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At 321Go, we pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of website design and development. But what sets us apart from the crowd isn’t just our eye for design or our knack for creating seamless user experiences—it’s our strategic use of AI in our software. We know websites, and we know AI. And we do both exceptionally well.

The integration of AI in our processes allows us to build high-quality websites more efficiently and affordably than traditional advertising agencies. This efficiency translates to significant cost savings for our clients, without compromising on quality. While other companies might charge ten times more for similar services, we leverage AI to do the heavy lifting, making premium website design accessible to businesses of all sizes.

If you’re curious about the nitty-gritty of how we achieve this with our unique programming language, we’re more than happy to dive into the details during a discovery session. But to keep things light and engaging for now, let’s just say that our AI-driven approach makes us incredibly efficient. This means we can deliver a range of website solutions, from standard packages to custom white-glove services, at a fraction of the cost you’d expect.

Imagine having a website that’s not only beautifully designed but also built with the latest technology to ensure top performance. Our AI tools help streamline everything from layout creation to content optimization, ensuring that your site not only looks great but also functions flawlessly.

So, if you’re looking for a company that blends efficiency, design, and development without breaking the bank, look no further. 321Go is here to help you achieve your digital dreams. Schedule a chat with us today and discover how we can transform your online presence with the power of AI.

Let’s build something amazing together,

The 321Go Team

The post The Power of AI in Website Building: How 321Go Revolutionizes Efficiency and Affordability appeared first on 321GoProject.

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, your website isn’t just a virtual storefront—it’s the cornerstone of your brand’s identity. It’s where first impressions are made, and let’s be honest, they’re often the last impressions too. A poorly designed website can turn potential customers away faster than a faulty product.

Don’t just take my word for it. Check out this article on LinkedIn, “Why Web Design and Development Are So Important for Your Business,” which delves into the crucial role a well-crafted website plays in your brand’s success.

The Art of Flexbox: A Design Collection Worth Exploring

At 321Go, we understand the importance of marrying form and function. That’s why we’re excited to introduce you to our latest design collection: Flexbox. It’s not just about looking good—though it does that remarkably well—it’s about creating an intuitive, user-friendly experience that keeps visitors engaged and coming back for more.

Sleek Layout

Flexbox boasts a sleek, modern design that makes your website look effortlessly stylish. It’s perfect for businesses aiming to present a polished, professional image while still keeping things fresh and current.

User-Friendly Navigation

We’ve all been on those websites where finding information feels like navigating a labyrinth. With Flexbox, and all of our design collections, we’ve prioritized ease of use. The layout is intuitive, guiding your visitors smoothly through your content, making sure they find exactly what they’re looking for without any frustration.

Stylish Look

And yes, it looks fantastic. Flexbox combines clean lines with vibrant imagery to create a visual feast that will leave your visitors impressed. It’s the kind of design that not only captures attention but holds it, encouraging deeper engagement with your brand.

Why Invest in Quality Web Design?

Investing in a high-quality web design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about credibility, user experience, and ultimately, conversions. A well-designed website signals to your visitors that you are a trustworthy and professional business. It shows that you care about their experience, which in turn makes them more likely to trust you with their business.

So, if you’re ready to take your brand to new heights, schedule a free discovery session with us. We’d love to chat.

And for a deeper dive into why web design is so crucial for your business, read the full LinkedIn article here.

Cheers to a digital future filled with endless possibilities,

The 321Go Team

The post The Impact of Quality Web Design and Development for Your Business appeared first on 321GoProject.

1. Prioritize Mobile-First Design

Users coming from TikTok and Instagram are almost certainly on mobile devices. A mobile-first approach ensures that your website provides a seamless experience on smaller screens, which is crucial for keeping these users engaged.

• Responsive Layouts: Ensure that your website’s layout adapts smoothly to different screen sizes. Use flexible grids and scalable images.
• Touch-Friendly UI: Design buttons and interactive elements that are easy to use on a touch screen.

2. Utilize High-Impact Visuals

Users from TikTok and Instagram are used to high-quality, engaging visuals. Your website should mirror this to maintain their interest.

• Dynamic Imagery and Videos: Incorporate high-resolution images and videos that load quickly. Videos can be particularly engaging, as they provide a similar experience to what users are accustomed to on social media.
• Creative Visual Design: According to research, perceived creativity in advertising significantly impacts behavioral intentions. Use bold, creative designs to catch users’ eyes and keep them interested​ (Plann)​​ (Digital Agency Network)​.

3. Leverage Personalization

Personalized content can significantly enhance user engagement by making the experience more relevant to individual users.

• Personalized Recommendations: Use data-driven insights to display content, products, or services that align with the user’s preferences and past behavior.
• Interactive Elements: Features like quizzes, polls, or customizable products can make the experience more personal and engaging.

4. Ensure Fast Load Times

A slow website can quickly deter users who are used to the fast-paced nature of social media. Optimize your site to load quickly even with high-quality visuals.

• Optimize Images and Videos: Use formats that provide high quality at lower file sizes and implement lazy loading.
• Efficient Coding: Minimize the use of heavy scripts and leverage modern frameworks that enhance speed and performance.

5. Integrate Social Proof

Social proof, such as user-generated content and testimonials, can build trust and encourage users to stay longer on your site.

• User Reviews and Ratings: Display user reviews prominently to build credibility.
• Social Media Feeds: Embed live feeds from TikTok or Instagram to show real-time user engagement​ (Plann)​​ (SocialPilot)​.

6. Gamify the Experience

Gamification can make your website more engaging by introducing elements of play and competition, which are familiar to social media users.

• Interactive Challenges and Rewards: Create challenges or reward systems that encourage users to interact more with your content.
• Customization Options: Allow users to personalize their experience, whether it’s through customizable product options or interactive tools​ (Webflow)​.

Custom breathing protocols from SH//FT.

7. Maintain Authenticity and Creativity

Authenticity and creativity are key drivers of engagement on platforms like TikTok. Your website should reflect these values to resonate with your audience.

• Authentic Content: Use real images, stories, and videos that reflect your brand’s true identity.
• Creative Storytelling: Weave compelling narratives through your content to connect with users on a deeper level​ (Digital Agency Network)​.

Conclusion

Designing a website for users coming from TikTok or Instagram requires a deep understanding of their preferences and behaviors. By focusing on mobile-first design, high-impact visuals, personalization, fast load times, social proof, gamification, and authenticity, you can create an engaging experience that keeps these users on your site longer.

The post How to Design Engaging Websites in the Age of TikTok appeared first on 321GoProject.

Side by Side Website Budget Comparison

The Most Value for Your Money

The High End Marvel

Orange Theory’s website exemplifies strategic brand and design strategy. Every feature, button and call to action are thoughtfully placed. This site promises a smooth navigation experience. If reflects the brand’s comprehensive approach, from its physical studios to digital footprint. On this website, visitors are effortlessly directed to their desired destination.

Key Features

• Price: ????????????
• Smooth Navigation
• Strategic Experience
• Brand Coherence

Animated Elegance and Testimonial Clarity

Orange Theory’s mobile site shines with scrolling animation demonstrating meticulous care in its digital presence.

Its testimonials, perfectly sized and not overly distracting, occupy their own space, making them geuninely engaging. This design choice cleverly avoids the common pitfall of overcrowded testimonials.

Summary Cards

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Budget-????????????

Orange Theory’s website represents a high end investment, where the budget aligns with the brand’s ambition for digital excellence.

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Design

The design is a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality capturing the brand’s vibrant energy.



User Experience

For the user, it translates into an intuitive and engaging experience, ensuring that each visitor’s journey is efficient and memorable.

Final Thoughts

Orange Theory’s website stands at the high-end marvel, showcasing strategic design and seamless user experience. While the site’s polished features underscore the brand’s commitment to excellence, the investment required reflects its premium nature. If you’re inspired by Orange Theory’s digital prowess, but seek a more accessible option, keep reading. 321Go’s bespoke websites offer similar sophistication and strategic design tailored to a more modest budget.

321Go’s Bespoke Website

Admittedly, we’re a tad partial. But let’s take a peek at Renew Performance Center’s site, and you’ll see why. This website boasts a user-friendly interface and a sleek layout. This was all achieved at a significantly lower investment than high end alternatives. It’s proof that elegance and functionality need not break the bank, reflecting their commitment to delivering top-tier design within reach.

Key Features

• Price: ????????
• Intuitive Usability
• Sleek Layout
• Cost Effective

Mobile Mastery: Effortless Browsing

Renew Peformance’s mobile website shines with its social media-esque content. The bite-sized information and vibrant imagery ensures a smooth familiar scroll for users.

Designed for effortless thumb navigation, it keeps essential information in view without the hassle of page switching. The mobile browsing experience is optimized for speed and ease.

Summary Cards

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Budget-????????

Renew Performance Center’s website achieves high-quality design on a budget making it more accessible than its high-end counterparts.

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Design

Its design is characterized by a sleek layout that prioritizes clarity and aesthetic appeal.



User Experience

This website delivers a seamless and engaging user journey, providing easy access and interaction while leaving a lasting impression.

Final Thoughts

This bespoke website by 321Go showcases that high-quality design and functionality are achievable without the steep price tag. Its intuitive interface and sleek layout, coupled with an optimized mobile experience akin to social media, highlight our dedication to making top-tier design accessible. This site proves that elegance, efficiency and user engagment can come with cost-effectiveness.

The Budget Friendly Option

Mob Town Grind’s website is a treasure trove of information about the gym. It offers an exhaustive insight into its service and ethos. However, this abundance leads to a bewildering user experience. With a clutter of call to action buttons, navigation feels more like a maze than a journey.

Key Features

• Price: ????
• Comprehension Information
• Confusing Navigation
• Overwhelming Choices

Mobile Mayhem: Navigating Through Clutter

The mobile version magnifies the desktop disorder, resulting in a bewildering experience. An excess of buttons without a distinct call to action leaves users meandering through a maze rather than smoothly exploring a website. This clutter not only muddles the user journey but also overshadows the rich information the gym aims to share.

Summary Cards

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Budget-????

This cost-effective website illustrates the classic caveat, “you get what you pay for.”

k

Design

The design, laden with excessive information, becomes a visual and navigational challenge.



User Experience

The user experience suffers as visitors navigate through a variety of options, struggling to find a clear path to their destination.

Final Thoughts

While Mob Town Grind offers a budget friendly approach, its website’s overwhelming complexity and confusing navigation illustrate that cheaper isn’t better. The desktop and mobile versions alike turn potential customer engagment into a daunting maze. In contrast, 321Go stands out as the clear victor among the three, balancing affordability with quality. By prioritizing user-friendly design and efficient navigation, 321Go proves that value and budget can harmoniously coexist.

The post Side by Side Website Budget Comparison appeared first on 321GoProject.

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Get ready to breathe new life into your website. Here’s our latest design collection: “Flexbox.” This isn’t just another update; it’s a revolution in how your site looks and feels.

SEE THE DESIGN HERE

Sleek Elegance Meets Functionality

Imagine a website layout so sleek it seamlessly blends elegance with intuitive navigation. “Flexbox” does exactly that, ensuring every visitor’s journey through your site is an experience. With bite-sized pieces of information paired with vivid imagery, it captivates and encourages endless scrolling.

Designed for Engagement

Every element of “Flexbox” is crafted for easy interaction, making every visit memorable. It’s not just about seeing; it’s about engaging and leaving an imprint.

Seamless Updates, Endless Growth

Remember, with your 321Go Subscription, updating your site is always seamless and won’t cost you a dime or your SEO rankings. It’s time your website evolved as quickly as your business.

Dive into “Flexbox” now and let your website tell the story you’ve always envisioned. Explore the new design today and see where it takes you. For any questions or to get started, just reply to one of our emails.

Here’s to creating something unforgettable,

The 321Go Team

The post Discover “Flexbox” appeared first on 321GoProject.

We know in the realms of the internet, every click could be the beginning of a new journey. So picture this: a curious wanderer clicks on your site, their heart aflutter with anticipation. And your site can actually whisper back with warmth and charm.

This isn’t fantasy. It’s the power of the auto-responder on your 321Go website. A simple, yet profound tool, that says, “Yes, we’re here, and we’re listening.”  It’s the digital equivalent of answering the door with a smile, making that first encounter a connection.

The beauty of this feature? It’s effortless. With a few clicks, guided by our tutorial below, you can have it ready. And to be clear, this isn’t just about promptness, it’s about creating an environment where every visitor feels seen and valued.

So as you venture forth in your daily missions, let your website do some of the talking. Set up your auto-responder and watch these initial whispers turn into conversations, relationships and eventually growth. Because in this digital age, responsiveness isn’t just courteous, it’s crucial.

Keep Shining,

The 321Go Team

The post Whispers from Your Website appeared first on 321GoProject.

Single Post

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Introduction

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Final Thoughts

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Introduction

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Final Thoughts

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Introduction

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Final Thoughts

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In the digital marketplace, standing out in the SEO rankings is more than just a desire—it’s a necessity. For this very reason, 321Go has laid the groundwork for your website. We’ve already optimized your site for your town and the services you’re known for. But what about the new horizons you’re eager to explore?

Whether it’s a fresh service that’s a tad off the beaten path, a brand-new product waiting to dazzle your clientele, or an event that promises to be the talk of the town, our On-Page SEO Hub is there for you. And, because we’re living in the future, we’ve added a Chat GPT prompt to whip up meta descriptions that will attract those clicks.

Here’s the prompt for the meta description:
You are a SEO meta description copywriting assistant. Your job is to write seo-optimized meta descriptions for a local small business in [name of your city] that offers [your services] to [your audience]. Write a meta description for a [page type], optimizing for the search terms [insert 3 terms you wish to rank for].

We are all about putting business owners in control of their brand. And this is just one more tool to do that.

Cheers,

The 321Go Team

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In a world clamoring for attention, we gladly introduce ‘Definite’ – our newest website design collection. This design is not about loud declarations. It’s a canvas where words don’t just sit; they breathe and move.

Embrace ‘Definite’ and let your website be a haven of calm in the digital storm, a place where every motion tells a story and every story resonates deeply.

SEE THE NEW DESIGN HERE

In case you’ve forgotten how to access your dashboard and make changes, here’s Matt giving a quick tutorial. But as always, drop us a line if you have questions!

The post New Website-Definite appeared first on 321GoProject.

Wodify is ending its support for 321Go websites due to a price increase, necessitating a new subscription and website rebuild under their new pricing. However, 321Go offers a seamless transition to maintain your existing website without the hassle. Leverage our expertise in web development since 2011 to save both time and money.

This must be a confusing transition. So we’ve put together a Q&A sesh to answer some common questions.

Q. What will happen to my website after Wodify is no longer supporting my subscription?

A. Wodify’s price increase will go into full effect on February 21st, 2024. If your 321Go website hosting and support subscription was billed through your Wodify package, it will expire on this date. A blank page with your business’s contact information will appear when visitors land on your site.

BONUS. As a courtesy, 321Go will store all of your website data, images, and content as-is for up to 30 days. This means you will be able to have your site live immediately upon establishing a hosting and support subscription with 321Go.

Q. What do I need to do to keep my website from going down?

A. Simply take 30 seconds to set up a hosting and support subscription using the link at the bottom of this article.

BONUS. We’re including a complimentary re-design of your site from one of our 15 unique, customizable design collections (normally $400).

Q. Will my 321Go website still integrate with Wodify?

A.  Yes, integrations will remain unaffected with all Wodify services.

BONUS.  Your website will seamlessly integrate with any member management system. This ensures you’re not trapped with bundled tools when prices rise again.

Q. What will happen to my SEO? (Google results)

A.  If you keep your 321Go website, you’ll keep all the SEO you’ve gained on the domain. But anytime you build a new website, it’s content must be indexed from scratch.

BONUS.  As a 321Go subscriber, you have free access to the AI SEO Content Generator. (A $100 monthly value)

Q. My current website looks old and out-dated. Should I consider Wodify so I get a new design?

A.  With your current subscription, you have 20 unique design collections to choose from. Why not stand out from the crowd instead of just being another gym with the same website? Let’s get started on revamping your site!

BONUS.  As a 321Go subscriber, you have unlimited copy and image revisions. Also, you have 2 hours of design and development work per month included with your subscription.

Q. What about converting website visitors to leads?

A.  321Go websites have 14 pre-built marketing campaigns, customizable pop-ups, unlimited customizable forms to capture lead information.

BONUS.  321Go software can seamlessly integrate Google, Facebook and Instagram marketing analytics. This way you can make data driven decisions with confidence. Which marketing efforts drive the most traffic to your site? Paid ads, organic social media, newsletters? You have access to this information. Drop us a line if you have questions.

Q. How will billing work?

A.  With Wodify’s price increase, all we need to do is switch billing to 321Go. If there’s an overlap between Wodify’s and 321Go’s bill, we’ll prorate your renewal payment. 30 seconds updating a subscription will save you 30 days of building a website. Subscriptions are month-to-month, no contracts, 30-day notice to cancel. 

BONUS.  If you sign up before February 1st, you’ll have a lifetime of $240 annual savings.

Q. Alright, why should I keep a website with 321Go?

A.  Of all the software tools a business uses, your website domain is the ONLY asset that increases in value. Why not trust this asset with a company that only does websites.  Work with the specialists. Being a generalist is great for fitness, but not for technology and software.

Do not try to do everything. Do one thing well. – Steve Jobs

Q. What if I want to talk to someone?

A. Send a text message or leave a voicemail at +1(854)202-8601 with your business name, timezone, your questions, and a good time for a callback.

???? Callback Hours:

Friday, Feb 16, 9a-4p EST
Monday, Feb 19, 9a-4p EST
Tuesday, Feb 20, 9a-4p EST

We’re here for you.

Here’s what we’re offering to ease your transition:

– A free Ai-Powered SEO Booster (saving $100/mo).
– A complimentary Full Site Re-Design for a fresh look.

????——> Set up your 321Go Website Subscription <—— ????

The post 321Go Website FAQ appeared first on 321GoProject.

Let’s talk about jazzing up your online digs. Your business is rocking. Now it’s time your website matched that vibe. In the quiet world of successful business ownership, actions speak louder than words. And your digital presence is more than just a website. It’s the virtual embodiment of your brand’s essence. So for the discerning business owner, this is where 321Go’s custom web design service comes into play.

Often, the thought of custom web design conjures images of unattainable luxury, reserved for corporate giants. Yet, 321Go debunks this myth, offering bespoke digital craftsmanship starting at a realistic price point. It’s an investment in elegance and functionality, for those who understand the value of quality.

Think about it. Your website is the face of your business. It’s a reflection of your journey, a testament to your brand’s integrity and quality. It’s about making a statement, about ensuring that first impression is as impactful as the business itself.

This service is tailored for those with a healthy business model, for whom a website is not just a tool but a testament to their brand’s journey. Choosing 321Go means partnering with a team that mirrors your standard of excellence, a team dedicated to elevating your online presence.

So, if you’re ready to stand out and not just blend in, let’s get this web party started. Your business deserves to shine, and we’re here to turn on the spotlight. Just give us the cue when you’re ready.

Keep rocking the web world,

Your 321Go Sidekicks

The post Elevating Your Brand with Custom Web Design appeared first on 321GoProject.

Choosing the right MMS can feel like bench-pressing a barbell of options. That’s why we’ve compiled this top 10 list of member management systems for gyms, catering to diverse needs and budgets. Get ready to ditch the spreadsheets and unlock a world of gym management magic!

All these software are integrated with 321GoProject.

1. Exercise.com: exercise.com is the next-generation software platform dedicated to making it easy for fitness professionals to manage their entire fitness business in one place.

2. StreamFit: StreamFit is the ONLY all-in-one gym management solution. Gym management, Custom gym app, Competitions Pr/Benchmark Tracking, Programming, Membership management, Reporting, Payroll, Point of sale store, virtual and so much more!

3. Mindbody: A veteran in the game, Mindbody offers a comprehensive suite of features, including membership management, online booking, point-of-sale, marketing automation, and robust reporting.

4. Wodify: Designed specifically for CrossFit gyms, Wodify handles everything from class scheduling and tracking workouts to performance analysis and competition management.

5. Pike13: This cloud-based system boasts user-friendly interfaces for both gym staff and members. Its strengths lie in automated billing, integrated marketing tools, and seamless appointment scheduling.

6. Zen Planner: Budget-conscious gyms rejoice! Zen Planner offers essential features like membership management, online booking, and basic reporting at a competitive price.

7. Virtuagym: Looking to integrate fitness tracking and online training? Virtuagym seamlessly connects your MMS with workout apps and wearable devices, providing a holistic fitness experience.

8. ABC Fitness Solutions: This established provider offers a range of software options, from basic membership management to full-fledged club management with spa and retail integration.

9. WellnessLiving: This user-friendly system caters to a wider audience, including salons, spas, and wellness centers. Its appointment booking and automated marketing features are particularly handy.

10. PushPress: Known for its intuitive interface and member engagement tools, PushPress helps gyms foster a strong community through challenges, rewards, and gamification elements.

Additional Bonus Software:

1. Glofox: This all-in-one platform caters to a global audience with multi-language support and currency conversion. Its focus on mobile engagement and member self-service makes it ideal for modern gyms.
2. TeamUp: This simple yet powerful system shines in class and appointment scheduling. Its drag-and-drop interface makes managing time slots a breeze, perfect for yoga studios and boutique fitness centers.

All these software are integrated with 321GoProject.

The post Top 10 Member Management Systems for Gyms: Pump Up Your Efficiency and Profits appeared first on 321GoProject.

In the early, hopeful days of a new year, gym owners find themselves at the center of a universal ambition: the quest for fitness. Social media buzzes with resolutions. Yet, there’s a puzzle to solve – turning this social media popularity into actual gym memberships.

It’s a curious conundrum. Your gym shines on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, with posts that capture the essence of health and fitness. However, this digital applause doesn’t always lead to an increase in gym members. It stops at the ‘like’ button.

This is where the power of targeted content comes into play. Specifically, the efficiency of our AI Blog Wizard. Imagine crafting SEO-rich blog posts to engage and guide your social media audience to your website – the gateway to membership.

Basically, the AI Blog Wizard serves as a bridge. It helps you create content that will resonate with your audience’s resolutions. And it will draw them from the casual browsing on social media to the more intentional environment of your website.

So, as you navigate this rush, consider the AI Blog Wizard your ally. Not just capturing attention, but converting tangible results for your gym. In a world where attention is fragmented, let your content be the beacon that guides new members to your door.

SEE THE BLOG WIZARD HERE>>

Not a current subscriber? Schedule a discovery session to learn how we can help your business grow.

Warm regards,

321Go Project

The post Bridging the Gap from Social Media to Gym Membership appeared first on 321GoProject.

1. Make it mobile-friendly.

With more and more people searching for businesses on their mobile devices, it’s essential to ensure your website is mobile-friendly. This means having a responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes and ensuring that all of your content is easy to read and navigate on a small screen.

2. Use high-quality images and videos.

People are visual creatures, so using high-quality images and videos on your website can help capture attention and make a lasting impression. Showcase your gym’s facilities, classes, and trainers in action. Use before-and-after photos to inspire potential members.

3. Highlight your unique selling proposition (USP)

What makes your gym different from the competition? What are your unique selling points? Make sure to highlight your USP on your website in a clear and concise way. This could be anything from your state-of-the-art equipment to your friendly and supportive community.

4. Make it easy to join.

Don’t make potential members jump through hoops to join your gym. Make the signup process as easy as possible. Offer online signup options, and make sure your pricing is clear and transparent.

5. Include strong calls to action (CTAs).

Tell visitors what you want them to do next. Use strong CTAs throughout your website, such as “Join Now,” “Book a Free Trial,” or “Contact Us Today.”

6. Get social.

Promote your gym on social media and make sure your website is easy to share. Include social media sharing buttons on your website, and run social media contests and giveaways to generate excitement.

7. Use search engine optimization (SEO).

SEO is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This means using relevant keywords throughout your website, building backlinks, and creating high-quality content.

8. Track your results.

Once you’ve implemented these tips, it’s important to track your results. Use website analytics to see how your website is performing and make adjustments as needed.

By following these tips, you can create a gym website that is designed to convert visitors into members and help you pump up your profits.

Additional tips:

• Use a clean and uncluttered design.
• Make sure your website is easy to navigate.
• Use strong headlines and body copy.
• Include testimonials from happy members.
• Offer special promotions and discounts.
• Run Google Ads and social media ads to target potential members.

By investing in a well-designed website, you can give your gym business a competitive edge and achieve explosive growth.

I hope these tips help you create a website that takes your gym business to the next level.

Please note that these are just general tips, and the best approach for your gym website will vary depending on your specific business and target audience.

I would also like to add that it is important to make sure your website is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations. This includes things like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

By following these tips, you can create a gym website that is both effective and compliant.

The post Pump Up Your Profits: Gym Business Website Design Tips for Explosive Growth appeared first on 321GoProject.

Let’s talk about being unique. You know your business is one-of-a-kind, right? But when it comes to web design, it seems like everyone’s playing musical chairs with the same few generic website templates. Yawn.

So what’s the alternative? Well, you could ask a local agency for something snazzy and custom for a mere $25K. Ouch. Or you could enter the realm of 321Go. Obviously a world where individuality in web design is celebrated. Our extensive design library is brimming with diverse templates that defy the mundane.

Customize Every Pixel

Think of our design library as your personal wardrobe of web styles. And the best part? You can customize every single section. With a current 321Go subscription, you’ll have limitless text additions and revision flexibility. Our platform empowers you to continually refine and evolve your online presence.

Change, Add, Evolve-Without SEO Worries

So, do you have an upcoming event? Add a page! Feeling a new vibe? Change your website’s look! With a 321Go subscription, you can revamp your site as often as you change your socks, and guess what? Your SEO rankings won’t budge. Oh, did we mention that we have 100’s of pages and 20 design collections to choose from? And a new design collection is added monthly.

The 321Go Difference

While others in the industry may prioritize functionality over form, at 321Go, we prioritize both. Our focus is delivering a platform where design and brand identity converge. Basically, we’re creating a digital experience, not just a website.

Are you a current subscriber? Then watch Matt provide a design library run-down to get started.

SEE THE SCREENCAST HERE>

Also, if you’re interested in seeing some of our designs, click below.

SEE DESIGNS HERE>

And as always, if you need a hand, drop us a line. We’re here to help.

Stay quirky, stay unique

Your Pals at 321Go

The post Why Settle for Basic? appeared first on 321GoProject.

Act 1: The Call to Adventure

Ella’s journey began in the quiet of her gym, long after the last kettlebell had been racked. Frustrated, she pondered why her passion for personal training wasn’t reaching beyond her four walls. The digital realm, with its mysterious algorithms, felt like a puzzle with missing pieces.

Act 2: Trials and Tribulations

Ella knew her mission: to be found by those typing ‘personal training’ into Google’s search bar. So she dove into the depths of SEO blogs and marketing forums, her eyes weary, her mind swirling with terms like ‘keywords’ and ‘backlinks.’ But the more she read, the more her challenge seemed insurmountable, a mountain too steep to climb.

Act 3: The Discovery

As the first snow of the season gently blanketed the town, Ella stumbled upon a beacon of hope: the AI Blog Wizard by 321Go. It promised to craft SEO-rich content in less than 15 minutes. A tool seemingly spun from the threads of holiday magic.

Act 4: The Transformation

With a blend of skepticism and hope, Ella decided to give the AI tool a whirl. Words flowed like mulled wine, rich with SEO and brimming with the warmth of her personal training philosophy. Suddenly, each post was a gift, wrapped in the bow of her unique voice and expertise.

Act 5: The Triumph

As the holidays approached, something miraculous unfolded. Ella’s website, once lost in the vastness of cyberspace, began to climb Google’s rankings. Calls came in, memberships rose, and her gym buzzed with newfound energy. The AI Blog Wizard had not only elevated her online presence but had rekindled her holiday spirit.

Epilogue: A New Year, A New Journey

Ella’s tale became one of triumph, a testament to the power of embracing new solutions. As she hung festive decorations in her gym, she smiled, knowing her business was now just a Google search away from changing someone’s life.

SEE THE AI BLOG WIZARD HERE <

Happy Holidays and here’s to your own digital success story!

321Go Project

The post The Hero’s Journey of a Gym Owner: Triumph Through AI and SEO appeared first on 321GoProject.

Strap in, we’ve just dropped our newest website design that you can’t miss. We’re thrilled to show you this addition to our design offerings that’s sure to lasso in your audience.

SEE THE NEW DESIGN HERE >

Background Videos: A Game-Changer for Your Brand Storytelling

In the digital landscape, your website is more than just a platform; it’s a storytelling canvas. That’s why we’re excited to highlight one of our features that takes your brand’s narrative to an entirely new level: Background Videos. This addition isn’t just about aesthetic appeal; it’s about breathing life into your website.

Why Background Videos?

• Engagement Boost: Video content is king in today’s online world, and integrating it into your website’s background can significantly increase user engagement.
• Emotional Connection: Videos can convey emotions and messages more effectively than text or images alone, helping you create a deeper connection with your visitors.
• Brand Storytelling: Every business has a story, and a background video is an innovative way to tell yours.

A Library of Hundreds of Professional Designs

Additionally, as a current subscriber, you have access to over 100 professionally designed website templates. Our design team has been hard at work curating this collection.  Each template is crafted with precision, ensuring that regardless of your industry, you’ll find a design that resonates with your brand’s identity. So, dive into our diverse collection and let us know if you have any questions. Whether you’re planning to give your existing site a fresh new look or embarking on a brand-new digital adventure, our library is your first step.

Happy Trails in Your Digital Journey

We can’t wait to see how you’ll use these new features! They’re sure to take your online presence to new heights. Remember, in the world of web design, the sky’s the limit. And with our latest offerings, you’re well-equipped to reach for the stars.

So, saddle up, partners, and let’s embark on this exciting journey together.

The post Just Added: New Website Design! appeared first on 321GoProject.

Introducing the AI SEO Wizard

Get ahead with our A.I. SEO Content Generator – now included in all new subscriptions, a $100/month value, free!

Act fast: Starter Site subscriptions at just $99/month, and no setup costs – save $180/year.
Limited Time Offer: Elevate your gym’s digital presence today.
Schedule Your Strategy Session Now – Transform your SEO effortlessly!

The post Meet Your New AI Partner in Blogging: Revolutionizing Content Creation appeared first on 321GoProject.

The post Take Charge of Your Brand Today with Our Exclusive Back-end Builder! appeared first on 321GoProject.

The post Unlock Your Creative Freedom with 100’s of Customizable Web Pages! appeared first on 321GoProject.

321GoProject began upgrading our servers in Q4 2022. This cloud upgrade provides represents the most up-to-date best practices for web hosting. It will allow for:

• Better security
• Faster website load times
• Improved SEO score
• Fast-loading, data rich content capabilities like video, animation, and gifs
• Frequent back-ups

URGENT ACTION REQUIRED

In order to complete this upgrade we must update your Domain Name System (DNS) settings. This takes less than 5 minutes but requires we have access to update your DNS settings.

If we are unable to update your DNS settings by Feb. 1st, 2023 your website WILL GO DOWN.

If you have not completed this upgrade, please email help@321goproject.com ASAP.

The post UPGRADE February 2023 appeared first on 321GoProject.

We’ve all struggled with the best ways to reach prospective members and how to craft the perfect ad that will sing to the hearts and minds of potential/future members in your area.  

Marketing can be hard but it’s part of running a successful business.

People can’t contact you or join you if they don’t know you exist. So you have to reach them somehow (Facebook, Google ads, Instagram, flyers, events, etc).  

But the question is… are you fully utilizing one of your greatest marketing resources – your own members?

