The time is NOW

Fellow fitness pro, Scott L Buendia, pointed out this article on the latest obesity stats to me the other day. Give it a read then come back.

http://tinyurl.com/lwupv

This was my favorite part:

'What's particularly distressing is that we think we understand why this is happening. It's happening because the environment is built to promote obesity, and it is so pervasive that in order to make changes, we really need to change everything,' said Cathy Nonas, director of the obesity and diabetes programs at North General Hospital in New York City and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

In particular, I liked the part about the environment is built to promote obesity.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not thrilled that is the case. I'd be a whole lot happier if everyone on the planet was wealthy, healthy and happy.

But it is what it is.

Personally I got very excited reading that article.

I see the opportunity stretched out before us. I see the opportunity for fitness entrepreneurs to change the environment. I see the opportunity to make the world a better place.

Again, it is what it is. The time is NOW for us to start new businesses that turn the tide. It's time for us to create the environment we want to see. It's time to get creative. To try new things. To help more people.

"IT" is broken and "IT" needs to be fixed. Who better to do so than the new breed of fitness professional?

I don't know about you, but I love a challenge.

So what was your reaction to reading it?

Did you hang your head?

Or did you see the opportunity?

Yours in prosperity,
Jim Labadie
http://www.howtogetmoreclients.com

PS- $17,000 in the span of a couple days...

'Hello Jim,
Samantha Taylor here in Tampa. Just wanted to drop a line to you and tell you how much I appreciate what you do. Since I have listened to your Ultimate Sales Kit program, it literally has transformed how I FEEL about my business.

Friday I sold another $10,000 program using some of these techniques! And last week I sold a $7000 program!'

Samantha Taylor
Tampa, FL

http://www.howtogetmoreclients.com

This is what it's all about

This is what it's all about
Brought to you by: http://www.getfitnessrich.com

I don't let anyone do this.
Do what?

Write to my list.

But I have great respect for my friend Pat Rigsby. I don't know of anyone in the fitness industry better at creating systems than him.

