Podcasts about pt distinction

In a heart-to-heart chat, Jonathan and his guest, Ash Burleigh, dove deep into the world of online training and business coaching for trainers. Ash shared his remarkable journey, starting as a coach in the adventure industry and then transitioning into a successful personal trainer. But he didn't stop there. Ash went on to grow his own fitness studios and discovered the magic of shifting from group coaching to a more personalized approach for outstanding results. Join Jonathan in this episode as Ash discusses stories about his experiences with the PT Distinction software and the hurdles he faced while building his career. He also touched on the importance of being coachable and open to learning from others—a key factor in growth and success. Enjoy! Connect with Ash Burleigh through these links: https://ptdninja.com/optc https://ptdninja.com/gold https://www.facebook.com/ashptdninja Join our Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realtalkwithrealfitpros

Hey Fit-Biz Owners! So, you’ve got clients signing up to your fitness program… but how do you scale while delivering a top-notch program and service to be proud of... without getting burned out? It’s difficult to scale an online business if you don’t have the systems that’ll help deliver the services to your paying customers. Many personal trainers become overwhelmed with the amount of work piling up on their shoulders - lead gen, sales, onboarding, client servicing etc. If you're a fit-biz owner that aims to get from the 5-6 figures into 7 figures… you can be building those 7-Figure systems and automated processes NOW to save time and create REAL lifestyle freedom.Join us in this conversation with Ash Burleigh of PT Distinction where we talk about having systems in your fit-biz so you can scale fast and efficiently. Episode Highlights Introduction [0:00] What problems PT Distinction solves for personal trainers [1:25] Work hard early in your business to enjoy freedom and success later on [7:49] Gamifying a program gets your clients more results [10:24] Integrating emotional hooks to make people take action [13:11] The main areas where most fitness business owners focus in [16:37] Know who are the clients you aim to serve and craft an incredible client experience for them [24:24] Which is better: create an app from scratch or use a pre-made online fitness app? [27:30] Online fitness programs should be simple and measurable. [37:45] Product optimization can help you create different revenue streams for your fitness business. [43:09] Nail in the basic systems in your fitness business so you can focus on the other revenue streams later on. [45:25] About our Guest: Ash Burleigh is a PTD Ninja. He has helped a lot of Personal Trainers create their programs and grow successful online fitness businesses using PT Distinction. PTD is a premier software for Personal Trainers that aim to automate their fitness businesses. About the Hosts: Andrew Gaussen and Andrew Poulton are business marketing and sales analytics experts, respectively, with a passion for creating impactful and profitable online fitness businesses. Together, they are the founders of Hypothyroid Body Transformation, a multiple 7-figure fitness business. They have been helping people conquer hypothyroidism through balanced nutrition and a well-rounded lifestyle since 2017. They also co-founded Systems By Design, an online coaching platform that aims to help fitness professionals grow their business to 7-figures. Iggy Odighizuwa is also a Co-founder of Systems By Design and is the systems and automation specialist of the company. Iggy’s passion is helping coaches improve the quality and efficiency of their program delivery. He loves getting more done in less time and making what he calls “lazy money”. He is the author of The Ultimate Client Acquisition System. This system was designed to automate the process of attracting ideal clients whilst filtering out the bad fits. Resources: Get access to heaps of content on lead generation, sales, systems, and automations by joining our FREE and EXCLUSIVE Facebook Group. Be part of the community of highly-motivated, success-driven Fit-preneurs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/systemsandautomations Connect with us: Subscribe to our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXz50Vz-vOPdcdctAdsDECQ/videos Andrew Gaussen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agaussen/ Andrew Poulton on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100050991353149 Iggy Odighizuwa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ighodaro.odighizuwa Don’t forget to like, share and subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is all about setting up systems in your fitness business And this week we're starting off with Ash Burleigh, he is the owner of PT Distinction Ninja If you've used PT distinction before, Ash is your man for setting up all of the automations in your own section of the app In this interview, Ash is talking all about the work he has done for other fitness businesses and what's working right now so you can implement it in your own business

Today on the show we talk about the inevitability of being criticized on the internet as online trainers and how best to deal with these situations when they arise.   The Episode: Dealing With Negativity On The Internet   As an online trainer, the very nature of your business is to create content and share it – to share your opinions publicly, in a nutshell. We all know that sharing our opinions online will lead to some pushback though. This is inevitable because there will always be people out there with different opinions to our own. We can’t control what those people think but what we can control is how we respond when they share their response to something we have said. If you can prepare yourself by understanding all the different, opposing opinions to the one you have, then in a situation where you hear one of them, you will be much less sensitive to it.   In This Episode Why the hosts of this show don’t take negative feedback too seriously [0:10:20]  Planning your content carefully as a way of dealing with negative criticism [0:16:16] Understanding the arguments against a position before adopting it [0:17:20] Should you change after getting negative feedback, if you have prepared for it? [0:19:45] We all want to be liked, but this is not a justification for stewing after criticism [0:22:06] How to take negative feedback and use it as an opportunity to grow [0:23:03] Are personal trainers more inclined to care what others think and is this a hindrance? [0:26:17] How obsessions with content creation can make content less thoughtful [0:29:10] Getting clearer about your core values so your content is authentic [0:32:45] The Dunning-Kruger effect; legit coaches doubting themselves and vice-versa [0:34:25] Why it is important to share your knowledge if you have it [0:36:56]   “It is very easy to have a rash emotional response and get taken down by any kind of criticism or negativity on the internet directed towards you if you haven’t thought about what you are doing enough and why you are doing it, and all of the potential ramifications to it.” — Jonathan Goodman   Develop Resilience By Preparing Before Creating Content There is always going to be somebody who has a critical opinion about something you have put out online. If you truly understand what you are saying and the possible negative responses to it, you will be much more prepared to deal with them when they emerge. Following what Nassim Taleb says in Skin In The Game, you are only allowed to have an opinion once you understand all the arguments against it. If you understand the arguments against a point of view, but have still chosen to adopt it, this means that none of the counterarguments to that point of view were strong enough to stop you from doing so. If, on the other hand, your content is copied and inauthentic, the chances are that you have not gone through this process of truly grappling with why you chose it. Therefore criticism will be far harder to deal with.   Using Criticism As An Opportunity For Self-Reflection We all want to be liked by others and be accepted as widely as possible. Therefore if somebody criticizes you, it is natural to feel some sense of hurt afterwards. This is even more true for personal trainers. This is because part of the psychology of the personal trainer is related to making the physical body look as good as possible, which is connected to a need to be acceptable or attractive to others. What is not okay though, is allowing oneself to wallow in this negativity. A far more productive response to a feeling of being attacked after receiving bad feedback is to dig into why it is that you felt attacked in that way. The chances are that you could learn a lot about yourself and grow even more if, rather than just feel hurt, you stepped outside of this hurt and figured out why you felt it.   How The Dunning-Kruger Effect Plays Out For Online Trainers The Dunning-Kruger effect describes a situation where people who have a small amount of knowledge about a topic feel confident to share their opinion and vice versa. As we begin to learn more about something, we start to see the gaps in our knowledge and feel self-conscious about sharing what we know. This phenomenon is especially rife in the world of online coaching because the barrier to entry is so low. The problem here is that you get a lot of beginners spreading misinformation as a result. So, if those of us with slightly more knowledge spoke up, there would be overall a higher quality of information to be consumed. It is therefore the responsibility of those with more knowledge to share what they know publicly. Hopefully, this can help you feel more confident to share your knowledge if you have it.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   Jonathan Curling: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A918crYnTvD-d2B6i4_uETfQWeZWMkPh/view   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today we have a discussion about the importance of focussing on your mental health.   The Episode: For Trainers Who Suffer From Mental Health Struggles   As trainers and coaches, we are well aware of the power of a proactive approach to health, and this is no different in the case of mental health. We believe that therapy or any form of counseling can help anyone, and does not have to occur as a reaction to a difficult situation or setback. In fact, just as with physical fitness, the best approach is a proactive and preventive one. There is such a wide array of difficulties that humans face, whether these are related to past traumas or anxieties and stresses, so speaking to the right person can make a huge difference to our lives and even our business and work with clients.    In This Episode  The decision to see a mental health professional [0:16:01] Finding the right person to speak to [0:22:30] Gratification, patience, and learning styles [0:28:38] Therapy should be a proactive measure instead of a reactive one [0:36:03] The natural way that mental health work fits into work as a fitness coach [0:39:20] Reaching out and finding the support you need [0:42:01]   “Some people don't like labels, then don't use the label. If the label fits and if it is something that is helpful to you in terms of understanding how your brain functions, then use it!” — Carolina Belmares   Seeking Out the Help that You Need Talking to a therapist can be one of the most valuable things you spend your time and money on. We already know the value of coaching, and this is no different, you will experience the rewards just as you do in fitness! It is incredibly empowering and life-changing to gain self-knowledge and the useful tools that therapy provides, so this avenue of development should not be neglected.   The Proactive Approach to Mental Health It is important to take the time to find the right person, and usually, a good fit will be immediately apparent. There is an obvious financial investment necessary but if you can bite this bullet you will undoubtedly reap the rewards. If you are lucky enough to have the cost covered in some way, whether it be through work or insurance, that is a bonus, but do not let the cost discourage you from pursuing something so central to your wellbeing. You also do not have to wait for things to go wrong, a proactive approach will always trump a reactive one!   Making Positive Changes At this point, there is an abundance of literature illuminating relationships between how our minds work and the success we experience in our lives. Through self-awareness, we are able to build our practices in ways that suit our unique tendencies, and therapy will shed light on these. There is an argument to be made that everyone should do some form of therapy as we can all benefit from talking about our history and problems, so do not shy away from seeking help. Why wouldn't you want to break the cycles that cause issues in your life?   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The OTA team look at the common doubts trainers have about appearances and external expectations.    The Episode: But What If I Don't 'Look' Like A Trainer?   There is space for every type of trainer in the world of online coaching. The common image of a half-naked influencer that we see so often on social media is not the only legitimate model for how to help clients. There are elements to your training that are more valuable than the way you look, and trying to reach the peak of physical conditioning in order to validate your work should not be your aim. In this episode, we explore the importance of relatability, communication, and a unique set of skills that can help your clients believe in themselves and achieve their goals.   In This Episode Stepping into the shoes of a client and why it's great for coaches to have coaches [0:04:03] Misconceptions about the appearance of trainers [0:17:05] Making the most of the uneven nature of the playing field [0:21:21] Finding your own strength and skillset to offer [0:27:19] Normalizing your timeline and journey [0:31:33] Comparison is not inspiration [0:35:50] Keeping your interactions with social media and external standards healthy [0:41:04]   “You have to really, really understand that there are different playing fields. You have to understand the game, and you don't get frustrated playing someone else's game.” — Jonathan Goodman   Focussing on Relatability We often field questions and concerns around appearance and presentability as a coach. It may come as a surprise to some, but you do not need to be in perfect shape or even near-perfect shape to be a coach or to help others. Knowledge, experience, and the ability to relay your stories are a lot more valuable than how you look. If clients are able to relate to your journey, this is a huge plus, so talk about your unique story and challenges!   Finding your Own Story and Power It is necessary to acknowledge the biases that exist towards certain standards of beauty and physical appearance. There is a reason why Instagram influencers look the way they do. But all this means is that you need to play to your strengths; it is a waste of time to compete in a race that does not suit you. You need to thrive in your own game, a game in which you can connect with an appropriate audience that you can offer value to.   Accessing Real Inspiration We often confuse comparative content and media with inspiration. With the array of different people, body types, and needs out there, there is an equally wide range of inspiring coaching that is needed. All you need to do is look at high-level athletes and their coaches to see this. The idea that there is only one way to be a coach and help people is a huge misconception, so find what type you are and believe in yourself!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   Jonathan Curling: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A918crYnTvD-d2B6i4_uETfQWeZWMkPh/view   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today our team talks about the usefulness of collecting social proof and testimonials from your clients.   The Episode: Get Social Proof To Add Validity To Your Online Training Business   Apart from being your focus, your clients are also your greatest resource as a trainer. Their experiences are what can take your business to the next level, so leveraging this possibility should be on your to-do list. Collecting information and feedback from them can take many forms but essentially what you want to do is to understand, as clearly as possible, the benefits they are experiencing so that you can share this with a wider audience. Incentives can make this process easier, but the main thing is to engage your clients in a way that helps them, your business, and the individuals you work with in the future.     In This Episode Strategies for the midpoint of a program you are running [0:18:58] The questions that can help elicit the most from your clients [0:23:40] Using giveaways and incentives as extra motivation [0:27:45] Holding and sharing the information that you collect and using it wisely [0:31:38] Building a stone wheel for your business [0:36:29] The compounding effect of creating ambassadors for your work [0:41:59]   “If you give people the option to say one thing about themselves like that, now you know what the one most important thing is, or the biggest pain for them is. You can start creating content around that.” — Jonathan Goodman   Tools for Collecting Information After a few weeks of a program, it can be very useful to re-energize all your clients with something exciting and inclusive. You can use questions, giveaways, or check-ins, but it is a great time to collect some feedback and proof from your people! This information can help you so much with your future clients and will improve your ability to market your business and attract new audiences.   How to Use the Information You Collect Once you have collected information, using it wisely is the next step. The obvious way is to incorporate it when launching a new program, but it can be adapted in many different ways and formats. You might want to create social media posts with attractive graphics, or just a simple and authentic screenshot might suit your needs. Using the proof you collect to direct the content you create is an added dimension, as this information essentially categorizes the reasons why your programs are worthwhile.   Creating Ambassadors and Systems with Momentum  As trainers, we always need to be able to back up our claims and what we advertise and client feedback and testimonials are possibly the best way to do this! Organizing this information and then utilizing it down the line is a part of putting in place the pieces of a functioning system, and the more systematized your business is, the more momentum you will be able to create. The goal here is to allow a compounding effect to occur, where you grow while requiring less and less direct effort in the same fundamental areas.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?   Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The panel discusses some helpful strategies and tips for building a training business on a small budget.   The Episode: Building An Online Training Business When You're Broke    Many of us who pursue a career in online training start from humble beginnings. Whether this be bootstrapping from the start because of financial restraints, or just starting small as a side hustle, many online trainers build things up where possible over a period of time. This approach is not always easy but is definitely not impossible, and if you can focus on smart and affordable ways to deliver your routines, track clients' progress, and receive payment, you can experience great success without a large amount of initial capital.   In This Episode The shoestring approach to building an online business [0:06:01] Finding the areas where you can save early on [0:11:52] Thoughts on good methodologies; spreadsheets and more [0:16:31] The best ways to deliver workouts to clients [0:21:47] Communication with clients on a budget [0:27:47] Tools for gathering payment from online clients [0:30:47] Extra tools and apps to boost your business for little to no money [0:34:47]   “Your Instagram and your Facebook, that is your stage.” — Carolina Belmares   Building from the Ground Up When starting out there are many points of possible overwhelm, whether it be the technology or tools that you have at your disposal. We believe that focussing on certifications and reinvesting in learning should be your priority. If you can grow your business and skills as you earn, you will reap the rewards. You also need to cut corners where possible, and see where you can save on things like work premises and an internet connection to get off the ground.   Clever and Cheap Methodologies Keeping track of information and communications is key to any client-based work, and whether you use spreadsheets or other means, you need to track all the data you collect. Facebook Groups and Google Sheets also have a multitude of useful features that can be utilized and are free! These tools will help you organize your content and stay on top of things as your client load grows.    Delivering Routines, Communicating with Clients, and Collecting Payments There is no reason why you cannot effectively interact with clients in very simple ways. Using emails containing links to existent content and videos can be very useful in the beginning too. The content you share does not even have to be your own, as long as it is serving your client! Facebook is usually a good place for communications as most people are reachable through it. In terms of payment, it seems that PayPal is a very popular service among online coaches, as it is safe and familiar; features that will work in your favor.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?   Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   Online Training Client Tracker: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AuubWswqpRthBnuA-bENqQiT0oSRi_MbrH6g_xt5RxY/copy Google Sheets: https://www.google.com/sheets/about/ PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/ Canva: https://www.canva.com/ Magisto: https://www.magisto.com/ Supercook: https://www.supercook.com/   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC  

