Introduction: Fitness Coaching Business
Hello, Tanner Chidester here. Today, I want to share some valuable insights for fitness coaches looking to build an extraordinary Business and scale beyond the $25K per month plateau. Recently, I had an enlightening session with Giovanna Fonseca, a plant-based nutritionist and fitness coach, who was experiencing the typical challenges of growing a Fitness Coaching Business.
Quick answer: How do you scale a fitness coaching business past $25K per month?
You get yourself out of doing everything. Giovanna Fonseca, a plant based nutritionist and fitness coach, was stuck at the $25K per month plateau doing sales calls, coaching and plans herself. My plan: check what her $150 a day on Instagram ads returns, pay the team base plus commission, offer two price tiers, hire a full time coach who can sell, and target ads precisely.
- Doing sales, coaching and plan creation yourself is what keeps coaches stuck at $25K per month.
- Measure what your ad spend returns, like Giovanna's $150 a day on Instagram, and scale it if it brings clients.
- Pay the team a fixed base plus commission instead of a percentage so incentives match growth.
- Offer two pricing options: one with you personally and a lower one with an associate coach.
- Replace automatic targeting with defined audiences, like women in their 40s and 50s.
“I had an enlightening session with Giovanna Fonseca, a plant-based nutritionist and fitness coach, who was experiencing the typical challenges of growing a Fitness Coaching Business.”
Understanding Your Current Position
Giovanna’s situation was typical of many entrepreneurs in the fitness industry. She was wearing all the hats in her business – handling sales calls, client coaching, and even creating nutrition and fitness plans. This level of involvement, while commendable, often leads to burnout and stagnation.
Key Strategies for Scaling Your Fitness Coaching Business
- Evaluate Your Ad Spend and Return: Giovanna was spending $150 a day on Instagram ads, which was bringing a significant number of followers and potential leads. The first step in scaling is to assess your ad spend versus the return it generates. If your business relies heavily on ads for client acquisition, consider increasing your ad budget to boost growth.
- Restructure Your Team: Giovanna had a setter and an assistant coach. As your business grows, your team structure must evolve. Consider shifting from percentage-based payments to a fixed base plus commission structure. This change can incentivize your team members and align their goals with the business’s growth.
- Focus on Sales Strategy: A common issue many fitness coaches face is handling sales objections, particularly around pricing and spousal approval. Develop strategies to overcome these objections. For instance, offer two pricing options – one for personal coaching and a lower price for coaching by an associate. This approach provides clients with choices and increases the likelihood of closing the sale.
- Invest in Hiring the Right People: As you scale, you cannot continue to do everything yourself. Hiring a full-time coach who is not only skilled in coaching but also in sales is crucial. This investment allows you to focus on growing the business rather than being bogged down in daily operations.
- Managing Your Team Effectively: Conduct regular team meetings and individual check-ins with your coaches and setters. This regular communication ensures everyone is on the same page and working towards common goals.
- Implement Effective Ad Targeting: Tailor your ads to your target audience. Instead of using automatic settings, customize your ad targeting to reach the most relevant audience, such as women in their 40s and 50s or individuals interested in plant-based nutrition.
Conclusion: The Path to Growth Your Fitness Coaching Business
Scaling a business is about making strategic decisions that align with your growth objectives. It involves understanding your market, optimizing your ad spend, restructuring your team, and improving sales strategies. By following these steps, fitness coaches like Giovanna can successfully move beyond the $25K per month mark and continue growing their businesses.
Remember, scaling a business is a journey, not a destination. It requires continuous learning, adapting, and a willingness to invest in your team and strategies. With the right approach, you can build a sustainable and thriving fitness coaching business.
For more insights on scaling your fitness coaching business, stay tuned for future posts where I delve deeper into specific strategies and case studies. Let’s grow together!
Frequently asked questions
Why do fitness coaches get stuck at $25K per month?
Usually because the owner is still doing everything. Giovanna Fonseca was handling sales calls, coaching clients and writing plans herself. That level of involvement is admirable, but it leads to burnout and stalled growth. To get past $25K per month you need a team that carries the delivery so you can focus on growth.
How should a fitness coach pay their setter and assistant coach?
Move from percentage based pay to a fixed base plus commission. Giovanna had a setter and an assistant coach, and a base plus commission structure lines their incentives up with growing the business. It gives them stability and still rewards results. Pair it with regular team meetings and one on one check ins.
How should online fitness coaches price their coaching to handle objections?
Offer two options. One tier where the client works with you personally, and a lower tier where they are coached by an associate. A choice like that handles price objections without discounting your main offer. Also prepare for spousal approval objections, since they come up constantly in fitness coaching sales.
Should fitness coaches use automatic targeting on Instagram ads?
No. Swap automatic targeting for defined audiences. For Giovanna, that meant women in their 40s and 50s, or people interested in plant based nutrition. Then check what the spend returns. She was spending $150 a day on Instagram ads, and if that drives clients, the move is to increase the budget.
