Twitter for the Personal Trainer: It’s Not About the Push

 Twitter got its start as a means to update users of one’s current status. While it has maintained that aspect, it has also evolved into much more. It has become a leader in online business and marketing tools. As a fitness professional, there are many ways you can benefit from this social media platform if you use it the correct way. Here are several things to keep in mind while pursuing online success.

Care

In order to successfully implement Twitter into your business, you absolutely have to care about your customers or followers. If you are a personal trainer, I have to assume you know something about caring for others. Surely you don’t spend your days helping clients improve their health and fitness because you are being forced to do so. Chances are you do it because it is a way to take your set of skills and improve the lives of others. That caring attitude is easily transferable to Twitter.

Think of it this way, if you are training a customer and they ask you a question, what do you do? You answer them by providing as much information as possible to ensure their needs are met.  This is the same attitude you must convey online. Thanks to advanced technology and resources such as Twitter, we are living in a global village where accounts of how you treat one individual are instantaneously passed on to other potential customers. I assure you; negative customer feedback travels as fast, if not faster, than positive feedback. You simply can’t afford not to care.  The bottom line is, if you don’t care, neither will anyone else.

 Engage

Twitter has opened its door, ushered you in, and told you to make yourself at home. So what are you waiting for? Take advantage of this platform that allows you to reach out to and connect with as many people as possible. Use Twitter as a search engine to find out what people in your industry are talking about and join in on the conversation. That doesn’t mean you start throwing products and services at a person as soon as you find out they are looking for a trainer.  It may be your initial instinct, but it is the wrong approach. Remember, don’t push. Instead, offer to answer any questions they may have about choosing a trainer. This lets them know you are knowledgeable in that particular field, and it invites them to take a closer look at you and what you do. Furthermore, you have just created an opportunity for dialogue.

Talking to people is key. You want to create a connection with your following. People are going to be more willing to visit your gym or allow you to train them if they have some sort of relationship with you. Humanize your online presence so others feel comfortable enough to interact.

Value Others

The old quality over quantity cliché has never been more applicable. Forget the numbers. It is better to have one hundred followers who read each and every one of your tweets than it is to have thousands scroll past every tweet. That being said, focus on the customers or followers that you already have. Thank them, treat them well, and keep in mind the idea of a global village that I mentioned earlier. If you are only investing time in those who can do something for you, then you are completely missing the point.

Do Not Push

When you push your product or service onto someone you may receive brief attention, but you are more than likely being annoying and of little help. Also, you’re not fooling anyone. Pushing is a transparent act in that others can see you are not being genuine.

There’s nothing wrong with using a social media platform to attract people to your gym or let them know about the service you provide. However, if that is the only reason you use Twitter or the like, either stop or make a change because there’s little success waiting at the end of that path.

This is not some secret scientific formula for success, it’s as simple as The Golden Rule; treat others the way you want to be treated. When you apply it to social networking and business in general, you may find yourself happily surprised with the outcome.