Reputation Management Tips for the
Fitness Expert
In
a world where people can grab fitness tips from the Internet, fitness experts
need to manage their reputation more than anyone else does. Whether you are a
personal trainer, a body builder or a weight loss aficionado, you have to
convince others why they should listen to you instead of the other
professionals out there. The way to do that is with reputation management – and
here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Listen to What People Want
As
a fitness expert, you want clients. Clients want things, too – and they will be
vocal as to what they want. Some may want more energy while others may want to
build muscle or lose fat. You cannot expect to have a positive reputation
online or offline if you are unable to give people what they want. Maybe you
can give everyone what they want and maybe not. Be honest about what services
you can offer. If you cannot do something, be upfront and don’t take a client
on unless you are 100 percent confident in your abilities.
If
you do end up taking on a client and you didn’t listen to what they want, and
you cannot deliver. You will end up getting a bad
reputation – and it could have been avoided from day 1.
2. Set the Right Expectations
People
in the fitness world want results. When they contact you, how quickly are you
going to get back to them on an email or website inquiry? Be clear on the
website – 24 hours, 48 hours, whatever. Then be sure you will stick with it.
The
same goes for seeing physical results. When you begin working with someone who
wants to obtain fitness goals, you have to set an expectation for them. If they
follow your routine and your tips, they can start seeing results in how many
days, weeks, months? Spell it out for them so there are no surprises down the
road.
3. Don’t Get Upset
There
are going to be times when people get upset about a product or a service. For
the most part, they are not mad at you but at the situation or the product.
This means that you cannot get upset – or at least not in front of them. Being
rude or getting upset in front of your client is only going to make matters
worse. You don’t want to come across as insincere or as a hot head as those can
cause your reputation to plummet faster than anything else can.
4. Manage Social Media
Your
social media has to be managed. The bulk of your reputation is being formed
through the social media sites like Facebook and Foursquare. If you don’t know what’s being
said, you’re already in trouble. Keep in mind you can always use reputation reviews services to
maintain these accounts for you so you can spend more time managing your
appointments.
5. Hire a Brand Manager
If
you don’t know how to manage your brand online or you don’t have the time, it’s
important to hire a brand manager. This means someone who knows their way
around the social media sites and when and how to tweet so that it is
effective.
Fitness
experts need help with reputation management just as much as the next person.
When your reputation is in jeopardy, follow these five tips and you can turn
things around.