Hey, before you enjoy your 31 Boot Camp Marketing Tips, Be sure to get the most INSANE and KILLER free boot camp marketing bonus gifts I’ve ever given – EVER!
Just enter your name and email in the box to the right where it says FREE BUSINESS TOOLS
1. It’s Show Time
Treat your fitness boot camp like a show! You’re not teaching a boot camp, you’re giving a friggin performance… Act like the MAIN EVENT
2. Bring the ENERGY!
It’s the difference between a good boot camp and a great boot camp. It’s the difference between your boot camp and the one down the street. Anyone can stand there and count reps.
Pretend you’re on a TV show in front of the nation… And friggin BRING IT!
3. Stay Vertical
Demonstrate exercises without getting on the ground… Not everyone can hear or see you and it takes to long… Plus it sucks when people are standing around so
STAY VERTICAL.
4. Go A.P.E.
Appreciation
Passion
Enthusiasm
Give each and every client MASSIVE appreciation every workout,
Stay passionate by constantly learning new kick butt workouts.
And bring the enthusiasm by linking your boot camp to achieving your life dream.
5. Be the Alpha Male Of The Group (AMOG)
And that means FEMALE instructors too… Yep that’s right…
You’re clients, especially the female ones, naturally follow the AMOG’s. So be the AUTHORITY.
(Tip) Make needless corrections… like telling your clients to move their feet in ½ an inch… Clients will work harder… and get better results… If they’re CONVINCED you’re the AMOG authority!
6. Change Up Your Voice
Don’t just use your same old boot camp voice. Just like music change up your tones.
Ever been in a spin or aerobics class… Same voice… Never changes. (No beano)
Some times you scream like a maniac, then bring it down… Then get in someone’s ear and whisper (you’re gonna kick ass today… I believe in you)
Your not a drill sergeant… You’re a SUPER MOTIVATOR! You’re the best.
7. Make’m Feel Special
Make TONS of eye contact, like your look’n into their soul… Most boot camp instructors don’t do that.
8. Say “Thank You”
I don’t mean a big blanket thank you like, “Thanks everybody, see you next time.”
You need to work it like they just saved your mama’s life. “Thank you so much, I appreciate your work today. YOU ROCKED it! I can’t wait to see you next workout.”
You can’t really say thank you enough. Over-exaggerate it. Not just once a month. Not once a week. Every … single … workout.
9. Referral Mind Control Method
After the close and they officially sign up, it’s time for the Referral Mind Control Method.
This super secret Ninja Technique will get you so many referrals it will blow your friggin mind.
Say this
“Oh Shay, before you leave I forgot to tell you one thing. Ninety percent of my clients come from personal referrals, so make this agreement with me right now. As I help YOU achieve your goals, can I count on you to refer one or two of your friends so that I can achieve my goals, too?”
Now shake her hand and tell her, “We have a deal.”
(Touch her shoulder too…)
Here’s why this works…
When you first meet someone there’s a new neural connection in the brain is formed – and it’s almost unbreakable… Everything that happens on that first day becomes part of that new neural connection.
Now your clients going to be compelled to go out like a robot and refer you TONS boot camp clients with out even knowing why.
10. Remember to KISS
KISS stands for Keep It Super Simple, and it means STAY AWAY from complicated exercises that take forever to explain… They’ll suck the ENERGY right out of your boot camp.
11. Theme Your Workouts
Give a motivational theme for each workout like… “Today, the theme is commitment… Even though you’re gonna feel like you can’t… Commit to doing just 1 more… Now high five me if I have your commitment…”
Then use them to motivate your boot campers throughout the workout!
12. Knowing When to Quit
Sometimes a workout seems like a good idea in your head, but it sucks when you do it… When that happens just scrap it and move on…
13. No One Left Behind
Never have people waiting while slower clients finish… Everyone feels uncomfortable.
