Christmas period for trainers

[knight100]

Hey guys this is my first Christmas/new year as a independent trainer. Just wondering what every else is doing for their business and do you give your clients Christmas presents?, do you have many that drop off over this time period?

[WoofieNugget]

They don't drop off, but December is definitely quieter - use it to your advantage and work on other business items including marketing for January and February. Expect that the two weeks around Christmas/New Years will be very slow and maybe even take some time off yourself.

As for presents, it can get expensive in a hurry even if you only spend $10-20 per client. A card usually is fine. A service provider should be getting tips, not giving gifts to others.

[RevolutionFF]

I am going to make up a batch of 'healthy' treats for my clients. Maybe some almond flour type snacks or gluten free cookies etc.

I am taking Christmas Eve until 3rd of Jan off or so. Have not had a break this year so really needed. I expect clients to take a break too, and then prepare myself for a busy mid Jan onwards.

[LailaTX]

They don't drop off, but December is definitely quieter - use it to your advantage and work on other business items including marketing for January and February. Expect that the two weeks around Christmas/New Years will be very slow and maybe even take some time off yourself.

As for presents, it can get expensive in a hurry even if you only spend $10-20 per client. A card usually is fine. A service provider should be getting tips, not giving gifts to others.

It is my first year as an independent too, but I was expecting things to pick up in December. Even just the day after Thanksgiving I saw an increase in number of people at the gym, so I was expecting Dec to be busier...am I off? I guess I could expect it to drop as Christmas approaches.

[WoofieNugget]

It is my first year as an independent too, but I was expecting things to pick up in December. Even just the day after Thanksgiving I saw an increase in number of people at the gym, so I was expecting Dec to be busier...am I off? I guess I could expect it to drop as Christmas approaches.

This is the trend - people work out more in November because they know they are going to eat like crap and not work out in December, or they are going south and want to look good for the beach. In December they are busy with parties and family stuff so workouts get missed. Then in January they come back along with the resolutioners so things pick up.

[Keltron]

So most people do 8 sessions a month (twice/week for 4 weeks). I just tell them come in an extra day of the week until they get all 8 sessions in.

[knight100]

Thanks guys awesome advice, what do you guys do for Christmas presents with clients without it getting to expensive?

[KyleAaron]

I don't give gifts to all clients. We want clients to be likeable, reliable and hardworking. We'll settle for two out of three, only one or none and we just fire them or transfer them to another trainer. If they're all three, then that's when we give them extra time - and gifts at appropriate times. And obviously just for those doing plenty of sessions and after six months or so.

That usually cuts it down to not more than 1/4 of your clients. Then spend what you feel like.

[foodandfitness]

X-mas I send out cards to each client with a little something personal written in each one.

Spending a lot of December working on my marketing plan and business. By January 1st. I hope to launch my plans for:
1. direct mailing
2. physician's referrals
3. accepting insurance
4. starting a group nutrition class
5. private chef services

All this has been taking a lot of brain energy to develop but I'm using this time to wrap it all up!

[tbrady1pttools]

I'm getting 10 dollar gift cards to my clients that train with me the most and have been with me longest. which equates to be about 40-50% of them! A gift card and a good heart felt message on how you appreciate them goes a long ways and will motivate them going forward!