When it comes to fitness marketing, there are plenty of options out there. You can use Google Adwords to build your fitness business. You can set up a Facebook marketing campaign. You can even go the old-fashion way and hand out flyers around town. However, all these things cost money. If you’re looking for some simple ways to get free advertising for your business, you’re in the right spot. Below are three relatively simple ways that you can start generating more fitness business without spending a lot of extra money. If you’re more of a book person, Confessions of an Advertising Man gives you a lot of insight into the advertising world.

Give Out Free Memberships to Locally-Popular Individuals

We’re not talking about getting Hugh Jackman to workout at your gym (though that’d be HUGE for your business), but setting up some type of local celebrity endorsement can pay dividends when it comes to generating free business. Sit down with your trainers and staff and figure out who are some of the most popular people in your city. This group could include the mayor, the city council, the owner of the local golf course, grocery store, etc. Think about the people who are in front of the most faces every day. Those are the people you want to focus one. Once you’ve got your list, reach out to them and offer them a free membership to your fitness business. Explain that you’re trying to grow your business and that you’re looking to give free memberships to the most important people in the city. Flattery works wonders. Don’t put too many stipulations on your offer. Just let them work out for free and hopefully they’re promote your gym to their friends and clients without even noticing it.

Start a Facebook Sharing Fitness Contest to Generate Leads

Though you need to do them few and far between (because you don’t want to get annoying), Facebook sharing contests are a good way to get some free advertising on the interwebs. The one thing you want to sure of is that you have enough Facebook followers so that you don’t have a sad showing. If you have a “share” contest and it only gets shared twice, well…that’s a little funny/sad. However, if you’ve got a nice Facebook following and you’re giving out a worthwhile prize, it’s a nice way to boost your social media presence. Make sure you aren’t breaking any of Facebook’s contest rules either.

Offer Discounted Membership to Newspaper Employees for Advertising Slots

Don’t let people fool you; the bartering system is still alive and well. The city of Bristoll, CT has a whole building set up for businesses to barter their goods and services. Reach out to your local newspaper and see if they’re interested in doing some type of tit-for-tat business relationship. You’ll offer up discounted membership for their employees (adding a nice perk to the paper’s benefits plan), and the newspaper will give you a weekly advertising slot for free (or a discounted rate). It’s a win-win situation for both businesses. There are hundreds more creative ways to get free advertising. Whichever you decide on, go out there and get it done!

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