Yesterday’s blog post generated quite a bit of response.

A number of folks commented to the blog their opinion on “Why some folks struggle” AND we also received a few MORE crazy e-mails from folks who were too chicken to post their comments.

One of these folks questioned if this was even a real e-mail we received, or something I just happened to ‘kook up’ to get people going.

I assure you, this is real… and life’s interesting enough that I don’t have to add anything to it.

Anyway, I promised I’d share with you my take on this whole thing today and that’s what I’m going to do.

I’ve also got a special invitation and gift for you today, but we’ll come back to that in a moment.

In case you don’t remember the e-mail we received that spawned this whole thing, here it is:

“Gentlemen:  I gave it my best shot.  I have worked myself into the ground the last few months creating a business plan, new website, monthly newsletter, house list, direct mail letter, press release, article, new business card, strategic alliances, etc…  There are many more of your ideas I would love to pursue, there is just not enough time in the day.

End result so far:  No new clients.

I cannot justify spending $37/month on the NPE newsletter.  Your initial program is outstanding, with many great ideas, but no new clients.

Please cancel my Gold membership as of today.  Thanks.”

———————-

So, why is this person struggling… while so many folks we work with are killing it and having their ‘best year ever’?

Could be a number of things going on here.

I’m not a therapist, nor am I into a whole lotta metaphysical mumbo-jumbo about lack mentality and belief system (although I will say where there’s smoke, there’s fire). I’ll leave all that aside for the moment and cut right to the chase.

I don’t know the exact circumstances of this person’s business but what I do now is that for beginners it’s best to keep it simple.

Learn and master just 1 system FIRST.

Learn how to SELL.

A few folks commented correctly yesterday that leads alone will not directly bring in any revenue for your biz.

SELLING someone on handing off their hard-earned dough in exchange for a product of service you are offering is the ONLY thing that actually brings in money and ‘gets’ you a client.

Without SALES (or conversion of your leads), MARKETING (lead generation) for the sake of marketing is meaningless.

That’s why we teach our AUTO-CLOSER Sales System and encourage many to make it their ‘first’ coaching program they invest in.

Then once you’ve learned how to sell, it’s time to take a look at marketing and I recommend if you’re an independent personal trainer, then start with learning just 1 marketing method before going into a ton of advanced strategies.

My original primary marketing method was public speaking and I used it to build my business and get a waiting list for my services pretty quickly.

One or two good marketing strategies, executed well, is all you need to fill up your books as an independent personal trainer.

However, when you make the leap from just working for yourself to having a facility with overhead and expenses, and a team of trainers working for you, having just 1 or 2 marketing strategies is usually no longer enough to get the job done.

Now you’ve got to generate a volume of leads each-and-ever month to keep the facility busy AND you’ve got the added pressure of significant overhead/expenses pushing you to not just settle for a ‘few leads’…. you need a LOT of leads… all the time!

So what most people do next is start to study the different tactics that can be use to accomplish that goal. They read up on websites, newsletters, advertising, direct mail, strategic alliances, and a whole lot more.

AND THIS IS WHERE THEY GET TANGLED UP.

They get lost in a sea of confusion and never get anything really implemented and working properly.

Mostly because they don’t understand a SYSTEM of how everything should fit together. When frankly…

THAT IS WHERE IT SHOULD ALL BEGIN!

You’ve got to understand the big picture (i.e. SYSTEM) first. Then breaking down how each type of marketing campaign and activity works together within the SYSTEM… and getting traction… becomes pretty easy.

The person who sent this e-mail in (who we still haven’t heard from by the way, so if he/she is reading this please let us know who you are so we can take care of your request) is not alone.

Lots of folks are in a tangled mess with all the information overload floating around the internet today.

That’s why last spring we worked hard to develop a complete program that would help people ‘get untangled’ and understand the ‘big picture’ (SYSTEM) as well as how to integrate all the different tactics, tools, and more that you’ve heard us and many of our members talk about.

If you have NOT read my “How To NEVER Run Out Leads!” Report or received the free companion audio CD, then get your copy at:

http://www.FitnessMarketingExplosion.com

Next week we’ll also offer a 1-hr fitness marketing coaching session to everyone on this list who registers to attend at:

http://www.FitnessMarketingExplosion.com

Lastly, I’d like to encourage anyone who needs help to use the channels of communication we have open (call the office at 888.866.4998 or if you’re a Gold Plus level member or higher then you already know how active the forums are in our membership site) and let us know what’s going on in your business.