14. Go-to Exercises
You never want to let your boot camp members see you thinking of what to do next… Weather you’ve been up all night planning the workout or not – Make it look like you did…
Have your “Go-to” exercises to fall back on if you blank out for a second and need a moment to think of what to do next…
15. Don’t take any Sh%t
If you’re clients ever try to correct your count, say… “I was only counting the perfect ones.” Works every time LOL
16 . Burn Out The Big Dudes
If you have some really strong dudes in your boot camp – But you have light weights, burn’em out first.
For example… Have them hit 50 pushups before doing light dumbbell press… or have them hold walk 50 yards holding dumbbells at a 90% angle before doing curls.
Kill’em before each exercise… They’ll be putty in your hands.
17. Remember Their Names
One of the key things to having a successful boot camp is to have a deep connection with everyone in your boot camp.
When you first meet a new client.. Make up a name that rhymes… Like, Trim Kim…
18. The In-Class Testimonial
During a workout, you might say, “Shay, what kind of results have you seen. How much weight have you lost?” Maybe she says she’s lost 12 pounds and it’s only been a month. “Awesome job,” you say. “Hey everyone, I just want to say one thing real quick. Shay has already lost 12 pounds this month. Awesome job, Shay.”
That totally pumps up your client and provides social proof to everyone else.
19. Time And Numbers
Always give your clients a time or number of reps… They’ll work A LOT harde
20. DON’T Have Boot Camps that Have Beginning and End Dates
If you have a boot camp that has a beginning date and an ending date, then you don’t allow people to join when they want to join, and that’s when they’re hot and bothered and ready to go. That means you’re going to really significantly cut your income.
Also, having boot camps that end and then have something like a two-week break is really is going to hurt the amount of people who come back, because they’re going to have to sign up all over again. It’s too easy in those two weeks – or even on week – to get out of the routine and not come back, which puts you in a position of constantly having to recruit new clients.
A HUGE mistake is having a beginning or an ending to your boot camp. Do not do that. They should be ongoing, auto-debit continuity programs.
(If you want to take breaks… Have other trainers teach your boot camps like in the Fit Body Boot Camp Model)
21. Use Auto Debit (EFT)
Do you want to be a bill collector??? Nuff said.
22. Showing Up Late
Don’t ever, ever, ever show up late.
Ever.
23. Set Goals
If you just get up in the morning and train at a boot camp because you have clients there, that’s the worst reason.
You definitely want to set a goal. You want to set multiple goals, even goals that are way off into the future, and you want to link them all back to this one step, which is growing your boot camps. That’s going to take you one step closer to your goals.
So now when you’re teaching your boot camp, you’re not doing something just to do it. You are achieving your life’s dream. Big difference.
24. Have A DIRECT RESPONSE SALES Website
I see so many crappy websites out there, and I just think to myself, “Man, this trainer just wasted about $5,000-$8000 on a website, and it’s not going to make him one dime.”
It looks good, and they probably got a lot of compliments from their friends, but my question is this: “Does it do anything? Does it make your clients buy?”
If the answer to that is “No,” then my question is: “Why the heck do you have it?”
25. Don’t Be A Poser
That’s right, I said, “A Poser.” People don’t go to boot camps because they want to be in the military. They go to boot camps because they want to lose weight.
I see a lot of people who have never been in the military all of a sudden put on camouflage fatigues, a sergeant hat and some combat boots, and now they think they’re suddenly a 
Marine or something. That’s embarrassing.
26. Take Before And After Pics
27. Get Video Testimonials
28. Have a System for rewarding clients for referrals.
I give my clients half off their next months auto debit for each referral… I tell them to refer me 2 client a month and never pay for boot camp again.
It’s FREE boot camp marketing.
30. Survey Your Clients
Getting direct feed back is one of the best client retention tools… I use surveymonkey.com… It’s free and way easy to use.
31. Give Your Clients Referral Tools
By far the best boot camp marketing referral tool so far is my PLASTIC GIFT CARD.
It looks just like a credit card and I give hundreds of them to my clients to give o their friends.