A selection of our usual panel talks about dealing with difficult clients and when to let them go.   The Episode: Tough Clients — When To Troubleshoot Or Let Them Go   Some clients are naturally easier to work with, while some people will not be as good a fit for a variety of reasons. There comes a point where no amount of troubleshooting and communication can get people on the same page in a way that is beneficial to both parties, and this point is what we discuss in today's conversation. As a trainer or coach, you have an undeniable responsibility to set things out; expectations, boundaries, and important information. But even if this is done correctly, you and your client might find yourselves facing interpersonal challenges that cannot be overcome. It is in these situations that going separate ways may become advisable.   In This Episode The difficulty of 'firing' a client [0:10:50] Conducting the conversations around these difficulties and letting a client go [0:17:38] Taking responsibility for an unsatisfactory situation with a client [0:22:10] Unforeseen circumstances and deal-breakers [0:25:26] A healthy place for a coach in a person's self-care and support structure [0:31:00] Signs that an arrangement has to change or end [0:32:45] Doing what you can before looking to end work with someone [0:35:03] A proactive approach to expectations and important information [0:38:32]   “For me that was the hard line I was not willing to pass, so I fired her.” — Carolina Belmares   Anxiety Over Clients and Ending a Relationship Chances are that you have or will experience a client stepping over a boundary of yours. This can take the form of refusing to do the necessary work or can be something more imposing that makes you feel unsafe or taken advantage of. These are legitimate issues that should be addressed, and taking note of the warning signs is step one.   How to Have the Necessary Conversations It is vital that when issues arise, we as coaches facilitate healthy and progressive conversations.  If the issues extend beyond our skill set, this is a good time to refer someone more appropriate, but the bottom line is you need to protect yourself and your mental health, while also considering the needs of the other person involved. There are different approaches to these troubled waters, and these will be determined by you, the client, and the nature of the issue.   The Responsibility of the Coach Certain problems can arise from mistakes that you may have made, or areas that you overlooked. If things do not work out between a coach and a client, that is completely fine, but we need to remind ourselves of our role. Honesty and full disclosure from both sides can really aid the entire process and make any trouble more navigable. The more you are able to separate the facts from your feelings and maintain a clear picture, the easier it will be to find the right solution.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   Motivation Interviewing: https://www.amazon.com/Motivational-Interviewing-Helping-People-Applications/dp/1609182278   Crucial Converstions: https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Talking-Stakes-Second/dp/0071771328/   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today the discussion focuses on how you can make sure to get the renewals you deserve and boost your numbers of returning clients.   The Episode: How To Renew The Clients You Should Be Getting   Running a successful online coaching business requires a certain level of continuity between programs and number of returning customers in order to create stability and loyalty. You do not need every client to renew with you, but the ones that can return, should not be neglected and lost. This is related to how you lay out your offer from the very first step, the way you communicate during your programs, and how you set up checkpoint and renewal calls as a program comes to an end.    In This Episode The need to evolve communication styles and language [0:08:55] Realistic expectations and practices for client renewals [0:11:09] Important steps to take from the start of the process [0:18:34] Tactics for great service to clients that stimulates renewals [0:24:43] Points to remember for renewal calls [0:31:29]   “Every single client who joins your program is joining it with the intent that they are going to do one spin around the sun with it.” — Jonathan Goodman   Putting in Place the Foundations for Renewal Calls It is important to start with clear communication about how your service can extend beyond the immediate program. This will ensure that those who wish to renew have this in mind from the get-go. Not every client will be a good fit for renewing, but without laying these foundations in place you will miss the ones that are a right for further work together. It is not about magic words, but don't be scared to double down and underline the good feelings and results you witness, and your customers experience.   Early Steps in the Renewal Process The communication starts in your advertising and intake process, and by staying ahead of the game and prepared you can set yourself up for success early on. Checkpoint calls and the scheduling of these as someone signs up, make the end of the program and moving on from it, that much easier and smoother. The clearer the idea you share of the work moving, the better for you and the customer.   The Power of the Service That You Offer There is an obvious correlation between the experience of a customer and their likelihood to renew, so focussing on delivering will also boost your numbers. One way to approach this is to frame your programs as a starting point, that way the future is already in the conversation! You are then able to talk about what comes next during the current program, and perks like reduced rates for loyalty will enhance this.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Our team of experts discusses strategies for balancing the demands on your time while maintaining your online training business.    The Episode: How To Balance Your Day Job, Family, and Online Business   No matter your current lifestyle and domestic set up, chances are that if you are starting or running an online training business, you do not have extra time on your hands. There are a few factors that can make these difficulties a little bit more manageable on a daily basis. The first step is prioritizing, you can then use this hierarchy as a tool for preparation. An important addition to these measures is the acceptance of what is realistic for you to take on, as it is unlikely you will be able to do everything you might initially want to. All of these areas require a level of self-awareness and responsiveness, which enables a well-tailored and suitable schedule for time management.   In This Episode Family duties, gender roles and managing commitments [0:15:41] Time is a constant constraint so use it wisely and smartly [0:20:45] Scheduling your day in order to maximize your productivity [0:24:02] Looking at your strengths, weaknesses, and boundaries and working within them [0:30:03] Prioritizing, preparing, and staying realistic with accomplishments [0:33:19]   “Online training is kind of like a big stone wheel, where it takes a ton of pressure and effort to get it going at first and then once you get that thing moving, all you gotta do is just tap it.” — Jonathan Goodman   Mapping Out A Personal Plan You may have a full-time job and many familial commitments on top of your online training hustle and managing these demands on time is never easy. One of the great things about online businesses though, is that after the initial effort it takes to get the ball rolling, the momentum can carry it forward with much less required from you.   Working Within the Limitations Balancing and deciding between different commitments can be a big challenge, and many of us have children and financial limitations that are serious hurdles to getting things off the ground. However, there are always ways to bootstrap your coaching business in the beginning, so it is all about finding the corners you can cut and the gaps that you can make use of; put in the work now and set yourself up for future success!   Time-Blocking and Smart Scheduling The setting and detailing of your priorities is a major step in your success. Laying out a plan for the day or week ahead can make this much easier and save time and energy during your workflow. This sort of proactive approach is an investment and requires energy in order to reap the rewards. This again comes back to self-awareness and setting up your systems to suit individual strengths and weaknesses. You need to know your own limitations, capabilities and how these fluctuate at different times.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   Jonathan's Priority Block Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CIn_mOPAldg/   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

For this episode, the team shares some thoughts on creating authentic content and connecting properly with an audience.   The Episode: Your Content Is Your Life   The content you publish as an online trainer determines a large part of your success. The more closely you can align what you put out, with your own story and life, or at least an authentic vision, the more longevity and impact you will have. If you can tie yourself into the offers that you make, clients will connect much more deeply with your service and how it is promoted. This means taking an active role in your offers, bringing more of yourself into your media, and staying authentic and relatable. This approach also ensures you will have a good store of ideas and material going forward, as you will be communicating about things that you understand and experience.   In This Episode  Your life is your content — your content is your life [0:08:41] The three categories in question for creating content [0:10:28] Aligning your content to an authentic vision of your life [0:14:03] How to relate outside of your demographic [0:22:25] Business content on social media; pros and cons [0:28:41]   “They should be the focus, you shouldn't be the focus. I think a lot of trainers perhaps don't do that.” — Jonathan Goodman   Aligning Yourself with Your Content Take an inventory of yourself and your business and find the most authentic and relatable parts of this to be your guiding force in the content you put out. Your priority should be creating content that draws directly from this well and is relatable to your audience or intended market.   Authenticity is Powerful The number one thing that will help you connect with an audience is authenticity. If you have similarities to your customer base, show this. Mirror what they are going through and the bond that emerges will be that much stronger. This works both ways, as tying yourself into your programs and plans will create accountability for you too. Building awareness and expectation with your audience will create momentum and the tendency towards growth and progress.   Making The Content You Publish Relatable It is also possible to create authentic content that does not draw directly from your own story. You do not have to be a mom to deliver an authentic service to moms. But it does take a lot of observation and empathy, so pay attention to your community and see what they are saying and what they need. This is another great opportunity to let your customers shine, and by making your platform more about them, you double down on relatability and reach.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   Amber's Photoshoot: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LkDhhNc0JOeIRydp36h-VMc8RC214jZS?usp=sharing   SPONSORS  Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

Our panel sits down to discuss an example of selling out an online course and the important steps in this process.   The Episode: A Real Life SOLD OUT Online Training Launch Example   A big part of being an online trainer is launching and selling programs, and today we look at a great example of how this can be done successfully, leading to a sold out offer! We break down the whole process, talking about the steps to start with, that come before the actual launch, how to manage the first sales and facilitate the later ones, sticking to a plan, as well as packing as much value in the course as possible through collaboration and clear branding.   In This Episode A little bit about the course that Carolina just sold out [0:10:04] The preparatory steps that Carolina took before launching [0:12:54] Turning initial interest into sales [0:19:30] Asking for what you want and preparing to hear no [0:25:03] Lessons learned from each launch to carry forward [0:29:30]  Deciding on what to name a program and who to work with [0:31:42]   “If you are not hearing no multiple times, then you are missing out on a tremendous amount of opportunities. Most people do not ask enough for what they want.” — Jonathan Goodman   The First Steps for a Launch A launch starts before you actually launch, and the early steps in the process are some of the most important. You need to create excitement about your offer and some urgency and scarcity is also not a bad thing. You can do this through some posts on social media and carefully-chosen conversations to raise awareness in the right way. The real goal is to try and sell as much as possible in the shortest space of time after the offer goes live.   Sticking to the Vision and Strategy The usual pattern of online launches is that you will have a bunch of sales at the start, a little dip and then a last-minute rush for the last tickets. Through this you need to stick to your script and see the launch through, you can even become more fearless after that initial spike. Launching is a constant learning process and the lessons you learn this time will help in your next launch too.   The Finishing Touches on a Program It is a great idea to use different platforms and forums to speak to your people. Collaboration and inclusion can help get your launch over the line and can also make for a better and more attractive offer to customers. Try not to limit yourself, other professionals can complement what you are doing and everyone can win.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   Founding Client Challenge: https://store.theptdc.com/product/founding-client-challenge/   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

In this episode, the team talks about ways to turn negative feedback or criticism into sales for your online training business.   The Episode: How to Turn Public Criticism into Sales   Any business will have disappointed customers in some form or another. As online trainers, we experience this too, and this negativity often plays out for us in the form of a negative review in a group or forum. Although these can be tricky situations, they are actually great opportunities and can be used to benefit everyone involved in certain ways. By dealing with complaints or criticism in a caring way you can allow a dissatisfied customer to leave having had a positive experience; this is all about being clear on who your offer is specifically for and the process of dealing with negativity is a part of that journey.   In This Episode Reframing feedback and healthy ways to deal with negativity in a forum [0:14:56] A few specific examples of cases of criticism from the OTA groups [0:21:45] Responding to bad reviews with context, useful information, and care [0:26:38] Making things right by a disappointed customer or client [0:32:22] The value of negativity and how this can help your sales [0:39:50]   “What is very, very important in any kind of a response, particularly a public response on social media, is understanding who you are responding to and who is going to see that response.” — Jonathan Goodman   Dealing with Negativity Directly If you ignore and ban anyone who posts something negative in a group you will create more of a problem for yourself and your business. That person will then leave more upset, with a worse view of how you run things. It is much better to deal with complaints in a transparent way, trying to answer what has been raised, and taking responsibility for the dissatisfaction.   What to Include in a Response No offer is for everyone, so complaints are inevitable at some point. Keep in mind who you are talking to and who will see your response, this can help you stay focussed on crafting the best communication possible. The first thing to do is to contextualize any comments, if you can do this, coupled with demonstrating the care you have for your offer and your customers, you can make progress towards allaying unnecessary negativity.   Clarity and Care for All Customers Any training program will have tradeoffs, and in the end, you are not trying to convince everyone that your offer is for them. You want the right people to find you and your value. You need to make sure that even the people your package does not suit, leave feeling like they had a positive experience, and the most important part of this is to be clear on who your offer is for and who it is not.    Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

In this episode, our panel discusses the best ways to create and publish fitness content online.   The Episode: How To Be A Content Creating Machine   In the world of online training, the content you put out occupies a sizable chunk of your work and determines much of your resultant success. In order to build and grow, this needs to be an area in which you improve and, ultimately, connect. A few major points here are knowing where your message is going, systematizing your creation process, achieving a level of consistency and getting away from sporadic and confusing messaging. If you can connect these dots, you have that much more chance of reaching your ideal clients and striking gold.   In This Episode Making sure you stay productive and have enough content [0:16:31] Selecting the right platforms to post your content [0:22:20] Taking imperfect action and including calls to action [0:24:22] Utilizing your ideas when they arise [0:29:01] Batching your content creation process [0:32:58]   “I think perhaps the best use of social media in a lot of cases is to test material, and is to test messaging.” — Jonathan Goodman   Upping Your Productivity It can be helpful to find the times and spaces that you are at your most creative and focussed. This can also mean scheduling time for content creation, so that you can get away from normal distractions. Knowing where the content you are creating will go can help improve your productivity, drilling down on a specific format or message to make the most of your time.    Creating, Compiling, and Posting As we have said before, calls to action are what move the needle, so do not neglect this amazing tool! Another useful tip is to use social media as a space to test your material and messaging, gauging reactions, and even crowd-sourcing ideas that can improve what you are posting! A lot of the time, your messages do not need to be overly complex, they can be as simple as stating questions that you encounter and offering an answer — and this usually comes naturally to coaches!   Some More Ideas for Content Creation Making the most of your ideas as they arise will save you a lot of effort, so find a way to collect your thoughts, whether it is jotting things down in a notebook during the day or spending time brainstorming, there are more than enough opportunities to come up with things to share. Remember, content creation is like any other exercise, you get better at it by doing the reps!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Melisa Shevchenko to talk about how she has built a successful and highly profitable online training business utilizing challenges.    The Episode: How Melissa Shevchenko Had Her First $9500 Month Online from Challenges   The way that you lay out your service as an online trainer has a clear relationship to who signs up with you. Today we get to hear from Melissa, an OTA 2 graduate, about how she has built her courses and upped her prices over time, and the lessons she has learned along the way. Melissa centers her work on six-week challenges that clients are able to sign up for, with a focus on fat loss and she explains how these challenges enable her to quickly get longer-term buy-in from her customers, and how this benefits everyone involved.    In This Episode The specifics and structures of Melissa's six-week challenge [0:03:02] Benefits of the early introduction of challenges [0:06:34] Comparing Melissa’s conversion methods before and after OTA 2 [0:09:18] How Melissa facilitates her challenges through a Facebook Group [0:16:00] The process of check-ins and the calls that Melissa holds with clients now [0:17:39] Some of the landmark learnings that Melissa remembers from her OTA course [0:24:26] Melissa's thoughts on joining OTA 2 for those considering it [0:29:28]   “If you don't use something to buy into what you are doing early on, you can have a really hard time getting them to commit longer term.” — Jonathan Goodman   The Six-Week Challenge that Melissa Offers Creating connection and accountability can go a long way with clients, and personal attention and check-ins are great ways to do this. Melissa aims to make the process of fat loss as simple as possible, breaking it down for her clients into manageable segments. She has adopted an approach based on habits and calories, which has a general format and then elements that are tailored to individuals.    The Development of the Program and its Conversion Methods The challenge format has allowed Melissa to build community early on in the course. This is enhanced by serving a specific type of client, which also means finding the right people, who are truly ready for the challenge. Melissa facilitates her challenges through a dedicated and private Facebook Group, as well as holding three-week checkpoint calls with participants, to keep them going.   Lessons Learned in the Process We hear from Melissa about the growth of her confidence over time and the boost that the OTA 2 course was able to give her. One of the big lessons taught in the OTA is how to call and communicate with prospective clients and there are established ways to develop the best script possible for these calls. Once these calls become comfortable and successful, they can even be outsourced, if you would rather focus solely on training, or vice-versa.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS  Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: http://onlinetrainer.com/ota Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

In today's episode, Jonathan speaks to Jim Gazzale about his method for gaining new clients in his online coaching business and how he has raised his prices incrementally.   The Episode: Jim Gazzale's $1,500, One-New-Client-A-Week Method   Building a profitable online coaching business is all about taking action. Jim Gazzale joins us on the show today to talk about the steps he has taken, along with taking part in the OTA, towards building his dream online coaching service. We hear from him about the way he has improved his business, built confidence, and most importantly increased his prices! Jim underlines the power of paying attention to clients, delivering results over empty talk, and taking imperfect action towards your goals.   In This Episode The $95 a month model that Jim had previously for nutrition coaching [0:01:44] Managing the transition to a higher price model among other commitments [0:04:41] How Jim approaches time management, getting things done, and client preferences [0:08:40] The way Jim increased his prices and improved his business philosophy [0:17:21] Targeting new clients and communicating effectively [0:23:41] Jim's expenses and profitability [0:26:08] Surveying clients and connecting through good questions [0:27:06] Thoughts on joining OTA and Jim's message for those considering it [0:27:06]   “My biggest thing is, the night before, writing out three to five things that I need to get accomplished. For me, it's things that I need to do not things that I want to do.” — Jim Gazzale   Getting Things Done For Jim, making sure to cross important things off his to-do list every day is vital. This means writing out a handful of necessary items for the next day each evening. This can take the form of social media content or outreach, but whatever it is, it is all about prioritizing and making sure it gets done!   Confidence and Strategy for Raising Prices It is not easy to jump into online training and start charging your target prices. It is more realistic to incrementally increase your prices as your service and confidence grow. The confidence piece of this puzzle is vital; you need to be able to show people that you know your worth and the value you are advertising.   Paying for Results and Delivering What Clients Need Running a business such as Jim's means finding new clients and communicating effectively. Although these conversations are central, clients pay for results, not conversation, so the quicker you can get them working towards their goals, the better. Jim has improved his communication with new clients by noting the language of his client-base and drilling down on that. This aids connection and when you speak the language of the market you are aiming for, you will reap the rewards.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: http://onlinetrainer.com/ota Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC  

For this episode, the team sits down to talk about the task of overcoming fears of rejection as an online trainer.   The Episode: Overcoming Fears of Rejection In Online Training   Work as an online trainer is littered with different types of rejection, refusal, and even supposed failures. This is part of what it takes to make progress and succeed, as you cannot make it to your goals without experiencing adversity and challenges. Here we talk about how to get past the fear of these losses in order to reach the wins, new ways to think about 'nos', and the power of asking for what you want in your life and work.   In This Episode Rejection and disappointment as a trainer [0:11:31] Examples of responses to offers and reaching out [0:18:00] The disconnection between trainers and clients [0:24:39] The difficulties that arise most often and the ones to take seriously [0:27:24] Asking for what you want and facing rejection head-on [0:33:02]   “Odds are pretty good that anybody that is in a position that you aspire to be in, has worked way harder, for way longer, and gone through way more shit than you could ever imagine and that you will ever see.” — Jonathan Goodman   The Human Tendency Towards Negativity Our negative bias has a strong impact on how we weigh results. It is very easy to gloss over positive factors in a situation and zoom in on small negatives that upset us. In most situations where you feel a sense of critique or rejection, those examples sit in a sea of positivity that our brains easily forget, so just remember to try and keep a clear perspective when encountering challenges such as this.   The Gap Between Trainers and Clients It is difficult for clients to always remember just how much hard work has gone into a trainer's journey. This can cause a disconnect between expectations and experience. As trainers, we need to become comfortable with this dynamic as the arising challenges never go away. Rejection and problems in this area are a staple part of even the most successful of coaches' businesses.   Confronting Issues and Accepting Rejection In the end, it is all about how you deal with the problems that do arise, whether it is a rejection of an offer, a complaint about your service, or any other adversity that occurs in the business. You know how much hard work you have put into your progress and success, even if others forget. The last part of this picture is asking for what you want, and when we can do this with as little fear of failure as possible, we enable ourselves to succeed in new ways.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

