The $14,000 Email and Why Haters Get Vaporized
I’ve got a killer referral generation tactic for you today.
It actually made one of my clients over $14,000 this month. And he was kind enough to let me share it with you.
But first I need to get up on my soap box for a minute and get something off my chest.
Before I do that I want to thank the dozens of fitness professionals who emailed me and stood up for me on blogs, facebook and twitter last Sunday and the early part of this week.
THANK YOU!
It’s awesome to know that so many cool people from the U.S. Canada and UK got my back 
Okay… here’s the deal.
I’m so FREAK’IN tired of the haters!
All they put out is piss and vinegar.
They cry like little babies, put out inflammatory emails, and then go back and do damage control when they realize they F’ed up…
To the haters I say don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out!
What pisses me off even more is most of these clowns who claim to be fitness marketing guru have never owned or operated a successful personal training business.
Shit, some haven’t even sold a single freak’in session - but they manage to give themselves GURU status.
WTF does that mean anyway!?!
-THE JIG IS UP! -
It’s one of three things with these Jokers…
They either have ZERO industry experience and chose the fitness industry as a good target to position themselves as gurus… and since anyone can proclaim guru status on the internet - they do.)
Or they knock off other people’s products and/or create their own shitty products and attempt to sell them out of their one bedroom ghetto apartment…err… I mean corporate office.
Or they catch the vapors and get VAPORIZED when someone is actually delivering great products and services to the industry and they go into HYPER HATER-ISM mode and spew their venom.
I’m not saying I’m some guru… I think that’s stupid!
Yeah, I know my stuff. And I’m REALLY good at what I do.
I’ve earned what I have because before I became who I am I was ACTUALLY making it happen as a personal trainer.
I’ve been in the trenches…
At the peak of my personal training career I was PERSONALLY selling over 20,000 personal training sessions a year. I did that for over five years straight. (that’s gotta be some kind of record)
(You can see proof of my selling prowess at the top of CloseClients.com.)
I’ve owned my own SUCCESSFUL training facilitates…
I’ve helped grow two of America’s largest personal training companies to over $21,000,000/year (yep million) and over 60 location each.
I’ve created multiple SEVEN FIGURE EARNING personal trainers. (One will be presenting at FBS09 and others will be attending.)
I’m not saying any of this to toot my own horn or to impress you. Most of you reading this already know this stuff.
I’m telling you this to impress upon you that the fitness industry, like all industries has its good, bad, and ugly.
My advice to you… BEWARE OF THE SKINNY CHEF.
And NEVER EVER be a hater.
If you aren’t good at something, either get good at it or get the F#%K out and choose another industry.
Because haters never prosper.
Okay, where were we before the haters interrupted?…
Right… the referral generation email.
I don’t know of any one personal trainer marketing system that can get you one hundred new clients. But I do know one hundred ways to get you one new client.
The formula for marketing your fitness business is ridiculously simple:
Do more of the things that work. And less of the thing that don’t.
Never rely on ONE holy grail fitness marketing system because it doesn’t exist and anyone who tries to tell you otherwise if full of crap.
When you distill your personal trainer marketing down to its bare bones it all comes down to one simple thing; having many poles in the water.
One of my mentorship clients recently got $123,000 of personal trainer sales in the first four and a half weeks of this year off a direct response letter we crafted together.
Yeah, it worked like gang busters. But I’d be STUPID to suggest to him that direct mail should be his ONLY source of marketing.
Several other of my mentorship clients got between 21 and 32 new clients in a matter of ten days by using my buddy Steve Hochman’s Human Billboard phone script.
But again I’d be STUPID to suggest to them that this should serve as their main or only personal trainer marketing tactic.
If you want a consistent flow of qualified leads you need many poles in the water…
… and that means:
- Direct mail letters
- Lead generation postcards
- Lead boxes in strategic places
- High ranking/converting website
- Craigs list/kijiji/backpage listings
- Pay Per Click
- Blogging
- Social networking sites
- Email marketing
- Internal referral systems
- External referral systems
- Grocery store tours
- Professional joint ventures
- Networking groups
- Doctor referrals
- Free Seminars
You get the point…
With that in mind let me show you another fitness marketing systems that recently produced $14,000 in new clients for Andrew Voris, another one of my clients.
What I love most about this system is that is brilliantly simple… free… and produces almost instant results.
Here’s the low down.
It’s an internal email based referral generation system that kicked butt. And Andrew was kind enough to let me share it with you.
In fact here is the email I got from him the other day.
———-
Bedros,
Here’s an email I sent out that brought me over 14K this month alone!
I knew how to do this because I have been using your programs for years! Thanks for the years of guidance!