So I invited Pat to write to you today. Here it is:
~~~~~~~~~~
Have you ever compared your training business to a McDonald's?

Probably not.

But, before you go and condemn me for mentioning the restaurant chain that inspired the fitness horror story "Supersize Me" - let me explain why you might want to start emulating some of the things that McDonald's does if you're ever going to achieve maximum success with your personal training business.

So then what in the world could you learn from McDonald's?

It's simple:

Create a systematized way of running your business
Other than being the second largest private land owner in the world (great for building equity in your business...but that's another newsletter) the thing that McDonald's does exceptionally well, that has allowed them to become a massively successful company, is to deliver a consistent product through a replicable system.

They have a system that will provide you the same hamburger whether you're in Jupiter, FL or in Elizabethtown, KY.

They've got a system for how the staff delivers the food to you the customer.

They've got a systematic approach to ordering their food and inventorying it.

They've got a specific system for opening a new location.

They've even got a system for cleaning the restaurant.

Like them or not, they've created systems that have made them billions of dollars, allowed them to create replicated models all over the world and helped entrepreneurs that couldn't cook become millionaires by opening their franchises.

It's also those easily replicated step-by-step systems that allow them to command such a high price tag from potential franchisees.

You see, people will pay big bucks for a McDonald's franchise because of their systems that virtually guarantee success.

When was the last time you saw a McDonald's fail?
So, here are the two big questions...

1. Can you create replicable systems?
2. How would it help your business?

The answer to number one is a resounding YES!

The answer to number two is a little longer.

By creating systems in which to train your clients, run your business and develop your staff - you'll be able to generate consistent and predictable results.

And consistent and predictable results always leads to a consistent and predictable income.

By developing systems, you'll also be able to plug in employees and know that your businesses clients will continue to get great results while you leverage someone else's time.

When you've developed effective systems you'll also set yourself up to open multiple locations (if you choose) and continue to generate the same success.

And something that most trainers never give a second's thought to:
When you create "turn-key" systems you dramatically increase the value of your business when you choose to sell it. Now potential buyers are buying a system for success rather than some equipment and a few leftover bottles of protein powder.

In fact, I'd suggest you begin approaching your business as if you're getting ready to launch your own franchise. And in order to do that you have to be able to pass along a system that will virtually guarantee your franchisees success.

By systematizing your business you'll not only make more money, but you'll also make your life a whole lot easier.

So let me leave you with three easy steps to start you on your way to creating a systematic approach to business:

1. Begin documenting everything you do and organizing it into your own "franchise operations manual." Put everything from the way you perform an assessment to the way that you clean bathrooms on paper in a fashion that someone else would easily understand and be able to replicate.

2. Start delegating "minimum wage work." If you're going to move from technician to entrepreneur you must eventually allow other people to actually perform the day-to-day tasks associated with running your business. Start with the small stuff like entering data, going to the post office, cleaning, etc. You'll eventually become more and more comfortable with passing on responsibility.

3. Set a timeline for someone to replace you. Set a specific date when you will have trained someone to perform your role in the business. Not only will this free you up to grow the business and tackle other projects, but it will also increase the value of your company.

And you never thought anything good came from McDonalds!
~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks, Pat!
Yours in prosperity,
Jim Labadie
http://www.getfitnessrich.com/

PS- If you don't already have a copy of Pat's AMAZING ebook -http://www.getfitnessrich.com/ - you're missing out in a BIG way. Check out the testimonials!

1) "If you are really looking to stand out from the crowd, leverage your time and maximize your revenue generation, profits and personal fitness fortune, then look no further. As with anything in life, it takes ACTION! So get moving, and start enjoying your new found 'Fitness Riches'!!!"
Thanks again!
Yours in Health,
Daniel Remon

2) "The http://www.getfitnessrich.com/ e-book was outstanding. It was jammed packed full of ready to use top-notch marketing, sales and overall operations material that I've already begun to incorporate. If you just incorporate one of the methods presented, the revenue derived will more than pay for the cost of the book.
Keep the great info coming."
Stay Fit,
Doug J. Krueger, Owner
Peak Performance

3) "http://www.getfitnessrich.com/ is a great book. It's given me a lot of food for thought as well as many great ideas for building my company. I would highly recommend it! As someone based in the UK, it's also more than valuable to see what's happening 'across the pond' in the US, and provides a great insight into a lot of what may well be happening here in the near future."
Thanks,
Justin Buckthorp

4) "http://www.getfitnessrich.com/ was truly sensational. Reading this book was a bit overwhelming at first. Reading everything from breaking the trend of just offering one-on-one training to running semi-private sessions, to getting recognized on the web, to offering additional profit centers, was a lot to take in at first. However, all the authors made it very easy to understand and made me see the light...I can do this too.

