7 Ways To Grow Your Fitness Business With Influencer Marketing
The fitness industry is growing bigger every year, but smaller businesses or those just starting in this industry often need a bit of help to promote themselves. No matter which category you fall into, you should always be looking for new ways to market your services.
Partnering with a social media influencer can help boost your online presence dramatically and increase interest in your services. So to help you get started, we put together this list of 7 ways to grow your fitness business with influencer marketing.
Start Building Business Relationships
You may be very aware of the benefits of building strong business relationships in your community. But as a new business owner, it can be daunting to start reaching out to others.
Collaborating with a fitness influencer is one step in the right direction. While growing a gym via relationships with local businesses is helpful, influencers have the power to get your brand noticed by many people. And this will give you the confidence to forge and maintain other business relationships.
It can work the other way around too. Your relationships with other small business owners could give you the impetus to connect with a wider audience through an influencer. And your peers may also be able to recommend one best suited to your needs.
Be Realistic About Your Goals
Different businesses have different marketing needs. You need to establish what your business needs are to determine if influencer marketing is right for you and your brand. Make a note of your business marketing goals, and what you want this person to work with you on.
Think about what you are trying to achieve through this relationship. Is it improved brand recognition? Or more interest in your services? Perhaps targeted marketing of your new line of health products? Once you have decided what it is that you need, you will be better equipped to choose the right influencer.
Be clear about your marketing goals when reaching out to influencers on social media. And ask for an outline of how they could achieve these goals with you. Also, discuss what kind of remuneration they will expect. Some of the top influencers could expect far more than you may be willing to spend.
Choose A Channel
It helps to choose a channel before you choose an influencer. Influencers operate across different online channels. Some are mainly active on YouTube. Others are more invested in Instagram. And some of them are equally active across multiple channels. How does this relate to your existing online marketing?
Remember that list of goals? This is where it becomes particularly relevant. What is the extent of your existing social media presence? Is there a channel that will help you reach all of your goals?
If you have a thriving YouTube channel but no Instagram content, you could choose an influencer who is established on that platform. And vice versa. An influencer who has a major youth following on TikTok may be right for you if you are trying to appeal to younger people.
Improve Your Online Presence
A cursory look online will show you just how much social influencers are changing the world. So we can understand your not wanting to get left behind. Partnering with the right influencer will make all the difference to your online visibility and impact. But the reverse is also true.
An influencer will be more likely to partner with you if they see that you are making an effort online. Improve your online presence by regularly updating your content. Stay up-to-date with social media trends. And keep abreast of changes in the fitness industry.
With the right online content and the right influencer, you will both be getting value out of your partnership. This will increase their following and your sales.
Focus On Flair Not Followers
When you hear the term social influencer, does your mind conjure up images of millions of followers? This may be true of some influencers, but with so many out there, it is the exception rather than the norm. Even in the online world, quality often trumps quantity.
An influencer with a smaller but growing following may be the right choice for you. Remember that even the most successful influencers started with a small following. As your chosen ambassador rises through the ranks, you will rise with them.
So don’t get too caught up in the number of followers. Look at what that person is doing and saying online. Is it in harmony with your values? Do they have a vitality about them that will blend well with your fitness ideals?
Pick The Right Influencer For Your Brand
Once you have identified a few potential candidates, take a good look at each of them. To know if an influencer is right for your business, also look at their target audience. Does this match the demographics of your target market?
It is certainly beneficial to narrow down your niche and have a spokesperson who appeals to that same audience. So it makes sense to find an influencer who deals specifically with fitness. But don’t underestimate the reach of other influencers.
Consider who you are wanting to attract to your fitness business. Influencers dedicated to beauty and fashion may be ideal if you are trying to attract more female customers. Those who focus on health will have followers who may be keen to try your fitness products.
Offer Them Something In Return
Some influencers prefer to work with bigger, well-established businesses and brands. But this is not always the case. If they like what you’re doing and believe in your potential, they’ll probably be happy to work with you.
Don’t forget that your partnership with an influencer is a two-way street. You want them to get people excited about your fitness business, but don’t rely on them to do all the work. You should also showcase the influencer you are working with.
This is important for two reasons. Highlighting your partnership with them on your website and social media accounts will spark interest in your business. And helping them to grow their following, means they will be better able to tell more people about you.
