Come up with something slick starting you guys get results as opposed to big box gyms hiring shit trainer's who don't get results. Put something in the ad like "for those who are serious about getting in shape" of you make people feel like it's not just their effort and your staff is the to take the journey with them I feel like more people would be drawn to that atmosphere. Be the place that is not just a gym but a community. It will take time but sick with it.



Have you tried the every door mail I was talking about? You should see something from that. Or get an email list. I'm not sure how that would work but I'm sure there's companies that will sell you a list of emails in the area.
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Well, these are great ideas but two things. One, I spent all my money on the gym and what I didn't spend I am using to float the gym bills. Second, think of how many people on your block lift, then out of those who would be interested in gym that costs more but has zero amenities...no day care, no classes, no cardio. It's really hard to throw money at it. I feel the best way is word of mouth and creating a great experience for our members.

You should enjoy this, I have friends in other gyms and we are the only place people say good things about. But, they are in contracts or location is an issue. We'll see what the new year brings!

Hawk
 
chicken_hawk said:
Well, these are great ideas but two things. One, I spent all my money on the gym and what I didn't spend I am using to float the gym bills. Second, think of how many people on your block lift, then out of those who would be interested in gym that costs more but has zero amenities...no day care, no classes, no cardio. It's really hard to throw money at it. I feel the best way is word of mouth and creating a great experience for our members.

You should enjoy this, I have friends in other gyms and we are the only place people say good things about. But, they are in contracts or location is an issue. We'll see what the new year brings!

Hawk
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Wish you the best. I personally don't think word of mouth will truly kick in until the memberships increase some. Find out how much the mailers are. Maybe some of the guys and girl will kick in a donation for ya and at least put you closer to it. I know I'd like to see you succeed and if everyone in the surrounding area gets a flyer with a couple free passes they will get used and you'll be able to get some of that niche. Think of all the crossfit gyms with no amenities and they're filled. You just gotta let people know that you're the gym to go to if you truly want to change your physique.

I hate typing on my phone. Always have to edit it after
 
Leak out sex videos of your members. You'llexplode with new membership.
 
I have always wanted to open a gym, as a side business. Can I come and shadow you some day to learn the ins/ and outs?

Do you mind sharing the approx.. operating costs and such? Investment?
 
b52 said:
Wish you the best. I personally don't think word of mouth will truly kick in until the memberships increase some. Find out how much the mailers are. Maybe some of the guys and girl will kick in a donation for ya and at least put you closer to it. I know I'd like to see you succeed and if everyone in the surrounding area gets a flyer with a couple free passes they will get used and you'll be able to get some of that niche. Think of all the crossfit gyms with no amenities and they're filled. You just gotta let people know that you're the gym to go to if you truly want to change your physique.

I hate typing on my phone. Always have to edit it after
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Dude, you type on your phone better than my old ass dose on a lap top I do agree that paper trumps electronic and I feel social media is way over rated. I think I will look into it and see what the real costs would be.

Hawk
 
chicken_hawk said:
Dude, you type on your phone better than my old ass dose on a lap top I do agree that paper trumps electronic and I feel social media is way over rated. I think I will look into it and see what the real costs would be.

Hawk
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I am not the numbers guy that would be my partner. Keep in mind (look at previous threads for pics and more deets) we are a small old school gym with hammer strength, jungle, racks and lots of steel but none of the other stuff. We have no showers and only 4 cardio pieces. For a serious gym we kick ass, but we aren't a gym for everyone.

Rough numbers:
My partner had and estimated 50k in used equipment which is about right.
I brought 20k in start up for down payment and construction on our 4k SF. Our rent is affordable at 2500 month plus utilities cuz we are in a dead strip mall that they are trying to revive. I had to put 2 months down and got 4 months free. I had to take out another 10k to pay bills (personal) and otherwise survive.

I know of other gyms with members that you could get for 80k. They aren't turning much profit but the owners are out of gas. Actually, 4 privately owned gyms are struggling as they are competing against chains and decided to play the low price game. Mistake!

Hawk
 
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