The Obvious Choice

Facebook Group Secrets (Online Trainer Show #36)

After the “Ren’s nonsense” segment (it’s literally in the script) gives us some insight into the cruise industry, the crew dove into how to make an engaging and personable Facebook group. They cover the steps for naming your group, how to spread the word and increase your followers, and a great tool to foster engagement. If anything, watch some 1970s T.V. shows and you’ll be able to make a group that Ren will follow within seconds.

 

In This Episode:

• How Jonathan approaches groups; Facebook and beyond [21:43]
• The most important point to remember when naming a group [25:27]
• Everyone shares the genius behind their group names [27:04]
• The final piece of naming a group [34:07]
• Jonathan’s guide for spreading awareness and gaining members [36:33]
• How Carolina uses Instagram to spread even more awareness [38:45]
• Ren’s advice on cultivating engagement [39:17]
• An often overlooked tool that Jonathan recommends [41:00]
• Ren’s final tips for making your group something special [46:55]
• How to handle “crickets” in your group [49:18]

“What you name your group, and how you position it, should be celebrating the people who are looking to succeed with your premium program. The name should lead into that.” - Jonathan Goodman

 

Let The Name Do The Talking

An easy pitfall that people fall into when naming their group is being too literal or “how-to”—“How to get six-pack abs”, etc. A group name should definitely be direct, but to grab attention, it needs to celebrate what its members are achieving and broadcast an empowering message.

 

My Group Has Three Members—All My Friends!

After your group has a rockstar name, how do you spread awareness and gain a quality following? Tip #1: DO NOT COLD INVITE PEOPLE. Tip #2: See Tip #1. After that, create posts that incite user engagement, such as polls or questionnaires. Ultimately, show your user base that you are genuinely interested in them as people, not just numbers, and your group will become a community.

 

Deafening Silence

Quick! What do I do if I post a questionnaire and hear nothing but crickets? Post something that, at least, gets people reacting, even if it’s not entirely related to your group: A silly picture, a fact about your industry, or anything that will get people talking amongst themselves and, ideally, amongst each other. Be patient and consistent, and your following will grow.

Check out these Tricera-taco-tops artwork submissions:

 

• Submission 1 - https://imgur.com/gallery/swTr1MQ
• Submission 2 - https://imgur.com/MbdwMTB
• Submission 3 - https://www.reddit.com/r/DrawForMe/comments/iqc122/triceratacotop_ugolden_ember/

Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS

 

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy

  

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How To Handle Sexual Harassment With Online Training Clients (Online Trainer Show #35)

Today’s topic is heavy, and the gang got right into it. Carolina and Amber lead the conversation by discussing inappropriate social media posts, how to define your boundaries, how NOT to do progress photos, and how women can protect both their safety and business. In addition, the guys provide some insight from the male perspective, how to approach privacy in professional relationships, and a call to action for all dudes. Fitness is a personal journey, and everyone deserves to grow in a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment.


In This Episode:

• Carolina shares insight on interacting with male clients [21:52]
• How to keep yourself safe using this simple process [30:45]
• Amber’s thoughts on context [35:04]
• Remember: everyone’s tolerance is different [38:47]
• How customs have changed drastically over the years [39:46]
• Jonathan’s approach to taking photos with fans [44:15]

“If a client crosses a boundary, document it and keep a folder on your computer with everything time-stamped.”  - Jonathan Goodman

Your Objectification is Distracting

If a client of yours makes a disrespectful comment, be active in your response: Candidly tell them how you felt about it, or no longer work with them. The most important part is that you are establishing those boundaries ASAP, both as a professional and a person.

 

Feeling Safe Before You Sweat

Women feel the threat of being physically overpowered more often than men do, so every woman deserves to assess every relationship to see if she feels secure in that environment. So, if you ever feel unsafe with someone, get out and reassess—your safety is #1, full stop.

