Question?

What is a low cost way to make audios for information product and my website?

Here is my answer!

The best bang for the buck ($20/month) that I have seen is Audio Acrobat http://thecoach.audioacrobat.com. Plus there is a 30 day FR*EE trial offer!

Audio Acrobat is what I use to record Fitness Business Radio. It’s pretty easy and all one needs to do is dial into their account and record away.

Definitely check it out if you are wanting to make audios easily and inexpensively.

I hope this helps.

Question?

I would like to have brochures that I could give to my center of influence and companies to introduce myself. My business coach suggested that I look online for companies that can write and print them. He said they are more affordable.

What are your recommendations for working with online printers?

Here is my answer!

Brochures can be very expensive and are really passive marketing.

The best deals I have seen lately is http://www.gotprint.com.

I just got 1000 business cards (4 color front/BW back) for $49 including shipping. I had my graphics designer do the design and I had to pay extra for that.

There are not too many places that will write and print the copy for you.

I would work on direct marketing or action oriented marketing.

I would come up with a one page Target Prospect sheet to give to your circle of influence.

I would call everyone in your rolex, go to networking events, submit articles to local newspapers, etc and ask for referrals.

I hope this helps.

I attended the Athletic Business Conference & Expo last week in Orlando, Florida.

It was held in conjunction with the Medical Fitness Association and the International Council on Active Aging®.

There was tons of great information, presentations, and exhibits.

To find out more check out their individual websites listed below:

 Athletic Business Conference & Expo

 Medical Fitness Association

 International Council on Active Aging®

 Question?

How do I Hire the Right Fitness Industry Staff?

Here is my answer!

This is a second answer of the two part answer (where to find the Right Fitness Industry Staff, and what is the process).

What is the Interview Process

I suggest putting the candidates through two to three interviews. Interviews will reveal the truth. You have probably been excited about a candidate who sent in an awesome resume, only to interview the person and find you can have a better conversation with a wall. 

To understand the whole Interview Process click here.

Check out the new Fitness Business Radio (www.fitnessbusinessradio.com).

Stay tuned by signing up for emails of the most recent posts. In the New Year there are going to be a lot of new and exciting changes at Fitness Business Radio.

Thank you for being patient!  

I spoke at the NSCA Colorado State Clinic this past weekend on Fitness Business Success Psychology and Wealth Creation.

If you haven't been to NSCA's facility you definitely need to pay them a visit as it is one of the nicest I have ever seen.

There were about 60 fitness professionals present.

A great time was had by all.

I am going to be speaking at the NSCA Colorado State Clinic on
Saturday, November 17th, 2007 in Colorado Springs, CO.

If you are in the area stop by and say hello.

Click on the link below to find out more

NSCA Colorado State Clinic 

Question?

How do I Hire the Right Fitness Industry Staff?

Here is my answer!

This is a two part answer (where to find the right fitness industry staff, and what is the process).

Where to Find the Right Fitness Industry Staff

I would take a look at the best career board for fitness professionals out there, FitnessJobs.com.

Alan Cohen the owner has been in the Fitness Industry for over 30 years and FitnessJobs.com has been around since the late 1990's.

Take advantage of our strategic partnership with FitnesJobs.com ( http://www.fitnessjobs.com) and save 20% on any annual unlimited job posting subscription. Type in coupon FIS20 at checkout.

Question?

I am an independent Lifestyle Coach - I am a certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition and Wellness Specialist and Life Skills Coach. I have no employees - just me - what I am looking for is accounting software that is applicable to my profession or how to make one of the existing programs (Quicken or Quickbooks) work better for me.

Answer from Tom

Having a degree in accounting and previously owning an accounting software implementation company I feel QuickBooks would be the best solution for you.

There really isn't much out there on the low end side that is fitness industry specific.

The important thing is to ask your accountant for a chart of accounts and trial balance that needs to be setup properly before using the software.

Had the opportunity to talk to John Craig the Editor at Fitness Business News today.

Great conversation. One thing that we spent a lot of time on is:

• How can a personal trainer make it in the fitness industry?

With over 10k personal trainers coming into the fitness industry each year:

• What are you/they doing to set themselves apart?
• What are you/they doing to be profitable? 

We both agreed that fitness professionals and businesses need to work on their book of business as a business and not a hobby and that there is more to a profitable fitness business then sales and marketing.