If you don’t like humongous boot camps then DO NOT use my plastic referral cards…
Be sure to let me know what tips YOU liked the best and leave some of YOUR own juicy ones too 
Talk to ya soon
Steve
Just enter your name and email below where it says (free business tools) for FREE instant Access to the “boot camp marketing MUTHA- LOAD!
Dude….
THis was insane. And super killer.
I am getting my plastic referral cards right now.
ANd I have also made it a point to bring the energy…. NO MATTER WHAT.
Its hard to bring the energy at 6am but… I make sure it happens because I notice a change.
I like the tip about theming your workout.. I never though about a theme like that I was always thinking “ok camo outfit theme”
Steve great stuff man.
KILLING IT.
Comment by Jeff Jowers — June 10, 2009 @ 12:19 pm
Great Stuff Steve! Every single time I read through one of your posts I pick up at least a couple new golden nuggets that are AWESOME! Thanks man!
Comment by Brandon Campbell — June 10, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
Steve, nice job – as always! Where do you recommend getting the PLASTIC REFERRAL CARDS ? I saw you mentioned in a post a while back, but can’t seem to find it…please advise! Thanks…
Comment by Curtis Hoekstra — June 10, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
That is a killer. Hey where did you get the picture
of the broads making out? lol
Love your blog Steve.
Comment by Sam — June 10, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
awesome tips dude, and i agree never never never be late, you have no excuses.
Comment by Wayne Large — June 10, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
Those are great tips! My first boot camp starts in July. If I can pull it together, I might start sooner!
I like the part about changing up your voice, yelling – then whispering…that’s cool..
And the poser part was funny. Seriously, do people really do that? lol..
Thanks Steve!
Holly Binkley
Comment by Holly — June 10, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
Great post of small pieces of info Steve.
I agree no matterwhat you need to have a long term goal for why you get up every morning to train Bootcampers…
We have gone to direct debit for BOOTCAMPERS much like a gym membership and it has made a huge difference to our numbers attending. We now have over 100 members on 12 month contracts,mkaes life easy with a steady income stream.
Scott Williams
Comment by Scott Williams — June 10, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
DUDE!
This boot camp marketing post was OFF THE HOOK!
I can’t believe you give this stuff away for FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matt
Comment by Matt — June 10, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
Hey Steve
I have the same question as Sam… where do you get those hot pics of broads making out? lol
Love the tips dude… you really are killing it with this blog and it’s an honor to be able to contribute to it.
Cheers Knackers
J. Crackers
Comment by Adam Toohey — June 10, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
Steve,
Thanks for all you are putting out there. Have been using some of your stealth ninja techniques. My cards should be here any day now, can’t wait.
I sent a “billboard” email to a very small (34) list the other day and filled a boot camp from that and the people they forwarded to.
Two of the people I mailed to ended up referring me 8 paying members!
Not bad for an email.
Comment by Monty — June 10, 2009 @ 5:31 pm
This is like secretly advice for life. I think if you just treated people in general like this – appreciating, welcoming, remembering everyone’s names – I can’t see how anything but great things would come from this (just don’t give them plastic referral cards <_<).
‘Nother awesome post bro
I’m not even in the fitness business (aside from designing ads and such for fitness people) but I feel like I could open a 6 figure boot camp just from the info on your blog. Thanks for the inspiration.
Comment by David (the brother) — June 10, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
Good tips, Steve! Just gave out the plastic gift cards yesterday. We’ll see how it works!
Comment by Jason Yun — June 10, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
Hi Steve your info is fantastic can you send me more info on your referral cards.
Thanks
Kingi
K.B.S Fitness
Comment by Kingi Santiel — June 10, 2009 @ 6:19 pm
Hey Steve
I’m still waiting for my bloody plastic card. Had my order placed like couple of weeks ago but they won’t come until another week. Can’t wait to use them.
TC
Comment by TC — June 10, 2009 @ 7:02 pm
Great post. It’s like the outline to a marketing plan for bootcamps.
My favorite is Go A.P.E… that one says it all.
Peace.
