Speaking of renewal Trainerfit is launching it’s promotions for the fall.  Along with ongoing Google and Yahoo ads we’ve added Facebook and Zummin.  If you haven’t done a search for trainers in Los Angeles you should.  You’re sure to find us.

We also have new co-promotions with TomWhitman Presents (TWP).  TWP is a great promotions and events group here in LA.  We are part of their on line marketing and communications efforts starting in September.  Be sure to keep an eye out for us on their email and marketing campaigns.

Enjoy the upcoming cooler temps and check back for the next blog from Trainerfit.net  And get out there and stay active, healthy and fit.

This month (June) we’re working on a broader marketing plan to leverage the media.  Besides more agressive marketing on line (adwords with Facebook and Google – Yelp and Craigslist) we’re also working to find some media coverage for the site and the trainers there.

If you’re a trainer and you’re not getting the visits to your profile you would like consider better pictures.  So far with the placements we’ve done, it appears that the successful trainers have clear photos of them.  Remember Trainerfit requires a face picture with your profile but feel free to show prospective new clients why you can whip them into shape.  I suggest a few of you training, working out with other clients and don’t forget the “eye candy” picture.  It’s a little cheesy but it really works….but keep it tasteful right!

We set up our table on stage in the middle of the dance floor.  The Aqua lounge is in Beverly Hills right in the the middle of the Rodeo Drive shopping area.  The lounge is pretty swanky.  Lush finishes, pumping music and ladies in langerie filled up the dark spaces.  Mobs of guys mixing and mingling.  Meeting new peeps, making new business contacts and generally getting more plugged into the LA social network.  Perfect place for Trainerfit to get the work out about our services.

We had 4 trainers working the crowd.  By the end of the night, I’m confident that any one there heard about us and has a basic understanding that we’re a site to match Trainers and clients. 

We generated about 30 direct leads to follow up and got a good jump on building our mailing/newseltter list.  Match that with a nice uptick in traffic to the web site makes it worth while. 

Next up, find the next event, market it to the members and get out there again.  Thanks to all that participated.

TrainerFit participated last month in a few fund raising events for both Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights Campaign.  The Planned Parenthood Food Fair was held in Santa Monica, California at the conference center.  Toni Sherman, who is a big fan of Trainerfit.net is also heavily involved in the Planned Parenthood organization and is a major event coordinator for the Food Fair each year.  It was my first time attending.  It was a sparkling event.

I’m not familiar with these types of events but I’m sure going to keep an eye on them in the future.  For a flat enterence fee you get into the event and get to sample some amazing food from participating sponsor restaurants from around the LA area.  Several notables were there including the folks from Patina Restaurants and hot dogs from Pinks.  YUMMM. 

Trainerfit provided 5 trainer packages for the silent auction.  Winner bidders are already working with the donating Trainer’s now and hopefully  in a few weeks we’ll have some excellent stories to tell about how these donations led to new business for the trainers.

The other event was the HRC event held at the Century Hyatt in Century City.  Again, it was a first class fundraiser.  This annual event honors notable contributions made by key GBLT media, political and public figures.  Along with a nice dinner there was key note speaches and a silent auction.  Trainerfit was a bit more directly involved in the HRC event since we were able to actually volunteer for the event.  Once again we offered 5 trainer packages during the auction.  And even now, trainers and the winning bidders are working together.  And just like with The Planned Parenthood donations we hope in the coming weeks trainers that generously donated their sessions will see some on going business from these efforts.

Thanks to all that participated. 

During this same time, Trainerfit started testing the success of direct mailers.  We mailed a slew of 4×6 postcard sized mailings to zip code 90210 (Beverly Hills).  While results are still coming in, frankly it’s a little disappointing to not see the anticipated 1 to 3% response rate expected.  Traffic to the site was up which could be a result of the mailings but so far only one solid lead was generated.  I know that some trainers have picked up new business as a result of the mass mailing.  But the expense to results ration doesn’t balance out.

As you can see, we’re trying several different marketing activities to see what works best.  We’ve also done some display ads in local publications but that response was even less direct.  So for now, efforts continue to focus on event sponsorships and participation.  There’s a really great return on the efforts made and the results seem to be there.

Coming up in April and May, Trainerfit will be focused on SEO (search engine optimization) and more event participation.  The SEO effort is internet based and is designed to help folks find the site better if they don’t remember or even know the Trainerfit name.  With some effort we should be able to let people just type into a search engine “find a trainer in LA” and they will be directed to Trainerfit.net

Additionally we’re launching our major sponsorship with So Cal Social Club starting May 6th.  This group holds regular monthly networking meetings and regularily attracts up to 120 attendees during their mixers.  The Demo for the group is exactly the target market we’re after.  Hopefully we’ll get some solid leads from these events too!

Happy Training and check back for more soon!

Well, we’re ready to go. We have 50+ trainers signed up with their basic profiles set. And as we continue to push to sign up new trainers (100 in 100 days right?), we are also getting ready to launch Client marketing. If you saw the January newsletter you’d noticed what was in store. But just in case, we’re doing direct marketing, a nd a major charity event with 1200 attendees where we’re donating services and time plus signage and possibly some local LA based ads in MetroSource and 944. That’s provided we have budget.

Anyway, I think we’re off to a great start. Hopefully with a mailing of over 5000 addresses we’ll grab 2 to 3% hit rate and get some leads for our partner trainers. So, get ready.

In the meantime – if you’re reading this you might also want to read more about how to launch a small business post I did with Intuit Software.  You can check it out at http://community.intuit.com/contests/d1tv6Crs0qllvkab8P4pmk .  It takes 5 minutes to read and it’s funny!

Welcome to my first Blog.  I’ve decided to blog about launching Trainerfit.net for a few reasons.  First, I think it will make for interesting reading for those that are directly or indirectly involved in building TrainerFit.net.  I also think it’s a great idea to share the process and progress of building the system, the business and ultimately the success of the service.  TrainerFit is a web based system for professional Fitness Trainers and those that need their services.

Why TrainerFit.net

TrainerFit.net is NEW.  Launched on the 3rd of January, 2009 TrainerFit.net aims to harness the power of advertising and the web to drive new business for Trainers.  Although there are several sites currently running which feature postings, profiles and content by Trainers we think they miss the mark.  We think that by providing a detailed database engine that captures Trainer expertise and experience, clients can shop for the RIGHT trainer for them. 

What’s NEXT?  In the coming weeks and months TrainerFit.net is building content and services to our site.  We are focused on getting 100+ trainers’ profiles in 100 days.  We’re off to a fast start already. 

When there are enough TrainerFit profiles and Trainers to build a good story we’ll start driving business.  TrainerFit plans to initially use Gureilla marketing techniques and direct mail/box stuffers to reach our target market/client market.  With very limited budgets intially we want to deliver results and with a targeted effort in our core test market (90048 Hollywood CA).

So why are you interested and would you read all this?

In the coming weeks I want to use the blog to accomplish a few things.  I want to share progress for users, stake and share holders, update information and efforts on both the site and any marketing efforts and share the experience of building this business. 

Thanks for joining Trainerfit (if you have), spread the word about health and fitness for 2009 and keep TrainerFit.net.