How to Sell More Gym Memberships with a Business of the Week Program

In the health club industry, the success or failure of most gyms depends on their ability to CONSISTENTLY generate quality leads and then to convert a significant percentage of those leads into paying fitness center members.

The focus of this article is on generating quality leads without spending a fortune. For additional free ideas on how to generate leads and convert them into paying members, visit this page: http://www.cuecd.com/articles.asp.

A very easy way to boost a lead list is to start a Business Of The Week program. In a nutshell, the Business Of The Week is simply any local establishment that you have chosen as a marketing target. What you're going to do is create a 'special' offer just for the employees of that business, approach the company with that offer, and then try to sell gym memberships to their employees.

There are several variations on the Business of the Week program, and to be successful in your particular area you need to try all of them at least once. After you have identified which method works for you, then roll it out to all the companies in your town.

The first technique for selling more gym memberships with a Business of the Week program is to simply make up some cards and ask to place them in the employee lounge. The logo of the 'Prospect company' should be front-and-center on the card, making it seem like a special offer just for them. For only about $2.50, you can purchase a brochure holder and create a nice little display. The text on the card should read something like this: "We would like to extend a special offer to the women of (grocery store). Bring this card in to ABC Gym and receive a 1-week FREE trial membership! At ABC Gym, we help women lose fat and tone up with the best 30-minute workout. You will be surprised to find that you can get a complete workout on your lunch hour -- -- .and still have time to eat! ABC Gym is located in the XYZ shopping plaza."

As is the case with placing lead boxes and other forms of cooperative advertising, be sure to ask permission before putting cards in any business!

Another way to operate a Business of the Week program is to speak at their weekly or monthly staff meeting. Although you will probably only be granted a few minutes of speaking time, this method is preferred because you have the chance for face-to-face selling. Don't forget to hand out coupons during/after your presentation!

A third process you can follow for Business of the Week is to hang a poster in the employee lounge for a week. The poster should allow employees to sign up for a free trial membership. With this particular twist, it's best to make the offer valid for an entire month so that you can leave the poster at the business for a full four weeks. Hopefully, you will have at least ten employees sign up for a free trial membership, and then you have ten new leads.

Whichever approach you utilize, the critical point to remember is that if you're going to sell more gym memberships with a Business Of The Week program then the offer must be SPECIAL and UNIQUE. If you're offering (grocery store) employees what they think is a really special deal for just a limited time, and those employees find that everyone else is getting the same (or even a better) deal, then you've lost all credibility and all future sales through that company. Be honest, create a deal for them, and let them know that they need to act NOW before the deal is gone.

Everyone loves a deal, and everyone loves even more a deal that is SPECIAL and UNIQUE and just for them.....and that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you sell more gym memberships with a Business Of The Week program.