Comment by Alexander — June 10, 2009 @ 8:06 pm
I know running a boot camp and personal training is probably 75% psychology and human behavior and 25% fitness. I would say a great 32 would be to help your clients stay Pain-Free.
Living without pain, whether emotional or physical is a huge motivator for most people. Modify and regress as necessary!
Awesome content! All the free advice you provide your loyal, cult followers = Law of Reciprocity!
Nick Garcia
Comment by Nick Garcia — June 10, 2009 @ 8:11 pm
True about how this is a lot of good info for free. Great post man! I’m going to print this out and carry it with me until I memorize or have checked off everything on the list.
Who do you use to do your direct debit?
Comment by Steve — June 10, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
Steve,
I love the post with all of your help!
Comment by Steve Auxier — June 10, 2009 @ 8:41 pm
And that is exactly why you are the guru of marketing boot camps! Dude every single one of those marketing secrets/tactics is absolutely essential to turn your plain old bootcamp into a 6 figure money making machine that your clients love you for.
If boot camp instructors are not following you I don’t know what is wrong with them! Everything you put out rocks dude and its been a pleasure working with you with the fit body boot camp man. First location will be secured next week and then within a week after that I am going to get 21 billboards.
That is the only thing that was missing from your list.
#32. Get Human Billboards – this alone can turn your boot camp into a 6 figure camp.
Jonathan Lerner
Comment by Jonathan Lerner — June 10, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
Nice… One More Post To Add to The Wall Steve!! Thanks ..
Comment by Andy Whitson / Amp'd Fitness LLC — June 10, 2009 @ 10:54 pm
Holy Sh!t Steve,
The info you are giving away is better than a lot of paid products. I have printed this out and stuck it on my desk. If anyone was to implement these tips they will out do the other camps in their area hands down.
I gotta admit though, with number 28 (giving away 2 weeks for every referral) who ends up paying? Do you find that certain people just don;t refer anyone, or the size of your camps leads to more upsells in other areas?
I was thinking of giving two weeks as a bonus if the referral joined up, that way the quality of the referrals might be better and not just getting people interested in getting free time.
Comment by Hobart Personal Trainer James Kerrison — June 11, 2009 @ 4:29 am
Great post. Liked all the referral suggestions, especially #9 and #31.
Also, good point on not having beginning and end dates.
Comment by Cory Norbutus — June 11, 2009 @ 5:29 am
Nice post steve – Great advice and very cool Pics (#10
I ordered the plastic cards a few days ago can’t wait for them to come in. If they work half as well as your human billboard script did, it’s gonna get crazy.
Comment by Jamie Philippi — June 11, 2009 @ 9:44 am
Steve,
Awesome post bro! Good way to keep the add people (like me) remembering the important stuff to focus on.
-O-
Comment by Omar "Big O" Morales — June 12, 2009 @ 3:51 pm
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! CARROT TOP! Someone get him on here for a guest post!
Ha! And even better post Steve – it takes a different kind of energy to run bootcamps, and you’ve summed it up here perfectly -
If you can’t handle it, please don’t try it – just leave it alone and let the FIT BODY BOOTCAMPERS do their damage -
Comment by Kaiser S. — June 16, 2009 @ 3:38 am
Hey Steve,
what sup bro? = ) hey thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day and posted this very valuable information for all of us fellow trainers. I really appreciated all your help Steve.
You the freaking man bro!
Jackie
Comment by Jackie — June 19, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
Great Stuff Steve!!
As always..I’m just starting my group training and all those things will help. Appreciate it!! Keep doing your thing!
Thanks again!
Comment by Chelsea C. — June 20, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
Anyone know where I can get a good deal on those plastic cards? Been trying to get quotes but it takes too much time. I’m thinking that if anyone reccommends a company that they work with and they trust already – it will save me time, money and headaches in the long run. Thanks in advanced!
Anna
Comment by Anna — June 23, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
I know this is way late but for plastic cards, use plasticcardexperts.com
Awesome stuff Steve. These are some simple yet powerful strategies for kicking ass.