 

Be Better, Men

The definition of “acceptable” differs between cultures and time periods, and although some may make mistakes before they adjust, everyone has an active responsibility to keep a relationship respectful and safe. However, men are more often the aggressor in harassment situations, so they have an obligation to consistently elevate the standard.

Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS

 

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy

  

Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

What to Do When Your Clients Cannot Afford Your Training (Online Trainer Show #34)

The guys palled around for a few hours (which is what happens when Carolina is absent), but they eventually tackled today’s tough topic: What if my clients cannot afford my training? Jonathan and Ren share personal stories on the subject, Jonathan reveals a crucial mistake that trainers make when trying to gain clientele, and the couple agrees on what is the best approach for making the biggest impact. The actual two takeaways? Yes to Carolina, no to Reddit.

In This Episode:

• Ren brings up a personal story relevant to today’s topic [9:47]
• Jonathan mentions how getting comfortable can get you into trouble [16:58]
• Jonathan discusses where to focus your marketing efforts [23:01]
• The crucial mistake that so many trainers make [26:23]
• Jonathan shares two illuminating stories [28:05]
• THE approach to reaching more clients [33:06]
• Jonathan’s deep realization about online trainers [38:14]
• “It’s Day One” [42:01]

 

“It's important to focus on selling to people who can afford your training and not trying to convince people who can't afford your training to buy your training.” - Jonathan Goodman

 

Go Where The Money Is

Market your services to people who can afford them. That’s it. Trying to convince those who can’t is never worth anyone’s time or money.

 

Philanthropy Gone Wrong

Oftentimes, entrepreneurs will try to disseminate resources (e.g. toothbrushes) by founding a company whose purpose is to do solely that, but this is too limited. Instead, for example, if you want to give toothbrushes to those who can’t afford them, build an unrelated profitable company that will give you the resources to, then, purchase and give away those toothbrushes.

 

Day One

A critical reason Bezos, Musk, and so many other entrepreneurs have reaped success is this: Everyday is Day One, Hour One. If you treat every day as a blank slate, where your biases have evaporated and you are humble and hungry for new information, you will be flexible enough to breathe in any and all opportunities.

 

Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

 

SPONSORS

 

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy

 

Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd

 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How To Turn Your Clients Into Raving Fans (Who Promote Your Business For You) (Online Trainer Show #33)

Before you listen to this exciting new episode of the Online Trainer Show, remember this: North Carolina is “thiccuh”. In addition to this captivating fact, the gang discusses the steps to fostering an effective support system for your business. Picking a particular sound effect for your podcast might be tricky, but finding the right people to broadcast your service is uncannily easy, and all three of our hosts share stories that illuminate how taking a few simple steps can make a world of difference.

In This Episode:

• The importance of whom you choose to help develop and showcase your product [16:47]
• A great story about how a rising tide lifts all ships [20:03]
• The secret to how Jonathan grew his website to millions of visits [24:46]
• Something Carolina does to keep her peers empowered [27:22]
• Ren’s rules for engagement [32:10]
• Jonathan’s illuminating fast-food story [33:50]

“There is something to be said for being involved and having ownership, or perceived ownership, in a product or service that makes people want to talk about it.” - Jonathan Goodman

 

A Win-Win Strategy

With social media, you can get someone else personally involved simply by tagging them. This strategy is beautiful because it exposes both audiences to each other, which could foster a community bigger than you ever imagined!

 

Just Be Nice!

This seems unsettlingly easy, but this is a critical piece of advice: Say something nice. Yeah, that’s it. If you want to expose your business to a wider audience, be kind to someone else, and they’ll be more willing to spread your message. Then, you’ll have a wider audience. Kindness works.

 

Hire Attitude, Not Aptitude

Instead of trying to “fix” employees, establish a work culture of positivity and only hire people who emulate that every day. Period.

 

Ready to scale up your online fitness business? 

