I was thinking about beliefs yesterday for an article I'm writing.
As I was thinking, I came to the sudden realisation that for REAL success to happen for any us it is important not only to be 100% crystal clear on our own beliefs (and to live them) but to share those beliefs with others whenever and wherever we can.
After all, our success always lies in our interactions with others.
If we want more money, better health, better relationships, greater education etc we rely on others to get it and, needless to say, those who share our beliefs are those who are most likely to help up achieve our goals.
Funny though, few of us ever share our TRUE beliefs about... anything!
Sure, we write, we youtube, we blog, we Twitter, we facebook, we Myspace and do all the other 'real time sharing' stuff but, well, what are we really sharing?
We (myself included) are normally sharing 'stuff'. Links to stuff mostly.
Yet we never let people 'in' and allow them to know what we really believe.
I think this is a BIG mistake and one that, instead of creating true connection with others, keeps us separate. And separateness keeps us struggling... no if's, no but's.
Yet, how easy would it be to create a connection if you we just took the simple step of outright telling people upfront, in advance, as often as possible and in as many ways as we can what we are 'about'. What we believe.
Don't you think that would change things?
Just a little?
I think it would. In fact, I think that the transparency I'm talking about would take practically ANYONE and make them immediately more attractive, more compelling and more successful.
To put it simply, I believe that it's easier to develop what marketers call 'raving fans' if we move away from a marketing message approach and move toward a transparent 'what I believe' statement.
In fact, I'm going to prove it.
First, I'm going to tell you EXACTLY what I believe and then I'm going to challenge YOU with an idea (read the end of this post for the challenge).
So here goes.
Here's what I believe:
==> I believe that the role of a health and fitness professional is one of the most important roles on Earth and that those of us that are called toward this role are in a position to literally change the World.
==> I believe that health and fitness professionals have played the role of poor cousin to the medical community too long and that this must stop. Doctors are, in my opinion, at their most valuable during trauma, but that they have no place in the promotion of health to the general population as long as they remain dependent upon pharmaceutical interventions. To this end, health and fitness professionals need to stop taking orders from medics who, despite having HUGE budgets and a global empire to support them are failing badly. They are more educated but less qualified for this role.
==> I believe that optimal health can only be achieved with a combined approach that takes into account mind, mechanics, physiology, individual nutrition, hydration, energy management, rest, recovery, regeneration and respiration. I believe that approaches that do not take into account ALL of these areas are incomplete and, at best, will only serve to improve fitness qualities and not health.
==> I believe that there are 3 separate strands in fitness; instructors, personal trainers and coaches. The coaches are those who are already and will continue to make the biggest difference to the world. I define a coach as 'someone who helps you win'. Therefore, a coach should not be concerned with following the herd or dogmatically sticking to one approach but instead, do whatever needs to be done to help the client win. (Winning includes protecting all aspects of client health whilst accomplishing the goals they've set)
==> I believe that there is a fitness profession and a fitness industry and that they are not the same. Those in the industry are those that struggle. Those in the profession have a life of success ahead of them.
==> I believe that there is a HUGE difference between a client and a customer. A customer is one who enters into a transaction whereas a client is one who is under the care of another. This means that a coach should be caring about their clients and their goals OUTSIDE of the sessions, not just when they are paid to do so.
==> I believe it is our responsibility to be the most qualified, most experienced and most excellent coaches we can possibly be and that this means developing our incomes to levels that are as high as the market will allow. I think we serve no-one by selling our lives by the hour for minimal rates and further, that those who follow the instructions of the higher paid experts ALWAYS get better results as they tend to adhere to directions.
==> I believe that charging high fees does not involve 'selling out' and abandoning 'the public'. One can still impact upon the lives of others through clinics, articles and the sharing of information. The question to ask is "How many people around the world will listen to me whilst I'm a struggling trainer compared to when I'm a super-successful, high paid trainer?" Get more successful and you have a greater impact.
==> I believe that true success comes from living a life of passion and, more important, purpose and that those who feel a purpose to their work will always achieve more than those who simply want to earn more money.
==> I believe that money is good. Get as much as you can and spend it on things that make you feel better about yourself and your life.
==> I believe that there are 2 ways to go through life. The hard way and the smart way. The hard way involves focusing on money and crying because you don't have enough. The smart way involves focusing on service and sharing your message with those who are ready to hear it. When you do, those who like your message will pay you to hear more : )
==> I believe that what you have is a direct result of what you have given up to that point. If you don't feel you have enough then, no matter how you feel about things, you haven't given enough. Give more!
==> I believe that you cannot give what you don't have and that to try is a kind of fraud. Don't talk to others about success if you don't feel successful. Don't talk to clients about lifestyle if yours is all over the place. Don't tell people about establishing new habits if you can't establish them yourself. Don't tell people about the importance of good nutrition if yours is poor.
I could go on but I think you get my drift.
This isn't some kind of marketing message. I have no ulterior motive in sharing but to lay it out there so that others don't have to guess about me or what I believe. now you know and you can take it or leave it : )
Now, my challenge to you!