Nothing speaks louder to prospects then your own members raving about you and your services.  So give them every opportunity to market for you. Here’s how:

1. Get reviews whenever you can. By playing Bingo (with “write a review” as a center square).  Ask drop-ins (face to face and/or with follow-on email) to review you by giving them the link to your google review or FB biz page.  And finally, just ask your members directly to write a review. Let them know that they are a valued member in your community and you want to fill your box with people just like them and their review would help.  Then, send them the direct link to your google review page (just google your gym and it’ll be on the right under your pictures), making it super easy for them.
2. Reviews #2. Once you see reviews coming in, go and cut and paste their review, superimpose it on top of a picture of them (canva.com is GREAT for this and FREE) and then post that on your Instagram, FB Biz page, group page and even website (under testimonials).  Now you’re bragging about your member and letting them brag about your box.
3. Bingo.  If you haven’t played Bingo in your box, you’re missing out on a prime opportunity to have your members market for you.  Not only can you get reviews out of it (see #1 above) but you can make some squares such as “post a selfie of yourself on your timeline and tag Gym XYZ” or “tag the box on social media after a partner workout”.  There is a great template on The Hub for a bingo card. Just change the logo and tweak the boxes and give your members a month to get as many bingos as possible and do random drawings for gift cards for winners. 🙂
4. Put pics directly on members timelines.  Many boxes put pics in their private group but these groups are usually just current members. You want to speak to those who haven’t checked you out yet.  Take a good pic, put it directly on a members timeline with “Great job today!” and tag your location. Not only do you get to throw some motivation at a hard working member but your post will be seen by all their friends and family, folks you want to check out your gym.  This is one of the BEST, but most overlooked ways of marketing.
5. Provide a great service and love your members.  Just by doing these two core things, your members will rave about you all on their own.  

Again, marketing can be hard.  By using your members and some easy strategies, you can not only make it more effective but have some fun with it as well!

This article was written by Don Moss, 321Go Business Coach.

Need resources to help with your marketing efforts?  Check out the Hub.

The post 5 Ways To Let Your Members Market For You appeared first on 321GoProject.

Just choose a template, drag and drop some images, write a little content, and voila… a website is born. And, actually that’s true. With tools like Weebly, Wix, and WordPress, etc., it really isn’t hard.

Problem is, there’s a big problem with that choice. Building your own website, or getting someone to do it who isn’t a professional, is similar to going through the drive-thru vs. eating a home-cooked, healthy meal. There just is no comparison. Going through the drive-thru is quick when you’re short on time, but it’s benefits are very few and far between. Absolutely no long-term value, only short term “feel good” (and that’s to be argued). Same goes with a quick solution for a website.

Below are a few of the reasons why building your own site really just isn’t the best solution.

Reason #1: The creation of a quality website is art.

I’m guessing if you were going to get married, you wouldn’t have Uncle Joe do the photography if Uncle Joe doesn’t have experience. It’s too important of an event to leave it in the hands of an amateur. Same is true for your website. Professionalism is worth a thousand words. Your website is far too important to the success of your business to not invest in a professional.

Reason #2: Technical support and security.

What happens if your site shuts down? When you have dead links? Who do you call? And, did you know your website can give your customer a virus? Hackers love to insert viruses which could affect anyone who checks out your website. It just doesn’t make sense for you to spend your time learning and trying to fix the problem. You have much better things to do as a CEO.

Reason #3: Your time in the long run.

Usually the main reason people decide to create their own site is because of the low cost. Sure, you might be able to use a template and create your site, but you’d (more than likely) be lacking the creative skills necessary in design, copywriting, programming, and image/video selection to develop a site that is geared toward your target audience. It’s just not in everyone’s skill set. The majority of the time, people will create their own site, then be unsatisfied with it and end up hiring a professional designer. Save the time and money up front by just doing it right the first time.

Reason #4: Getting found.

The whole purpose of a website is so that when someone looks for the type of service you offer, you can be found right at the top of the list. There is way more that goes into “being found” than anyone who isn’t a professional web developer realizes. You have to make sure that the search engines can find you and when they do find you that they like what they see. There is a complicated science for getting ranked high on Google. If you’re not going to rank high on Google, what’s the purpose of having a website?

Reason #5: You’ll lose valuable business credibility.

In this day and age, a website is one of the first and foremost impressions you can make on a potential client. If you don’t think an unprofessional website is hurting you, you’d do well to think again. You get 5 seconds to make a good impression. Read that again and count to 5. That’s it. That’s all you get. Miss the mark in those 5 seconds and you’ve just been passed over for the competition down the street.

Reason #6: Technology is always changing.

What worked last year, most likely is already out of date. We see this with the 10 year social media evolution of MySpace to Facebook to Snapchat. What once was only understood and used by the tech savvy college kids, is now mainstreamed to 65 year olds. How quickly what was once “the thing” is fading away. Now, if you ask the majority of kids and young adults, Facebook just “isn’t cool” anymore.

Reason #7: Peace of mind.

When you do something that you don’t have experience doing, you never know if it is done correctly. That’s not a good feeling. When it comes to your website, you can’t afford this uncertainty. Hiring a professional affords you the ability to trust them to guide the process. How much is your peace of mind worth?

Like McDonald’s says, “You deserve a break today.”  But I think you’d agree the kind of break you need is probably not a quarter pounder and fries. Quicker definitely doesn’t mean better. Consider making the right choice as an investment into your future.

You want to stand out from your competition? Find a professional to build your website. We have talked with far too many people who have built their own site, only to have them ask us to tear that down and build them one that actually works for them.

Just because you can build your own website, doesn’t mean you should.

If this is something you need help with, we’d love to have an exploratory call with you. No pressure, just listening and guidance. Click here to schedule.

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

The post 7 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Build Your Own Website Yourself appeared first on 321GoProject.

But, the reality is… more people in the door is one of the hardest things to actually get.

And it’s called marketing.

For many business owners, marketing is a mystery. What works? What doesn’t? If it works for the guy down the street, why isn’t it working for me?

The key to your business success lies in how effectively you market your services.

You run an event, it needs to be marketed. You create a new program, it needs to be marketed. You want more members, you’ve got to market to get them.

So, how do you get your message out there in a way that people want to bite the hook?

Create your Marketing Strategy.

Why does a Marketing Strategy matter? The short answer is: because it saves you money.

In marketing, there is strategy and there are tactics. And there is a big difference between the two. Often, we see business owners doing the latter. In hope of attracting new members, they throw a bunch of things at the wall, hoping that some of it sticks. Problem is, all that takes time, and money… and sometimes lots of both.  

John Wanamaker was famous for saying, “Half of the money I spend on advertising/marketing is wasted; the trouble is I don’t know which half.”

Creating a marketing strategy before you begin executing on the tactical things allows you to think through your plan and apply your limited marketing budget more effectively.

Some of the benefits of creating a Marketing Strategy include:

1. Peace of mind from being proactive, rather than reactive with your marketing efforts
2. Confidence in knowing you are prepared
3. Structure in your business so that you can budget for what’s ahead
4. Organization for your team so they know what’s coming

How do you begin creating your Marketing Strategy?

First, it’s important to spend time getting in the head of your potential client. Who are they? What do they value? When you can get clear on the specific factors that drive their choices and behavior, you will be that much closer to planning events and communicating in ways that speak to what they will buy.

Once you understand who you are messaging to, get out a calendar and think through the next 3 months. Look at the holidays, and see what events you can plan around the holidays. Decide what challenges you want to run, what specialty classes you want to offer, and what events you want to host both for your members and to attract new people in the door.

Once you schedule these in your calendar, list everything you need to do to make each one of those things happen. Focus on one event at a time, starting with the ones that are scheduled to happen first. Answer questions like… How are you going to promote it on social media? What do you need to order/reserve? Who can you bring on board to help you and delegate things to?  What email automation do you need in place to ensure good communication, leading up to the event and afterwards?

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

The post How to Create a Marketing Strategy You Will Feel Good About appeared first on 321GoProject.

If asked today, would your members and staff say they are “known” by you?

Do you take purposeful time out of your day to enter into theirs? Do you recognize special days or events in their lives? Do you celebrate when they are celebrating? Do you know when they are struggling, and why?

The majority of gyms pride themselves on their “community feel”. But, what does that actually mean?

Does every member feel this community, or is it just a core crew that is really connected? Do you have special things in place that make people – all your members – feel like they belong to something greater and bigger than themselves?

In a survey we conducted, 80% of gym owners said what they thought their members valued most is community.

More than coaches and their expertise, almost two times as much as programming, and six times as much as low membership fees.

So, if this is so important to your members, what is your strategy for making sure good, true community is happening for every person who walks through your door?

There are 4 levels of engagement we can tap into with both our staff and members:

No engagement – Just let them find their own way. The “if we build it, they will come” mentality. Birthday? Have no idea when it even is. This is not a super common approach in the CrossFit world.

Automated engagement– Not personal at all, but the thought is there. In a world where way too much is automated, people want/hope for more. Let the CRM handle the birthday wishes, where everyone gets the same “Gym XYZ wishes you a happy birthday”.

Personal engagement– You know everyone by name. You generally remember things that matter. Your birthday wish is handwritten, but it’s simply something like “Happy Birthday, Mary!”

Intimate engagement– Your door is always open. You are approachable. You remember details about important events. You take the time to tell individuals exactly why you appreciate them and make specific moves to invest in their success. Your birthday wish lists out the reasons why you are thankful they are on this planet and how their life makes a difference in yours.

Which level would you want if you were on the receiving end? I can tell you, the ones who give level 4 engagement are the ones who make the biggest difference in someone’s day.

Where does your gym land in how you are engaging on a daily basis?

Sure, it’s a lot of work to constantly land in the levels of #3 and #4, but the investment of your time and care will pay dividends. It doesn’t have to be just you. Train your team to engage on the deeper levels.

Here are a couple of examples of gym owners going the extra mile to create a place where folks belong:
The HillKC, owned by Matt Scanlon, has set up a system that has enabled his Member Experience Specialist to create a Trainer/Member board where they have a featured athlete of the month and people can leave encouragement. Their people love it.

Ashley Bascu, owner of  CrossFit 317, has scheduled individual goal setting sessions with each of her members. It has given her 1-on-1 time to get to know each member a little bit better. Because she listens to their desires, needs and concerns, she is able to recommend additional specialty services- nutrition, skill session, Oly, etc. – that can help them reach their goals. In her gym, they have a goals board and the individuals aren’t able to write their goals on it until they sit down for a session. A win-win for everyone.

We challenge you to use these examples to motivate your thinking of how you can create an even more engaging environment. People want to get fit, but what they really want is someone to notice and care. You have the unique privilege to be that person today in your staff and members lives.

The gym owners who go the extra mile are the ones who are remembered.

Join us May 4-6th at our upcoming weekend business seminar in Park City, UT for weekend packed with tools and resources to take your gym to the next level and reach your goals.

Not just talk and motivation though, you’ll leave with an actionable plan! If you’re ready to reach a new level of success, or you’re stuck, this will be a weekend not to be missed! Our whole 321GoProject team will be there, ready to invest in your success!!

The post How To Tell If Your Member Experience *Really* Matters To You appeared first on 321GoProject.

Every box has lost that athlete who enjoys community and class—but their work/life schedule prohibits them from getting in as much as they’d like.

Most box owners would love to accommodate everyone by adding classes, trainers and offerings, but not when the additional overhead doesn’t provide a smart return on investment.

Well, what if you could accommodate all your members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, without adding staff overhead? Sound intriguing?

If you’re interested in delighting your athletes and attracting new ones with innovation and differentiation—maybe it’s time to go Hybrid AF.

The Hybrid Athlete Foundation is changing the game. It’s their mission to create a solid, supportive network providing 24-hour gym access in your box and beyond. The Hybrid AF model encourages athletes to take accountability for their fitness by offering options outside class schedules.

Don’t think it’s impossible because it’s anything but.

The Hybrid AF family is nearly 50 deep and growing by the hour. I know this because that family is my family. Affiliate Guard is the proud insurance partner of Hybrid AF. If you are already in the AG family, you can seamlessly begin to offer your members 24-hour access. And if you are not—you can give me a call at any to tell me you’re ready to be Hybrid AF.

Here’s how it works. The gym is always open with a turn-key system provided by Hybrid AF. It includes a state-of-the art technology tying all the pieces together in a mobile app. Classes are scheduled as usual and staffed by your coaches— but all downtime becomes open gym time.

Hybrid AF has the legal part covered—the electronic waivers and rules are built into the app, and members must have 6 months experience before getting 24-hour access.

Gyms who have gone Hybrid AF are seeing increased retention, conversion and revenue.

They are also enjoying increased membership when experienced athletes show up looking for the 24-hour freedom to reach their fitness goals.

The Hybrid AF app lets box owners open or lock their door from anywhere. Athletes also use the app to open the gym door and find any other gym in the Hybrid AF network when traveling. There’s 50 today, but there will be another zero on that number very soon, and it’s a nice feature for members who travel on business.

It’s not 2010 anymore. There’s a fitness option on every corner. Ask yourself, what I am doing to differentiate my box?

If you’re looking for an answer—I encourage you to think about going Hybrid AF!

For more information call or text Philip at 919-758-1894 or email sales@hybridaf.com 

Have you checked out Hub yet? It’s our affordable online platform of an amazing community of 400+ gym owners, that includes everything you need to grow your gym!

The post Is Your Space Costing You Or Making You Money? appeared first on 321GoProject.

Most programs fail to produce consistent results. It’s a wonder why so many folks stray away from what is tried and true when it comes to exercise programs?

“The rule is: the basics are the basic, and you can’t beat the basics.” -Charles Poliquin

Despite what your goals may be, every individual can benefit from physical resistance training. Not only that, but the health benefits extend far beyond your short-term fitness goals. Regardless of why you train, let’s take a look at some of the reasons you should incorporate strength training into your fitness regimen.

1. Training for strength produces results.

Whatever your goals, the muscle will help you get there. Some companies in the fitness industry have made a fortune around buzzwords like “tone”, “lift”, and “sculpt.” The problem is there’s no way to measure those loose terms. If you want to change your body composition there is only the ability to gain or lose muscle while simultaneously gaining or losing fat. If you are looking for the most efficient way to do make a change then strength training is your best option.

Strength training, or physical resistance training, can be defined as a type of physical exercise specializing in the use of resistance to induce muscular contraction which builds the strength, anaerobic endurance, and size of skeletal muscles. When you gain muscle you increase your body’s basal metabolism (the number of calories you burn each day before factoring in physical activity). It’s kind of like putting a bigger engine in a car. The car is capable of moving faster or pulling a heavier load (more muscle), but it also uses more fuel (fat) whether it’s cruising down the freeway or idling in the driveway. Strength training helps us “tone” through this muscle gain/fat loss trade.

2. “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” -Peter Drucker

Training for strength provides a clear path for success. You can set training goals that are specific, measurable, and produce desired outcomes. A good coach will help you design a plan towards these goals with checkpoints along the way. Your strength training program is a road map to success with clear directions. Sets, reps, and weights lifted safely through the full range of motion are the signals that you’re on track. Many people find that a more detailed plan helps them stay motivated as they experience progress.

3. Age gracefully with more muscle mass.

As we get older strength training is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Physical independence is a key factor in a great quality of life.

A comprehensive study of strength training has been proven to:

• Improve motor function
• Lower resting heart rate
• Increase stamina
• Prevent sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss)
• Improve the bone mineral density
• Prevent and help rehab injuries

Functional strength training will be an asset in daily life too. From picking up grandchildren or bags of groceries to climbing stairs with confidence.

4. You’ll experience epic brain gains.

Did you know that lifting weights can strengthen your brain just as much as it does your body?
Dr. Yorgi Mavros from the University of Sydney has found that high‐intensity physical resistance training (PRT) results in significant improvements in cognitive function, muscle strength, and aerobic capacity in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Adults who followed a resistance training routine in addition to cognitive training performed significantly better than control groups on a series of mental tests. A couple of key factors to note:

The participants exercised 2x/ week working to at least 80% of their peak strength.
The benefits lasted one year after the exercise prescription had ended.

What does that mean? According to Yorgi, “The stronger people became, the greater the benefit for their brain.” Let that sink in for a minute. You actually grow your brain by training to become stronger! It makes me wonder if Einstein developed his Theory of Relativity in between heavy sets of back squats…

5. Strong moms have healthy babies.

During pregnancy, the question always arises of what does fitness looks like for this stage of life? With so much on the line, it’s important to consult with a doctor before beginning any fitness routine. Luckily, there is a tremendous amount to be gained by incorporating a strength training routine under normal circumstances. Resistance training can help alleviate symptoms and improve health outcomes for the mother and child. According to the Mayo Clinic, women who follow a consistent strength training routine during pregnancy can experience:

• Reduce backaches, constipation, bloating, and swelling
• Boosted mood and energy levels
• Better sleep
• Prevent excess weight gain
• Maintain levels of muscle strength and endurance
• Reduced incidence of gestational diabetes

Not only that but women who train during pregnancy report enhanced body image and better psychological well-being!

We would love to help you live a healthy strong life. Schedule a Free Consult to learn more.

The post 5 Reasons to get STRONG appeared first on 321GoProject.

In light of that, Don Moss, one of our amazing 321Go Business Coaches shares his thoughts in this blog post about whether or not you should rebrand yourself.

From Don…

If you own a CrossFit box, there was very likely “The Moment” when you knew you were in love with CrossFit as an exercise methodology, wanted to share it with as many people as you could, and possibly even make a living at it.  

You love CrossFit and you want everyone to share your passion for it.  

But is it the only way to get fit and should it be the only thing your gym offers?  

No.

The discussion of boxes rebranding themselves as “Fitness” or “Athletic” or “Training” facilities grows louder and more common all the time.

That’s because owners who have been in business for a while realize that the world at large doesn’t only want CrossFit, despite what owners hope for.  

The term “CrossFit” has an inherent intimidation factor associated with it. Images of shredded CrossFit athletes doing amazing things are everywhere.

This can be an immediate mental roadblock for the vast majority of those who don’t feel like they’re ready for the level of intensity they see before them. 

Certainly, you can help diminish this perception through “Beginners Welcome” in all your marketing and images and testimonials of normal athletes at your box just working towards achieving a higher level of fitness. However, the broader you cast your net (additional programs and services), the greater chance you have of catching something (members).  

If you’re a potential member and you go searching for a new fitness home, what would be more enticing… a facility that only offers CrossFit or a gym where CrossFit is but one of several options?

Opening your doors to those looking for personal training, nutrition, bootcamp, Olympic Weightlifting and other specialized programs immediately increases the likelihood that someone will find a program at your facility that is tuned in – at least in their minds – to their goals.  

This is by no means a call to lose your CrossFit affiliation.  

CrossFit is a highly effective exercise program that has, and will change the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.  But consider making CrossFit just the crown jewel in a crown of multiple exercise programs, all with their own following.

Boxes that have rebranded as fitness, training, athletic or other types of facilities commonly notice an increase in traffic because they’ve opened their appeal to a greater portion of their general community.  

Prospects are more likely to reach out and/or walk in knowing that a “high intensity” program such as CrossFit isn’t the only option you offer.

Then, as your new member becomes involved in the community and sees your CrossFit community, they can start to realize that at its core, CrossFit is about fitness surrounded by support, motivation and inclusion… not who beat who and how bad you hurt. The conversion from one program to CrossFit after a period of time could be significant.

So, now you’re intrigued about the prospect of rebranding. What do you do?  

1. Check out the “Rebranding Your Gym” section of the Hot Gym Owner Topic Questions in The Hub. There is some great, detailed discussion in there about rebranding your gym and it will help give you a better perspective on the journey.
2. Ensure you’re offering multiple services, e.g. nutrition, personal training, bootcamp, specialized programs. Remember, offering multiple services is best handled by having multiple staff (don’t jump on the burnout train and try and do it yourself, please).
3. Consider rebranding yourself as a Fitness or Athletic or Training facility.  You can even be a “XXX Fitness: Home of CrossFit XXX” to keep waving the CF flag loud and proud while still offering more in your name and brand.
4. Market your gym and it’s programs accordingly. Highlight all of your services in your marketing – both internal and external.

Finally, rebranding your gym is a big decision and, like all good things, it’s something that will take some work to accomplish. 

Don’t enter into it lightly. Know that, in order to do it right, there are a whole host of factors you need to consider…. much more than just changing your logo. Hire a marketing expert who has experience with rebranding CrossFit gyms specifically who can help you make sure everything is covered. We’ve done this for many gyms and would be happy to have a conversation about how we can help. To schedule a call, click here.  

If you want to broaden your gyms appeal to a larger portion of your surrounding community and earn the members and revenue associated with it, it may well be worth it.  

Check out Hub – the affordable, online resource designed exclusively with gym owners in mind. 

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Last year was a success beyond what we hoped for. 3,000+ gym owners came online with us during the 3 days to learn, collaborate, and grow. And it was amazing.

The best part of it is that it’s free. That’s right. No charge at all to you (except your time) to sit, take notes, and learn from some of the best.

Click here to register.

We’re not going to lie, it’s a crap load of work to put this on. But, hearing things like this after last year’s Summit from gym owners all over the world gives us the energy to do it all again.

“I loved the format. Great idea for those of us who work all the time and can’t get to seminars often.”

“I loved that there were interviews from all aspects of the business. Marketing and building a community are key in the business and there was some great feedback and advice from the speakers. I liked that it was online so we could listen to what we wanted and didn’t have to take time to travel anywhere.”

“The online format (interview followed by live Q&A) was genius. Loved it. Very well orchestrated.  Fantastic experience hearing the in-depth interview and then having the opportunity to follow-up with questions. Brilliant. Additionally, the range and depth of speakers was spot-on for me. Furthermore, the opportunity to hear from leaders in our industry helped to solidify our strategic and tactical efforts — adding reassurance that we are on the right path. Just need to be patient and continue do do the right thing.”

“The Summit covered a large spectrum of pain points for gym owners. It is also great to hear from gym owners on how they resolved/systematized these issues instead of just a market expert who has never been in my shoes. “Heroes” of the industry were giving real life experience and solutions.”

“I loved it. So many take aways for my business. The timing was perfect for where I am in my business having been in business for 9 years. Really time to revisit many of the why’s, the systems, the quality of how we do things and strive to be the best we can be.”

We hope you’ll join us this year! It’s gonna be good.

The post Gym Owner’s Growth Summit… Who Said Nothing Good In Life Is FREE?? appeared first on 321GoProject.

1. Recap from this week’s webinar on, “How to Approach a Gym Rebrand?”
2. An invite to our only business/marketing seminar this year. Held in Park City, UT.

The post Weekly Thrive Video 3-23-18 appeared first on 321GoProject.

1. Consistency ranks up near the top if you want to truly grow your gym.
2. Using Pricing as your Differentiator

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From Jamie…

The CrossFit gym and micro gym market has provided fitness entrepreneurs a great platform to help people improve their fitness. In fact, we could argue that we do more to help people with their health and wellness than all other fitness professionals combined.

However, I’m not going to talk about the glory of helping others.

I want to talk about the mandate that we must help ourselves first in order to help others better.

I have talked with hundreds of gym owners over the last couple of years.  I have noticed trends in high achieving gyms.  I have also noticed trends in low achieving gyms.  I want to focus on the trends of the low achieving gyms in this blog post because I want to use it as a guide and a check to see if your gym is going down the dead end road.  These trends are not unrecoverable or means this will happen to your gym, but it probably will, eventually.

THE TRENDS

The trends I see in struggling gyms is a lack of a plan, structure, and execution of their business processes.

Any well run company has a plan and structure to it.  High achieving companies have a logical and well thought out structure on client engagement and retention, an organized marketing strategy and campaigns to support this strategy, and a pipeline for employee development and upward mobility.

High achieving does not mean you have to spend a ton of money.  In fact, just thinking through each piece will actually save you money in the long run.

A PLAN

Writing down your plan and executing on it is what separates going out of business from a business that thrives.  Too many owners fail to execute for one reason or another.

Stop reading Facebook and execute your plan!

Who cares what another gym owner thinks about it.  They have absolutely no clue about your business.

Focus on your four walls and execute!

I like to use McDonald’s as the example. The reason I use McDonald’s is that their product is totally repulsive and their business success is legendary. Any McDonald’s you go to has the same menu, same drive thru, same soda selections, same customer expectation. You know what you are getting every time you walk in. McDonald’s also pays their employees.  They don’t trade Big Macs for work.  McDonald’s has a structure.  It has been tweaked over the years but the basic structure and business processes have remained.  Our workouts may train for the unknown and unknowable but treating your business like this is a recipe for failure.  You will PR going out of business!

THE PROBLEM

Struggling gyms have little to no plan or structure.

They don’t pay their coaches which hurts the consistency and sustainability of a well trained staff.  The owner can never feel safe to go on vacation or take time off because there is fear that unpaid coaches may leave or miss a class for some B.S. reason.  The client experience is hurt by a constant carousel of half-hearted coaches who keep running through their gym and have no connection to the community.  Or you have to fire a coach who was a member and now you are down a coach and a member.  Again, the client suffers.  Paying employees is what every legitimate business does, just like McDonald’s.

They have no on-boarding process.  What does the client life cycle look like?  How are you setting up the relationship building process between your staff and the new client?  Can your coaches describe it and execute it?  If not, your gym is losing out on making money when you are not there. Does McDonald’s lose out making money when the owner or manager is not there?  No, it does not.

Their classes suck because of the lack of structure.  There are gyms who do not formally warm up or prepare their athletes for the work out.  They merely say we will begin the workout in X amount of time.  This is negligence at its highest order.  In my opinion, gyms that do this need to resign their affiliation today.  They are part of the problem that gives CrossFit a bad name. This is why they can’t charge a premium for services and are always scared about losing members.  If a gym is not providing high level coaching and touch points throughout the entire class or personal training experience, that gym is doomed.

Their internal and external marketing is all over the place.  Constantly jumping from one gimmick to the next is not a marketing plan. And I’m seeing far too many gym owners doing this. It needs to be laid out over the course of a year with specific goals in mind.  Backwards planning on how you will achieve those goals is where the real magic happens in terms of learning how to connect with your target market.

A word of advice: focus more on the people inside your gym than those you are trying to attract.  Those inside your gym are already bought in. Upsell them on specialty courses, personal training, and other add-ons.  Soon enough your members will have an average client value of two people!  Again executing on your marketing plan is what will separate you from those who don’t.

If you opened your gym solely because you love CrossFit and you want to help people, you are are probably struggling. If you opened your gym to jump on the “CrossFit wave of cash”, you are probably struggling, too.

The gyms who are excelling want to help others AND make money!  They see this as a business, not a hobby.

Owning a gym is too hard to make it a part time thing and be successful.

Having a plan from day one will automatically set you apart from the jokers down the road and make you profitable faster.

Essentially, these owners who make these mistakes are athletes who love coaching exercise and have put zero effort into their business skill set.  This lack of planning will most likely kill their business.

THE FIX

I may have killed a few dreams or upset a couple owners out there.  Good. I have your attention.

Let’s think about fixing your business.  It all starts with, you guessed it, a plan!

Opening a gym should include a business plan that includes everything you will need to be successful on day one. Things like…

• What are your coaching, marketing, and equipment budgets?  How are you obtaining financing?
• What is your working capital? Hint: if it is not at least three months of operating expenses, you need to rethink your plan.
• Who is your competition?
• What is your strategic advantage (why would people choose your business)?
• What services do you offer?
• What are the financial projections after a year (be conservative in your estimation)?
• Who is your target market?
• How will you market to them?
• What is your onboarding process?
• What does your coaches development plan look like?

These, amongst many  others, are questions a business plan will help you flush out.

You need a thorough business plan before you even open your doors.

For comparison, my business plan was over 100 pages long.  It took me nine months to build and I had a business coach.

Even though my business plan was thorough and well thought out, some of it went out the window almost the day after I opened.  The second month we were open, my members were clamoring for a CrossFit Kids program.  Well, in my business plan, I hadn’t planned on a kids program until at least month six!  What to do?  I pivoted quickly and started the Kids program.  I could do this because my underlying structures were in place. I already had the staff who could run it (so I wouldn’t have to).  I had the money to buy some of the equipment necessary to start a great kids program.  I was only stressed because it was new program, not because of structural deficiencies like man power or finances.

This may sound like a no brainer to some, but to many gym owners this scenario could cause a breakdown of systems or financial hardship.  The pillars of my plan were in place to give me the freedom to make sound business decisions.

SO WHAT NOW?

Some of you may be thinking, “Well, I’m screwed.”  You might be right.

Lacking a plan and structure is not unrecoverable. But, you must put in the work times two because your business is already operating and you need to fix it as it goes.

My best recommendation is to find a business plan coach. Most counties and cities have some sort of Small Business Development Center with free or discounted help. Look them up and see how they can help you.

The second step is to get yourself a business coach for your gym. Yes, this will cost you money. If your business is worth it to you, it is worth the cost.

We ask our members to pay top dollar for coaching. Are you too cheap or hypocritical to do the same?  This is a mirror test. You must look into the mirror everyday and know you are doing everything you can to make your gym successful.

If you are not, the hard truth is… it might be time to close up shop.

If you want and need help developing your business skills, Hub is an affordable resource and community of gym owners that will give you the tools to grow your gym.

The post WARNING! Dead End Ahead…. You Need A Plan! appeared first on 321GoProject.

1. The Open is upon us.
2. Can’t always work on your strengths
3. Go after your goals hard
4. It’s what you do every day that matters. “Consistent Disciplined Execution”
Check out the video below.

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From Vaughn…

The insurance business is like our sport—it’s all about community, relationships and wellness.

I care about my Affiliate Guard family and the greater functional fitness community, and I’ve made it my mission to insure the health of your business, your health and your wealth.

Education is the foundation of what I do.

No one wants to hear about the scary abyss of WHAT could happen—until it happens—and then it could be too late. Arming yourself with the knowledge needed to make the best decisions about your coverage is critical. To make it less overwhelming, let’s talk about the BIG THREE.

YOUR BUSINESS

The coverage you purchase with Affiliate Guard is impacted by the physical location of YOUR business. A one-size-fits all is not okay. It’s much better to analyze your needs to customize a policy just for YOU. The terms of your lease might call for insurance protection above and beyond the norm or even the necessary. Best to have an expert analyze BEFORE you sign. If your box is located in a flood zone, you will have different coverage needs than someone in a desert. If you sponsor remote events or competitions, provide a kiddie corner/ kids classes for your members or have an outdoor pull up rig—those are all things that need to be addressed in your coverage.

YOUR HEALTH

Box owners are fitter, stronger and faster than most. If you only visit the doctor a few times a year but pay thousands in insurance premiums, you are paying too much for your good health. I searched long and hard to find a better way for my boxes and their extended families. The answer is Affiliate SHARE. This health care alternative rewards members with lower out-of-pocket costs and the freedom to navigate personal care, perfect for those who are committed to fitness and wellness.

YOUR WEALTH

You’ve worked hard to earn it—and I want your money to stay in your pocket. Over the past decade, I’ve seen a lot of liability that could have been easily avoided. The golden rule of insurance begins and ends with a simple WAIVER. Waivers aren’t just anything—they are everything. Arm yourself with an iron clad waiver and many problems will end before they begin. Also important: AEDs. They save lives, and having one is the law in most states. Tragedy turns into triumph when you are prepared.

As we head into OPEN Season, having regular conversations with your staff about Drop Ins and best practices can be that extra insurance against small mistakes that can add up to big liability.

Remember—I’m always a phone call away at 801-677-0076. Reach out anytime to see how my team at Affiliate Guard can better protect your BIG THREE.

Want more help with topics like these? Check out Hub.

The post Insurance: 3 Big Things To Get Right As An Owner appeared first on 321GoProject.

Below is a guest post from John Briggs.

I’ll first say that if possible, meaning you can afford it (down payment and monthly payments), buying the space you operate out of is a good wealth building strategy.

So for the sake of what I’m going to share, let’s assume that financially buying your gym space makes sense.

Own the Building in a Separate Business

First thing we recommend is that you own the building in a separate business.  Either a single member LLC or a partnership owned by you and your spouse.

With the building owned by a separate business (which would have a separate bank account) your operating gym would pay rent to this newly formed business.

So nothing really changes for your gym.  It would still have all the expenses it normally does when you were renting from someone else.  Whatever costs your gym would have covered as a tenant, it will still do that.  It will also still expense the rent payments.

Collect Rent (from yourself) and Claim it as Income

Your commercial building business will collect those rent payments and claim it as income.  This new business will be the one that makes the mortgage payment and it will cover the expenses that normally your landlord would cover.

Claim a Tax Deduction from the Mortgage Interest

From the tax side, you get to claim a tax deduction for the mortgage interest.  (Not the principal payments on the loan and not the down payment.)  You will also have property tax and probably repairs and maintenance expenses.  And as always, expense every business related purchase.

Take Depreciation on the Building

And then you get a “non-cash” tax deduction by taking depreciation on the building.  The IRS says that because you own something that will continue to have and produce value for how ever many years, that you can take the expense of that “asset” over those “how ever many years.”