Listen we’re doing very well over here and won’t be affected one-way-or-the-other if someone chooses to cancel a $37/month newsletter subscription with us.

But cutting yourself off from people who can help you… when you’re struggling and really NEED the help… is NOT the wisest decision someone could make.

By receiving this newsletter you’re part of an elite community of several thousand fitness business owners who want nothing more than to help others achieve the same level of success they have achieved and more.

So, ask for help… and we’ll do everything to help you sort things out and get back on track.

Don’t just stick your head in the sand and ‘hope’ things will change… get the support you need to MAKE them change.

That responsibility (and power) is yours.

To your success,
Sean

P.S. If you own a studio or have other trainers working for you (or hope to soon) then you understand that having a complete marketing SYSTEM (not just 1 or 2 tactics) in place is essential to the health and stability of your business. I invite you to download our “How To NEVER Run Out Of Leads” report and audio cd, plus register for a 1hr coaching webinar we’ll be hosting 1 week from today at:

http://www.FitnessMarketingExplosion.com

Hope you had good weekend.

Eric and I worked most of the weekend putting the final touches on preparations for the big NPE MEGA-TRAINING workshop coming up in 2 weeks in Boston.

Although this is our ‘first’ event, I’ll tell you what this thing is gonna kick some serious *ss.

My only regret is that we can’t fit more people in the room to attend and take part in the experience. It’s going to be THAT good.

For those who have secured their spot, get ready for one heck of a wild ride.

For those who have NOT, well everything is just about wrapped up but if you call the NPE office today at 888.866.4998 you may talk the girls into sneaking you a ticket to get in.

Anyway, that’s not what I’m writing you about this morning. I’ve got much more interesting discussion to dig into…

This morning I had 2 e-mails forwarded to me by our support staff.

FIRST was a video clip with edited success stories from our recent DEEP CORE class graduates. We wrapped up the class a couple weeks ago, and now I have to choose a winner for the class contest.

Honestly, each of the 5 finalists have such great stories it’s not an easy pick. But I’ll get to that later today.

The SECOND email forwarded to me was a request by someone to cancel their Gold Membership. Problem is, Bridget and Lauren have no name to go with the e-mail sent in and the e-mail address is nowhere to be found in our system. So, they weren’t sure how to handle it.

It’s an interesting e-mail, so let me share it with you…

“Gentlemen:  I gave it my best shot.  I have worked myself into the ground the last few months creating a business plan, new website, monthly newsletter, house list, direct mail letter, press release, article, new business card, strategic alliances, etc….  There are many more of your ideas I would love to pursue, there is just not enough time in the day.

End result so far:  No new clients.

I cannot justify spending $37/month on the NPE newsletter.  Your initial program is outstanding, with many great ideas, but no new clients.

Please cancel my Gold membership as of today.  Thanks.”

I have my own thoughts about this e-mail, and why this person may be struggling to grow their business.

But before I comment, I’d love to get your feedback.

Why do YOU think they are struggling?

Does getting a business plan in place, building a website, sending out a monthly newsletter, etc. guarantee you’ll get new clients and grow your business?

Or maybe all those things are a bunch of hooey and don’t really work to build your business at all… instead they prevent you from actually getting new clients?

What’s the story?

Post your thoughts and comments to the NPE blog below.

I’m interested in your take on this.

And then I’ll share my thoughts with you in tomorrow morning’s e-mail.

Regards,
Sean

P.S. If you’ve been reading our e-mails for any length of time, then you know we share a lot of fitness business building information with you. Lots of people are VERY successful using our information to grow their business, but there are probably just as many who read these e-mails and still struggle. What do YOU think holds some folks back (and maybe even yourself at times)? Post comments to the blog and I’ll share my thoughts with you tomorrow morning.

P.P.S. To the person who wrote the e-mail, let us know who you are so we can take care of your request.

A glimpse inside what goes on when many of the top fitness business owners in America get together to sharpen the saw…

Last week NPE Platinum met in Vegas for the second of our three annual mastermind retreats (third one is December in Miami for a little fun in the sun).

Sean, Dick and I went out a day early (and the newest member of our NPE team, Camelia Herndon - more news on this sizzling addition coming later - met us there, too).  We needed a little additional time to get some work done on the biz (gamble:)

Platinum Member Holly Leonard and her business partner, Patty, were also there early, so we all went to lunch at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill in Caesars Palace.

