It’s 2014 and I wanted to share a bit more with you about building your fitness business and creating a strong foundation underneath you. I began exploring the idea of building a team in this article back in 2011.

It’s time for you to begin your quest for reliable team members ? How do you add to your team?

I created an infographic to show the steps you need to follow to find the right fit for your team! I will explain the steps first.

Advertise

Your New Team Member won’t know you need them until they see your advertisement. There are several places you can advertise – some are free and some will cost money. The sites that cost money may yield better candidates because there is a bit of screening that occurs in the sign up process.

Free… your Facebook page, other social media sites. And for job seekers and companies advertising for team members this is a great site…

fitnesscareers.com.au. And remember your local gyms, there may be someone looking for a change.

Paid… Seek, LinkedIn, Local Papers and Radio.

Once they see your ad they may be attracted to your PT business, what do you do next?

Link to Landing page

What is a landing page? It is a page introducing your company and who you are. You could even have them come to a special Facebook page that you have set up to collect information.

The page contains a description of the position. If they are interested they can fill in the “Opt-In” form with their name and email. Once they have done this they will receive a follow up email with a “Personality Profile” in .pdf format to complete, and a request to send their 2 page resume by return email. Make the email personable and welcoming.

Call Them

Call them if you are interested in talking to them. Basically anyone who takes the time to complete the personality test and send their resume deserves a call.

Use this call as a screening opportunity. If a “red flag” goes up on a person – ask them for their number and tell them you will get back to them.

If you connect with someone and want to see more, and assuming they are “red hot”, make an appointment to meet them for 10 minutes. You can do this at a coffee shop, health food store, somewhere easy to access so you can set up several meetings in an hour and make the most of your time.

Test the PT

Now that you have met them you may decide to have a test workout with them to see if they really know what they are doing.

They complete this test with a real LIVE client!

Take the plunge

Depending on how they do in the “test” session, feedback from the client and what you have seen so far, you may decide to bring them on board and make them a part of your personal training team.

Assess Their Competency

If this person is going to be joining your team and representing your company it will be important to assess their abilities.

Do this by setting a number of basic tasks so you can measure their competency levels for each task. Have an idea of what you are screening for, what you are measuring. Use the S.M.A.R.T. principle for determining what key indicators are important to measure for your clients and the services they will be providing. The S.M.A.R.T. principle stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.

Make them an offer they can’t refuse!

If, after completing each of these steps, and based on assessments and information provided from the prospective team member, you decide you would like them to join your company, make them an offer.

Have it clear in your mind what you want them to do, with a job description prepared to give them. Also, talk about holidays or any scheduling requirements particular to the position.

An Employment Contract is a great way to protect yourself and your business. Ask for insurance papers to be provided and copies of any licenses required to fullfil the duties required.

And, of course, you will have to talk about pay levels and bonuses (if any are given).

Give them some time to sleep on it, and give you an answer in the morning.

If, alternatively, the PT candidate has been unsuccessful, you need to inform them in writing at the least. A phone call is better, but can get awkward.

Do the paperwork!

If they accept the job it’s time to organise the necessary paperwork and get started. Have the contract signed and make sure the copies of licenses or certificates have been provided as requested. It is a requirement to keep all these papers in a safe, locked file drawer.

Congratulations!!

You have taken the first step towards making your PT Business a reality!

Would you like to meet other people that are building their fitness business just like you? Come join our Facebook page and get in on the conversation.

And… here is the infographic…