Business Marketing question....

[Coach is Back!]

I would ask this on the biz board, but since people go on there once every three years, this is a better avenue. So, that being said....internet or print?

[Irongrip400]

Why not both? I have a website that shows past/present projects so that clients know what we are capable of, and hand out business cards to prospective clients as well as solicited and unsolicited proposals.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

I would ask this on the biz board, but since people go on there once every three years, this is a better avenue. So, that being said....internet or print?

Both.  I put business cards and flyers up on free community boards at places like Walmart and Ingles.....doesn't take much work

[Coach is Back!]

Why not both? I have a website that shows past/present projects so that clients know what we are capable of, and hand out business cards to prospective clients as well as solicited and unsolicited proposals.

We do both but more print and networking than web. Thinking of switching it for awhile. The return on print is low. I'm kind of behind the times as far as internet marketing.

[Tapeworm]

Net seems essential.  And it can host all kinds of pics, info, plans, prices, etc.  Good place to direct people with a short 'n sweet print ad (Serious training for serious performance.  Coach.com), and could weed out tire kickers looking for the cheapest fit class in town.  Where to hit with the print would be the challenge, I'd think.  Yellow pages and the supermarket pin board and you'd find yourself running a fat camp for suburban couch potatoes.

[pedro01]

Depends what you sell & how close your customers are....

Mine are all over the planet, so it's web-only.

[bigmc]

I would ask this on the biz board, but since people go on there once every three years, this is a better avenue. So, that being said....internet or print?

way to vague

what are you selling and what is your demographic

[The True Adonis]

We do both but more print and networking than web. Thinking of switching it for awhile. The return on print is low. I'm kind of behind the times as far as internet marketing.

Coach, you are a pretty comfortable in front of the camera from what I have seen so why not just make a Youtube Channel and start from there.  Show some exercises, proper form, techniques, workout routines etc... and always end your videos with info about your gym, etc...

It would be much better than starting out with a website that nobody is going to visit.  Once you build your subscriber base, then make your website and add your Youtube account.  You should easily be able to make Partner on Youtube and earn revenue there as well.  Especially if you feature some of your old bodybuilding friends from the past, Rory and whoever else.

[DroppingPlates]

I think both; a good web page/"friendly plugging" on forums, combined with some local flyers/ads.

[The True Adonis]

I would ask this on the biz board, but since people go on there once every three years, this is a better avenue. So, that being said....internet or print?

Who is your target audience?  Since you are attracting actors and such, why not work that angle and get them to do the leg work for you.  Tell that one actor you had that you will give a friend of his a free membership, that way said actor feels indebted and obligated to you.  Then build on that.

[syntaxmachine]

I think both; a good web page/"friendly plugging" on forums, combined with some local flyers/ads.

He does more than enough friendly plugging, I assure you.

[DroppingPlates]

He does more than enough friendly plugging, I assure you.

You know the address of his web page?

[Grape Ape]

We do both but more print and networking than web. Thinking of switching it for awhile. The return on print is low. I'm kind of behind the times as far as internet marketing.

Try a Groupon

[Krankenstein]

Try a Groupon

Fucking hate those.  I have done them, and in the end you end up giving away your services with little return.  How Groupon works....say in Coaches case he 'sells' a 3 session training package for $180.  Group would say "Hey, do a deal for $90/3 sessions".  Well, Groupon takes half, and you are then actually training someone 3 sessions for $45. 

I think the only people that really make out on the Groupon things is restaurants and gym/clubs. 

[Papper]

First, what type of business, product, usp, target audience etc is essential to know or else you are just guessing.

[Grape Ape]

Fucking hate those.  I have done them, and in the end you end up giving away your services with little return.  How Groupon works....say in Coaches case he 'sells' a 3 session training package for $180.  Group would say "Hey, do a deal for $90/3 sessions".  Well, Groupon takes half, and you are then actually training someone 3 sessions for $45. 

I think the only people that really make out on the Groupon things is restaurants and gym/clubs. 

Yes, you give away your service one for half price, but you reach a huge audience for it.  It's up to the owner to decide if it makes sense.

[HTexan]

I would ask this on the biz board, but since people go on there once every three years, this is a better avenue. So, that being said....internet or print?

For a gym?
Both, your target audience is huge. On the internet side, At least have a great website and Facebook page. And check your yelp reviews.

[Coach is Back!]

Who is your target audience?  Since you are attracting actors and such, why not work that angle and get them to do the leg work for you.  Tell that one actor you had that you will give a friend of his a free membership, that way said actor feels indebted and obligated to you.  Then build on that.

Our target audience are athletes but they are mostly word of mouth and by networking as well as the general public (weekend warrior types) but emphasizing that we only want serious people who want to train not "workout" (there is a difference). Our celebrity clients are also word of mouth, Gilles was brought to me by Cheick Kongo and the rest are either neighbors or acquaintances so it's not like I'm targeting the celeb market. I have never pushed the bodybuilding aspect nor do I want to.

Starting next month, we will be holding free seminars on various subjects. We currently have about 105 clients, we're trying to expand to over 200 by this time next year.

[Coach is Back!]

I appreciate all the great input here, thanks!

[BB]

Internet by a mile. Perhaps see if you can work out a trade with a few websites where you maybe write articles or have a Q/A, and they let you get some advertising for free.

[TheTruth90]

I appreciate all the great input here, thanks!

I agree with other poster Coach. You should definitely do a youtube and either have you or one of your trainees do example exercises/drills/etc to highlight the aspects of your training..Or every once in a while you could do clips similar to Joe DeFranco...

Check this website out to give you an idea...DeFranco is known around the world and I believe you are similar to him and his training.

http://www.defrancostraining.com/

[Natural Man]

I would ask this on the biz board, but since people go on there once every three years, this is a better avenue. So, that being said....internet or print?

having troubles finding new clients? 

[Natural Man]

Both.  I put business cards and flyers up on free community boards at places like Walmart and Ingles.....doesn't take much work

yeah i m sure the average fat joe or soccer mom is going to be interested in his gym.. 

[Big Chiro Flex]

having troubles finding new clients? 

Not everyone has a "cush" factory job at the Oscar-Meyer plant like you bro, cut the guy some slack.

[Coach is Back!]

I agree with other poster Coach. You should definitely do a youtube and either have you or one of your trainees do example exercises/drills/etc to highlight the aspects of your training..Or every once in a while you could do clips similar to Joe DeFranco...

Check this website out to give you an idea...DeFranco is known around the world and I believe you are similar to him and his training.

http://www.defrancostraining.com/

I have met Joe at his old gym then at the new one. Very familiar with his training. Joe has a production crew doing most of his filming and a great PR company and is teamed up with JimSmith with the diesel crew. Both very smart guys.