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS

 

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy

 

Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd

 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How Gym Owner Jesus Acuna Made $4600 In A Single Day With Online Training (Online Trainer Show #32)

Fitness gyms were hit hard by COVID, sending many of them into debt or even bankruptcy. However, with the online market booming, others were able to transition to an online infrastructure that kept them afloat. In this episode, Jonathan Goodman talks with Jesus Acuna, a gym owner who has made record profits by fundamentally shifting his business model. Even as gyms reopen, our economy has been forever changed, but because Jesus pushed through skepticism to adapt to the world around him, his fitness business has never been better.

In This Episode:

• The steps Jesus took to transition from a brick and mortar to an online business infrastructure [3:28]
• How Jesus now structures his online business [4:45] 
• Jesus’s new pricing model [9:36]
• Individual versus group coaching [13:09]
• The freedom that this new model allows in Jesus’s life [17:18]
• Jesus’ take-home message to those wanting to try this new model [26:08]

 

"When you figure out what people want, that’s when they’re gonna work hard.” - Jesus Acuna

 

Old Vs. New

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Even if a model has worked for decades, something like COVID can abruptly upend our idea of “normal” and leave us lost. However, if you can push through skepticism and adapt to the ever-changing world, your business could become more successful and impactful than you ever thought possible!

 

Cash Is King

Jesus talks about how much of his clientele began preferring upfront payments instead of installment plans, a shift that he and Jonathan agree is better. Recurring income is great, but more upfront cash means more immediate resources for the owner to invest back into his business and people.

 

Pressure Meets Opportunity

It can be easy to assume that work ethic is innate—you either want to work hard or you don’t, across the board. However, Jesus dismisses this theory, noting how anyone will work hard for something that they care deeply about. Change can be terrifying and disarming, but if you cultivate a system of supportive people, comprehensive resources, and accountability, your business, and its clientele will succeed not only despite the change but because of it.

 

Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

 

SPONSORS

 

Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy

 

Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd

 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The Importance of Putting Your Fitness First As An Online Trainer (Online Trainer Show #31)

They say to put on your own oxygen mask before helping someone else, and it rings true even in the fitness coaching industry. After the gang discusses surviving camping trips and photoshop jobs, they explore the nuances of putting your own fitness first. Life has a tendency to shift your focus toward other people, and while that may be important, your number one priority should be on yourself, fitness trainer or not. Like building a strong core, everything starts from its foundation, so to make others stronger, you have to make yourself stronger first.

In This Episode:

• How Jonathan schedules his workouts [13:53]
• Do trainers need to look a certain way?  [15:33]
• Ren and Carolina discuss how women’s fitness goals differ from men’s  [19:41]
• How Jonathan's training style has changed [26:37]
• The key things to remember so your body ages well with you [29:27]
• How to schedule your life to maximize fitness and productivity [34:50]
• Why you should always invest in yourself first [37:20]

 

“If you want to look better, and think better - you need to take care of yourself. Your fitness needs to come first.” - Jonathan Goodman

One Size Does Not Fit All

Many people feel that their body doesn’t “look” like a trainer’s, so they feel dissuaded from pursuing the field altogether. Everyone’s fitness journey is different, so someone who doesn’t sport an Instagrammable six-pack may have tons of knowledge and experience that could change lives. Do it anyway.

 

Fitness First Time Crunch

Quantity time is not necessarily quality time, and nowhere is that more evident than productivity. Life gets in the way and fitness is often put on the back burner, but if you schedule your workout time first and craft your day around that, your brain will squeeze more productivity out of less time. Your mind and body will thank you.

 

Invest In You

The business of training may be inherently about helping others, but so many miss a critical part—themself. Before you can coach others to become their best selves, you have to do the same for you. If your clients deserve to be their best selves, so do you, and once you establish that precedent, you’ll never think twice.