And don’t worry, the IRS has already told us how many value producing years all these types of assets have.  And for a commercial building, they say 39.5 years.  So to calculate your tax deduction for this depreciation you take the purchase price of your building and divide it by 39.5 years.  So a building that costs $500,000 would give you $12,755 in a tax deduction every year.

And that covers the basics of buying your gym space.

Want more help with topics like these? Check out Hub.

The post Benefits of Buying Your Building appeared first on 321GoProject.

This means our GamePlan and goal with all of our Hubsters this month is to help them gain a better understanding of both their numbers and their safety net should they need to be covered.

To this end, this month we’re leaning into a few people we trust for their expertise and advice. This week’s (and last week’s) blog post is written by John Briggs, founder of Incite Tax. (The next 2 weeks we’ll hear from Vaughn Vernon, founder of Affiliate Guard).

We like John because he thinks differently. He thinks for and in favor of the gym owner helping them retain as much of their hard-earned money as possible. And, after working with thousands of small business owners – and hundreds of them being gym owners – John’s got some experience in this that we would be well-served to learn from.

So without delay, let’s dive into John’s blog post on the best way to look at your expenses…

It is not surprising to me when I mention to gym/box owners that I am an accountant and a CPA, their eyes gloss over and their facial expression communicates, “say whatever you want because I am no longer paying attention to you.”

I get it. I often wonder why a bunch of boring geeky guys (accountants from the days of Adam and Eve) got together and started making up their own language that is used to talk about money. Depreciation, hypothecation, reconciliation, general ledgers, debits and credits, undeposited funds, etc.

(I will refrain from doing a comparison of the accounting language with Crossfit language.  But you probably know what I’m talking about.)

I accept accounting is boring to most.

But I also know that we can all support the idea of talking about our cash flow.

We all get that. Cash comes in your business and cash leaves your business.

Cashflow is the life blood of your business and the most successful gyms pay attention to it.

The one element of cash flow I want you to think about today is your “expenses”.

There are only 2 types of expenses. What are they? An accountant would say, “That’s easy. There are either fixed expenses or variable expenses.”

And I would say, “Wrong!”

The accounting definitions say a fixed expense is an expense that is the same amount every month regardless of income or production.  A variable expense is an expense that changes in amount based on income or production.

Ok, well… my utility bill changes in amounts every month based on how much is used. Does this mean it’s a variable expense?  Mmm, it can’t be because the amount isn’t changing based on my business revenue or how many members I have. But… it could change whether a coach flips on a light early or late though. So it’s a fixed expense then?  No because the amount doesn’t stay the same every month.

My coaches expense is variable because the more classes I have the more I pay to coaches. Or is it?  Maybe coaches expense is a fixed cost because I pay $30 per class taught or $15 per athlete in the class. And that number doesn’t change.

Hopefully you can see how we can talk ourselves in circles trying to decide if an expense is fixed or variable. And the worst part is, assuming you decide on a definition of either fixed or variable, what does that info do for you as the owner?  Can you make a better decision now because you know the expense is either variable or fixed?

Based on my experience of meeting with thousands of business owners, and the countless hours in accounting classes and continuing education classes, I can definitely say that you can NOT make better decisions just by knowing if the expense is fixed or variable.

So let’s stop worrying about it. 

The correct two types of expenses are: 1) productive expenses and 2) not productive expenses.

Now this is worth figuring out. You have cash leaving your business. Is that cash leaving for a productive reason or for a not productive reason?

A productive expense is one that allows you to produce value.

A not productive expense is one that doesn’t add to your ability to produce value.

Here are five questions you can ask about each cash outflow to see if it is productive or not:

1. Does this cash outflow generate immediate income to my business?
2. Does this cash outflow serve my clients?
3. Does this cash outflow support systems that serve my clients?
4. Does this cash outflow save me time?  (And this is assuming your business can afford to leverage money for time.)
5. Is this cash outflow absolutely necessary to keep the business open?

If you take the time to ask these 5 questions about every single cash outflow you have, you may find that you have some not productive expenses. And if they are not productive, you don’t want them in your business.

Getting rid of not productive expenses makes doing the financial burpees so much easier!  So make the time to do this.

Want to take the guesswork out of your finances?  Check out Hub for only $69. No commitments, no contracts. 

The post A Better Way To Look At Your Expenses appeared first on 321GoProject.

Part of this months objective in Hub is that Hubsters will set up and start implementing Profit First into their gym business.

Our goal is to help gym owners in any way we can get to a point where they are quickly profitable in their gyms, and Profit First is a great way to do that. It’s a great way to gain control over your finances and start making them work “for” you, rather than just constantly be a stressor.

But what is Profit First?

Profit First is a book written by Mike Michalowicz.  In it, Mike lays out a framework for cash flow management that any business owner can do that will make them immediately profitable. To which you may say, “yeah right… that sounds like a load of crap. He doesn’t know anything about the specifics of every business owner, how can he possibly make the claim that his system can magically make any business immediately profitable?”

As a mastery level certified Profit First Professional, I can tell you that his system DOES make any business immediately profitable. And it’s really simple how. I will tell you how it’s done, but before I do, please don’t minimize or breeze over why. The reason any business can be immediately profitable is so simple that I’ve seen affiliate owners roll their eyes and think because the answer is so simple that the system can’t possibly work.

And the truth is, I know you.  I know who I am talking to. I mean, I know I don’t know you personally (well, some of you I do because we have 100+ affiliates as clients), but what I do know is that you run a gym.  And that means you know how something simple can be so effective and so hard at the same time.  Take a 21-15-9 WOD of air squats, burpees, and push ups.  Simple.  Effective.  Hard.

So how can a business be immediately profitable?  The next time you get a deposit, take $1 dollar of that deposit and set it aside for profit, like in a separate bank account.  And then you call the $1 dollar profit.  Immediately profitable.  It is that simple.  You see most owners don’t consciously set aside profit.  They run their business, work in the day to day of the operations, put out fires, create visions of the future, deposit money, spend money, and then hope at the end of the day there is something left over.

With this approach, nothing is ever left over.

So instead, we say take your profit as the first thing.  By already setting that money aside, then as one gets stuck in the day to day, money in, money out, they will have something left over because it was taken and set aside before it could be spent on something else.

There are plenty of gym owners out there who are profitable.  And some feel like they don’t need a system like Profit First because they’ve already accomplished “profitability”.  But, I have a question… When an athlete hits a fitness goal, does the coach say, “Congrats!  You’ll never improve on that so you should just stop now while you are ahead.”?

Nope.  Constant improvement.

Profit First can help any gym, profitable or not.

And it doesn’t just focus on profitability.  Profit First is a cash flow management system, so it covers every aspect of cash flowing in and flowing out of a business.

Are you saving enough for your tax burden?  Profitable businesses pay taxes.  And while our 100+ affiliate clients pay much less than others, they still pay taxes.

Or maybe you’ve wondered questions like these…

What should you be paying yourself?  Ever wonder if you are taking home enough money?  Is it possible you are paying yourself more than your gym can afford right now?

Should you hire another coach?  Can you afford that?

How do you cut expenses?  If you know that you need to lower your expenses, how do you actually determine which expenses to cut?

The Profit First System answers all these questions and more.

Whatever the state of your business, the Profit First cash flow management system will make it better.

All Hub subscribers have access to a Profit First course we put together. It is a simple, step-by-step course designed to help you get this system up and running in your business. Imagine if after all the time of running your business and being frustrated about your finances that you had a plan to make a profit every month. If you’re not a member of Hub, I hope you’ll join today and make your profitability happen.

The post How To Get Your Business Profitable appeared first on 321GoProject.

Those individuals you gather around you to provide the best service possible to your clients and community.

When thinking about a rockstar team, I can’t help but immediately think about the 321GoProject team.

There is something uniquely special about this group.

This includes a chemistry, a connection, a genuine care for each other and for each other’s success, but there is also a deep and unified care for those clients we have the privilege to work with.

There is a generosity to freely share any resources that have taken these individuals months, even years, to create if it means that, as a result, a gym owner will benefit from it and be more successful. If you’re part of Hub, you know this to be true. 

What makes our team different than we’ve ever been before is that it’s not (at all) about one person. Not about that one person who needs to shoot the ball every time.

It’s about the strength of our team – all individuals coming together to be one mighty force.

The crazy thing is that we’re a virtual team, so we see each other mostly on video and communicate through Slack, but somehow it works. I mean, really works. And when we do have the privilege to get together in person, it’s like hanging out with your best friends. I’ve been a part of many teams in the past, but I’ve never been a part of something like this.

Clay, our founder, has masterfully weeded out the ones who had different agendas and values, and has assembled quite literally the dream team.

We thought it’d be fun to give you a backstage introduction to each of these stellar individuals, in hopes that you determine in your own business to not settle for warm bodies, or center of attention people, or people who aren’t team players. These people are a cancer of sorts and will, unfortunately, slowly erode the foundation of what you work so hard to build every day.

A GLIMPSE INTO WHO WE ARE…

Clay – our bearded, joke-telling, flannel-wearing, sidecar-driving, accordion-playing, Iowa-living (but heart in Park City) fearless, absolutely amazing, servant leader.

Matt – our process-driven, drum-playing, strategic-thinking, bourbon drinking, smart as hell, Maggie-lovin’, Kansas City-ite

Julie – our adventure-seeking, cocktail-mixing, water-loving, out of the box thinking, #GSD Charlestonian sister of the boss-man

Stefan – our off-the-charts-relational-master, wine (or beer, or bourbon, etc. etc. etc) drinking, full of humor, big-hearted New Jersian ninja.

Ashley – our kind-hearted, insatiable learning, quiet force to be reckoned with, loyal to the core Indy.

Lindsey – our badass, genuine, blonde-haired, beach-volleyball-playing, passionate Californian.

Don – our excessive gif-using, king of comedic appearances, most gigantic heart on this planet Floridian.

Kris – our behind the scenes, do-it-all, happy to help, family-loving Canadian.

Vanessa – our thick-accented, life of the party, most hilarious, full of life Minnesotan.

Chris – our get-shit-done, Tom-Cruise-dopplegang’ing, business-starting, celebrity-TV-starring, kind-hearted Floridian.

Molly – our super encouraging, hard rock lovin’, genuine lover of everyone, adult-beverage-drinking Seattle-ite.

PJ – our nutrition-focused, (bad) joke telling :), sit back and take it all in, dog-loving, cream of the crop Oregonian hipster.

Eli – our world traveling, most awesome, jack-of-all-trades, funniest personality, nomadic son of the boss-man.

Dane – our hard-working, confidently humble, truly genuine Charlestonian family man.

Jamie – our integrity-filled, most hilariously dry sense of humor, loyal, wickedly smart, Willy-and-Ohio-State-loving Virginian.

THE QUESTIONS…

We asked each of our team members “If you had one question to ask each other, what would you want to know?”  Below are the questions, and then graphics with the answers. You’ll see we are really different, but the core of us is virtually the same – love people genuinely and help in any way we can to contribute to their success.

1. Person you would choose to be stranded with on a deserted island (not a relative) and why?
2. What’s the scariest thing you’ve done in your life but were so glad you did?
3. What are your three truths in life?
4. What is your most favorite thing about yourself?
5. What CrossFit movement would you most hate to perform naked?
6. If you today could go back and talk to you on the day you opened your gym, what would you tell yourself?
7. Who has been your biggest mentor throughout your life?
8. What’s one thing you had to overcome in your life?
9. If you were any animal what animal would you be and why?
10. If you could live for a day in somebody else’s shoes, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
11. If you were forced to karaoke just one song for a chance to win $10K what song would you choose?
12. What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
13. What’s one thing you are excited about implementing in your business?
14. If you could do dinner and drinks with one person, real or imagined (e.g. Superman), who would you choose and why?
15. In one sentence, what does success look like to you?

OUR ANSWERS TO THE 15 QUESTIONS…

That’s it… that’s us.  Nice to meet you!!  If we can ever help, please don’t hesitate to reach out!  🙂

The post The Strength, Power, And Beauty Of A Dream Team appeared first on 321GoProject.

I don’t know about you, but I have been

If we thought TV commercials were bad, just wait to see what social media is becoming.

The thing we have to realize, though, is that there has always been noise. This noise will never go away because every one – every single one – of us is looking for our/their piece of the pie. And, the fact is, whomever can tell the best story and connect with your pain points and emotions, causing you and me to pull out that debit/credit card, will win… whether or not they deserve your business, and are truly qualified to help.

They know that we are people who want a magic pill, a quick fix, an easy road.

And, if we were honest, many times they are right.

So, it will continue.

HOWEVER, the issue is not them and all the noise, the issue is actually… us. The consumer. We click, we fill things out, we try everything and anything, we lose focus, we spend way too many hours scrolling and scrolling and scrolling.

And before we know it we’ve just wasted a week, or a month, or another year with little to no progress.

So, how do we sort through all the noise? How do we find a company to help us with our business who is legit and actually has a track record of helping people find success without all the hype?

My answer may sound crazy, but it is this:

Work on yourself first before you go hiring anyone.

Maybe not the answer you wanted to hear.

But, I’ll say it again… work on you, before you go looking for them.

If you’re not ready for change, if you’re not ready to be committed to the work (because it will take work, no matter who you choose), if you haven’t purposed in your heart that you will be successful come hell or high water, all the companies in the world and all the promises they make will not be able to make the difference you are hoping for.

Don’t spend your money with any of them, hoping for them to be the one.

Step back and take a look at your business, and yourself, with fresh eyes and ask yourself these three questions:

1. What is the *real* thing I’m fighting against for my business success?

The real enemy is the one who makes you question yourself, and doubt your every move. It’s the monster breathing down your neck, telling you that you don’t know what you’re doing. Oddly enough, the biggest resistance to your success is you. And my biggest resistor to my success is me.

We are our own worst enemies when it comes to advancing our business.

I looked up the definition of an enemy and it is “a person or thing actively opposed or hostile to someone or something”.

But, wait… we’re not actively opposed to our own success, are we?  

In fitness you know if I’m choosing to sit on the couch instead of exercise, or grab a bag of chips instead of vegetables, then yes, I’m actively opposed to my own success.

Same with you in business. If you choose to open your FB app and get sucked into everyone’s news of the day or videos they’ve shared, rather than spending 30 undistracted minutes working on your business; or you allow yourself to get paralyzed by fear instead of just doing one thing; or you allow yourself to be swayed by everyone else’s thoughts and opinions of the next move you should take in your business… then yes, you are actively opposed to your own success.

You see, it’s all about your choices.

It’s about deciding that you can do this. You will do this.

2. How much do I really want this?

Most business owners start their businesses by checking things off a list: find a location – check, buy equipment – check, get a website – check, but they don’t really take the time to dig deep to determine and purpose in their heart what they are willing to do to make it successful.

It’s important to understand that people don’t have business problems, they have life problems that reflect in their business.

Whether it’s lack of discipline, or disorganization, or the unwillingness to learn, or pride in not looking like you don’t have it all together, or whatever. Your attitude toward life determines your success as a business owner. 

I heard one time that your business is like a mirror. Whatever habits and behaviors you display in yourself will be reflected right back at you in your business. 90% of the time the problem in your business is coming from your own personal life. Clean it up there and you’ll start seeing positive momentum in your business.

3. What patterns am I displaying?

I’ve been thinking a lot about something else I recently heard (can’t remember where) – “the majority of the time we are not the highest version of ourselves which we can imagine, but instead, we are the lowest version of ourselves which we can accept”.

That’s worth really digesting.

All too often we allow our insecurities and fears to keep us at the lowest place we’re willing to accept in ourselves.

It’s similar to a relationship – you will attract the lowest version of what you are willing to accept.

Lift your minimum standards of yourself, and you will begin to get closer to actually hitting your dreams.

In summary, here’s a word of caution: Before you go hiring someone and spending money that you may not have – whether it be a business coach, or a marketing firm, or yet another service that you are hoping will solve your problems – step back and take an honest look at you.

Don’t waste your hard-earned money. Only when you are ready to lift your standards of yourself and make any necessary changes to the current behaviors and habits in your life should you spend money on someone outside who promises to give you what you need.

The post Please Don’t Buy Someone’s Services Until You Read This… appeared first on 321GoProject.

Every business owner at different points in his/her week or month wrestles with how to be more productive. It’s the human struggle that’s even more pronounced in a business owner – wanting to get 25 hours out of a 24 hour day.

Here are a list of 19 things to help you grab the bull by the horns and make this a week of #GSD’ing (getting sh!t done):

1. Get clear on when you are most productive. First thing in the morning, in the evening when everyone else is asleep, after you’ve had your coffee. Once you’ve nailed this down, do the hard things first during this time when you’re most productive.
2. Take 10 minutes at the very beginning of the week to determine the big tasks to accomplish for the upcoming week. Going into a week without a plan is like one of your members coming into your gym without a clearly defined workout. Stuff will get done, but not purposeful.
3. Make a plan and then work the plan. Not having a plan is a massive time suck. Making a plan, and then not executing on it is, well, silly.
4. Knock out the worst thing on you task list, so you can put it behind you. Things that hang over us that we’re not looking forward to doing just weigh us down. Go ahead and just get them done.
5. Print out your goals and refer to them often. We are a visual people. Out of sight, out of mind. Make your visual fun. Be creative. Make it something you enjoy looking at, and organized/displayed in a way that motivates you.
6. Make a to do list. Go out and pick up a fun notebook, that has a spot for a pen. And carry it with you wherever you go (or leave it in your car). Keep a running list as things come to mind.
7. Touch something once. Respond immediately – to a text, email. If you aren’t planning to respond, delete it.
8. Give yourself a chunk of time to complete a project. Set a timer and do as much as you can in that amount of time. Then walk away, and pick it back up tomorrow.
9. Create agendas for every one of your meetings this week. For all scheduled phone calls, face to face meetings, or video meetings, have a clearly formed agenda of what you want to cover and what you hope to be the outcome/s.
10. Get out of your head. A lot of times things are overwhelming because they just live in our brain. Talk about your ideas to others to clear your mind.
11. Allow yourself to check Facebook, email, or Instagram, etc. only after you’ve completed something. These things are the biggest time suck of your day. Put some discipline around when you allow yourself to open any of these.
12. Implement the two-minute rule. I heard about this and loved it. The rule is any action that can be carried out in two minutes or less is completed right away.
13. Overcome procrastination. We all procrastinate. Whether it’s on the big things, or just the little things. Gathering the info to complete tax returns. Planning out our week. Calling that person back. Writing another blog. If you are serious about hitting your goals, take the steps needed to become a do-it-now person.
14. Clean up the mess. You know as well as I do that mess creates stress. Clean out the clutter in your office to get more done.
15. Bring a book with you everywhere you go. This way, when someone is late for an appointment, or you’re in standstill traffic, you’re still learning.
16. Focus only on the things that you can control. Don’t waste time worrying or thinking about things you can’t control. The negative energy and time spent is a huge time waster. Instead, focus your time on the things you can control that lead you on the path to achieving your goals.
17. Constantly be looking to better refine your processes and systems.  Or begin right away documenting those processes, if you don’t already have them written down. People like and need order.
18. Don’t say yes to every request. Give yourself permission to say no. As much as you’d like to, you can’t do it all. So, it’s ok to start saying no to things that don’t excite you or move the needle forward.
19. Add accountability to your week. Left to our own, we may or may not get something done. Add in a layer of accountability where someone will ask us if we got it done, most likely it gets done.

None of these 19 things are game changers in themselves.

The true game changer is you and your mindset.

But, if you truly do want to make your day one that makes a difference, check yourself on these 19 things above and begin implementing the ones that work for you, one thing at a time.

Make this a week where you begin to finish the stuff that really matters to you. Good ideas are fine, but they don’t really do much for you accomplishing your end goal. This week make it a week where you go from a bunch of ideas…. to completion.

The post 19 Ways to Make Your Week More Productive appeared first on 321GoProject.

 you need more of than anything else.

The problem is, it doesn’t come easy. It comes through perseverance, hard work, and discipline. And it only comes through failing and getting back up again… over and over.

If you have this thing, you will agree wholeheartedly. If not as much, you’ll most likely just sigh and roll your eyes.

What I’m talking about is mental toughness.

The reason you need this is because there are few things harder than running a successful business. There are ups and downs like nothing else. There are moments when you feel like you have absolutely no clue what to do next. There are moments you think you are the only one who is going through something this hard.

Mental toughness though, is an oddity.

You need mental toughness to make it through the hard times, but you don’t get it until you actually go through the hard times.

When you lose a handful of clients all at once, you’ve got to be mentally tough. When your family or team (or both) has higher expectations on you than you feel like you can meet, you’ve got to be mentally tough. When your bank account doesn’t reflect all the time you’ve been putting in, you’ve got to be mentally tough. When your market is saturated, and yet another competitor opens up down the street, you’ve got to be mentally tough. When you’re in a low income small town and trying to run a profitable gym, you’ve got to be mentally tough.

But the challenge is, for the majority of us mental toughness doesn’t “just happen”. It is a skill that is hard won.

It’s hard to keep pressing through. It’s hard to hit your goals.

Increasing your mental strength is similar to building your physical strength – it takes consistency and discipline… day after day after day. But, once you work this muscle out and it gets stronger, things oddly start to shift in your favor.

Think about a new person who walks in your gym… it’s never the right thing to just tell them to “get in shape”. They won’t even be able to grasp what that means, much less begin to do anything about it. They need to have a plan, and push themselves to work that plan consistently.

And to make matters even more challenging, that out-of-shape, overweight person can work out and not even begin to see any changes except really sore muscles, until at least a few weeks into the workout regimen. Talk about a demotivator.

The same is true in business.

Oh, we all want to be mentally tough. To be able to persevere and fight through the hard times, but we also all know, if we’re not there yet, it’s never as easy as to “just be tougher”.

Mental toughness, in my opinion, is defined as the ability to work hard consistently with resilience and confidence toward success, even and especially in the face of adversity, failure, and challenges.

Mental toughness is the thing that enables successful leaders to reach their long-term vision and goals.

In the life of any business owner, there will be days where you’re just not motivated, you feel overwhelmed, and going back to just getting a paycheck feels like an appealing option. It’s ok, those days are to be expected. But, if you have more days like that than days where you are mentally tough, you need to begin working out that muscle immediately.

How to begin developing mental toughness so that you own this year, instead of it owning you:

• Get clear on your goals so that you have focused direction. You cannot reach a destination that you have not yet decided on. Without clear, focused goals, business owners simply react to whatever the day brings, and find themselves year after year in a very similar (frustrating) place.
• Create more and consume less. Learning is critical for business owners, but if you find yourself just consuming and not creating, put the books or podcasts down for a while and actually get to work. Begin executing on what you’re learning.
• Don’t compare (or compete) with others. Stop looking at others and getting discouraged that you’re “not enough”. You have all the same resources as someone else. Put your head down and compete with yourself.
• Take small steps forward every day. The important thing to ask yourself at the end of every day is “Was I better today than yesterday?”. Small steps of progress gradually grow your confidence to be able to attack larger things.
• Surround yourself with mentally tough people. Who you surround yourself with is a direct indication of who you will become. Choose people who consistently pull you up, rather than encourage you to compromise and stay down.
• Be proactive vs. reactive. Developing the skill of being ready for whatever comes your way is critical in getting your mental toughness muscle stronger. You cannot control everything that comes your way, but you are in absolute control of how you react to it. Emotions are good, but if they control you, you need to start to reign them in.
• Push yourself out of your comfort zone a little every day. You cannot and will not get stronger if you hunker down and stay in your comfort zone. Putting yourself in uncomfortable situations that stretch you instead of escaping them is what will make you stronger. When you avoid difficult circumstances or uncomfortable situations, you’re not even allowing yourself the chance to prove that you can succeed in the hard things.
• Accept the fact that there will be “off” or bad days. There will be days where you’ve just lost your mojo. It’s ok – accept those days, let yourself off the hook, and then make sure you climb right back up on the horse. But even during those days, just make a little progress in something.
• Keep showing up. Like your athletes, the ones who make the progress are the ones who just keep showing up. Even when they are tired, even when they are discouraged, even when they don’t feel like it.

The truth is half-ass behaviors will always get you half-ass results.

But if everyday, you work your mental toughness muscle out, the cumulative impact of this will pay off. I promise.

The most successful business owners I know have (and continue to) hit the same walls, hurdles, mental struggles, and obstacles as everyone else. It’s important to note that your situation is not different – whether you’re in a small town, or you can’t find good staff, or you’re in a saturated area, or whatever. Every business owner has her or his own set of struggles. The truly successful ones just don’t make excuses, but instead consistently execute and relentlessly pursue growth.

What you plant is always the harvest you will get.

Get mired in discouragement, and you will live constantly wishing that things were different. But, push yourself and fight for discipline now, and you will soon find yourself reaping the rewards you once only hoped for.

Looking for an amazing community of helpful gym owners to help you hit your 2018 goals?  Check out Hub.

The post The One Thing You Need As Successful Business Owner and How To Get More Of It appeared first on 321GoProject.

Here we are… in the first week of 2018.

The year lies before you –  waiting for you to make something of it, waiting for you to do something with another blank canvas that you’ve been given. Inviting you even, to make yourself proud this year.

What this year will turn out like, for the most part, will be highly dependent on your decisions and your behavior choices.

That’s worth repeating so you feel the weight of it – What this year will turn out like, for the most part, will be highly dependent on your decisions and your behavior choices.

Do what you did last year, and you’ll get very similar results. Maybe for some that’s good because you had a great year in 2017; but for others, 2017 feels like something you’d rather not relive.  

Of course there will always be things that happen to us – both good and bad – that are out of our control, and we have to adjust. But, for the most part, your year – and the success or disappointment of it – will be determined and governed by you.

That’s pretty powerful.

Want this year to be different? Want this year to be memorable in really good ways? Want to do things you only dreamed possible? Want your business to grow exponentially?

Check out this list below and make sure to incorporate these into your January, so you strengthen those muscles and create good habits for your 2018.

1. Maintain focus – when working on anything, it’s not realistic to maintain 100% focus for long periods of time. So schedule in short increments of time throughout your day (30 minutes to 1 hour) where you put every distraction aside and focus intently on the task at hand.
2. Make your future exciting enough – if you’re not looking forward to, and actually visualizing with anticipation, what lies ahead, you will just not be motivated or disciplined enough to actually get there.
3. Make your goals and aspirations visible – most of us are visual people. We need to see something in order to remember it. You know the old saying, “out of sight, out of mind”. This is never more true than with our core values, goals, or things we want to accomplish. Seeing it every day on your computer, or white board, or phone, or desk (or all the above) will remind you of the good path you are on.
4. Get accountability – I just don’t understand why people think they can accomplish things consistently without accountability. As humans, we are hard-wired to need others. Maybe you can get a few things done, but true accountability will propel you into your future desired state quicker than anything else. Inviting a chosen few others into your process and year will give you feedback and encouragement that you are on the right track (or not). Check out our M3 groups for an affordable and amazing option of weekly accountability.
5. Have a clear plan – why is it that we spend more time planning a one week vacation than we do planning our year and our life? If you don’t have a plan, mark my words, unfortunately you will stumble through 2018. In our online Hub platform, we have a complete Strategic Plan template that you can download and customize for you and your business.
6. Download a habit tracker app – Yesterday, I downloaded Strides to my phone. In the app, you enter your goals and it helps you track your progress. I’ve chosen the paid version (paid a year in advance – $39.99) because I wanted it to cost me something so I’m more inclined to use it. The more tools I can have in place to remind me, the better chance I actually have of hitting my goals. There are other options for habit trackers as well if you prefer a different format (just Google “habit tracker apps”).

I don’t know about you, but this year is going to be different for me.

I will not get to Dec. 31st and be frustrated that I didn’t make every effort to accomplish those things that I wrote down this past week as important.

There are very specific things I want to accomplish that are clearly laid out in my plan. It will be hard. It will take a crazy amount of work. It will require me to make good (and sometimes difficult) choices.

But I know the only way I can get to the end of 2018 and not be discouraged for failing to hit my goals is to consciously choose to live every day by the one word I’ve chosen to guide my year – DISCIPLINE.

Motivation can come and go like the wind, but discipline is a conscious choice every day to do (or not do) those things that matter to you.

Discipline (not just motivation) creates freedom. And… who doesn’t want freedom??

The post How to Actually Hit Your Goals In 2018 appeared first on 321GoProject.

You can run a gym, but until you find WHY you’ve chosen specifically that line of business, and lean into it as hard as you can, it will just be a business.

As you’ll see from what he shared, Steve has discovered his why and he is in the verge of changing countless (more) lives because of it.

From Steve…

While sitting in the [Hubster] Gathering a month or so ago taking it all in, I got overwhelmed with an idea. One thing about me is this… I can seem impulsive, but it’s not so much impulsive… rather more in tune. I literally get a rumbling inside my chest, inside my person and I just know.

Well, I had an image of me setting out to create a plan to host some sort of mental therapy for athletes. I kinda brushed it off as a caffeinated daydream a bit, but I wrote it down.

The thing is I truly believe that mental health is true health. I have seen too many people obsess about fitness and be so damaged in their hearts and brains. So many people start so strong then just give up over the first hiccup in the road, or people just blame everything around them for “failure”. It bothers me. It bothers me beyond the normal person annoyance.

I am passionate about helping people. I am passionate about taking them to the next level… not only in fitness, but in life. When I coach a class I spend time on mindset and setting goals in the workout and perseverance throughout the session, etc., etc.

Honestly, my goal with people is to help them achieve the ultimate health in Mind, Body, and Soul. One standing alone is unstable, all three solid is power! I just happen to use fitness as the tool. I couldn’t care less if someone can ever do a pull-up. I care more about them smiling seeing what they are worth and leaving confident in who they truly are in their hearts.  

Well, as the weekend went on I kept thinking more and more about it. A lot of stuff we went over directed me back to that idea. Your leadership section of the weekend was a big part in that. You and I have the same ethos.

Fast forward to when I got home. I looked over all my notes and started to clean the clutter and re-write stuff to make sense of it all and start attacking my goals.

I wake up every day at 3:50am and dedicate my first hour or so of my day to meditation, movement, journaling, affirmation, and reading. This is my best time of day where I find the most clarity.

Through this I started writing down all my ideas and all my goals from the gathering. There were a lot of loose ends and I kept daydreaming about speaking to people about their lives.

I was kinda ignoring it till I read something about VISUALIZATION. This was the game changer for me.

The first day I tried it I sat and just started thinking about my perfect day and blah, blah, trying to control it then it came to me. I heard that voice. “Embrace your daydreams.” “Daydreams are your heart, passions, desires.”

Here is the thing. Because I’ve lived my life with ADHD, I have been told that “daydreaming” is my “weakness”. I catch myself speaking out loud to imagined scenarios in my car and I stop myself because “it’s not normal, my meds should help with that.” It’s been my “issue” my whole life so to speak.

Well, the next day I sat and just said I’m not stopping this… I’m following my mind this time, f-ck everyone.

Low and behold my mind went straight to my gym… as vivid as a movie. In it, I’m hosting a goal setting workshop. I’m standing in front of everyone. I see exactly who I want there and where I want them sitting. I’m literally on my feet in my room walking around eyes closed speaking out loud teaching and motivating. I am going through the dictation of how to breakdown your goals to small tangible bites. I go through this for a half an hour!!

But then the magic happened.

In the end, I closed with how without a goal you have no WHY. Without your WHY you will never really know what you desire. None of this was written out I just started to talk about self worth and self discipline and how discipline breeds confidence and confidence breeds motivation and motivation breeds action which breeds more self discipline and more confidence which then breeds more motivation the even more action… and so on and so forth.

I started to cry (surprise surprise). Without my self discipline, without the 321Go road map I created with you all I would have never found my why.

I have been going through my workshop for the last two weeks. I have a complete drawn out written out plan and presentation. I started 30 minute goal setting sessions where I get inside my athletes heads while we sit 1-on-1 in my office and have implemented it already. The few people I’ve just grabbed and booked time with as practice have all emailed me or texted me that they were blown away with how in tune I was with their hearts and how they have changed as people from sitting with me even just once.

I have the confidence now to the point I KNOW there is no one better suited to follow this path because I have a gift. I am excited to get this moving and I can’t wait for the workshop. I plan on doing it hopefully in late February. I have turned my Sunday emails into blog posts (click here to see) and the feedback has been overwhelming.

Where this is heading I’m not sure BUT I know it’s going to work out well.