In this episode, the team discusses the topic of having material stolen by other trainers.   The Episode: What To Do When Other Trainers Steal From You   What do you do when someone steals your intellectual property? Unfortunately, this is an experience that many of us have had, whether it be a piece of content posted online, brand mimicking, or any other type of plagiarism. Naturally, this can be quite upsetting and potentially difficult to deal with, but we are here to remind you that most of the time the best policy is to try and let it go. Doing the work is the only sustainable way to progress and success, so the trainers or individuals that try to take these shortcuts are shooting themselves in the foot, and you should not let that sort of shortsightedness worry you!   In This Episode What it feels like to have your material stolen by customers [0:09:38] Blatant plagiarism and the tendency of some people to steal ideas [0:18:39] Emotional responses to stealing by other professionals [0:25:01] Times to take this kind of stealing more seriously [0:31:55] Why stealing is always the wrong way to go [0:36:34]   “If there is potential reputational damage involved, I get litigious very quickly.” — Jonathan Goodman   Experiences of Materials Being Stolen Many of us have had this happen to us, and the truth is that it is mostly a result of jealousy or inferiority. The other positive side to this unfortunate circumstance is that it shows you are doing something right, that others want to jump on. In the end, putting in the hard work will pay off, so stick to your guns, and do not let small things like this get you down.   How to Respond to Different Cases of Stealing It is unsurprising that we have emotional responses to the shamelessness and invasion of stealing. It is helpful to keep in mind that most acts of this kind come from a fearful and frustrated place, often when someone is struggling with one issue or another. As we see in fitness, you cannot get someone else to do your reps for you, so when someone steals, they are actually robbing themselves of the opportunity to grow and learn.   The Most Damaging Kinds of Robbery There are some times when 'letting it go' is not the best option. If someone is adopting your brand or identity in order to scam clients, this can be very dangerous. At these times, depending on your business and the severity of the case, it may be wise to pursue the issue legally.    Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   Howard Stern Video (Profanity Warning!): https://soundcloud.com/royfm/howard-stern-this-is-how-to   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: http://onlinetrainer.com/ota    Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

How To Simplify Your Online Business in 2021   Episode 63: Show Notes.   In this episode, our panel talks about the power of simplifying your business and how you can do this in 2021.   The Episode: How To Simplify Your Online Business in 2021   One of the main issues that are experienced by fitness trainers lies in overcomplicated the services and programs that are offered. Your business as an online trainer should be as simple as possible, and keeping your target market, marketing channel, conversion method, and programs as streamlined as possible, will lead to better results than trying to cater to too many different people and styles.    In This Episode Simplifying in a way that will serve your business [0:10:36] Defining your unique selling point before all else  [0:16:48] Programming for a specific target market [0:20:50] Building the best program template and then fine-tuning [0:23:45] The expert details do not matter to your clients [0:26:10] Streamlining your marketing to just one channel [0:33:10]   “Your business should have one target market, one marketing channel, one conversion method, and one program. That is it.” — Jonathan Goodman   Simplifying Things in Your Favor By focussing on your offers and programs, you are able to deliver in a much stronger way. Don't dilute your efforts by spreading your work too thin! Singular targets and methods will keep things manageable and allow you to concentrate that much more on what you want to offer. This all starts with clarity around your unique selling point, so begin there.   Clearer Targets Improves Programming If you are able to build a client base of similar types of people, whatever your focus may be, it will make creating your programs a lot easier. This, in turn, will give you time and energy to improve and refine your programs, which will benefit the clients you have. In the end, you want to have a great template for your training, and something that can be fine-tuned for specific customers in small manageable ways.   Coaching is for the Client Sometimes we get caught up in the nitty-gritty of coaching and fitness and forget what the real purpose of what we do is: to deliver an effective service to our clients. They do not care about the overly technical industry jargon that goes into your work, they want results! You need to know who you are talking to and where to find them, so narrow down your aim. This is all about simplicity, so do not overcomplicate it.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC  

This episode sees the team talking about how you can be ready for success when your thing becomes the thing.   The Episode: Carolina's Time to Shine   In the world of online training and beyond, you do not need to win every time in order to be successful. Most really successful individuals only hit the bullseye a couple of times at most. The key is in preparing for when that day arrives so that you can make the most of it and allow that success to become sustainable. Important aspects of this lie in your authenticity as a trainer, so becoming and staying clear on yourself and your audience is vital.   In This Episode Where will you be when your thing becomes the thing? [0:09:21] Hitting gold on occasion is enough — increase your odds strategically [0:16:02] Paying attention to the market and its trends without being swayed [0:23:37] Capitalizing on popular movies and events [0:30:03] Setting yourself up for success and sticking to your unique strengths [0:33:40]   “You only need one big win. You don't really know what those are going to be, you're certainly not going to win every time. Odds are you are not going to win the first time. You should try a bunch of different things strategically in order to increase your odds of hitting gold that one time.” — Jonathan Goodman   Being Ready for When Your Ship Comes In There are so many examples of times when your service might grow in high demand. It happened to OTA when the pandemic began and it is happening now with chess coaches since the spike in popularity of the series The Queen's Gambit. If you can stick to your thing, when the time comes, you can hit gold, and by staying authentic and consistent, you can make your offer that much more solid for that time!   Staying True to Your Unique Values and Personality  A huge piece of this puzzle is to avoid hopping around and changing your offer. No matter who and where you are, it is likely there are potential customers and clients for your service. So hone that thing you do every day, and pay attention to the markets and trends, but do not let them sway or dishearten you.   Getting Ready for Success As it is often said, luck happens where preparation meets opportunity and this is exactly what you are facilitating here. You need to be ready to seize that opportunity when it presents itself. The preparation that goes into your work is around your unique personality and value, and by strengthening that authentically, you will be readying yourself when that time inevitably arrives!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:  http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today the team breaks down the actual value that clients pay for from their trainers.   The Episode: What Your Clients Are Really Paying For (When Information Is Free)   With so much information readily and freely available on the internet, a common question for online trainers is how and when to price your services and expertise. The consensus among today's panel is that the more generous one is with information, the better, as what you should really be selling is the application of that knowledge and its tailoring to a specific case.   In This Episode Using temptation bundling to get through leg-day [0:03:13] Free information versus paid information [0:08:12] Keeping the value in the application of the service you provide [0:21:36] The links between generosity and a good coach [0:26:21]   “There is pretty much nothing that I know that you can't get for free on the internet.” — Jonathan Goodman   Free Information in the Internet Age Most information and content is available for free somewhere on the internet, therefore by adding a paywall, you might only be creating a barrier to access between your business and prospective clients. This is not to say that you cannot charge for parts of your service, but information should not be the focus of how you make money.   Center Your Exclusive Value in Your Service If everyone can access information, what is it that differentiates you as a trainer? This has two basic levels; the first is your unique skillset and personality, and secondly how these might be applied to the needs of your clients. This is what they should be paying for, not information they can find elsewhere for free.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - http://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC        

Today's episode sees the team breaking down how to up your social media game and improve your engagement and resulting business.   The Episode: Putting The Social Back Into Social Media To Gain Clients   As online trainers, the role of social media and the platforms we use to reach an audience is an integral part of what we do. Running a successful page or profile can mean your business is alive and kicking, as an online audience provides so many different avenues to explore and grow into. In this episode we tackle the basics of building an engaging and sustainable online presence, breaking down some of the common mistakes and ways to address them.   In This Episode The personal side of social media that is often missing from businesses [0:04:42] Finding your thing; looking for unique aspects of who you are to highlight [0:08:55] Staying consistent with who you are is a superpower [0:16:20] How to revive engagement on a quiet social media group [0:23:39] Continual connection is your first goal — the metrics are secondary to this [0:29:55]   “You have to figure out how to get in front of people and the way to do that is to appeal to them in a much more personal way, on an individual basis.” — Jonathan Goodman   Problems with Many Social Media Accounts We often notice that as individuals build a business profile on social media, the personal side of things is neglected. It is so important to show who you are while conducting business online, and balancing these two aspects is key to having any kind of success.    Staying Authentic and Consistent It has been proven beyond doubt that authentic content generates more engagement, so sticking to who you are and the strengths you truly have, will serve you and your business. Doing this over an extended period of time, while avoiding cliches and boastful content, will create a stronger bond between you and your audience, which will in turn attract new people.   Ways to Revive a Dead Group Lowered engagement and Facebook Groups that feel like a wasteland are not uncommon. There are so many ways to inject some life into these spaces, including asking better questions, going live, running polls, calls to action, driving new traffic and telling personal stories. Another important lesson in igniting engagement is to start the conversation, don't wait for others to engage with your content, go out there and connect with others on their profile!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC   YouTube Embed Link -      

This episode deals with the issue of the informations gaps that are present in the fitness industry, in both trainers and clients.   Click here to listen to this episode on iTunes Click here to listen to this episode on Spotify Click here to listen to this episode on Stitcher   The Episode: Closing the Information Gap to Make More Sales Many problems that trainers face are rooted in the asymmetry of knowledge in the field of fitness. This plays out in clients not fully understanding the information that underpins their programs but is also an issue where trainers might have gaps in their own training and education. Today we talk about some of the steps that trainers can take to smooth out these points of friction, looking at reinforcing realistic expectations and creating programs that keep clients engaged. We have found that these disconnects often lead to a lack of drive and confidence in trainers and understanding the underlying science can help you overcome these issues and improve all areas of your programs!   In This Episode  The asymmetry of information in the fitness industry [0:19:41] Surprising gaps in knowledge for trainers as well as clients [0:24:01] The amount of work it takes to actually create the right program [0:28:04] Helping clients get over the rocky terrain to rewarding results [0:32:40] Misconceptions around training protocols and watered down information [0:37:55] The dangers of accepted information in the training industry [0:42:02]   “There is a massive asymmetry of information between people who buy our services and us.” — Jonathan Goodman   Getting Everyone on the Same Page Misinformation and skewed expectations are in the recipe for difficulties down the road. The goal for trainers should be to have the most comprehensive knowledge-base possible and then to be able to communicate the necessary parts of this to any client. The transfer of information is so important, as it can help clients with motivation, dedication, and patience towards their goals.   The Issues That Arise from the Information Gap Encountering gaps in information can lead to an array of problems in any training relationship, notably around pricing and value. Creating the right kind of program for a client, one that actually addresses them specifically and targets their goals is more work than most people think. Often results take more time than clients will initially be prepared for and so maintaining commitment and focus is part of the trainer's job. You have to be able to fill in the gaps to help clients buy into the program!   Practices for Becoming a More Informed Trainer It seems that there are often preconceived notions that trainers hold, and these can be around client expectations and abilities. These theories need to be checked in order to filter out the ones that do not stand up to reality. With so much biased information out there, education is a pursuit that takes a little more than cursory glances over blog posts. Seek out the original source material, and do the research, this will help fill in the gaps and ultimately reflect in the quality of service you offer.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy    Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today we talk about how Marc, a fellow online trainer, has up-leveled his skill and how this has allowed him to maintain his impressive numbers.    Click here to listen to this episode on iTunes Click here to listen to this episode on Spotify Click here to listen to this episode on Stitcher   The Episode: $35K In 30 Days: How Marc-André Seers Dominates His Market In A Language Other Than English   In this episode, Marc-André Seers share how he has improved his business by building out his skillset and getting more strategic about selling and converting. One of the most important aspects of converting a prospective client is by asking the right questions to establish what their biggest pain point is. When you have allowed them to talk and listened intently to their problem, you can close the deal by explaining exactly how your offer will address their problem.    In This Episode  Why Marc decided to promote himself as a French coach [0:02:53] The process of getting better at selling and converting [0:04:13] How Marc improved his business by leveling up his skillset [0:05:38] Marc explains what his process is for onboarding new clients [0:07:03] Three questions that get potential clients talking [0:11:18] Why preparing yourself with sales scripts are important [0:17:05] Who the coaching OTA program is designed for. [0:23:25]   “Most objections that people will say to you are not actual objections – they’re procrastinations.” — Jonathan Goodman   Get Clients Talking In addition to being clear about what you offer, you want to get the clients talking so that they reveal what their real pain point is. When they have made themselves vulnerable by sharing openly what they are hoping to change, they are more likely to go forward with you since you have the opportunity to explain how you can solve their problem.   Why Now? This might sound like an irrelevant question to ask a potential client, but it is really important. The reason they want to get in shape at this point in their lives can become a powerful hook to remind them why they signed up if they ever consider postponing or quitting. Knowing the answer to their “why now?” will help you motivate them when they want to opt-out or find excuses. In answering this question, they remove the possibility of objections later on.    Master Your Scripts No one likes being sold to, and clients might call you out if you are too obvious with your scripts. When you’ve gained experience, you will be able to seamlessly incorporate scripts into your discussions with clients without sounding desperate. People want you to hear them, and you have to respond authentically. The mastery lies in using scripts subtly.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?  Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC YouTube Embed Link -  

The team discusses why focusing on relationships is a central part of any coaching business, and how the work you put into this part of your job will pay off.   The Episode: The Importance of Building Positive Relationships with Colleagues You simply cannot make it in the fitness coaching world without some strong relationships. Most work that you will get in this space will be through personal connections and the people you meet on your journey. Clients will naturally gravitate towards coaches who they know, like, and trust, and treating people well, and respectfully can go a long way in fostering these feelings.   In This Episode  The positive results of building relationships [0:12:10] Learning and improving your communication skills [0:18:54] Leveling up the company you keep [0:28:09] Bad energy and behavior will come back to you [0:35:50] Coaches are some of the best clients you can hope for [0:39:03]   “People don't change, people might pretend that they change, but history repeats itself.” — Jonathan Goodman   The Three Big Payoffs When we give attention to the relationships in our lives, there is an array of benefits we can accrue. Three major ones are the learning that can occur through these relationships, the interesting networks of people that can be accessed, and of course, getting hired and finding more work. When we learn how to teach and meet others where they are, knowledge is shared and this becomes immediately valuable to any client.   The Karma of Your Actions We all have different experiences and expertise, so it is a matter of creating the best way to offer what you have. If you treat people badly, it will be noticed and remembered and the same goes for respectful and considerate behavior. Putting in the work with your colleagues, acquaintances and, ultimately, future clients will ensure that there are rewards to be reaped in the future.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC  

Today we share what the week of an online trainer looks like, getting into specifically your engagements with clients.     The Episode: What the Week of an Online Trainer Looks Like Have you ever wondered what the weekly schedule of an online trainer is like and what the expectations for interaction are from the client’s perspective? In this episode, we give you a behind the scenes look at a week in the life of an online trainer. From the frequency of video calls to those encouraging messages mid-way through the week, we cover it all. (And since Jonathan is clean-shaven for this episode, you can bet he’s got some impressive plans up his sleeve!)   In This Episode The value of sending out an accountability questionnaire to your clients on Sunday [0:15:40] What to include in a short video for those clients who answered the questions [0:16:45] An office hours post on Monday lets clients know when you are available for calls [0:17:45]  Creating a touchpoint in the middle of the week to check in on progress [0:18:51]  Ren talks about the funny scales he comes up with to establish where clients are at [0:19:12]  The potential for contact is more important to your clients than the actual contact [0:20:27]  Some of us work in a more unstructured manner – and that’s also fine! [0:26:01]  Understanding that your job will largely involve encouraging and hand-holding [0:26:54]  Be like a Facebook algorithm by looking for keywords in your clients’ dialog [0:27:37]  The importance of considering your personality type in setting up a work structure [0:29:16]  Amber shares how she plans out her week while also enjoying spontaneity [0:31:17]  When journey-mapping skills and automating responses come in handy [0:33:05]    “Your clients don’t need you there every second; they need you there when they need you, and they need to know that you are there for when they need you.” — Jonathan Goodman   Create the Possibility for Contact   Here’s an interesting observation: it is more important for your clients to know that you are there for them when they need you than what it is to be in constant contact with you. People live busy lives and do not have all day to speak to their coaches, but knowing that you are there when it matters is crucial.    Stay Up to Date There are many ways you can touch base with your clients. In addition to video conferences, you could send out a questionnaire on Sundays to establish how they fared over the past week and check in with them in the middle of the week to keep them going strong. Your job as an online trainer will also involve putting out fires, so when your client sends you an anxious message, you have the chance to put their minds at ease and get them back on track.    Be Conscious of Your Process  Whether you prefer a methodical, proactive, or reactive process and structure, it does not matter – as long as you know that this is the process that works best for you and your personality type. Being aware of your preferred structure also allows you to enjoy your engagement with clients rather than getting burnt out and wanting to give up.    Ready to scale up your online fitness business?   Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy     Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