What do you think would happen if you did this on YOUR blog or in YOUR newsletter?
Do you think it would make any difference?
Do you think it would tell a better 'story' of who you are?
Do you think it would bring you closer to those who you're trying to share your message with?
If you think so, I challenge you to do exactly as I've done here. Post your beliefs and watch the ripple effect take place in your business... and your life!
Go on, I dare ya!
Dax Moy
http://www.personaltrainersucces.ning.com
P.S - Don't forget to comment here... and tell me if you'll be posting to your blog. I'd love to read it : )
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
12 days of fitness is live!
I haven't written in about a week as I've been
busy setting up www.12daysoffitness.com
and all of the promotional material that the
various contributors will need.
It's been a pretty hefty undertaking (as usual)
but I'm certain that the work will be well worth
it for all concerned as the list this year is gonna
be a big'n!
We started phase on of our 'soft' release yesterday
and already we have almost 6000 signups waiting
in the wings for December 10th when the gift-giving
starts.
The great thing is, on that date (and the 12 days after)
each and every contributor is going to see their lists
grow by hundreds, thousands or even tens of thousands
of new subscribers.
And all for FREE!
Not bad huh?
Makes me wonder why so many of my readers chose
NOT to contribute. For example, the list you're reading
this mail from has over 8000 subscribers who are all
working hard to grow their fitness businesses.
...But only 250 who are working SMART to do
the same.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that if you're
involved in the World's biggest FREE gift giveaway
with all the products, video's, audios and reports focusing
on fitness that maybe as a fitness professional you should
think about contributing too, does it?
After all, growing a bigger list is the first step to growing
a bigger bank account isn't it?
Well, there's some good news!
If, for whatever reason, you were a little slow off the mark
but you've changed your mind and you really do want to
contribute to the 12 days of fitness then you still have time...
Not much, but a little.
You just need to get on over to
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com today and pick up
the 12 days thread to find out what your next steps should be.
I'm NOT accepting applications to the program (It's free)
via personal email or any other format so if you're serious
about growing a massive list and starting 2009 with an
audience who are ready, willing and able to buy your
fitness expertise then get on over there right now ok?
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com
Seeya there!
Dax Moy
P.S - Even if you're not going to contribute, you should
still check out the amazing free business building resources
we're building up in the community... well worth a look!
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com
busy setting up www.12daysoffitness.com
and all of the promotional material that the
various contributors will need.
It's been a pretty hefty undertaking (as usual)
but I'm certain that the work will be well worth
it for all concerned as the list this year is gonna
be a big'n!
We started phase on of our 'soft' release yesterday
and already we have almost 6000 signups waiting
in the wings for December 10th when the gift-giving
starts.
The great thing is, on that date (and the 12 days after)
each and every contributor is going to see their lists
grow by hundreds, thousands or even tens of thousands
of new subscribers.
And all for FREE!
Not bad huh?
Makes me wonder why so many of my readers chose
NOT to contribute. For example, the list you're reading
this mail from has over 8000 subscribers who are all
working hard to grow their fitness businesses.
...But only 250 who are working SMART to do
the same.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that if you're
involved in the World's biggest FREE gift giveaway
with all the products, video's, audios and reports focusing
on fitness that maybe as a fitness professional you should
think about contributing too, does it?
After all, growing a bigger list is the first step to growing
a bigger bank account isn't it?
Well, there's some good news!
If, for whatever reason, you were a little slow off the mark
but you've changed your mind and you really do want to
contribute to the 12 days of fitness then you still have time...
Not much, but a little.
You just need to get on over to
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com today and pick up
the 12 days thread to find out what your next steps should be.
I'm NOT accepting applications to the program (It's free)
via personal email or any other format so if you're serious
about growing a massive list and starting 2009 with an
audience who are ready, willing and able to buy your
fitness expertise then get on over there right now ok?
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com
Seeya there!
Dax Moy
P.S - Even if you're not going to contribute, you should
still check out the amazing free business building resources
we're building up in the community... well worth a look!
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Think Like A Farmer For Personal Training Success
Today I want to talk about something that's VITAL to your succes as a personal trainer.
It's called PATIENCE!
Now, I don't know about you, but I'm not the most patient of people by nature. I get an idea in my head and start to run with it and hope to see immediate results from my efforts.
The problem is, that's just not how things work.
Especially marketing!!
Marketing success , like any other success is the result of great preparation, careful cultivation and patience.
In fact it's just like farming.
First, you prepare the ground, next you plant the seed, then you tend the field, wait for the crop and enjoy the harvest.
You can't short-circuit the process!
You can't throw your seeds at the ground, wake up the next morning and say 'where's the crop?' can you? It's absured to even entertain the notion!
So why do we expect something different with marketing?
You know what I mean.
We usually don't prepare the ground at all, choosing instead to throw our 'seed' (our ad materials or website) onto the ground and then immediately wonder why our phones aren't ringing.
And the worst bit?