Nice job to everyone who contributed."
Jason Zaretzky

5) "http://www.getfitnessrich.com/ is a must have for any professional. Each chapter covers a certain topic that is sure to increase your revenue (even just using one chapter is worth the price of the book, and you get 18 in this gem!!!). This is "in the trenches" stuff that wasn't taught in school when you got your exercise degree nor when you got your certification."

Kevin Valluzzi
thefitnessleader.com

6) The book was great. http://www.getfitnessrich.com/ makes you think beyond just being a personal trainer. The book lets you know that you can be very successful in the fitness business and shows you plenty of ways do get there from people who have done it.
David Dubail

7) "After reading Alwyn Cosgrove's chapter I found myself wondering why people in the fitness industry do the things they do.

You guys are insulting yourselves to call your project a book. It's more like a how to manual for fitness idiots like myself. All one has to do is read the material, several times would be good, and apply it. That's it.

No offense, but you guys are stupid for charging what you do. I'm not sure how you came up with $37, but I'm glad I got my copy because you need to raise the price. Any dollar amount would be well worth the information because it is literally priceless."

Dan Kamauff CSCS

8) "http://www.getfitnessrich.com/ has helped me grow my training business dramatically. It is loaded with useful nuggets. A must have for every trainer serious about taking his business to the next level."

Chris McCombs

9) "http://www.getfitnessrich.com/ is amazing. I read the whole thing in two days. Unlike many books that you need to read in their entirety before using the information, each chapter of Fitness Riches has things you can implement immediately to start improving your business.
Thank you for sharing these systems, proven by people who have used them "in the trenches" to help those of us serious about our business continue to improve."

Tony Maslan
Custom Fit Personal Training, LLC
Evansville, IN

10) Wow! What more can I say when you get the best of the best in the fitness industry, to all contribute one major gem of a marketing idea each and put it into one book. I have already taken just a few things that you wrote in the book Pat and have changed the way I market my business.

It took no time at all to start seeing my revenues go up this month and that is in the slower summer time. I now have new ideas that I can role out every couple weeks to give me an endless flow of clients and income."

Best Regards,
Justin La Pointe
Oregon City, Or.

http://www.getfitnessrich.com/

More cheese, please

Brought to you by:
http://www.burn-the-fat-now.com/

Most of my friends say the same thing to me:

'Those websites of yours are SOOOOOOO cheesy.'

And I agree. Long sales copy does get pretty 'cheesy.'

But you know what?

I could not possibly care less.

Seriously.

I could not possibly give less of a rat's you know what about it.

Know why?

They work. And they work REALLY well.

I just got back from the movies. Because I work ON my business, and not IN it, I can go to the movies whenever I don't feel like doing anything. And most of the time that is right in the middle of the day.

All of my friends were at their jobs working for somebody else.

Somebody else signs his or her name to their paycheck.

Why am I writing you about this?

If you want to grow the business of your dreams so you can live the life of your dreams you simply cannot care what people think about you.

Not one iota.

Now I realize this is nothing new. I know you know this.

BUT...

I know from personal experience what can happen when business owners tell friends or family
members about an idea they have, or show them a marketing piece they want to use.

So what can happen?

Well, let's just say when non-business owners and people who are NOT professional marketers get wind of what they are up to the entrepreneur suddenly second guesses themselves.

Suddenly a great idea is shot to hell. Suddenly a great sales letter or marketing piece gets sh*t all over and goes into the trash.

Again, I'm not telling you anything new.

But are you running your business this way?

Do you ask the advice of people who don't know what they are talking about?

Do you concern yourself more about people's opinions or the success of your business?

People who don't write their own paychecks have NO friggin' clue what they are talking about.

Do NOT ask for their advice. Dollars to doughnuts it's worthless.

Do NOT talk to your friends and families about your marketing strategies. Unless they are professional marketers they don't have the right to tell you anything about promoting your business.

Ask yourself if there's anything you're not doing because you're concerned what others might say or think about you. If there is I can tell you with 100% certainty you must change your
thinking.

With the risks come the rewards. Let other people worry about what others think of them. As an entrepreneur you have too many dreams and aspirations to live out to care!

Yours in prosperity,

Jim Labadie

PS- Speaking of 'cheesy' sales copy, check out:

http://www.burn-the-fat-now.com

From what I'm told it's the best-selling fitness ebook of all time. The sales copy is nothing short of amazing.

http://www.burn-the-fat-now.com

PPS- And why not get a copy? Wouldn't it be smart to know what the best-selling fitness ebook of all time is all about? What it looks like. How it was written. How it leads to further back-end sales.

Wouldn't that make sense?

http://www.burn-the-fat-now.com/

How to Profit from Walking Billboards

How to Profit from Walking Billboards
Brought to you by: http://www.howtogeneratereferrals.com

There's no such thing as a 'slam dunk' when it comes to selling your fitness services.

You may have noticed when people seem like they want nothing more than to hand over their checkbook they suddenly have a few questions they'd like answered first.