I am so thankful for 321Go. I have been part of other groups and it’s been all business and that is fine. But the heart in 321Go is something I haven’t seen in business before, well ever. The compassion you and Clay and everyone shows is so sincere and real. You guys have changed the game when it comes to cooperate business. There is a human aspect that is relevant. It’s not bullshit. It’s a place I find confidence now. It has become a place where I can learn and where I am not judged, but embraced. Let’s be honest, you guys make me feel cool. That is the f-cking best feeling (that no one likes to admit). I thank you all 100-fold beyond what I could ever repay. I have no idea why this email became so long and took this path but I like to just vomit and see what happens.   

Well, there is my epiphany and I wake up excited and certain and motivated. I can’t wait till the next Hubster Gathering to show everyone what it’s become.

Steve

We couldn’t be more proud of this guy for following his heart and his dreams. Big things are ahead for him.

How about you?  Why are you *really* running your gym?  Figure it out and lean into that.

The post Is Running A Gym *Really* Your Passion? appeared first on 321GoProject.

I had a conversation this past week that got me thinking.

People aren’t drawn to desperate.

It’s this weird thing… almost like someone can sniff out desperate from a mile away. It’s as if there is an impenetrable shield around the desperate one to keep other people far away.

You know what I mean. Think of the guy or girl who just went through a breakup and is always on the hunt for someone new. Or the one who can’t get over a person who broke up with them, so all they talk about is that person – story after story after story – to anyone who will listen. Or, the one who meets someone and wants to go from first date to marriage talk within waaay too short amount of time. We’ve all known (or been) this kind of person.  

Or, closer to home… think of the gym owner who is down on his or her luck. They have lost 10 members in the last month, keep getting notices for “insufficient funds”, don’t have a plan in place for growth, and continually beat themselves up for either not knowing how to do something or for not doing something right.

Far too many business owners spend way too much time paralyzed by fear (and even hope), and as a result just come across as desperate, fear-ridden, and unsuccessful.

You, like me, probably can recognize desperate in someone else. Desperation has its own distinct scent, and it isn’t pleasant.

Most of us are good at knowing not to cross the line between eagerness and desperation in social situations. But, when your business is on the line, it unfortunately becomes a lot easier to allow good judgment to fly out the window. In your desire to have money in your bank account, you may not even realize you are giving off a desperate vibe.

Desperation is one thing that will destroy your business.  

It creates a vibe of… well, desperation.

And the problem is no one is drawn to desperate. People want to hitch their wagons to confident, successful people. We do this because it makes us feel like we’ve made a good choice.

So, by being desperate, a business owner may actually be pushing away the exact people they are hoping to attract as customers.

Desperation comes when people are losing and they think they are out of options. Business owners in this position will grasp at anything they think might “rescue” them.

Determined people, on the other hand, have a very different mentality. These business owners take responsibility for themselves and for their business. They weigh out their decisions, instead of grasping at straws.

If you take a step back, look at the 10,000 ft. view, and you smell desperate in yourself, what can you do?

Do something.

I know that sounds simple, but it’s critical. Do something every day.

Can be anything that is a little out of the normal – write a thank you note to a member or a coach, set up a meeting with your bookkeeper/accountant, create a survey for your members, go out and meet another business owner close to you, take one of your members (or a small group of your members) out to coffee or drinks, write a blog and post it, etc.  

The goal here is to jump start your momentum. Start the ball rolling.

Once the ball gets rolling, it’s much easier to build on that momentum.

When you do this you will find that it is the little things that add up over time to create a successful business.

And, the successful business owners I know are the ones who are consistently executing, even when they aren’t sure it’s the right thing.

They try, they fail, then they try again. And, each time they do, they are increasing their confidence and creating a little more momentum.

To help gym owners with this, we’ve created something that can help. Our affordable Hub platform has a Business Check Up course in it. It has a scoring rubric that you can take as soon as you sign up. It will give you clear direction on the areas where you can start to execute on and gain momentum. Joining Hub will also give you access to our private Facebook group that is the best in the industry. The 450+ gym owners in it are unlike any community I’ve seen. They share whatever resources they have to help make other gym owners successful.

Check Hub out today and go from desperate and paralyzed by the next move to a confident, thriving business owner.

The post No One Is Drawn To Desperate appeared first on 321GoProject.

1. Difference between “Noble Misery” and “Thriving Despite”
2. Julie’s blog post around why everyone of us needs accountability in our lives.
3. Matt’s podcast with Jason Rule with Driven Nutrition
4. A new book I am reading, The Captain Class, and my thoughts.
Check out the video below.

The post Weekly Thrive Video 12-15-17 appeared first on 321GoProject.

Far too many business owners try to do it all themselves.

They think they need to be (or act like they are) strong, confident, capable, organized, knowledgeable about everything, able to manage 1,000 things, and creative… all the while being successful in order to provide for those who count on them.

This is a huge misconception.

No one person is all those things without the strength of others.

And this kind of thinking can bring disastrous consequences, including excessive stress, feelings of overwhelm, financial hardships, and ultimately, even business failure.

No one person can lead by him or herself optimally. But, I’ll take it even a step further and say no one team of a few can lead by themselves effectively. In order to be truly effective and growing, we need outside influences. We need people who think differently than we do. We need people to bounce things off of. We need people to point out and call us on our blind spots.

Whether you own a 35 person gym or a 450 person gym, if you’re not seeking the counsel and opinion of advisors in your life on a consistent basis, you’re leaving a lot on the table.

As humans, we are created to be in community; and, as business leaders, we are designed to lead more effectively with trusted advisors speaking into our lives and businesses.

Your story is the culmination of hundreds, if not thousands, of people over the course of your lifetime influencing you, whether positively or negatively. Given that this is true, how much more true is it that you need people investing in you (and you in them) as you lead and grow your business?

On one hand, one of the significant benefits of being an entrepreneur is that you don’t have to answer to anyone.

But, on the other hand, one of the crippling drawbacks for many entrepreneurs is that they aren’t answering to anyone and have noone to keep them accountable.

Here are a few reasons a trusted advisor, business coach, or a mastermind group can be a game-changer for your business:

• You can’t see what you can’t see. As much as we might not like to admit it, our opinions and decisions are not always right. We make them based on what we know, and often we just can’t see a different and/or better way.
• We all have things to learn. The moment you think you have all the answers – no matter how successful you think you are – get prepared for a downfall. I’ve always believed that you should be very leery of those who think they are the smartest in the room.
• Shared weight makes the load lighter. A business is like a 500 lb. weight – really hard for one person to lift, but if that person has help, the load becomes much more bearable.
• Teaches you what you don’t know. You might be great at coaching, or finances, or marketing, or retention, or programming, but it’s highly unlikely that you are really good at all of those things.
• Sometimes you just aren’t sure you’re doing it right. It easy to get off course, or to think we’re headed off course. The counsel of others helps us realize when we need to just keep going and when we need to do a little course correcting.
• Feet held to the fire equals things getting done. Accountability is the number one thing entrepreneurs struggle with. There are so many people pulling at you and so many things that can be a distraction, it’s easy to lose sight of what should be the priority in growing your business.

I’ve watched far too many businesses come up way short of their potential – or even close their doors – because there is a leader (or leaders) at the helm who aren’t willing to invest in themselves or humble themselves to ask for and listen to the advice and opinions of others.

No one person has it all. We need each other. If you’re looking for true success, you will seek out and value the advice of others.

We can help with this through our M3 Mastermind groups. These are groups of 4-7 gym owners, facilitated by one of our business coaches, that meet weekly for business growth. If this article describes you, joining a M3 group might be just what the doctor ordered.

Here are a few comments from current M3 participants:

“The M3 Group has been one of the best things I have done in a long time!” – John

“What is most helpful is hearing a small number of people’s perspective that are in a similar situation. At different stages in the game. It’s eye opening and the accountability to really follow through. I have learned one thing from each meeting. It has definitely been worth it.”  – Meddy

“I love the M3 group. It’s been super helpful for me to have someone to bounce ideas off of. It’s amazing to me how much we’ve grown since I started participating in the M3 group.” – Nicole

The post You Can’t Be Truly Successful Leading Alone appeared first on 321GoProject.

I recently had two very different conversations.

They were both with people who’ve had really hard cards dealt to them in this life. I mean, really hard.

Each had every right to complain. Each had legitimate reasons to get off track, or even quit.

The difference was one used the difficulties to empower her and propel her forward, and the other used those difficulties as a rite of passage to complain. To be a modern day Eeyore.    

I found myself extremely drawn to the one and willing to help in any way I could, and wanting the conversation with the other to be over as quickly as possible.

Does it mean I don’t care about the complainer? On the contrary. I care so much that I want to enter in and help in anyway that I can. But I can’t help if someone doesn’t want to help themselves.  

I recently heard a quote that has made a huge impact on me… “People don’t want to help you if you complain.”

Simple but so true.

Read that again… “People don’t want to help you if you complain.”

The hard truth is… nobody cares, if you complain. Oh, you may get the ears of a few, but they will quickly and mysteriously fade away.

But, if you embrace the suck and use it to fuel your influence and impact, you will see that people will rise up and rally to help.

The hard things are what tell the good stories… IF you let them. Sure, you have a right to complain, but the impactful people I know use those hard things to turn them into amazing stories of change.

We all have our hard. And some days, no doubt, each one of us feels like we’re in an ocean caught in the riptide wondering where air is. Maybe even for you it’s a lot more than “some days”.

I have a friend who has been dealt more crap in this life than any one person should ever have to deal with…. 

Could she complain and turn into the victim because of all the hurt she’s experienced? Could she use all the pain as reasons to justify checking out? Could she let circumstances control her reactions? Absolutely.

But, she won’t do that. Because she knows it will do no good. She has chosen to be strong.

She uses the hard things as a force to become different, and better.

She is strong. She is kind. She is a fighter. And as a result, she impacts people in life-changing ways. 

Here at 321Go, we see gym owners all the time in both camps. Some are stuck in complaining, woe-is-me mode… “I’ll never have what they have”, blaming everything on things external.

But… then.there.are.others – many others – who have grabbed the bull by the horns, and said, “No sir. Not today. Not on my watch. This business is MINE and I’m going to make something freaking awesome out of it, whatever it takes.”

These are the people we want on our team. These are the people who get it. These are the people seeing change happen. These are the people telling amazing stories.

You’ve got hard. I’ve got hard. That’s a given.

The real question is… what beautiful stories are we going to tell as a result of the hard cards we’ve been dealt?

The post Complainer or Influencer… Which Are You? appeared first on 321GoProject.

Are you celebrating because you hit your goals? Are frustrated because you just couldn’t get it together? Or maybe it was a mix of both?

Either way, we want you to be ready for 2018. It’s December 1. Take some time to assess and then put a plan in place. We can help get your going. Join us for the Marketing challenge.

Starting today, we will be doing a 21 Day Marketing Challenge. You’ll get setup with a marketing calendar for 2018. No more winging it.

Check out the video below.

The post Weekly Thrive Video 12-1-17 appeared first on 321GoProject.

This month, we have thoroughly enjoyed focusing on Leadership, Culture, and Community.

All of which are important to constantly be improving both in your life and in your gym. With that in mind, we’ve written a handful of blog posts on leadership and published an inspiring podcast episode with Hoby Darling on culture. And, we’ve uploaded short video courses in Hub on Creating a Contagious Culture and How to Wow Your Clients.

We’ve not only talked about it, though, we’ve also gotten the opportunity to live it out at our 1st annual Hubster Gathering this month where every attendee experienced community and culture in very real and impactful ways. As a team, we’ve never been more passionate about our leadership, culture, and community here at 321Go. 

If Leadership, Culture and Community aren’t a focus of yours, you’re most likely reaping negative consequences in your business. Because if you don’t purposefully focus on building a great culture, it will build itself, and you may not like the results.

Here are a few practical ways you can begin to make your culture and community a place that people tell their friends about:

 1. Determine, Define, and Document your Core Values.

As the owner and person in charge, it is imperative that you have a set of Core Values that you live and run your business by. We recommend you first think through and write out your personal Core Values. As an example, my personal values are: 1) Invest in people with no thought of return; 2) Make quality introductions; 3) Create experiences; 4) Out love. Out give; and, 5) Be thankful and celebrate often. These 5 things govern my daily life. I have them memorized and make my decisions based on them. But… what matters to me may not matter to you. So, you need to think through what really matters to you. One way to do this is to see what really bothers you. These things often highlight the things that you care about. Do you hurt when people are left out? Do you get incensed when you see bullying? Does it drive you nuts when people don’t finish a job? Or, maybe when people don’t call you back? All these things matter to you (or not) because they speak to your Core Values. Personal values need to be more than “integrity”, “respect”, “honesty”, “kindness”, etc. because how respect may be defined by you may mean something totally different to someone else. Making them short, easy to remember phrases will better define your values. Then, once you have these solidified, next step is to write out a set of Core Values for your gym. Here are our values here at 321GoProject: 1) We learn. We create. We give; 2) We will be financially sound so we can invest into relationships; 3) We will never assume because we know that clarity wins; 4) We will lead by example; 5) We will be the leader in delivering an incredible client experience; 6) We will be ethical in our decisions and won’t compromise or take shortcuts. Another great example of company values is Zappos Core Values. If you are clear on your Core Values and your gym’s Core Values, you will attract people who value similar things as you. A great next step once you have these solidified is to put them on a huge banner and hang them in your gym so that you (and your team and members) are reminded of them often. 

2. Every week, take one member out to coffee.

More than anything you do, spending face time with your athletes outside of the gym will build the culture you are looking for. Here are a variety of questions you can ask when with them: 1) Do you feel like you are hitting your goals? 2) How can we better help you with those goals? 3) What would you like to see added (or taken away) from what we’re offering at the gym? 4) How can we better meet your needs? 5) How are you doing? (and really listen to their response on this one). The key during this time is to listen. Ask a question, then really hear their answers. And, don’t be afraid to say “tell me more about that…”. It doesn’t all have to be talk about the gym. There is a huge benefit to getting to know more about them and what makes them tick.

 3. Have weekly staff meetings.

Be transparent in these meetings. Share your business successes and challenges. They are your team for a reason (even if you only have 1 other person on board right now), so it’s important to let them in on what’s really going on in the business so they can celebrate and help solve issues.

 4. Meet with your coaches 1-on-1 at least monthly.

Check in with them, and not just about business but also how they are doing personally. If they feel cared for, they will in turn care for your athletes.

 5. Start a members only private FB group.

As the owner, log into this FB group at least once a day to encourage engagement. Recognize athletes for accomplishments, encourage their progress, share advice and tips, and be available to answer any questions they might have.

 6. Host an event once a month at a restaurant, brewery, or someone’s home.

It’s one thing to work out together; it creates a whole other level of intimacy in building relationships when you eat and drink together.

 7. Have a member create a “Wall of Fame (or Happiness, Celebrations, etc.)”.

The idea here is to visually and publicly celebrate people’s accomplishments. We all like to be noticed. And we tend to stick around more when people show they care by noticing us. Find a member who is a “cheerleader” in your gym – one who makes everyone smile, and approach them about owning this for you.

Whether you like it or not, your culture is created by you. You are the leader. You are the one who sets the tone.

Show me a gym in turmoil and chaos, and I’m fairly certain I’ll be able to find a leader who hasn’t embraced the importance of defining and communicating his or her values, and therefore has allowed the culture to create itself.

But… show me a leader who knows who he or she is, is clear on his/her purpose, and lives by a documented set of values, and I’m fairly certain I’ll find a gym making a lasting difference and attracting people who feel a part of something impactful.

If you’re going to spend your life building something, why not make sure it’s in line with what really matters to you?

Want help?  Sign up for the Dec. 1-21st 21 Day Challenge we are offering through our Hub platform. It’ll help you establish your Marketing Plan for 2018 so you can take even more control of growing your gym in 2018.  

You can reach me directly by email at julie@321goproject.com.

The post 7 Practical Ideas To Build A Great Culture appeared first on 321GoProject.

Our 321Go team all descended on Chucktown middle of last week before the event started. We are a virtual team connected through Slack and video conferencing software. We meet up via video every week to laugh, share, grow, and work to move the needle. We’ve grown a lot this year and that growth has brought new faces. Quite a few of our team had never actually met before in person.

So this was the first time most of our team could shake each other’s hand and give each other a hug. Wow, we have a rockstar team – full of energy, confident humility, humor, and the #GSD mentality. What was incredible to experience was the deep respect we all have for one another, and the desire to share whatever resources we have to help each other.

Gym owners from all over the country came in for a weekend of leadership development, building relationships, and gym business learning. While that all sounds so official, it really was a meeting of like minded go-getters who want to grab life by the horns and take an awesome ride. Not some out-of-control amateur cowboy, but a professional bull rider who can last the whole 8 seconds who is committed to making it a fun, action-packed, fulfilling ride.

Here’s a little bit of what we did with our time together:

In case you haven’t felt it yet, this one life we have seems to speed up each day. Our days are filled up with so much stuff that if we aren’t careful will own us and then before you know it, we look back in frustration asking, “What if?”. And if you’re anything like me, what if’s just plain suck.

We are all capable of so much more than we allow ourselves.

We are our own limiting factor. With accountability, focused purpose, and surrounding ourselves with people that better us, we honestly have no limits.

All those who attended this weekend felt the positive energy and experienced a renewed sense of purpose. Every one from the attendees, to our team, to myself. The information shared and the conversations had were not fluffy or pie-in-the-sky motivational discussion. They were significant, meaningful, task-oriented, and laced with solid strategies for growth. After hosting 17 of these in-person seminars, this was by far our best one. If you don’t believe me, ask any of our attendees what they thought.

So if you missed this past weekend, we are already starting to think about our next one in late spring of 2018. Not sure how we can top this one, but we certainly will do our best.

At the end of day, every one of us learned how to be better leaders, what community truly looks like, and what really matters in this life. We learned how important it is to constantly lift up your head up to see there are people around you who can help you get where you want to be and in turn you then get to return the favor.

It’s not about me or you. It’s about us.

Let’s Go!

Clay Weldon

The post Takeaways from an unforgettable 1st Hubster Gathering appeared first on 321GoProject.

The end of 2017 is fast approaching.

Before we know it, we’ll be inundated with people encouraging us to “make resolutions” and “set goals” and “make next year count.”

None of us want to live a lackluster life, right?

As a leader, none of us want to be broke, or spinning our wheels, or running a struggling business, or exhausted, or mediocre, or unhealthy… right?!?

So why is it that – all too often – we find ourselves in practically the same place we were when we started the beginning of the year?

We had good intentions. We told ourselves this year was going to be different.

More money. Less stress. More clients. Improved marketing. Better health. Less time on social media. More quality time with those we love. Lose those extra pounds. Take that vacation.

And then, “all the sudden” life happens and we’re less than two months away from the end of another year…. In much the same spot.

So why do we do it?  Or, maybe a better question – why don’t we do it? Why don’t we change?

Why haven’t you accomplished those things you set out to conquer at the beginning of the year?

I read a quote recently by Angela Duckworth, “Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.” And it hit me like a ton of bricks. How true.

This is worth reading again…  Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.

Just how rare is endurance? According to research by the University of Scranton, an overwhelming 92 percent of people who set New Year’s goals never actually achieve them.

Wow – Ninety freaking two percent. That is crazy.

So, the good news is… you’re normal.

The bad news is…  you’re normal. Just like the other 92% who don’t accomplish what they set out to accomplish.

Here are some of the reasons “normal” people don’t change. Maybe one (or a few) of these sound similar to the voices in your head.

•      “It’s too hard.”
•      “I don’t know how.”
•      “I’m too busy.”
•      “I don’t have the strength or energy.”
•      “I don’t have the resources (time, money, etc.) that I need.”

So, instead of actually doing something about it, we do these things:

•      We read obsessively about how to make change happen.
•      We listen to countless podcasts.
•      We talk about what we want to change… a lot.
•      We find distractions to keep us busy.
•      We focus on lesser things that are easier to check off.
•      We feel guilty, get depressed, and beat ourselves up.

Sound familiar?

So, as I see it, here is one of the main problems…  The pain hasn’t gotten bad enough.

There’s a quote by Henry Cloud that comes to mind often – “We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing.“

When you get to the end of your rope with whatever it is you want to change, only then will things begin to get different. Because, only at that point, will you be done with making excuses.

You will endure the pain of change because you can no longer endure the pain of staying the same.

Whether it’s your business, or your health, or your finances, or your personal development, or your leadership, or your relationship with a significant other. If you’re really done with how things are, only then will things start to get different.

But, that’s not the only problem. Another big problem could be that you just haven’t seen enough small victories.

Momentum takes time. Think about a train. If you’ve ever been on one, you know it takes a long time to get going. BUT… once it reaches its desired speed, it’s momentum will crush whatever is in its path.

Giving up too soon hinders the momentum needed for your success.

We’ve got some clients who have created this momentum this year. They are part of the 8% who got sick of complaining about how they wish it could be. So they committed to change, and it has been truly amazing to watch. Has their year been easy? Heck no. Have they executed perfectly? Of course not. BUT… they are in a completely different place than they were this time last year.

If you’re at that point of being sick and tired of the same old, same old. Keep reading. If you’re not in enough discomfort or frustration yet, no sense reading any further. The rest will truthfully just be a waste of your time.

So… you’re still here. Great. That, to me, means you really do want something different. You’re tired of making excuses and you’re ready to really make change happen.

Here are 7 things to do to get your train moving in the right direction:

1. Determine what is important to you. Know that what’s a priority to someone else may not be important to you. So, let yourself off the hook for those things that just aren’t your priorities, but figure out what does really matter to you.
2. Purpose in your heart that you’re going to be committed to making change happen… come hell or high water.
3. Commit yourself to the grind because, I promise you, there will be days when it will not be easy.
4. Create some kind of tangible reminder for yourself. Make it be something you will see every day. Maybe it’s a screensaver, or a bracelet, or a note in your car. Something that will be that little push when you need it.
5. Make whatever is important to you a ritual. You wouldn’t miss brushing your teeth in the morning. You wouldn’t miss eating during a day. Whatever you want to change needs to become like those things you just don’t even think about because they are non-negotiables in your day.
6. Find small wins. These will be vital to your success. Determine your big goal. Then divide it up into little things that can be accomplished to get you to that goal. And accomplish at least one thing every day towards that goal.
7. Invite accountability into your life. Ask for help. If left to yourself, the excuses and justifications will come way too easily.

For the majority of us, positive change in our lives is hard; there is no doubt about it.

But imagine for a minute how life would be different for you if you became part of the 8%.

There’s no question if you can do it. The question is… will you?

We are offering a 21 Day Challenge. It’ll be from Dec. 1-21st and by the end, you’ll have your Marketing Plan in place for 2018. Over the course of 21 days, you will be challenged to set aside just 30 minutes a day to assess where you are, identify what you want to accomplish, plan for change, and begin to execute on that change.

It’s not for everyone, but if you’re one of the ones ready for change, it’s definitely for you.

The post Tired of Not Being Where You Want in Life? Here’s How To Tell If Positive Change Is In Your Future. appeared first on 321GoProject.

This question has been running through my mind lately. I’ve been talking to a lot of potential clients lately and their number one pain point is Marketing. They know they should be marketing, but they just aren’t. Of course for any number of reasons.

Starting Dec. 1, we will be doing a 21 Day Marketing Challenge. You’ll get setup with a marketing calendar for 2018. No more winging it.

Check out the video below.

The post Weekly Thrive Video 11-10-17 appeared first on 321GoProject.

This past week I saw a commercial that caught my attention.

Commercials don’t normally do that for me. Once they come on, I typically scramble to find the remote and press hard on either the mute or the fast forward button. But this commercial was different. It was Marriott’s #GoldenRule. Maybe you’ve seen it.

In it, the writers talk about what our world would be like if we actually lived by the Golden Rule. It’s idealistic, without a doubt, but inspiring to really think about for a few minutes.

As I was contemplating this kind of world, it occurred to me that big change often starts small. It often starts with a few people resolving to be different.

So instead of wistfully hoping for global change, I thought about where I could be different and live more according to the Golden Rule. What if I really took to heart treating people like I want to be treated? Things like… listen to them like I want to be heard. Share resources like I want to receive. Pay them fairly like I want to be paid. Spend time with them like I want to have people invest time with me. You know, all those things I want for me.

And then I thought about the people I come into contact with every single day. Through my daily work, the largest population I consistently interact with includes entrepreneurs and small business owners, many of them being gym owners.

What if consciously and consistently applying the Golden Rule really took hold with these business owners?

What would that look like?

What if we intentionally treated others with the dignity and respect that we so long for?

So I just starting thinking about how things might be different…

1. Imagine if instead of seeing new people walking through the doors as a member that equals money, we genuinely saw them as humans with a soul and a story to be told.
2. Imagine if we weren’t threatened by the guy/girl down the street opening a new gym, but were thrilled because it meant more people had the opportunity to get healthy.
3. Imagine if we shared the business lessons we’ve learned with those who need the help instead of keeping our ideas close to our chests.
4. Imagine if we trained our coaches to be the cream of the crop and then celebrated them when they went out and started their own gyms because it meant we could continue to replicate ourselves.
5. Imagine if as mentors and influencers in others lives we always assumed the posture of a learn-it-all instead of know-it-all.
6. Imagine if we purposed in our hearts to build each other up and contribute to each other’s good instead of ever criticizing.
7. Imagine if we didn’t hide behind social media with our snarky comments, but carefully and kindly typed our responses remembering that there was another human on the other end of that response.
8. Imagine if we fought hard every day against a fixed mindset and instead embraced a growth mindset with a curious spirit.
9. Imagine if we tackled hard conversations head on because we knew the goal was restoration and peace.
10. Imagine if we invested our time and energies into being students of our staff so that they were able to be known while finding true purpose and fulfillment.
11. Imagine if we rooted for each others’ business success the way that American Ninja Warriors cheer each other on while competing.
12. Imagine if, as business owners, we embraced choosing what is right instead of what is easy.
13. Imagine if we gave everything we had, every day.

I am fortunate to be a part of a team here at 321Go where these things are lived out… certainly not perfectly, but definitely intentionally. Clay Weldon, founder of 321Go, has surrounded himself with a like-minded group of people who care deeply about these 13 things above. And, as a result, it’s a honor to be on his team.

Is this the kind of team you’re building? Is this the kind of business you’re running as a leader?

For a minute in your busy day, I invite you to stop the wheel that’s spinning, and just imagine.

Think about those 13 what if’s above… where does your life need attention and focus?

All of this may seem idealistic and like pie-in-the-sky thinking, but if every person reading this takes to heart just one of the above and acts differently as a result, our industry – and this world – will be a better place.

If you have the power to make someone happy today, do it. Our world needs more of that.

Want to connect with us?  Shoot me an email at julie@312goproject.com. We love hearing from you!

Also, for only $69/month, you can have access to our online learning platform, the Hub. Each month, we focus on a theme. For the month of November, it’s Leadership, Culture & Community which fits right in line with this blog post. Hub also includes loads of short instructional videos on how to grow your gym, 24 sessions led by industry leaders from the Gym Owners Growth Summit we just hosted, templates, access to a private Facebook group that is unlike any other in the industry, and more… We’d love to invite you into the 321Go family! Check out Hub today.

The post 13 What If’s That Could Change Your Life & Business appeared first on 321GoProject.

We love adventure so we’ve been looking forward to this for months. Now, here we are out to sea along the length of the East Coast for 10 days and 10 nights. Individually and collectively, we’ve been on or near boats all our lives but nothing like this. Typically, we have always been within swimming distance from shore. But not this time. This time we can’t even see land, and except for the occasional passer-by vessel, we’ve seen very few other boats. Literally, like ships passing in the night.

As happens often in my life, my experiences turn into a blog post. With a great deal of time to think on the water as I’ve been keeping watch at the helm, I began listing out all the things that make this adventure similar to the exciting, and sometimes scary, adventure of running a successful business.

Maybe at least one of the lessons I’ve been thinking about can help you in your business:

1. All the planning you do can’t fully prepare you for what lies ahead. You can read books, you can pack well, you can talk to others about their experience, you can create a plan, but what’s ahead will be completely unique to you.
2. The fantasy is often very different than the reality. Day in, day out; the grind continues. Each day we wake up, it’s more of the same. More ocean. More waves. In a hopeful entrepreneur’s mind, it’s glamorous to start a business. Make your own schedule, write your own paycheck, be the one who gets to make all the decisions… but then reality sets in and it’s a whole lot different than how you played business ownership in your mind.
3. The sun always shines, even after the darkest night. While on this journey, we’ve had a few really rough nights. The kind where you play out in your mind how you’ll survive capsizing. No matter how dark of a time you are in your business right now, the sun will shine again.
4. Sometimes you just have to trust that land is still there, even if you can’t see it. It’s scary to realize you and the other 3 on the boat with you are all alone. Alone on an ocean that’s 100 ft. deep, teeming with sharks and all kinds of sea life. But, steady ground is there… somewhere.
5. Storms are inevitable; and they are relentless. For the first 5 days of the voyage we were in 8-15 ft. swells. And it sucked. It sucked because the waves just.kept.coming. Nothing we could do would make them stop. Similarly, sometimes in business it just feels like you can’t catch a break.
6. Those storms can crush you, or make you stronger. Our captain told us the story of another crew member from a previous voyage who panicked. Five days in she demanded to get off the boat. It wasn’t possible without great expense to the other crew. So she locked herself in her room for the duration of the journey. She had a choice in that moment, and she chose to let the seas crush her.
7. Some days the best you can do is just care for yourself. On the days where being underway is more than you can handle and you’re about to lose your cookies, you have to focus on you. Now’s not the time to be the hero. In these moments, you must just put one foot in front of the other, knowing and giving yourself exactly what you need.
8. It takes a team to accomplish a big goal. Can our captain do this journey alone? Most likely yes, because he’s an experienced mariner, but is that the best choice? Absolutely not. There is strength in numbers. Form a trusted team around you and lean into them.
9. Sometimes the only way out is through the storm. This is a hard reality that I wish were different, but it’s not. There will be times where you have to batten down the hatches and hold on for dear life.
10. The navigation system becomes your very good friend. At night, or in times of storm, the only way you can see what’s ahead is by looking at the radar and navigation system. You have to have complete faith that they will tell you exactly what you need to know. In business, it’s of utmost importance to create a plan and just work the plan, one day at a time. Also, start working with a business coach… they will see things that you just can’t see.
11. The most exciting parts of the voyage are often the beginning and end. Our journey started on the Hudson River in New York City. We got to cruise past the Statue of Liberty and we felt like a million bucks, ready for anything this trip was going to throw at us. We were snapping pics, sipping on a cocktail, and giving knowing looks of approval to each other that we are some of the few who “get” to do this. One day in, my how the story changed.
12. When an emergency situation comes, you drop what you are doing and respond to “all hands on deck”. Nothing matters in distress except the safety of the crew on board. If you’re in the middle of cooking dinner, you stop. If you’re sleeping, you wake up. Everything other than your well-being takes a back seat.
13. You can only control what you can control. Mother Nature is an incredibly powerful force. And water is one of her tools that can’t even begin to be controlled. The vessel we are on weighs 160 tons. And the waves push it around like a plastic toy boat. Bouncing up and down like Styrofoam bobber. In business, you can’t control any outside things that happen to you, but you can control how you respond to them.
14. The power of waves is no respecter of persons. Our captain has cruised all over the world for the last 35 years. He is an experienced mariner in every sense of the word. But, when we are being tossed around like a piece of paper in the wind, he walks on the boat no better than us. We all look like drunk babies. No matter if you’ve been in business 1 month or 20 years, there will be days when the waves feel overbearing.
15. It’s often very lonely 50 miles out. It doesn’t take long on the water to start missing the comforts, security, and familiarity of home. We always say that business ownership is often the loneliest place to be. It’s important to find a few trusted people who can be “in it” with you.
16. Even when it’s monotonous, it’s helpful to remind yourself that not many people get to do this. We’ve pinched ourselves many times to make sure this is real, but just as many times, we’ve wondered when it will be over. Lots of people would LOVE to own their own business, but not many are willing to sacrifice what it takes to build a successful company.
17. You’ll have good days that will make you rethink everything. When the seas are calm, the sun is shining, the fish are jumping, you can actually walk around the boat without getting thrown into the walls, you begin to think… “I could get used to this.”
18. And finally, sometimes you just realize that maybe you’re not cut out for a life at sea. There is no shame in coming to the realization that sea life, or business ownership, just isn’t for you. You are in the world for a big purpose. Maybe you just need to keep looking until you find it.