We do the exact same thing again and again and again and expect something different to happen each time.
THIS IS INSANE!!
And it gets worse yet.
Many trainers are guilty of the worst possible crime of all. They prepare the ground, they plant the seed, they wait a while...
...and then they up and walk away just before the crop comes in!
Are you one of those people?
If you are, things have got to change or you'll never get anywhere!
Let me give you a couple of examples;
Three of my mentoring students (they subscribe to this group so they'll know who I'm talking about)have taken very different approaches to the advice they've been given.
Student 1 listened to what I had to say, nodded in all the right places and agreed a plan of action.
When the mentor call was over, he discarded EVERYTHING we'd talked about and ran ANOTHER ad (that had failed to work for him EVERY time he's ran it)in his local paper.
Result: £568 later and no new clients, he told me he'd have to 'rethink this mentoring stuff' 'cos it doesn't seem to work...
Student 2 listened to what I had to say, implemented nearly every idea into her business, created a great weight management course, new promo materials, had several great press releases published over £2000 worth of newspaper space - fre.e) and yet contacted me this week to say 'I'm not busy enough yet, I'll have to rethink this 'mentor stuff'.
Result: Despite some great results early on, the sprouts of the crop are just coming through. Yet, this crop is likely to get left in the ground and not harvested because of impatience.
Student 3 was like student 2. He had some great successes early on but took these as a 'bonus' rather than the norm.
He got a website up, an e-book published, a google adwords campaign, a subscription newsletter, a series of published press releases and yet he's only just beginning to earn money from his efforts.
In other words, the crop is only just starting to come through.
But he's patient.
He KNOWS that he has never had such exposure, such media potential, such a captive audience as he currently has now. He's getting 'slightly famous' and with that fame comes the money that he needs to get him to the next level.
Look I know it's hard to be patient. I know you want results now or preferably yesterday but, well, it 'aint gonna happen. Not with any regularity that you can depend upon.
BUT...
If you keep preparing your ground - by understanding your market and your ideal client.
If you sow the right seeds - by providing the best possible solutions to your prospect's problems.
If you 'tend the field' - by using 'keep in touch' marketing through as many viable media as possible...
I GUARANTEE that more often than not you will get the bumper harvest that you deserve.
BUT...
If you fail to do these things, I GUARANTEE you'll be met with frustratingly poor results on a regular basis.
So, what type of farmer are you?
Will you fail to plant at all?
Will you plant but then walk away because it's all too slow?
Or, like the real farmer, the master of patience, will you do everything necessary to bring home the crop?
Only you know the answer to that, but while you're thinking about it a little, take a look at every successful person you know of. What type of farmer are they?
To your success
Dax Moy
http://www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com
It's called PATIENCE!
Now, I don't know about you, but I'm not the most patient of people by nature. I get an idea in my head and start to run with it and hope to see immediate results from my efforts.
The problem is, that's just not how things work.
Especially marketing!!
Marketing success , like any other success is the result of great preparation, careful cultivation and patience.
In fact it's just like farming.
First, you prepare the ground, next you plant the seed, then you tend the field, wait for the crop and enjoy the harvest.
You can't short-circuit the process!
You can't throw your seeds at the ground, wake up the next morning and say 'where's the crop?' can you? It's absured to even entertain the notion!
So why do we expect something different with marketing?
You know what I mean.
We usually don't prepare the ground at all, choosing instead to throw our 'seed' (our ad materials or website) onto the ground and then immediately wonder why our phones aren't ringing.
And the worst bit?
We do the exact same thing again and again and again and expect something different to happen each time.
THIS IS INSANE!!
And it gets worse yet.
Many trainers are guilty of the worst possible crime of all. They prepare the ground, they plant the seed, they wait a while...
...and then they up and walk away just before the crop comes in!
Are you one of those people?
If you are, things have got to change or you'll never get anywhere!
Let me give you a couple of examples;
Three of my mentoring students (they subscribe to this group so they'll know who I'm talking about)have taken very different approaches to the advice they've been given.
Student 1 listened to what I had to say, nodded in all the right places and agreed a plan of action.
When the mentor call was over, he discarded EVERYTHING we'd talked about and ran ANOTHER ad (that had failed to work for him EVERY time he's ran it)in his local paper.
Result: £568 later and no new clients, he told me he'd have to 'rethink this mentoring stuff' 'cos it doesn't seem to work...
Student 2 listened to what I had to say, implemented nearly every idea into her business, created a great weight management course, new promo materials, had several great press releases published over £2000 worth of newspaper space - fre.e) and yet contacted me this week to say 'I'm not busy enough yet, I'll have to rethink this 'mentor stuff'.
Result: Despite some great results early on, the sprouts of the crop are just coming through. Yet, this crop is likely to get left in the ground and not harvested because of impatience.
Student 3 was like student 2. He had some great successes early on but took these as a 'bonus' rather than the norm.
He got a website up, an e-book published, a google adwords campaign, a subscription newsletter, a series of published press releases and yet he's only just beginning to earn money from his efforts.
