50 Ways To Recession Proof Your Boot Camp
Guest post by Steve Hochman
My best bud Steve Hochman, is hands down the number one authority on innovative boot camp marketing, systems and tactics. In fact, as you probably already know, I even partnered with him on one of my biggest projects yet… the Fit Body Boot Camp business model.
(which we’ll be opening up soon)
Check out this guest post from Steve.
I just left Bedros’ office and my cheeks are so sore…
No, not those cheeks! I meant the ones in my face from laughing so damn hard.
I’ll let you in on a little insider secret about what our typical meetings are like…
We laugh our asses of like 10-year-olds for the first hour, then we take a break and walk to Starbucks - We laugh like idiots all the way there, and all the way back.
Next we sit down to get some “serious” work done, but end up laughing until tears come out for another hour… Then finally, we actually work for like five minute.
For what ever reason this strategy seems to work so we’re sticking with it.
(Sorry Bedros, the Jig is up lol )
But what’s AMAZING to me is that while the majority of the country’s shuddering and complaining about the stupid “economy” we (and our clients) are doubling - even tripling our income.
So I wanted to share 50 tips I use to “recession proof” my boot camps.
1. Give 10X’s more value than your clients pay for.
2. Have “referral tools” in your arsenal like my little magic plastic gift cards.
3. Use a risk reversal, like try fro free for one week… And 30 day unconditional, no questions asked guarantee. (By the way, for the one week free, get their CC the first day and tell them should they choose to stay on board then do nothing and you will automatically debit their card in a week)
4. Be able to duplicate and replicate your boot camp.
5. Train people for a year for a small one time fee ($200) in return for them referring you clients (Human Billboard Marketing)
6. Be a “YOU” person, not a “ME” person.
7. Appreciate each one of your clients, EVERY time you see them!
8. Use Auto debit (EFT)
9. Find an indoor facility for your boot camps like a cheer leading or gymnastics facility.
10. Have referral contests and provide referral tools like my magic plastic gift cards.
11. Give half of your clients next month as a referral incentive
12. Read the “4 Hour Work Week” by Tim Ferriss
13. Have high energy music at your boot camps (Those indoor facilities above have great systems)
14. Advertise on craigs list daily in the 6 hot spots (Beauty, therapeutic, activities, classes, lessons, and general)
15. Have TONS of testimonials (with pictures!!)
16. Make sure your “city” and “Boot Camp” are in your title tag of your website.
17. Raise your ENERGY!
18. Surround your self with people SMARTER than you.
19. Pick the right team.
20. Learn from those who have DONE what you WANT to do.
21. Give, give, give.
22. Visualize how you will FEEL when you achieve your goals… Now hold onto that feeling all day.
23. NEVER have a “complain” based conversation… Have only “SOLUTION” based conversations.
24. Read “Secrets of The Millionaire Mind” by T. Harv Ecker
25. Network with tanning salons, hair salons, nutrition stores, chiropractors, massage therapists and estheticians.
26. Position yourself as authority (One easy way is to make little needless corrections with your boot camp members)
27. Spend more time ON your business and less time IN your business.
(On your biz is strategy and marketing, in your biz is training clients and doing paper work)
28. Get a mentor (or two)
29. Believe in yourself… No matter what.
30. Have “go to” exercises so you can gather your thoughts without looking like you are.
31. Make sure your boot camp members are NEVER standing around.
32. Thank you clients PROFUSLY after each workout.
33. Focus on what your CLIENTS want for themselves, not what YOU want for your clients. An example that drives me crazy is at 24 hour fitness when a brand new client says she desperately wants to lose weight and the trainer says, “Ok great, let’s work on your BALANCE!!!!” WTF???
34. Text your clients at work… Tell them how great they are and how much you appreciate them… You’ll get most of your referrals from their work.
35. Ask for help… Seriously
36. Take massive action and don’t talk yourself out of it.
37. Read “how to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie.
38. Watch the secret
39. Tell your self that you’re a badass… Constantly!
40. Interview people who make 10x’s your income.
41. You have no problems… When a family member is sick or dies, that’s a problem… Otherwise you just have stepping stones.
42. Make fear your bitch… Literally feel the fear and tell it you want to party.
43. Listen to your gut… REALLY LISTEN. It’s always right.
44. Write down your goals and carry them in your pocket.
45. ** This is a tip I got from Bedros during his “seven figure inner circle” **Plan your day the night before… Do the 5% of stuff that will move your business forward the most. (Bedros calls it the ‘critical few’) and outsource the 95% ‘the trivial many’ to others.
46. Stay in the state of appreciation.
47. Have fun… a lot.
48. Go A.P.E appreciation, passion, and enthusiasm.
49. Use my “Referral Foot Soldier” method - Find 20 sales people on craigslist, supply them with plastic gift cards and pay them $50 for each referral that signs up. (20 referral foot soldiers X’s 5 referrals a month each = 100 referrals… 100 sign ups X’s $197 = $19,700 per month) Total outta pocket initial cost = $25 for craigs list classified ad under sales category.
