My man Mr. Troy Blankenship is not only a Fit Body Boot Camp business owner, he is also one of my personal coaching clients.
Troy is kicking so much butt that he’s in the process of opening his third Fit Body Boot Camp location.
And it’s really no surprise when you see how Troy consistently goes THE EXTRA MILE when it comes to his boot camps.
But let me step aside and let Troy tell you himself…
So without further ado, Here’s the GREAT Troy
Hey – Troy Blankenship here,
Painting a clear picture in your mind of your ideal client may seem like a no-brainer, but ask yourself honestly; do you really know what your ideal client WANTS!
Sure they NEED to get in great shape. But doesn’t everybody? After all, that is why your clients come to you.
But if you really take your business seriously you must take this much further.
You need to not only be different, you need to act different, feel different, and talk different. You need to go the extra mile, be that special person in their life, under-promise then over-deliver.
Think about this question for a moment. Do you REALLY know what makes your client tick?
Now, hold on, don’t rush your answer. Really think about it.
Do you really know what they are looking for? (Outside of fitness)
Do you really know what makes them smile?
Do you really know what keeps them coming back?
Do you really know what motivates them?
Do you really know what would make your client want to never leave your services?
Do you really know about them, the person?
Do you really know what is going to keep them around in your boot camp or fitness facility for months, or heck even years to come, adding revenue upon revenue to your bank account!
Don’t you wish there was a procedure to follow that really made your clients rave about you, and only you to your competition, around your community and to your critics? (Believe me you won’t have many after reading this)!
Sure, attrition happens, but what if you could really minimize it?
What if there was a system in place where you could add instant value to your clients that could be easy to follow, make your clients love you, have little to no cost, take little time on your end, and could be implemented immediately into your business. Wouldn’t you be interested?
Wouldn’t that mean more retention for your business?
And wouldn’t that retention affect your bottom line month after month for many years to come?
Of course it would!
Why? Because having your clients see just how much effort you put into making them feel welcomed and a part of your fitness “family” day after day after day is priceless.
Let’s face it. In today’s marketplace people are hung out to dry and taken advantage of 24 hours a day 365 days a year. So who’s to blame them for being so skeptical once they get in front of you. Their guard is way up.
They don’t want to be burned again. And beneath their disbelief in what you’re offering they’re literally scared to death.
And because their scared, we in the fitness industry hear phrases like, “Let me think about it” or “Let me ask my spouse” or the ever popular and completely oxymoronic “I need to get in shape first before I train with you”.
What’s happening in these scenarios? They see no perceived value!
Your job is to slowly (like a trained hypnotist) lower their guard so that they begin to know, like, and trust you and therefore become more receptive to your offer.
Over a (very) short period of time this can and will happen if you play your cards right. Your clients meanwhile see, first hand, how hard you press to not only TRAIN their ass off but also focus on the little things. And like my girlfriend says, it’s the little things in any relationship (personal or business) that count!
Why do you have to be different and show your clients how much value you place on them for their personal stamp of approval for your business?
Simple. Because your competitors aren’t!
That in itself is reason to add more value. Sure people can go to any gym or boot camp in your area, find a trainer, exercise for an hour and then leave. Any competing trainer and gym can provide these simple and boring services. But that’s as far as they go.
You on the other hand provide the same services but then infinitely add your own unique value THAT YOUR CLIENTS CAN LITERALLY SEE MAKE YOU STAND OUT FROM THE PACK.
In fact I’ve created my personal acronym for this very thing. CAKE!
C= cater to them and their wants, not needs. If you already provide a kick butt exercise program that is getting your clients noticeable results then trust me, you are already meeting their needs.
A=act daily. You must be an action taker when it comes to adding value. Duh!
K=kind (be genuinely sincere). Nothing, and I mean nothing gives your clients more reason to cancel their membership to your fitness program when they even suspect you’re just going through the motions.
E=evoke their hot buttons so you know how to best add value to their lives. You absolutely must know what gives value and meaning to your personal clients so that you can do more of it.
And believe me it really is like cake. You’re just providing the icing. And we all know that it’s the icing that’s the sweetest part. So layer in on thick!
Take my latest experiment for instance. Many people all over the country sign up for fitness programs each and every day. But who really goes the extra mile to make a personalized thank you video (not email) the very same day that they start their program or trial?
I can right here and now, guarantee your competitors aren’t.
And now I’ve taken it a step further. I’m creating videos and adding them to YouTube for people who have been referred to me by current clients of mine but have yet to start their FREE boot camp trial.
Watch the 47 second video that made me $247 dollars…in reoccurring monthly boot camp income below
Now even though this video took me less then a minute to film, I used as much specific information as I could to personalize it because I had not even met my prospective client yet.