In this episode, we discuss why sharing your story is a crucial part of landing new clients and building a thriving online business.    The Episode: Why Your Story is Crucial to Building Your Online Business Who can disagree that we relate better to people whose stories we know? When we understand what someone has gone through, we find it easier to relate to them and it makes meaningful connection possible. That is why your story is a powerful tool for building your online business.   While you might think that your story is mundane or irrelevant, others don’t see it that way. The different things that make you unique could be exactly what resonates with your target audience and get the business streaming in!   In This Episode The common erroneous assumption that your credentials will make people hire you [0:16:21] What watching Simone Biles can teach us about the importance of telling your story [0:17:10] How a person’s story is what gets others to buy into and care about them [0:18:02]  The importance of an authentic story in boosting your unique selling proposition [0:19:16]  An example of how your story can be leveraged to get people emotionally invested [0:19:54] Hear how you get a lot further in the online space when you have an authentic story [0:25:01]  The issue with saying what you think others want to hear and pursuing a big market [0:26:34]  Focusing on the “right” thing versus focusing on the right thing for you [0:28:07]  Why it is worth spending the time to define the things that make you unique [0:30:42]  When a story resonates with your audience, keeping pushing that message [0:33:54]  The reward of staying true to yourself and ignoring the likes and opinions of others [0:36:24]    “What I find a lot of people try to do is they try to say what they think is the right thing.” — Jonathan Goodman   Credentials Are Not Everything  While you might think that all your qualifications and certifications are what will convince people to work with you, the truth is that they seldom know what all the letters stand for. Other coaches will recognize your credentials but, to your ideal clients, it will mean little.    The Value of An Authentic Story  A person’s story – including their personal and professional highs and lows – is a powerful tool for making them more relatable, thus easier to connect emotionally with. People want to see your human side and the challenges you have overcome, as this gives them a reason to like and root for you. Even the highest performing athletes need an authentic story to maintain a strong following.    Stop Focusing on the Shoulds  Whatever you do, do not try to create a USP based on trends or what you think other people want. When you choose to serve a target audience with whom you have nothing in common, there is going to be a disconnect between you and them. Choose an area that you have personal experience in and that is true to you.     Ready to scale up your online fitness business?  Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today’s episode is all about overcoming client boredom and keeping them fully engaged so that they stay long enough to get the results they want.    The Episode: How To Keep Your Online Clients Engaged  In an overstimulated, distracted world, it is hard to retain your clients’ attention and focus. When they find an exercise boring or uncomfortable, they won’t be as committed to doing it right and will thus fail to reach the desired outcomes. Knowing how to keep your clients engaged will, therefore, be most beneficial to both you and them.    In This Episode Why we need our clients to be attentive, committed, and in the zone [0:21:22] Identifying what the client finds engaging and helping them through the boring bits [0:21:58] Striking the right balance between incorporating variety and sticking to what works best [0:22:43]  Examples of how you can switch up exercises while maintaining efficacy [0:24:26]  The value of focusing on a specific element instead of the workout as a whole [0:27:45]  Creating a distraction to support your client through an uncomfortable exercise [0:28:48]  Leveraging the fact that some clients are motivated by data and how to spot them [0:34:08]  Knowing your client well will guide you in keeping them engaged at all times [0:37:52]    “We need clients to be attentive, we need clients to be committed, we need clients to be in the zone when they are doing our programs in order for them to get results.” — Jonathan Goodman   The Value of Attention  In the world we live in, it is easy to get distracted by the many things demanding our attention. But for a client to get optimal results from your program, they have to be attentive and committed, otherwise they will fail to make the progress they hoped for. When this happens, both you and the client loses out.    Narrowing Your Clients’ Attention  There are four strategies for ensuring that you retain your clients’ focus. Although introducing variety into your program can combat boredom, you have to be careful to not compromise the integrity of the workout. You can also let them focus on one element rather than the workout as a whole, or you could distract them during exercises they find boring or uncomfortable. If they are interested in data, you can talk to them about tracking the metrics to keep them zoned in.    How Well Do You Know Your Client? If you have taken the time to get to know your client, you will know what will interest them and you can tailor the program to keep them engaged and focused. When an exercise they find boring or uncomfortable is unavoidable, there are ways to distract them to get it done easier but with the same impact.    Ready to scale up your online fitness business?  Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy  Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today's discussion focuses on the role of the trainer in helping a client through difficult times, and how this might play out in different scenarios.   The Episode: How To Help Clients When Life Throws Them a Curveball All of us go through the ups and downs of life, no matter who we are, and your clients are no different. There will be times, as an online trainer, that you will be confronted with the difficulties that someone is experiencing, and the better you can manage these, the better for your business and for your clients.   In This Episode Avoiding toxic positivity when dealing with clients' emotions [0:11:22] How personal discomfort can lead to reacting in ways that are unhealthy [0:17:26] Jonathan's own story of a downward spiral and finding his way out of it [0:22:08] Getting to grips with our emotions and where they come from [0:27:12] Finding a niche and catering directly to a specific need [0:31:00] Holding space, providing what is asked for, and respecting a client's autonomy [0:33:29] Clear boundaries and remembering the limits of your role [0:35:44]   “An emotion is not an objective experience. Things are not intrinsically good or bad.” — Jonathan Goodman   Less is Sometimes More Positivity can help clients, but is not always the answer. By allowing negative emotions in ourselves and others, it becomes possible to move through them at a healthy and realistic speed. Most people do not want to, and should not want to, be driven out of a depression.   An Understanding of Emotions A more intimate understanding of the roots of our feelings can make them more manageable. As trainers, pieces of knowledge around emotion are really helpful in our work with clients, and although clear lines around the services we provide are vital, an understanding of these factors can make a world of difference.   You Are Not A Therapist A client is coming to you for the training that you offer. Keep in mind the limitations of your role will serve the relationship, and ultimately their success. Make sure to take the lead in setting the tone and boundaries for your interactions.    Ready to scale up your online fitness business?  Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS  Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Ash Burleigh has helped Personal Trainers create and grow a successful online coaching business using PT Distinction. It is the premier coaching software for educated trainers to build a successful online personal training business. Their packages include everything from simply setting up your basic integrations right through to fully automating your entire online coaching system. To get a FREE Trial for PT Distinction go here: http://onlinesupercoach.com/PTD    For show notes, links, information and How to Attract, Sell and Deliver like a Million Dollar Online Coach go to OnlineSuperCoach.com

Coming to the end of the strange and surprising year of 2020, we are looking ahead at how you can get ready for next year in the world of online training. The team takes you through the seven steps to getting started with your own online training business, and Jonathan weighs in on the most important things to focus on as well as certain things that might not work as well. We discuss the remote model and what this might look like going forward in a post-pandemic world before looking at income, bootstrapping, pricing models, and how to build lasting relationships with new clients! As usual, we are here to solve all your problems and more, so make sure you tune in! In This Episode: Reflecting on 2020 and how little sense it has made as a year [0:00:41] Jonathan's experiences in a small town while travelling through Tasmania! [0:09:19] The current climate forcing trainers to go online [0:15:07] Variance in income for personal trainers and the geographic constraints in the space [0:17:19] The first steps in getting started in online training; decisions, differentiating, templates and more! [0:18:06] Bootstrapping is a great way to get your feet wet — don't wait for 'enough' clients [0:31:30] Setting your price at the right level to maximize your signups and income [0:32:33] Why the low-end membership model is usually a bad idea, and the possible exceptions [0:36:09] Creating an application process; gathering information, giving virtual handshakes, and following up [0:37:49] Setting up your payment process in order to collect money from clients [0:38:37] “The secret to online training is to be the right person to a few people.” - Jonathan Goodman   Ready to scale up your online fitness business?  Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How to Deal with a Negative Client (Online Trainer Show #51) Whatever business you have, there’s one thing you cannot avoid - dealing with a negative client. How do you respond? Listen up as Carolina and Amber take centerstage to share lessons acquired in dealing with different clients. They walk us through common negativity issues and the realization that every client is different. They also go deep into the importance of analyzing client information, the value of listening, and how to ask the right questions using motivational interviewing techniques.    In This Episode: Amber opens the discussion by sharing her experiences with clients’ negativity [11:39] The importance of setting up boundaries [13:05]  Deep diving into the cause of clients’ negative issues [27:25] Tips on responding to clients’ frustrations [29:00] What is the “Assumed Benevolence” mind frame [31:57] Every client is different [32:39]   "Look at a client's negative emotions as data. It's information you use to help coach them better." - Amber Reynolds   Clients are Humans People are not inherently mean. When dealing with demanding clients, remember that they are humans like us. We all go through situations that trigger negativity. Do not take things personally. Be empathetic and compassionate but set up your boundaries, then respond appropriately.    Understanding Common Client Issues To effectively deal with client issues, it’s good to identify what they are. In the course of running your business, expect to experience one or more of the following: all or nothing, filtering, overgeneralization, mental reading, blowing small things out of proportion, and lots more. Pause Button Mentality can be quite harmful to a client. Therefore, it is important to recognize this common habit and help them through it.   The Proper Response to Clients’ Negativity Listening and knowing how to ask the right questions are useful skills in diffusing clients’ frustrations. Do not dictate and try to solve every problem they have. Instead, help them navigate their emotions. Be discerning. What works for one client might not work for another.    Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

3 Marketing Principles for Great Success (Online Trainer Show #50) What does it take to build a successful business? A lot of new entrepreneurs think success can be built overnight. But the truth is, it takes time and hard work. In this episode, the group talks about the massive potential of the fitness industry, the principles and disciplines to establish yourself as an expert. Plus how to attract ideal clients who are willing to pay for your services and why you need to forge valuable partnerships.   In This Episode: The First Marketing Principle [15:57] Jonathan’s reason for building a company  [18:15] The most important thing for a business to do [22:33] The massive potential of the fitness industry [25:23] How to get people to enroll in your program [33:42] It takes time and hard work to build something special [36:53]   “The fitness business isn’t about individual silos, it’s about community. We all win when we work together.” - Jonathan Goodman   You’re in the Marketing Business You’re not a volunteer; you’re a professional. Professionals get paid for their work. Being passionate about helping people and making money is not mutually exclusive. If you’d like to be an entrepreneur, then you’re already in the marketing business, whether you like it or not.      Leave the Scarcity Mindset Behind There’s more than enough for everyone. If you don’t want to share what you know with others and believe that your survival depends on protecting your turf, then you’re not favoring the abundance mindset.      Build Valuable Partnerships The fitness business isn’t about individual silos. It’s about community. One of the most important things a business can do is build valuable partnerships with complementary companies. We all win when we share knowledge and methods across disciplines.  Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy     Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Why People Pay for Fitness When They Could Get it For Free (Online Trainer Show #49) The idea of paying for fitness is a new phenomenon. But fitness has always been free, so why would people pay for it? In this episode, the team talks about the opportunities in the global health and fitness industry, as well as how knowing your audience and why focusing on a niche market makes all the difference to succeed in a decentralized and democratized market.   In This Episode: The HUGE potential for the health and fitness industry [23:57] Jonathan explains the “Long Tail Effect” [27:01] How to solve the mystery of why people spend money  [30:03] The core psychological element missing from typical fitness programs [33:36] How to know you’re training with somebody who truly understands you [34:53] Carolina and Amber shares how they resonate with their tribe [38:34] Why you should focus on a niche market [44:29]   “You need to solve this mystery of why people spend money, and this kinda’ opens up your mind to the power of YOU, to what makes you different.” - Jonathan Goodman     Why Pay for Training Sure, there are a lot of free training programs, especially for people with internet access. So why pay for training? People are willing to pay for a business that can answer YES to the question, “Is this made for me?”     It’s About Your Audience Your job is not to impress your peers. It’s only about your audience. People want to be sure you’re someone who understands their unique needs, inner dialogues, what they’re going through, and all of the pressures they have so they can trust you.     Focus on a Niche Market How do you rise above a democratized and decentralized market? As Jonathan said, “Whenever power shifts back to consumers, quality is going to beat quantity.” You will be more effective if you’re not distracted by the masses.   Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy     Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The 13 Steps to Successful Online Training Sales (Online Trainer Show #48) Here’s some insider knowledge: You don’t have to know your episode topic before you hit record! Crazy, right? Speaking of a successful podcast, the OTS peeps use this episode to break down the many steps of a successful sales call. There are 13 in total, but the main points are as follows: Persuasion is not what you think, listen more than you speak, and sell the future, not your product.   In This Episode: Do THIS before you try to make any sale [15:41] Persuasion 101: Not what you think [19:13] The client needs to answer these three questions [20:09] The questions that help the client envision the future them [25:41] Summarize and shift the conversation to sales [27:32] One more clarification question before the pitch [30:25] The Pitch, broken down into three parts [31:34] How to discuss the “investment”—how much is the “new you” worth? [34:41]   “Ask more clarifying questions - your job is not to speak, your job is to help them go deeper”  - Jonathan Goodman   Persuasion 101: Don’t The first rule of persuasion is that you don’t try to persuade anyone of anything. Yep. Instead, in the context of selling fitness training, persuasion is elaborating on what your potential client is already saying and then showing them that you’re already the best fit to help them achieve their goals. You are not changing the way your client thinks—you are showing them that you think the same way.     The Pitch The most nerve-wracking part, we know. Ultimately, remember that you are not selling your coaching or nutrition program. You are selling the client’s future version of themselves to them, which changes the value of your program from “whatever I can afford” to “priceless”.     Through Hell and Heaven A successful sales call will be an emotional one. To understand your client, you need to help them articulate exactly WHY they need a fitness program, and that likely comes from a dark place. Bullying, medical problems, poor self-image, etc. Once you understand your client better by navigating those tumultuous waters, you can lift them up by painting the image of their future self. Your client is ready to see what their Heaven is like, and you know how to get them there.  Ready to scale up your online fitness business?    Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2     SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy     Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The Ethics of Online Training (Online Trainer Show #47) Is it ethical to make Jonathan touch his toes if they hurt? This is a complicated question, so we may or may not come back to it. In this new episode, the crew avoids the toe question and instead focuses on the ethics of online training. They discuss the confidentiality of client information, how powerful white lies can be, and the foundational ideas on which online training is built. In This Episode: Amber talks about sharing client information [18:24] Carolina’s two principles of ethical training [20:56] Jonathan discusses the impact of bias and lying [28:39] What are the core principles that guide online training? [31:45] Why you should never badmouth other coaches and their industry [36:28] How to use your clients’ experiences with other coaches to get better [39:46] Don’t be afraid to talk to experts, as that will demonstrate your humility and willingness to learn outside of your expertise [40:59]   “When you are dishonest in any way - even in small ways, it erodes trust. The erosion of trust is a really damaging thing.”  - Jonathan Goodman   Keep It Professional If one of your clients has had amazing results and you want to share those results to inspire other clients, tread carefully. In general, keep that info between you and that client. Better safe than sorry. Wait, the Tooth Fairy Isn’t Real? Remember the quote “Honesty is the best policy”? It’s true, even with white lies. They may seem innocent at first, but if you create a habit of dishonesty, you will slowly erode trust between your clientele and become “one of those trainers”. Be a Lifelong Learner One of the most humbling and powerful statements is “I don’t know.” Why? Saying that phrase tells everyone, including yourself, that you’re keenly aware of your skillset, which empowers you to broaden it. Say, you may know all about squats but nothing about autoimmune diseases, but by saying “I don’t know”, you’re motivated to collaborate with experts and expand your knowledge, which will build rock-solid trust with your clients. Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2     SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy     Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    YouTube - https://youtu.be/MDABxghE2Ys 