In other words, the crop is only just starting to come through.
But he's patient.
He KNOWS that he has never had such exposure, such media potential, such a captive audience as he currently has now. He's getting 'slightly famous' and with that fame comes the money that he needs to get him to the next level.
Look I know it's hard to be patient. I know you want results now or preferably yesterday but, well, it 'aint gonna happen. Not with any regularity that you can depend upon.
BUT...
If you keep preparing your ground - by understanding your market and your ideal client.
If you sow the right seeds - by providing the best possible solutions to your prospect's problems.
If you 'tend the field' - by using 'keep in touch' marketing through as many viable media as possible...
I GUARANTEE that more often than not you will get the bumper harvest that you deserve.
BUT...
If you fail to do these things, I GUARANTEE you'll be met with frustratingly poor results on a regular basis.
So, what type of farmer are you?
Will you fail to plant at all?
Will you plant but then walk away because it's all too slow?
Or, like the real farmer, the master of patience, will you do everything necessary to bring home the crop?
Only you know the answer to that, but while you're thinking about it a little, take a look at every successful person you know of. What type of farmer are they?
To your success
Dax Moy
http://www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com
Monday, 10 November 2008
Making Elance Work For Your Fitness Business
Hey Guys
Been getting quite a few emails about using
so I thought I'd answer a few of your main concerns as well as tell you, from experience, how you can make sure you get the best results in the fastest time for the fairest price.
Note: I say 'fairest' rather than cheapest. You should NOT shop solely on price or you'll always be frustrated...
In terms of how
works, it's pretty straightforward.
You post a job that you want done, all of the interested parties that would like to do that work forward enter a bid. You accept and they do the work.
Pretty straightforward, right?
Well, not exactly.
You see, I've learned that to get the best results from elance you need a SPECIFIC job request put together or you spend the first week going back and forward in a communication that goes something like this:
Them: Dear sir, we are pleased that you have accepted us to do your work on this project. Please send us the details of the task and we shall be honored to complete it for you in 4 working days.
You: Thanks! The job is as laid down in the job description on the bid page.
Them (24 hours later): Thank you sir, am I correct in saying that you would like the job carried out as per the job specification laid out at time of bid?
You: Yes please, that would be great.
Them (another 24 hours later): Ok, thank you sir. Our team will be happy to do this for you and will complete in in 4 working days from this point.
Note: 2 days have elapsed in back and forward 'crap'
3 days later....
Them: Sir, we have completed the first draft of the project. Please look and see if it meets your requirements and we shall amend as appropriate.
You: Thanks, but the page is not laid out as I'd hoped, can we please move the header, change the picture, use a different font?
Them: Of course sir, and we will be pleased to complete this in 2-4 days.
You: I thought this would be 4 days total?
Them (24 hours later): Yes sir, but now we have to change so may take a little longer.
Ok, ok, you get the picture, right?
Boring, frustrating, disappointing.
BUT...
This can be VERY different if you set out SPECIFIC instructions from the start.
For instance....
1. Only allow 2-3 days MAXIMUM for the bidding process. Most people leave 7 days as default but this just wastes time and means you have to wade through bid after bid after bid.
What you want are the fast movers ad the action takers, not those who didn't even have time to read your bid post. They'll take forever to get the work done. Instead, reward those who bid fastest and best..
2. Give a VERY SPECIFIC job description: Instead of 'wanted, 3 page website' (which is what I used to post) say "Wanted: 3 page HTML website running off of CSS style sheet. Page one will be opt in page with aweber code provided by me. Page 2 will be thankyou page with downloadable report. Page 3 will be...."
You should even go as far as to provide several example sites that have the same look and feel as you want for your site. That way they have a template to work from rather than sending ugly site after ugly site that you're not happy with.
3. Give a VERY SPECIFIC time frame for completion: Make it clear from the outset that you MUST have a complete site by 'X' date. I always say "Please do not bid unless you can guarantee completion of the task on or before 'X'" and this has helped dramatically. Don't get into an 'I'm waiting' game that will frustrate and annoy you and hold up your project.
4. Operate a '2 strike' rule: Occasionally, despite laying down specific time frames, those doing the task will overrun. Sometimes with good reason (you may have made more changes), sometimes not. I allow for just 2 minor shifts in completion date before I cancel the job. This is within your rights if you've specified a date and it hasn't been met.
Sounds a bit harsh, I know, but you cannot wait forever for your providers to 'get around to' your task. Every day they hold you up is a day you don't have a site, or graphics or audio.
Give 'em 2 strikes then cancel the job... you'll often find they miraculously get it done within the next 30 minutes.
5. Help them along: If you're going to have audio, video, optins, downloads etc then get these materials to your elancer at the start of the job so it's all there and they can get on with things. Don't send stuff in dribs and drabs and then complain about how long it's taking. Make life easy for them and the effort you put in will pay you back with a great finished result in record time.