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If you are looking for an amazing weekend of learning/creating your 2018 Gameplan for your gym and want to build solid relationships with other gym owners, you need to attend our upcoming Hubster Gathering in Charleston.

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Do any of these sound like you?

You used to take your significant other out on a date night once a week. You used to keep up with your Quickbooks but now you’re months behind. You used to spend individual time with your kids. You used to work out every day. You used to put money into savings. You used to keep your desk and computer files organized. You used to keep your car clean and vacuumed. You used to… you fill in the blank.

If any of these sound familiar, this is what it looks like to have let yourself go.

All those statements above I know all too well, because (except for the kids part), they are things I recently realized about my own life. Oh sure, to most people I look like I’ve got it together (or at least most of it), but internally I kept hearing myself say things like this… “This thing I’m doing… This series of choices I find myself making every day… They are not working. I’m not who I want to be, or who I know I can be. I don’t like the way I feel. I’m not 100% pleased with how I look. I don’t like some of the things I’m doing. It’s time for a change.”

But just saying those things will get you nowhere except feeling like crap about yourself.

It’s easy to forget the things that are important to us when we are busy. When life takes over, discipline (unfortunately) is usually one of the first things to go. Oh, our intentions are good, but we all know what they say about the road to hell being paved with good intentions…

If you feel like you are “stuck”, more than likely you, like me, have let yourself go in some areas of life.

So, what do you do if you’ve found yourself in a place you don’t want to be?

Four words… Hit the reset button.

When you’re trying to use an outlet and it’s been tripped, you know that it won’t work unless you press the reset button. When your computer gets frozen, only thing that works is to reboot. When you blow a breaker, you need to flip it back. When your browser gets stuck, you hit the refresh button.

Just like all these things, I believe sometimes we don’t work properly.

So, here’s how you hit the reset button…

1. Determine what’s important to you by asking yourself questions like these:
   • Who are the priority people in your life to spend time with?
   • How much time spent with them equals a quality amount that you’d feel good about?
   • Where do you want to be in your health & fitness?
   • How do you want to show people you appreciate them?
   • Financially, where do you want to be?
   • How important is it to you to have your office, car, house, etc. clean and in order?
   • Is your business running you or are you running your business?
   • How do you focus your mindfulness and/or spirituality?
2. Define where you are. Now, take that list from above and get out a piece of paper or a notes file on your phone/computer. If you’re not where you want to be, then where exactly would you rather be? Write it out.
3. Decide how you will be different. If you’ve let yourself go in one area, most likely there are other areas as well that could also use some cobweb cleaning. Find the quick wins. Own where you were. Write down where you want to be. Be bold and unapologetic in your claim.
4. Take action right now. Schedule a date night with your significant other or kid/s. Schedule time in your calendar to clean your car. Sign up for Quickbooks. Reach out to a mentor (can be paid or not) and get regular time scheduled on the calendar. Take action. Simply put… begin doing the work. One step at a time. 
5. Create a reminder. Because you’ve gotten out of the habit of being disciplined, even with the best of intentions, it will be easy to slip back into laziness. This is where a reminder – a Post-it note, a rubber band on your wrist, a reminder on your phone, etc. – will come in very handy.

Bottom line is… Stop making excuses.

You only get one shot at this life. And, even if you get to live “full-term”, it’s so very short. Not one person I’ve ever talked with was ok with having regrets.

Since no one else can make changes to your life but you, go ahead and take back your control over your thoughts, decisions, and actions today and start experiencing your potential again.

If you’re looking for great business resources to help you grow your business, check out Hub. It’s our online learning platform of goodness.

The post Have You Let Yourself Go? appeared first on 321GoProject.

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10 reasons why:

1. Our sessions will be very hands-on and interactive in dealing with your specific business. You will leave with an actionable plan of growth for 2018.
2. The entire 321GoProject team will be there to spend the weekend getting to know you. Oh yeah. 🙂
3. It’ll be like your favorite gym Facebook group, only in person and on steroids.
4. You and I both know the feeling of being alone in running a business sucks. Build relationships with other gym owners who can help in your journey.
5. We’re only taking the first 65 who sign up, which gives you plenty of individual attention to hone in your marketing strategy.
6. We’ll cover 6 topics: Marketing, Websites, Leadership & Culture, Standard Operating Procedures – Professionalizing Your Business, Onboarding New Athletes, and Staff Development.
7. We’ve built in lots of time into the schedule to brainstorm ideas with other gym owners just like yourself.
8. It will be the perfect mixture of business, fun, and hanging out.
9. Charleston has amazing beer and cocktails (and soda water for those who don’t drink).
10. If you haven’t been, the city of Charleston, SC is friggin’ awesome. In 2016, Charleston was ranked the “World’s Best City”, and in 2017 it was named the #1 city in the U.S. again, and #2 city in the world by Travel + Leisure.

Check it out and reserve your spot today before it fills up! We literally will guarantee you won’t be disappointed. If for some strange reason you are, we’ll refund your registration fee.
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AND… if those 10 reasons aren’t enough, if you sign up by Wednesday, October 18, 2017, you will get a tee and one of these awesome hoodies.
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The post 10 Reasons You Should Attend The Hubster Gathering appeared first on 321GoProject.

We recently wrapped up an online Gym Owners Growth Summit with 3,000+ participants from almost every country in the world. THREE THOUSAND. That’s pretty amazing, especially since we were

They say nothing in life is free, but this Summit really was free. Because, here at 321GoProject, we know many gym owners can’t afford all the expenses associated with traveling to a weekend seminar or the costs associated with hiring a mentor to grow their gym. Or, they live in other countries and don’t have as many resources available as we do here in the U.S.

People have a wide range of opinions about free. The majority are thankful, but of course you also have the naysayers. Some of these critics say things like, “People won’t value it if you give it away for free.” or “The content can’t be as good if it’s free.”, or “Paying money holds people accountable to take action.”

While I agree with these sentiments, I also know and have experienced firsthand that when you can give something of high quality away for free, it nurtures a relationship and fosters trust. Good people conclude, “wow, if they’re this committed to giving something of this quality away for free, what value must their paid services offer?”

What if you went into a coffee shop and connection to wi-fi wasn’t free?  Of course it costs the shop something to provide it, so following the arguments above… people wouldn’t value it (or you), or they won’t use it properly, or whatever. But, we all know a coffee shop offering free wi-fi only draws us in and makes us a more loyal consumer than one that doesn’t.

The reality is the challenge of free lies with the person actually receiving the free, not the free itself. (You might want to read that again.) If someone is a GSD (get sh!t done) kind of person, they will understand the value and maximize the potential of what’s being offered, whether it’s free or not. If they are not a GSD kind of person, they will have lots to naysay about why it’s ridiculous to give something away.

What’s more important though is being able to answer the question – does giving something away for free align with your values as a company?

Our values at 321Go are the following:

1. We learn. We create. We give.
2. We will be financially sound so we can invest into relationships.
3. We will never assume because we know that clarity wins.
4. We will lead by example.
5. We will be the leader in delivering an incredible client experience.
6. We will be ethical in our decisions and won’t compromise or take shortcuts.

So, you see, giving something as huge as 3 day access to a Summit fits right in line with a number of our values. When values and actions align, let all the critics say what they will.

Given that, we know many don’t have time to sit for 3 days watching training sessions so we decided to offer a 30 Day Pass for only $69. Literally, hundreds are seeing the crazy value in this.

So, here we are in an industry where, admittedly, many gym owners are incredible people and amazing trainers, but know very little about actually running a gym.

And, for just $69, we’re offering 25 sessions with the experts on how to grow your gym.

I’m not sure if this is for you, but just imagine how your business would change if you committed to watching just 1 session a day for the next month.… You’d have tools on marketing, how to create Facebook ads, creating a strategic plan, how to create videos that convert, how to set up effective retail, what insurance options are right for you, how to set up Profit First in your business, actionable tips on how to hire and how to be a good leader, to name just a few.

Most won’t do this because they will get caught up in the urgent of the day.  And 3 months from now, their business will be the same (or worse).

But for those of you who do, you will have a completely different business 3 months from now for only $69.

To what extent you are willing to suffer or sacrifice or be disciplined to get the growth that you want in your gym?

Sometimes free really is good.

The post Should You Give Things Away For Free? appeared first on 321GoProject.

Yes, a desire to give up on:

• Keeping up with the incredible non stop work pace that seems to be the norm
• Worrying about what our competition is doing and instead focus on pursuing what we were meant to accomplish
• Perfecting our product/service/summit before it gets launched, knowing there will always room to improve
• Trying to convince someone of anything. Sometimes they are just not a good fit, but if we are crystal clear on our why, many others will be that good fit.
• Starting my day without having it planned out first
• Wanting to be more educated, creative, realistic, strategic, confident, etc., etc. before attacking the next big goal. It’s not the smartest people in the room that get shit done, it’s always the ones who know what they want to accomplish in life, determine there is no plan b, commit and execute. One step at a time.

If you joined us for our 1st Annual Gym Owners Growth Summit, we thank you sincerely. Please keep reading till the bottom for a BIG ask.

Whether you were one of our amazing twelve partners, 26 speakers, or one of the 3060 attendees, this wouldn’t have happened without you.

When we initially starting dreaming of the Summit idea, we decided if we got 500 gym owners to sign up, it would be a success. Little did we know the momentum that would take shape and that we would get over a quarter of all the gyms in our community to sign up.

After engaging with many of the speaker interviews and all the Q&A’s with each speaker, here are my three big takeaways:

1. Time is both your friend and your enemy. Frienemy:)

Just like it takes a long time to build muscle strength, there’s no difference in your business. Building strong, successful businesses just takes time. The experience you gain by “doing the work” each day builds on itself and prepares you for bigger decisions down the road.

Time is also the enemy because there is always tomorrow or so we think. We tend to put off what we “should” do for what we “need” to do. Coach a class, answer emails, clean the gym, the list goes on. These are necessary but won’t help move the needle in our success. We need to fill our days with assessing,  planning, and then execution. So let’s get serious about our businesses and give them the respect they deserve.

2. If you are not clear, I mean, really crystal clear on your Why, you should stop what you are doing and figure it out. Like now.

If you want to be just another gym in your area, then disregard this point. But if you truly want to be “world class” as Ben Bergeron says, you must know your Why, so you can lead effectively and make decisions based on it.  Your team, coaches, and members need a leader who knows where they are heading, otherwise there will be no direction.

3. The Summit speakers are no different than you and I. Well, then again, maybe they are.

Each one of the speakers we interviewed had a fire in their bellies and an unmistakeable drive to be their best. They do what they say they are going to do, don’t let obstacles stop them, are not afraid to ask for help realizing they are not always the smartest in the room. Laziness is not in their vocabulary. Many look at them and wonder how they can get so much accomplished with the same amount of time as the rest of us. They are constantly pushing themselves to be the best version of themselves.

We hope you were part of this with us. We have to admit, we are already excited for making next year’s Summit even better.

On that note, if you benefited at all from the Summit, will you do me a big favor and fill out this survey so that we can use your input to make it even better next year?

If you missed some or all of the sessions, we’re offering you a 30 Day Summit Pass for only $69. With that purchase, you’ll get access to all Summit sessions, both in video and mp3 format. And, if you sign up today by 5pm (CT), you’ll get all the bonuses: 2 done for you marketing campaigns, and a chance to win a 10×10 awesome gym tent with your logo.

Go get ‘em!

Clay

The post A Huge Summit Thanks and a Big Ask From 321Go Founder, Clay Weldon appeared first on 321GoProject.

Do you feel confident in your Instagram usage?  If not, keep reading for a few basic tips…

Continuing with this month’s Hub theme of Content Marketing and Social Media, we want to unpack Instagram a little bit. In this blog post, we’ll focus on hashtags and how to use them to benefit your Instagram strategy and growth.

First of all, if you don’t yet have an Instagram account for your gym, go ahead and set one up today. In this day and age, most of your target market will be on Instagram so it’s a great way to keep up with your members and reach more people.  

Now that you’ve got your business account set up, here are some tips to follow when posting to Instagram:

1. Always write a fun, but brief caption. Include just enough info to make them want to read, and if you can make them smile or laugh when reading, even better.
2. Use hashtags, but use them sparingly. Instagram allows you to add up to 30. It’s best if you keep it between 3-7 but do your best to not use more than 10 in any post. You don’t want your posts to be perceived as spam, so research says less than 7 hashtags is optimal.
3. Create a custom hashtag for your gym. Make it something fun that conveys the vibe of your culture, and then use it on all your posts.
4. Use your hashtags creatively in your caption. E.g. we drove through #chicago to check out a #crossfit gym on the #westside.
5. Save your list of frequently used hashtags in the notes app of your phone so you can just copy and paste any time you need it.
6. Make use of throwback hashtags. Kick it back in time by using the hashtags #tbt and #latergram.
7. Use #regram. Follow your members and then repost their content by using hashtag #regram and then their @accountname. Download the app Repost to make your reposting a breeze.
8. Always tag people in your photos. Tag them in your caption, and tag them as well on the photo.
9. Encourage your members to tag you on all their posts. This will be a great way to increase awareness of your gym, but will also allow you to keep up with things they’ve got going on.
10. If you’re hosting an event, make a unique hashtag for that event, and encourage anyone connected to the event to use that hashtag.
11. Use Instagram Stories. This is a great way to reach a broader audience, showcase your gym’s culture and personality and promote your services. Check out this great article for tips on using Instagram Stories effectively.

Using these 11 tips will help you get the most from your Instagram account.

Our focus this month in Hub is all about Social Media & Content Marketing. We’ve got video courses in Hub that teach you how to maximize your content creation efforts so that you’re continuing to establish your expertise in your corner of this world. Check out a month of Hub for only $10!

Also… if you haven’t registered yet for the 1st Annual Gym Owner’s Growth Summit, do so today!!  There are already 1,600 gym owners registered!  It’s FREE and it’s 3 days of content from some of the greatest minds in our industry!!

The post 11 Quick Tips You Should Be Using on Instagram appeared first on 321GoProject.

Here’s the thing about content marketing… it just doesn’t get results overnight. Which is precisely the reason why so many don’t do it consistently.

In this “quick fix” world, we want results… yesterday.

But that doesn’t eliminate the need for creating content if you own a business.

Creating content stretches us and gets our creative juices flowing. Content tells a story that otherwise most likely gets lost.

Content allows you to make your voice heard above the noise to the people you want to attract. Content demonstrates your expertise in a particular field.

We hear the term “content marketing” all the time, but what exactly does it mean?  Marketing expert Neil Patel offers a helpful definition in terms we all can understand, ”Content marketing is a long-term strategy, based on building a strong relationship with your target audience, by giving them high-quality content that is very relevant to them on a consistent basis.”

Those phrases in bold are key:

Long-term strategy,

building a strong relationship,

high-quality content,

that is relevant,

consistently.

Now, more than ever, people are “putting it out there” with videos, quotes, blog posts, Facebook posts, #tbt’s, Instagram pics, you name it. Never before has it been easier to join the chorus of content because with social media, the barrier to entry is lower than ever.

So, have you joined the crowds? Are you consistently posting content, and establishing your expertise?

Or, are you like many we’ve talked with who only publish content once (maybe twice) a month. To them, creating content feels like a huge hurdle to overcome. An all too common statement we hear, “I know I ’should’, but I can’t seem to get started.”  

Creating content doesn’t have to be a task that paralyzes you. You just need to start. And then develop the rhythm of consistency. 

To get you started, we’ve come up with a list of different content creation ideas to help your creative juices flow:

• Tell your members stories. Believe it or not, you are not the hero of your business’ story. Your customers are (or should be) the hero. Do you know what really makes your clients tick? Where they’ve come from? Why they’ve chosen to make a life change now? The things that really interest them outside of your four walls? Start asking questions, really listen, and begin to unearth the golden nuggets that are right in front of you. Celebrate. Enter in. And publish. As you begin to tell their stories, your business will take on a personal feel that will be infectious.
• Capture a quick video of a coach or member. You don’t have to professionalize these videos. Often, the more raw, the better. There are many options for these videos – demonstrating a movement, celebrating a PR, introducing a new member or coach, highlighting an event… the sky’s the limit. Think outside the box.
• Answer questions. Start a list on your computer or phone of all the questions the people you impact (and those you’d like to impact) might want to know about.  Whatever comes to mind, jot it down. There are no wrong topics. Take 20 minutes and try to write down 50. Then just continue to add to the list as things come to mind. If easier, you can write big categories (nutrition, health, fitness, community, etc.) then break those down into topics. Once you have a good list, step away from it for a bit, then come back to it and choose the ones that stand out.  You were new to CrossFit once. Think of the questions you had back then.
• Use hashtags. If you don’t already have one, create a gym hashtag and then start using it all the time, on everything. Also, as your members to start using the hashtag and tagging you when they do any posts that relate to their health and fitness. You can use the app Repost to share and celebrate the things your members are interested and involved in.
• Take (and share) lots of pictures. Capture the essence of the kind of business you want to build through pictures. Do you have a gym dog? Is there a place where most congregate? Are there close-up face shots of people mid-workout that you can shoot? Is there a piece of equipment that everyone dreads? Caption these images with sayings your people can connect with.  
• Pay attention. Start taking notice of things around you. If you are living a life “aware”, you will begin to see blog post after blog post beginning to take shape in your mind. These posts don’t have to be long, just capture what you see to inspire others.
• Use Canva to create motivational quotes with images. Everybody loves a little motivational nugget every now and then. Make it good, and it’ll get shared.
• Write about you. Certainly not all the time, but if you’re the leader, people do want to know you. They want to be let into your world – to know what makes you happy, to know what your struggles are. To know that you are a real person with real feelings. Let your personality shine through. Sprinkle this into your content calendar like a spice – not too much, but enough to give good flavor.

The key to this is to do something. Start small. Make a plan and stick to it. Again, consistency is key.

Content creation is an incredible, inexpensive way to expand your reach. Use it as a tool in your toolbox to build something people are proud to be a part of.

Our focus this month in Hub is all about Social Media & Content Marketing. We’ve got video courses in Hub that teach you how to maximize your content creation efforts so that you’re continuing to establish your expertise in your corner of this world. Check out a month of Hub for only $10!

Also… if you haven’t registered yet for the 1st Annual Gym Owner’s Growth Summit, do so today!!  It’s FREE and it’s 3 days of content from some of the greatest minds in our industry!!

The post 8 Easy Ways To Create Content Like A Pro appeared first on 321GoProject.

We’ve spent the month of August in

It’s virtually pointless to invest time and money into a website if you’re not also going to invest time and money into making sure that website gets found.

It’s a little like having a mailbox, but not putting an address on it. You’re probably not going to get much mail.

Matt Scanlon, founder and owner of CrossFit Memorial Hill has done the work with SEO, using the SEO resources provided by Josh Sturgeon in Hub. Because of that, he now shows up everywhere online when people are looking in his area for a gym, or fitness, or nutrition, or anything to do with the services he offers.

We asked him to give us the top 5 things he drilled down on when getting himself ranked high in the Google searches. The list below is his Cliff Notes version of where you should focus your efforts for the biggest bank for your buck. He even ranked them according to Cost, Time, and Technical Know-How (1 being low, 5 being high).

Most Impactful Things To Focus On For Overall Rankings:

1. Reviews – Cost: 0 | Time: 1 | Technical Know-How: 1

Reviews are singlehandedly the most important thing you can do to show up online. We wrote another article on why they are so important. If you focus on nothing else, focus on this.

Tips:

 – If you have a a lot of drop-in’s, offer their 2nd drop in free with a Google review.

 – If you’ve done (or are doing) the Bingo game, make “leave a review” a square.

 – Simply ask your members… they most likely think you’re pretty great!

 – Biggest thing: Create a system for getting reviews.

2. NAP: Name, Address & Phone Number – Cost: 0-2 | Time: 4 | Technical Know-How: 2

Google doesn’t like inconsistency. If you have different addresses in different places, it confuses Google. Even down to if you have “Street” in one place and “St.” in another. Make sure you use the exact same address anywhere you show up.

Tip: Use https://moz.com/local to get a score for your consistency. You can then opt to go and change everything manually or pay to have Moz do it for you (in Matt’s opinion, it’s worth paying for).

3. Local Listings – Cost: 0-2 | Time: 5 | Technical Know-How: 2

This is, basically, just getting your website on other local websites – Chamber of Commerce, fitness center listings, City Visitors page – ANYTHING you can think of. This will take a tremendous amount of time on your part.

Tip: If you have free interns – set them to this task. If not, pay the money to have Whitespark.ca do it for you. It’s a few bucks a listing and well worth your time. Their set-up doc takes a long time, but they use it for any projects going forward. (again, Matt’s opinion, it’s worth the cost)

4. Guest Blog Articles – Cost: 0 | Time: 4 | Technical Know-How: 3

Is there a local website that gets a TON of traffic?  If so, ask them if you can submit some content for them. Establish your expertise. Or, if you’re not a writer, have one of your coaches write something.

Tip: Make sure that your website is listed in the content or your bio.

5. Yoast SEO Premium Plugin – Cost: 2 | Time: 5 | Technical Know-How: 4

This is a last line of defense. You can optimize pages and blogs with this plugin, but it can feel a bit tedious and overwhelming if you’re not comfortable on WordPress and with blogging.

Tip: If you don’t have a regular blog, don’t bother here, focus on #1-4 first.

These tips are not magic bullets, but they do work if you’re disciplined to make them happen. And you will see, there is a good amount of low-hanging fruit that you will find if you commit yourself to doing the work.

Want step-by-step help? We’ve got and handful of exceptional video courses in Hub that teach you how to optimize your website so that you get found, every time. Check them out for only $10 for the first month of Hub.

Also… if you haven’t registered yet for the 1st Annual Gym Owner’s Growth Summit, do so today!!  It’s FREE and it’s 3 days of content from some of the greatest minds in our industry!!

The post 5 Tips & Tricks To Get Found Online appeared first on 321GoProject.

From Mel…

Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy. Ok, it’s down right rough and certainly not for the weary at heart.

It takes a deep resolve in every bit of your being, and dedication to persevere no matter how rough the waters get. You know that saying by Bob Marley, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have?”  I think that phrase pretty much sums up this last season of my life.

When I was first asked to write a guest blog, my first thought was…

Who would want to hear my story? Would anyone even read it?

But then this overwhelming feeling came over me, that I’m not alone in this journey. If there is even one business owner out there that gets even an inch of hope from my story and my journey, then I would gladly share it to give them hope!

My life over the last few years has felt like a Rocky movie. Seriously. Get knocked down, fight like hell, and get back up to continue taking the punches life may throw. Ha, shoot, even as I type this I’m watching Rocky Balboa (love that movie). I’m not a quitter, but geez it sure was tempting at times. I by no means want to whine on and on about the difficulties I was faced with, but I would like to give you some background for context.

My CrossFit journey began in 2009, before CrossFit was as popular in our area. My husband and I totally fell in love with the challenge in training. I was the Operations Manager at a local gym, and a Personal Trainer. Shortly thereafter, we found ourselves opening a Box with friends and starting our journey as “gym” owners.

We loved every aspect of our Box, but soon realized the “partnership” aspect was not working at all, so we sold our share to them in 2011 and moved on to the next season. Thinking we were done with gym ownership, we built a house in the middle of the woods, and created a rad garage gym that we could kick our own butts in. I found my comfort zone and decided to stay there.

However, my journey as an entrepreneur was far from over.

In 2013 my husband Claude and I found ourselves face to face with the opportunity and renewed passion to bring CrossFit to our home town of Madras, about 40 minutes from our home. One thing you must know about us, as a team, we are unstoppable. We aren’t afraid of hard work and always finish what we start.

3 Peaks CrossFit was born with a passion to change lives – mind, body and spirit – and to create a legacy that would change the cultures of our community and beyond. We faced a heart break before even having our doors open with the death of my brother-in-law. But once again, we pushed through and had our grand opening in Jan. 2014.

This is where we met 321GoProject. We had Clay build our website and during that time, he gave me the best piece of advice. To summarize, he said, whatever I do, just be consistent. Whether it was a blog, or posting WODs, just be consistent with what I do.

Such great advice for a new business owner; sadly, I didn’t do a very good job following it though.

Thus began the hard work, long drives every day, early mornings, late nights and digging deep. With Claude having a full time job, he helped with the before work classes, and after work stuff, and I did the rest. I can honestly tell you, we lived on adrenaline, coffee and a strong passion to help others. That’s great and all for a sprint, but not for longevity.

I had no clue what was about to come our way.

I fully believe that when you are operating where you are called to, trials are inevitable. Those trials are never easy, but we do have a choice for how we handle everything. For 2 years we pushed hard, teaching every class, running every 1-1 training session. Trying to spread a passion for fitness, pouring out of an empty tank, inspiring, and pretty much not getting a break. I didn’t have much time for anything else.

We went into 2016 with drive and hope on the outside, but exhaustion and a high level of stress inside.

During that year, our lives included financial stresses, job loss, transition of our oldest graduating high school and moving to college, a serious car accident where I suffered a shoulder sprain and vertical whiplash, and finishing the year up with relationships lost, proved to test our emotions, marriage, family, and our hope.

I was flat-lined – mentally, emotionally, and physically. I lost my vision, in fact, I can tell you that physically my visual clarity was toast because of exhaustion. It was noticeable to everyone around us.

Our business plateaued, suffered really, as any would. We were operating it out of an empty tank. I was doing everything, but doing nothing well. I was a monkey with a machine gun, putting out fires, and hoping not to piss too many people off.

I can remember telling Claude that I felt like I was barely surviving, not thriving, but for whatever reason, I had zero clue what I could do to change it. All I could see was strife, stress, and failure. After watching our membership dip to a record low, I found myself in a place where I had no choice but face our situation and make a choice. Step away and allow myself to be defeated, or try something different. Not once in my life have I ever given up, but I didn’t see an end to the hits we were taking. This time, I got up because of the help of a community who unsuspectingly yelled, “Get Up.”

Enter 321GoProject again.

I saw an email about the HUB and thought (hoped) I could possibly glean some much needed help, so despite the fact that I didn’t know if I could afford it or not, I joined HUB and was so shocked at the resources available to me. It was kind of my “last ditch effort”. I’m a learner at heart, always have been.

Any opportunity that I get to be taught something, I take it. Even if I’m not very good at something, I make baby steps to getting better and continuing to learn. I began to see some hope, not in the stresses of life changing, but for our business. I was getting some direction for my business yes, but really, for my life. It gave me some hard truths, shook me up and made me get focused.

I started reading books, listening to podcasts, and getting my hands on things that would help me be better at business yes, but more so to help me be the best version of me possible. One of the resources I read was Entrepreneur or Wantrepreneur by John Fosco and Cory Gregory. It was real, raw, and to the point.

Was I an entrepreneur, or a wantrepreneur? They are entirely 2 different things.

It’s the difference between running your CrossFit affiliate as a business or a hobby. It was a deep question, which I had to process and think on for a bit. I really had to search my heart, search my motives, and search my reasons. There was a moment, in listening to that book, when I had a “Heck Yes I’m an entrepreneur” moment rise up in me. Even if I wasn’t clear on what to do next, I knew I was made for this.

Up until this point, I hadn’t paid ourselves 1 dime. Yep you heard right, I’m “that” business owner.

Blood, sweat, and tears, followed with sacrifice and exhaustion… and I wasn’t even getting paid for it. Wake up call for me came was when I joined a M3 Group and had to confess this to my team. They didn’t judge me; in fact, quite the contrary. I was encouraged, and given some focus, and a challenge… To figure out how to write myself a check and cash it before our next meeting. I LOVE CHALLENGES and when someone who has great insight and wisdom, gave me direction and challenged me to “GET UP” and “knock down doors” until I reached my goals, something stirred in me… No, awakened in me.

I committed right then and there to do whatever it took to reach my goals. To get focused, say no to things that distracted me, and not stop until I reached them. I in no way am saying I am or do everything perfectly. But I have a deep resolve with everything in me to push through.

I had to start with renewing my vision, renewing my WHY. I committed to being a student of business again, to learn and glean what I could to see our original vision even exceed that which we had hoped. With a community of amazing people who I didn’t know well, but looked up to, not because of where they were in their business, but because they had similar struggles as I did, just at varying levels. I saw some light, in a really dark place in my life and business and it helped ignite the diligence I already had inside to keep fighting.

What’s amazing about the 321go Team, is they were the “crowd” in my “Rocky movie story”, cheering me on with words, ideas, education, and so many resources to encourage me to get back up and continue fighting! They were my Micky saying, “You can do it ROCKO”.

“You can do it Mel!”

Having someone believe in you, believe in your mission, your heart, your fight and struggle makes all the difference. It’s the difference between having the strength to get up and throw another punch, to dig deeper, punch harder, with precision; or giving up.

“It ain’t about how hard you get hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”

We are all going to take hits in this life. But only you can choose to get back up again.

If you find yourself like I was, deep in a pit, struggling, and losing hope, here are some tips to help you get back up:

1. Remember your Why.

Take a day off, shut off your phone, have a good cry, and remember why you started your business. If you aren’t sure, there are so many resources available to help you even determine what your WHY is? (Start With Why – Simon Sinek, is a great one) Biggest thing you MUST do, is allow yourself to have vision. Without vision, you’ll go nowhere. You may find in this process, that you determine you are more of a wantrepreneur instead of an entrepreneur. It’s ok, you’re not a failure. You’re a great person who loves what you do. There is no shame, only opportunity to put your focus on what you should be doing.

When you remember your WHY, write it down where you can see it every day! Let it be a reminder daily, since life will continue to happen. You’ll need to see it.

2. Find a mentor.

I get it, asking for help isn’t easy. It takes humility, and if you’ve gotten this far, what do you have to lose? 321GoProject was my lighthouse and I can’t say enough amazing things about how they’ve helped me grow as an owner and person. But I know there are more options out there. Find that mentor or accountability partner who can stand by you and offer direction when your vision isn’t clear. Ask questions and seek wise council.

Then take action. Good intentions don’t equal action. If you want change, you have to take action.

3. Think outside the Box.

It’s ok to try new things. Don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t work, try something different. Don’t get down on yourself. Chalk it up, give yourself grace, and keep moving forward.

4. Perfectionism is your enemy.

Waiting until something is perfect is unreasonable. You can analyze something until you become paralyzed, then nothing will get done. Yes, you want to do it right… I get it, but don’t let that need to be perfect stop you from getting anything accomplished.

5. Delegate everything you can.

Make a list of everything you can delegate to someone else (whether it’s one of your coaches, a member of your gym, or outsourcing it). If that’s cleaning your gym, coaching every class, programming, website work, whatever, lessen your plate on the stuff “In” the business so you can focus “On” growing the business. Sure there will be costs, but the return is more than worth it.

6. Know your finances.

I cannot state the importance of this enough. If you’re not operating with a budget, if you don’t know some basic financial numbers for your business how do you expect to grow? You have to know where you are now, in order to move forward. If finances aren’t your thing, get help. The HUB has awesome resources to get you started. Get a bookkeeper, do something to learn about the financial state of your business. Then and only then, can you assess a plan to move forward and grow.

7. Lastly… Take care of you.

If you’re burnt out, barely keeping your head above water because you’re doing everything yourself, there is hope. If you’re not paying yourself, that has to stop today! Yes be reasonable, but if you don’t take care of you, how in the world are you being a good role model for your members at your gym? Seems harsh to say, but it’s so important to hear it. Taking care of you also means saying no to other things, getting your workouts in, getting adequate nutrition (instead of living off of protein shakes or bars), hydration (not talking about coffee here), of course sleep, and finally the biggy… de-stress. Your members are watching you, and you can’t lead from an empty tank. So find an outlet to let stress go, do something fun, laugh more, (even if it’s forced), and do what you need to do to be the best version of you every day.

The biggest thing I can tell you as a business owner, is by doing the work – digging your heels in deep and being resilient to continue on your journey – you will see dividends, both literally and figuratively. You’ll have a bigger impact on others, smile more, and feel so much better. It will not be easy, but when you surround yourselves with like-minded people who hold you accountable, inspire you, and help you move out of your comfort zone, amazing things happen.

Do you hear that? Listen. (Cue the Rocky theme music).

Do you hear your name being chanted? Do you hear their belief in you?

Now is the time for you to believe in yourself, and Get Up! Just like in a WOD, just like when you’re coaching your athletes to keep going, you can do this, just keep moving.

If I can do it, anyone can.