However, if there's any type of prospective client who is close to being a 'slam dunk' it is a referral.

And while I strongly suggest you go through the formal sales process, it should not take much more than you staying out of your own way and letting them sell themselves to close the deal. If the person who referred them to you held up their end of the bargain then they are, for the most part, pre-sold.

As a fitness professional you've probably already discovered your best form of marketing is the walking billboards you create.

What else can possibly compare?

Nothing, really.

So what steps are you taking to make sure these living testimonials are spreading the word about you?

Are you being pro-active and making sure your clients know the types of referrals you are seeking?

Are you educating your clients and constantly reminding them of the benefits they have received from your services?

Too often trainers take a reactive approach to their business. They wait for good things to happen instead of making them happen.

Oftentimes I hear of fitness professionals who don't like the idea of bothering their clients by asking for referrals.

If that sounds like you then I've got a simple cure. Sit down with your client at the end of a session and ask them how it is they feel you have helped them. Ask them to paint you a vivid picture of the way they felt and lived their life before meeting you.

Of course you then ask how they now feel after having worked with you. If you've done your job they should be going on and on about you and how you've changed their life for the better.

Don't you think they want their friends and family to experience the same joy and well-being?

Next ask them who they know who is in a similar position to how they were before meeting with you. Remind them of the vivid details they just expressed to you. Allow their minds to wander as they search for the perfect referral for you.

Something you need to understand is if you don't teach your clients exactly what you are looking for in a referral they will never know. And don't let yourself fall back into a reactive mode. If they know someone who would make a terrific client then be sure to get the prospect's contact information. Don't just wait for them to call you, you call them.

If you think that's too pushy then look at it a different way. You are a fitness professional. You have a moral obligation to reach your hand out and try and help this person. They may or may not become a client, but it will not be for a lack of effort on your part.

Yours in prosperity,
Jim Labadie
http://www.howtogeneratereferrals.com

PS- What can ONE referral lead to?

'Jim,
I had to tell you, this stuff is awesome! Literally days after implementing some of this stuff from the Ultimate Referral Kit I had prospects calling me.

Just today I got a call from a guy who was referred to me, and not only does he want me to train him, but his whole rugby team as well!

The coaching with Joe Stankowski was easily worth the price of the whole kit alone. He has been an awesome help, telling me some strategies and ideas that will save me much time and money.

Thanks for your great product!'

Zach Hunt
Spokane, WA

http://www.howtogeneratereferrals.com

One man I always listen to

One man I always listen to.

Who is he?

David Frey.

There are very few newsletters I always read. His is one of them.

If you don't get David's Marketing Best Practices you need to.

You can subscribe to it by clicking here:

http://www.info-marketing-workshop.com

Seriously, I cannot recommend it highly enough. I've learned a ridiculous amount about marketing from him. If nothing else you should look at his website just to see exactly how an information entrepreneur's site should look.

Yours in prosperity,

Jim Labadie

PS - On October 19, 20 and 21, in Houston, TX, David will be holding an amazing seminar. When you go to http://www.info-marketing-workshop.com you'll see the link on the upper right-hand corner to find out more about it.

If you're incredibly serious about becoming an info-entrepreneur you need to be there.

Am I going?

I wish.

But at that time the new business Ryan Lee and I have been working on for 9 months will have launched and we will be in high gear. Just won't have time.

Don't let that stop you. David is a genius and as nice a guy as there is.

http://www.info-marketing-workshop.com

How to Promote A Personal Training Staff

Brought to you by: http://www.CelebrityFitnessImage.com

Actually the entire title of the article is:

"How to Promote A Health Club's Personal Training Staff as Fitness Experts via Media Exposure"

But I could't really fit it in the subject line.

It was recently published on FitCommerce.com. All the concepts will work for anyone who has trainers working for them.

Give it a read at: http://tinyurl.com/hux7d

Yours in prosperity,

Jim Labadie
http://www.CelebrityFitnessImage.com

PS - Hope to see you this September!
http://www.ryan-lee-bootcamp.com

© Achieve Total Fitness, Inc 2006

How to think and feel like your prospect

How to think and feel like your prospect
Brought to you by: http://www.howtoprofitwithbootcamps.com

I may be pointing out the obvious, but you have to know your prospective customer/client as well as you know yourself.

That's why when I work with a coaching client on a marketing piece I have them think like their prospect thinks. And feel like their prospect feels.

For example, if you're writing some copy for your website you need to imagine your prospect sitting at their computer reading it. Literally put yourself in their shoes. Become them for a moment.

I'm going to give you an example. Obviously, I'm not a woman. But I've trained enough of them and sold them enough personal training to have a pretty good idea of what it's KIND OF like to be in their shoes. Enough so I can have a great mental image of them so I can write copy that will interest them.

(Note: I chose to write about a woman because I've always found them to be the ones who hire trainers. Much more so than men.)