Choose The Best Package Type For Your Business (Online Trainer Show #46) Want to know the key to our hosts’ hearts? Summer melons, garbage trucks, and getting to talk for the entire podcast. Trust me on this one. In this new episode, the gang covers the million-dollar question of “How do I get more clients?”, what niche restaurants and polar bears teach us about business, and how coaches actually get more people to sign up. Above all, don’t be lukewarm—the polar bears will thank you.   In This Episode: How Ren responds when OTA coaches ask “How do I get more clients?” [15:57] Getting more clients should be baked into your content [18:14] Remember the importance of “niching down” [28:42] Jonathan shares the heartfelt story of befriending Ren [30:24] Be cold or hot, never lukewarm [34:23] Monthly vs. 60-day vs. 90-day programs [37:00] Carolina breaks down her approach to a new client [41:55]   “You have to sell the transformation. You never sell the product, you sell what the person will become as a result of your product.” - Jonathan Goodman   The Secret to Success isn’t a Secret When people ask “What can I do to get more clients?”, they’re likely hoping for a secret strategy or simple phrase that will boost their success. Spoiler alert: The answer is consistently reaching out and producing good content. Every client is unique and deserves just as much work as the last.     Who Wants to Throw a Taco Pizza Sushi Steak Party? Beginning coaches can get overwhelmed by the crazy number of demands in their field. “Do I focus on nutrition, calisthenics, powerlifting, legs, glutes, gymnastics, etc?” It may seem as though tackling all of those would be hedging your bets, but it’s the opposite. The key to success is choosing one path and becoming excellent at that particular skill set, and you will inevitably have more than enough clients.     Invest in the New You People don’t hire coaches just for person or workouts in and of themselves. If someone hires you, they are investing in the POTENTIAL future version of themself. So, to actually sell yourself to someone, you need to sell the person they COULD become if they hired you. If you can be the solution to their fitness problem, you’ve got a client.       Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2     SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy     Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The Hybrid Training Business Model (Online Trainer Show #45) We get it, COVID changed everything. Now what? The time to create the training model you want, that’s what. After the gang makes some great points about how you shouldn’t work all the time (sorry Amber), they jump into the ins and outs of the hybrid model. They cover how location isn’t the deciding factor in taking on clients anymore, how to know if training a client is worthwhile, and how embracing the hybrid model can help you reach more clients and cultivate a life of freedom.    In This Episode: Jonathan breaks down the “Hybrid Approach” [15:56] How gym owners can solve the location issue [21:59] Hybrid models are critical when gyms can shut down at any time [22:51] This is why the hybrid model REALLY shines [27:31] How Carolina’s and Amber’s approaches have adapted to COVID [32:30] There’s a version of hybrid training for everybody! [36:59]   “The part I love the most about the hybrid approach is that, by definition, our job as personal trainers is to optimize the experience for our clients.”  - Jonathan Goodman   Location, Location, Location This old adage has been interrogated by 2020. With the power of the internet, trainers can obtain and maintain clients in different parts of the world. Whether your local gym is open or you exercise at home, your trainer can provide either readymade videos or work out with you on a live call anywhere in the world, defining “the gym” as wherever you have space and gravity.   You, On-Demand The beauty of the hybrid model lies in its customization: One client can work with a trainer completely online in his house, whereas another works with a trainer in-person three times a week and supplements with some online content. COVID has pushed our system to the limits, which has forced trainers to expand what they thought was possible. …But They’ll Never Take Our Free Weights! Discussing a hybrid model stretches far beyond fitness—it’s a discussion about how our economy functions. With much of the workforce switching to work-at-home permanently, the explosion of freelancing, and the uncertainty of physical business, now is the time to transform our anxiety into action. Now is the time to create the business model, and life, you’ve always wanted. Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2     SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy    Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The Excuses That Are Killing Your Business (Online Trainer Show #44) There's always an easy way out of any situation, but you should take the road less traveled. In this new episode, the gang dives into a topic that the fitness community knows all too well: Excuses! All three hosts share stories of people’s silly excuses for not putting in the work, the practical steps to changing your mindset and creating change, and how to find growth and more opportunity in the hardship. Take that cold shower to appreciate the warm.   In This Episode: Why contracts are a necessity [8:21] Why you have to prioritize what’s important to you [20:54] Why do people make excuses? [24:45] Carolina explains why and how she makes big changes [29:18] “If you’re gonna do it, do it big.” [32:14] Carolina’s thoughts on embracing the hardship and making it work, no matter what [35:43] Don’t get airlifted onto Mt. Everest—you gotta learn how to climb [37:47] What frustrates Jonathan Goodman [42:36] Carolina’s take-home thoughts on how to find opportunity [44:30]    “All the best stuff in life - there's some assembly required.” - Ren Jones   My Favorite Animal is a Scapegoat Let’s face it: We’ve all wanted to blame others for our problems. Having that temptation is normal, but what defines you is your response to it. Do you blame your dissatisfaction with life on the external—economy or weather —or do you assume that you have complete control over the situation? Once you do the latter, things will change, slowly but surely.     Progress Under Pressure As a fellow human being (I presume), our mind’s natural first choice is the path of least resistance. If you give yourself a way out, you will seek it and perhaps even take it. There’s something to be said about being kind and patient with yourself, absolutely. However, the best Plan B is no Plan B. Once you give yourself no choice but to do the hard thing, you’ll be amazed with what you’ll achieve.     You Have to Climb The Mountain to Appreciate The View We all love the idea of snapping our fingers and achieving our goals, but without the struggle of the journey, we can’t truly appreciate the achievement. The lessons learned throughout the adventure are what define us in the future, and anything worth doing is worth doing right. Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2     SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Comparing Yourself To Other Online Trainers Is Damaging Your Business (Online Trainer Show #43) Whoever came up with the quote “Comparison is the thief of joy” (not Jonathan Goodman) summarizes it perfectly. When we rely on external validation, we search for it in others, and when someone looks more successful than us, our self-esteem goes out the window. In this story-filled new episode, the gang discusses the myriad of ways people compare themselves to others, how to enjoy the process of mistakes and growth, and steps to focus on no one but yourself. In This Episode: Jonathan breaks down the fundamentals of comparison [20:26] Carolina illustrates how clients can easily fall prey to comparison [24:31] Ren reminds us that each person’s “finish line” is different [28:12] Jonathan shares an insightful story [28:58] Why comparing another person’s business to yours is a trick [38:37] Carolina speaks on how she avoids comparing herself to other women in the industry [41:28] Amber explains how curating her environment sets her up for success [43:15]   "No matter how successful you are by objective standards, there is always going to be other people that you're going to compare yourself to."  - Jonathan Goodman From Business to Biceps Comparison is sneaky with how it can show up anywhere, whether it's 'likes' on an Instagram post or weights on a barbell. We have all done it, so don’t beat yourself up for it! Recognize it, pinpoint the what and why, and remind yourself that the comparison between you and others is like the comparison between apples and oranges.   Every Moment Counts Every journey worth taking has its big wins worth celebrating, but it has even more micro victories and missteps. All are worthy of celebration. Every mistake is an opportunity to grow, and every day you show up is a day you get closer to your goal, no matter how small.   Curate Your Mental Feed Humans naturally gravitate toward negativity, and when you combine that with an influx of information, no wonder so many people feel inadequate. The internet and social media can be wonderful tools, but they also can easily strip someone’s self-confidence. At the end of the day, you control the information you receive, and if you cut out sources of negativity and invite positive ones, you will find your inner self and stop comparison in its tracks. Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2     SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy    Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The Procrastination Behaviors That Are Stalling Your Business (Online Trainer Show #42) Jerry believes that spending $10,000 on a landing page and watching three hours of “How to Squat” videos will grow his business. Don’t be Jerry. On this new episode, the team attacks the many forms of procrastination that are keeping your business from growing. They discuss the influence of evolutionary biology in modern society, how to sort through the overwhelming number of “experts”, and why you need to do the unsexy things to see sexy growth in your business. In This Episode: Amber breaks down the most common forms of procrastination for trainers [17:46] Why people on the internet were more trustworthy in the old days [19:54] Why you need to check yourself [22:45] What making progress ACTUALLY looks like [26:40] Fancy shoes and “How to Squat” videos won’t cut it [31:50] Ren’s cruelty teaches us how people procrastinate in ways that FEEL productive [32:18] What’s the secret sauce to being productive? [35:39] Amber breaks down how to effectively tackle your procrastination [39:37] Jonathan illustrates the relationship between delayed and instant gratification [41:24] How biology and modern society influence our behaviors [46:00]   “Anything worth having is going to take you longer and be more difficult to attain than you ever could imagine. That is why it's worth having.”  - Jonathan Goodman Check Yo’self Self-awareness is the key to everything, so before you rap on others about their habits, look at your own. Are you focusing on how good your business looks—making a sexy website, buying fancy workout clothes, etc.? These things have their place, but you do them first because they create instant and visual gratification, not necessarily because they grow your business effectively. They don’t replace the grunt, unsexy work of talking to clients, spreadsheets, and the day in and day out work that doesn’t lead to rewards right away. Do it anyway. You Don’t Want the Fanciest Equipment You know how you want to spend hours trying to choose the right shoe before going for your first run? It may sound productive, but it’s a trick. Your mind is delaying the hard work— running—with something that feels productive but actually isn’t. Don’t beat yourself up for it—it’s a natural behavior in humans. Instead, focus your energy on starting that first run ASAP and don’t look back. There is no perfect run or rep, but the worst is the one you don’t do. The Second Marshmallow The importance of delayed gratification is clear: Those who delay rewards and play the long game are more likely to succeed in life. However, as human beings, we crave small rewards to incentivize us to continue, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Don’t fight it! Instead, explore the many ways you can incorporate tiny but consistent rewards with work. Doing this will allow you to avoid burnout and outwork everyone.       Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2     SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC  

How To Train Online Without In-Person Experience (Online Trainer Show #41) With the power of the internet and influence of COVID, people are asking: “Can you train clients without in-person experience?” You can, and for some people, it works to their benefit! On this new episode of OTS, the gang covers the ins and outs of the fitness industry, how engagement is even more important when only training online, and why honesty is always the best policy. Whether you’re a young whippersnapper or a peppered veteran, showing your true imperfect self is the best way to attract clients for life. In This Episode: How COVID has drastically changed training [13:47] The two kinds of trainers who CAN do it without in-person training [14:54] The million-dollar question [18:40] Jonathan’s wholesome story about gaining confidence in the gym [21:31] The secrets to expanding your clientele [26:33] How to encourage participation and get loyal clients [31:51]   You have to build your fitness AND business skills at the same time [35:25] Ren actually took notes and summarizes it all [42:57]   “Don't pretend that you're not new when you're new. It can actually work to your advantage - everybody wants to be part of a journey. Use your newness as a marketing benefit.” - Jonathan Goodman Be the True You The best policy is always honesty, full stop, period. If you share your inexperience—your authentic self—with prospective clients, they will appreciate the transparency and get to know the real you, creating a relationship where you and your clients share your learning experiences together!   Never Skip Logistics Day, Bro Once COVID hit, many trainers were forced online but didn’t possess the business skills to survive. Just as you dedicate time to work muscle groups, you need to invest time into all aspects of your entrepreneurship. Then, whether gyms ever are a viable option again or not, you will be well equipped to keep your business sailing.   Perfectly Imperfect You’ve probably heard this a trillion times before, but here it is again: You don’t have to be perfect! The fear of failure stops so many dreams in their tracks, but don’t let it! Embrace your true self, take the mistakes as they come, and keep going! You’re better than you think. Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Preventing and Overcoming Disgruntled Clients (Online Trainer Show #40) Quick question for you: Who thought to eat the first banana or find great artificial vanilla flavoring from a beaver’s behind? Asking for a friend. In addition to these deep philosophical questions, the OTS gang discusses how to address displeased clients. They share past work experiences, emphasize the importance of letting each client speak for themselves, and share the mindset needed to find success in business and life. On second thought, don’t answer that question—no one needs to know that.   In This Episode: How to figure out if someone’s had a bad experience versus poor communication [13:57] Jonathan shares a great example of how two people can have completely different perceptions of the same thing [18:30] Ren outlines how online communication can lose nuance and blur intent that in-person communication doesn’t [21:11] “Default to trust.” [23:01] An example that teaches us to respond with curiosity [26:46] Reasons that a customer would be upset [30:34] Jonathan emphasizes the importance of letting each person define their version of a “win” [35:06] How to avoid mismanaged expectations [37:33] What Carolina did in her previous jobs to turn angry customers into a satisfied ones [38:33] Don’t assume you know what the customer wants—just ask [43:55]   "The best thing to do when you receive a message that you deem as negative - respond with curiosity and default to good faith.” - Jonathan Goodman   He Said “K” Instead of “Okay” Communicating through text may be convenient and quick, but so much context and nuance can be lost and cause miscommunication. With COVID forcing so much training online, some of that is inevitable, so always be sure to ask your clients for clarification. Better safe than sorry.   Default to Trust The media shows us plenty of reasons to be distrustful and cynical of others’ intent, but in reality, most people lead with kindness. If a client sends a message that seems negative, don’t assume it was done with malicious intent. Instead, assume that they’ve had a bad week and are in serious need of kindness, then be that helping hand. Being optimistic is a better way to live.   The Client Defines The Win As a coach, your #1 job is to understand what your client’s unique version of a “win” is. It may be tempting to let your own biases seep into their program, but if you stay humble and ask questions, your client will feel truly heard. Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy    Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The Difference Between Marketing and Branding - and Which You Should Focus On (Online Trainer Show #39) Marketing versus branding…sounds confusing, right? Never fear! Ren’s laundry list of dating metaphors are here to clear up the confusion. Once the gang was off to the races (and asked Starbucks for a sponsorship), they shared personal successes and failures of marketing, what’s actually necessary to market properly, and the most important principles of a campaign that works. Unfortunately, we don’t think Lady Starbucks will accept that date proposal. In This Episode: Jonathan emphasizes how critical branding is [18:11] What content is REALLY about [20:00] The importance of going all-in on branding, regardless of the belief behind it [20:30] How Carolina embraced her personality as a brand and found success [27:10] What research says is the most fulfilling pursuit and how that influences your branding [33:40] Is high-quality marketing expensive? [39:34] Why you need to be consistent with your message and share your story! [46:00]   “Put the social back into social media - you're not big enough or important enough for just media.” - Ren Jones   Go All In No matter what the belief is, if we see someone going all-in on a position or personality, we are captivated by them. That principle is what separates successful from lackluster results: Choose something with which you resonate and fully commit to it, and people who share that resonance will find you. Target Engaged Once you’ve committed to your branding, show up every day, and make your audience feel connected. Oftentimes, people buy your service, not because of some fancy sales page or commercial—YOU are what convinced them to invest, so you owe it to them to return the favor. You Do You, Boo Can someone be successful through a persona? Absolutely, but can you feasibly do that long term? If not (and most can’t), the best strategy is to be yourself in your branding. Show your audience who you are: Your stories, values, quirks, annoyances, how you think South Carolina is better, everything. Commit to being fully yourself, and you will foster a community of long term fans. Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Growing Your Business From The Bottom Up (Online Trainer Show #38) Just to let everyone know, the show will now center around Jonathan’s impeccable impressions of drug dealers and Carolina’s neon juice drinks, which is totally breaking ground in the podcast space. This episode also marks the seven year anniversary of Jonathan’s premiere online training program, so he celebrates the occasion by discussing how he built it from the proverbial ground up. The team covers how to avoid comparing yourself to others, what matters more than a big budget, and the stories that remind us to take our time and enjoy our work.   In This Episode: “Everyone’s got a Chapter 1” [22:17] Carolina remembers Jonathan’s first program [28:11] How Jonathan bootstrapped his business [30:01] THIS matters more than production quality [34:20] Don’t hire others to do the work for you [36:44] Why you need to take your time [38:21] Ren connects business and fitness [38:57] Jonathan’s takeaways from building a business from the ground up [42:10] “Give yourself room” [44:07] A great story that teaches us to question everything [45:52]   "It's easy to get stuck in a very reactive state in business. Give yourself room to be able to do this work.”  - Jonathan Goodman   Focus on YOUR Chapter 1 It’s easy to compare your progress to someone else’s, but it’s always a trap. Everyone’s situation is incredibly nuanced and unique to them, so instead, think of it this way: Your book is the ONLY one that exists anywhere, so you might as well focus on YOUR Chapter 1.   It’s About More Than Flashy Powerpoint Transitions Too many people never get started because of a fear that their product doesn’t look “professional” or polished enough. Once you hear how Jonathan started, you’ll realize that a high production value wasn’t the key to success. Instead, he committed all of his energy toward creating a consistently high-quality product, and the production value inevitably came later.   Give Yourself Room to Succeed When you love something, it makes sense to pour every waking second into it, right? Not quite. To find long-lasting success, you have to remind yourself that you have more time and resources to succeed than you think. Breathe. Quality trumps quantity every time. Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy    Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How To Use Organic Reach In Facebook Groups To Get New Clients (Online Trainer Show #37) Today’s lesson is as follows: Don’t shave or go outside, because then you’ll have more energy to host a podcast! Anyway, the gang responds to a listener’s question by discussing how to acquire new clients via Facebook groups. The advice is as simple as you’d expect: “Friends and Family are valuable” and “Be a human.” Ultimately, focus your energy on quality engagement…unless that engagement is with seagulls, then just stay home. It’s not worth it.   In This Episode: Jonathan’s painfully simple advice [10:27] The importance of friends and family [12:31] Ren’s equally simple yet effective advice about finding people [17:07] Carolina’s thoughts on “follow for a follow” and how to “be a human” [25:23] How to interact with people the WRONG way [27:03] Ren’s strategy on how to navigate groups and engage with others [36:11] Ren’s thoughts on abundance vs. quality [42:38]   “I want qualified, knowledgeable, compassionate people canvasing the internet because we're far too quiet and the tea-tox people are far too loud. I don't care if 1 million coaches start hitting groups, giving great informative answers. I'd like to raise the standard of the industry.” - Ren Jones Be A Human This advice sounds painfully simple, but it really is self-explanatory: To meet new people and get new clients, talk with people online like you would in real life. Be yourself and find mutual interests. Done.   Follow For An Unfollow? Think about how many times someone has tried to do a “follow for a follow” with you, remember how annoying it is, and never ever do that to someone else. Focus on building real relationships that will last for years to come.   There’s A Lot of Competition…but Most of Them Suck People often feel discouraged from pursuing their dreams because of the abundance of competition in their field. While the internet is froth with fitness trainers, most of them frankly don’t know what they’re talking about. If you put out quality content, it will break through the noise and reach an audience. Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy    Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Facebook Group Secrets (Online Trainer Show #36) After the “Ren’s nonsense” segment (it’s literally in the script) gives us some insight into the cruise industry, the crew dove into how to make an engaging and personable Facebook group. They cover the steps for naming your group, how to spread the word and increase your followers, and a great tool to foster engagement. If anything, watch some 1970s T.V. shows and you’ll be able to make a group that Ren will follow within seconds.   In This Episode: How Jonathan approaches groups; Facebook and beyond [21:43] The most important point to remember when naming a group [25:27] Everyone shares the genius behind their group names [27:04] The final piece of naming a group [34:07] Jonathan’s guide for spreading awareness and gaining members [36:33] How Carolina uses Instagram to spread even more awareness [38:45] Ren’s advice on cultivating engagement [39:17] An often overlooked tool that Jonathan recommends [41:00] Ren’s final tips for making your group something special [46:55] How to handle “crickets” in your group [49:18] “What you name your group, and how you position it, should be celebrating the people who are looking to succeed with your premium program. The name should lead into that.” - Jonathan Goodman   Let The Name Do The Talking An easy pitfall that people fall into when naming their group is being too literal or “how-to”—“How to get six-pack abs”, etc. A group name should definitely be direct, but to grab attention, it needs to celebrate what its members are achieving and broadcast an empowering message.   My Group Has Three Members—All My Friends! After your group has a rockstar name, how do you spread awareness and gain a quality following? Tip #1: DO NOT COLD INVITE PEOPLE. Tip #2: See Tip #1. After that, create posts that incite user engagement, such as polls or questionnaires. Ultimately, show your user base that you are genuinely interested in them as people, not just numbers, and your group will become a community.   Deafening Silence Quick! What do I do if I post a questionnaire and hear nothing but crickets? Post something that, at least, gets people reacting, even if it’s not entirely related to your group: A silly picture, a fact about your industry, or anything that will get people talking amongst themselves and, ideally, amongst each other. Be patient and consistent, and your following will grow. Check out these Tricera-taco-tops artwork submissions:   Submission 1 - https://imgur.com/gallery/swTr1MQ Submission 2 - https://imgur.com/MbdwMTB Submission 3 - https://www.reddit.com/r/DrawForMe/comments/iqc122/triceratacotop_ugolden_ember/ Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy    Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots.php?refid=145878 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How To Handle Sexual Harassment With Online Training Clients (Online Trainer Show #35) Today’s topic is heavy, and the gang got right into it. Carolina and Amber lead the conversation by discussing inappropriate social media posts, how to define your boundaries, how NOT to do progress photos, and how women can protect both their safety and business. In addition, the guys provide some insight from the male perspective, how to approach privacy in professional relationships, and a call to action for all dudes. Fitness is a personal journey, and everyone deserves to grow in a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment. In This Episode: Carolina shares insight on interacting with male clients [21:52] How to keep yourself safe using this simple process [30:45] Amber’s thoughts on context [35:04] Remember: everyone’s tolerance is different [38:47] How customs have changed drastically over the years [39:46] Jonathan’s approach to taking photos with fans [44:15] “If a client crosses a boundary, document it and keep a folder on your computer with everything time-stamped.”  - Jonathan Goodman Your Objectification is Distracting If a client of yours makes a disrespectful comment, be active in your response: Candidly tell them how you felt about it, or no longer work with them. The most important part is that you are establishing those boundaries ASAP, both as a professional and a person.   Feeling Safe Before You Sweat Women feel the threat of being physically overpowered more often than men do, so every woman deserves to assess every relationship to see if she feels secure in that environment. So, if you ever feel unsafe with someone, get out and reassess—your safety is #1, full stop.   Be Better, Men The definition of “acceptable” differs between cultures and time periods, and although some may make mistakes before they adjust, everyone has an active responsibility to keep a relationship respectful and safe. However, men are more often the aggressor in harassment situations, so they have an obligation to consistently elevate the standard. Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy    Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://www.ptdistinction.com/ots  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

