Vigor and vitality are key factors for many athletes. Which is why Gym and fitness clubs are part and parcel of the sports industry. Well, as a gym owner, there is no better way to gain traction to your gym and fitness club while retaining your existing clients than SMS Marketing.
Besides, if you are just starting off, you will want to create a relationship with your clientele and expand it as time goes on. Gym text message marketing is a cost-effective way of not only advertising your gym but also keeping your existing clients interested in your fitness club.
SMS marketing is the practice of conveying marketing information through native text messages via mobile. We take you through 7 SMS marketing tips for Sports industry that will help to create and maintain traction to your gym!
1. Decide the Budget You should Spend
SMS marketing, like any other channel of marketing, will require some funds to launch it successfully.
- Create a simple budgeting plan
The beauty of SMS marketing is in its availability. Everybody has access to text messages, which leaves you with the costs of sourcing the technology and expertise for bulk texting. A viable budget for SMS marketing should be between 7 to 10% of your monthly turnover.
- Determine your expenses
Your expenses should co-relate with your budget. Choosing the right platform for launching your SMS campaign determines how well your money is spent, as explained in detail in tip 4 below. Additional expenses include refining your marketing team.
Your team will need to understand the strategies used in SMS marketing, such as how to create engaging content as well as when to send the bulk texts in order to achieve the most from them. Therefore, you will also need to train your marketing team on how to secure conversions through effective SMS marketing.
- Track your expenses
Learn when to double up on your SMS marketing campaign and when to go slow in it. For instance, the fitness industry experiences a boom during the weeks leading to summer, and a short recess during winter. Therefore, you have to spend more during the boom period and cut back during recess.
- Evaluate your budget time by time
The cost of SMS marketing has constantly risen over the years. Make a habit of understanding the trends and shifts in expenses over time. This way, you have better insight on how to improve your text messaging campaign over time for a more tailored experience.
2. Collect Contacts of Your Potential Clients
Once you set up your strategy, you need to get in touch with your clients. Encourage both your existing and new members from your fitness club to register their contacts in order to get new offers and new updates. It is expected that some gym members may be hesitant to give out their contacts.
In such a situation, you may encourage them by promising moderation. Additionally, point out the fact that the strategy is an opt-in SMS service they can unsubscribe to at any time.
3. Find Appropriate Text Messaging Platform
A text messaging platform is used to send SMS text messages to a large group of recipients simultaneously. The platform you opt for should allow you to actualize your SMS marketing strategy. Besides, here are some SMS marketing tips for Sports industry that determine a good text messaging platform:
- Ease of use
The platform should allow you to select the intended group of contacts from your list and send the bulk texts without much hassle.
- Peerless support
Messaging platforms will have their downtime, regardless of how perfectly it is built. Think of the times that Instagram or Twitter has been unresponsive. Therefore, a good messaging platform should give you access to technical support when you need it.
- Strong track record
The reliability of the messaging platform directly affects the success rate of your SMS marketing campaign for your gym and fitness club.
- Features
Apart from the native text message service, ask yourself; does the platform support keyword search, MMS messaging, scheduled texts, or reminders among others?
4. Timing is Key
SMS marketing is a game of balance. Bulk texting too frequently will get you a high number of opt-outs. Send too few, and you risk losing out on conversion. Strike a balance of when to send the text messages and when to give the subscribers a breather.
5. Use Call to Action in the Texts
Call to action elements can be used to create conversion to your gym or fitness club in creative ways. For instance, you may include a link to a web page in your templates in order to keep your messages short and sweet at the same time providing them a source where they can get more information on your club completely.
Moreover you can have a link that;
- Advises your audience on the types of foods to avoid if they want to lose weight fast and leads them to a relevant web page, or
- Encourages a member to sign up for the monthly raffle for a one-month membership discount and direct them the sign up page.
6. SMS Marketing Tips for Gyms and Fitness Clubs
The most effective text messages are always personalized making your customers feel that personal touch will keep them coming back to your gym. This is a key SMS marketing tip for Sports industry; make them feel valued.
Ensure you create appealing and workable templates and tips that allow you to merge a client’s details to each text you send. Addressing your audience by name connects with them at a deeper level, which increases the chances of conversion.
You may use SMS services to send the following:
- Welcome messages for newbies
For instance: “Hi and welcome to Biggie’s Fitness Club! We are excited to have you, and we promise to walk with you on your journey to staying fit and healthy!”
- Information on special offers
For instance: “Get a one-month free membership for every three referrals, only at Biggie’s Fitness Club!”
- Promotion of new classes
For instance: “Starting this July, Biggie’s Fitness Club is introducing Yoga classes every Wednesday and Friday at 3 p.m. Sign up today!”
- Reminders & Fitness motivation texts
For instance: “Hi Claire, don’t let procrastination kill your morale. Consistency builds results! Tomorrow is day 15 of your work-out schedule. Keep the Spirit up.”
- Discounts and coupons
For instance: “Get ripped for the Summer by signing up for our discounted personalized training program today! Offer lasts until 16th May!”
SMS marketing can play a big part in helping your gym create and maintain a loyal customer base. Remember, everyone reads their text messages. Follow these SMS marketing tips for Sports industry to boost your customer engagement and ultimately increase the foot traffic to your fitness center.
For effective SMS marketing campaigns that will boost your business growth, try out Textedly, a leading text messaging platform with personalized plans and strategies. Besides, try out our free demo today and find new ways of increasing conversion for your gym and fitness club through bulk texting among other SMS marketing strategies!