Comment by Tony M — July 6, 2009 @ 8:29 pm
Definitely the big point missing is setting up strategic alliances with local businesses (massage therapists, salons, spas, chiro) and getting a referral system set up, that stuff is powerful!
Comment by Omar Isuf — July 8, 2009 @ 2:48 pm
Awesome Steve…just awesome!
Thanks for sharing.
One of the things I like doing (however I haven’t done much of it lately) is do monthly dinners with campers where we do a potluck at someone’s house or meet at a restaurant. GREAT to build rapport and retention.
I like the plastic gift card idea, can you let me know more about that? i.e. where do you get them made? Would you mind letting me have a look at the template you use?
I currently use something like this however its just a double sided piece of paper about the size of 3 business cards.
thanks.
tyron
makersbody@gmail.com
Comment by Tyron — July 11, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
I’ve had a bad experience with Plastic Card Experts. The sales guy Rob has been jerking my chain around about the cards. I eventually had him knock the price down 50% because they kept delaying my order. I would recommend another company called Plasticcardmonster.com. If you need the design either let me know or ask them to use my template.
Comment by Jake — August 21, 2009 @ 11:03 am
Love these tips!
They Rock!
Tell me somebody what ideas you can use the cards for?
Tod
Comment by Tod Esquivel — August 24, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
Super awesome! Steve, you’re the best. You’re totally right about having a start/end format to bootcamps. I did that previously and it sucked. Oh well, you live you learn. Thanks for the great tips.
Comment by Ceon's Blog - Road To Becoming A Lifestyle Design Bad-Ass — December 17, 2009 @ 10:53 pm
I am planning on starting up a new boot camp from scratch. Which tools do you recommend? I seems like all the tools are targeted towartd trainers who have been training a while but have plateaued. As a trainer who has limited experience, what is the best route?
Comment by James — January 21, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
Just got 500 cards in from plasticcardexperts.com… they came out great, and they did all the design for free.
Comment by Jeff Kaizen — April 3, 2010 @ 1:35 pm
Awesome Jeff… Get those referrals bro!!
Comment by stevehochman — April 4, 2010 @ 1:51 pm
Great list! Thanks for the advice
Comment by Sandra — May 13, 2010 @ 9:03 am
Nice Blog thanks for sharing your ideas…
Comment by Mandy — May 23, 2010 @ 1:44 am
I am planning on starting up a new boot camp from scratch. Which tools do you recommend? I seems like all the tools are targeted towartd trainers who have been training a while but have plateaued. As a trainer who has limited experience, what is the best route?
Comment by Julie — May 25, 2010 @ 1:16 pm
Hey Julie,
The god news is 99% of my boot camp marketing strategies are easy and work for newbies as well as seasoned veterans….
I would start with the Human Billboard Elite, Referral Charity Drive and the 21 Day Rapid Fat Loss Program.
I would also get some coaching from a pro.
Know what I mean,
Steve
Comment by stevehochman — May 26, 2010 @ 12:01 am
Steve you have done a nice job. Nice Article thanks for sharing with us.
Comment by Katie — May 28, 2010 @ 11:15 am
Extremely awesome! Steve, you’re the best. You’re totally right about having a start/end format to boot camps. I did that previously and it sucked. Oh well, you live you learn, you know.
Comment by Jackie — June 2, 2010 @ 3:54 am
Thanks for you brilliant although i will say Success doesn’t happen by accident…
Comment by Monica — June 5, 2010 @ 10:17 am
Thank you so much for your opinion. About checking emails, It is not what you have said rather just a bad habit developed over the period. You quotes about on 31 boot camp markating tips.
Comment by Rebecca — June 13, 2010 @ 11:08 am
When people pay money for a workout they don’t want their leader to constantly show up late. EVER!
Comment by Molly — June 30, 2010 @ 4:27 am
Super awesome! Steve, you’re the best. You’re totally right about having a start/end format to bootcamps. I did that previously and it sucked. Oh well, you live you learn. Thanks for the great tips, thanx.
Comment by Christine — July 29, 2010 @ 4:41 am