Client Retention: Tips to Reward Clients for Loyalty to Further Business Stability and Growth

Personal training is a lucrative business; however, you can’t make money if you can’t retain your clients! Making your clients feel like they are #1 is the key to retention efforts in the world of personal training and private training studios. As a professional personal trainer, here are a few strategies that use to make my business both profitable and successful.

Strategy #1 - Reward Client Referrals

Often business owners associate the size of a reward with the satisfaction of the client getting the reward.  That is, a big reward is needed to satisfy the client. But the  truth is more basic than that - most people simply want to be acknowledged and thanked for their loyalty.

As a personal trainer,  the first thing that you can implement immediately is create an acknowledgement system such as a referral rewards system for current clients who refer potential new clients . Adding in a small reward of $10-50 for each referral that signs up is a great incentive.  Although the money is nice, the current clients will appreciate the acknowledgement more than the reward.

A client that refers is a loyal client. If they are willing to vouch for your business and recommend it to a friend or family then they should be considered a loyal fan.

Set up a system where you consistently reward and acknowledge those that refer during your sessions, in your newsletters and on your blog. You can even thank them and tag them in pictures using social media.

Not only does this make the referring client feel good about referring a friend but it builds a culture of referrals in your program.

Strategy #2 - Small Gifts Reap Big Rewards

Along the same lines of acknowledgement and appreciation, you can create special offers or programs for your most loyal clients. If you know your clients well you know who spends the most money with you or who has been with you the longest. Using a client management system is an easy way to find your “big spenders” and reward them for their loyalty.

Sending these clients a free gift or getting a joint venture partner to donate a special offer to only these clients is a great way to show your appreciation. Very few businesses go out of their way to reward and show their appreciation for their loyal customers.Investing a few hundred dollars on gifts for your best clients and most loyal fans will pay off big dividends in the long run. For example, a personal training client who shows 6 months of consistent loyalty should be entitled to a month’s worth of free sessions

Strategy #3 - Build a Sense of Community

Holding a few events throughout the year for your clients is a great way to build and reward loyalty. These can be as simple as a barbeque in the park or a potluck Christmas party at the gym.  These events can range from laid back to a red carpet extravaganza. Make the event fit your personality and the personality and tastes of your clients.  Make sure that it  fits in your budget thereby allowing you to host a few events per year. The magic isn’t in ‘what’ the event is but more in the  ‘experience’ that  you provide. Building a community will help you build a loyal and larger fan base.

If you need to find a way to reward loyalty and build client retention, then try these 3 strategies.  Building your fitness community by keeping your clients satisfied and in the gym!