EMAIL SUBJECT LINE: Referral Rewards
Dear XXXXXX,
I just wanted to let you know that I try to mainly use referrals as marketing for my business and like to reward for referrals! As a new client you will always be rewarded with 2 free sessions once someone you refer to us purchases training.
If you know anyone that may be interested please send them to our website www.bodyformpersonaltraining.com. Better yet you can email them about us and our services and c.c. me at V#####@gmail.com.
I usually wait until clients have seen results before asking for referrals but I am very confident you will get great results and want to continue training and tell all of your pals! Keep me informed about your progress and how your training is going by emailing me anytime you wish whether you are training with me or one of my trainers!
Thanks for being one of our clients!
Andy Voris, BodyForm Personal Training
———-
Let me break down Andrew’s email referral generation system down for you, because while it’s surprisingly simple there’s actually a lot going on here.
In fact there are four very specific action DRIVERS I want to point out to you.
-First, his email subject is not hypey. In fact it’s exactly what the body of the email goes into but it’s still compelling (Referral Rewards).
-Second, he makes it a point to state that referral generation is his MAIN marketing system. This makes the client feel a greater sense of obligation and more committed to giving him a referral… after all it’s his MAIN marketing system.
-Third, he makes “giving a referral a CONDITION OF DOING BUSINESS WITH HIM”. He does this by asking for a referral while the client is NEW and has not picked up any bad habits - like not referring.
Plus, a new client is much more likely to refer because they’re still HOT. They’re excited about the program and want to share it with other… Andrew is just giving them a reason to do that by offering them more of what they want - free training sessions.
-Finally he gives them SPECIFIC directions on what to do next. He asks them to send the person to his website (and then tells them what he really wants) or better yet, to email their friend and to CC him on the email.
Basically the new clients would be making an introduction by doing this. And that action alone makes the deal W-A-Y easier to close for Andrew.
Kinda cool, eh?
What do you think? Leave me your thoughts and comments below…
Comments on The $14,000 Email and Why Haters Get Vaporized »
KILLER post Bedros, yeah I saw that scum sucking piece of shit put that email out last week bagging on you… you have 10x the loyalty, personality and real in-trenches know-how than that dude ever will.
How come he always seems so uptight? In his videos he always looks like his underwear is 3 sizes too small and that he’s having a shitty day… if I were him I’d have the other dude do all the videos… maybe he can hold the camera or something… but he sure shouldn’t be in front of that damn thing
Some people just live in a fear based scarcity based mind-set and only feel better when they can be-little others
You’re stuff is the real deal man and your customers and clients know that and love you for it
Remember that time you sent out a few emails for me and generated approx $30k in sales in less than a week… I don’t know if you remember it but I sure do ( just another one of those times when you proved you were the real deal)
Keep up the good work my friend
Hey Bedros, I’m a long time fan of your Art of Selling Fitness kit. I’m also finding it eerie when people give themselves guru status. I think it has to do with Dan Kennedy’s recent DVD The Phenomenon where people are encouraged to create credibility markers even when they have no experience in the field. There’s that one ex-bartender on the documentary who’s making a killing as a marketer for dentists. He prides himself on not having had any background before he gave himself guru status. These kinds of folks are popping up everywhere and I compare their content to yours, the gold standard. I don’t think the GKIC techniques themselves are a bad thing. I think it’s the unscrupulous folks who misuse it.
I’m glad I got that email to you as soon as I received it….When someone is your friend when your giving them money but it takes months to get a hold of them when you realize that they want nothing to do with you because you aren’t giving them anything….Leaves a bad taste in my mouth…..
Every time I have emailed you or messaged you you have answered right away and with truth….Never once answering a question with the old ” the answer to that is in my —-product.”
You are a good man….And Chris is the same….
Had to mention that because he is right above me.
It seems that if you are even paying any attention and writing about the “haters” you are wasting good energy. Why even bother bringing up the hater? It appears that you are more interested in making yourself look good. If they truly had no base or bearing - don’t even spend a moment on it or a web page on it. Just keep doing what you are doing instead.
Wow..I have no idea what happened but I’m trying to read between the lines…I really wish this kind of stuff would stop in our industry ..really. Maybe I am a idealiist but shouldn’t we all be working together to help each other? I just separate myself from those that are less than honest or must resort to unethical tactics.But really that just makes them look bad in the end.I wish i had more facts on this particular incident but I find it ironic that I personally have reached my boiling point with some of the top marketers in our industry and then I see this post..
btw, I did email you too this week…it was all good:)
Oh geez…I forgot to mention that I always say…have as many poles in the water as you can” and that advice is golden:)
Bedros,
I saw that email too.