50. Always remember, you’re not training clients, you’re putting on a friggin show.
To get more boot camp marketing, strategies and a turnkey system for creating YOUR six figure generting
fitness boot camp. Learn more here: http://MyFitBodyBootCamp.com
This is Bedros again…
Fit Body Boot Camp is now open. If you think you’d be interested in owning your own licensed Fit Body Boot Camp location (or territory) just click here to get more info 
Comments on 50 Ways To Recession Proof Your Boot Camp »
Smitty @ 10:08 pm
39. Tell your self that you’re a badass… Constantly!
Done
Great post Steve.
Steve Auxier @ 10:23 pm
Excellent tips! I still love the A.P.E theory!
1st one! that means I’m hyper-sensitive lol
notify me about the fit body boot camp - very curious indeed!
Hey fellas! rock on!!!
Bedros,
39, 42 … 50 LOVE IT
Make Fear your Bitch LOL
AT
I love posts like these. Thanks Steve and Bedros. I tell my clients they are bad asses every day.
Matt Jolly @ 10:59 pm
Steve and Bedros,
As always more great info for us to think about, and always to take action on if we want to see the results.
Am really keen on your Fit Body Bootcamp system - I’m on the Gold Coast in Australia and would love to put it to work over here and smash it for you guys.
Thanks and keep up the great info.
John Thompson @ 11:10 pm
Completely Insane!
I love these list-posts, I get a TON out of them and they are always straight baller. And I would definitely be interested in having my own Fit Body Bootcamp.
Oh yeah, and I’m a badass…
Bob Garon @ 11:16 pm
I really liked number 6: Be a “YOU” person, not a “ME” person.
Thanks Guys!!
Great stuff.
Bob Garon @ 11:19 pm
Ok I gotta add one more to my fav list and I have soooo many cause Hochman is the Boot Camp man…
50. Always remember, you’re not training clients, you’re putting on a friggin show.
That’s an amazing thought that I’ve not considered as much.
Curtis @ 11:23 pm
42. Make fear your bitch… Literally feel the fear and tell it you want to party.
NOW, THAT IS F****N GOLD!
Nice. Thanks for all you do, Steve.
Curtis
Danny @ 11:40 pm
Awesome post! I love the ones like this. I am definitely interested in having my own Fit Body Bootcamp
Hey Steve dude
You’re the man! Thanks for all the tips from you and your boot camp marketing blog.
Jeff Jowers @ 12:10 am
dude I want in on the fit body boot camp.
Give me give me.
Dude your tips and tactics are just killer.. These things boost me up so much.
I get crazy energy everytime I read your stuff and it carries over to everything I do.
Thanks steve
http://www.tacoma-personal-trainer.com
John Verd @ 12:14 am
As usual Steve, rockin’ post! I think I’ll carry that list of 50 things in my pocket too.
”new client says she desperately wants to lose weight and the trainer says, “Ok great, let’s work on your BALANCE!!!!” WTF???”
LOL too funny!
Great stuff! thanks again!
Andy Whitson @ 1:48 am
This is another post I am gonna print out.. Thanks Steve.
Carlton Soberanis @ 2:04 am
I like this list! I just got up early to work on my bootcamp and I received this email. I also saw Stev’s Youtube spot on his bootcamp and it was great! Plus he has an interview with Craig Ballantyne that I absolutely loved. This is good stuff - that plastic card idea is priceless!
Thanks guys!
Going to start using number 49 great Idea
John
Personal Training Southend
Terry Reddinger @ 2:32 am
You know I just emailed 391 people today about the human billboard marketing. One person replied. This blog brought back the drive that I kinda lost today. WTF did I do wrong I wonder??
Thanks Steve you mad man
Terry
Great post and input guys - when you give high value services at competitive prices and take the reigns of all of the sales and marketing responsibilities in your business, the word “recession” doesn’t exist -
It’s pretty sad, but I’ve got Steve Hochman as my financial adviser …
Brian Meisenburg @ 5:31 am
Steve,
Another great post. You always provide great information.
Thanks,
Brian
Feel the fear and tell it you want to party! Haaa!!! I love this one.
I can just see my fear after a few cocktails. Scary!
Oh and by the way, which I-fart noises made you guys laugh like ten year olds this time? The yellow porpoise? The squirming squid?
Miguel @ 9:53 am
FIT BODY BOOT CAMP - I WANT IN!!!
All 50 are awesome, but my favorite has gotta be #33!
Freakin Hilirious!
(I may or may not be a former 24 employee that left to do his own thing about a year ago & then a month ago I clicked on an online advert - http://www.100newclients.com - & well need I say more!)
Thanks Bedros!! (& Steve!)
P.S.
Did I Mention… FIT BODY BOOT CAMP - I WANT IN!!!
Ron and Jana Holland @ 9:59 am
Great Post! “You’re not training clients. You’re putting on a freakin show!” Love it!