~~~~~
I'm over 35 years old

I've got a couple of kids who I love but drain my energy

The kids are old enough now where I do have some time for myself

My husband might as well be another child

My clothes are getting tighter and tighter

I don't look at myself in the mirror when I'm naked anymore because I hate what I see

I've got a job that I enjoy and we're making enough money I can finally afford to hire a trainer

I read the fitness magazines but I never actually follow their advice

I've been to Weight Watchers a couple of times

I've tried a dozen times to go on a diet, but more weight eventually gets packed on

I'm too out of shape (and embarrassed) to go to a health club

I just saw a fast-food commercial and if I had time I'd run out right now for a cheese burger

My husband and I haven't fooled around in quite some time and I just don't feel sexy anymore

If my butt gets any bigger I'm going to cry
~~~~~

Please know this is not meant to offend anyone. I'm merely painting a picture from my experience as a trainer. These are the types of things I heard over and over and over.

You haven't?

Can't you just picture this woman? And when you picture her sitting at her computer searching for a personal trainer can't you feel what she feels?

And let's face it, that woman isn't feeling to good about herself right now. She's a little sad. Maybe upset with herself. I can guarantee you she's frustrated.

Here's the real important part...

As a fitness professional what do you want to say to her? If she were your best friend and you wanted to write her a letter inspiring her to take action and get professional assistance what would you write?

Would you tell her all about how great you and your training programs are?

Would you come right out and say what a great value it is?

No.

You'd be nurturing. You'd be understanding.

Wouldn't you?
But at some point you'd be a little forceful. You'd let them know what they are capable of. You'd tug at their heart strings and inspire them to action!

As a fitness pro you've either been there yourself or you've worked with plenty of people just like this. If you search deeply enough inside yourself you'll find you know exactly how to connect emotionally with your prospect.

And that is what is going to draw them to you like a magnet.

Yours in prosperity,

Jim Labadie
http://www.howtoprofitwithbootcamps.com

PS - Fitness Professionals just like you are earning well over $100 (or more) per hour running their own Boot Camps.
http://www.howtoprofitwithbootcamps.com

'Hey Jim,

When I'm running my boot camp class I'm always thinking, 'what a great use of my time'. It comes out to about $210 an hour. It's a great way to start your morning!
I am planning on hiring another trainer, or doing two classes next month.

Thanks for your help, and the Ultimate Boot Camp Start-up Kit CD's!'

Stephen Cooper
Fitness with Coop
Altadena, CA

http://www.howtoprofitwithbootcamps.com/

This may be what you're doing wrong

There's a time and place to do things for free.

Public speaking can be one of those things.

Yes, you can get paid to speak. But local Rotary Clubs and networking organizations in your area aren't going to pony up the dough to hear you speak.

Why?
Because they can easily find someone to take your place who will do it for free.

Yes, it's a great way to give back to your community and spread the truth about fitness. But you can also earn some good coin if you know what you're doing.

Most of the time, when you give a free talk for a local group of some sort you're going to be given around 15 or 20 minutes to speak. Sometimes longer, but that's what I typically found to be the case. And that is just enough time to do things the right way.

THE WRONG WAY:

You go to your talk and tell people as much information as you can in the time you have. You tell them the exactly how to get fit, lose their gut and feel great. And maybe you hand out some cards and marketing materials and HOPE someone from the audience calls you - eventually.

The result?

Most of the time your audience throws out your business card as soon as they get back to their home or office. You've just filled them in on all the info they needed. So why the heck would they hire you? They know how to do it on their own now.

Come on.

We know most everyone isn't going to do anything and those who do try with the basic knowledge you just imparted to them are destined to fail. I don't like writing that, but in case you've been extrordinarily distracted the past 10 years you've probably noticed that just about everyone is fat or becoming so.

THE RIGHT WAY:

You focus the limited time you have on educating people on the quick-fixes everyone tries that DO NOT work.

You know why?
Because these are all the things your audience are trying either right now or have tried in the past. All the lies, the scams, the myths. These are the things that get people emotional. And emotion gets people to take action.

Did you read that?

EMOTION IS WHAT GETS PEOPLE TO TAKE ACTION

The result?

You can sell them your services or your info-products or your boot camp or...

It's endless.

