It’s a horrible word isn’t it….marketing? No, only joking, I mean “viral” of course. Mention viral and one tends to think infection, illness and disease – or for the geeks among us, computers messed up. But viral marketing is nothing so negative or unpleasant, viral marketing is good!

What is Viral Marketing?

As the name suggests, it’s a way of spreading your marketing message from person to person, rather like the flu virus is passed on. You give the germ to, say 5 friends/colleagues/family members, who in turn each pass on the bed bugs exterminators to 5 more (5×5=25), who then spread it to another 5 (25×5=125) and so on until after just 8 levels, you reach the staggering figure of 1,953,125.

The classic example of viral marketing is Hotmail.com, one of the first free Web-based e-mail services. The strategy is simple:

1. Give away free e-mail addresses and services, 2. Attach a simple tag at the bottom of every users email message sent: “Get your private, free email at http://www.hotmail.com” and, 3. Then stand back while people e-mail to their own network of friends and associates, 4. Who see the message, 5. Sign up for their own free e-mail service, and then 6. Propel the message still wider to their own ever-increasing circles of friends and associates

What makes marketing ‘Viral’?

A viral marketing plan usually has some or all of the following basic elements:

1. Provides a product or service free
2. Makes for easy transfer of the message to others
3. Allows easy growth from small to very large
4. Exploits common motivations and behaviours
5. Uses existing communication networks
6. Utilizes the resources of others

Let’s look at each of these in turn.

1.Provides a product or service free

“Free” is the most persuasive word in marketing. Most viral marketing campaigns give away a product or service to get peoples interest. Free email service, free software, free information etc. Then, when you have their attention, when you have their trust, sell them something. Hit them with a sales pitch first, chances are they won’t be interested.

2. Makes for easy transfer of the message to others

Viral marketing works so well on the internet because quick communication has become so easy and cheap. Your marketing message must be simple so that it can be passed on without loosing its effectiveness. The simpler and shorter the better, remember the hotmail example: “Get your private, free email at http://www.hotmail.com.”

3. Allows easy growth from small to very large

To grow rapidly, the necessary infrastructure must be available. The best viral marketing makes use of the resources of others. This was the only weakness in the hotmail example, the service required its own mailservers. Not a problem with the resources of Microsoft behind you, but for mere mortals like you and I, best to plan on spreading the message using others recourses, see number 6.

4. Exploits common motivations and behaviours

What motivates people to use certain products or services on the web, and to recommend these to their friends? The practicality of a product, sure, but more than that – the desire to be popular, thought of as cool etc. Greed also motivates, hence the power of the word ‘free’!

5. Uses existing communication networks

Most people have around 5 to 12 people in their close network of friends, family and work colleagues. On the internet, nearly everyone has email addresses in their contacts list, and favourite websites stored in their web browser. Utilise this fact in your marketing campaign. For example, when you give away a free product, ask the recipient to provide the email addresses of others who may be interested.

6. Utilizes the resources of others

Get your message into other peoples emails and onto others websites, that way their recourses are being used, not yours. And once your campaign has enough momentum, sit back while your customers do

When you’re running your fitness program, it’s important to utilize the fitness boot camp marketing strategies we give you today to build more clientele and success.

#1 Be the Actor or Actress

It’s show time! One of the first boot camp marketing strategies is being able to treat your fitness program like a huge performance. You’ll know if you’ve won an award or not by the results and comments from your group.

#2 Bring all kinds of Energy

This alone can make a huge different in your boot camp. Granted, you can still have a good one without energy, but more people will enjoy it when you bring a bunch to your program. If you don’t, they will find a better local boot camp to attend. So pretend you’re on a TV show and bring it!

#3 Stay Vertical

Listen, it’s extremely important to demonstrate exercises without moving to the ground. Your patrons might not be able to hear you, and it simply takes too long. Plus, it really sucks when they are standing around not doing anything, so STAY VERTICAL!

#4 Go A.P.E:

A. Appreciation P. Passion E. Enthusiasm

You should be giving your clients massive appreciation every workout. This is huge when it comes to boot camp marketing strategies. It’s also important to learn new techniques that keep your workouts fresh. Oh, and don’t forget about bringing enthusiasm to the table. You can do this by linking your boot camp to achieving your life dream.

#5 You’re the Alpha Male of the Group (AMOG)

Yes, even if you’re a female instructor it’s time to break out the AMOG! It’s important to bring “authority” because everyone (especially females) follows the AMOG. (Note:) Don’t be afraid to make those needless corrections. Something like, “That’s good, but trying moving your feet in 2 inches!” This will make clients work harder and end up with better results. They just have to be convinced that you are the AMOG authority.

#6 Fluctuate Your Voice

Just like music has different tones, you have to do this with your voice as well. It’s possible you’ve been to a class like this where it’s the same voice all the time. However, with boot camp marketing strategies it’s an important piece to the puzzle. Screaming like a maniac one minute, then bring it down is always a good technique. You gotta try yelling at the top of your lungs and then quickly whispering in your female client’s ear, “You are doing such a great job and you look great today”.”

Remember, these boot camp marketing strategies aren’t build to make you a drill sergeant, but a super motivator!

#7 Make Them Feel Special

A crucial part of your strategy is to make tons of eye contact. This alone will make them feel special. You won’t find too many instructors who do this at all.

#8 Be Thankful

The more personalized you get with your clients, the more they believe you care. Instead of giving them a “Hey thanks everyone,” go up to them individually. Don’t be afraid to say Thanks to each and every client and they leave. Plus, adding in a little extra like, “Your work out rocked today! I can’t wait to see your energy at the next workout,” can go a long way. The point is you don’t have to over-exaggerate it, but you really can’t say “thank you” enough. Just remember that this should be done every single workout.

#9 Referral Mind Control Method (RMCM)

Another one of our boot camp marketing strategies is being able to get more referrals. This is where the RMCM comes into play. It’s considered a “super secret Ninja Technique,” which pretty much works every time. All you have to do is say:

“Oh Kayla, before you leave I forgot to tell you one thing. 90% of my clients come from personal referrals, so make this agreement with me right now. As I help YOU achieve your goals, can I count on you to refer one or two of your friends so that I can achieve my goals, too?” Now shake her hand to seal the deal and don’t ask, but make the statement; “We have a deal.”

Why does this work? Anytime we meet an individual there is a new neural connection supplanted in the brain. It’s almost unbreakable, so everything that happens in that instance becomes a piece of the neural connection. So once you do this, your clients feel compelled to refer tons of clients without even knowing why. This is a top notch boot camp marketing strategy.

#10 Remember to bring your KISS

No, it’s not keep