Jana and Ron Holland
SWAT Boot Camps
http://www.swatbootcamps.com
Ben Greenfield @ 10:50 am
I like tip #40 - because guess what? Half those people ARE YOUR CLIENTS. And they love to talk about how they made those thousands of dollars they’re paying you every month to make them fitter and better.
If you haven’t yet gotten the business history of your most successful clients, then start firing away. Heck, you can write more on your training clipboard than just # lb’s lifted, right?
Ben
Omar Isuf @ 11:33 am
Wow tip number 49 sounds like a really innovative way of using Craigslist to have people do the marketing for you without wasting any of your time! Has this been expanded upon before- this sounds like a clear winner to me.
Martial Arts School in Westchester, NY @ 12:40 pm
I my humble opinion #5 and #49 are such an unfair advantage tactics!!! Craziness!!!
Where can I find the blueprint for those ideas?
Keep it coming!
Patrick Consing
Kapatid Martial Arts
Pleasantville, NY
Larry C @ 12:51 pm
Great stuff Steve. Let me know when you re-open the fitbody licensing program.
Larry C @ 12:57 pm
And Thank you Bedros you are a mastermind.
Marc Keent @ 3:32 pm
Awesome post Steve.
Love #50, thats how I run my camps, its not a workout its an experience. Because of that my referrals are through the roof
Marc
Jeff Sherman @ 3:56 pm
The Referral Foot Soldier Method Kicks Ass! The plastic cards were already gold, now I guess they are like platinum or something! I could build my whole boot camp on the magic plastic cards alone!
Keep it up! You guys Rock!
Jeff Sherman
FBBC Baltimore
Bryan Kalani Ng @ 4:21 pm
#51. Love God and Love People!
Bryan Kalani Ng @ 4:22 pm
Great Stuff!
Katie @ 4:23 pm
Great post! You guys are awesome. Can’t wait to get info on the Fit Body Boot Camp!
Donovan "DFitnessguy" Owens @ 8:44 pm
Awesome list Steve. You always deliver.
Donovan “DFitnessguy” Owens
Dudes,
The four-hour workweek ROCKS! I need to pull it off the shelf and revisit it.
Thanks!
~ Luke
Melanie @ 9:57 pm
Awesome post! thanks and would love to get info on the fit body boot camp.
Scott Williams @ 8:00 am
great post guys.
Number 50 rocks, i LOVE it…
Kenneth Reed @ 8:45 pm
I WANT IN ON THE FIT BODY BOOT CAMP, TELL ME MORE!
ALL 50 ARE GOOD FOR MOTIVATION…
Temecula Personal Trainer @ 12:02 am
Great post. Your lists always have good points. Something in there for everyone.
Stephen Cabral @ 3:16 pm
I don’t usually submit comments, but “Make fear your bitch… Literally feel the fear and tell it you want to party” made me laugh - I feel the same way!
Great post!
Dan Webster @ 11:20 pm
Add me to the Fit Body Boot Camp list please.
I’m gonna try #49, just gotta get those cards.
J @ 2:30 pm
Fit Body Boot Camp - I want to own it in my city!
Fred Sassani @ 9:46 am
We are doing about 3/4 of everything you listed. Now it’s time to do the rest. Thanks for the great information.
Ken @ 6:44 pm
Awesome post Steve! Please put me on the Fit Body Bootcamp interest list - I am ready to go!
Eddie @ 10:44 am
Sweeeeet blog post. Steve, you are the bomb! Yes, can you add me to the FBBC list too please. Gonna tear it up!
Thanks!
Ed
Paul Barrett @ 8:31 pm
HEY STEVE !
AWESOME STUFF AS PER USUAL!
LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE FIT BODY BOOTCAMPS…….WOULD LIKE TO OWN ONE IN in my AREA!
THANKS….
PAUL BARRETT
[email protected]
Paul Halme @ 2:54 pm
When will this be available?
Thanks
Paul
Jason ~ Atlanta Trainer @ 7:28 pm
Great tips. I like #34. I have been think about getting involved with send out cards for just this reason. It is a great tool to let your customers know how great they are, through constant contact. I was reluctant to get involved because of the $ but seeing your post made me rethink that and see how important it is to keep in touch with clients and let them know how important and special they are.
Chris Lutz @ 2:20 pm
Great! Where do you get your plastic gift cards made?
Sharon Horner @ 11:22 am
Great! Im impressed with the 50 Tips.You really know how to motuvate us and keep our members real. I am determined to be the dominant Bootcamp service in our Area. Thanks Bedros & Steve
MAN! This info is worth it a lot! Everytime i read the blogs,i feel more determinate to do more for myself in general and reach my goals in a short period of time.
Thank you Bedros.
Dean Somerset @ 6:27 am
Hey Steve. For 49, you said the total cost was $25 for the Craigslist ad, but you forgot the $50 per person for the referrals, which would work out to a $5000 hit.