Couldn’t believe those guys sent it out.
Makes them look small and scared.
Anyway, thanks for sharing the “Referral Rewards” email
and breaking down its components.
Simple, yet brilliant.
Peace.
Donovan "DFitnessguy" @ 5:34 pm
Wow! Forgive me, I’m busy wiping my chill bumps down!
Bedros, you killed it on this post and I think the point is very clear here.
I personally want to thank you for everything you do. Every piece of content that you deliver has value…real value.
Thanks for the lead generation email…hey, more value.
Take care, my man!
Donovan “DFitnessguy” Owens
Hutto, Texas Womens Fitness Boot Camps
Margarite @ 5:39 pm
Wow… I don’t know what you guys are talking about - missed the “hater” people comments… Anyway, Bedros - only take in the good stuff, because the “hate” stuff deserves not even a response… It usually comes from JEALOUSY
lol… it’s sad… I think everybody thinks for themselves and knows what’s going on, hopefully. I personally don’t even read stuff that’s negative. I read the good stuff you post - if it helps me that’s great. If it doesn’t it’s only because i just haven’t had the time to experiment with it, but definatly appreciate all the pointers online….
Bedros,
Another awesome post. I gotta admit, I had no clue what you were talking about, so I went to my gmail to check all my “fitness marketing” emails to see if I could get to the bottom of it.
Turns out those 2 guys go to a folder that I made just for them and never check because their emails are so spammy (371 unread emails from them to be exact). Well after I read the email I decided to unsubscribe from their newsletter, now for the daunting task of clearing out those unread mails.
You have made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of fitness entrepreneurs and you reap what you sow. Keep doin what you do.
Casey George
Wonderful post buddy. Andy’s referral email is a great example for all fitness pros to follow. As far as the ‘haters’ go, isn’t it ironic that someone would bash infoproducts when that’s all they’ve ever done?
Keep up the great work man!
Pat Rigsby
Bedros those two gus are scum and seek like snake oil salesmen. I notice they even use your name us their google pay per click ad. Found that out when I google your name
To Find your articles.
You rock bedros. Thanks for all you do.
M
Bedros,
I’m not sure what’s going on in your world that you would write this blog, but you took the words out of my mouth. I’m having a situation here in Calgary (again) with a ‘hater’ and ‘phony guru’ who seems to think that slamming good business people will make himself look better. (Flawed thinking on his part and frustrating on mine.)
All I can say to you Bedros is ‘what goes around comes around’, hang in there. I have only the highest regard for you and all your advice. You are second to none in this business. I continue to look to you to push my business to the next level. Thanks for everything. I’m looking forward to another great Summit in May.
Bedros,
I just started to use you profitnewsletter and Im learning a lot from you so far. I’m looking forward to meet you personally one day. I like the email wrote by you client Andrew. I’ve been using that strategy for a little while but what I do differently is giving them an option to get an extra session on the current training package or $50 off next month. Also, during the month of February I had a promo for my current clients where when they reffer a friend to try our services and that person buys one of our packages the client don’t pay the next month, if he/she refers 2, don’t pay for 2 months and so on and so forth but that has to happen within the promo month. It’s a great tool, works for me and the clients get excited when they don’t get to pay for a month or two and I get excited for getting new clients. Thanks fir the input, knowledge and expertise in the fitness field. Be blessed!!! Joel-West Palm Beach, Fl.
Don’t waste your time on him keep going stong. We… I always appreciate and look foward to your work. Thank you!
Like most people, I missed the hater post but like Dan Kennedy says “If he isn’t pissing someone off by lunch time then he’s not doing his job”.
Looks like you’re doing your job mate, keep it up!
Paul Barrett @ 11:00 pm
Bedros,
I have been receiving your e-mails for awhile now…….and all your stuff is FULL WITH EXCELLENT CONTENT…..no filler!! i have also purchased your Selling PT DVD package and it was RIGHT ON THE MARK!
I AM HOPING to get involved in more of what u put out for the fitness pro…….why??? because U KNOW WHAT WORKS !
I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET my bootcamp biz off the ground….i train full time……and its a bit frustrating ….because it hasn’t clicked yet.
i m lookin to see more of what u have in that area……
Anyway, wanted to drop u a line….and put my 2 cents in. I didn’t see THAT HATER E-MAIL…..but from where i stand ….u are THE REAL DEAL !
U R A GREAT TEACHER AND COME ACROSS AS A REGULAR GUY…..WHO WANTS TO ASSIST OTHERS IN MAKING IT!!