Explain to them why what they're doing is wrong. And yes, gladly do that for free. If they want all the answers they're going to need to pay you. That's what being a PROFESSIONAL means.

You get paid.
Here's to YOU getting paid! ;-)

Yours in prosperity,

Jim Labadie
http://www.amazingfitnesspresentations.com

PS- Wanna know what else you could be doing right?

http://www.amazingfitnesspresentations.com

PPS- Or would you rather keep handing out all those business cards and hoping someone will call?

http://www.amazingfitnesspresentations.com

3 Simple Sales Case Studies

3 Simple Sales Case Studies
Brought to you by: http://www.howtogetmoreclients.com

Selling value might work for some people. Personally, I don't really see how it works for anyone when it's a face-to-face sale.

I had three different conversations last week with people who recently had face-to-face interactions with sales people. In all three situations the sales person tried selling on value. Here are the results:

Case #1: New car purchase

My friend had already made the decision on the car he was going to purchase. It was exactly what he wanted at the price he wanted.

Done deal, right?

Yes, but the sales person just about talked his way out of the sale.

How?

He started talking about every single feature that came with the car. Problem is, they were things my friend could care less about. In fact, this guy came extremely close to blowing his sale. REAL CLOSE.

Case #2 Plasma Television

Same thing. The deal was done. Right TV at the right price. Until the sales person started going on and on and on about all the valuable extra features. All things my friend did not want and did not feel like paying for.

The sales person still got the sale, but almost blew it because he couldn't keep his mouth shut trying to sell value.

Case #3 Website Design

No sale. Not even close. From what I was told this guy could NOT stop talking about all the value they build into their sites. All the wonderful things you get. None of which the prospect - my friend - wanted.

If the web designer had simply asked what he wanted and assured my friend he could deliver he probably would have had a new client.

But no, he must have been reading about all this "sell value" crap that I see more and more of. And please realize when I say "sell value" I do not mean you don't offer a very valuable product or service.

So what's the lesson in all this?

DO NOT SELL VALUE WHEN FACE-TO-FACE WITH YOUR PROSPECT!

All that extra value did nothing to close sales. It lost one and almost lost two more. And I can't even begin to imagine how many potential sales they lost because of their "Sell Value" philosophy.

Plus, for the two it almost lost it meant more work for the sales person. NONE of which was necessary.

Your prospects will tell you exactly why they want to hire you. That's all you need to know. Period.

When you start going on and on about what a great value everything is people don't fall in love with all that value. What they really do is start to think they are over-paying for value they do not want and do not care about.

So what should you do?

SELL THEM EXACTLY THE VALUE THEY WANT. NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS.

If they get more value along the way that's terrific. It makes it look like you're under-promising and over-delivering.

Under-promising and over-delivering makes for two very happy people. Your customer and you!

And that's Business 101, isn't it?

Yours in prosperity,

Jim Labadie
http://www.howtogetmoreclients.com

PS- What does the legendary Alwyn Cosgrove think of my sales approach?

"It's quite possible I've got more qualifications than anyone else in my field. Seriously, I've got more letters after my name than I have in my name! However, I'm going to let you in on the horrible truth...there is no relationship between being technically good or skilled at what you do and getting paid.

Jim Labadie is THE MASTER and he has solved that problem. The Ultimate Sales Kit for Fitness Professionals is almost as good as having Jim as your own personal sales staff. Within days of listening to the CD's you'll have, at the least, doubled your investment.

BOTTOM LINE: If you don't have this kit in your arsenal, you better pray your competition doesn't. It's that powerful."

Alwyn Cosgrove
Sports Conditioning Professional
Owner Results Fitness
AlwynCosgrove.com

PPS- There's a lot more testimonials just like that at:

http://www.howtogetmoreclients.com

How to Respond to Critics

How to Respond to Critics
Brought to you by: http://www.FitnessBusinessMindset.com

This is really simple. The more successful you become, the more critics you will have. Get used to it.

I've been trashed before. I'm fully aware of it.

And now that a lot of my customers are doing extremely well and the fitness community knows about it, they are too.

So what happens when someone sh*ts on YOU for the first time? How are you going to handle it?

Seriously, when someone starts viciously attacking you for the first time it can be upsetting. You don't even know who they are, but they're out there slamming you.

Here's my advice:

1- Again, realize it is going to happen. I don't like affirming anything negative, but criticism of the people who achieve in life seems to be a constant.

