Contents

Start Your Own Personal Training Business: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Success Fourth Edition

    Preface

Chapter 1

    Introduction to Personal Training

            What Do Personal Trainers Do?

            Meet the Experts

            Who Is Your Market?

            Is This Business for You?

            Credibility and Credentials

            Continuing Education

Chapter 2

    Designing Your Business

            Business Plan Elements

            To Market, to Market

            The Competitor You Can’t See

                    Committed Long Term

            The Industry’s Showcase

            Selling Related Products

            Establishing Policies and Procedures

                    Cancellation Policy

                    Late Policy

            Think About the Unthinkable

                    Are You Liable?

            Are You on a Mission?

Chapter 3

    Structuring Your Business

            Business Structure

            Business Insurance

            Licenses and Permits

            Professional Advisors

            What’s in a Name?

Chapter 4

    Locating and Setting Up Your Business

            Independence or Autonomy?

            Recreation and Community Centers

            Home Gyms

            Personal Training Studios and Private Gyms

            Mobile Gym Units

            The Great Outdoors

            Commercial Facilities

Chapter 5

    Operating Online

            Setting Up Your Website

            Getting Outside Help

            Computer-Based Training Tools

            Email Dos and Don’ts

            Boosting Traffic

            Website Disclaimer

Chapter 6

    Create a Social Media Presence in 19 Baby Steps

            Making Use of Heavy Traffic Sites

            Where’s My Tribe?

            Baby Steps

            Words Are Hooks

            How Are the Pros Using Social Media?

            Good Habits Die Hard

            Building Relationships Takes Time

Chapter 7

    Setting Yourself Apart

            Trends

                    Zumba

                    Destination Venues

                    Group Training

                    TRX

                    Yoga, Stretching Arts, and Preventative Therapy

                    Baby Boomer Fitness

                    Wellness Coaching

            Functional Training

                    At the Core

            Choosing a Niche

                    Consider Your Strengths and Likes

Chapter 8

    Startup Expenses and Financing

            Sources of Startup Funds

            Equipping Your Business

                    Telecommunications

                    Office Supplies

                    Exercise Equipment

                    Vehicle

            Adding It All Up

Chapter 9

    Staffing Your Business

            Where to Look

            Evaluating Applicants

            Once They’re on Board

            Paying Your Employees

                    Employee Benefits

            Employees or Independent Contractors?

            Noncompete and Confidentiality Agreements

Chapter 10

    Building Client Relationships

            The Initial Consultation

            As the Boss

            Critical Documents

                    Informed Consent, Release, and Assumption of Risk

                    Physician Consent/Clearance

                    Fitness Assessment

                    Client Records

            Keeping Your Clients Motivated

            Clients as Allies

            Can Clients Reach You?

Chapter 11

    Advertising and Marketing

            Marketing 101

            Getting the Word Out

                    Direct Mail

                    Collateral Materials

                    The Real Gold Mine

                    Medical Referral Programs

            Ideas for Promoting Your Business

                    Is It Newsworthy?

                    Give It Away

            Selling Your Business

            Be Prepared

            Assessing Your Results

Chapter 12

    Fiscal Fitness

            Pricing Your Services

            Payment Methods

                    Accepting Credit and Debit Cards

                    Setting Credit Policies

            Billing

            Keeping Records

            Ask Before You Need

Chapter 13

    Tales from the Trenches

            Know What Your Clients Know

                    Sleep Research Is Hot Right Now!

            Stay Flexible

            Assign Homework

            Pick Up After Your Clients

            Invest in Education

            You Are Not Your Client

            Maintain a Client Base

            Don’t Throw It Away

            Decide How Much You’re Willing to Work

            Be Your Own Advertisement

                    Advantages to Staying in Shape as a Trainer

            Give Gifts That Come Back to You

            Mentorship from Seasoned Experts

Appendix

    Personal Training Resources

            Consultants and Other Experts

            Credit Card and Other Payment Processing Services

            Equipment, Supplies, and Services

            Fitness Organizations

            Health-Related Associations and Government Agencies

            Magazines, Books, and Other Publications

            Miscellaneous Resources

            Software and Web-Based Tools and Services

            Successful Personal Trainers

            Useful Websites

    Glossary

    Index

Start Your Own Business

ON YOUR MARK . . .

PART 1

THINK

CHAPTER 1

    Introduction

CHAPTER 2

    Taking the Plunge: Get Ready to Be an Entrepreneur

CHAPTER 3

    Good Idea!: How to Get an Idea for Your Business

CHAPTER 4

    Good Timing: Should You Launch Your Business Part or Full Time?

CHAPTER 5

    Build It or Buy It?: Starting a Business vs. Buying One

PART 2

PLAN

CHAPTER 6

    Choose Your Target: Defining Your Market

CHAPTER 7

    If You Build It, Will They Come?: Conducting Market Research

CHAPTER 8

    The Name Game: Naming Your Business

CHAPTER 9

    Make It Legal: Choosing a Business Structure

CHAPTER 10

    Plan of Attack: Creating a Winning Business Plan

CHAPTER 11

    Call in the Pros: Hiring a Lawyer and an Accountant

PART 3

FUND

CHAPTER 12

    All in the Family: Financing Starts with Yourself and Friends and Relatives

CHAPTER 13

    Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained: How to Find and Attract Investors

CHAPTER 14

    Looking for Loans: The Ins and Outs of Debt Financing

CHAPTER 15

    Fed Funds: How to Get Government Loans

GET SET

PART 4

PREPARE

CHAPTER 16

    What’s Your Deal?: Negotiating Successfully by Cliff Ennico

CHAPTER 17

    Site Seeking: Choosing a Location for Your Business

CHAPTER 18

    Looking Good: Creating a Professional Image

CHAPTER 19

    Stock Answers: The Lowdown on Inventory

CHAPTER 20

    It’s in the Mail: Setting Up Mailing Systems

CHAPTER 21

    Charging Ahead: Offering Your Customers Credit

CHAPTER 22

    Cover Your Assets: Getting Business Insurance

CHAPTER 23

    Staff Smarts: Hiring Employees

CHAPTER 24

    Perk Up: Setting Employee Policies and Benefits

PART 5

BUY

CHAPTER 25

    Buyer’s Guide: Business Equipment Basics

CHAPTER 26

    Business 24/7: Using Technology to Boost Your Productivity

CHAPTER 27

    Net Works: Building Your Company Website

CHAPTER 28

    Keep in Touch: Using Technology to Stay Connected

GO

PART 6

MARKET

CHAPTER 29

    Brand Aid: Building a Brand

CHAPTER 30

    Marketing Genius: Advertising and Marketing Your Business

CHAPTER 31

    Talking Points: How to Promote Your Business

CHAPTER 32

    Sell It!: Effective Selling Techniques

CHAPTER 33

    Now Serving: Offering Superior Customer Service

PART 7

ENGAGE

CHAPTER 34

    Net Sales: Online Advertising and Marketing

CHAPTER 35

    Social Studies: Social Media Marketing

CHAPTER 36

    Can You Relate?: Social Media Networking

PART 8

PROFIT

CHAPTER 37

    Keeping Score: The Basics of Bookkeeping by J. Tol Broome Jr.

CHAPTER 38

    Making a Statement: How to Create Financial Statements by J. Tol Broome Jr.

CHAPTER 39

    On the Money: Effectively Managing Your Finances by J. Tol Broome Jr.

CHAPTER 40

    Pay Day: How to Pay Yourself

CHAPTER 41

    Tax Talk: What You Need to Know About Your Taxes by Joan Szabo

APPENDIX

    Business and Government Resources

Glossary

Index