Athletic Club

[chrissylovesyou21]

Hi all

I was wondering what type of opinions some of you had on this idea/situation. Hopefully it will help other too.

I specialize in athletic and sports massage and generally most of my clientel are athletes or active people. My office is located very close to a large athletic club (Lifetime Fitness to be exact). Unfortunatly, they offer their own massage services at the club. Watching the sheer amount of people that come in and out of the club every day, realizing that these people are the exact clientel I cater too, and judging by the membership fees, people who can afford massage, I realize if I could merely put out fliers at the front check in desk I would barely have to do any other marketing, haha.

In any case, has anyone ever worked with a large, corporate club like this who had their own massage therapist on-site. If so, was there anything you did that you felt worked in order for you to market those people. Anyone have any general ideas. Currently, I put together some packets and hope to approach the personal trainers individually, which will be a start. But I just can't keep looking at this huge market for my services and not do anything, haha.

Any discussion would be welcome, even if you say it isn't possible,

Thanks!!

 

[luxyfoxy]

It really is not in your best interest to market at this faciliy. I used to work at a very large gym and they expected us to do our own marketing by chair massage only, we couldn't even have the hours we worked posted. Every once in a while they would have posters up advertizing massage, but rarely.

Anyway, they will not allow you to put your marketing materials there for 2 reasons, 1 - because they want their clients to use their own therapists, and 2 even if the management allows you to put your materials there, then therapists will most likely throw it out because it shouldn't be there. The trainers can also get fired if they are found promoting services outside of the club.

 

[Yeshuaman]

Thanks for the advice.

I figured it might be tough, but I have never worked in an athletic facility before. I guess I didn't realize how hard it would be for the other therapists there. I guess I will find other ways to market those clients.

Again, thanks for the advice and best of luck to you!

 

[Pompal 09.]

I agree, this is not the place you can or should market. In and of itself, it's a "closed territory" so to speak.

BUT this *type* of clientele you can surely market to. Where else does this type of person frequent? Not knowing your "environment" I'm having trouble coming up with examples, but think like... is there an upscale coffee shop this type client might frequent? Is there a bulletin board there or maybe you could arrange with the manager for some special offer to those customers. Clothing stores? Book stores? Car dealerships? Real Estate agents? Do you have a chair? It can be a great marketing tool in some of these situations.

Better yet, do you know any of these people? Can you start some word-of-mouth, referral type marketing?

And don't mourn the loss of the gym too much. Believe me, there's no one place that just putting out fliers at would equal not needing to do any other marketing!

HTH