What to Do When Your Clients Cannot Afford Your Training (Online Trainer Show #34) The guys palled around for a few hours (which is what happens when Carolina is absent), but they eventually tackled today’s tough topic: What if my clients cannot afford my training? Jonathan and Ren share personal stories on the subject, Jonathan reveals a crucial mistake that trainers make when trying to gain clientele, and the couple agrees on what is the best approach for making the biggest impact. The actual two takeaways? Yes to Carolina, no to Reddit. In This Episode: Ren brings up a personal story relevant to today’s topic [9:47] Jonathan mentions how getting comfortable can get you into trouble [16:58] Jonathan discusses where to focus your marketing efforts [23:01] The crucial mistake that so many trainers make [26:23] Jonathan shares two illuminating stories [28:05] THE approach to reaching more clients [33:06] Jonathan’s deep realization about online trainers [38:14] “It’s Day One” [42:01]   “It's important to focus on selling to people who can afford your training and not trying to convince people who can't afford your training to buy your training.” - Jonathan Goodman   Go Where The Money Is Market your services to people who can afford them. That’s it. Trying to convince those who can’t is never worth anyone’s time or money.   Philanthropy Gone Wrong Oftentimes, entrepreneurs will try to disseminate resources (e.g. toothbrushes) by founding a company whose purpose is to do solely that, but this is too limited. Instead, for example, if you want to give toothbrushes to those who can’t afford them, build an unrelated profitable company that will give you the resources to, then, purchase and give away those toothbrushes.   Day One A critical reason Bezos, Musk, and so many other entrepreneurs have reaped success is this: Everyday is Day One, Hour One. If you treat every day as a blank slate, where your biases have evaporated and you are humble and hungry for new information, you will be flexible enough to breathe in any and all opportunities.   Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How To Turn Your Clients Into Raving Fans (Who Promote Your Business For You) (Online Trainer Show #33) Before you listen to this exciting new episode of the Online Trainer Show, remember this: North Carolina is “thiccuh”. In addition to this captivating fact, the gang discusses the steps to fostering an effective support system for your business. Picking a particular sound effect for your podcast might be tricky, but finding the right people to broadcast your service is uncannily easy, and all three of our hosts share stories that illuminate how taking a few simple steps can make a world of difference. In This Episode: The importance of whom you choose to help develop and showcase your product [16:47] A great story about how a rising tide lifts all ships [20:03] The secret to how Jonathan grew his website to millions of visits [24:46] Something Carolina does to keep her peers empowered [27:22] Ren’s rules for engagement [32:10] Jonathan’s illuminating fast-food story [33:50] “There is something to be said for being involved and having ownership, or perceived ownership, in a product or service that makes people want to talk about it.” - Jonathan Goodman   A Win-Win Strategy With social media, you can get someone else personally involved simply by tagging them. This strategy is beautiful because it exposes both audiences to each other, which could foster a community bigger than you ever imagined!   Just Be Nice! This seems unsettlingly easy, but this is a critical piece of advice: Say something nice. Yeah, that’s it. If you want to expose your business to a wider audience, be kind to someone else, and they’ll be more willing to spread your message. Then, you’ll have a wider audience. Kindness works.   Hire Attitude, Not Aptitude Instead of trying to “fix” employees, establish a work culture of positivity and only hire people who emulate that every day. Period.   Ready to scale up your online fitness business?  Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2 SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How Gym Owner Jesus Acuna Made $4600 In A Single Day With Online Training (Online Trainer Show #32) Fitness gyms were hit hard by COVID, sending many of them into debt or even bankruptcy. However, with the online market booming, others were able to transition to an online infrastructure that kept them afloat. In this episode, Jonathan Goodman talks with Jesus Acuna, a gym owner who has made record profits by fundamentally shifting his business model. Even as gyms reopen, our economy has been forever changed, but because Jesus pushed through skepticism to adapt to the world around him, his fitness business has never been better. In This Episode: The steps Jesus took to transition from a brick and mortar to an online business infrastructure [3:28] How Jesus now structures his online business [4:45]  Jesus’s new pricing model [9:36] Individual versus group coaching [13:09] The freedom that this new model allows in Jesus’s life [17:18] Jesus’ take-home message to those wanting to try this new model [26:08]   "When you figure out what people want, that’s when they’re gonna work hard.” - Jesus Acuna   Old Vs. New If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Even if a model has worked for decades, something like COVID can abruptly upend our idea of “normal” and leave us lost. However, if you can push through skepticism and adapt to the ever-changing world, your business could become more successful and impactful than you ever thought possible!   Cash Is King Jesus talks about how much of his clientele began preferring upfront payments instead of installment plans, a shift that he and Jonathan agree is better. Recurring income is great, but more upfront cash means more immediate resources for the owner to invest back into his business and people.   Pressure Meets Opportunity It can be easy to assume that work ethic is innate—you either want to work hard or you don’t, across the board. However, Jesus dismisses this theory, noting how anyone will work hard for something that they care deeply about. Change can be terrifying and disarming, but if you cultivate a system of supportive people, comprehensive resources, and accountability, your business, and its clientele will succeed not only despite the change but because of it.   Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The Importance of Putting Your Fitness First As An Online Trainer (Online Trainer Show #31) They say to put on your own oxygen mask before helping someone else, and it rings true even in the fitness coaching industry. After the gang discusses surviving camping trips and photoshop jobs, they explore the nuances of putting your own fitness first. Life has a tendency to shift your focus toward other people, and while that may be important, your number one priority should be on yourself, fitness trainer or not. Like building a strong core, everything starts from its foundation, so to make others stronger, you have to make yourself stronger first. In This Episode: How Jonathan schedules his workouts [13:53] Do trainers need to look a certain way?  [15:33] Ren and Carolina discuss how women’s fitness goals differ from men’s  [19:41] How Jonathan's training style has changed [26:37] The key things to remember so your body ages well with you [29:27] How to schedule your life to maximize fitness and productivity [34:50] Why you should always invest in yourself first [37:20]   “If you want to look better, and think better - you need to take care of yourself. Your fitness needs to come first.” - Jonathan Goodman One Size Does Not Fit All Many people feel that their body doesn’t “look” like a trainer’s, so they feel dissuaded from pursuing the field altogether. Everyone’s fitness journey is different, so someone who doesn’t sport an Instagrammable six-pack may have tons of knowledge and experience that could change lives. Do it anyway.   Fitness First Time Crunch Quantity time is not necessarily quality time, and nowhere is that more evident than productivity. Life gets in the way and fitness is often put on the back burner, but if you schedule your workout time first and craft your day around that, your brain will squeeze more productivity out of less time. Your mind and body will thank you.   Invest In You The business of training may be inherently about helping others, but so many miss a critical part—themself. Before you can coach others to become their best selves, you have to do the same for you. If your clients deserve to be their best selves, so do you, and once you establish that precedent, you’ll never think twice. SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   https://www.theptdc.com/online-trainer-coaching-full    Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Using Strategic Partnerships To Fast Track Business Growth (Online Trainer Show #30) There are right and wrong ways to begin a podcast, and the gang has it down to a science: Overpriced Starbucks drinks, social media stalking, and Googling yourself. Today, they discuss what to look for in a partnership, the biggest mistake to avoid at all costs, and stories that illustrate how to utilize true engagement to generate business. So many people are too afraid to make that first call, but if they push through those trepidations, they could forge partnerships that transform their business. Don’t sell yourself for less than a mango dragon fruit drink —make that first call. In This Episode: Why it’s important that you’re not too similar to your partner [16:24] Why you shouldn’t work with someone just because you like them [18:39] The value of training influencers for free to get your foot in the door [28:08] How to utilize true influencers and succeed in an influencer’s economy [30:07] The difference between engagement and following [32:43] How essential it is to narrow down your choices before you deep dive [35:47] Why you should focus on a specific demographic [36:33] Carolina emphasizes not selling yourself short [40:16] You could be the first person to connect with someone, so always take that first step [42:11]   “We’re so fixated on followers but engagement is where the money is.”- Ren Jones   I’m Your Partner, Not Your Friend A pivotal mistake that so many fall into is partnering with someone only because they like them. Sure, you need to have great chemistry with someone, but if you two are too similar, you won’t complement each other and ultimately fall into the same habits. Instead, create a partnership where the one fills in for the other’s weaknesses, and you will reach a mutual goal together.   Engagement Vs. Followers Working with influencers is critical to expanding your business, but so many “influencers” are focused solely on follower count and do little except sell products or a personality. If you work with people who are experts in their field and wish to spread information, your business’s engagement will multiply and impact so many more people in a significant way.   Make That First Call Taking the first step is the hardest—that leap of faith that puts the pressure on high. Too many entrepreneurs hesitate to reach out because of their own insecurities or reluctance to try something new. Putting yourself out there is undeniably frightening, but if you can stop selling yourself short and make that first call, you could bridge a connection that changes your life.   SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How Online Trainers MUST Manage Their Money (Online Trainer Show #29) To properly kick off this episode, the crew briefly gushes over how awesome Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon Levitt are, as they should. Once the gushing concluded, Ren began the episode by recounting his financial journey, from living in a basement to five streams of income. Carolina followed up with her own quest, emphasizing the importance of getting creative with how you provide services and, consequently, build your income streams. Finally, Jonathan delves into four essential steps for coaches to manage their finances effectively, plus bonus tips that will push you away from basements and toward financial freedom. In This Episode: Money and wealth are not the same, and finance education is not taught in school [15:02] Why most fitness trainers have ZERO financial training [16:29] How to organize your documents to streamline taxes [23:48] Jonathan shares what can be written off during tax time, ultimately saving you money [24:33] What holds you back from bringing more people in is a lack of diverse knowledge, not fitness certifications or gym equipment [30:35] Jonathan shares a story that illustrates how not watching your finances can cost you thousands per year [32:34]   “Just as important, if not more important, than learning how to make money is learning how to keep and grow money.” - Jonathan Goodman   Hire An Accountant If you strive to make your money work for you, hiring an accountant is critical. It may cost more upfront, but the money you’ll save through avoiding ripoffs, catching phantom charges, and maximizing your tax refund is worth the investment—YOU are worth the investment.   Educate Yourself So many coaches find their money running away from them because they lack knowledge in money, not gym equipment or fitness certifications. Dedicating the time to learning the foundations of money management is crucial toward expanding your business and living life on your terms.   Take A Good, Hard Look Even if someone has the best intentions about money, if they don’t keep a close eye on things, money will inevitably slip away from them. Take an earnest, potentially painful, look at your finances to figure out where you can trim the fat, and your money won’t think twice.   Jamie Foxx's "I Want To Be Your Tennis Ball”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Fr4aM-utk   SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC  

