How to build your own paid membership site

Have you been thinking about building your own paid membership site? If not, you should, because it is one way to help build a tribe of followers, and it also allows you to create a passive revenue stream for your business. Now, there are two ways you can go about building a membership site. One ,is the traditional method where you create a website, continuously load it up with content, and get clients and other people to join. I know what you are thinking, “Way too much work and why would anyone want to join.” I agree, but I found a better approach to a membership site.

Several months ago I was introduced to a guy named Jimmy D. Brown and his concept of building a “fixed term membership site.” Essentially, what “fixed term” means is you decide how long the membership lasts. Jimmy states, that most people stay on average between 3-4 months as a member of a site. So, in order to make them feel more comfortable about joining, you give them a time frame. By having a time frame your clients will know that they will not be adding another monthly recurring bill to their credit card and when the term is over they are done. Also, a fixed term membership site helps you manage your time and effort. When you create a fixed term site ,you do not have to add a bunch of content all at once, but instead add content on a weekly basis. Once the initial work is done all you have to do is get subscribers to join and begin to see a passive income stream develop.

Okay, I know there are tons of  questions going on in your mind, so take a look at my membership site Working Mom Workouts and see how I am focusing on a niche, Working Moms, and  how I send workouts to them once they join.

Now that you had a chance to see my site it is time for you to considered what you can do. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself to get you started brainstorming for your fixed term membership site:

  • First, what are you passionate about?
  • What are you the best at (Expert)?
  • Is there a market for that?
  • Do I have 5-10 hours a week to devote to building a site?
  • Will I see the project through completion?

These are just a few questions to ask yourself to get you on the path towards your own fixed term membership site. Obviously, there is more that goes into starting up a site, but that is far too extensive to get into in one blog post. If you are interested in learning more about how to set up your own membership you can go through my coaching program where I can walk you through step by step and help have your membership site up in less than 48 hours form when we speak!

In health,

Coach Dave

Top Ten Fitness Trends for 2011

There might be more than 45 days left till the New Year but the American College of Sports Medicine has released its yearly “Top Ten Fitness Trends for 2011”. I found the article to be quite interesting and you can read about the top ten trends here.

Although I find this interesting it is not shocking. The number one trend for next year is the demand for experienced and educated trainers. Even though we might be in a recession and people are tightening their spending, people realize the value of an experienced and educated personal trainer. Also, a fundamental shift in thinking has occurred as more and more people are realizing that healthcare costs are going to continue to rise, and one way for them to help reduce their costs, is to get healthy. To do this, they need an experienced expert, like you, to help them. So, this is great news for personal trainers and fitness professionals. I believe you are going to see this trend to continue and only grow.

The other area that I find interesting is, the number of physician referrals continues to grow. Doctors are prescribing exercise to their clients as means to getting them well. This is another huge shift for our industry and if you do not have a percentage of your business coming from doctor referrals then you are missing out. Find several doctors in your area and start building a relationship with them. Get them to have trust in your abilities and they will start sending business to you.

Well, that is it for now but I want to leave you with this. The health and wellness industry is only going to keep expanding. Find your niche within the industry and become the expert. If you are unsure of what areas are growing go read the list of the top ten trends and find one that interests you. Make 2011 your best year ever!

Coach Dave

Do you know your strengths

Hello everyone. I want to welcome you to another edition of my video blogs. Do you know what your strengths are? Most people have always been told to focus in on their weaknesses, but if you really want to lead a fulfilled and successful life you need to do the opposite. See what I am talking about.

Coach Dave

Something different in honor of Veterans Day!

Hello everyone. Typically, Thursday has been the day I present a “How To” for you to implement into your business. However, today I would like to do something different in honor of Veterans Day! No business today just a simple shout out to all Veterans!

Thank You for standing up and fighting for the freedoms we have. Without you, me writing this blog post would not be possible! I have the utmost respect and admiration for those that served and gave their lives and to those that past and present continue to protect us! You are real heroes!

Thank you once again!

Happy Veterans Day!

Coach Dave

Market and Sell your Fitness Business like the U.S. Marines

Happy 235th birthday to the United States Marine Corps. I have always had a deep respect for the military and for the United States Marine Corps. Several of my friends have served in the Marines and I am thankful for their service. Today, I want to talk to you about how to market and sell your fitness business like the U.S. Marines.

When we talk about marketing we typically are referring to one of the 4 p’s.

Price
Promotion
Positioning (Place)
Product

One of the biggest mistakes personal trainers and fitness clubs make in their marketing is they fail to position themselves in the marketplace. Positioning, is critical to a successful marketing campaign. More often than not, personal trainers and fitness clubs fail at strategically positioning themselves in the marketplace. Typically, what happens is the fitness club or personal trainer wants to be for everyone. I understand that no one wants to turn down business but if you want to market and sell more you need to take a page out the Marine playbook.

Many people might not think that the Marines market and sell, however, that is far from the truth. Let me tell you about a great example of the Marines marketing an selling to potential recruits. One day I was at an event and  I remember hearing a Marine Recruiter get up in front of a crowd after several other branches of the military spoke, whom went on for ten minutes talking about their particular branch of service and the benefits of joining. When the Marine recruiter took the stage it was quite different.  The Marine recruiter said the following:
” Ladies and Gentlemen, I am not going to take up much of your time here. Many of you are not qualified to be a Marine, and my estimate, with a crowd this size, probably only a handful of you have what it takes to be a Marine. So, if you think you are one of the few and proud that can join my brotherhood, see me afterwards.”

How many people do you think went to visit that recruiter afterwards? More than half, but the lesson to be learned here is this.

The Marines position themselves as an elite group of the military. The Marines do not want just anyone. They want the best and bravest men and women this country has to offer. They are selective as should you be. You should not just be for everyone, as well. Decide what you stand for and position yourself in the marketplace as that.

Here are some examples.

You may be the best at providing services that market to adults or maybe you are best at working with post-rehab patients. The point I am making is you need to decide who you are best at serving and position and market yourself that way. Do this and people will flock to you. And yes, you will get people who might not fit that speciality but by standing for something as opposed for everything you create credibility. the funny thing also, is it is amazing sometimes when you tell someone that they are not suited for your business they want to be with you even more.

Go market and sell like the United States Marine Corps!

Happy 235th Birthday U.S.M.C.

Coach Dave