SPONSORS

 

Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy

 

https://www.theptdc.com/online-trainer-coaching-full

 

 Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd

 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Using Strategic Partnerships To Fast Track Business Growth (Online Trainer Show #30)

There are right and wrong ways to begin a podcast, and the gang has it down to a science: Overpriced Starbucks drinks, social media stalking, and Googling yourself. Today, they discuss what to look for in a partnership, the biggest mistake to avoid at all costs, and stories that illustrate how to utilize true engagement to generate business. So many people are too afraid to make that first call, but if they push through those trepidations, they could forge partnerships that transform their business. Don’t sell yourself for less than a mango dragon fruit drink —make that first call.

In This Episode:

• Why it’s important that you’re not too similar to your partner [16:24]
• Why you shouldn’t work with someone just because you like them [18:39]
• The value of training influencers for free to get your foot in the door [28:08]
• How to utilize true influencers and succeed in an influencer’s economy [30:07]
• The difference between engagement and following [32:43]
• How essential it is to narrow down your choices before you deep dive [35:47]
• Why you should focus on a specific demographic [36:33]
• Carolina emphasizes not selling yourself short [40:16]
• You could be the first person to connect with someone, so always take that first step [42:11]

 

“We’re so fixated on followers but engagement is where the money is.”- Ren Jones

 

I’m Your Partner, Not Your Friend

A pivotal mistake that so many fall into is partnering with someone only because they like them. Sure, you need to have great chemistry with someone, but if you two are too similar, you won’t complement each other and ultimately fall into the same habits. Instead, create a partnership where the one fills in for the other’s weaknesses, and you will reach a mutual goal together.

 

Engagement Vs. Followers

Working with influencers is critical to expanding your business, but so many “influencers” are focused solely on follower count and do little except sell products or a personality. If you work with people who are experts in their field and wish to spread information, your business’s engagement will multiply and impact so many more people in a significant way.

 

Make That First Call

Taking the first step is the hardest—that leap of faith that puts the pressure on high. Too many entrepreneurs hesitate to reach out because of their own insecurities or reluctance to try something new. Putting yourself out there is undeniably frightening, but if you can stop selling yourself short and make that first call, you could bridge a connection that changes your life.

 

SPONSORS

 

Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy

 

Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd

 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How Online Trainers MUST Manage Their Money (Online Trainer Show #29)

To properly kick off this episode, the crew briefly gushes over how awesome Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon Levitt are, as they should. Once the gushing concluded, Ren began the episode by recounting his financial journey, from living in a basement to five streams of income. Carolina followed up with her own quest, emphasizing the importance of getting creative with how you provide services and, consequently, build your income streams. Finally, Jonathan delves into four essential steps for coaches to manage their finances effectively, plus bonus tips that will push you away from basements and toward financial freedom.

In This Episode:

• Money and wealth are not the same, and finance education is not taught in school [15:02]
• Why most fitness trainers have ZERO financial training [16:29]
• How to organize your documents to streamline taxes [23:48]
• Jonathan shares what can be written off during tax time, ultimately saving you money [24:33]
• What holds you back from bringing more people in is a lack of diverse knowledge, not fitness certifications or gym equipment [30:35]
• Jonathan shares a story that illustrates how not watching your finances can cost you thousands per year [32:34]

 

“Just as important, if not more important, than learning how to make money is learning how to keep and grow money.” - Jonathan Goodman

 

Hire An Accountant

If you strive to make your money work for you, hiring an accountant is critical. It may cost more upfront, but the money you’ll save through avoiding ripoffs, catching phantom charges, and maximizing your tax refund is worth the investment—YOU are worth the investment.

 

Educate Yourself

So many coaches find their money running away from them because they lack knowledge in money, not gym equipment or fitness certifications. Dedicating the time to learning the foundations of money management is crucial toward expanding your business and living life on your terms.

 

Take A Good, Hard Look

Even if someone has the best intentions about money, if they don’t keep a close eye on things, money will inevitably slip away from them. Take an earnest, potentially painful, look at your finances to figure out where you can trim the fat, and your money won’t think twice.