6. Budget but don't scrimp: I've had some amazingly cheap work done on elance but I've also had some stuff take ages, be of poor quality and end up basically worthless to me. Don't base your hiring solely on price. Actually read the bids and get a feel for the professionalism of the individual, their previous work and how soon they can get it back to you
In summary
Elance can be a great tool if used correctly but can also be a frustrating, annoying pain in the butt waste of time if you don't.
By all means use 'em and use 'em often and you'll get ten times as much done as you ever would alone, but use 'em strategically and with forethought rather than hapahazardly.
By applying just these six simple steps, you'll be well on your way!
Truth, joy and love
Dax Moy
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com
Been getting quite a few emails about using
so I thought I'd answer a few of your main concerns as well as tell you, from experience, how you can make sure you get the best results in the fastest time for the fairest price.
Note: I say 'fairest' rather than cheapest. You should NOT shop solely on price or you'll always be frustrated...
In terms of how
works, it's pretty straightforward.
You post a job that you want done, all of the interested parties that would like to do that work forward enter a bid. You accept and they do the work.
Pretty straightforward, right?
Well, not exactly.
You see, I've learned that to get the best results from elance you need a SPECIFIC job request put together or you spend the first week going back and forward in a communication that goes something like this:
Them: Dear sir, we are pleased that you have accepted us to do your work on this project. Please send us the details of the task and we shall be honored to complete it for you in 4 working days.
You: Thanks! The job is as laid down in the job description on the bid page.
Them (24 hours later): Thank you sir, am I correct in saying that you would like the job carried out as per the job specification laid out at time of bid?
You: Yes please, that would be great.
Them (another 24 hours later): Ok, thank you sir. Our team will be happy to do this for you and will complete in in 4 working days from this point.
Note: 2 days have elapsed in back and forward 'crap'
3 days later....
Them: Sir, we have completed the first draft of the project. Please look and see if it meets your requirements and we shall amend as appropriate.
You: Thanks, but the page is not laid out as I'd hoped, can we please move the header, change the picture, use a different font?
Them: Of course sir, and we will be pleased to complete this in 2-4 days.
You: I thought this would be 4 days total?
Them (24 hours later): Yes sir, but now we have to change so may take a little longer.
Ok, ok, you get the picture, right?
Boring, frustrating, disappointing.
BUT...
This can be VERY different if you set out SPECIFIC instructions from the start.
For instance....
1. Only allow 2-3 days MAXIMUM for the bidding process. Most people leave 7 days as default but this just wastes time and means you have to wade through bid after bid after bid.
What you want are the fast movers ad the action takers, not those who didn't even have time to read your bid post. They'll take forever to get the work done. Instead, reward those who bid fastest and best..
2. Give a VERY SPECIFIC job description: Instead of 'wanted, 3 page website' (which is what I used to post) say "Wanted: 3 page HTML website running off of CSS style sheet. Page one will be opt in page with aweber code provided by me. Page 2 will be thankyou page with downloadable report. Page 3 will be...."
You should even go as far as to provide several example sites that have the same look and feel as you want for your site. That way they have a template to work from rather than sending ugly site after ugly site that you're not happy with.
3. Give a VERY SPECIFIC time frame for completion: Make it clear from the outset that you MUST have a complete site by 'X' date. I always say "Please do not bid unless you can guarantee completion of the task on or before 'X'" and this has helped dramatically. Don't get into an 'I'm waiting' game that will frustrate and annoy you and hold up your project.
4. Operate a '2 strike' rule: Occasionally, despite laying down specific time frames, those doing the task will overrun. Sometimes with good reason (you may have made more changes), sometimes not. I allow for just 2 minor shifts in completion date before I cancel the job. This is within your rights if you've specified a date and it hasn't been met.
Sounds a bit harsh, I know, but you cannot wait forever for your providers to 'get around to' your task. Every day they hold you up is a day you don't have a site, or graphics or audio.
Give 'em 2 strikes then cancel the job... you'll often find they miraculously get it done within the next 30 minutes.
5. Help them along: If you're going to have audio, video, optins, downloads etc then get these materials to your elancer at the start of the job so it's all there and they can get on with things. Don't send stuff in dribs and drabs and then complain about how long it's taking. Make life easy for them and the effort you put in will pay you back with a great finished result in record time.
6. Budget but don't scrimp: I've had some amazingly cheap work done on elance but I've also had some stuff take ages, be of poor quality and end up basically worthless to me. Don't base your hiring solely on price. Actually read the bids and get a feel for the professionalism of the individual, their previous work and how soon they can get it back to you
In summary
Elance can be a great tool if used correctly but can also be a frustrating, annoying pain in the butt waste of time if you don't.
By all means use 'em and use 'em often and you'll get ten times as much done as you ever would alone, but use 'em strategically and with forethought rather than hapahazardly.
By applying just these six simple steps, you'll be well on your way!
Truth, joy and love
Dax Moy
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Why is Dax Moy Over The Moon At Earning $158?
It's true, I'm over the moon because this afternoon with a single email I've earned $158.
Sounds strange doesn't it?
After all, $158 whilst still SOME extra income, it's hardly worth writing a blog post about is it?
