With every new year, gyms and fitness centers see a surge of new customers, all with the goal of getting into shape and living a healthier lifestyle. But by Mid-March their enthusiasm comes to a screeching halt. This is a serious issue that presents long-term problems, especially for small gyms trying to maintain a regular membership. Thankfully, a simple text messaging program can quickly solve most of these problems.
For Your Gym, SMS Boosts Loyalty
In a large study, 83% of the respondents felt that the most credible advertising comes from referrals, reviews, and recommendations. People trust their friends and family to give them a fair opinion, as well as online reviews. Increasing membership and building loyalty go hand in hand because loyal customers are more likely to share their positive experiences with six or more people and write positive online reviews.
Getting referrals and recommendations can be difficult, but text messaging makes it easier because it’s part of the customer experience. Texting provides a way to communicate events, motivational tips, promotions, or specials on fitness products. It also increases the number of personal interactions with clients, especially if they have stopped their workouts. These gentle reminders help motivate them to keep working toward their goals.
How Do I Get More Gym Memberships?
Using text messaging to keep in touch with loyal members creates more opportunity to find new members. The following three text marketing campaigns describe how it works:
1. Referral Discounts
Texting is an easy way to increase referrals and a reward for each referral provides the motivation to do it. Exercising with a friend or family member increases the chances that they will stick to an exercise plan. Having a partner or group of friends makes it more social—more fun. Plus, they are more likely to maintain their weight loss because they are having fun during each workout. By offering a referral reward or discount through simple text messages, gyms and fitness centers can encourage members to bring their friends. This is a great way to motivate them to stick to their exercise routine while increasing membership.
2. Social Media
Social media platforms are one of the first places people go for recommendations. Reading about other people’s experiences provides a windows into how the gym operates. Sending members a text reminding them to “Like, Follow, and Recommend Us on Facebook” or other platforms goes a long way into developing an engaged audience. You can also encourage them to post comments on the gym’s profile page, as well as interact with other members.
3. Online Recommendation
One of the top online review sites is Google Maps. It connects directly to the Google My Business account and gives a lot of insight into the location, hours of operation, and peak workout times. Again, sending a text asking for a review will provide another resource for more people to learn about the gym or fitness center.
Strengthening The Core
Finding and retaining new members is one of the constant struggles faced by gyms and fitness centers. Building loyalty is the key to increase membership and overall satisfaction. Loyal members are the core of the business and drive its success. Text messaging is a proven tool that builds loyalty through increased communication and engagement. It creates deeper relationships that may prevent the March dropout rates.