Comments on: Taking The Leap Into Entrepreneurship: Where Is That Financial Safety Net? http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/ Financial talk for the rest of us Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:14:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Margaret http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-67074 Margaret Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:54:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-67074 Definitely consider marketing to seniors. My aunt and uncle started working out with a personal trainer after they retired and moved to a condo. They love it.

]]> By: Joel Quile http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66766 Joel Quile Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:05:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66766 I’d follow all of Trent’s advice and read the 4 Hour Work Week and go to http://www.fourhourworkweek.com
and see what Timothy says. Trust me.

]]> By: Rita http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66757 Rita Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:37:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66757 Contact local groups in your community ie Junior Women’s, Rotary, Lion’s Club, to see if you can speak at one of their meetings to explain the benefits of your services. Perhaps raffle off free or discounted session. This way each person who enters has voluntarily given his/her name and telephone number and you can follow up with a telephone call.

]]> By: Soni http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66491 Soni Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:31:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66491 Now that I think about it, consider doing free sessions for Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League and so on. Get the kids moving, get the parent’s attention. Again, business cards go out the door with the parents.

]]> By: Soni http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66490 Soni Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:29:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66490 Today’s market wants to taste it before they buy it.

I’d go straight to the nearest park that gets decent foot traffic and start doing free mini-sessions for whoever looks interested. Really, just set out a folding sign that says “Free 15 Minute [Strength/Flexibility/Yoga/Whatever] Training Session – Next Session Starts X:00″ and just do a little 15 minute “taster” training for whoever shows up. If no one shows up, do your own little routine yourself in case someone decides to join in as you go.

So a couple of lunch sessions, a few morning ones for the early birds and a few afternoon/evening sessions for the after work crowd. Make the sessions quick, effective and complete, but enough to leave them wanting more.

After each session, hand out business cards with discounts or “Buy Two Get One Free” type incentives. Everyone gets a card for themselves and a few for their friends.

]]> By: lorax http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66465 lorax Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:29:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66465 Having done this myself, I’d suggest that you give it a few months, using Trent’s suggestions. After that, you might think about getting some professional counseling from an ad agency.

(I didn’t get outside help, and ultimately failed.)

]]> By: sfgal http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66395 sfgal Tue, 04 Sep 2007 21:14:09 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66395 How about starting your own blog or blogging on your professional website to cross-promote? A blog or even leaving thoughtful comments can draw people to your site and bring in some leads.

Working at a gym or GNC center is also a good way to start. One of my friends worked at the gym building clients for personal training before he started his own fitness bootcamp. Once his bootcamp launched he was able to use the clientele he built to expand his business.

]]> By: MK http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66384 MK Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:49:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66384 I like the idea of working at GNC (or other health-related area), but why not do the training part-time at an established gym like 24-Hour Fitness or Bally’s, then branch off when you have enough established clientele. Hairdressers do this all the time — establish a reputation/clientele at a salon, then go independent or open your own salon when you have enough of a dedicated following.

I’m with the poster who would hesitate to pay so much for an untried Trainer who had no gym affiliation. Good luck.

-MK

]]> By: FIRE Finance http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66321 FIRE Finance Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:14:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66321 In addition to the traditional ways of marketing, use the presence of the internet for promoting yourself. Have a professional looking website which explains your business like other successful ones in your area of expertise. Submit the site to main search engines, list in web directories and other relevant social exchange websites. All these listings are free, all they require is your time. Think of some nice phrases which explains your site’s aim in a few words for your busy online customers.
Our best wishes are with you for success in your business.
Cheers,
FIRE Finance

]]> By: PF http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66318 PF Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:08:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66318 I would never hire someone fresh out of the gate for that kind of money when I can hire a seasoned trainer for the same price. I would need a deep discount to hire someone who is new.

As Amy said, explain why you are unique. Maybe you need to create a program that people can do at home to get started and make house calls. Maybe you need to do some volunteer work with seniors or new moms and to build the referral base mentioned above and/or to find a niche. For those people, housecalls might REALLY set you apart. I think that you can probably wait a long time for the clients to roll in unless you offer something new.

]]> By: Amy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66297 Amy Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:35:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66297 Yellow page advertising is ridiculously expensive…you’d be shocked.

Craigslist is free…advertise there. Newspaper classified, especially in alternative weeklies, are cheap, however, and surprisingly effective. The big keys to marketing yourself – in any business really – are 1) Build your referral base because no advertising you can buy or do yourself is as effective as the referral of an enthusiastic, satisfied customer and 2) Explain why you’re unique. There are tons of personal trainers out there…you need to really explain what qualifications or what approach you have makes you special.

]]> By: eROCK http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66291 eROCK Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:22:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/04/taking-the-leap-into-entrepreneurship-where-is-that-financial-safety-net/#comment-66291 In my opinion, I would maintain a part-time job until the business starts flowing and you build a good steady client list.

Also, make sure you have a website and perhaps put the URL on the rear window of your vehicle. Try placing an add in the yellow book that’s in color so it stands out (yes, people still look there!). Use professional organizations as an opportunity to network and possibly obtain clients or get referrals. If you’re really cut and in-shape, get some t-shirts made and wear them when you workout at the local gym.

*Question for Trent – Tangent*

Hey Trent … still waiting on a response regarding your consulting side-job dealing with computers. Specifically, what disclaimer do you offer your clients (perhaps consider posting it?) and did you have a lawyer review the disclaimer?

Thanks!

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