It is if you understand what that $158 stands for.
Y'see, I recently starting playing about with offering trial periods on several of my products.
Last week I trialled The MAGIC Hundred and very quickly sold around 100 copies with very little effort at all. 100 copies at $59.99 is about $6000... not too shabby for 1 email methinks.
Today I sent out a $4.95 trial of my Look Great Naked Challenge and made 32 sales... within minutes netting me a grand total of $158.
But here's the neat bit.
In 30 days when those sales convert to my full fee of $225 I'm looking at making $7225
Again, these aren't outrageous amounts of money, but think about what I'm sharing here.
I made one post to each list and have brought in about $13,000 in sales.
The moral of the story is a simple one...
Offer a trial of your services and products.
Let people 'try before they buy' by allowing them to access your products for nominal fees and then rebilling them after a trial period elapses (clickbank allows you to do this EASILY)
The benefit to you is an easy flurry of sales because people have had the risk reduced or reversed and feel more comfortable hitting the 'buy now' button. The small $4.95 fee just doesn't feel scary at all, right?
Of course, it goes without saying that your program had better deliver. You'd better back up all your promises and give 'em some great stuff or they'll quit and you won't be able to rebill them for the remainder of the value. As long as you do that you're fine and will see a decent flurry of sales that you may never have experienced otherwise.
Give it a go!
Dax Moy
Join The FREE Community at
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com
P.S - Leave me a comment! : )
Sounds strange doesn't it?
After all, $158 whilst still SOME extra income, it's hardly worth writing a blog post about is it?
It is if you understand what that $158 stands for.
Y'see, I recently starting playing about with offering trial periods on several of my products.
Last week I trialled The MAGIC Hundred and very quickly sold around 100 copies with very little effort at all. 100 copies at $59.99 is about $6000... not too shabby for 1 email methinks.
Today I sent out a $4.95 trial of my Look Great Naked Challenge and made 32 sales... within minutes netting me a grand total of $158.
But here's the neat bit.
In 30 days when those sales convert to my full fee of $225 I'm looking at making $7225
Again, these aren't outrageous amounts of money, but think about what I'm sharing here.
I made one post to each list and have brought in about $13,000 in sales.
The moral of the story is a simple one...
Offer a trial of your services and products.
Let people 'try before they buy' by allowing them to access your products for nominal fees and then rebilling them after a trial period elapses (clickbank allows you to do this EASILY)
The benefit to you is an easy flurry of sales because people have had the risk reduced or reversed and feel more comfortable hitting the 'buy now' button. The small $4.95 fee just doesn't feel scary at all, right?
Of course, it goes without saying that your program had better deliver. You'd better back up all your promises and give 'em some great stuff or they'll quit and you won't be able to rebill them for the remainder of the value. As long as you do that you're fine and will see a decent flurry of sales that you may never have experienced otherwise.
Give it a go!
Dax Moy
Join The FREE Community at
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com
P.S - Leave me a comment! : )
Friday, 7 November 2008
Why is Dax Moy Pissed Off?
I had an unsubscribe from my ptsuccess newsletter this evening.
Now, I don't always read 'em as most of the time people are unsubscribing for mundane reasons like moving company or (occasionally) I get offensive or negative posts that just annoy me (hey, I'm human y'know!) : )
Tonight I got one that was mildly annoying at first but that actually perplexed me as I thought about it...
It read...
"Dax Moy's name is becoming very badly spoken about in the industry, no longer
interested in this blatant sales pitch. Obviously only interested in money."
Now, whenever someone tells you that you're spoken about badly in your industry it can be a concern and worth looking into... so I am! : )
Guys, I make no bones about the fact that I want to make money from my work... lots of it. That's no secret. I'm the highest paid trainer in the UK, I run the world's most expensive coaching program for fitness professionals and I expect to be paid very well for whatever I do.
Because, quite simply, I'm bloody good at it. (If I didn't believe this then I'd be wrong in charging what I charge)
BUT...
In the last year I've done over 50 teleseminars for the public... for FREE.
More than 30 interviews for trainers... for FREE.
Spoken at 3 conferences... For FREE
Run 12 days of fitness and helped hundreds of trainers build their lists... for FREE
Written 3-5 articles and blog posts for each of my 7 blogs each week... for FREE
Created the community at www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com ... For FREE
And added as many useful posts and comments to sites like personaltraineru.com and others as my time allows.
Certainly, I'm always looking to see if I can create backlinks, opt ins, potential sales (who wouldn't) but I'm genuinely trying to help my industry to turn into a profession.
What's my point?
Well, I don't know really : )
I guess I'm venting a bit but also trying to understand people like this. People who sign up for newsletters to specifically learn information about marketing their personal training businesses but object to being on the receiving end of the very same marketing they want to use on their own lists.
I guess we all get that way sometimes. A little bit pissed off that we're being 'sold' when all we want is information but, on the other hand, don't you think that there's a bit of a hypocrite in us all too? (myself included!)
