Looking for advice from established Personal trainers

gemm

Hi guys,I am a long time lurker on this site and find it very interesting to hear some of the insights the experienced,successful trainers give to aspiring PT's.
I received my PT cert last year and have done a lot of study since with the aim of opening my own business in the south of the country in late 2013. My question to experienced trainers is : "In the first 6 months/year what did you find to be the most difficult aspect of getting the business of the ground and succeeding in this game?" I am under no illusions of the difficulty in becoming a successful trainer !!

Transform

Focusing too much on e.g. business cards, the perfect website, t-shirts etc

Not being toe to toe and face to face with customers or potential customers daily.

Not blogging or writing enough - in the beginning you have a ton of free time and not enough business so write and perfect your message.

Not investing in yourself enough. Read, read, read (more business books than training) and decide for yourself what you like, what you think is practical for the clients you want to work with and clearly define what your ideal customer looks like (not physically).

Lastly - look the part. If you havent got this nailed down its a really tough sell.

Best of luck

gemm

Thanks Transform for the helpful advice,will defo take all that into consideration. the first year will no doubt test me in many ways that i cant even anticipate,want to be prepared as much as possible.

Transform

have a look through the recommended reading section on my site as plenty of good reads there and lots of other people i admire mentioned throughout the site also

gemm

will do for sure,appreciate it.supple leopard is next on the shopping list !