NICE TO SEE YOU COME OUT SWINGING AND THROWING SOME HEAVYWEIGHT PUNCHES……..i AM SURE THE HATERS ARE STILL TRYING TO GET BACK OFF THE FLOOR AND GET TO THE HOSPITAL FAST AFTER THE ASS WHOPPING U GAVE THEM!!
U KEEP ROCKIN’ THE FITNESS WORLD !!
PAUL BARRETT
[email protected]
Glenn Beard @ 11:51 pm
Bedros,
I don’t usually respond to blog posts but I think I’ll make an exception in this case. I received that email you speak of. I have used products from that organization. I find them to be pretty solid. I have also bought from you. I have your how to close 9 out of 10 clients DVD and find it to be very solid. I learned a thing or two to say the least from that (if my experience is any indication I think you should change the name of the DVD to ” How to close 10 out of 10″.
I have returned to my first passion (fitness) after a 14 year career as a physical therapist. It was time to follow the dream God placed in side me and not settle for the comfortable and familiar (physical therapy is a great career but was never my passion).
I tell you that, to say this… I am shocked by the amount of bad mouthing that goes on in the personal training industry. I have experienced this myself. Some personal trainers feel that I should not have anything to do with personal training since I am a physical therapist - as if I am invading their territory (a turf war of sorts I suppose). Never mind that I was a personal trainer before it was called personal training (yes that dates me but what can I say - I’m old). My response to them - whatever.
Which brings this rambling post to my main point… Truth will always win out. Truth is we are all designed to win. The truth also is not everyone will experience that victory. There’s alot of reasons for this, one of which is attacking each other.
I don’t worry about what others are doing or saying (about me or anything else). I focus on what i can do to improve my business and impact more lives in the process. Stay focused on your mission (my bet is that your mission is not to defend yourself against every negative comment about you). Anyway I don’t want to sound preachy, because you sure dont need that from me. frankly I doubt you need anything from me. At any rate keep doing what you are doing, I think you have something to say that is valuable to the personal training profession. Thanks.
Glenn C, Baerd, PT
http://www.FTorlando.com
Thanks for all the comments and support everyone
I’m not calling anyone out… at least not yet.
I’m just fed up with haters and bullshit artists who profess BUT have NEVER practiced, yet they go around talking crap.
I’m all about live and let live…there’s plenty of room in the market place – even for haters…
B-U-T I’ll bite your face off if you piss me off and run my name through the mud.
That’s how I roll.
Bedros
Bedros, this is a great post!
Thanks for giving us great content like the email referral generator above even while you vent off your soapbox lol
Vapporize, cool word. Hope you don’t if I use it
You are HANDS DOWN the person I look to for getting all three of my studios opperating at full speed. as a matter of fact your PT Business course has increased our profit margines for allthree locations by about 25% thanks to your payroll model and EFT building system.
THANK YOU
I agree with Chris Mccombs. That guy is always so stiff and dry - like he’s got something to hide or he’s pissed at the world.
I once emailed him and all he did was try to push one prodcut after another one me. Came off so desperate I hung up.
See you at the Summit in May!
David
Who the hell are you guys talking about? Why so secretive?
Hey Bedros, your content is right on very similar to our college for fitness business here in Australia, I find that what Peter says about Paul says more about Peter. Its funny how people often critisize the successful we call them pullers and ignore them. Keep doing what you do best your killing it.
Bedros thank you so much for what you are doing! I,ve gotten so much great advice and info, from you and I HAVEN’T SPENT A PENNY! Now I won’t name names but there are “others” out there who are freakin snake oil sale’s men and it doesn’t take long for any intelligent fitness professional to figure it out and kick their shit to the curb! I have in 2 months taken my PT department from roughly 11.000 a month to 30.000 by just implementing some of your strategies!The current economic disaster we are in is glaring proof that you can no longer make a living out of lying to and misleading people, before it comes back to haunt us all!
Haters gonna Hate, let em. you keep doing what your doing baby!
And I will be sharing the wealth with you! Soon!
Lisa
E. Ferrell @ 12:18 pm
Bedros,
I did not see the email that this is all about,
but I have seen what you are talking about.
I think you have put out a lot of good stuff,
much of it for free online, and have a lot of
valuable and usefull products. Keep doing what
you are doing.
E. Ferrell
http://www.fttemecula.com
Temecula Personal Training @ 12:23 pm
Berdos,
Almost forgot with all the “hater” posts,
but the referral letter is a great idea.
Traditional marketing does not seem to be
doing very well lately. I think that networking
and word of mouth is more important than ever
for the personal training business now.
http://www.fttemecula.com
Steve Hochman @ 3:23 pm
Dude,
When you’re on TOP those “HATER” shitheads crawl out of the woodwork!