NPE Lunch at Caesars Palace before the action begins

On Friday, we started the mastermind meeting.  Tony Maslan kicked it off with his stunning presentation. He’ll double his business year over year from 2007.  You can see him here talking about his consistent marketing approach that continues to generate upwards of 20-25 new clients each month.

NPE Platinum Member Tony Maslan presenting at mastermind meeting

After a full day of presentations from half the group, it was time to unwind with an amazing dinner at the BOA steakhouse in Caesars.  Lobster, oysters, king crab and wine all around got us started.  Can’t recommend this restaurant highly enough - outstanding.

NPE Platinum crew out for dinner at BOA in Caesars Palace

When the main course came around, Camelia got a little aggressive with her steak (the woman is a fitness dynamo and burns calories at a freakish rate, so can’t really blame her).

Camelia fueling up at BOA with the NPE Platinum Group

After dinner it was time for some gambling in Caesars casino, then off to the Stratosphere to ride the rollercoaster.  Here’s a shot from the highest point in Vegas…

NPE Platinum crew atop the Stratosphere in Vegas

Saturday, we got back to work at 0900 sharp for another full day of presentations and masterminding. Although everything that’s shared in these meetings is confidential, I can tell you the basic format. Each business owner does a presentation sharing details of what they’ve accomplished since the last meeting, what they’re struggling with, best practices, inside ’secrets’ they’ve discovered, marketing pieces that are kicking ass, strategy, tactics and goals for the next quarter.  We grill each presenter with questions, kinda like a “hot seat” and make suggestions, take tons of notes, share ideas and brainstorm/mastermind ways to optimize for even better results.

We *need* to unwind after these sessions - they are brutally intense, and some of the most valuable work we all do ON our businesses.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the entire crew together for this meeting. A couple of Platinum Members had last minute scheduling conflicts, including the guy who routinely wins awards for best “unwinder” - Hut Allred.  Everyone will be together in Miami in December, though.

Here’s the group shot we took at the end of the day on Saturday…

NPE Platinum Mastermind Meeting Las Vegas September 2008

Another outstanding get-together. Everybody came away feeling more connected, fired up and ready to hit it hard in the last quarter.  Complete refusal to participate in this “recession” from these folks. Everyone is killing it, moving forward with speed, kicking ass and taking names. 

Saturday night folks split up into smaller groups for dinner and partying. Sean, Dick, John Ashworth, Chris Hill and I went to dinner at McCormick and Schmicks and relived the glory days - sharing embellished stories of our athletic prowess “back in the day.”  John Ashworth was an All-American collegiate soccer player and Chris Hill was quarterback of his highschool football team in Texas, playing under the Friday night lights.  Dick shared some baseball stories, Sean had track and field and wakeboarding stories, and I told them about playing highschool basketball on the same team as Steve Kerr. 

But the best stories are happening right now.  We’re all creating our lives the way we want them to be. And it’s really cool to be able to share that experience with friends who appreciate it.  Platinum is a breed apart, for sure. The folks in this group are special.  Not because they have more talent than anyone else, but because they have more drive, determination, passion and persistence.  Sean and I agree that it’s a real honor to be in their company, helping, supporting and leading.

And we look forward to helping all our Members who have that kind of internal fortitude and desire ”rise up” and achieve your full potential in the fitness business.  May sound a little corny…but it’s true.

I guess it’s probably too late for you to cancel whatever it is that’s keeping you from attending the F.R.E.E. Duplicator fitness business management webinar today?

It’s not? Great! Then click below and register to attend right now, because Eric and I are going LIVE at 1PM EST (12PM CST, 11AM MST, 10AM PST):

www.DuplicationCode.com

After you click that link you’re sorted, I’ll rush you the login details so you can attend. If it’s absolutely impossible for you to attend because of a business responsibility then it’s ironic…

…Because that’s exactly what we’re going to teach you today - How to NEVER have to be a slave to your business again. Bummer!

Seriously though, do what you can to make this - it will be worth so much more to you than whatever else you have planned - I promise - hundreds of fit-pro’s have already registered to attend, do not be one of the
few who miss out.

Simply click below now, and you will be immediately registered to attend the F.R.E.E. webinar at 1PM EST (12PM CST, 11AM MST, 10AM PST) today:

www.DuplicationCode.com

To Your Success,
Sean Greeley

P.S. Again, if you’re busting your gut a few months down the line, and I start publishing the success stories of those fit-pro’s who attended; don’t say they’re lucky and you never had the same opportunity they did. I am giving that to you right now, click below so you can attend the Duplicator fitness business management webinar - it’s F.R.E.E.!

www.DuplicationCode.com

The one thing you can NEVER buy, borrow or steal more of is time…

…And every second of every day not spent living your dream or working to obtain it is time wasted, and  time you will never get back again.