Asking for free info on how to make money from your business and then attacking the same person for marketing to you is a bit... backward.
The truth is, as much as we fight it, there comes a time for us all when we simply have to put our hands in our pockets and pay SOMEONE for their expertise if we truly want to get ahead. I've done it, and so has every successful coach I know but some people are of the opinion that they shouldn't have to.
I feel sad for those people as their lack of success is virtually guaranteed. Not because they won't buy from ME but because their mentality about being marketed to will carry out across the board and they'll go through life expecting freebies and blaming others when they don't succeed.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Not to beat up on this guy (or me!) but to hear what you think about complaints about being marketed to when you're on a marketing mailing list. Consider it market research so we can all understand 'where trainers are at'.
To your success
All of you!
Dax
www.personaltrainersuccessacademy.com
Now, I don't always read 'em as most of the time people are unsubscribing for mundane reasons like moving company or (occasionally) I get offensive or negative posts that just annoy me (hey, I'm human y'know!) : )
Tonight I got one that was mildly annoying at first but that actually perplexed me as I thought about it...
It read...
"Dax Moy's name is becoming very badly spoken about in the industry, no longer
interested in this blatant sales pitch. Obviously only interested in money."
Now, whenever someone tells you that you're spoken about badly in your industry it can be a concern and worth looking into... so I am! : )
Guys, I make no bones about the fact that I want to make money from my work... lots of it. That's no secret. I'm the highest paid trainer in the UK, I run the world's most expensive coaching program for fitness professionals and I expect to be paid very well for whatever I do.
Because, quite simply, I'm bloody good at it. (If I didn't believe this then I'd be wrong in charging what I charge)
BUT...
In the last year I've done over 50 teleseminars for the public... for FREE.
More than 30 interviews for trainers... for FREE.
Spoken at 3 conferences... For FREE
Run 12 days of fitness and helped hundreds of trainers build their lists... for FREE
Written 3-5 articles and blog posts for each of my 7 blogs each week... for FREE
Created the community at www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com ... For FREE
And added as many useful posts and comments to sites like personaltraineru.com and others as my time allows.
Certainly, I'm always looking to see if I can create backlinks, opt ins, potential sales (who wouldn't) but I'm genuinely trying to help my industry to turn into a profession.
What's my point?
Well, I don't know really : )
I guess I'm venting a bit but also trying to understand people like this. People who sign up for newsletters to specifically learn information about marketing their personal training businesses but object to being on the receiving end of the very same marketing they want to use on their own lists.
I guess we all get that way sometimes. A little bit pissed off that we're being 'sold' when all we want is information but, on the other hand, don't you think that there's a bit of a hypocrite in us all too? (myself included!)
Asking for free info on how to make money from your business and then attacking the same person for marketing to you is a bit... backward.
The truth is, as much as we fight it, there comes a time for us all when we simply have to put our hands in our pockets and pay SOMEONE for their expertise if we truly want to get ahead. I've done it, and so has every successful coach I know but some people are of the opinion that they shouldn't have to.
I feel sad for those people as their lack of success is virtually guaranteed. Not because they won't buy from ME but because their mentality about being marketed to will carry out across the board and they'll go through life expecting freebies and blaming others when they don't succeed.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Not to beat up on this guy (or me!) but to hear what you think about complaints about being marketed to when you're on a marketing mailing list. Consider it market research so we can all understand 'where trainers are at'.
To your success
All of you!
Dax
www.personaltrainersuccessacademy.com
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
How I Quadrupled My List Opt-Ins and Sales Part 2
A couple of days ago I told you how I managed to quadruple my opt ins and sales at my fitness marketing website by changing from a 'soft' opt-in to a forced opt in process.
In case you can't remember what that means, it's simply that my 'home page' is a brief intro to the site and what you'll get when you sign up followed by a sign in box that they MUST go through in order to learn more.
They have a simple choice at this point; opt in or leave. There's no window shopping.
Now, many of the students on my Mentoring and Coaching Program are initially very worried when they hear about this. In fact, they're terrified!
"If I force the opt in won't I just annoy people and they'll leave?"
The short answer is, yes.
Yes, you'll have some people quit, leave and go elsewhere having felt frustrated that they couldn't learn more.
But these people weren't serious contenders for your services or products anyway. After all, if they wouldn't give you their opt in info, how likely are they to give you their credit card info?
Not very, right?
So stop panicking and freaking out about what doesn't matter. The truth is, forced opt in will improve both the size AND the quality of your mailing list almost s soon as you start using it.
Now, I promised a new tip didn't I?
How about another one that increased my opt ins by 400% plus?
Well, long before I used forced opt in I started to use a strategy that I'd seen many of the top internet marketers using for their products on their own sites. It was a simple ideas and one that made lots of sense to me at the time, but one which no-one in fitness seemed to be using. Not for their products and certainly not for their PT services.
So, contrarian that I am, I used this technique on my personal training website and 'Hey Presto!' not only did my subscriptions go up for my newsletter, but the telephone rang more often too. MUCH more often!