~Mel Smith, info@3peakscrossfit.com
Owner, 3 Peaks CrossFit in Madras, OR

Want more help with this? Check out Hub. This month, we’re focused on helping Hubsters get found online and getting reviews is just one piece of that. For only $10 for the first month, you can get your online “house” in order.

Also… if you haven’t registered yet for the 1st Annual Gym Owner’s Growth Summit, do so today!!  It’s FREE and it’s 3 days of content from some of the greatest minds in our industry!!

The post How One Gym Owner Went From Burnout to Thriving appeared first on 321GoProject.

How many reviews are there? Have they primarily been given 5 stars… or 1-2 stars? If they have mostly 4-5 stars, what do people love about it? And, if there are 1-2 star ratings, what are their biggest complaints?

If there are no ratings and reviews, what are your thoughts? You’re most likely a little leary to purchase, aren’t you? If no one else is trying it, you probably will keep looking for another product that someone else testifies is good, or (hopefully) amazing.

Ratings and reviews – good, bad, or non-existent – can make or break a business.

Customers trust other people’s opinion in today’s social media saturated world more than they trust what a brand says about themselves.

In 2015, BrightLocal released the findings of their Local Consumer Review Survey. They found that 92% of people said they read reviews to determine the quality of a local business before visiting a business. NINETY-TWO PERCENT.

So, what does that mean for you?

If you don’t have a lot of reviews all saying how amazing someone’s experience is at your place of business, chances are you are losing people, and probably a lot of them.

Here are a few other statistics that communicate the importance of online reviews:

Reviews matter. And they matter a lot.

So, given that, here are a few things that are key to know and remember:

1. Volume of reviews you have – many customers form an opinion after only reading a few reviews, but they want to at least know that there are many similar reviews just like the ones they read.
2. All on the same day – Google doesn’t look favorably on all your reviews happening around the same time frame. Spread them out and consistently ask for reviews. Sort your members alphabetically and reach out to the A-E’s the first week, then F’J’s the following, etc.
3. Incentivize – You certainly don’t have to incentivize your members to leave you a review, but it wouldn’t hurt, would it? You can enter them in a raffle for a $25 credit to your retail, or a $5 giftcard to Starbucks, etc. For drop-in’s, you can offer them a 2nd drop-in for free if they leave you a review. Their efforts will be well worth the investment you spend. 
4. Reviews impact your search ranking – Google likes it when a business has a bunch of reviews so they will use these to rank you higher in searches.
5. New customers will pay more for highly rated products or services – You know as well as I do if you read awesome positive reviews about a product, you are more willing to open up your wallet.
6. Have reviews on different platforms – The main platforms to have a healthy dose of glowing reviews are Google and Facebook, but it never hurts to have a good handful of positive reviews on Yelp as well.
7. Make it “stupid simple” for people to leave a review – Use our template to help people with the review-leaving process. The less clicks they have to do, the more likely they’ll actually leave you a review.

We cannot understate the importance of getting at least 35-50 positive reviews, spread out over the course of time. The more, the better. Invest time in this and it will pay you back in dividends.

Want more help with this? Check out Hub. This month, we’re focused on helping Hubsters get found online and getting reviews is just one piece of that. For only $10 for the first month, you can get your online “house” in order.

Also… if you haven’t registered yet for the 1st Annual Gym Owner’s Growth Summit, do so today!!  It’s FREE and it’s 3 days of content from some of the greatest minds in our industry!!

The post Why Customer Reviews Are So Important To Your Business appeared first on 321GoProject.

If you ask the majority of small business owners how well their website is performing in online searches, most don’t have a clue. But, it’s important to remind you that if you’re not getting found when people are looking, you’ve thrown good money after bad when you invested in your website. One of the main points of a website is to market to your potential leads, so if you’re not showing up, your website is like a dull blade.

Each month we release new content in Hub. For August, the content is all about Local SEO and Getting Found Online. And you can check it out for only $10 for the first month.

Here’s a sneak peak into the content you’d have access to once in there…

INTRODUCTION

Everybody wants to show up on the first page of Google, right? Of course! It makes no sense to have a website that doesn’t get viewed. But, the truth is, not many gyms are showing up in those prime spots. Why? Because no one really know how to make it happen.

Is this you?

• Not 100% sure if your Google Places page is optimized.
• Not sure where you rank on Google for the keywords you want to rank for and definitely not sure how to take actionable steps to increase their ranking.
• Not clear on the key drivers that affect your ability to rank higher.

This month, we’re committed to walking with you in helping you understand what it takes to get your website found.

GAME PLAN FOR AUGUST

GSD 1: Watch the “Local SEO 100: Introduction” course (Approx 29 minutes)
GSD 2: Watch the “SEO 101: Get Your Website Fit” course (Approx 52 minutes)
GSD 3: Watch the “SEO 200 Part 1: Understanding Citations and Reviews” course (Approx 41 minutes)
GSD 4: Watch the “SEO 200 Part 2: Link Building Tactics for Gym Owners” course (Approx 40 minutes)
GSD 5: By the end of the month, make sure your gym’s Google My Business Listing is 100% optimized based off the course. Use the “Hub Google My Business Checklist” pdf for reference
GSD 6: Have a plan in place to get at least 8 new Google reviews each month

By the end of this month, you should:

1. Have completed the “Local SEO 100: Introduction” course
2. Have completed the “SEO 101: Get Your Website Fit” course 
3. Have completed the “SEO 200 Part 1: Understanding Citations and Reviews” course
4. Have completed the “SEO 200 Part 2: Link Building Tactics for Gym Owners” course
5. Confirm you have your Google My Business Listing page setup properly
6. Have an ongoing plan to get at least 8 Google reviews per month

For only $10, you could work through this Game Plan and have confidence that your potential leads are finding you when and where they are looking online. Check it out today!

Also… if you haven’t registered yet for the 1st Annual Gym Owner’s Growth Summit, do so today!!  It’s FREE and it’s 3 days of content from some of the greatest minds in our industry!!

The post How To Be Sure You Are Showing Up Online When Potential Leads Are Searching appeared first on 321GoProject.

One of the greatest mistakes I see among gyms starting out with Facebook ads is that they’re using an old approach to advertising on a very modern platform.

Advertising has had a major upgrade with the development of Facebook’s ad platform. This new channel also requires a new approach.

Here are the key ways that Facebook differs from traditional print advertising, and how you can upgrade your approach to get the most from your ad dollars!

Facebook lets you target a very specific audience

I’ve seen gyms take a wrong turn by using their printed flyer designs as Facebook ads.

Don’t do this.

Your flyers are probably designed for mass appeal. You’re handing them out at coffee shops and posting them in areas of high visibility. Your goal is to get as many eyeballs as possible to see it.

Not so with Facebook. It’s the key advantage, really. You can get so specific with who you’re targeting, it’s actually a little creepy.

So if you are targeting young, pregnant mothers in a 10 mile radius around Boston who want a safe way to stay fit during the duration of their pregnancy…make sure that you’re speaking to them in your ad copy! Speak directly to their concerns and offer a specific solution.

Facebook ads create a two way street for communication

In the old days, advertising was about broadcasting a message to as many people as possible. It was a megaphone.

The only engagement you would get on a billboard was graffiti.

But when you’re running Facebook ads in a newsfeed, you’re giving your target audience a voice to respond. Sure, you’ll get some “graffiti”. But you can scrub it off pretty easily with your keyboard’s delete button.

The takeaway here is that if you’re running Facebook ads for your gym, be ready to standby and participate in the comments section of the ads.

You’ve been given an awesome opportunity in the comments to overcome objections, be helpful, and show that you’re a real human being, not some heartless brand.

I’d recommend downloading the Facebook page manager app on iOS or Android to quickly respond to comments in real-time. Strike while the iron is hot!

Facebook ads are engineered to be shareable

Except for a funny Super Bowl commercial, when was the last time a friend shared an advertisement with you?

We’ve said it already, the old model of advertising depends on getting as many eyeballs as possible and at any cost. They are an interruption and provide little value. So why would anyone share them?

Friends don’t like to spam each other, but they do like to share helpful content.

Facebook makes it easy for you to get its users doing the hard work for you of finding the right potential new members. It’s common for people on Facebook to tag friends in the comments or even share your ad to their feed.

The cool thing about Facebook is that when people share or tag friends in your ad it boosts the “organic” reach, which is really just a fancy way of saying that you get in front of more people for less cost (thanks, Zuck!).

When your ads get engagement like this, Facebook rewards you with a lower cost-per-click and they won’t charge you for the people who see your ad thanks to a friend sharing it.

So what does that mean for your ad creative?

First of all, don’t be afraid to write long ad texts, as if you were writing a mini blog post. We’ve seen these long-form ads work quite well, particularly because they more closely resemble helpful content vs. ads and users feel more comfortable sharing them.

Tell a story about one of your members. Write in detail about the struggle between wanting to get fit while lacking the discipline to do it alone. Build empathy.

Second, you should outright tell people to tag and share. We’re an incredibly obedient species, particularly when we’re passively scrolling through the newsfeed!

Try something like this for your next challenge: “Tag a friend who should take on this 6 week challenge with you!”

Remember, a new platform requires a new approach.

Be bold. Experiment. And most importantly, don’t give up after running one campaign!

If you need more help with setting up Facebook ads, we’ve created a Hub course specifically geared toward walking a gym owner step-by-step of creating and launching quality ads. Check out Hub for only $10 for the first month!

The post How Gyms Can Get More From Their Facebook Ads appeared first on 321GoProject.

Your landing page has one rule. To get people to take ONE action, not multiple.

If you ask visitors to do a lot of things, most of the time visitors leave doing nothing. That’s not good.

In the past few weeks, we shared some solid info on creating the best conversion landing pages.

Today, we want to share the 12 Things to AVOID on your landing page:

1. Assumptions: Don’t make them. Put yourself in their shoes. Try to anticipate their questions, then answer them. Clearly and simply.
2. Too much copy. Keep it simple and to the point. Typically, your main goal is to get them in the door. It won’t happen with too much content. Guaranteed. We all lead very busy lives. We are skimmers of content. Make it easy to do just that.
3. No Popups on your landing page. Very important. Don’t distract your visitor by giving them another option.
4. Doesn’t load quickly. Make sure your landing page loads within a couple seconds. People will leave if they have to wait long.
5. Cluttered Design. Simplicity is key to good design. Remember white space, less copy, and a good photo supporting your Call To Action.
6. No business logo on your landing page. Don’t forget to make sure your gym logo is on the landing page. Visitors need to make sure they are in the right place. This is overlooked often.
7. Social media icons on your landing page. You may think you want them on your page, but the last thing you want is to give visitors a reason to click away from your website. Remove them.
8. Boring or Long Headline. You will lose visitors so fast if the first thing they read or see is something super long and bland. This is probably the most important part of your landing page. Spend time getting this right.
9. Your photo doesn’t match your offer. The goal here is for anyone to look at your photo and tell what the offer is. We’ve also found video works even better. Grab your iPhone and create a short 1-3 minute video highlighting your offer so people can see your personality and spend more time engaging on your landing page.
10. Not mobile friendly. I know this sounds like a given, but you’d be surprised how many people think of this after it’s too late.
11. No social proof. It’s one thing for you as the gym owner to talk about your offer, it’s another to have other people who have had previous success with your service or product. This third party validation works so much better. To do this, include a short one sentence testimonial with a headshot and name attached.
12. Using the word, “Submit” on your form. Don’t recommend it. Make your button action oriented, something like, Schedule your Free Consult or Download your Free Ebook.

As we round out our month focusing on creating solid landing pages and Facebook ads that produce leads, remember these articles are just a taste of what our Hub offers on a monthly basis. We dive in much deeper and provide you with a community of peers and experts who are ready and willing to answer your questions so you take these principles and apply them to your gym.

Need help with your landing pages, marketing or website?  It’s what we’ve been doing in this industry for 6+ years and we’ve helped 1,000+ gyms. Schedule a free call with us at your convenience by clicking on this link. We look forward to talking with you!

Want to read more about Landing Pages?

How to Create a Solid, Converting Landing Page

Help! I Don’t Understand Landing Pages.

The post 12 Big Things to AVOID on a Landing Page appeared first on 321GoProject.

Landing pages are an important element in the marketing of your business.

But how do you know where to start? What makes a rock solid, lead generating landing page vs. just more noise on the internet that doesn’t convert?

In a previous article, we defined what a landing page is and walked through a crash course in Landing Pages 101. In this blog post, we’re going to dive into the components you should have in any landing page you create.

The thing about landing pages is that there isn’t an exact science on how to create them. You ask ten people, you’re likely to get ten different answers. Include this, don’t include that. But there are a few guidelines that have become industry standard. This month, in our Hub online learning platform, we published a complete course on Landing Pages. It walks you through the basics, the how to’s, and the steps by steps of creating your own landing pages that convert.

So, let’s dive in… what are the different aspects we suggest you include when creating a landing page? Check out this infographic and see corresponding numbers explained on either side. 

Once you build your landing page, ask yourself these questions:

• Is your content short and compelling (good headline, short content, benefit bullet points)?
• Are you using simple language your readers will understand?
• Is it crystal clear what action you want the reader to take?
• Would you be interested in what you are offering? Is the experience a good one?
• Can they easily reach out to you and get a quick response back if they have questions?

Need help with your landing pages, marketing or website?  It’s what we’ve been doing in this industry for 6+ years and we’ve helped 1,000+ gyms. Schedule a free call with us at your convenience by clicking on this link. We look forward to talking with you!

The post How To Create a Solid, Converting Landing Page appeared first on 321GoProject.

Your mid-year review.

How is it that many of us do a check up on our cars, our lawnmowers, our bodies, and our A/C units… but not on our businesses? Our business is our livelihood, and possibly the livelihood of many others, but we rarely take the time to make sure we’re on the right track for growth.

SO… we’re at the middle of the year, the end of Q2, the close of H1 (half 1). The question that begs to be answered is…

How has your year been so far?

You probably started out 2017 with high hopes. This year is going to be different. This year, I’m going to get sh!t done. I’m going to get organized, put systems in place, hire a coach or 3, set up the Profit First system, find and work with a good mentor, raise rates, get a new website done, change member management systems, or any other number of things you had on your “list” of goals.

That is, if you even took time to write out your goals and create a plan.

We use GPS tools, and directions, and recipes because, in life, we need a plan. We need to know where we’re headed and what our final destination is.

Why is it then, that many small business owners go through their days without a plan? WIthout any reflection, except to beat themselves up for not doing better?

Most people probably know they should do some sort of reflection on what has been, but many just don’t know how – they don’t know what to review and evaluate.

Whether you own a gym that has 500 members or you just opened your doors 6 months ago, setting some time aside to reflect will serve your business – and you – well.

There are 3 basic groups of people reading this blog:

1. You created a plan/goals and are right on track (or doing better) than where you thought you would be.
2. You created a plan/goals and then well, basically forgot about it, and are frustrated because you’re not further along than you had hoped.
3. You didn’t create a plan at all so you’ve taken each day as it has come.

If you’re in group #1, huge congratulations. We have a significant number of our clients like this in our private Facebook group. They are crushing it and seeing big, positive changes in their business. They have been differentiating themselves from the competition and their progress has been exciting to follow. But, even if this is you, you should take pause and reflect so that Half 2 is even better than Half 1.

If you’re in group #2 or #3, it’s not too late to create a plan and accomplish big things in 2017. You’ve likely heard the quote “if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you will keep getting what you’ve always got.” So, put a stake in the ground that enough is enough. No more flying by the seat of your pants. Like you tell your athletes, the disciplined see the results. Mark this day as the beginning of your next 6 months.

So what’s involved in a mid-year review?

First, get away from your gym. Take a couple of hours to a half day (half day is ideal), bring a notebook/pen or computer, and go to a coffee shop, or park, or favorite cafe. Just be sure to pick a place that puts you in a good mood where you can be creative and think. Turn off your phone and email, and just be still. Be with you. Prepare yourself to sit with your progress, hopes, fears, successes, shortcomings, and desire for more and better.

Second, ask yourself a simple question… “Am I happy with what’s been accomplished so far this year?”  Write your answer down. 

Third, pull out your list of goals that you created in December or January, if you have them, and review. Here are some questions to ponder: 1) do you have a plan, or are you winging it? 2) are you on track with your goals? 3) how far do you have to go, and how will you get there?

Fourth, examine these key components of your business with a few questions to get you started:

• Systems and Processes – What % of yours are documented and followed? Which ones are you going to complete in the next 6 months?
• Cash Flow and Budget – How are you doing in terms of revenue and, even more importantly, profit?  Are you on track to meet your desired income by year end, or are you falling short? Do you need to raise your rates? Have you set up the Profit First system?
• Marketing and Members – Do you have a event/marketing calendar in place? What’s your retention rate? Do you need more members, or do you need to charge more or reduce your expenses?   

Fifth, wrap it up by thinking about you over these last 6 months. Are you working too many hours? …or not enough? Are you giving your family, significant other, friends, etc. your best? Are you excited about your business, or facing burnout? Again, write this down.

Sixth, depending on your answers to the above, answer these questions: How can you improve things? Where can you see quick wins, and where are the longer term plays that will move your business forward?  Create your plan. 

Finally, treat yourself. Buy yourself lunch, or dinner, or a beer prior to heading back to work.

Need help?

If you want to take this a step further, and you’re serious about constant improvement in your business, check out our online learning platform, Hub. In it, we provide a detailed Business Check Up course with a scoring rubric. It will show you exactly where you are and where you can improve to further professionalize your business. Check it out (for free!) today!

Got questions? We’d love to hear from you!  Just reach out to julie@321GoProject.com or schedule an appointment to chat with us by clicking on this link.

The post 7 Steps to Completing a Mid-Year Review… It’s Time to Take Your Business Pulse appeared first on 321GoProject.

But… what if you have no idea what “landing page” really even means?

We’re here to help. For the month of July, our blog articles will follow the theme that we’re focused on in Hub – Landing Pages and Paid Ads.

So let’s break down the basics first of Landing Pages and create a foundation for the weeks to come.

In this article, we’ll talk about 3 things: 1) What is a landing page? 2) How is it different from a home page or another page on your website? and, 3) What is a landing page used for?

Then, in following articles, we’ll get deeper into the world of landing pages and paid ads, so that you feel like you have enough of an education to be dangerous to start creating your own landing pages.

What is a Landing Page?

First, let’s define it. A landing page is a single web page that allows you to get visitor’s information through a form they fill out. This form is called a lead-capture form or a conversion form. This form is on a stand alone page that is designed for a specific marketing campaign and purpose.

So, for example, you have an e-book on your website, similar to this:

The purpose of the e-Book is to capture someone’s name and email address, while providing something valuable that an ideal client would want. So, when they click on “Claim the Free Guide”, it takes them to this landing page where you will capture their info prior to sending them their e-Book. You now have their name and email address so you can follow up.

This image above represents a Landing Page, not a page on your website. A page designed to capture information and track who is downloading your content.

A good landing page targets a specific audience, inviting them to download a piece of content, or take advantage of a free trial, or provide them with something that is of value to them. Creating a landing page, instead of sending them directly to your website, allows you to target your ideal client, offer them something of value, and convert a higher number of visitors into leads, while getting their contact information so you can see what they clicked on, and then follow up.

How is a Landing Page Different from a Home Page or Another Page on Your Website?

A home page is designed for exploration so that the potential client can learn more about you. It has a general purpose… to lead someone to other pages on your site so they can get a picture and feel of your business prior to coming to check you out.

A landing page has one purpose, and one purpose alone. And that is to provide one call to action. “Join our challenge.” “Download this e-Book.” “Schedule a Call.”

What is a Landing Page Used For?

A landing page can accomplish any number of goals related to a specific marketing campaign and the growth of your business. Here are a few of those goals:

To generate leads. It is far easier to generate leads by providing one special offer that appeals to your target audience.

To understand your potential client’s demographic information. It’s important to know where your leads are coming from, what is of most interest to them, and what are their pain points.

To test and provide insight into which offers are most effective. Tracking online traffic data is critical for any savvy business owner. You need to know what works, who’s clicking, and what you need to change in order to convert more sales.

To create focus and clarity. Having landing pages removes distractions. Your homepage and other pages on your website offer many options – click here, go there – but a landing page culls it down to one offer.

To force visitors to make a decision. When a visitor gets to your landing page, they only have one decision. Fill out their info, or move on.

Business aren’t utilizing landing pages enough.

Many businesses think it makes sense to just drive traffic to your website, but in today’s world, that’s definitely not the best strategy.

A successful landing page turns an online visitor into a paying customer. And that’s our goal, right?

In Hub this month we’ve launched a course that takes you through the a to z of setting up Landing Pages. Check it out today!

The post Help! I Don’t Understand Landing Pages. appeared first on 321GoProject.

The reason this is true is because of the simple fact that, according to a study done by 3M, our human brains process images about 60,000 times faster than we process text. What this means is people will come onto your site and in an instant decide whether (or not) they want to stay.

The images you choose are what makes the potential customer feel connected to you or sends them clicking over to your competitor.

Given the fact that one of our specialities at 321GoProject is building dynamic websites, we’ve seen a lot of websites – the good, the amazing, and the downright terrible. We want to help you make sure your website doesn’t fall into that latter camp.

One big initial mistake people make is they choose images that depict their business rather than choosing images that appeal to their ideal customer. In the gym industry, this would look like featuring a picture of your gym on your homepage rather than one of happy people working out. As proud of your gym as you may be, it’s just not what a potential customer cares about most.

They want to know they’ll fit in there.

They want to know how your gym can impact the change they want to see in themselves.

If they choose you, will they be happier? Will they be fitter? Will they be sexier? Will they be stronger to do the things outside that they want?

This is what should be portrayed on your homepage. And this is done through featuring people who have found these results. 

What motivates people to buy what you are selling is a deep need to fix an internal problem.

They don’t feel good about themselves for one reason or another – they can’t fit in their clothes, they feel insecure, they feel themselves getting older and weaker, they aren’t what they “used to be”, they feel out of control, or any host of other reasons.

Your goal on your website is to offer hope that what they are looking for can be found if they sign up with you.

Remember – your website is not for you or for your members. It’s for those new people considering if they want to be a part of what you’re offering.

Almost every single affiliate or gym owner we’ve spoken with says what differentiates them is “community”. Ok, I get it… that’s truly great, but there are a couple immediate problems I see with that: 1) everyone claims that what makes them different is their community, and 2) if you’re not communicating on your website that fostering community really is a value of yours through the images you choose, then no one is going to believe your words.

Donald Miller lists 3 questions you should answer with every image you use:

• Does it add value or provide information? In the overwhelm of content we are exposed to everyday, people don’t just want to see pretty images, they want something that provides value.
• Does it make an emotional impact? The best images are those that elicit an emotional reactions.
• Does is show the transformation my product offers? Every image, especially on your homepage, should communicate what will happen if they use your product or service.

And then another thing to consider is which images you should not choose. If you’ve got any of these 4 types of images on your site, it’s time to do some serious renovating (or demolition/rebuild):

1. Stock photos – we all have the ability to recognize a bad stock photo a mile away. They are generally dull and well, stock-photo-ish. An exception would be the gym specific stock photos you get access to in Hub.
2. Crowd shots – it’s far better to use a close-up image that has a single point of focus. Group shots can tend to be boring if there’s not one single main subject to focus on. 
3. Poor quality images – it would be better if you didn’t have any images at all (and that’s not a good option) than if you include over-pixelated, low res pictures.
4. Images that people can’t relate to – for those people who don’t yet understand the world of CrossFit, it will be virtually impossible to relate to grimacing workout photos. You want them to see the positive emotional results, not the pain in the process.

Here’s an example. Check out both images below and determine which one image appeals to you more.

The 1st picture is okay – it’s crisp and clean, she’s fit, focused, working out, but there’s not much emotion. The 2nd picture is a close up, she’s motivational, she’s loving what she’s doing, she’s inviting you into something bigger than yourself. That 2nd one would be a better choice every time.

The images you choose for your website matter.

We’ve said it before and we’ll continue to say it because it needs to be understood – in this day and age, your website is one of the best investments you can make into your business. Think about how you feel when you’re searching for a new product or service and you stumble onto an out-of- date website. You probably don’t stick around long. Be careful that you’re not losing potential members because you’re unwilling to make the investment into a solid website.

Need help?  We’d love to chat. Just use this link to schedule a call with us at your convenience.

Want To Read More About Websites?

Everything You Need To Know About Building a New Website

Does Your Website Include These 9 Essential Elements?

5 Reasons A Good Website So Important

7 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Build Your Own Website

The Real Reasons People Click On Your Website

6 Quick & Easy Tips To Improve Your Website

Is Your Website Helping Or Hurting You? Find Out With Our Free Website Audit Tool

So What Exactly Does A Responsive Website Mean?

The post One Way to Dramatically Improve Your Website appeared first on 321GoProject.

Recently, we went out for a night on the town and, as has become our routine, we called an Uber. The Uber driver checked all the usual boxes: was nice, had a clean car, got us there safely, played decent music, etc. A significant improvement from a typical taxi, but nothing special.

As the night came to a close, we called another Uber driver to take us home. We got in the minivan expecting the usual experience but really, at that point, only needing the bare minimum… just get us home safely.

What we stepped into was an experience we will never forget.

Our driver, Wyel, greeted us as we got in and immediately as the doors closed, turned on Journey – Don’t Stop Believing. “Good choice!”, we said. Then, seeing we’d play along, he cranked up his sound system so that the music filled every corner of the car. “Oh yeah, this is awesome!”, we said to each other through an approving look. He then proceeded to turn on under-seat, multi-colored lighting that changed with the beat. “Whaaat?? This is ah-mazing!” We had just enough liquid courage in us to sing along with him at the top of our lungs. He proceeded to start singing and playing air drums like it was his job. He then turned around and invited us into this experience even further by handing us a karaoke mic. “C’mon… is this real?!?!” I took the mic as though I’d been invited on stage and sang like my life depended on it. In an instant, I.became.Steve Perry.

Never, until this moment, did I care about an Uber ride ending. But when Wyel pulled up to our house, we secretly wanted him to keep driving. Our voices were just getting warmed up.

As we got out of the car, he handed us a business card that described him as simply, “The Uber Man”. Of course you are, we thought.

We walked away changed. That experience raised the bar for every other Uber driver. And we have told this story certainly more than once to all our friends.

This got me thinking about how important it is to differentiate yourself. In Charleston, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Uber drivers. And we’ve used a bunch of them. They are all doing their job, no doubt, but they don’t stand out.

Wyel stood out.

There are three basic responses a client can have to your service:

• Disappointed – they get less than what they expected
• Satisfied  – they get what they expected
• Wow’d – they get more than what they expected

Only at two of the levels will you be talked about to their friends – when they are disappointed in you and when you wow them. If you Uber me home safe, I’m probably not going to tell anyone about you, or really even remember you because you did just what was expected. But, if you play Journey at a club volume level, put on multi-colored lights and hand me a mic, now I’m talking…

Many of you reading this are in an area saturated with competition. Not only are you having to compete with other CrossFit gyms, but also with all the other fitness places out there, as well as online fitness programs. It’s a tough world to win in unless… you stand out.

Here are a few lessons I learned from Wyel on wow’ing customers and being memorable:

• • Think about what your customers really want – while I do want a safe ride home, what would be awesome (and something I probably don’t even know I want) is an experience, something to tell a story about.
  • Make them feel like a hero – in that moment, the moment of them receiving your service, they are the ones who have to feel like they matter. When he handed me that mic, the hero spotlight felt like it was shining bright on me.
  • It doesn’t take much – I checked on Amazon and, for less than $50, Wyel’s minivan became a mobile rockin’ party.
  • It’s often just the little things – know their name, smile at them, ask questions to show interest, follow up, answer your phone, have spotless bathrooms, etc.
  • It’s all about the relationship – once you have a good product (and that’s important first because if you don’t have a good product, they won’t trust you), go out of your way to invest in the relationship.

We’ve created a course in Hub that’s called “How to Create Wow Experiences”. It’s specific to the gym industry, gives you practical tips and ideas, and walks you through evaluating and improving each client touchpoint. In it, we help you unpack every step of a client’s journey (see image below). 

In the meantime, no need to get overwhelmed thinking you need to change everything all at once. Just pick one thing you offer and begin to layer in the wow.

And see if people don’t start talking.

Your goal?

Make them feel like Steve Perry, if only for a minute, and just give them something (good) to talk about.

The post How To Know If You’re Standing Out From The Competition appeared first on 321GoProject.

As we talked about in last week’s blog post, your website is the online version of your gym so it’s not a decision you should make without careful consideration.

Maybe you’ve asked some of these same questions… “Should I save the money and build it myself with a plug-n-play service like SquareSpace or Wix?”; “Should I hire a friend/family member/gym member?”; or “Should I invest the money and go with the well-known professional option?”.  It’s hard to know as a gym owner how much you should pay for your website, who you should hire, and what you actually need for your website to do it’s job well. With so many expenses going out the door, it’s easy to want to cut costs wherever possible, and a website is no exception.

Problem is, many people decide on a website service company only “hoping” they’ve made the right decision. But as you’ve likely heard before, hope is never a strategy. And the honest truth is – as with most things in life – when it comes down to having a solid, performing website, you get what you pay for.

Full disclosure, one of the things we do well is create websites… really strong, dynamic, cutting edge websites for the CrossFit and gym industry. But we are just one option you have. So, this is an honest, no salesy attempt at giving you a guide when making your website service provider decision.

Let’s look at your options with pros and cons. Then, fwiw, we’ll give our opinion on each based on our experience.

#1 – Build it Yourself with a Plug-n-Play Tool

Pros: inexpensive; quick; learn something new; sense of accomplishment; flexibility to make changes whenever you want

Cons: time consuming; doesn’t work properly; hard to know if you’ve done it right; little SEO integration (your website needs to actually show up when people search); may look unprofessional; will eventually need an experienced professional; low upfront costs, high long-term costs

Our down and dirty opinion: Simply put, a website is too important a tool to build yourself if you have limited to no experience. The plug-n-play options are quick and easy, and cheap, but much like stopping at McDonald’s for lunch… even though it’s cheap and easy, it offers very little value.

#2 – Hire a Family Member/ Friend/ Gym Member to Build Your Website for You

Pros: potentially less expensive upfront costs; they know you and you trust them

Cons: if you’re paying less, you’re most likely not a high priority to them, therefore, typically is a longer timeline to launch;they may or may not understand the CrossFit industry; hard to “fire” them

Our down and dirty opinion: It’s always tricky to hire someone you know well. It becomes hard to push them to meet timelines when you know they have other things going on and they’re cutting you a break on costs. Expectations are high and the ability to “fire” them without significantly harming the relationship, typically goes out the window. If you choose this option, make sure you spell out all expectations very clearly in writing.

#3 – Hire a Designer to Build Your Website for You

Pros: website will look pretty; you won’t have to struggle with learning to do it yourself

Cons: will cost you more; may have little to no back-end capabilities

Our down and dirty opinion: Your website is not and should not just be a pretty front door; the purpose of your website is to sell something! Be sure the company you hire understands the real purpose of your website. Here’s how you know a good website… when visiting it, do you say “wow, that’s a cool website”, or “man, I want to buy that product or service.”

#4 – Hire a Professional Website Company to Build Your Site

Pros: establishes your professionalism as a gym; access to a professional who can create landing pages, add content, create code, manage backend, etc.; stay up-to-date with technological changes; all security, hosting, daily backups, maintenance are done for you so you can have peace of mind; confidence that your website is a powerful tool that works for you 24 hours a day; can fire them if they are not performing as expected

Cons: will most likely be a bigger initial financial investment than any of the other options (but will save you money in the long-term by being set-up correctly and attracting business)

Our down and dirty opinion: Of course given all the pro’s and con’s of all the options this would be our recommended choice for you. Your website is too important a tool to pursue in a half-hearted manner. Whether you choose us, or another company, just make sure you ask (and feel comfortable with) the answers to the questions below before making a decision and hiring them.