Building Your Support Systems (Online Trainer Show #28) After the gang debates which episode number this is, they dive into the nuances of building your online support systems to bring maximum value to your clients and yourself. COVID has profoundly changed the coaching landscape, which makes effective support all the more essential. We grow through teaching and learning, and we deserve to continue growing no matter the circumstances. In this episode, Jonathan discusses the common pitfalls of coaching, how to identify red flags, and how to employ a well-rounded approach so that both your clients and your cups are filled to the brim. In This Episode: Jonathan discusses the impact of COVID and how to move forward [7:33] Biggest pitfall: Offering too much and not being responsive [25:25] Two ways to offer support: Group and individual [25:37] Importance of automated check-in messages [28:48] How being a helicopter trainer was less effective and more taxing [32:38] How establishing work boundaries upfront is critical for your mental health, career, and client relationships [33:28] How boundaries and time limits help hone your focus [40:08]   “The worst thing is to set a precedent that you're always going to be available and omnipresent for your clients.” - Jonathan Goodman   Precedents and Boundaries Easily one of the biggest pitfalls coaches fall into is not setting reasonable precedents and boundaries for yourself. Many coaches believe that constant availability is the key to great coaching, but Jonathan explains how quality always trumps quantity.   Automated Messages An amazing way to keep your clients engaged is to utilize automated check-in messages, which will help you save time, give encouragement to clients killing it already, and open a dialogue for any clients who need in-depth support.   Vulnerability  You are the company you keep, so surrounding yourself with people who are in your court is critical to success. Insecurities can often manifest in boastfulness, so seek out those with whom you can be vulnerable and your humility will keep you hungry for more.   SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How to Know Who to Believe on the Internet (Spoiler: The Answer Is Nobody) (Online Trainer Show #27) This is an episode full of firsts and big news! Ren isn’t wearing a hat! There’s something about cupcakes! Carolina made a major life decision! Jonathan found a golden throne! But it’s not all good news for the gang today; Jonathan shares the story that brought him to today’s topic: who to trust on the internet. They’ll share some of the measures of seriousness they each look for when finding what they need online. In a shocking revelation, Jonathan has real-life examples of how easy it is to lie on the internet and the hilarious way someone got “outed” in their lie. What’s important to you when you are looking for someone to trust online? Listen now for tips on how to avoid being scammed online. In This Episode: Ren talks about the earthquake in North Carolina; it gets graphic [04:45] Jonathan and his wife ate salads that were 100% from their garden [07:40] What are Jonathan’s criteria for weeding people out online? [17:23] Why you should whittle down your options before you go deeper [21:34] Be willing to do the work, so you’ll be less likely to be caught in scams [31:55] Do you know the person approaching you? Do they know you? [33:00] Interact with people who have provided you with value [34:53] How long has this “expert” been in the business? [37:37]   “I would value a trusted recommendation. When you see recommendations from folks who have built up a reputation, and they're someone who you jive with, that you deeply respect - I would value that.” - Jonathan Goodman   Look for Indications of Seriousness What does this person have to lose by offering bad business? Jonathan has a story about how he knew which barber to trust in a new town. There are nonsense lists out there that people can pay to be on; here’s how to separate non-merit-based lists of the so-called “best” in their business.   It’s Shockingly Easy to Lie Online Everything is for sale, including before and after photos. Fake profiles are quick and easy to make. Anyone can buy an appearance, buy their way onto a list, even buy testimonials. Learn how to be discerning.   Trust People You Know What’s important to you? What are your personal relationships with people you know you can trust? Look at how long this so-called “expert” has been in the business…and who can vouch for them.   SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How To Be More Efficient By Knowing What to Automate and Delegate (Online Trainer Show #26) The gang’s “mama bird” – Amber – isn’t on the podcast today. Speaking of birds, Ren has a story about a baby bird he saw in a Disney+ nature documentary. Carolina needs to see a doctor about her toe, and Jonathan is hogging all the multicultural family members for himself. However, what are some common errors that personal trainers make? In this episode, the gang talks about automation and delegation. This process necessarily means setting your ego aside to make your program more efficient. Making assumptions about what clients want from you can lead to constraining yourself when you should be delegating. Listen now to find out how to free yourself by starting the process of automating and delegating! In This Episode: Ren’s Disney character voices [00:52] Jonathan’s big news from the Personal Trainer Development Center company camp [08:44] It’s a hard lesson to learn, but you may not be as important as you think you are [20:40] Are you putting an unnecessary constraint on yourself? [22:00] Other ways to be involved with your program…without the constraints [27:14] The messaging, tone, and voice can continue with the right people [29:50] What to do before you delegate [31:49]   “That’s number one: disconnect from your ego for a minute when you’re talking about delegation and automation. Do people actually need to talk to you? With a good structure, they don’t.” – Jonathan Goodman   You’re Not as Important as You Think You Are (…sorry) Your ego will tell you that everyone needs to have direct contact with you, but that’s just not true. You can still be involved with your program, but to scale. Jonathan has ways to step back and let your program run without you being there.   Keep Your Essential Message, Voice, and Tone Everyone will have their own way of sharing your message. Before you start delegating, find your own standard operating procedure, your own guidelines. How do you talk about the things you want to tell people?   It’s All About Communication When you delegate to others, they need to know exactly what you expect from them. For that, you need to know what you’re all about. In this episode, you’ll learn how and what to prepare before you even get started automating and delegating your program to get the best results.   SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The Secret to Scaling Your Online Business Beyond 10 clients (Online Trainer Show #25) Is Ren at the point where he has more confidence than skill in podcasting? What happened on Carolina’s camping trip that felt like a National Geographic special? And has Jonathan ever seen a moose pee? After sharing their favorite nature stories, the gang discusses how to keep up your momentum when scaling up your online trainer business. One big key: getting a prospect’s payment on the phone versus sending a link to pay online. Carolina shares how she stops hearing the “no”s and gets more “yes”s. Are you digging deep into your conversations with your clients? Does that feel uncomfortable for you? Listen now to hear the secrets to gaining confidence so that you can become a more successful online trainer. In This Episode: Ren has lighting problems, which he blames on a new camera [00:20] Catching up with Carolina, who survived her camping trip [6:09] What’s in the box??? [11:20] Why 5 is the magic number for getting clients on your platform [18:58] How the Online Trainer Academy platform system is different (and better) [20:15] Jonathan’s 1 key to scaling beyond 5-10 clients [25:29] Ren’s key to building your confidence…in terms trainers can understand [26:43] The importance of radical honesty in conversations with your clients [31:53] Carolina shares why everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to honesty in conversations [33:02] “The golden rule of online training is, you get that payment on the phone right away.” – Jonathan Goodman   Build Your Conversion Process Keep up your momentum by having the confidence to ask for your prospect’s payment on the phone. This one step can help you keep up your momentum without losing clients to a million other distractions. Have the confidence to take money from people who want to pay you for the things you are good at!   Step Into Your Power As a Trainer Lack of confidence leads too many trainers to be underpaid and overworked. Don’t let that happen to you!     Have Those Uncomfortable Conversations Don’t be afraid to dig deep into conversations with your clients. Why haven’t they been successful with trainers and programs in the past? Learn to develop the confidence to ask the hard questions, and you’ll find yourself creating a deeper connection with your clients—and greater success as a trainer.   REN’S GIFT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IpBpz1VtW6COVF9AhSBmlYC3V32YpNyS/view?usp=sharing   SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How Firefighter Alex Harriman Made $6,578 Online Training Between Shifts (Online Trainer Show #24) Is it time to level up your online trainer skills? If you want to make more money, then the answer is yes! Alex Harriman started online training as a side gig between shifts as a fulltime firefighter. After the birth of his son in 2017, his priorities changed—which meant his online training business had to change, as well. In this episode, Jonathan talks with Alex about how the Online Trainer Academy Level 2 helped him learn how to focus his energy and prioritize his time. How did this small shift lead to major results and more money for Alex? Learn why Alex recommends OTA Level 2, and how it can help you, too, make more money while freeing up more of your time!   In This Episode How Alex uses the Online Trainer Academy tactics to make more money [1:05] The biggest mistake Alex made when starting as an online trainer [6:46] What Alex learned about time management skills from OTA Level 2 [10:50] The most important thing you have to do as an online trainer [14:34] The 4 weekly goals Alex creates each month [18:46] How to focus on the things that are getting you results [23:10] One of the biggest points Alex took away from OTA Level 2 [27:50]   “When you sit down, you should know what you want to accomplish. The better you can plan for that, the more efficient you are.” - Jonathan Goodman   You Can Still Love Training While Shifting Your Priorities Major life events—such as having a baby—don’t have to mean the end of doing what you love. Learn how to shift your focus and pivot your business in order to maximize your skillset and free time. Time Management is a Skill It’s all about planning. The OTA Level 2 program can help you figure out a schedule that works for you, including setting aside blocks of time to focus on specific areas of your business. Focus better, work smarter, and you’ll make more money in less time. Maximize Pockets of Time When you do have free time, how are you spending it? Are you focused and ready to work? In this episode, Jonathan and Alex talk about what they do to prepare for those moments that require them to do the work that they may not want to do.   SPONSORS Ready to scale up your online fitness business? Apply for Online Trainer Academy Level 2 here - https://www.theptdc.com/online-trainer-academy-certification-level-2 Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How To Use Money To Buy A Happier Life (Online Trainer Show #23)   Today’s episode is something a little bit different. While Jonathan is away, OTS shares a recording he made of his favorite essay on money. Why is this important? Making money can often cost you in terms of stress and overall well-being. Yet, you need money to live. In this essay, Jonathan shares some hard truths about what money means. Will more of it really make you that much happier? He breaks down the definitions of money vs wealth so you can better understand your life’s principles. Finally, he shares some honest advice about living a life of joy and meaning. This is a special episode that shouldn’t be missed.   In This Episode: Why money is a taboo subject in our society [0:33)] What is money good for – and what isn’t it good for? [1:07] The Notorious B.I.G. famously said, “Mo’ money, mo’ problems,” and research suggests he wasn’t wrong [2:01] Why you should focus on doing work that’s important and energizing [3:57] How to improve your life with the money that you have [6:04] Do you suffer from “hedonic adaptation?” [7:35] Advice for increasing the length and quality of your life [9:44]   “Dysfunctional attitudes toward money—from overspending to false economies and scarcity thinking—don’t just hurt business growth. They detract from happiness.” - Jonathan Goodman   Money Can’t Buy Happiness Studies show that past a certain threshold, money doesn’t make you that much happier. Why? Consider what $10,000 means to a rich person versus what it means to a poor person. Then consider the tradeoff of working harder to make more money versus learning to be happy with the money you already have.   Money is Meant to Be Used You wouldn’t buy a hammer and never use it, right? Consider money as a tool. Stop comparing yourself to others and figure out your life’s guiding principles. Then spend money there.   Remove Yourself From the “Hedonistic Treadmill” Jonathan not only shares the 5 Principles of Joy, but he explains how he applies them to his own life. In this way, he doesn’t feel the need to make more money. He’s happy with the money he has because he’s not always thinking about what’s next.   SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How To Optimize Your Process To Add Value and Increase Client Retention (Online Trainer Show #22) Jonathan, Ren, and Carolina aren’t sure what “optimization” even is; but they know you need it for your business. In this episode, they’ll define “optimization,” and discuss why it can be so effective. With a few simple tips, you can learn to anticipate your clients’ needs and become proactive in your business’s client retention. Knowing where your client may be emotionally on their journey is a great way to optimize your business with a few simple but well-timed communications. Avoid frustrated clients asking for their money back because they made a typo! Also in this episode: Ren has something to say about people being polite in online social groups.   In This Episode: What really chaps Ren’s hide? [0:17] The 1 trick Carolina found for keeping mosquitoes at bay [8:31] What is optimization and how does it add value? [11:15] Ways to get started with optimizing your business [13:45] Keeping new sign-ups feeling positive about the process [25:37]   “Be smart, be professional - but make it simple.” - Carolina Belmares   Why you need to optimize your business You can make more money with very little time and effort. Optimizing your business means adding value for your clients, whether that’s anticipating their needs or effective communication.   Ways to optimize Let your clients know how to get in touch, and with whom, if there is a problem. Be specific and proactive in your communications. Learn what a typical client’s emotional cycle looks like so you can anticipate their needs.   Optimization should be invisible Good service for your clients should flow so smoothly that they don’t even realize it’s happening. Take preventive action. You won’t know it’s working because you’re dealing with problems before they arise.   SPONSORS   Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How To Help Clients Follow Through For Big Results (Online Trainer Show #21)   We’ve all had the challenge of getting clients to follow-through. In this episode—which will blow your mind!—the team invites Amber in to discuss how to keep your clients going. Is it your fault? What can you do differently? Also, Jonathan discusses a terrible experience he had as a guest on another podcast, and how that was an example of how not to treat people. Don’t miss it!   In This Episode: The Online Trainer Show is now the #1 fitness podcast in Romania! [0:50] What if your clients stop responding, or stop doing their workouts? [14:57] Does Jonathan have to outsource his emotions? [16:26] Why you should collaborate with your clients [18:37] Learning to be creative and flexible with your clients’ needs [21:03] The age-old pineapple-on-pizza debate [24:22]   “Our jobs as coaches is to be a port in the storm of information. We facilitate - not dictate.” – Amber Reynolds   Feeling like you are failing as a trainer When clients fail to follow through, is it the trainer’s fault? Amber thinks so, and she’ll share what you should do upfront in order to manage your client’s expectations.   It’s what your clients pay you for Remember that what you know and live all day every day is not necessarily what your clients come in knowing. They are paying you for that knowledge. Don’t take what you know for granted.   The “3-week tantrum” and what to do about it Know that you will have to troubleshoot. Be prepared for the sudden drop in motivation at the 3-week mark. Carolina shares her “stacked log” theory and how you can use it to motivate clients.   Resources: If you have a client who isn't responding to messages, try sending this: Hey, (Client Name), I noticed that you haven’t been responding to my messages. No problem. My job isn’t to tell you what to do. Instead, it’s to help guide you. Can you tell me, on a scale of 1-10, how committed you feel right now to achieving the goal of X that we established a short while ago? Know that there’s no right or wrong answer. You don’t need to impress me or make me feel good. I just want to get a handle on how you feel right now, cool?   Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Fitness Book: https://amzn.to/32GnYs4   Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Convert More Clients By Understanding These Two Things (Online Trainer Show #20)   Have you ever been on a sales call and the client bursts out in tears? Today, Carolina, Ren, and Jonathan dive deep into why emotions play such a big role in any business and why you should understand what your client wants to change about themselves before you start working with them. They also talk about the difference between features and benefits and how they convey value for your business.    Make sure to send your fan art of Jonathan as a purple monkey loading the dishwasher and a methed out gator! Here is the email address to send it: amber@theptdc.com   In This Episode: Ren’s experience as Harry the Hound! [0:01] Jonathan’s Chipotle disaster [3:21] Online Trainer Coaching is coming soon! [18:08] In person, you have restrictions; online, you don’t have to [25:06] How an outline gives your clients a sense of certainty [33:42]   “Emotion sells - logic justifies.” – Jonathan Goodman    Emotion Vs. Logic A feature is logical, a benefit is emotional. In order to grab someone’s attention, you have to use emotional appeal and if you do it correctly, clients don’t actually care about your product or service.    Involving More Services Could Decrease Value People want to do as little as possible as quickly as they can in order to better themselves. If you require more from them, they may second guess signing up. Keep it simple and easy.    Sales is Curiosity Get to know your clients so that you can work closer with them and make it easier for them. Being curious and asking questions will help get past the fluff and eventually bring out the true answers.    Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The Secret to High Quality Online Assessments (Online Trainer Show #19) How can you accurately tell if your clients have made any progress as they work with you? How do you assess what program to do in the first place? Is it even possible for online trainers? Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren talk about the secret to high-quality online assessments and how to do them without fancy gym equipment! They also clear common misconceptions that you might have about the topic. Make sure to send your fan art of Jonathan as a purple monkey loading the dishwasher! Here is the email address to send it: amber@theptdc.com   In This Episode: The importance of doing a little research before sending a message [01:08] The benefits of being an online trainer – bringing your work on your travels. [9:08] Why are mental assessments better than others? [17:24] A proactive and lateral approach. [21:29] The majority of tests are invalid. Use tape measures instead! [25:02]   “Look at assessments and always favor reliability. Choose markers of progress that you know can be reliable from step to step. You can be reasonably confident that whatever you're being reported is accurate.” – Jonathan Goodman    The Reality with Assessments It’s only a document that shows if you might hurt a person, what your clients are susceptible to, and ensuring that they get better with as little risk as possible.   The Best Assessment is the Mental Assessment Figure out the “why” of your clients, how ready they are, and what you could impact in their life through your training. It’s never just getting a six-pack, but something more emotional.   Reliability over Validity Most of the tests out there aren’t valid anyway. Choose assessments that can identify red flags where you might need to send them to get medical help. If there aren’t any serious issues, use reliable tests like using a tape measure to record your client’s progress!   Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How to Price Online Training for Max Profit and Max Clients (Online Trainer Show #18) How much should you charge? Wasn’t that in a previous episode already? How much should you charge for max profit and max clients? Now that’s something new! Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren talk about creating business models that sell for maximum profits. They get into why you should think beyond using your business as a nine to five and how you can create wealth on top of paying the bills. In This Episode: Jonathan gets a great haircut after almost losing his house [00:00] Taking pride in what you do [12:21] Setting yourself up for profit on top of a salary [17:57] Profit builds wealth, but don’t follow what casinos tell you to do! [30:26] Making more money in less time, over time! [35:15] "That's why companies generate profit and save - because there will always be a time, no matter how good a company is, that things don't go quite right." – Jonathan Goodman  Don’t Make Your Business a Nine to Five Before deciding how much to charge, look at how much profit you want. You can hire yourself for a job initially, but you ultimately want to generate dividends and make multiple streams of income. Establishing a Model that Sells You want to build a business that generates profit. Your salary covers the bills, but it’s the profits that create wealth! Building a model (or models) would allow for that profit, depending on how much you charge. More Money in Less Time The grind is supposed to be only in the beginning. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel for every new client. Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The Best Apps and Software to Manage Your Online Training Business (Online Trainer Show #17) After a discussion about Hamilton and the biggest birthday bash of the century, Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren talk about their favorite apps and software to use in their online training business. There’s no need to overthink when finding what tool to use. All of these are good enough for what you need, so make sure to keep in mind what you want to deliver and pick accordingly. In This Episode: Carolina’s big birthday bash and the Jedi mayor taking out the guesswork [07:57] Trainerize and ProCoach – user-friendly and habit-building [13:09] Canva and Facebook – edit photos and build your brand with ease! [19:26] Get your notebooks ready for Jonathan’s recommendations [24:04] Bruce Wayne’s apps have to match his Tesla! [37:28] "One easy way to stick out answering questions in Facebook groups - shoot a video answering the question - you'll stick out like gold in a bucket full of lead. Answering questions is your branding." – Ren Jones  Trainerize (Price varies) - https://www.trainerize.com/ It’s very easy to set up and user-friendly. You can add videos from YouTube or your videos if you have your own recordings. The visual component is key for clients!   ProCoach ($99/month+) - https://www.precisionnutrition.com/procoach-software-free-trial This is more of a longer approach (a year-long program) as this gives daily lessons. Each day sets behavioral components to build habits that your clients need to keep up with.    Canva (Free version available) - https://www.canva.com/  It’s the poor man’s Photoshop. Make photos magical without the expertise of a graphic designer! You can generate testimonials from your clients using their templates.   Facebook (Free) - https://www.facebook.com/  Don’t underestimate the business opportunities here! Ren got a job because people saw his content. You can build your brand by answering questions on fitness groups.    Tripit ($50/year) - https://www.tripit.com/web/download Forward all your reservations through this app! Hotels, flights, Airbnb, including necessary addresses and numbers, are all organized for you.   Evernote (Free version available) - https://evernote.com/ Besides being a note-taking app, you can use it to pull articles off from the internet to save them for later.   LastPass (free version available) - https://www.lastpass.com/ Never go through the nightmare of remembering your complicated passwords. Additionally, you can let other people use them without them seeing it!    Hubdoc ($20/month) - https://www.hubdoc.com/ Automatically integrate all your credit cards, statements into a central filing system and take photos of receipts for your bookkeeper!   Skitch (Free option available) - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/skitch-snap-mark-up-share/id425955336?mt=12 A simple app on your phone that allows you to crop and annotate pictures quickly!   TunnelBear ($9.99/month) - https://www.tunnelbear.com/ This app is crucial for protecting your information when you use public networks. It’s a VPN (Virtual Private Network) that cloaks your IP address, so you don’t get hacked.    SelfControl (Free) - https://selfcontrolapp.com/ A productivity tool keeps you away from procrastination. You can set a timer to block you from apps and websites, then restart your system to get access again after working!   Backblaze ($6/month) - https://www.backblaze.com/ Save your data on this cloud software to give you peace of mind from data loss. Don’t let your precious photos and irreplaceable work files get lost forever! Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How to Win by Celebrating Your Clients (Online Trainer Show #16) Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren talk about winning while celebrating with your clients. Rather than telling others how great you are, it’s better to have your clients tell them for you. You’ll be surprised at how much more effective celebrating your clients’ victories is at getting referrals! But obviously, celebrations are not initially intended for business. It’s for your hard-earned work, too! Also, please send us your best “methed up” gator fanart at amber@theptdc.com!   In This Episode: How you can prevent having “methed up” gators in your sewers [00:00] Animal Planet between two ladies. [08:40] Why you should send postcards to your clients (even cheap ones!) [19:26] Spending $3K for someone’s vacation, but getting $150K in return [24:07] Celebrating in and of itself! [30:39] "You celebrate the wins, of course - but you also need to celebrate the losses. The losses mean you had the guts to take action and that often deserves more celebration than wins do." - Jonathan Goodman    Cards and Gifts in the New Age In 2020, we can assume that most of your clients don’t get physical mail, but they’ll still check for letters once in a while. Why not send them a postcard? It’s going to be a memory on their fridge that they’re going to talk to others about!   Milestones and Contests You can utilize contests for your clients. Have them share their experience and success with you then randomly choose someone to win a prize worth a couple thousand dollars’ worth. Don’t worry. You’ll get way more business in return!   It’s Not Only for Your Clients Ultimately, a celebration is all about having fun. Create that vibe, and you’ll start to get clients that are happy about the things they’re doing. And most of all, you too have to feel worthy of your work. Celebrate for the heck of celebrating! Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How To Instantly Be More Productive Without Apps or Software (Online Trainer Show #15)   As your business grows, you can’t keep putting pressure on yourself. Otherwise, you’d burn yourself out. How can you remove some of that burden? Through improving your productivity. Wearing all black on the show, Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren talk about how you can work better by doing less. They get into immediately actionable points, with no requirement for any app or software! In This Episode: How many Casio watches is a Tesla Model Y worth? [02:23] Bug bites and bubbling Vitamin C [09:47] Avoiding spending half a day figuring out Facebook cover photos [16:48] Why you should never bring your laptop charger to a coffee shop [26:13] Other people can do your job better than you. [32:21] "You probably need to spend a lot less time working than you think—as long as you take time to work on things that matter, and make sure your time to work on those things is protected." - Jonathan Goodman  Sucking for 930 Minutes a Day We’re awake for 960 minutes a day. That means we only need 30 minutes to be great. Make sure that you do the kind of work that pushes your business the most within that time frame. You can use triggers like a song, mantra, or action that gets you in the mood! Use Time Constraints to Your Advantage If you don’t have a time limit, you’ll take forever to finish the job. Set alarms and deadlines for yourself. Don’t bring your laptop charger if you plan to work at a coffee shop. You’ll be at your most productive state when your battery hits 10%. Your Business Shouldn’t Be a One-Man Army It’s not wise to handle a growing business without other people. Being productive is not being busy. Handling an increasing number of tasks would leave you with less time to pay attention to each part of the business! Have other people help you out.   Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How to Save TONS of Time Overnight (Online Trainer Show #14) Today on one of the longer episodes of the show, Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren talk about saving time. How can you avoid the things you hate doing? How can you be free to do what you want while doing the same quality of work? Why is Ren a better podcast guest than Jonathan? All these questions and more, are going to be answered on the podcast. Stay tuned until the end to see how Jonathan saves time by starting his day right!   In This Episode: Ren versus Jonathan on podcasting. Politicians don't answer questions! [00:23] Why other people don’t think virtual assistants are a scam [16:28] The importance of knowing how the numbers work. [26:48] Establishing ownership with your virtual assistants [35:31] Tips and tricks to save time! [41:20]   "They're worried about wasting time because they're not yet in control of their time." - Jonathan Goodman    “Waste” More Time by Saving More Time Doing things at your own pace without having any pressure is one of the beautiful things in life. You can delegate tasks and use tools to make your work more efficient, so you have more time to do the things you love!   The Secret to Starting with Virtual Assistants Plan for one before you even need one. That means create a list of how you do the work that you want to outsource! When it comes time to get someone, you already have the policies, training, and procedures prepared for that person!   Time-Saving Lifehacks (1) Never answer the same questions twice by making an FAQ list. (2) Control your email by sorting them and deal with them by category. (3) Learn to use Evernote to simplify articles that you want to read! Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Know When You Need a Course, a Coach, or a Mentor (Online Trainer Show #13)   As you start to get used to the grind, you start wanting to improve the way you do business. But it can get really overwhelming with the number of options available. You hear of people talking to their mentors, hiring a business coach, or taking courses. Which one fits your needs? After a discussion about children’s teeth, Mexican food, and geese, Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren clear your doubts on where you should invest your money, and more importantly, your time.   #JediTrainerShow   In This Episode: Keeping your children’s teeth and Churro Men [5:35] Where you spend your money versus where you spend your time [12:46] Mentors, business coaches, versus courses [13:40] Why business coaches aren’t the best option [19:01] Why do people sign up for programs? [32:55]   "Hiring a business coach as your first development source is an incredibly expensive, inefficient way to get to where you're going." - Jonathan Goodman    Start with a Course When you’re making your first step, choose the option that’s scalable – courses. For example, the Online Trainer Program helps you find a model that works for you! Meanwhile, business coaches use one-trick wonders that rarely apply to other situations.   The Common Caveats with Paying for Courses and Coaches If you want to find someone to help you, look for signs of seriousness in the work that they do. Don’t trust someone who doesn’t have any skin in the game!   When Do You Need Business Coaches? The only time when you need business coaches is when you know what you’re missing. You don’t go asking them where the success is hidden. If you’re already on the journey to get somewhere, business coaches can help you get to your destination faster.   Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Mistakes We’ve Made (And Learned From) (Online Trainer Show #12) It doesn’t feel good to make mistakes. But it’s when we mess things up that we learn and make tremendous progress. When we try to work on our muscles, we work to failure, which builds some muscle that enables you to lift more. It’s the same thing with mistakes! Join Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren talk about the different mistakes they’ve made and how they’ve used their experience to leverage their success moving forward.   In This Episode: Vapor rubs and meeting Ren for the first time [00:01] Building muscles after failing over and over [24:11] The day Carolina lost three clients in a day [27:38] Setting up good expectations [34:06] Continue doing the things that are working for you [39:57]   "That's the cool thing about progress - is that no matter how well you plan something, no matter how much you know about something going into it, the odds that it's going to work out the exact way you planned are basically zero." - Jonathan Goodman    Taking Too Many At One Time – Not Procrastinating Be aware of your limitations and work within your means. Doing more than your capabilities will likely result in a loss of clients because you won’t be able to give what you promise.   Building Great Systems for Communication When you’re observing your clients making significant progress, they might think that you’re not doing your job because you’re not switching things up! Listen and ask the right questions. Know when you need to communicate and how to communicate.   Find the Snowball and Keep it Rolling You don’t have to keep doing new things and creating new projects. If you find something that works for you, make sure to capitalize on the success it brings to the table! Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Why Memberships are a Horrible Idea for Just About Every Online Trainer (Online Trainer Show #10)   Today, Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren shoot down your dreams of starting a membership program. What’s wrong with a membership program, you ask? Hear it from the experts and the people who’ve done it on a large scale. You’ll be surprised to know that there are significant differences with people that pay you thousands of dollars and those that pay $20 a month, and we’re not even talking about those that get stuff for free! All this and more after Jonathan sings his son’s newest jingle for the podcast.     In This Episode: Someone actually thought that Jonathan Goodman didn’t have a personality! [07:13]   The difference between free membership and paid membership clients. [09:43]   Creating excellent systems as an online trainer. [16:47]   Membership program clients tend to ignore the value you provide! [25:20]   The lower you charge, the more you get taken advantage of. [30:36]   “The less you charge, the more you get taken for granted…” – Carolina Belmares   “I love that… Amber, write that down!” – Jonathan Goodman   “The less you charge, the more you're taken advantage of.” – Jonathan Goodman     The Mindset Membership Programs Create People who pay less give you the most amount of trouble. Your best and most respectful customers are the ones who pay the most money. Most people who join a membership program join with an internal goal of canceling before the second payment!   Are You Really Helping at This Point? Membership programs tend to attract people that ignore the help you provide because they pay little for it. Either that, or you won’t be able to give much value to them.   Having More Resources to Provide Value Charging what you’re worth enables you to help those that truly need your help. Having more time and resources allow you to build your brand and ultimately provide value to your audience. Yes, even scholarship options for deserving people.   Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd    Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://youtu.be/6oCk3ooPe0k  

How to Choose the Right Online Training Business Model (Online Trainer Show #11) As the pandemic continues to cause massive global changes, you might be seeing the need to reinvent your business. The question is, what type of model should you choose? After having a discussion about the greatness of wipes over toilet paper, Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren talk about different business models and how you can implement them in your online training career. While all of these are applicable, you don’t have to go through all of them! Just make sure to take note of the limits of each one. In This Episode: Wipes versus toilet paper and surpassing two listeners [00:59] One to a Few – where you should start [14:41] One to Many – don’t attract a lower-quality customer! [24:54] High-Ticket Programs – understand your clients! [38:21] Hybrid Programs – the best for transitioning to online training [42:29]   "Hybrid training is simply a more convenient way to offer a better service." - Jonathan Goodman  One to a Few The basics – trading your time for money. This allows you to do things on your own schedule, but this is not where you want to be forever! One to Many This might lead you to a membership model, but that tends to attract lower-quality customers. However, you can make the “One to Many” approach work by charging appropriately and hiring coaches to work with you as well! High-Ticket Programs These are usually transformation programs where you can charge higher amounts. The higher price is justified by understanding your prospect’s problem and providing a tailored solution to solve it. Hybrid Programs It allows you to offer what a client needs, when they need it, and how they need it. Your customers pay you a monthly fee as accountability and also when they need to see you in person! See Jonathan’s first article here: http://championlifestyle.blogspot.com/?fbclid=IwAR3gMzVVfTmrcUyYa9XtyNq8JCb-6mQvI35BrUlS0WePRhu1dbqrNs47658 Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd  Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

How to Produce Content to Get Clients (And Not Take Forever) (Online Trainer Show #9) Many people fail with content because they try to do way too much with way too little thought in way too many places. For you to succeed, you have to learn to step back and build a strategy behind what you want to do. Today in the “two’s company, three’s a crowd” episode of the show, Jonathan and Ren talk about how you can produce content that works. They give the steps to succeed in any platform, but including the time it costs and the reality they entail. In This Episode: A balanced diet of positive and negative reviews. [00:51] Who is your audience? You can’t please everybody! [16:44] Steps to produce good quality content on any platform. [24:08] Good, but not yet great. Don’t pay $100K to ask people to marry you! [30:48] Being energized with the things that you do. [42:28]   “If you're producing content, you're not going to be good at producing content until you put in a lot of reps.” – Jonathan Goodman   Get Good by Doing More Your body gets stronger by doing more reps. In the same way, producing more content develops your skills and sense of what works and what doesn’t. If you look at famous YouTubers’ earlier videos, they’re way worse than what they create now! Vital Steps to Produce Content Anywhere Understand the platform, who else is performing well on the platform, build your skillset with that medium, and how are people making money from this platform? Don’t Hurry to Get a Million Followers Early adopters give you much more leeway to make it as you go. They are more accepting, like people who get into an indie band before they go mainstream. People will find you naturally when you continue to produce better value for others. Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd 

When to Use Paid Traffic, Organic Growth, or Neither (Online Trainer Show #8) What is the difference between paid traffic and organic leads? Which is more important? Spoiler alert, neither! Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren talk about what it takes for you to advertise and find leads as an online trainer. Whether you are new to the game or a veteran figuring out how paid advertisement works, you’ll be sure to get a ton of value. Also, stay tuned to find out how you can send fanart of Carolina and her Stevia drops! In This Episode: The Mexican rite of passage [05:15] How paid advertising works and eventually fail to work for you [12:58] Advertising as a new trainer [21:24] Will you work with someone who automates conversations with you? [25:02] Speaking to five people a day [32:00]   “I believe very strongly that you should start with what you already have and take the easiest path that you have.” – Jonathan Goodman   Start with What You Already Have Take the easiest path. You have your family, friends, and friends of your friends! Anybody you’ve personally met is a more qualified lead than somebody you’ve never met online. Talk to People as a Human Being There’s a disconnect to selling a personal service when you don’t even spend the time to talk to your customers! The Simplest Advertising You Could Do It’s so simple that it’s hard to believe. Just talk to five people a day. That’s all every single online trainer ever needs to do for their business. Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   

Creating Magical Client Experiences to Increase Retention and Grow Your Business (Online Trainer Show #7) You need to create a magical experience for your clientele. There’s a lot of talk about marketing and online training, but not much with giving a remarkable service to your clients! Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren talk about how we can make our customers feel special. We’ve unintentionally made this episode filled with more value than usual, so make sure to stay tuned! Who knows, you might catch a rare moment of hearing Amber. In This Episode: The old guy in the podcast, hairless chests, and the badass Jedi mayor [00:19] Thinking of doing something special for your clients [16:09] How to give gifts the right way [24:33] Sending actual birthday cards versus a Facebook greeting. [38:37] A nutritious episode every so often [44:52]   “There are key processes in a company that can make a ton of difference for your clients, and employees that can garner different emotions, if you know when and how to maximize this value of delighting people when they don't expect it.” – Carolina Belmares   Turning Mundane Things Into Remarkable Experiences Unexpected things have the highest potential to become an unforgettable experience. Always think of doing something special for your clients. Gifts can act as reminders and referral mechanisms! Invest Time for Your Clients If you’re already trying to help these people be at their best, why not spend a little more time to get to know them and send something that gives value instead of a promotional item? Make them feel that their money is well-spent. Maximize the Value of the Right Moment Think about giving flowers on Valentine’s day versus a random Tuesday in June. It’s the exact same action, but the latter has more meaning to it! Scale your efforts to make more human connections. Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd 

The Secrets to Focusing on the Right Things in Your Business (Online Trainer Show #6) A lot of people that start a business don’t realize that many of the things that matter, truly don’t. Are you too busy comparing yourselves to other “successful” people? Or maybe you’re thinking about business names, trademarks, Instagram posts, and the hottest exercises? Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren share their thoughts on what you should worry about for your business. This is the BEST set of content we’ve ever created (apparently), so you don’t want to miss this! In This Episode: - The best content of PTDC ever! [06:23] - Do you understand what your clients really want? [21:23] - Building client trust through hard work [25:35] - Your peers are not your target market. Focus on the people you serve. [37:36] - The most passive-aggressive move done by any government [42:00]   “The most effective technique ever… is actually to just repeat back to them exactly what they said, and then close your mouth.” – Jonathan Goodman    Understand What Your Clients Really Want Some of your clients might want to brag about how much they can deadlift rather than how they look. You can’t sell a program until you figure out what value your clients want to get out of your services. Building Client Trust through Hard Work Create a reputation that precedes you. Don’t focus on hot new exercises. Just trust the process and do the hard work. Focus on the Macro The small things (micro) are short term, immediate gratification-type activities. Don’t get sucked in on showing how successful you are. Concentrate on the macro where you don’t get much feedback but wake up one day with everything in place. Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd 

Packages and Pricing (Online Trainer Show #5) Pricing can make or break your business. But with that said, you also have to choose to start somewhere. Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren talk about packages and pricing. Where do you start and how do you know when you should bump it up? Should you even increase the price in the first place? How should fit your pricing to what you want your life to be? All these and more (including the banana holder’s return) on The Online Trainer Show! In This Episode: Carolina dates the mayor and Jonathan gets an ice pack for his bed” [05:02] The most important decision in your business [13:15] When do you decide to increase your pricing? [20:33] How to make the pricing work for the things you want in life [26:03] Recalibrating your business and how much you pay your co-hosts [39:52]   “You've got to figure out what the objective truth is. What do the numbers show you? If you don't like it… you can work on systematically changing it.” – Jonathan Goodman    Should You Compare Yourself With Others? While it makes sense to do it, be careful! Most online trainers don’t know what they’re doing, so make sure to only look for successful people in different situations. Set Your Own Pricing in a Way That Works for You Once you find your niche, you will find that the people you connect with will be more than happy to pay your set price. You can snowball from there! Work Backwards From Your Goal Is what you’re doing matching what you need? Consistently reassess and recalibrate what you’re doing to make sure that you’re meeting your standards. Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd 

Why Online Coaching Doesn’t Need to be Discounted (Online Trainer Show #4) In a heavily online-dependent world, does going online really mean having to charge less? Aren’t you still giving the same quality of service and solving the same problems? Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren touch on the importance of seeing your value as a coach in setting up your prices and increasing them as you build your client base. Stay tuned to know about the country’s mange problem and Jonathan’s sword.   In This Episode: Unclaimed land, missile silos, and Barrie, Ontario [04:00] The importance of coaching to get the results you want [14:03] Providing solutions [23:29] How much should you charge for your services? [24:35] Jonathan and the Excalibur Knights [40:55]   “Once you actually know how to do this and sell this, you literally go from charging $100 a month to $1500 for eight to twelve weeks.” – Jonathan Goodman     Providing Solutions You have to sell solutions. Communicating the solution effectively from the front matters more than what’s in the program itself.   Why Online Coaching Doesn’t Have to Done for Less Money There is no badge of honor to charge as little as possible because you deserve a life that you want to live. You are still solving problems and not giving band-aid solutions. In addition, you’re also maximizing the client’s time because there’s no commute.   Bump it Up Little by Little Establish your pricing by starting from where you are and incrementally increasing. This also helps you build up your confidence as you get used to it.    Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd      Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA   Youtube - https://youtu.be/XSbcmh-CtSc

What is your unique selling proposition (USP) as an online personal trainer? Every single community out there needs a health and fitness expert. So what is your 1% uniqueness factor? After discussing dead rats and poop, Jonathan, Carolina, and Ren share with you the secret to establishing your unique vision and setting your goal so you can get the reaction you want from potential clients.   In This Episode: - Ren breaks down every Hallmark and Lifetime movie [4:05] - The importance of separating yourself in the market [18:10] - How Carolina generated 800 email leads from 1 Facebook post [22:54] - Do coaches share their story enough?  [36:27] - Ren sings the theme song to “The Love Boat” [41:32]   “You have to give yourself some sort of an advantage, some sort of a reason, for your client to choose you.” – Jonathan Goodman   Separate Yourself in the Market What is your niche? Don’t market based on merit; what’s important to you is not necessarily important to your client. Your uniqueness isn’t necessarily fitness.   Recognize Where Other People Share Your Problems If you already have a community, they will identify with you. Can you train just one influential member of that community for free?   Share Your Story Everybody has a story to share. Put yours into the context of something you’ve already experienced. The more interesting you make yourself, the more interested people will be in you.   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd

Welcome to The Online Trainer Show! Join hosts Jonathan Goodman, Ren Jones, and Carolina Belmares for witty and insightful advice for online trainers. In this episode, they discuss how Canada beat America in a war, whether or not Carolina chases coyotes, and how to get your online training business started right now with imperfect action. Don’t miss this opportunity to laugh and learn while developing the tools for online training success!   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd   In This Episode - When Ren was in a 90s boy band [14:45] - What is “imperfect action” and how can it help you? [18:42] - How Thomas Edison used imperfect action for success [24:12] - What is your #1 business asset [31:55] - Why the worst-case scenario really isn’t [34:30]   “Start helping people for nothing. Start placing yourself as an expert in your close circles.” – Carolina Belmares   What is “imperfect action?” The short answer is, “imperfect action” means starting something even before you know how to do it. Jonathan, Ren, and Carolina are doing exactly that with today’s episode of the podcast. They discuss the mindset you need to start with “imperfect action” and how it will help you grow your online training business.   The “ignorance quotient” Expertise is not as important as action. What is it you need to get the first lit under your butt? Carolina shares expert advice for jumping right in.   Your most valuable assets Jonathan, Ren, and Carolina have advice for everyone out there who wants to start their online training business but thinks they need expensive software first. What do you actually need to get started right now?     Get started TODAY with Online Trainer: https://onlinetrainer.com   Connect With Jonathan Website - https://www.theptdc.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theptdc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theptdc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-goodman Jonathan’s books - https://tinyurl.com/ydb9y29j   Connect With Ren Website - https://www.fitnessjonestraining.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fitnessjonestraining/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/leanout/   Connect With Carolina Website - http://www.sweatglow.com/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/sweatglow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sweatglow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BBSofficial/

What is the meaning of resiliency, and how can it help your business thrive right now? In this episode, Jonathan, Ren, and Carolina discuss ways to succeed during the pandemic. Carolina shares a personal story about a time she had to “ride the waves” of her business, and how it led to her following her own advice. Also in this episode: Jonathan got a new bike, and Ren opens up about what really “chaps his hide.”    In This Episode - What is resiliency? [13:09] - What you need to do to make your business work [20:00] - Learning to ride the waves of business [21:13] - The meaning of “sonder” and how to use it [25:14] - How Ren is disgusted by the idea of a “banana holder” [27:38]   “You have to position yourself so that you minimize being hurt, and even potentially win, when unpredictable events happen.” – Jonathan Goodman    The pre-pandemic fitness industry Was the fitness industry broken? Jonathan thinks so, and he gives good advice on how the pandemic is actually a good thing for fitness professionals and their businesses.   The importance of adaptation The current situation is forcing fitness professionals to adapt, and that’s a good thing. In order to succeed right now, you need to learn how to make your business work right now.    What does “sonder” mean? It’s human nature to compare your “blooper reel” to someone else’s “highlights.” In this episode you’ll learn the meaning of the word “sonder” and how that idea can help you feel better about your business.   Get all shows and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts at www.onlinetrainer.com/podcast   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: https://onlinetrainer.com/academy   Enjoy this special offer of 60 days FREE on PT Distinction from The Online Trainer Show! - https://onlinetrainer.com/ptd

If your name is Tim you'll love this one. Tim Saye, Tim Drummond and me, Tim Tavender, talk about positioning your online business. Tim Saye is founder at PT Distinction, a leading online personal trainer software and Tim Drummond a very successful online business coach.  And yes, we discuss gimps! https://www.facebook.com/TimDrummondCom - Connect with Tim D https://www.facebook.com/groups/1798242390427839/ Connect with Tim S https://www.facebook.com/groups/borntocoach/ for show notes and coaching business support