Introduction
Marketing is a crucial component for success within any outdoor fitness business. Attracting new customers to the business and standing out from the crowd can be difficult. Thankfully, outdoor fitness franchises can use many effective marketing tools to curate a strong brand, establish their presence and, ultimately, grow the business.
In today’s world, digital marketing is a key part of the strategy. There is a huge emphasis on how to get in front of customers in a natural and seamless way. As the popularity of outdoor fitness franchises continues to grow, so does the need for getting customers to stick by your side and not move somewhere else. With that in mind, here are some powerful tools outdoor fitness businesses can use to drum up interest.
Create a Referral Programme
Referral programmes are systems that are designed to encourage members to refer their friends, family, and colleagues to try out the outdoor fitness franchise. Normally, there should be a reward or incentive for both the referee and the referrer. The idea is that using a referral system turns members into brand cheerleaders who recommend the outdoor fitness franchise to their friends and family.
A good referral programme should be simple to use, stay true to its promise, and be appealing to people from all walks of life. Regarding outdoor fitness, people of all ages and abilities should be able to join in. Did you know stickers can be used to highlight referral programmes? You just need to know where to buy stickers online, and know that they can be customised to suit more than just referral programmes. Because the demographic is so big, it should not be too long before there is an increase in numbers signing up to the referral programme.
Use Email Marketing
Another marketing tool to get customers on board is by using email. After all, generally, everyone has one! Email marketing can be a cost-effective tactic for promoting and growing an outdoor fitness franchise. When used correctly, email automation can do more than just attract new customers, it can help in building brand loyalty.
To get more people to sign up, it is important to send out emails to get the ball rolling. If users need to fill in details online and you use PDF format for registration forms, ensure you convert to Word so customers can fill in the blanks and send back.
Partner Up with Influencers
Influencer marketing has been around for several years now. Influencers have become more accessible than ever, particularly for local brands and businesses. In 2022, brands are focusing on creating long-term partnerships with influencers in their sector. As an outdoor fitness franchise, it is important to partner up with those who have a keen interest in the field, otherwise, customers are not going to be flocking through the door.
Outdoor fitness franchise owners need to be savvy on what influencers they pick to represent their brand. There is no point trying to chase the big dogs as they will charge huge fees and may be fully booked up. Instead, look for influencers who charge fees in an acceptable price range. Influencers can create video content and reels that can potentially be seen by millions of people all over the world. Understandably, the more people who see it, the more success the outdoor fitness business will receive.
Create Engaging Video
The demand for video content continues to grow year by year. Shooting quick videos for potential clients is an excellent way to grab attention, boost website traffic, and drive sales. These days, being able to capture and hold the attention of customers can be tricky, especially as there are only a few seconds before they go onto something else.
Outdoor fitness franchises need to pay more attention to creating video content, rather than text. This is because customers like to see what the business is like in action and how they can benefit from the services. Videos are perfect for attracting new members and telling the brand’s story. Video also builds trust and recognition with viewers, as well as explains topics in thorough detail. Videos could include workout tutorials or how to use particular equipment.
Get On Social Media
Having a strong social media presence is vital for outdoor fitness businesses. When it is factored in how many people use platforms like Facebook around the world, outdoor fitness companies need to cement their place in the field and get customers flocking to their feed. Social media advertising is one of the ways to do this. Facebook ads, for example, enable outdoor fitness franchises to post content that can be seen by the masses. With social media, there is the power to reach people from all four corners of the world.
In general, consumers expect businesses to be on social media. After all, it is generally the first place potential members will look to check out the offerings of the company and whether they want to go any further. Posts, reviews, and engagement can all impact a social media marketing plan. It is a good idea to create business pages on several platforms, rather than sticking with just one. The most popular of these are Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Share Success Stories
For outdoor fitness companies to boost their marketing efforts, sharing success stories is a must. Through success stories, it can be shown where a client has started and where they are now. It is important that the success stories are relatable, otherwise, consumers are not going to stick around. Above anything else, potential customers need to see themselves in that position.
The marketing message of a success story is to show the customer that by using the outdoor fitness business’s services and expertise, they too can get to the same level. Make sure the success stories are uplifting, powerful, and get the message across from the beginning.
Nurture a Virtual Community
Many people not only love to work out, but they also enjoy talking about it too. In order to lose weight and keep the pounds off, lots of individuals find solace in speaking to others in the same boat and sharing tips and advice. One of the best things outdoor fitness franchises can do is to build and nurture a virtual community. The first place to start is by creating a forum.
Sure, there may be a website, and social media page clients can go to, but if they can sign up to a forum, create threads, and have more of a say, they are more likely to stick around. Creating an online community gives clients a safe space where they can talk openly about their experiences and feel part of something great.
Blog Strategically
A blog is an important element of any marketing strategy. A content-first marketing strategy helps in driving traffic, and ultimately, boosting conversions. To create a successful blog, outdoor fitness business owners need to lead with purpose and craft a strategy. The ultimate goal is to provide the target audience with useful and valuable information, while building a strong business reputation in the process.
Outdoor fitness businesses need to fill the blog with engaging content that is all relevant to outdoor fitness. Make sure there are plenty of images and videos on the blog. This is because readers need things to catch their eye. Note – blocks and blocks of text will not have the same appeal.
The outdoor fitness sector is big business. With more and more people shunning the gym in favour of working outdoors, those in the outdoor fitness world need to pull out all the stops and do everything in their power to get themselves noticed.
Summary
There are a wide array of effective marketing strategies outdoor fitness franchises can incorporate into their operation which will set them apart from the rest and get people talking. Whether it is through social media, creating video, or blogging, using any of the methods listed above can elevate the brand and get more customers on board.