11 questions to ask when considering hiring someone to build your website:

1. How long has the company been in business? How many websites have they built? Any company who’s been building websites for 5+ years has ample experience to build you a great site. You want to know that they have a long list of satisfied customers, and that your experience with them will be no different.
2. Do they understand the fitness, specifically the CrossFit, industry? Any design firm can build a website… what you want is someone who knows the intricacies of the industry.
3. What’s their reputation in the CrossFit industry – have people heard of them and do they have good things to say about them? Are other people who’ve used them pleased with the level of service they’ve received/are receiving?  You want your website/marketing company to be tried and true and working with satisfied customers.
4. Do you like their business website and is it easy to understand/navigate? If not, this is a big red flag.
5. Are they creative, or is your site a theme that’s going to look just like the guy/girl’s down the street if they use the same company? Your potential member is going to search all websites in your area. You want yours to stand out from the crowd, not be a mirror image of your competition’s website.
6. Is it easy to get in touch with their support team? Do they respond quickly? If it’s hard to get ahold of them prior to hiring them, just think what it’ll be like once they “have” you on the hook.
7. Do you have access to make changes to the website yourself? Without this, you are at their mercy to make any and all changes to your site.
8. If you leave them, do you get to keep your website? This is a BIG factor to consider. You invest a good amount of money, your site should be yours and not their “proprietary” possession.
9. How do they keep your site up-to-date with all the rapid changes in technology? Do they keep your site current, or is it one and done? For example, find out if they provide a new site (at no extra charge) every 2-3 years… this is important.
10. Can your site integrate with your member management system? Do they know how to configure the API so that the different systems talk with one another?
11. Do you like them/enjoy talking with them? You need to work closely with the company for at least 6-8 weeks, if you don’t enjoy conversation with them, you won’t be as motivated to be involved in the process.

Gone are the days when you can get away with a mediocre website. The industry is changing so rapidly and becoming more “professional” every day that in order to keep up and outpace your competition, your website needs to be a powerful tool for growth.

If you don’t know where to turn, we can help. We’ll do a free website audit for you and answer any questions you might have. Use this link to schedule a call with us.

Want To Read More About Websites?

Does Your Website Include These 9 Essential Elements?

5 Reasons A Good Website So Important

7 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Build Your Own Website

The Real Reasons People Click On Your Website

6 Quick & Easy Tips To Improve Your Website

Is Your Website Helping Or Hurting You? Find Out With Our Free Website Audit Tool

So What Exactly Does A Responsive Website Mean?

The post Everything You Need to Know About Building a New Website appeared first on 321GoProject.

People will decide within 5-10 seconds if they want to give you their business… or not. Gone are the days where you can get away with an unprofessional website. If your site does not look solid and is easy to use, you are losing potential clients. Guaranteed.

We all know our website has a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. But most of us don’t give it the attention it needs to make sure it’s accomplishing its purpose.

This month our Hub and blog focus is all on websites. In last week’s blog post we provided 5 Reasons a Solid Website is Important. You have to know that it’s important to have a rock solid website before you’ll actually focus on yours to make it better.

In this blog post, we will walk through the essential elements of a strong lead-generating website and how to make sure each is included.

First things first, find someone you trust who will be completely honest with you. Now, have them do the “10 second test” on your website. The 10 second test involves answering these 4 questions:

• What is this site about? This can be communicated through logo, slogan, and the content copy you choose.
• Does it capture my interest? Is it an up-to-date design that seems well thought out? Do the images evoke some sort of emotion?
• What am I supposed to do? Is there a clear call to action (CTA)?
• Do I want to share this experience? Is it a compelling enough message that one of their first thoughts is to share it with someone else?

If your honest friend struggles to answer two or more of these, it’s likely time to revisit your site design.

Once you complete the 10 second test, dive a little deeper to see if your website includes these 9 essential elements:

1. Built for the first time visitor – You can’t convince them. They must convince themselves. Design is important, but words are what sells your services.
2. Has a captivating one-liner that describes the service you offer. This can be created by answering these 3 questions – “What is the problem most of your potential clients have?”, “What is the product/service you offer that solves their problem?, and “What’s the resolution your client will experience by using your service?”
3. Uses quality images of happy people. Your site should visually display what success looks like by coming to your gym. Capture those moments once someone feels like they fit in. high five, supportive, hanging out after the wod, mobility, outside the gym.
4. Tells success stories – people love to envision themselves in the stories of success that you tell.
5. Includes social proof – highlighting local, reputable companies you work with builds trust.
6. Is a good user experience, on both mobile and desktop. It’s unacceptable how many people still have not optimized their website for the mobile experience.
7. Has a clear CTA with an easy way to take the next step. Most sites are missing a CTA. Getting Started is not a CTA. Your CTA should be on every page.
8. Has scheduling software. Do you make it super simple for someone to schedule an appointment with you through your website?
9. Is decluttered. Less is more, remember main goal of building for first time visitor. People get confused with too many options. Avoid the curse of knowledge. Cut down on the number of pages.

How does your website measure up with this list?  If these essential elements aren’t included, you are losing leads… most likely every day.

A small investment into a solid website will pay you dividends in the future.

Here are two tools we have to help:

1. Access to Hub – this month in Hub, our focus is all about making sure you have a lead-generating website. 321Go Founder, Clay Weldon, has created an extensive video course with a checklist to walk you through the essentials of a solid website. For access to this course (and all of Hub), sign up for only $10 for your first month today! No strings attached or commitments needed… you like it, you stay; you don’t, you cancel.  
2. A FREE website audit. Click here to schedule a call with us and we’ll walk through your website with you to tell you the good components and the things you can improve to make it more effective.

Want to read more about websites? Check out these other posts we’ve written…

7 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Build Your Own Website

The Real Reasons People Click On Your Website

6 Quick & Easy Tips To Improve Your Website

Is Your Website Helping Or Hurting You? Find Out With Our Free Website Audit Tool

So What Exactly Does A Responsive Website Mean?

The post Does Your Website Include These 9 Essential Elements? appeared first on 321GoProject.

It’s no longer a nice-to-have. The way your site looks tells users whether they want to interact or do business with you or click away to your competition. Sure it’s great to have good equipment, and good software, and quality staff, but if you don’t have a good website you will lose leads, and probably a lot of them.

In talking with small business owners every day, we find that the majority either overspend or underspend when building their website, and many, if not most, have no idea how to make good, informed decisions when it comes getting a quality website. A handful of folks go with the most expensive option, because the company makes a lot of promises on the sales call, only to find out a several weeks in that they gotten sold a bill of over-promised and under-delivered goods. Or, when money is tight it sounds really appealing to go with the low-cost option – a friend or family member, or “someone from church”, or the cheapest service you can find when you Google – but rarely is this a good idea.

I recently bought an old pickup truck. Our budget for it was small, so we found one that fit the budget and excitedly wrote the check. And, then… the spending compounded. Four trips to the mechanic later, we ended up spending 3x the original price tag.

So it is with websites.

You can go with the cheapest option, but it will always cost you more in the long run.

In this blog post, we’ll talk about why a good website matters to your business. And then in the upcoming weeks, we’ll follow up with blog posts on what are the essential elements of a strong lead-generating website and how to make sure each is included, and what to look for when hiring a web design firm that won’t break the bank.

So, why does a good website matter?

• Your website is your online expression of who you are. It reflects your level of professionalism as a business owner. If your website is strong and solid, that communicates that you are doing well enough in your business to be able to afford a dynamic website. If it’s home-built and cobbled together and hasn’t been updated in years, that’s exactly the first impression you’ll make, and the “googler” will most likely (quickly) move on to your competitor.
• Your website can mean being chosen over the other guy/girl down the street. When someone is considering getting fit, they likely have lots of options in a gym within in a 10 mile radius. The majority of these people will begin a Google search. If they find you, and like what they see, you may gain their business. If you can’t be found or your competitor looks more reputable through his/her website, you’ll lose business, just because of your website.
• Your website can attract drop-ins. One of the first things people from out of town will do when looking for a place to workout, is do an online search. Again, if you have a solid site, they’ll choose you. If not, you’ll get passed over… every time.
• Your website provides accessibility to your business around the clock. Brick and mortar stores close, websites don’t. This means that your website is always open for business. So, when they’re out and about on their phone, your website can easily be viewed on the go. Or, at midnight, after they’ve just finished a pack of Oreo’s, be the one they are looking for to help them make a change. 
• Your website makes your product/service understandable. Many people have some serious misconceptions about the world of CrossFit. A good website can quickly dispel those fears and make you seem more approachable.

Considering that your website is one of your most important tools in getting people in your door, you’d do well to invest some time and thought into building a solid website and hiring the right people for the job.

But, be careful… there are a lot of website companies out there promising things they can’t (or don’t) deliver… either with little to no experience in the gym industry space, or who will charge you way too much for what you need. Be sure you know exactly what you’re looking for and what questions to ask before hiring someone to build you a website.

Having built close to 1,000 websites for gym owners, websites are one thing we specialize in. We’re happy to talk with you, just to answer any questions you may have. You can schedule a free call at your convenience by clicking on this link.

Want to read more about websites? Check out these other posts we’ve written…

7 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Build Your Own Website

The Real Reasons People Click On Your Website

6 Quick & Easy Tips To Improve Your Website

Is Your Website Helping Or Hurting You? Find Out With Our Free Website Audit Tool

So What Exactly Does A Responsive Website Mean?

The post 5 Reasons A Solid Website Is So Important appeared first on 321GoProject.

You fill in the blank. You’ve got that thing – maybe multiple things – weighing you down. Big time.

It’s got you really frustrated, so much so that it’s consuming your thoughts and making it hard for you to be productive.

Maybe your marriage is not what you thought it would be.

Maybe your kids are making bad decisions and you are worried about them.

Maybe your finances are putting incredible stress on you. The burden on your shoulders is heavy.

Maybe you are at a point in your life where you just thought it would be different… Better for sure.

Maybe your business, your baby, is eating you alive, or… maybe you just can’t seem to figure it out. Everybody else around you seems to be growing. Why the heck can’t something you are trying just work?

Life throws many things your way and you are expected to juggle them all. So what if you are not?

Are you depressed? Tired? Frustrated? Just plain worn out?

You are living on this roller coaster ride that you would gladly exit. One day is great, tomorrow not so much. The pattern is exhausting. You long for some consistency in your life.

If just this or that were different…

So, the big question for you:

Is it possible to “thrive despite” what you have going on?

This thought has been circling in my head for some time now. I am not going to lie. It’s been really rough for me as well. I am pretty sure you can relate. Sure, there have been many good things that have happened and are currently happening, but overall, its just been a tough consistent grind.

An entrepreneur’s road is certainly a lonely one.

You head out on a trip and drive a hundreds of miles without seeing a gas station. You begin to run on empty and become stressed and desperate.

Then you see it: off in the distance, a gas station, where you can fill up. A glimmer of hope. You make a stop.

The old guy behind the counter sees your frustration and tells you to head a different route where more gas stations are along the way. To fill up, get refreshed. You listen to his wise words and go in that direction.

You could have easily kept your initial route filled with more stress, big stretches between stops and refueling, but you don’t. You make a change. Something inside of you says enough of what’s not working.

So can we Thrive despite our circumstances? Can you Thrive despite your circumstances?? You tell me.

What if we stop blaming the people around us? Our wives, our kids, our families, our partners.

What if we take responsibility for our actions?

What if we go a different direction?

What if we decide to get up a little early and make sure our day is planned out?

What if we change our daily habits if they are not working for us?

What if we stop waiting for life to just happen to us, but meet each activity, person, loved one with a sense of purpose and positivity.

Your business is not where you want it be. You are tired, I get it.

So what’s your plan? No, seriously. What are you going to do to change it? I know you’ve tried many times, but it hasn’t worked. Ok, then time to do something different. Seek out help.

You can’t be successful alone. We weren’t meant to live this life alone. It’s too tough. Find people you trust and share your frustrations with them along with your successes.

Can we and will we thrive despite…? Yes, 100%. It’s about taking responsibility for your attitude and action.

You don’t have a good marriage? Stop blaming your spouse and worry about changing yourself. Your marriage may not improve, but you will. Guaranteed.

Are you working too much and don’t have time to spend with your kids? Change that pattern this week. Work will always be there. Your kids won’t. They need you. Start with blocking off 1-2 nights a week you will be home with them. Whatever it takes, make it happen. You will be empowered and will most likely affect other parts of your life.

Your business stalled? Not thriving? Ask yourself, will anyone else come in and rescue you because they love it as much as you do? Heck no. It’s your baby.

So you’ve got two options: Sell/Close it down OR put a stake in the ground today that from now on you will figure out what has to be done to grow.

It’s all about attitude and a burning desire for change.

I read this somewhere: A burning desire backed by faith simply means deeply, passionately wanting to get somewhere and knowing – not hoping, not wishing, but knowing that you will get there.

You’re at Point A. You want to get to Point B. It’s just the in between that you need to figure out.

Let me let you off the hook. You don’t have to go it alone. There are friends, coaches, services, around you that can help. We’re only one of them, but we’re definitely a good choice. The gas stations that are not so far apart on your journey, but can keep you refreshed, filled up.

The worse thing any of us want is to get to the end of our life and say, What if?

Surround yourself with people who have been where you are, experienced the struggles you are going through, and are Thriving Despite…

Want to see how we can help? Schedule a free call with us at your convenience here.

The post Thriving Despite… appeared first on 321GoProject.

You just can’t seem to break through some invisible member mark (20, 40, 100) and you don’t know what to do.

If you haven’t already, try out some of these tips to get your membership train back on track:

1. Beginners Welcome! – This should be front and center on all of your websites, FB, and any kind of marketing. Remove that intimidation factor associated with CrossFit as often as you can. Post pics of just normal people doing CrossFit.  
2. Use Facebook – If you are on The Hub and haven’t already watched social media expert Josh Sturgeon’s videos about Facebook marketing, stop what you’re doing and do this now!  It will unlock the mysteries of an effective ad campaign on Facebook and focus your ads (and money) on the audience you want. Priceless!
3. Create a Facebook Private Group for your Members – Make sure you are friends on Facebook with all of your members and they’re in this private group that you create. This is a great alternative way (besides newsletter, email, etc.) to spread info about upcoming events, deals and just general info. It also allows your community to converse with each other and share successes. Be sure to make this community reflected of the culture that you’re wanting to see in your gym.
4. Tag Away and Post on Timelines – Once you are friends with your members on Facebook, try and get some good pics of your members and then put them on their Facebook timelines. Don’t spend every class being a photographer but just take a few seconds to snap some pics. Pick the best ones, post the pics on their timeline, make sure you mark the location as your box and say “Good Job!” or just something positive. This is FREE marketing to all of their friends and will likely start a lot of discussions about them doing CrossFit and loving your box. It’s a GREAT way to get others interested in your box.
5. Capture info – Make sure you have a visitors log at your box (paper or digital) which will allow you to populate your member management system (Zen, FrontDesk, Wodify, etc) with new contacts. Also, you can have a contact form on your front website page which leads to a landing page for a free ebook on fitness or nutrition (321Go has a ton of these). You can capture names and emails this way as well.  
6. Get the word out – Take all those contacts you now have and make sure they’re on the distribution for a monthly newsletter or general emails with pics from past events, news about upcoming programs and your intro program or nutrition or personal training. Get the word out on anything you want to promote. This will make sure you get in front of them again at least a few times a month with news about the awesome things your box is doing.
7. Reviews – This can set you apart from the competition. Would you be more willing to try a box with 3 good Google reviews or one with 20 good Google reviews? Pick people inside your box who love it. Ask them to do a quick Google, Yelp or Facebook review (send them the link to the reviews to make it easy) on your box because you think they’re awesome and you want others just like them to fill the place. They’ll dig the fact that you think highly of them and will usually be more than willing to rave about you in a review.  

It’s all about Momentum… Give these tips a try, stay consistent and then watch as you breakthrough that sticky member mark!

If we can help in anyway, we’d love to have a conversation with you. Schedule a free call with us here.

Don Moss is the Founder and former Owner of CrossFit Apogee and a 321GoProject Business Coach. He has been interviewed and featured in The Box Magazine, Box Pro Magazine, on 321GoProject and Box Pro podcasts and on CrossFit.com. He is a true lover of people and the community mentality of CrossFit. His goal is to help owners make smart decisions, see their businesses succeed and their dreams come true. For questions or to talk about 1-on-1 consulting, reach out to him at Don@321GoProject.com.  

The post Help… I’m Stuck!! appeared first on 321GoProject.

If there’s one thing that is consistent in running a business, it’s that everyone wants more clients, more members, more customers, more people buying what they are selling.

But, the reality is… more people in the door is one of the hardest things to actually get.

And it’s called marketing.

For many business owners, marketing is a mystery. What works? What doesn’t? If it works for the guy down the street, why isn’t it working for me?

The key to your business success lies in how effectively you market your services.

You run an event, it needs to be marketed. You create a new program, it needs to be marketed. You want more members, you’ve got to market to get them.

So, how do you get your message out there in a way that people want to bite the hook?

Create your Marketing Strategy.

Why does a Marketing Strategy matter?  The short answer is: because it saves you money.

In marketing, there is strategy and there are tactics. And there is a big difference between the two. Often, we see business owners doing the latter. In hope of attracting new members, they throw a bunch of things at the wall, hoping that some of it sticks. Problem is, all that takes time, and money… and sometimes lots of both.  

John Wanamaker was famous for saying, “Half of the money I spend on advertising/marketing is wasted; the trouble is I don’t know which half.”

Creating a marketing strategy before you begin executing on the tactical things allows you to think through your plan and apply your limited marketing budget more effectively.

Some of the benefits of creating a Marketing Strategy include:

1. Peace of mind from being proactive, rather than reactive with your marketing efforts
2. Confidence in knowing you are prepared
3. Structure in your business so that you can budget for what’s ahead
4. Organization for your team so they know what’s coming

How do you begin creating your Marketing Strategy?

First, it’s important to spend time getting in the head of your potential client. Who are they? What do they value? When you can get clear on the specific factors that drive their choices and behavior, you will be that much closer to planning events and communicating in ways that speak to what they will buy.

Once you understand who you are messaging to, get out a calendar and think through the next 3 months. Look at the holidays, and see what events you can plan around the holidays. Decide what challenges you want to run, what specialty classes you want to offer, and what events you want to host both for your members and to attract new people in the door.

Once you schedule these in your calendar, list everything you need to do to make each one of those things happen. Focus on one event at a time, starting with the ones that are scheduled to happen first. Answer questions like… How are you going to promote it on social media? What do you need to order/reserve? Who can you bring on board to help you and delegate things to?  What email automation do you need in place to ensure good communication, leading up to the event and afterwards?

For the month of May in Hub, we are focused on helping Hubsters create a Marketing Strategy so they can realize the benefits listed above. If you’re all over the place with your marketing and never confident that what you’re doing is achieving the results that you want, join Hub. For only $10 for the first month, you can get in there where we’ll walk you through step-by-step in creating your Marketing Strategy.

It’ll be the best $10 you’ve spent in a while, trust us.

If you’ve got questions, we’re always happy to jump on a call with you. Use this link to schedule at your convenience.

The post How to Create a Marketing Strategy You Feel Good About appeared first on 321GoProject.

You wear every hat imaginable – coach, janitor, friend, bookkeeper, and Chief Marketing Officer. Often times, your days get so busy you don’t have time to build a growth plan for your business. But with a little direction and consistency you can build some momentum, focus on the important stuff, and have a plan going forward.

I’d like to introduce you to three gym owners who have seen some remarkable results over the last year and the principles they used to get there. Each of these gym owners have joined hundreds of others from around the world to execute on growing their business using educational courses and templates from the Hub as well as accountability through M3 Mastermind Groups and the 321Go Think Tank Facebook Group.

Meet Dave: 300% Profit increase since 2016

“…since the close of 2016, CrossFit Spero has increased gross revenues 39% while operating expenses have only increased 9%. We have gone from a gym that was just barely in the black to a thriving business with big plans for our future.”

How’d he get here?

Principle #1: Know Your Starting Line

As small business owners, it’s easy to get the “shiny object syndrome.” We scroll through some posts in a Facebook group or forum and grasp at straws to find that “one thing that works.” Unfortunately there is no “One Thing.” Just consistent, constant improvement through focused effort.

“I think the tool that has been the most directly helpful is the ‘Business Check-Up.’ When I started I was somewhere in the low 20s for the basic assessment. I re-did the checkup in late March and I am now 37/42”

By having some objective rubric, you’re able to knock out the important things first as you scale your business. For example, if you don’t have a rock-solid interview and onboarding process, what good will a marketing strategy do?

Principle #2: Know Your Numbers

Often times, we believe that more members is the answer. Seems reasonable, right? More members equals more revenue. More revenue equals more equipment, space, coaches, and free time right?

I’ve unfortunately seen a lot of gym owners fall into the trap of chasing more members. More members not only means more revenue but it also means more expenses. Instead of chasing members, we’ve seen a ton of gym owners find amazing success finding the right members that fit into a sustainable profitability model.

“The finance and accounting modules led me to the Profit First model which has helped me be more diligent with my accounting and keep my overhead down. Which I think was huge. And I plan to continually leverage those ideals so that I can maximize profit.”

By knowing your numbers and maximizing profitability per member, you’re able to grow sustainably while keeping expenses low. In order to sustainably grow you must know your numbers – both your starting point and your target profit margins.

Meet Mel: Increased membership by 61% and revenues by 47% in 1 year

“I had to run the numbers multiple times because I thought it was wrong. I’m excited, motivated, and so thrilled to learn what I need to do to not only grow this business, but make a much bigger impact in health and wellness!”

How’d she get here?

Principle #3: Know the Path Forward

Just as important as knowing your starting line is knowing in which lane you’re running. This involves setting realistic, attainable goals over the next month, quarter, year, and years to come.

“Truly, we don’t really know where we’re lacking as business owners unless we have a way to measure where we’re at, and where we SHOULD be headed.”

Armed with your starting point and your profitability numbers, it’s time that you identify your path forward. For some gyms, this may NOT be growth but actually a reduction in membership with an increase in prices. For other gyms, it absolutely means a growth in membership.

Without a careful examination of your own goals, lifestyle, and schedule you’ll never have a clear path forward.

Regarding the “Setting and Crushing Your Goals Challenge” – “THIS started me off, learning how to set goals, accountability, and gaining momentum, (even grace when I failed).”

Principle #4: Know Your Culture

“I really love all the courses, but, one that helped substantially is: Creating a Contagious Culture”

You can’t be everything to everyone. Some of the most successful gyms we work with have a clear identity, screen potential members, and even ask people to leave who don’t fit in with the culture.

By identifying exactly who you are, who you serve, and why you do it you’re able to attract the ideal clients that will be with you for the long haul. After all, you got into this business to help people – not spin your wheels with members who don’t fit in with your community.

To start off building your culture, I challenge you to write down the names of your top 10 clients. The ten people you’re excited to see everyday; the 10 people who routinely refer their friends to your gym. Now, sit down with each one of them and get to know a little bit more about their lives – where they live, where they work, what they do in their free time, and why do they love your gym.

This is your ideal member. Your member persona. You’ll need this when you build your marketing strategy.

Meet Nicole: 25% Increase in Membership and New Gym Marketing Extraordinaire

“I’ve also written our marketing event calendar and I’ve shaped a ton of events to fill out the “dead” times I’ve seen. We are well on our way to my goal of 50 members by August.”

How’d she get here?

Nicole is a new gym owner with a super-clear vision, GREAT processes, and impeccable organization. She is also an extreme go-getter. She’s not afraid to try new things, evaluate the results, and keep what works.

Principle #5: Take Action

Planning and knowing is great. But, at a certain point you have to bite the bullet and try something new. You must hit “play.” After you pull the trigger, look back and evaluate what worked and what didn’t.

“I finally got my stuff together and did some athlete videos last night. These are ROUGH, but I’m proud of myself for finally pulling the trigger on these.”

We all know that you need to create video content. Super-scary, I know. But, you’ll get better and more comfortable after you get that first one out of the way. By your 100th video, you won’t think twice.

“I’ve also written our marketing event calendar and I’ve shaped a ton of events to fill out the ‘dead’ times I’ve seen.”

By building out a plan and actually executing, you’ll increase your confidence in marketing, events, and business development. The hardest part is getting over the initial fear of execution. But – I promise – the second time you take action, you’ll improve upon your previous attempts and feel more confident in your abilities.

The takeaway

While these principles may seem simple enough, their consistent application is not easy. Just like you tell your athletes – getting in shape is simple, but not easy. The same is true in your business. Simple principles, applied consistently over time, will yield incredible results.

“By incorporating the lessons learned via 321GoProject’s Hub platform since the close of 2016, CrossFit Spero has increased gross revenues 39% while operating expenses have only increased 9%. This means we have seen a growth of unrealized profit of over 300%! We have gone from a gym that was just barely in the black to a thriving business with big plans for our future.”

Revenue Jan – April 2016 was 22,127.09
Revenue Jan – April 2017 was 32,655.53

Matt Scanlon is the owner of CrossFit Memorial Hill in Kansas City MO.

He is also the founder of TheHillKC and co-founder of BUILD: Functional Fitness for Cancer Survivors. He hosts the 321Go Podcast and is a content creator for Hub.

The post How 3 Gym Owners Increased Revenues, Membership, and Peace of Mind Using These Principles appeared first on 321GoProject.

If you’re reading this and you’ve made it to your 2 year mark, your 5 year mark, or maybe even your 10 year mark… huge congratulations!  We all know getting to any of these milestones is no small feat.

Because, let’s be honest… the road of an entrepreneur is never an easy one.

It often feels like going on a hike… barefoot, through a densely wooded mountainous forest, at night, with no flashlight, no food or water, and certainly no cell phone reception.

Even for the ones who seem like they have it all together.

What about the road for those who don’t make it to the 5 year mark? Or, maybe even a better question… for those that do? Starting a business and staying open 5 years is a monumental undertaking.

We’ve spoken with countless gym owners who are tired. We’ve spoken to ones who look like they’ve built a huge business because of the number of members they have, but they’re not profitable. For those people, business isn’t fun, it’s stressful. These owners got into the business because they loved helping others, and now it’s turned into the exhausting business of well, running a business.

So how can you make sure that you’re in the small percentage of folks who actually succeed and don’t get burnt out along the way?

Here are a few of the key things based on our experience:

1. Pay Attention to Your Cash Flow. This is the number one sinker for small businesses. Most people who start a business aren’t a “numbers person”, so they don’t ever really have control over or understanding of their numbers. Huge mistake. As a result, they don’t pay themselves, and are constantly focused on not having enough.

Suggestion: If this is you, stop putting this off. Commit now to focusing on getting comfortable with and knowing your numbers. First things first, order a copy of Profit First today, and set up your business using this financial system. It will get you in control of your numbers, have you paying yourself right away, and radically change your cash flow challenges. But, be prepared to work the system. There are no magic bullets!

2. Have a Marketing Strategy in Place. You would never (or very rarely) start a vacation or a building project without a plan. So, why do so many small businesses open their doors without a plan for how they are going to grow? Many owners we talk with are years in and haven’t created a marketing plan. Working without a plan will only get you so far. With so much competition rising up, those who have a plan that they’re executing on will be the ones who get out in front of the pack.

Suggestion: Join Hub. For the month of May in Hub, we’re focused on helping all Hub subscribers develop and execute on their Marketing Plan. We provide the how to, templates, courses, resources, and the expertise needed to ensure Hubsters are focused on the right thing.

3. Surround Yourself with Other Like-Minded Owners. A strong, supportive group offers you the ability to positively change. To see what others are doing, and use their experience to make changes in your own business, can be a game changer for your business. It gives you the accountability to actually make the changes. And then it provides encouragement and high fives when those changes happen.

Suggestion: Again, join Hub. Our Hub subscribers have come together to form one of the most powerful communities of gym owners that exists in the industry. They are quick to say that our private Facebook group has been one of the biggest benefits of being a Hub subscriber. It’s a safe place of question asking, idea sharing, and high fiving. Just being a part of this group is worth the price of admission. To take it a step farther, you can apply to join a M3 (Momentum MasterMind) group. These are small groups of 6-8 like-minded gym owners who meet weekly. They are led by a 321Go Business Coach and are all in similar places in their business.

4. Admit What You Don’t Know and Get Help. Another big reason businesses fail is because of the incompetence of the leader. This is not meant to be a derogatory statement at all, it’s just that many gym owners aren’t equipped to run a business. They just don’t know what they don’t know. And none of us know everything. But, the ones who admit what they don’t know and are willing to invest the time and money into really learning and applying what they learn are the business owners who will be around for the long haul.

Suggestion: Find a business mentor, join an accountability group, listen to podcasts, read blogs, and become a part of a motivating and inspiring FB group. The resources are there, you just need to tap into them. Invest your time and money in ways that will grow your knowledge, and ultimately your business.

Your business is your baby. Your creation. It’s everything to you. It can become everything you dream it to be, you just have to choose the best ways to invest in it. And then, execute on what you learn.

We very much want you to succeed. So much so that everything we create and offer here at 321GoProject is geared towards that. Want to jump on a call with us? Click here to schedule one. We’d love to chat!

The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from everyone else.  – Brian Tracy

The post 4 Things to Maximize Your Chances of Success in Your Business appeared first on 321GoProject.

We all start something – a new business, a new hobby, a new adventure – because we love it.

And then…

Reality sets in.

Maybe it’s 6 months down the road, or 6 years, but life happens and we’re sitting alone wondering what in the heck we’re doing. Those encouragers are nowhere to be found. Money is hard to come by. The days are long and our energy is low. The newness has worn off. We have no idea how to get more people through the door. The business is running us and keeps demanding more and more of what we don’t have to give. Some days, maybe most days, it’s just too much.

This weekend we had a gym owner post in our private Facebook group. “Really excited to be here! We hit a major boom for our gym around 4 years ago but in the process of growth we lost our way and more importantly our WHY! The gym was regular for 2 years before it started to drop off. We took the plunge with the Hub to give us a clear direction and to simplify the complication we caused in our business. Actually to say I’m excited is an understatement.”

This got me thinking…

How many gym owners out there have lost their way and their why?

How many of you started out, excited to help people and do what you love, and are now just going through the motions – tired, discouraged, lonely, on the verge of burnout?  You didn’t realize when you started out that you’d have to be a marketing expert, a writer, a therapist, a toilet scrubber, a financial whiz, an event planner, a social media poster, a floor cleaner, a videographer, a lease negotiator, and the list goes on.

Now your business – that thing that used to be a fun dream to think about – feels like a massive burden. Where once you only wanted and expected the best, now you’re satisfied with good enough. Your purpose is nowhere to be found. It’s hard to get out of bed in the morning. People are counting on you and it feels like too much.

You may even be considering closing up shop.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

We have created a community that is honestly like no other in the industry. We’ve been involved in the CrossFit / fitness world long enough to know that it can be tough out there. Where can you go for answers to your questions that won’t make you feel like an idiot? No matter how successful we are, we have questions (or we should). We all need a safe place where those questions can be answered.

We spent the last year and a half developing Hub to address all of the above.

We know that many gym owners can’t afford one-on-one business coaching or a high price tagged monthly service. They just need something that won’t break the bank to get them going in the right direction.

If this is you, Hub is your answer.

Our goal with Hub is to create a welcome oasis from noise and offer a source of knowledge and camaraderie for the affiliate community.

And it’s working. Check out these recent comments we’ve gotten in just the last week…

“I just wanted to give a big SHOUTOUT for Hub and this amazing group page. Since joining in January, I have gained focus, understanding, and direction in how to make the business into my vision. Upon numerous business systems created and marketing strategies developed, my most proud accomplishment is converting my members to new membership options.”

“The hub has helped us tremendously:)”

“I can’t tell you how much I have learned in the last 4 months! It’s incredible, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come in these next 4.”

Because we know that every dollar spent is one that doesn’t make it into your pocket, we want you to try before you buy so we’re offering a 7 day free trial of Hub. No commitments needed, no strings attached. Just jump in there and try it out. If you like it, keep going. If not, just cancel.

Let the community surround you so that you re-find your way and why. We’re here waiting to help… you just have to take the first step.

The post Have You Lost Your Why? appeared first on 321GoProject.

We’re a company who specializes in marketing, so we’ve seen it all. Everything from… logos done on Word, websites still live that were cobbled together back in 2010, Facebook ads that aren’t producing leads, not showing up until 4 or 5 pages into a Google search, businesses trying to grow without any marketing plan in place.

And these people wonder why they are in the same place they were this time last year (or 3 years ago).

Truth be told, there is a lot that goes into effectively marketing a business, including things like a dynamic website that works just as well on a mobile device as it does a computer, promoting and delivering fun events, producing quality videos, capturing testimonials, a creative and professional logo and brand, an engaging newsletter, writing blogs, managing social media accounts, creating landing pages, writing eBooks, showing up in the first three of the Google search, banners, t-shirts designs, email automation software with campaigns, scheduling software, FB ads that actually convert, understanding solid analytics. To 95% of small business owners, this list is both overwhelming and exhausting.

But the problem is… if you don’t pay attention to these things, you will get left behind.

So, can you DIY your marketing?

I recently started a podcast. I can’t even begin to tell you how many hours I spent (wasted) trying to learn how to publish a podcast. Just creating the website alone and connecting it to the hosting software and iTunes took me an embarrassing amount of research and time, only to finally throw my hands up in frustration. I don’t even want to think about how much that DIY cost me. My intention was to save money because we were on a limited budget (like $0), which clearly did not happen. In my frustration, I reached out to my nephew who does this for a living. $50 and 2 days later (obviously, that’s the family discount), he had me up and running. But, more than just “up and running”, his work gave me the confidence that it was actually done right.

It needs to be noted that there is a big difference between something that is an expense and something that is a critical value add. Cable is an expense. Electricity is a critical value add. Starbucks is an expense. Vegetables are a critical value add. LuLuLemon clothing is an expense. Clothing is a critical value add. You get the point.

An expense is an added nice to have or luxury, a critical value add is imperative for success.

How can you know if investing in the effective marketing your gym is an expense or if it’s a critical value add?

Given the fact that based on the majority of conversations we have with gym owners, the number one thing they need help with is getting leads, I’d say marketing is a critical value add component of your business.

We’ll ask the question again… can you DIY your marketing?

Sure, but only if you have the right tools and know how to use them. When learning new skills, you have to ask yourself the question, is this something that will benefit me in the long run? Or is it a “trendy” thing, like Facebook ads, that always changes and I’m going to have to keep re-learning it to stay current?

Setting up my podcast was something I only needed to do one time. It would have made a whole lot more sense to hire it out in the beginning rather than waste my time – and essentially money because time is money – trying to learn it myself. (and I should know this.)

We want to help. That’s why we’ve spent the last year and a half developing the Hub platform. It’s our solution to you being able to save money while upping your marketing game. The affordable monthly cost gives you access to an extensive library of video courses, and a litany of plug-n-play templates. If you only watched the step-by-step “How to Create Facebook ads” or downloaded the Staff Handbook template and applied it to you business, that’d be well worth the amount of a year subscription to Hub. Instead of searching Google for hours, Hub is a one stop shop. It also gives you access to our private FB group, which is unlike any other FB group page resource in the industry. 

So, one more time… can you DIY your marketing by piecemealing and Google searching and cobbling together what you’ve learned?  Sure. Anyone can do it. But, you have to look at what results your current efforts are producing for you. How many leads are coming in your door? The real question then is should you DIY your marketing?

Check out a Free 7 day trial of Hub today!  If you don’t like it, you can cancel. No strings attached. 🙂 And for only $99 more/month, you can add a M3 group for weekly accountability with peer gym owners and a 321Go Business Coach to make sure you’re implementing what you’re learning.

You’d probably never attempt to build a house – even if you had the blueprint and tools – if you didn’t have any experience. Surround yourself with people who know what they’re doing and the going will be much easier… we promise.

The post Can You DIY the Marketing of Your Business? appeared first on 321GoProject.

“Blogs are popular? I’ll write blogs.” “Videos are the new thing? Let me get out my phone and create some.” Problem is, a lot of times two cents equals just that… not much. Just more noise to clog up your feed.

We wrote an article a month ago about How to Use Video To Generate Leads, now let’s take that blog post a step further.

One thing is certain, all videos are not created equal.

So how do you create a video that stands out above the noise and gets people to want to click and watch, and ultimately buy what you’re selling?

I googled the most viral YouTube videos of 2016 to see what made them so contagious. I wanted to know the themes, the components that made them irresistible.

Here are a few things that stood out to me:

• They tap into an emotion – either hilarity, happiness, cheering for the underdog… viewers love having feelings and emotions stirred up.
• They make you smarter – they educate, inform, and give you useful knowledge to be the hit at the next dinner conversation.
• They have cute kids in them – because who doesn’t want to watch a cute kid be cute?
• They are like a bad trainwreck – you know you should look away, but something makes you keep watching until it’s over.
• They are relatable and personable – you usually find yourself wanting to become friends with the person or people in the videos because you are “so much like them”.
• They are authentic – your videos actually don’t have to be perfect and professional, but they do have to feel “real”.
• They are entertaining – humor is a great addition to any movie. Add in bloopers, keep in “mistakes”.

Another point to note: it’s an extra bonus if you make your video engaging without any sound. You can do this by avoiding dialogue altogether, or making sure that you include high-quality closed captioning (you can outsource this or do it yourself).

The truth is that nobody will care (and click) if you just turn your video on during a class and do a pano of the activity. What they will care about is if you do a close up of someone (who looks real and relatable) hitting a PR while everyone around them cheers. Or if you do a fun educational video about nutrition that is funny and endears them to you.

Like all things in business, your videos need to have a strategy and serve a purpose.

If you’re not shooting videos to promote your business, now’s a good time to start. And if you are capturing things on video, take your video’ing up a notch and include at least one thing from the list above.

Don’t just add more noise for the sake of “doing videos”. Instead of being noise, make your videos sing and be like music. When you do, people will watch and want to be a part of what you’re doing.

Need help with your marketing? We’d love to talk with you. Click here to schedule a free call with us!

The post How To Make Videos That People Want To Watch appeared first on 321GoProject.

If you don’t focus on marketing your business, your business will not be successful. It’s as simple as that.

Your network of friends and family will only go so far to keep you afloat. Then what?

Here’s the common progression for many aspiring small business owners… they have a dream, they invest significant amounts of money (and time) into making that dream a reality, they finally get to the point where they have their grand opening, and then… they embrace (to whatever degree) the “if you build it, they will come” mentality.

After they’ve exhausted their network, they enter the stage of “desperation” – whether it’s 3 months or 3 years down the road. We’ve all seen it, and we know it when we are the ones living it.

Desperation appears in three all too familiar behaviors: 1) trying any new “thing” that comes into view without even doing the homework to see if it’s really a fit, 2) doing the same things and expecting different results, and 3) clinging onto the hope that things will turn around.

But, we all know none of these things actually work – in business or in life. Unfortunately, desperation is rarely attractive.

Since the majority of small business owners have very little experience in marketing, the “if you build it, they will come” mentality is understandable, but in no way is it a successful path for growth.

So what do you do?  

Let’s look to Starbucks for our inspiration. Whether or not you are a Starbucks fan, the fact of the matter is Howard Schultz and his team are brilliant marketers. What have they done? They have built a wildly successful business around a cup of coffee. Their idea was once the size of your business. So, how have they grown from approximately 7,000 stores in 2003, to more than 25,000 stores in 2017?

They have converted coffee into a luxury item.

They have transformed an everyday beverage into an experience that tons of people gladly pay (probably more than they should) for.

Here are a few things, in my opinion, they do extraordinarily well.

• They get personal with their customers. You are not a number in Starbucks, you have a name. And you are known and called by your name. This matters to people. A lot.
• They add value. I recently went to a local coffee shop to do work. I got my cup of coffee, got all settled in my spot, went to connect to their wifi, only to realize that they didn’t have free wifi. While maybe a “little” thing, this messed up my day of work. I get it. They don’t want people sitting around for hours on one cup of coffee, but I haven’t been back there since, and I’ve been to Starbucks (with free wifi) a countless number of times. The added value keeps people coming back again and again. If Starbucks took away the free wifi,  they would more than likely see a significant drop in customers. A small price to pay for loyalty.
• They do their research. Here’s a tip: if you want to know where to invest in real estate, see where the new Starbucks are popping up. They relentlessly study the trends and move to an area before it’s cool. And when they bring in a new store, they often add more than one. This makes it feel like they are everywhere. They know that “competition” is not a bad thing. On the contrary, it’s helpful for the consumer to see your business as a “movement” – something that so many people are buying into that more providers are needed.
• They are known for doing one thing really well. Starbucks is undeniably known for coffee (again, whether you like it or not). If you come in for a cup of coffee, you may also want a snack, or a bottle of water, or a pound of coffee to take home. They have these things, but they are hyper-focused on providing many variations of their “one thing”.
• They aren’t afraid to charge more than people think it may be “worth”. I recently heard a statement that has left a deep impression on me. “Price conveys quality”. Think about how true this is. If you have a $10 bottle and a $50 bottle of wine in front of you, you will automatically assume that the $50 bottle will taste better in a side-by-side comparison. If you pay double for a cup of coffee at Starbucks than at a gas station, you will most assuredly expect a better cup of coffee.

A smart small business owner knows they don’t need everyone to buy their service or product. Instead, they get really clear on who and how many they want to serve and then go after finding these people and making them raving fans.

Sales (profitable sales) pays the bills. Marketing is what brings in those sales. Make sure you are focused on the right things.

Are you sending the message that your services are a “luxury” item? If you build it, and market it well… people will come.

Need help with all this? This is why we are in business. We help you make the complex world of marketing simple. We’d love to talk – just schedule a call here with us.

The post If You Build It Sorry But… They Probably Won’t Just Come. appeared first on 321GoProject.

No more things being done for you. Now everything has to be done by you. Growth. Understanding the numbers. Managing social media. Sales. Creating content. Referrals. Partnerships. Maintenance. Hiring/Firing/Training staff. The list is long, and often times endless.

For every entrepreneur, two things are constant: 1) there never seems to be enough money, and 2) there never seems to be enough time. BUT… you have to grow your business. You have to get sales, and in order to get sales, you have to do marketing.

So, we thought we’d tackle the often illusive topic of marketing and give you a list of things that don’t require much of either time or money. Below are a handful of key activities that will create awareness and exposure of the business you’re working so hard to build.

1. Create Partnerships in the Community. Your reputation among other businesses in your community is vital to your success. Any business close to you can be a good “target” to develop a relationship with (e.g., dog groomer, child care, wine store, restaurant). If you’re located among other businesses, spend a morning walking around and introduce yourself to the business owners. A few ideas: 1) Offer all staff members something special (like a free drop-in) and ask if you can place a flyer/business cards somewhere in their business; 2) Create a banner in your gym with a list of local partners in order to help them to promote their businesses; 3) Have a board dedicated to promoting ‘Community Partners’ and you could arrange for all your members to receive a percentage off their products and services; 4) Invite the business owners to your big events. Tell them they can set up a table/booth to promote their businesses in exchange for some freebies on the day; and 5) Have them put your logo (with link) on their website and you do the same. The ultimate goal is a win (for you) – win (for the business owner) – win (for your members).
2. Get More Online Reviews. Social proof means so much these days. We all look at the reviews before making purchases. Focus on Google primarily (FB doesn’t measurably move the needle and Yelp is not as valued), but be sure this is slow and steady. Too many reviews at once will send a red flag. An idea is to give drop-ins a 2nd free class after leaving a review. Another idea is to email your members, asking for a review and giving them the link to click on – make it simple! Use this tool to help. 
3. Put a Video in your Email Signature. This idea comes from our resident SEO & Social Media expert, Josh Sturgeon. Film a short (>60 second) video sharing a little bit about what gets you up in the morning. You can give it the title #MyWhy. The idea here is to place a video thumbnail in your email signature that leads anyone who clicks it to a landing page where they can watch your video. On the landing page there’s a Call to Action below the video where they can book a time to chat more about their fitness/health goals. The goal here is to make that personal connection to foster trust early on. At the end of the day, people do business with people…and people they trust.
4. Reach Out Personally to your Clients. Set up a system where each client is hearing from you (or a member of your team) at least once a month. No agenda, just a “Hey Sarah, thanks for being a part of what we’re doing here. Let us know how we can help you better reach your goals!”
5. Conduct an Exit Survey for Cancelled Members. This can be a short email that people get when they decide to cancel. It will give you lots of insight into why people cancel, so that you can address these things for the future.
6. Organize Monthly Athlete Challenges. People love healthy competition – things like most meters rowed, most cals on the Assault Bike, etc… This doesn’t have to require a lot of thought or energy. You just need a big whiteboard, and a few inexpensive prizes at the end for the winner/s.
7. Send Out a “One Pain Point” Email to all Your Members. The email would go something like this – “Hi! Could you do me a huge favor and hit reply and answer this one question to help us continue to build up our services and serve our community as best as possible? Question: What is one major Pain Point (problem/challenge) with your health and fitness that you are dealing with right now? Thanks for helping us make [company xyz] better!” Our suggestion – edit this with your gym info and send to your email list. What a great way to hear what people’s pain points are! Word to the wise though… if you do this – be sure to respond to each one, offering value.
8. Play Bingo. This idea was shared in our private client FB group by Joe Minichino and got a great response. Your members will strategize on what boxes to fill out and classes to attend (see image at right). Run it for a week, and then give prizes for things like one bingo ($10 gift card – 3 winners), three bingos ($25 Merchandise Credit + $25 gift card – 2 winners), and a blacked out card ($50 Merchandise Credit + $50 gift card – 1 winner). Cards should be checked at end of the week and they get entered in for the prize determined by how many Bingos they get.
9. Offer a 6-8 Week Program for Other Businesses. This idea is from Matt Scanlon, member of our 321Go leadership team. He says your approach to the business owner would be something like this… “We will run a 6-8 week course designed to Ramp Up [Company Name] Employees to a healthier lifestyle at a special [Company Name] discounted rate. This will be limited to [__] people per class and people must sign up for the entire program ahead of time. We encourage companies to provide incentives such as cost-matching and rewards for most classes attended to drive adoption.”

This list is not meant to be exhaustive, only to get you thinking about how you can see your business grow by putting in a little effort. Feel free to use these as is or tweak them to better suit your business and needs. 

Here’s the secret: while many people may read this article, few will do anything about it. Choose a few of these things that make most sense to you, actually make them happen, and you’ll be steps ahead of your competition.

We specialize in helping gym owners excel at all things marketing and growing your business. If we can help you, schedule a free call with us here.

The post 9 Ways to Ramp Up Your Marketing Efforts on the Cheap appeared first on 321GoProject.

There’s a deeper issue in why you’re not growing like you want to.

Your message isn’t connecting with the right people. You’ve gotten passed by for something that connects better with their emotional and psychological reasons for saying “yes” and buying.  

Here is a crazy idea… try seeing your business like a new person would see it.

You know the feeling of being new somewhere – all of your senses are heightened. Your excitement level is (usually) high because everything is, well, really new. Relationships haven’t been formed. Habits haven’t been created. And your experience is waiting to be discovered.

Let’s try some examples, thinking about other businesses…

• What do you think when you see dirty/old bathrooms?
• What’s your feeling when people don’t welcome you right off the bat?
• How about when you come across an old, outdated website?
• What about when the staff is less than kind and knowledgable to you?

I was introduced this weekend to one of the most ridiculous (yet effective) stories in changing the perception of a brand.

A Post cereal in Canada, called Shreddies, had painfully low sales. They decided to reach out to a marketing firm to help them turn that around. An intern for the marketing firm somewhat tongue in cheek suggested that they rotate the cereal to change it from a square (boring) shape to a diamond (exciting!) shape, and rename it “Diamond Shreddies”. Thinking there might something to that (crazy simple) idea, they hosted focus groups where they got their validation, then developed a new website and changed their marketing efforts with the diamond shape in mind.

The result? The brand sold out a four-months supply in two months and boosted sales by 18%.

Check out this 3 minute video that shows the rebranding of Shreddies (do your best to listen past the moderators’ dramatics).

Perception is everything. Shreddies added intangible value to their cereal without changing the product in the slightest.

So, let’s go back to your business. What’s the perception you’re giving others with your business?

• How’s your customer service?
• How’s your website?
• How’s the appearance of your building (outside, front desk, bathrooms, etc)?
• How easy is it to buy what you’re selling?
• How do you address the objections that potential new clients are going to have?

Your brand is made up of hundreds of perceptions that create an emotional connection with consumers.

You have to be able to answer questions like… Why do people like your brand? Why do they use it? What emotions arise when they think about your brand?

If you went to a Michelin 5 Star restaurant and the floors were dirty or the bathrooms were disgusting, it would most likely drastically change your experience with the food. The cost and quality of the food would be incongruent with the care (or lack of) given to the facilities.

You want new people buying what you’re selling?  Maybe it’s time to look underneath the hood.

We can help. Click here to schedule a free call with us.

The post For the Love, Please Sweat the Small Stuff appeared first on 321GoProject.

So you say you want more leads.

That would solve a lot of problems, right? More money, fuller classes, you could hire another coach, etc.

Alright then, I have one question for you….

Just how much do you want those leads?

To get more specific, what are you willing to do to get them? How uncomfortable are you willing to get?

Are you willing to consistently put out content so that people come to know you as the expert?

So many know they need to create consistent content, but let’s be honest, few are willing to commit to it on a regular basis. Everything else somehow takes priority. 

Far too many gym owners want the quick fix. Write a blog or two. Shoot a couple videos. Do a Facebook ad. Run the newest, hottest, lead-generating tool/event you just read about on a group page. Then… hope (actually, expect) the leads will pour in.

But, the problem with quick fixes is that they’re just that. A quick fix. They’re not intended for long-term, consistent results.

The hard truth is that a quick fix is often the abandonment of responsibility. That statement may need to be read again for it to sink it.

In business, CASH is king.

In marketing, CONTENT is king.

These days in content, VIDEOS are king.

All the current research and studies are proving that video is where it’s at (and our experience wholeheartedly agrees with this). Not where it’s headed, but where’s it at now. A few statistics from an infographic by Hyperfine Media prove this point:

• Including video on a landing page can increase conversion by 80%.

• Video in an email leads to 200-300% increase in click-through rate.

• 90% of users say that product videos are helpful in the decision process.

• Enjoyment of video ads increase purchase intent by 97% and brand association by 139%.

These are some big numbers. You don’t have to have a degree in content marketing to know that video ruled the web last year. And, experts believe that video content will account for 74 percent of Internet traffic this year. 74%. Wow.

So the question, then, that begs to be answered…

How are you using video to increase your leads?

Good videos can differentiate you from your competitors because they open up people’s hearts. They evoke emotion. Unlike a blog or Facebook ad, or even an image, videos make people feel something. Once your marketing crosses over into the feelings territory, people want to do business with you. Because they can connect with you. As a result, videos become a massive win for your content strategy.

Using videos produces a number of benefits: 1) they can help boost your customer engagement, 2) they can increase a person’s time spent on your site, and 3) they can help you convert your leads into paying clients. If you use video creatively and with a purpose, it can transform your website into something that is dynamic and interactive and, most importantly, will establish you as the expert. Helping you transform your website and combine it with effective marketing is our specialty.

So, how do you make and publish videos with creativity and purpose?  

Here are just a few thoughts to get you started:

• Don’t overthink it. Practice makes perfect. Like riding a bike, the more you do it, the better (and more comfortable) you get at it.
• Speak in a language that even (or especially) the beginners would understand.
• Be relatable and fun.
• Pay attention to your backdrop and the level of background noise.
• Be consistent in creating content.
• Keep the majority of your videos short. Under 2 minutes and for Instagram, under 60 seconds are the good rules of thumb.
• Add in music. You can get free licensed background music here. And you can easily edit in music to your video using iMovie or Quicktime.
• Get an inexpensive lavalier microphone to connect to your phone for better sound quality.
• Anytime it’s appropriate, include a call to action. Make it stupid simple for them to take the next step with you.
• Whenever possible, tag people in the video and encourage them to share.

It is important to remember, though, that your ultimate goal of creating videos shouldn’t just be to capture a bunch of “stuff” for the purpose of checking it off a list. You want to build a purposeful library of videos (and other content) that establishes you as the expert.

Here are several ideas of what you could shoot in your videos:

• Explain how to do something. How to videos are a good way to demonstrate your “product/service” while helping people get better at something.  
• Highlight your athletes. Video a wide variety of people to show that everyone (in your target audience) can benefit from what you’re providing. The Rule of Social Proof says we’re much more likely to do something if we see someone else successfully doing it.
• Promote your events. Short, fun videos to promote things that you’ve got going on in your business.
• Raise awareness. Highlight important things going on in your community.
• Give quick tips. On eating better, buying groceries, cooking meals, keeping moving at work, etc.
• Record a product/software demo. Software is usually a learning curve for people, so why not help your clients by recording a short screencast (can use Loom or something similar) of someone using the system.
• Do video testimonials for website, emails, or newsletter. These will add a different dimension and more trust to your client testimonials than just an image and text.
• Highlight your business. Welcome visitors to your site on your homepage, introduce members of your staff or shoot a quick “day in the life”. This type of content allows people to feel like they know you before they even meet you and could be the deciding factor in helping someone take the next step in wanting to do business with you.
• Repurpose your text content. Turn your blog entries into short video blips of content.
• Facebook Live is a great tool when you’re in the middle of a fun event. Let people know what they’re missing out on!

These ideas are just scratching the surface, of course. If you haven’t yet determined your content marketing strategy for the year, make that a priority and be sure to include lots of video.

Biggest thing in getting started? Step outside of your comfort zone and shart shooting.

If you need help, schedule a call with us or email me at Julie@321goproject.com!  We’d love to help.

-This post was written by Julie Weldon.

The post How to Use Video to Generate Leads appeared first on 321GoProject.

Last week we asked CrossFit/Personal Training gyms and Cheer/Gymnastics/Dance clubs one question and got 200+ thoughtful, individual emails back.

The question was this:

What is one major Pain Point (problem/challenge) that you are dealing with right now as a gym owner?

We asked because we wanted to do a quick pulse check on the fitness industry. We asked because we always want to make sure the content we are putting out is helpful and speaking to things that matter.

Because we asked for their pain point “right now”, the responses covered the gamut of creating an exit plan to managing retail inventory to maximizing profit to paying themselves a salary. There were a few themes, though, that rose to the surface for the majority…

Getting leads, time management, and finding (and keeping) qualified staff were three of the consistent big ones.

It’s obvious to say, but if you don’t have leads coming in your door, can’t prioritize your important things to do, and have a hard time finding good people to work with you, it’s tough to run a good business. No surprise, right?

But what is a surprise is how many gym owners just allow themselves to get (and stay) stuck in the quicksand of their pain points.

So, what is your pain point?

It’s funny how that one question can evoke such emotions. When you think about your pain point, which of these feelings surface – anxiety? fear? inadequacy? being “found out” for being… you fill in the blank? frustration? hope (that if you get it figured out, your life will be so much better)? anger? These are just a few of the emotions we’ve felt as business owners. So, we get it. 

Here are the responses we got, broken out by categories and percentages: 

Pain points are real.  We all have them. The difference between the successful and the not as successful is that the successful actually do something about those pain points. They brainstorm with other business owners to get ideas about how they are recruiting good staff, they aren’t afraid to take calculated risks and change course when the outcome of the risk isn’t want they hoped for, they make that call to a company to help them in the areas where they are struggling. They understand that while paying money out for a service will require sacrifice in the short term, it will (hopefully) produce a good R.O.I. in the long term. They know that you often have to be wise in your spending in order to make money.

If we went back and asked every person who responded, “So, what are you going to do about your pain point?”, how many do you think would have an answer?

Likely, many are stuck. And will remain stuck for far too long.

So, if that’s you and you’re stuck, what’s the best thing you can do? Stare that pain point in the face and get creative.

It most likely won’t go away on it’s own. Have that hard conversation. Get involved in a mastermind group. Hire a mentor. Work with a company who can help you get leads in your door.

We’re certainly not the only company who can help, but we are one really solid option. We’ve been there, we’ve felt the pain of running a small business, we’ve dealt with staff conflict and the pain of trying to find good people, but one of our core values is that we build a relationship with you so that we can really be “in it” with you.

Here are 5 ways we consistently offer help at no charge:

1. A weekly blog on all things related to running a fitness business.
2. A weekly podcast with people who are in the trenches.
3. A free call with one of our team to talk through your pain points and offer ways to help.
4. One of our Hub courses – the Business Checkup course – is available for free so you can see what you’re doing well and where you need to improve your business.
   
5. Try 7 days of Hub at no charge. No strings attached. Just dive in and try it, and if you like it, keep going.

It doesn’t matter if you’re running a gym with 2-3 locations and 500+ athletes, or are just getting ready to open your space, pain points are inevitable.

There is a quote that says “Happiness is only real when shared”, which I wholeheartedly agree with. But I also believe that most pain points are best solved when shared. Find someone or a group of people to be in it with you.

An old proverb proclaims that “The counsel of many is wise.” Make the sacrifice (of time, money, or ego) and let someone else in. The smartest people in the room, know that they are not the smartest people in the room.

It’s amazing how much lighter your burden will get when you don’t feel like you’re in it alone.

This post was written by Julie Weldon (julie@321goproject.com).

The post We Asked One Question… appeared first on 321GoProject.

See if any of these 9 things resonate with you…

1. Give up on the short-term mindset.
Far too many people want that quick fix. If I just had more athletes. If I just got more likes. If I just had more money. If I just… These things are all short-term thinking. What’s your why as a business owner? Who do you want to become as a person? And what do you want to become as a business? Back into these things by determining what needs to happen to make these a reality. And start thinking bigger and for the long-term today. Dream a little.

2. Give up on thinking you’re alone and don’t have people to lean on.
It’s a fact that business owners are some of the loneliest people on the planet because typically there are very few people in their worlds who understand what they’re really going through – the pressures, the stress, the joys, the challenges. In this industry, there are plenty of good people who will get in the trenches with you. Our M3 groups are a great start if you want accountability and community support. With building a business comes inevitable pressure. You don’t have to walk this road alone.

3. Give up on your excuses.
We all have them. For why we’re not this, or that, or better, or more, or different. We all know these excuses have to stop. We don’t like it when we hear excuses from other people, so why do we allow ourselves to make them? Only you are responsible for the choices you make and the direction your life takes. I can promise you that people far less smart than you threw away their excuses and went for it. And they are now reaping the rewards of not being held back by fear, or uncertainty, or feelings of inadequacy. Everybody is scared at some level. Embrace your fear and go for it. Own your choices, your business, and your life; because no one else will.

4. Give up on blaming someone or something else for not being where you’d like to be.
One key difference between the successful and all the rest is the ability to take responsibility for all of your actions, reactions, and lack of actions. No one else is making you scroll through that news feed (again), no one else is keeping your bottom line in the red, no one else is making you react in anger, or fear, or whatever emotion you choose in the moment. You may not know exactly how to make a change, but everything is possible if you commit yourself to learning and growing one step at a time.

5. Give up on your dependency to social media.
Start by paying attention to how much you check your different social media accounts – Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter. How many times per day? Many people would lose count after 50. We just want that quick fix. You may have seen the Millennials video by Simon Sinek where he talks about how social media notifications cause our brains to release dopamine. This is the very same chemical that is released with drugs, gambling, cigarettes, and alcohol. It’s what causes addiction, which is to say we can literally become addicted to our smartphones. For many, this is probably not a surprise. It’s scary how much our phones are ruling our lives. Today, at a minimum, start paying attention to this. And, as a side note, if you’re on your phone while driving, for the love, please stop. Throw your phone in the back seat so you minimize the temptation. You have people who you matter to. A lot.

6. Give up on hoping there’s a magic bullet.
We watch gym owners every day attach onto the latest and greatest crazes. They think something like this, “If it works for him/her like they say it does, surely it’s gotta work for me!” Problem is there really are no magic bullets, and they can’t see all the work that went into making it so successful for the other person. And, the other problem is that that statement sounds like it comes from a desperate place of grasping at straws hoping that one tiny straw you grab is the magic one that will eliminate all headaches. Here’s the truth… it never does. Don’t go for the shiny objects; instead go for the tried and true options that require plain old fashioned work every day to make it happen. Not as sexy, but much more effective. Do the little things every day, and let the compound effect do what it does best of multiplying those little things to equal big success.

7. Give up on trying to get everyone to like you.
We humans are funny folks. We like what we like, and have a very difficult time with what (and who) we don’t like. Often it’s just because we’ve created something in our minds that we now believe about a certain person or thing; but for whatever reason, it’s what we do. That said, you’re never, and I mean never, going to please everyone. So, definitely listen to the voice of your customer, but then run your business in such a way that you can lay your head on the pillow at night and rest easy. It’s a losing battle to try to make happy the ones who just don’t want to be happy.

8. Give up on being the martyr.
As a business owner, you’ve got it rough. No one will deny you that. There are long hours, unhappy customers, unmet expectations, scary bank accounts, trying to figure out how to wear 50 hats… to name just a few of the challenges of owning a business. But the successful people press on, and don’t fall prey to the sword of martyrdom. At the end of the day, people are selfish. They don’t really care about how hard life is for you. They just want a good product delivered every time. ​So, instead of complaining or being negative with your team and/or athletes, lean into your community of business owners when things are hard, because they will understand. It may feel good for the moment to be a martyr with those in your business, but that feeling is not worth it for the long-term. Give your clients your best.

9. Give up on dreaming small dreams.
It’s definitely not that we dream too big… if we only knew (and believed in) how much potential we actually have, our dreams would multiply exponentially. Think of the person you respect the most. Now, let me tell you something… you have just as much potential as them. What is it that you really want? Who is it that you really want to be? None of that is out of the question. It’s all within your reach… if you apply yourself, and If you are willing to accept the sacrifices it will take to get there. It won’t be overnight, but if you work at it every day, before you know it, you’ll be living all those things that only used to be a dream.

Oh, and one more that’s a bonus tip…. We’ve all heard it said, “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” Apply this last one and you’ll win every time, every if you don’t come in “first place”.

Give up on quitting.
Winners are not quitters. They may not always get it right, but one thing is for certain, they do not quit. They know when to adjust course. They know when to go faster, or slow down. They know when to bring in experts to help with things they don’t understand. But they do not quit. They don’t walk away when things get tough, but they buckle down and focus all the more. They know their tendencies can be to get discouraged, so they surround themselves with people who will motivate them and push them to be the best version of themselves. A quote from The Slight Edge (which is an incredible book, by the way) goes like this… “It’s in the last 20 percent of the time we invest in a discipline that [the majority] of the rewards come.” How true is this?? Far too often we give up before we actually reap the rewards. Put your fingers back on the grindstone and keep at it. A little while down the road, you’ll be really glad you did.

Success is simple, but it’s not easy.

This post was written by Julie Weldon (julie@321goproject.com).

The post 9 Things to Give Up On If You Really Want To Be Successful appeared first on 321GoProject.

You have some goals for the year, but don’t yet have a marketing plan for the year set. Look no further.

We all know how important having a marketing plan is for your gym, but where the heck do you start?

Most gym owners never write one down, mostly out of fear or wondering if they will get it right. By writing a plan down means commitment and accountability. On the flip side, it also means peace of mind and clarity for you and your coaches. All heading in the same direction.

How satisfying would it be to have your year planned out so all you needed to do was execute on your plan?

NOTE: Join us for a free webinar on “Creating a Simple Marketing Plan for the Year”. Signup below.

Your marketing plan for the year doesn’t have to be rocket science, it just needs to be pulled out of your head and written down on paper.

Here are 3 things you can do today to turn your goals into a written plan.

We are going to go in more detail with the execution part of your plan in our upcoming free webinar, so join us.

1. Assess

Start with the customer. They are the champion. Build your plans around your customer’s needs and goals – not around your product and tactics.

What does your target customer look like? Who is the best member fit in your gym? Who makes up your current members? Families, young professionals, soccer moms, corporate peeps. Maybe you want to increase the amount of guys in your gym? Maybe you would like to get more older peeps in your gym?

Understanding who comes in your gym will help direct your marketing efforts.

2. Identify

What are your goals for the year? My guess is you already have some goals in place you would like to see accomplished. Are they written down somewhere? If you don’t have any goals set yet, this is a VERY important step.

You would never say, let’s go on vacation out west and start driving. You’ve got a destination in mind. These are your goals. Write them down and share them with your team. Showing others helps make you more accountable. We all need accountability in our life.

So create a short bulleted list and make them measurable. Also, make them realistic – “more members” often = more net revenues. More leads equals more members, better retention.

Here’s an example:

• Hold 1 offline retention-based event monthly comprised of 75% members & 25% future members
• Hold 2 local fundraisers – minimum 60 attendees
• Generate 50 new Personal Training leads
• Create 2 new co-branded partnerships
• Run 2 Automated Lead Nurturing Campaigns with 10% conversion
• Sell out 6 internal programs (nutrition, endurance, and women’s weightlifting) – 2 tracks each

3. Plan