 

Jamie Foxx's "I Want To Be Your Tennis Ball”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Fr4aM-utk

 

SPONSORS

 

Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy

 

Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd

 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

 

Building Your Support Systems (Online Trainer Show #28)

After the gang debates which episode number this is, they dive into the nuances of building your online support systems to bring maximum value to your clients and yourself. COVID has profoundly changed the coaching landscape, which makes effective support all the more essential. We grow through teaching and learning, and we deserve to continue growing no matter the circumstances. In this episode, Jonathan discusses the common pitfalls of coaching, how to identify red flags, and how to employ a well-rounded approach so that both your clients and your cups are filled to the brim.

In This Episode:

• Jonathan discusses the impact of COVID and how to move forward [7:33]
• Biggest pitfall: Offering too much and not being responsive [25:25]
• Two ways to offer support: Group and individual [25:37]
• Importance of automated check-in messages [28:48]
• How being a helicopter trainer was less effective and more taxing [32:38]
• How establishing work boundaries upfront is critical for your mental health, career, and client relationships [33:28]
• How boundaries and time limits help hone your focus [40:08]

 

“The worst thing is to set a precedent that you're always going to be available and omnipresent for your clients.” - Jonathan Goodman

 

Precedents and Boundaries

Easily one of the biggest pitfalls coaches fall into is not setting reasonable precedents and boundaries for yourself. Many coaches believe that constant availability is the key to great coaching, but Jonathan explains how quality always trumps quantity.

 

Automated Messages

An amazing way to keep your clients engaged is to utilize automated check-in messages, which will help you save time, give encouragement to clients killing it already, and open a dialogue for any clients who need in-depth support.

 

Vulnerability 

You are the company you keep, so surrounding yourself with people who are in your court is critical to success. Insecurities can often manifest in boastfulness, so seek out those with whom you can be vulnerable and your humility will keep you hungry for more.

 

SPONSORS

 

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy

 

Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd

 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How to Know Who to Believe on the Internet (Spoiler: The Answer Is Nobody) (Online Trainer Show #27)

This is an episode full of firsts and big news! Ren isn’t wearing a hat! There’s something about cupcakes! Carolina made a major life decision! Jonathan found a golden throne! But it’s not all good news for the gang today; Jonathan shares the story that brought him to today’s topic: who to trust on the internet. They’ll share some of the measures of seriousness they each look for when finding what they need online. In a shocking revelation, Jonathan has real-life examples of how easy it is to lie on the internet and the hilarious way someone got “outed” in their lie. What’s important to you when you are looking for someone to trust online? Listen now for tips on how to avoid being scammed online.

In This Episode:

• Ren talks about the earthquake in North Carolina; it gets graphic [04:45]
• Jonathan and his wife ate salads that were 100% from their garden [07:40]
• What are Jonathan’s criteria for weeding people out online? [17:23]
• Why you should whittle down your options before you go deeper [21:34]
• Be willing to do the work, so you’ll be less likely to be caught in scams [31:55]
• Do you know the person approaching you? Do they know you? [33:00]
• Interact with people who have provided you with value [34:53]
• How long has this “expert” been in the business? [37:37]

 

“I would value a trusted recommendation. When you see recommendations from folks who have built up a reputation, and they're someone who you jive with, that you deeply respect - I would value that.” - Jonathan Goodman

 

Look for Indications of Seriousness What does this person have to lose by offering bad business? Jonathan has a story about how he knew which barber to trust in a new town. There are nonsense lists out there that people can pay to be on; here’s how to separate non-merit-based lists of the so-called “best” in their business.

 

It’s Shockingly Easy to Lie Online Everything is for sale, including before and after photos. Fake profiles are quick and easy to make. Anyone can buy an appearance, buy their way onto a list, even buy testimonials. Learn how to be discerning.   Trust People You Know What’s important to you? What are your personal relationships with people you know you can trust? Look at how long this so-called “expert” has been in the business…and who can vouch for them.

 

SPONSORS

 

Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy

 

Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd

 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC