We recorded an audio podcast (below) along with this Video demonstration. Steve shows me an interesting use of the Healcode contact form that may help you convert more website visitors into paying customers.

Download audio file (008_FSM_HealCode.mp3)

It made sense and after searching Google and not finding anything we decided to create CyclingStudio.Org which is a Members Only, online community for and about Spinning® and Indoor Cycling Studios.  It’s open it to Owners, Managers and Potential Indoor Cycling Studio Owners. (If you have some other form of studio, you’re welcome as well. It’s just that the content will be specific to Cycling Studios.)

If that sounds like something you could use to improve your Cycling Studio then please check it out CyclingStudio.Org. Membership is free for a limited time and we would love your input at our Studio Owners Forum.

Mind Body, Inc. Sales and Business Development Manager Andres Moran joined me to explore how Fitness Business owners can benefit from using Mind Body Online to improve the marketing and management of their fitness business. I learned how Mind Body Online seamlessly integrates with other software like Constant Contact, simplifying the management of your client/prospect lists.

Do you have questions about a product or service that you would like to hear discussed? Leave a comment below.

Download audio file (007_FSM_MINDBODY.mp3)

Many people will be searching online to find; the start time and location of the starting line and maybe where the best places to park are. So why not tell them in a post on your site?

My Post title would be: Minneapolis Turkey Day 5k location, start time and best parking places.

The post copy would begin: Minneapolis Turkey Day 5k start time is 9:00am and the Minneapolis Turkey Day 5k starting line location is Lake Harriet band shell. The best places to park are near 44th and Upton. Look for me there (I’ll be near the back) and then bring your finisher ribbon to our Yoga Studio for a free one hour class and stretch. Here is the link to schedule your free class.

Off line marketing at local events are like shooting fish in a barrel with hundreds, if not thousands of fitness enthusiasts all in one place.

• Measure the grade of the climbs and post it on a sign, on the side of the road, with your studio’s name on it.
• Print up “post it notes” with some special offer. Then find some help and stick them on the rear view mirrors of cars parked near the starting line. “Why the rear view mirror’ you may ask? If you just stick a sheet of paper under the windshield wiper people will see them on their way back to their car and will already have decided to throw away the one you placed on their car, before the get there. Your sticky note won’t be noticed until they are in the car.
• Consider becoming a sponsor of the event.

Download audio file (006_FSM_conference_pt2.mp3)

Bill Pryor and I participated in a number of Fitness Studio Business Sessions and we discuss some of the discussions we have with other studio owners and potential owners about starting a studio and using social media to get found online.

Part 2 is coming next week.

Feel free to contact Bill for a free 30 minute consultation about planning a new fitness business or for ideas about marketing your existing studio.  bill@fitnessstudiomarketing.com or call him 781-254-3677

Download audio file (005_FSM_ICI_conference.mp3)

I was at my local Whole Foods and snapped this picture of their rack of free local publications. Inside of every issue I saw dozens of local events advertised, many that would be of particular interest to Health & Fitness Minded individuals.

People are searching for everything, all the time. A quick blog post about how you are offering a special discount to participants of one of these events may be found by your next customer.

Were you also aware that the presence of video on your website is viewed positively by Google?  It increases your online findability, and this is a major marketing benefit.  The tools to create and distribute video are so inexpensive and easy to use, there is very little reason not to integrate a few videos into your online presence.    Here are a few ideas on how to use video (click here to see actual fitness studio examples).

1. Provide an overview of your studio or facility
2. Promote your studio via interview  of an owner or key person
3. Be an expert / provide an instructional video
4. Customer testimonials

There are obviously professionals that can help you produce quality video, but if you or a friend have a few basic tools and some tech savvy, you can create video content that gives a cool sense of your studio.  Even a few brief minutes can be quite effective.