Introduction
Marketing the sports club, whether it is a small gym or a large chain of gyms, is one of the most important parts of managing this business, and it is a very necessary element to increase awareness of the sports club and bring new subscribers and members to it. Especially with the existence of a highly competitive environment in which a large number of sports clubs are widely spread, so it is necessary to use all available marketing channels to attract more customers and maintain existing subscribers, such as using word-of-mouth marketing, which is to communicate with potential customers and tell them about the services it provides. The sports club and what distinguishes it from others, in addition to informing the customer of competitive offers and prices to persuade him to subscribe and benefit from its services. However, sometimes one method of marketing a sports club is not sufficient, as you may need to use other effective methods and strategies to increase the number of subscribers and the ability to compete more. Which will be covered in this article.
How do I market a gym?
First: the use of social media
Facebook and Instagram are two of the most popular platforms for sports club marketing; Because these platforms have a huge fan base that includes thousands of athletes interested in the field of sports, and through these platforms it is also possible to follow steps to market a sports club, and among these steps:
- Targeting potential people interested in sports and health.
Create posts that focus on visual and visual content to attract and interest them.
- Create a sports club page on Facebook and Instagram.
Publication of high-quality images of the gymnasium with all its facilities and the equipment and devices it includes, with a focus on choosing attractive images that distinguish the gym from others.
- Sharing success stories of clients who have achieved positive results to inspire others and encourage them to sign up for the gym.
- Share how-to posts and videos that provide useful information for health, sports, and advice on exercise and diet.
Second: Providing free personal training sessions
Many of those who join sports clubs, especially for the first time, feel that they are out of place, due to their presence in a new environment and their concern about performing the exercises incorrectly, and therefore it will be impossible for them to register in a sports club, which makes them avoid going to it, and therefore some sports clubs do Exploiting this by creating a marketing strategy commensurate with this situation by providing free individual training sessions for each customer they have in the first month of his subscription and with him a specialized trainer, which helps them to get to know the equipment, facilities and the general environment, and how to perform the exercises properly, so this motivates them to come daily. Taking into account in this strategy the appropriate selection of the type of employees and trainers; They are the face of the gym and everything they say and do will greatly reflect on the brand's efficiency.
Third: Provide offers for members' friends
In order to attract the largest number of customers to the sports club and to maintain the existing customers, a strategy can be followed, which is the existence of a program to refer existing customers to their friends and relatives and recommend the sports club to them, and to provide rewards and offers to both the referring customer and the referred one. For example, a free month subscription can be offered to an existing customer if he refers a new customer to the club. This motivates customers to bring the largest number of new subscribers to take advantage of discounts and offers for each customer, and thus the customer feels that he has a special status and treatment as he influences others, and this method works to attract customers greatly and increases the confidence of existing customers.
Fourth: Organizing a social event for the club
Organizing a social event for the sports club is one of the most effective marketing methods. An event can be created in the sports club itself, or in another place such as schools, universities and public places, and make it an open day for all so that members can invite their friends, in order to introduce everyone to the services and features provided by the club. Sports, as it is a good way to communicate between people and an opportunity so that everyone can experience the positive atmosphere enjoyed by employees and current members, for example, celebrations can be held on the occasion of the club’s arrival to 1000 members or more, or holiday celebrations, or International Health or Sports Day and others Among the celebrations that include competitions and challenges, through which the sports club can be marketed and bring about a positive change in society to make it more interested in sports and health.
Fifth: Marketing through sports bloggers
Sports bloggers can be used to market the sports club, and they have special platforms through various social media through which they provide content related to sports and health and are followed by a large number of loyal followers. Through these influencers, they can encourage their followers to participate in the sports club and try it, and this strategy is effective And affecting the number of subscribers, compared to other marketing channels.