Have you ever come up with a new program idea, put out an informational flyer and attendance was sparse? Or possibly no one attended at all? Then this article is for you.
Sometimes, “Giving a Little” information away free goes a long way. To “Give a little,” means to give out free information to let the audience learn about your expert and hopefully entice them to buy into the program or service, or “Get a little.”
This is a helpful technique when you are promoting a new trainer and you are trying to build awareness about their expertise in the health club.
The way the plan works:
- Plan your program. Your program could be a seminar, class or workout
- Offer a free seminar the week before or a free demo class the first day of the program
- It is most important to have the flyer for your paid program available at the free seminar, so people can register for the main program
- Additional promotions include, “Giving a Little” with social media. Create a series of videos that give a little information about the program or seminar. For example, a trainer giving a Trigger Point Seminar can do a series of short instructional videos on how to trigger point one muscle group. Post the video once or twice a week or add it to Facebook Events to show people the exercise. Social media posts should include, the personal trainer’s name, date and time of the free demonstration as well as registration information.
Examples:
When running a self-defense class or new type of workout program, offer members the opportunity to come attend class the first day to try it out to help them decide if they want to register.
For a nutrition program you are launching, it always makes sense to run a free seminar or a teaser on a break out topic from the bigger seminar. It will encourage people to come and get to know your nutritionist. Before the seminar ends, the nutritionist can give away free half-hour one-on-one sessions or go over his/her other program offerings.
For our Yoga Teacher Training launch a few years ago, we promoted it by offering three free yoga classes and information seminars. In doing this, all the social media promoted the three free seminars and then the final Teacher Training. At each event our head Yoga Teacher was able to have more touch points with potential students which increased the opportunities for registration.