The F.R.E.E. Duplicator webinar is TOMORROW at 1PM EST (12PM CST, 11AM MST, 10AM PST), I strongly urge you to register to attend right now, because I can gladly 100% guarantee that whatever else you have planned tomorrow does NOT constitute to living your dream or working to obtain it like this will.

In fact, you don’t even have to register anymore; just click the link below so I know you want to attend and then I’ll send you the details of how to log into the webinar tomorrow.

www.DuplicationCode.com

At the very least attend for 5 minutes so you can see for yourself exactly why hundreds of other fit-pro’s around the world will be attending, you have nothing to lose by doing so.

Registering is now super simple, just click the link below

www.DuplicationCode.com

In case you’ve not got it yet - what’s free and priceless - time… Oh yeah, and the webinar tomorrow too so register already:

www.DuplicationCode.com

To Your Success,
Sean Greeley

P.S. As a fit-pro myself you can trust I have no intention of feeding you B.S. at this F.R.E.E. webinar. Trust me when I say this is it, this is what you’ve been waiting for so don’t miss it out because you’ll regret it. Register now by clicking below:

www.DuplicationCode.com

If you are suffering from the “Monday Blues” or any workday blues for that matter it’s because your fitness business isn’t running like the well-oiled machine it ought to be. And that’s not your fault, running a business requires a lot of know how.

BUT, I am offering to share that know how with you this Wednesday and yet you’ve still not taken me up on that.

Click on the link below now and register to attend the F.R.E.E. Duplicator Fitness Business Management System today and I’ll put a sock in it…

www.DuplicationCode.com

If you don’t and you continue to toil in your business, struggling just to keep your head above water; you can no longer say you never got your “break” and you were never offered a way out.

I am telling you this is the way out; at least attend (it costs you nothing) and then you can decide whether or not I’m full of hot air or I’m the real deal. No forms to fill out, simply click the link below and you’ll be registered now:

www.DuplicationCode.com

To Your Success,
Sean Greeley

P.S. If you have NOT received the free report and CD on the Duplication Code, you can get that here too. It’s got some GREAT info you can use to start changing things for the better today.

www.DuplicationCode.com

I used to hate tests in high school, I guess everyone does; but don’t worry this one’s easy and it’ll be worth a lot more to you than algebra.

Here’s the test, it’s more like just one question…

Imagine if you were to book a two-week holiday right now to say Hawaii (that’s where I’m off to in Oct), and your flight was leaving TOMORROW…

…Would you be able to jet off with piece of mind, knowing your fitness business would run just as smoothly without you there - your clients would still be looked after, your staff wouldn’t slack off and your business would continue to make a profit?

And again, you have to leave tomorrow!

I’ll give you a two minute phone call to let one of your staff members know but that’s it, then you’re off to Hawaii?

Think you could do that, leave your business tomorrow for two-weeks without a care in the world?

If you can then you run a tight ship and fair play to you, but if like most you’re the only thing holding your business together then of course you couldn’t jet off to Hawaii tomorrow! Only in dreamland, right?

Well, here’s the harsh cold truth - if you can’t then you really don’t own a BUSINESS…

… you own a JOB.

Now I’m betting that’s not why you started your own fitness business, to work 60hrs a week for month’s on end.

I know that you started your business to have more FREEDOM.

And I’d like to help you get some.

Learn how to make the transition from CHAOS to CONTROL on our F.R.E.E. 90 minute DUPLICATION CODE  webinar on September 24th at 1PM EST…

Simply click the link below to register now:

www.DuplicationCode.com

…Think you could do that to reclaim freedom in your life? Then register to attend at the website below, and do it now because there’s only 5 days to go…

www.DuplicationCode.com

To Your Success,
Sean Greeley

P.S. I have a F.R.E.E. report for you too entitled “From Chaos To Control: How To Stop Being A Slave To Your Fitness Business And Finally Get The Freedom You Deserve!” Get your copy completely F.R.E.E. when you register to attend the F.R.E.E. webinar at the website below:

www.DuplicationCode.com

Do you know what one of the biggest problems faced by fit pro’s like yourself is?

A few months back I had NPE members fill out a survey, so I could find out where they need URGENT attention in their fitness business - and right up there at the top of the list was…

…STAFF MANAGEMENT!

