You might think that your small gym isnt newsworthy. Think again! Do something to help others, and you in turn will reap rewards. Your health club marketing opportunities are only limited by your own imagination.
1. Canned food drive
Promote an offer of something like, "Bring in 3 canned goods and pay no enrollment". Not only are you driving traffic, you're also helping those less fortunate. Local media such as news stations and newspapers love writing about positive things. Let them know that you're working with a local homeless shelter and donating all canned goods to them.
2. Submit articles to your local newspaper
You can volunteer to write up a fitness tips section for your local newspaper. There might even be multiple opportunities if there are other smaller newspapers or local newsletters or area magazines you could write for. And don't forget websites. There are probably some local sites that would appreciate free content from you. If you write poorly, it shouldn't be hard to find a colleague, significant other, or employee to write for you
3. Partner with your local radio station
You can run a contest among the listeners of the radio station to see who can lose the most weight. The contest can run for 8-12 weeks. Give the DJ's free memberships to your health club and have them promote the contest, get lots of people to apply to be in the contest, and provide you contact information for all applicants. If there are two DJ's it can be a lot of fun for them to form two separate teams and compete. It makes for an exciting contest for listeners of the radio station and great free marketing for your health club.
4. Conduct a charitable contest
Always remember that the media is always in need of positive news topics. If you set up a charitable event at your club, they will run a story. You can have your members get their friends to pledge money for every mile you walk or every pound you lift. And don't worry if there aren't many people who participate, anything charitable, even on a small scale, is newsworthy.
5. Host fitness seminars
These can either be onsite at your facility or at a community center. If you call or visit your local Chamber of Commerce and ask about a listing of presentations, you will be amazed. People give presentations on anything from basketweaving to coding HTML. If they dont already have someone regularly presenting on fitness-related topics, just ask them to put you on the schedule. They announce all upcoming presentations to their member and email list.
6. Make one of your members a hero
As mentioned before, your local media loves positive stories, especially when the story is on a person who did something great. Have ll of your members apply to be in the Hero of Your Town Event. Everyone can send in an article on their rise to success and how your health club has helped them achieve their dreams. You'll pick a winner and create a press release (or have one written). The press release can say something like, "local hero recognized at XYZ Fitness". For those people not selected, they will still get a prize. You could even have multiple heroes recognized at your health club. This is a great way to market your health club to new prospective members.
Free publicity opportunities are everywhere. You just have to recognize or create opportunities for positive press. Come up with unique ideas and you will find that the local media will look forward to the next story they can do on you. - 20896
1. Canned food drive
Promote an offer of something like, "Bring in 3 canned goods and pay no enrollment". Not only are you driving traffic, you're also helping those less fortunate. Local media such as news stations and newspapers love writing about positive things. Let them know that you're working with a local homeless shelter and donating all canned goods to them.
2. Submit articles to your local newspaper
You can volunteer to write up a fitness tips section for your local newspaper. There might even be multiple opportunities if there are other smaller newspapers or local newsletters or area magazines you could write for. And don't forget websites. There are probably some local sites that would appreciate free content from you. If you write poorly, it shouldn't be hard to find a colleague, significant other, or employee to write for you
3. Partner with your local radio station
You can run a contest among the listeners of the radio station to see who can lose the most weight. The contest can run for 8-12 weeks. Give the DJ's free memberships to your health club and have them promote the contest, get lots of people to apply to be in the contest, and provide you contact information for all applicants. If there are two DJ's it can be a lot of fun for them to form two separate teams and compete. It makes for an exciting contest for listeners of the radio station and great free marketing for your health club.
4. Conduct a charitable contest
Always remember that the media is always in need of positive news topics. If you set up a charitable event at your club, they will run a story. You can have your members get their friends to pledge money for every mile you walk or every pound you lift. And don't worry if there aren't many people who participate, anything charitable, even on a small scale, is newsworthy.
5. Host fitness seminars
These can either be onsite at your facility or at a community center. If you call or visit your local Chamber of Commerce and ask about a listing of presentations, you will be amazed. People give presentations on anything from basketweaving to coding HTML. If they dont already have someone regularly presenting on fitness-related topics, just ask them to put you on the schedule. They announce all upcoming presentations to their member and email list.
6. Make one of your members a hero
As mentioned before, your local media loves positive stories, especially when the story is on a person who did something great. Have ll of your members apply to be in the Hero of Your Town Event. Everyone can send in an article on their rise to success and how your health club has helped them achieve their dreams. You'll pick a winner and create a press release (or have one written). The press release can say something like, "local hero recognized at XYZ Fitness". For those people not selected, they will still get a prize. You could even have multiple heroes recognized at your health club. This is a great way to market your health club to new prospective members.
Free publicity opportunities are everywhere. You just have to recognize or create opportunities for positive press. Come up with unique ideas and you will find that the local media will look forward to the next story they can do on you. - 20896
About the Author:
Curtis Mock has quickly become the go to person for gym marketing advice. You can sign up for his gym marketing strategy of the week and be sure to take advantage of your trial membership to the powerful gym marketing resource site created specifically for fitness center owners and managers.
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