Mike Z. Robinson by Mike Z. Robinson
on

When you think of the title “Celebrity Personal Trainer,” you most likely think of the trainers in Los Angeles or New York City, who spend their days training professional athletes for the court and movie stars for the big screens. However, the term “Celebrity Personal Trainer” does not have to be reserved just for those personal trainers who train A-listers. In fact, the term “Celebrity Personal Trainer” can also be used in a small-market city, even if you don’t have a single celebrity on your roster of clients. 

You’re probably wondering, “Well, how can I be a Celebrity Personal Trainer without any celebrity clients?” 

It’s simple: You become the “Celebrity” in your community, who just happens to train regular people, from working professionals to stay-at-home moms to business owners. Make training with YOU the trend in your city, no matter where you live. You want people to think that they’re missing out by not training with YOU. Get people talking about you, your business, your likeability, your accomplishments, your values, your work ethic and your ability to quickly deliver results. 

As a personal trainer, it’s your job to be popular—so now is not the time to be timid about your quest to be the top “Celebrity Personal Trainer” in your community. 

Follow these five steps to create buzz and raise your celebrity profile in your own community today: 

1. Use the Local Media

What does the radio, television, magazines and newspapers all have in common? Answer: They all need a steady flow of lead stories and if you’re able to appear in any or all of these media outlets, you will receive instant credibility. Getting in touch with the media is not as difficult as you think. It can be as simple as a phone call or an email inquiring how to get involved. Or you can even offer to do something free for them such as write an article or provide some feedback on a new fitness trend. 

Another way to get involved with the media is by consistently sending them press releases for anything that you’re doing that is newsworthy (e.g., business anniversaries, clients success stories, fundraisers, special contests). The more people who see you in the media, the more you will receive validation as the fitness expert in your community, which can help increase your celebrity. Be creative with your approach. For example, send a basket with balloons and healthy treats attached to your next press release to your local news station. 

2. Use the Internet

Unless you are living under a rock, you should know by now how effective it can be to have a great website and to utilize social media. Having a presence on the web and social media sites such as YouTube, Google Plus, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook are not just recommended, they are absolutely essential to your business because your clients, potential clients and competitors are all using them. Be sure to post inspiring information, share photos and videos of your client’s workouts and success stories, motivational quotes and any accomplishments for you and your business. Get people really interested in you and make them fall in love with everything about you. You can also scout out other popular personal trainers and see what they are posting on their websites and social media sites and do what they do, but better, of course.

3. Develop Your Personality

This goes back to your childhood because if you want people to like you, you must be an interesting person. When you meet potential clients for the first time, they will decide to train with you largely because of your likeability. The goal is to be someone that people want to pay have around. It doesn’t matter what you know if people find you boring to spend time with. Let your personality reel them in, but be sure your exercise program, your work ethic and results are legendary. Your clients will be so impressed that they will brag to their friends and acquaintances that their personal trainer is the best in the world.

4. Be The Best Personal Trainer in Your World

Don’t strive for mediocrity…strive for the top. You will get there if you are persistent. Confidence is going to have to be the key on your quest to be the best, so don’t be shy about marketing yourself as the best. 

To be the best, do all of the right things: (1) Deliver results ASAP. (2) Be consistent. (3) Stay current on fitness information. (4) Be punctual. (5) Be genuine. (6) Be reliable. (7) Be empathetic (8) Communicate. (9) Self-promote. (10) And be real and be a good person. When people think of anything fitness-related, you want them to think of you. Please do remember that although being considered a “Celebrity Personal Trainer” can do wonders for your bank accounts, it is still important to use your “celebrity” for good and create valuable opportunities for the community that you serve. 

5. Create “Celebrity” Through Association

Make everyone know you—or at least want to. Famous, influential and popular people are not unreachable. Whether it is by phone or email, these people can be reached. Here’s one of my favorite quotes: “You can’t soar with the eagles, when you’re surrounded by turkeys.” In other words, if you want to be considered a celebrity, find creative methods to create relationships with other influential people, such as business people, athletes, politicians, gurus and media personalities. The more powerful, popular and influential people that you are connected to, the better!

Don’t be modest on your journey to gain fame. Don’t think that you’re being arrogant by wanting to be popular. Popularity is the key to longevity for your fitness career. Unless you’re going to be like Bob Greene (and just have one client—Oprah Winfrey), chances are that you are going to need a steady flow of clients to make a living. And the only way you’re going to have a steady flow of clients is for people to know who you are. 

Wouldn’t it be great to have a long waiting list of potential clients? When people see you, don’t you want them to say: “There’s {ENTER YOUR NAME HERE} and he/she is the BEST PERSONAL TRAINER IN TOWN.” 

So get right to it and take your community by storm. It is simple—just do these five things often and well and you will undoubtedly be able to call yourself a Celebrity Personal Trainer.


If you're interested in starting a rewarding career in fitness, check out the ACE Personal Trainer Certification