Whenever I spoke to my new prospects about what it was that made them come to me they all indicated this one thing as a major part of their choosing to hire my company.
What was it?
Putting a personal audio message on my site.
Just saying Hi, welcoming people and telling them what they can expect as they work through the pages made all the difference.
You see, as I always tell my students, people buy people they don't buy into websites, technology, ebook reports or anything else, they buy into developing a relationship with you, getting to know you, getting to like you and learning to trust you.
Your voice on a site makes you real.
It starts off the know, like, trust cycle that much faster.
It puts power, passion and promise into the lifeless written words on your pages.
It helps people to connect.
And connect they do... in droves!
Yet, y'know, as I look at trainers websites today I have a hard time finding more than a handful with any attempt at using audio on their sites. Those guys are usually already on six figures a year too.
Coincidence?
I don't think so!
The power of audio is not to be underestimated, I promise you. Add it to your site today and see for yourself what results it brings. You'll be astounded.
Here's my favorite audio generation site. I love it because you can get on the phone (or upload via the web), record a message and immediately pick up the code and paste it into your site so that within less than a minute you can have a voice message.
You can use it for client testimonials too. Just imagine, their own 'live' voice on your website telling people how great you are.
Couldn't hurt sales could it?
I promise you, combine forced opt in with audio on your site and you'll see an increase in signups and conversion to sales like you wouldn't believe.
Get it done! : )
Dax Moy
www.personaltrainersuccessacademy.com
P.S - In the interests of full transparency I want to tell you that the links to the audio service are my affiliate codes so I stand to gain financially by your purchasing it (doesn't cost you a penny more). But that's not why I'm promoting it. Besides, you can just cut off my affiliate link if you'd rather I didn't get anything....
But I really think you should try the service on your site. Even if for just a month. If it does a tenth of what it did for me you'll be smiling...
In case you can't remember what that means, it's simply that my 'home page' is a brief intro to the site and what you'll get when you sign up followed by a sign in box that they MUST go through in order to learn more.
They have a simple choice at this point; opt in or leave. There's no window shopping.
Now, many of the students on my Mentoring and Coaching Program are initially very worried when they hear about this. In fact, they're terrified!
"If I force the opt in won't I just annoy people and they'll leave?"
The short answer is, yes.
Yes, you'll have some people quit, leave and go elsewhere having felt frustrated that they couldn't learn more.
But these people weren't serious contenders for your services or products anyway. After all, if they wouldn't give you their opt in info, how likely are they to give you their credit card info?
Not very, right?
So stop panicking and freaking out about what doesn't matter. The truth is, forced opt in will improve both the size AND the quality of your mailing list almost s soon as you start using it.
Now, I promised a new tip didn't I?
How about another one that increased my opt ins by 400% plus?
Well, long before I used forced opt in I started to use a strategy that I'd seen many of the top internet marketers using for their products on their own sites. It was a simple ideas and one that made lots of sense to me at the time, but one which no-one in fitness seemed to be using. Not for their products and certainly not for their PT services.
So, contrarian that I am, I used this technique on my personal training website and 'Hey Presto!' not only did my subscriptions go up for my newsletter, but the telephone rang more often too. MUCH more often!
Whenever I spoke to my new prospects about what it was that made them come to me they all indicated this one thing as a major part of their choosing to hire my company.
What was it?
Putting a personal audio message on my site.
Just saying Hi, welcoming people and telling them what they can expect as they work through the pages made all the difference.
You see, as I always tell my students, people buy people they don't buy into websites, technology, ebook reports or anything else, they buy into developing a relationship with you, getting to know you, getting to like you and learning to trust you.
Your voice on a site makes you real.
It starts off the know, like, trust cycle that much faster.
It puts power, passion and promise into the lifeless written words on your pages.
It helps people to connect.
And connect they do... in droves!
Yet, y'know, as I look at trainers websites today I have a hard time finding more than a handful with any attempt at using audio on their sites. Those guys are usually already on six figures a year too.
Coincidence?
I don't think so!
The power of audio is not to be underestimated, I promise you. Add it to your site today and see for yourself what results it brings. You'll be astounded.
Here's my favorite audio generation site. I love it because you can get on the phone (or upload via the web), record a message and immediately pick up the code and paste it into your site so that within less than a minute you can have a voice message.
You can use it for client testimonials too. Just imagine, their own 'live' voice on your website telling people how great you are.
Couldn't hurt sales could it?
I promise you, combine forced opt in with audio on your site and you'll see an increase in signups and conversion to sales like you wouldn't believe.
Get it done! : )
Dax Moy
www.personaltrainersuccessacademy.com
P.S - In the interests of full transparency I want to tell you that the links to the audio service are my affiliate codes so I stand to gain financially by your purchasing it (doesn't cost you a penny more). But that's not why I'm promoting it. Besides, you can just cut off my affiliate link if you'd rather I didn't get anything....
But I really think you should try the service on your site. Even if for just a month. If it does a tenth of what it did for me you'll be smiling...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
