Growing your fitness business is hard work, there are so many ways to spend your money, if you have followed or read any of my past blogs you will know that I am a huge fan of the free trial. It's not that I want to give away the farm but I firmly believe that part of getting people in the fitness business door is to break down their barriers.

Cost is one of those barriers and free trials are the way to side step it

Whether it is a free posture assessment, a week of boot camp or five yoga classes we can get new people in the door but then we all face the same problem. How to convert a trial to a paying customer.

3 tips for to convert the free person to a paying customer?

1. You need to make sure that you have systems in place to follow up with these trial customers. The first follow up is the day after their first appointment and be sure to use their name not a generic message.
2. Create as much value as possible during their very first visit. This could mean giving them a load of information and homework if you did a free assessment, if a free trial of your yoga center provide them with a home program to assist with the postures,  for membership gyms use their name and introduce them to as many people as possible this creates a sense of comfort and family.  Put together an offer that if they signup before the end of their free trial that they will get a discount on their first month or package, let them know about it at their very first visit.
3. If you did the free trial correctly then you really should not need to sell them on staying it should be an easy decision for them. That said they still may not be sure. The key here is to lay out what you have already provided them and ask them whot other services they might want to help them reach their goals. Next explain the cost of future sessions or memberships that you offer. Now the hardest part listen to what the trial person is saying. You will need to repeat what they said so listen carefully. Address their concerns or issues and do not be afraid to send them away to think about.

You do not need to close every person that comes through your door but what you do need to do is to have them happy they came. This will mean even the people you do not convert will talk about you and recommend your services to others.

Do you have a special hook or way that you convert people to your fitness business? Please share it with us.