Mobile App: Four Simple Ways to Promote

Joanna Truong, a sales consultant at Twin Oaks, shares four simple strategies for increasing downloads of your club’s mobile app.

Mobile apps are penetrating every industry, and the fitness industry is no exception. 

We are in an era where technology is becoming an integral part of fitness, enabling gym owners, coaches and trainers to run their businesses while simultaneously providing fitness access to their members.

Mobile apps are shaping the way gyms and studios interact with their members. Through apps, members are more engaged, motivated and, most importantly, loyal to their gym.

However, making an app available to members does not garner downloads. Clubs often face the challenge of finding creative ways to get more downloads. This will not happen on its own unless you promote your app.

Here are four simple ways to promote your mobile app:

1. Advertise on Your Website. Build an online presence for your app. 

It will give you a chance to address member benefits associated with your app, answer any questions members may have and provide an additional place where they can be redirected to download your app — after all, most people surf the web from their smartphone. 

2. Create an Onboarding Process.

One of the best times to captivate members is immediately following the sign up.

Make the mobile app part of your closing process. At the end of each membership sale, show members where they can download the app, tell them about the key benefits of having it and show them how to use it. 

In addition, embed direct links to your club app in your automated new member emails and text messages. Be sure to include both Google Play and App Store options.

3. Social Media.

If your members are already following you on social media, it won’t take a lot of effort for them to see your posts to install your club app.

Getting their attention is key. There are several strategies to promote your app on social media, but one major move is through eye-catching visuals and videos.

Give them a video teaser. Post a sample workout they could only find on your app. Promote family add-on specials that are exclusive to app users. Share before-and-after fitness transformations and goal setting app features that will get members excited to use it. Create a hashtag that makes your club app discoverable. 

4. Incentivize.

Everyone loves free stuff. Who doesn’t? Giving away free stuff to members who download and use your club app can actually be a simple yet cost-effective way to entice more installs.

Be creative. Offer credits that can be used to purchase an item from your shake bar. Give a discount that can be applied to their first personal training package. 

Gamification is another popular strategy to incentivize downloads. Set up reward systems through your app. As an example, for every check-in or dollar spent, members will receive a point toward a redeemable reward. 

Joanna Truong

Joanna Truong is a sales consultant at Twin Oaks Software and former health club manager at various fitness centers. She may be contacted at 860.829.6000.