2- Fall in love with it. That might seem counter-intutive, but if your success is getting under people's skin then I assure you, you've arrived! ;-)

3- Don't respond to it. Unless it is a serious case of slander which would require retaining an attorney I'd ignore it. DO NOT waste a single second of energy replying to hateful people who've got nothing better to do with their time than attack those making something of themselves.

I really cannot stress #3 enough. When I hear I'm getting slammed online somewhere I actually get pretty happy. If I'm pissing some people off it means I'm doing a great job! Then, as per usual, my customers come of my defense anyway. Yours will too.

Life is great. Don't waste your time even thinking about anyone who would try to get you to think otherwise.

Yours in prosperity,

Jim Labadie
http://www.FitnessBusinessMindset.com

PS- Discover what it really takes.
http://www.FitnessBusinessMindset.com

'Jim Labadie & Zach Even-Esh's interview on mindset supply what I like the call the 'missing link' in business success. Many people lose sight of the power of the mind, affirmations and thoughts in making you achieve what ever you desire. This landmark product takes you back there and I guarantee you will reap benefits beyond your wildest dreams from listening to these 2 elite fitness professionals.

This is a must have for any fitness pro who wants to achieve a high level of prosperity and success.'

Virgil Aponte
The Stair Exercises Guru

PSS- Don't forget I'll be speaking at the http://www.ryan-lee-bootcamp.com the end of September. It's the best event in the fitness industry. If you want to be surrounded with successful and supportive fitness pros this is the place to be!

You want me to do what?

There I was sitting in her living room. I was completely trapped. How in the h*ll did I get into this?

We were supposed to be talking about her hiring me as her in-home personal trainer. And for awhile, we did.

But then it happened. All of a sudden she's trying to recruit me to be a part of a Multi-Level Marketing company.

UGGHHHH!

Now I'm fully aware of the arguments for and against MLM. I am fully aware that there may be a fair amount of you reading this that are involved in MLM.

Personally, I just don't dig it. If you're into it, that's cool with me.

Doesn't really matter. It's not the point of this post.

What I am going to teach you is how to set an appointment of any kind so that you never waste any of your time.

Believe me, I'd love to have back the hours of time I wasted talking to this woman who was trying to convince me to sell water filters and silverware and everything else under the sun to my clients. Even worse was the fact I didn't stand a chance of gaining her as a client unless I became involved in her MLM deal.

UGGHHHH!

Sorry, I'm rambling.

Ok. Here's what you need to know. This is so simple it might seem ridiculous. But I can almost guarantee you aren't doing this right now. (Unless you have my Ultimate Sales Kit for Fitness Pros that is)

1) YOU need to be in charge of all conversations you have with prospects and associates when it comes to your business. Be polite and gracious. But also be very protective of your time.

2) Set the terms of your meeting. When and where will you meet? How long will you meet for? What EXACTLY will you talk about? What is the desired outcome of the meeting?

3) In regards to #2 you can do this so long as you ask them politely AND make sure everything is ok with them. Yes, that means asking persmission.

Is that time ok?

Is that what you want the outcome of our meeting to be? If not, what were you hoping it would be?

4) Confirm the meeting at the end of THAT conversation. Don't wait until a day before to ask if they will be there. Why? Because in today's fast-paced world you never know if you will be able to get a hold of them. If the time you are supposed to meet seems iffy then pick a new time when you have their attention.

Does this always work? Almost always.

Is it possible you'll have some person try to change the terms of the meeting on you? Of course. But this gives you the best possible chance of improving your business and preserving your most precious commodity - TIME!

Thanks to the MLM woman I lost three hours of my life. How many hours have you lost to nonsense? What else could you be doing if you protected your time more vigilently?

Yours in prosperity,

Jim Labadie
http://www.TrainandGrowRich.com

PS - Resources to help you dominate your competition!
Under $50 bucks:

http://www.celebrityfitnessimage.com
http://www.fitnessbusinessmindset.com
http://www.velvetropesalesandpr.com
http://www.amazingfitnesspresentations.com

Over $50 bucks:
http://www.fitnessinfomistakes.com
http://www.howtogetmoreclients.com
http://www.howtogetmorepublicity.com
http://www.howtogeneratereferrals.com
http://www.howtoprofitwithbootcamps.com

I tell this to everybody...

I'm going on a bit of a rampage.

Fall is right around the corner and you know what that means.The Fall Fitness Rush is coming. And I want you to be complelely prepared for it.

So I'm going to be cranking out a ton of content you can use for your fitnessbusiness. Actionable steps which are easy to put to good use.

