EP.11: Gym Marketing for Beginners - How To Do Market Research For Free

Andrew: In this episode, I'm going to outline how to do market research for your gym or fitness studio without spending a penny.

Hi, if we’ve never met before, my name is Andrew Wallis and I help empower fitness business owners to make an impact doing what they love and I do that by helping them grow and monetize their visibility so they can get clients on demand.

Welcome back to Fitness Marketing Blueprint which is my outlet to share what I feel is important and what’s not when it comes to marketing your fitness business and in today’s episode I wish to share 8 ways you can do market research for your gym or fitness studio without spending a penny.

The first way is..

1. Figure out your target audience

If you want to be successful in business, it's essential to figure out who your target audience is. This can be accomplished through market research. 

Market research involves collecting data about potential customers and understanding their needs and wants. 

This can be done through client surveys, interviews with existing clients or members. Once you have a good understanding of your target audience, you can then create marketing strategies that are tailored specifically to them. 

This will help you increase your chances of converting leads into customers. So if you're not sure who your target audience is, start doing some market research and figure it out!

2. Do some online research to see what other gyms are doing

Jumping online and checking out the sites and social media pages of both your local competitors as well as checking out high ranking sites on Google is a great way to see what other gyms and studios are doing and can give you plenty of ideas on ways to market your own facility. 

You can see what kind of promotions they are running, what kind of services they offer, and get an idea of what their pricing structure is. 

This will give you a good idea of what you need to do to attract new customers and keep your existing ones coming back. 

It is also a good way to see what your competition is up to so you can stay ahead of the game. Now I must say, I am not telling you to copy them, I am simply suggesting you stay abreast of what they are up to and that way you can stay ahead of the game or at the very least, see what is working online.

So if you haven't done any online research on your gym or studio recently, now is the time to start.

3. Use free resources to get an idea of what people are looking for in a gym 

If you're thinking of opening a gym or fitness facility, it's important to understand what potential members are looking for. 

Fortunately, there are a number of free resources that can give you insights into the world of gym marketing. 

Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are a great place to start, as they offer a wealth of information about what people are saying about gyms in your area. 

Type in your competitors name into Google and check out what reviews have been left.

You can also search for online forums and message boards dedicated to fitness and health. 

By taking the time to understand the needs and wants of your target market, you'll be in a better position to create a successful gym that meets their needs.

4. Brainstorm a list of unique selling points for your gym

Marketing research is an essential tool for any business, and that includes gyms. 

Before you can determine what makes your gym unique, you need to understand what your target market is looking for. 

What are their pain points? What do they value most? Once you've done your research, you can start to brainstorm a list of unique selling points for your gym. 

For example, maybe you offer a more personalised training experience, or maybe you have state-of-the-art equipment that other gyms or studios don't have. 

Whatever it is that sets you apart, make sure it's something that your target market will value. 

Only then will you be able to attract new members and grow your business.

5. Create marketing materials that highlight these selling points

Marketing research is critical for any business that wants to create effective marketing materials. Without it, you risk creating marketing that doesn't resonate with your target audience. 

Marketing research can help you to understand who your target audience is, what they're looking for, and how best to reach them. 

It can also helps you to identify what selling points are most likely to resonate with your target audience. 

By taking the time to do Marketing research, you can ensure that your marketing makes a lasting impression.

6. Start promoting your fitness facility through social media, email newsletters, and word-of-mouth

Your gym or studio is a great place for people to work out, improve their health, make friends and be part of a supportive community, but only if people know you exist. 

Marketing research can help you determine the best way to reach your target audience and get them in the door. 

Social media, email newsletters, flyers, postcards, strategic alliances and word-of-mouth are all great ways to promote your gym or studio. You can use social media to post updates on new classes, deals, and events. 

Email newsletters are a great way to keep people updated on what's going on at your facility, as well as share tips and advice. 

And word-of-mouth is still one of the best forms of marketing - so make sure your current members are spreading the word! 

By using a combination of these marketing strategies, you'll be sure to attract new members and keep your gym or studio thriving.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for some help getting started with your gym marketing, I’ve got you covered. 

In this post, I walked you through how to do market research for free and I gave you a few tips on how to use that information to improve your marketing strategy. 

Remember, it takes time and effort to see results from your marketing campaigns, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see an immediate increase in traffic or memberships. 

Keep at it and keep learning about your members; soon enough, you’ll be seeing the results you want.

Are there any other techniques or strategies you would like me to cover in a future episode? Let me know @andrewwallishq