Instead of going out and taking out a loan for the latest and greatest equipment, think hard about marketing tactics.  Just over 60% of gyms have fairly tight marketing budgets. The majority, 41% spend between $100 and $500 a month on marketing. With a small budget, it is important to be sure that dollars are being used in the most economical way possible. recent survey of professional marketing businesses, specializing in fitness center marketing reported that the top three marketing channels as far as return on investment (ROI) are:

Word-of-Mouth – This is part of getting people involved with the gym to the point that they are talking about it to their friends and bringing in referrals.

Social Media – Paid social media marketing had the second-best ROI, this type of marketing has a bit of a learning curve and can be time-consuming.

Signage – Signs and flyers that hit customer pain points make great reminders for potential customers that might be on the fence about joining a gym.

When it comes down to it, what type of people get excited about a shiny new treadmill? These are people that are already signed up at fitness centers. The trick to acquiring new customers is to get people talking about it. How is that done?

Atmosphere – The atmosphere of a gym should cater to its niche market. Let’s say a gym wants to attract soon to be moms to take yoga classes with a new instructor. This customer base is not likely to return no matter how many free classes they are offered if the place is decked out in black and silver and smells like sweaty socks. Carefully crafting ways to go about capturing particular markets is essential.

Social Media – Social media marketing is a fine art. Hiring a social media marketer that gets results is money well spent. They will craft niche and location-specific posts that grab the attention of potential customers.

Website – Having a user-friendly fitness website where folks can learn about the center, book appointments, or pay their monthly fees is a big must. Two-thirds of people shopping for something, including gym memberships read reviews and check out the company website before deciding to purchase. Without a website, you are leaving 67% of potential customers guessing about the facility.

While your gym may need an extreme makeover, for most, dollars are better spent on exceptional marketing. The mainstay of marketing, especially for a small business, is to be smart with the dollars that you have. Enlisting help with formulating the perfect marketing strategies could be the best thing you ever did. If you are looking for marketing assistance soOils is a full-service marketing and information company with over 50 years of experience in the industry. Contact soOils today for a free marketing consultation, visit the website or call 1(877)789-8773.

Why is soOlis’ FEMP the most important marketing tool for the Fitness Equipment Dealers?  First, how many dealers have the time to keep their website up to date.  The fitness manufactures are and rightfully so updating products, images, features, and now provide outstanding videos on their equipment.  Most dealers are busy selling, managing service and installations, they just don’t have time to check and see what is new and then update their website.  As a client of soOlis.com, they would never have to update any products.  They would use their website product section as an online brochure for marketing and research for their clients.  In addition, when dealers change product line, soOlis handles the complete integration in minutes with no additional cost!  Second, is simply COST!  How much is your time worth and no one can hire someone for what soOlis.com charges?  Here is what Tim Littrell from Fitness Concepts says about soOlis.com “If you are not using soOlis as a way to manage your product offerings on your website you are wasting your money.  As a specialty retail store selling both high-end residential and commercial fitness products, soOlis has made it so much easier for me to list my offerings online  in a consistent format with uncompromised detail at a fraction of what it would have cost my if I kept the project in house.  Video, pricing, product description, pictures…it’s all there and it’s current.  Customers can even compare up to three products features side by side.  I don’t know of any specialty fitness website that allows you this option.  I have been looking for a way that allows me to present my items in an easy, searchable format and soOlis is the only company out there that can do it.  soOlis has eliminated a huge headache for me.  I don’t see our company using anyone else.  Ever.

According to Tim Sebold, VP of Marketing & Sales, “We are extremely pleased with the feedback from our clients.  In the short time we have offered this service, we have clients from Florida to California.

soOlis.com is a fitness and wellness information website.  soOlis.com does not sell any fitness equipment.  soOlis only educates the end users on fitness equipment, helps them find local gyms and ymcas, and finally allows them to browse Web MD articles and videos. soOlis.com – the Fitness and Wellness Authority.

For more information on the Fitness Equipment Management Portal  or if there is a product that you cannot find on soOlis, please contact Tim Sebold @ tsebold@soolis.com or call 877-789-8773 ext 705.