~~~~

I really do tell this to everybody I do private coaching with.

If you want to create leads and position yourself as an expert at the same time,with very little cost, write a simple e-book and give it away for free on a one-pagewebsite.

If you're looking for a model to follow check out mine at http://www.ptsalestips.com

Some notes:

- I wrote a fair amount of sales copy because I wanted to be sure the prospect opted in

- Use some testimonials on the site and in the e-book

- In the e-book itself I tell people to forward it to anyone it can help.

- I also send them to another page where they can download even more free info.

Why?

Because if they get the book forwarded to them that means I DO NOT have theiremail address.

- Obviously, my audience is interested in the business of fitness. If I was goingafter people who wanted to shed a few pounds I would DEFINITELY make my free e-booksomething to do with getting "ripped abs".

(The info-mercial people aren't stupid. Why do you think they go on and on andon about abs for 30 minutes?)

- I use http://www.trainershoppingcart.com/ to create the optin boxes and to managemy list and...well, basically to run my entire online operation.

- Whenever I write an article I always use this as my bio to get prospects to opt-in:

"Jim Labadie is a fitness entrepreneur, sales expert, and speaker. You can download a FREE copy of his new e-book 63 Must Have Sales Tips for Personal Trainers at http://www.ptsalestips.com.

How well does this work? Just yesterday I had an article published on EliteFTS.com. I just about instantly added 100 subscribers to my list. And they keep coming by the minute.

Check it out at:http://www.elitefts.com/documents/dominant_trainer.htm

After you're done reading it be sure to get to work! ;-)

Oh, I almost forgot. If you're reading this, there's a very good chance this strategy is how you came to be here.

Words are powerful.

Yours in prosperity,

Jim Labadie
http://www.trainandgrowrich.com/

Ryan Lee is a BIG Friggin' Baby!

Guess what you need to do if you're going to use email as a marketing tool.

Yeah, get them to open the damn thing!

That's why I wrote 'Ryan Lee is a BIG Friggin' Baby!' I wanted to get your attention.

I wanted you wondering whether Ryan and I had a falling out already after working together for less than a month.

I assure you the answer is no. I'm having more fun than ever!

But I must admit that I got the idea for that headline because he really is a big kid. He's always joking around. Always laughing. Always busting chops. Good times.

And I personally believe it's because he's always having so much fun that he's always one step ahead of everyone else.

We go to lunch and he comes up with a 1/2 dozen more ideas for new businesses.

And most of them are sure-fire winners. It's astounding. And these are businesses completely out of the realm of fitness.

Now this might not have seemed like the most insightful email I've ever written you. But if you were paying close attention you will have found three very important gifts.

So what did you learn today?

1- Write compelling headlines to get your emails opened (How many newsletters do YOU ignore?)

2- Ideas for compelling headlines can come from anywhere, so keep your mind open

3- The more fun you have the more open your mind is to great ideas

Oh, and did I mention how mega-successful entrepreneurs become mega-wealthy?

They start with a great idea.

~~~~

Ever wished you could pick the brains of the world's most successful fitness professionals? What do people like Alywn Cosgrove, Stephen Holt, Kelli Calabrese, and Craig Ballantyne all do to make their fitness businesses so profitable?

Well, if you want a truckload of great info and ideas check out what my good friend Pat Rigsby has come up with.

http://www.GetFitnessRich.com

It's one of the best resources you'll ever find. Opportunity is knocking. Are you going to answer?

Yours in prosperity,

Jim Labadie

PS- I know it's the dog days of summer and biz might be slow but the fall rush is coming and you need to be prepared. Here is the latest testimonial for the Ultimate Sales Kit for Fitness Professionals: http://www.howtogetmoreclients.com

"Jim gets it. When many distracted and burnt-out fitness trainers don't get it he helps the other hungry fitness professionals swallow the client base of the weak and tired. Plain and simple.
And if you haven't already purchased this kit, or any of the other business success/profit products Jim offers then guess what? You're in serious jeopardy of losing your client base too!

No joke.

Jim's Ultimate Sales Kit will guide you step by step on how to create a sale out of thin air (and I am not kidding it's practically out of thin air), how to secure the opportunity to land the sale, and how to safely secure the sale.

And even better, he'll teach you how to do all this while remaining professional, relaxed and most of all HONEST. I really have nothing else to say or add other then get it now while the gettings' good cause if you don't someone else IS GOING TO.'

Robert Belley, BS, CPT, YCS-I
Owner/Performance Director
Purely Physique; Results Training System

http://www.howtogetmoreclients.com

PPS- Have you been thinking of starting your own Fitness Boot Camp this fall? Discover how at:

http://www.howtoprofitwithbootcamps.com/