Facebook is a great way to connect and build your class following as a fitness instructor. The fitness professionals I work with create a close-knit community of class members using Facebook and here are some the best tips to help you!
1. Post About Your Class. Every class! Include the name of the class, the name of the gym and tag class members. This builds your relationship with class members (and even helps you remember their names and get to know them better through their Facebook profiles). The people who take your classes like you – that’s why they chose your class. Build on that relationship by letting them know that you value their presence in your class.
Group Fitness Managers can promote a future class and tag the instructor. See example below from Lisa Gagliardi, Group Fitness Manager at Equinox:
Always let your Facebook followers know when and where you are teaching and when you will have subs for your class. This gives them the inside scoop into your class and allows them to plan accordingly. Post something like this on Facebook and make sure to include where you’ll be instructing (follow @RhonaHun on Instagram for other great examples).
2. Be The Expert. As a fitness instructor, your class members look up to you for fitness and diet guidance. You can take this as far as you want, but something as simple as showing what you eat for breakfast is interesting to your class members. If there are stretches or mantras you use that is wonderful information to include too. There are thousands of articles online that are worthy of sharing on your Facebook page. When you select an article to share you are endorsing the article as something you believe in and building your brand as a fitness professional.
3. Create a Social Media Fitness File: Never be at a loss for things to post again. Keep a file of the following:
- cache of quotes
- memes
- blog post ideas
- tips of the day
- videos
- pictures of yourself and clients
- links to great fitness articles
It is important to post at least once a day to build your following and establish yourself on Facebook. Post about your class and your schedule, demonstrate your expertise and create a social media fitness file. Soon you will build your class following and up your following on Facebook and at the gym. Let me know if these ideas helped you in the comments below.