And the best part. She signed up the very same day I sent her this video…without even starting her trial yet. She paid me $247 dollars right away first because I followed my CAKE philosophy and blew her away with value!
Apparently personalization, uniqueness and sincerely does pay handsomely
So how sweet is your icing?
Hey, If you liked that guest post by Troy, then check out 31 boot camp marketing tips
And… The Fitness Info Summit is gonna be OFF THE HOOK at the end of OCT. Check out the Fitness Info Summit Here
OK, so I’m way in the dark on how to even make a video! Is this with a web cam? What sort of camera do I need? What software do I need? I want to start making videos like this right away! Please give some tips on this!
Comment by JJ Brawley — August 20, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
Love it! Simple idea and personalized…awesome! I’m going to do this w/my clients. Thanks for sharing, Steve and Troy.
Comment by Teri — August 20, 2009 @ 10:54 pm
Wow killer tip man! Thanks! I wish I could make a video for you to thank you haha
Comment by David Tendrich — August 20, 2009 @ 11:13 pm
Hey Troy
Great post and video. This is seriously an unconventional approach. Going to start doing this.
Comment by TC — August 20, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
Nice post and video Troy- Very good topic that I think is under discussed by trainers as an income builder.
I like how you break it down with CAKE. (mmm…cake)
Comment by John Thompson — August 20, 2009 @ 11:43 pm
Sorry Troy
I made a typo mistake on my comment. I meant to say unconventional approach instead of ‘conventional approach’.
Comment by TC — August 21, 2009 @ 12:27 am
love the post Troy, i will look to trying that with a few new clients and see how I go.
Cake…. I love cake…
Comment by Scott Williams — August 21, 2009 @ 1:26 am
LOVE IT!!
I’m going to use this AND make client appreciation videos.
A quick tip, especially for those of you trying to get through to a facility owner (this comes from Jason Moffatt): Make a private video for whoever you’re trying to reach. Just two or three minutes is all you need. Set up a new youtube account and make it private with just this video. They’d have to admit to themselves that they’re being a dick if they ignore you after all that work.
Stay frosty!
~ Luke
Comment by Luke Wold — August 21, 2009 @ 7:12 am
DUDE, that is awesome
Comment by Chris McCombs — August 21, 2009 @ 7:44 am
Wow what a great simple yet effective idea..
Comment by John — August 21, 2009 @ 9:01 am
Awesome idea Troy and I’ll be practicing this starting today.
VERY COOL!!!
Comment by Bob Garon — August 21, 2009 @ 9:07 am
Awesome post man, it really does make a difference when you actually care about your clients. It’s much more rewarding for you and them!
Comment by Kevin — August 21, 2009 @ 9:10 am
Great video. Congratulations on your success brother. How can you go wrong with Steve’s coaching HE IS THE MAN
Comment by Sam — August 21, 2009 @ 9:21 am
Troy, that’s an exceptional idea. You really make them feel appreciated with that very personalized message. What type of camera do you use to make the video? I don’t want something that expensive, but certainly Youtube friendly.
I’m definitely going to do this for my boot camps.
Thanks again. -Sara
Comment by Sara Hutniak — August 21, 2009 @ 10:45 am
Very very great post, outside the box way to make them feel like there is no place better, and where noone will get them what they need better. Filming a video this weekend! Thanks man
Comment by Chris DeRoo — August 21, 2009 @ 11:18 am
Great Post. This is a great customer appreciation tool. In addition to you connecting with your clients in class, it provides a personal dose of attention. Most people really want others to take even a moment to focus on them and their needs. Simple. Easy. Going to do it immediately!
Comment by Anne — August 21, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
What a great idea..as is the one suggested for prospective businesses. Personally prefer not to post them on YouTube. How do I go about doing this to send them something more private vs. where everyone can listen?
Comment by Kathi — August 21, 2009 @ 1:36 pm
Hi everybody!
Glad you liked the post! This one simple tip has worked like gangbusters for me. The great thing about all this is that it only takes a few moments of your time and it’s completely FREE because you’re using You Tube to host your videos.
In regards to the camera, I’m using a Flip Camp HD Mino. It’s very compact, portable, and user friendly. I use it for all my client testimonials, boot camp shots, and of course personalized Thank You videos.
Rock On!
Troy-
Comment by Troy — August 21, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
Hey Troy, Great tip for showing you really care and and getting them to act.
Jeremy
Comment by Jeremy Fails — August 21, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
Wow, this is a great tip! I will definitely use this in the future.
Comment by Anna @ primalfitbootcamp — August 21, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
Steve,
This is a great idea! I’m going to give it a try!
Becky
Comment by Becky Fox — August 22, 2009 @ 4:47 am
I’m def going to implementing this into my bootcamp tactics!
Great post Steve and thanks for sharing Troy!
Travis
Comment by travis — August 23, 2009 @ 8:10 am