Stratagizng (is that a word?) with you on PROJECT X has been the most INSANE experience… To be able to consistently build a six figure (oops, I almost gave away project X) “Fitness Biz” in just 60 days has, until now, been UNHEARD OF!
Just going to lunch with you the first day we met put over 47K in my pocket right of the bat.
Aligning myself with YOU has been the best move I ever made.
Hey haters - BIG MISTAKE! Bedros is the Mutha Fuckin Man!!!
Mr Glenn Besard…Bravo! maybe it’s our age..lol But bravo sir that was an excellent response and I 100000 % agree.
Are you talking about the NPE guys. It seems like you refer to 2 guys and I did a search and your name came up on the NPE Google list.
Just trying to clear the smoke
They either like you or hate you, but either way they are thinking about you. Thanks for the information which is always awesome. I saw the video and the guy just seems like an angry person because his PT business isnt doing too good. Keep doing your thing and sharing this information.
Jake B. @ 3:08 pm
Bedros,
When I first started training several years ago, the VP of Marketing at Gold’s, told us at the end of her presentation, that we should definitely check Bedros Keulian out if we wanted to make any sort of substantial money. Several years later, I’m still your humble student. Thank you for everything you’ve done. I can’t imagine, why someone would talk a bunch of shit, other than they’ve read your recommendations AND FAILED TO TAKE ACTION. Keep killing it!
-Jake
Holly S***,
I just read this post. I love learning new ideas and don’t mind paying for good information. I was going to sign up for the “hater’s” program last year only to find out that you have to sign up for some bull s*** multi level marketing scheme.
I then asked them that before I push anything I need to know what the F*** it is. I found that it was just a bunch of over priced crap that tasted like s*** and contained inferior ingredients.
Anyways, I decided long time ago to stay the f*** away from them as I don’t like to be around negative energy. I sure as hell would never recommend a product or service that I totally didn’t believe in. I don’t care how much money was in it.
Keep doing what you are doing and don’t worry about haters. I CALL THEM MOTIVATORS OR EXTRA FANS.
Bedros, this morning the HATER is sent out an apology letter and was admitting he was out of line, clearly its damage control like you said in your post.
I wonder did YOU get an apology letter or call from him?
I’m guess not.
I just want to personally thank you for everything you do for our industry. The coaching you’ve given me changed my business forever (my wife agrees that it was the BEST money invested, and she is hard to please).
You are always on the cutting edge and this is proof as the haters always attack the guy on top.
Please don’t ever stop sharing your business growing ideas (expect with trainers in Chicago
)
You are the MAN Bedros!
See ya at fitness business summit in may.
Brian - 200k away from seven figures.
Bedros,
I never received the email you are talking about, but I have to say that I have been on your subscriber list for awhile now…receiving amazing content that always keeps me motivated and inspired.
Any company or individual who uses this “hating” method to gain new business is destined to fail. If you can’t have respect for others — regardless if you see them as your competition or not — then you are really missing an opportunity to use positive messages, gain people’s trust, and be successful.
Thanks Bedros…keep doing what you are doing and now that you’ve vented, don’t waste any more of your amazing energy on people like this.
Trainer Fred @ 2:01 pm
Hey Bedros
You have to look on the bright side. You were being complemented not HATED on. If you have HATERS, it means you have made it big. No one will hate on a SCUMBAG, because they are SCUMBAGS. You have made it to top of your profession and there will always be a HATER trying to pull you down. As long as you provide information and products that will help others get to the top like yourself you will have a following that will make the HATERS the dirt that we walk on.
Also great information on the Referral letter.
Your Loyal Student
Fred Sassani
Bodies By Design PTS
I love haters - they always let you know you’re doing something right -
When I used to kill on Craigslist there would be at least 10 ads a day bashing mine! That shows you’re doing something right -
Yeah Bedros - every fitness business coach I’ve seen looks like they’re miserable and about to fall over dead - I know the real from the fake and you’re definitely the real deal -
That list was killer - that can apply to any business - get that outsourced and running for you as a PT and you have nothing to worry about -
ciao bud -
I’ve built my business off your free advice, and when I say built, I mean I went from being homeless and sleeping in a port-a-pottie to running a small PTbusiness that helped me get an apartment. So now I will honestly say that I don’t mind spending that little bit extra on your products because if it keeps going this way, I’ll be able to have that little extra for my damn steak dinner I have been craving.
Dude eric ruth and sean greeley are major haters! You can tell by watching their videos. That Eric ruth joker should not even be in our industry.
Chris, you’re so right about them…lol
Big Jason from TX.