If you want to grow your business and take on more clients, you need to hire staff- there’s no way around  that. The problem is trying to find the right trainers who are reliable, know their stuff AND share the same values as you - ambition and a good work ethic.

Sounds like the dream employee, right? They’re really hard to find these days.

And of course you don’t just need trainers, you’ll need admin assistants, supervisors, managers and more. You basically need someone to come and cover all the work you’re doing right now so you can concentrate 100% on business growth… And not have to work 60hrs a week anymore too.

For all that there’s a lot to think about and do obviously, a daunting task if you don’t have a FULL done-for-you system in place that take’s care of everything… like many of our top members do.

But fear not, if you’re anxious to start growing your business and need to hire (or have already hired but find it’s not the carousel ride you’d hoped for) then I’ll share the secrets behind my business management system with you - and I’ll do it for F.R.E.E. too in a special Fitness Business Management webinar taking  place next Wednesday, September 24th at 1pm EST.

Get yourself over to the website below for more information:

www.DuplicationCode.com

To Your Success,
Sean Greeley

P.S. When you hop over to the website, you’ll find out how to get a F.R.E.E. fitness business growth report and CD too (normally $68). Go over to that website now so you don’t forget…

www.DuplicationCode.com

I hope you have time to get down to the cinema this weekend and catch the Cohen Brother’s new movie - “Burn After Reading.”

Two of the main characters played by Frances McDormand and Brad Pitt are fitness professionals who get into a spot of bother after an ex-CIA agent’s memoirs fall into their “knuckleheaded” hands.

No surprise that after  “No Country For Old Men” the movie had a VERY good opening weekend. With an all star line-up including George Clooney and John Malkovich (in addition to Pitt), how could it not?

And that means the fitness industry will be in the public spotlight throughout this whole month. And if your media marketing savvy, you’ll know how to leverage all of this publicity to the benefit of your fitness business.

Such media leverage can turn you into an industry celebrity overnight! Which is why we’ll be discussing this in detail in Sept’s Fitness Marketing Letter - AND I’ll show you an example of how a DOG GROOMER did  the exact same thing - you can take the lessons learned and apply them to your fitness business quite easily.

There is so much opportunity for you to promote your business in the radio, newspapers, online and even through T.V. with effective media marketing - it’s so cheap too and yet very few fit-pro’s are doing it…

…So this month’s FML is pretty much a step-by-step guide for you on how to become a media marketing mogul in quick time - utterly essential reading if you want yet another way to significantly grow your  fitness business.

If you’re already a subscriber, you should have received your issue in the mail.

If for some crazy reason you’re NOT yet getting this every month, get on over and join the club at:

www.NPEGold.com

To Your Success,
Sean Greeley

P.S. Not a subscriber? let me send you this month’s issue absolutely F.R.E.E. for you to examine and enjoy at your leisure and if you’re at all unhappy with the business building information shared in the Fitness Marketing Letter, cancel your “test-run” subscription and pay nothing. Click below for more information:

www.NPEGold.com

Ever get the feeling you work a lot harder and longer than everyone else, and yet you’re still not making the kind of money you deserve?

What if I told you there was a way for you to actually work less in your fitness business, and get paid more?

Interested?

The secret is something I call The Duplication Code… “The Aviator” Howard Huges was one of the all time masters at deploying this secret and he didn’t do too bad for himself (at least before he went a little cuckoo anyway).

What’s more, it’s absolutely essential you implement The Duplication Code into your business if you want to REALLY grow from where you are into a mini-fitness-empire with large-clockwork-profits.

Now I’m guessing that sounds pretty appealing to an ambitious fit-pro like yourself, so I am inviting you to join me on September 24th at 1PM EST for a F.R.E.E. reveal all webinar, where I will share the business growth secrets of “The Duplication Code” with you.

The only catch is that the 24th is just 8 days away, so you need to register to attend this F.R.E.E. webinar like now! Do that by clicking the link below:

www.DuplicationCode.com

This webinar is a “biggy”, in fact not mastering The Duplication Code could be the only thing that’s holding you back right now. For what it’s going to cost you to attend the F.R.E.E. webinar (nothing), it’s worth your time to attend just to find out more.

Register to attend right now so you don’t forget, simply surf over to the website below:

www.DuplicationCode.com

To Your Success,
Sean Greeley

P.S. I’ve got $68 worth of bonus gifts for you too, go to the webinar registration page below now for more
information:

www.DuplicationCode.com