The Club Insider Archives: February 2014
Club Marketing
Then, Now, Always
By: Justin Cates
Justin CatesMarketing... It's the function of business we have all turned a blind eye to at some point. We don't have the time for it. We don't have the budget for it. We will do it next year. If we build it, they will come... At least, that is what we tell ourselves.
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"Insider Speaks"
What You Are Wearing Says A Lot About You!
By: Ashley Varol
Ashley VarolI am always curious about why credibility and our ability to train, coach or teach are being challenged by the medical profession and the media. One of the reasons has become increasingly obvious: we simply don't try hard enough to look the part. Don't get me wrong; one of my favorite things about being a fitness professional is the fact that sneakers/gym shoes are an acceptable choice for footwear! However, we need to be aware of the settings we are in, the audience we are marketing ourselves to and the impressions that we make.
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How to Bring Members Back That Leave After January
Increase Club Annual Revenue With This 30-Day Process
By: Donna Krech
Donna KrechIsn't it great when you get a completely unexpected gift? It seems even more special at Christmas time, like many of us recently celebrated. I can picture it now. You're sitting by the Christmas tree with ribbons and wrapping paper strewn everywhere. Christmas music is quietly in the background. Everyone is chatting and admiring gifts. You think the gift giving is finished. Suddenly, someone hands you another gift. Your heart skips a beat. You hardly notice the ribbon you're pulling apart as you rip off the paper.
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Q1: The Referral Campaign
By: Deneen Laprade
Deneen LapradeThe new year 2014 has just begun, and as is every New Year, it is a gift full of promise and growth yet to be realized. Now is the time to roll up your sleeves and turn to page one of your marketing plan!
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Fitness Futures and Healthcare Delivery Services Resolve to Expand Your Market This Year
By: Robin Schuette
Robin SchuetteYour customers' resolutions may not have made it to the end of January, but how about your own business goals? Now that you've gotten through the January rush, how many of your strategies are on track to make business better this year? Fine-tuning your programs and communications tactics can better position your club as a part of the new healthcare delivery model.
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Tips to Buying a Gym Business for Sale
By: Jim Thomas
Jim ThomasWill you achieve your dreams or plans for the future by buying a gym business? Will this fit the lifestyle that you want? Buying an existing health club or gym is advantageous because both have an established member base and ongoing operations. Financing from traditional sources is also easier. Below are tips in finding the right gym or health
club opportunity.
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PR 101
Navigating Your Local Media Market
By: Nancy Trent
Nancy TrentLocal publicity sells, and now more than ever, it is extremely important to effectively market yourself and your memberships to local media. Building relationships with media in your region can help turn you into a local "media darling," someone journalists can count on and members love. Becoming a media darling will result in increased brand awareness, but becoming a local media darling means a better bottom line for your business.
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The Unsolved Problem in Our Industry
Part II
By: Will Phillips
Will PhillipsClubs know how to add members. Lots of members; they just can't keep them. Retaining members is how we describe it. I believe a more accurate description is "clubs do not know how to help members build exercise habits."
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Catching Up With the One and Only Sandy Coffman
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesI am happy to bring our readers this update on our long-time great friend, Sandy Coffman, author of the terrific book, Successful Programs for Fitness and Health Clubs: 101 Profitable Ideas, long-time club industry leader and cheerleader, not to mention long-time Club Insider Contributing Author.
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What Does PCI Compliance Have To Do With The Exorcist?
By: Hossein Noshirvani
Hossein NoshirvaniI love horror movies... and one of the all-time greatest was filmed right here in Washington D.C: The Exorcist. So, why do I think of PCI compliance when I think of the Exorcist? The answer is quite simple...
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Programming For The "Fun Of It!"
The Group Fitness Program: Revenue Generator Or An Expense?
By: Laurie Cingle
Laurie CingleDo you view your facility's Group Fitness program as a revenue generator or as an expense to your budget?
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Jonas Software Acquires Retention Management
The giant and very successful company, Jonas Software, parent company of Jonas Fitness, acquired Retention Management on January 20, 2014. Club Insider has learned from Barry Symons, CEO of Jonas Software, that Retention Management will continue to operate as a separate entity, retaining its well-regarded brand in the fitness industry.
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Visual Fitness Planner to Host 4th Annual Seminar at IHRSA 2014
FORT WORTH, TX - Visual Fitness Planner (VFP) and InTouch will present their 4th Annual IHRSA Panel, which they are calling: 90 Minutes with the Most Connected Club Owners in the World on Wednesday, March 12th at 2PM.
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Management of Augie's Quest Transitions to ALS TDI
TUCSON, AZ and CAMBRIDGE, MA - The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and Augie Nieto, co-chairman of MDA's ALS division together with his wife Lynne, announced they are transitioning management of the successful "Augie's Quest" campaign from MDA to the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). The transition will be occurring in the first quarter of 2014 as the organizations continue to support Augie's Quest initiatives. MDA and ALS TDI will continue to support all currently scheduled Augie's Quest events.
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Don't Miss IHRSA's 18th Annual Financial Panel in San Diego
BOSTON, MA - The 18th Annual IHRSA Financial Panel: An In-Depth Review of the Health Club Industry Growth Factors & Financial Sectors will take place at IHRSA 2014 on Friday, March 14 from 11:15AM - 12:30PM. It is a must-attend session for CEOs, CFOs, club owners, GMs, investors, suppliers, press and all who are interested in the current economic conditions affecting the worldwide health club market.
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ABC Financial Named IHRSA Associate Member of the Year
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association announced that ABC Financial, a leading provider of club billing and management software, is the 2014 Associate Member of the Year.
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Life Fitness Recognized for Innovation
ROSEMONT, IL - Life Fitness, a global leader in commercial fitness equipment manufacturing, was recently recognized for innovative consumer product designs as the recipient of two 2013 GOOD DESIGN Awards and one 2014 ISPO Award.
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Norm's Notes for February 2014
By: Norm Cates
Norm CatesHello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in!
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