Networking in your community is a great way to get your name and face out there. It lets others in your community know who you are and what you can offer. The main purpose of networking is building relationships and trust. You get others see how you can help them and vice versa. You become walking, talking advertisements for one another.
It’s so important that you get out in your community and let people know what you do. Help them to understand why you’re unique and show them you can support them reaching their fitness and health goals. The big question is how?
First, identify your audience.
- Women?
- Business people?
- Athletes?
Next, go to places where your audience gathers.
- Check out women’s groups in your area
- Go to more business oriented mixers and networking functions
- Invest your time at sporting events
The Internet has not only grown networking via social media, it has also made face-to-face networking even easier. A great way to find networking groups near you is to Google “networking groups in ______” and enter in your city. Your city, and possibly your more closely connected neighborhood, will have a site that you can join and post to. Search for specific interests or topics depending on what your target audience is.
Networking will not just make yourself more present in your community. People will soon see you as the “expert” on fitness and health in your area. You won’t just have to sit and wait for people to come to you because you are going to them. The hope is that you will leave a good enough impression that these people will remember you and be a walking billboard for you! Good luck on your networking endeavors!
Additional Reading
7 Networking Tips for Personal Trainers
Networking and Building a Professional Fitness Web
Ryan Farrell started working with the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) in 2012. As NFPT's Marketing Coordinator, Ryan is responsible for aiding company reputation by building brand awareness and establishing strong working relationships among NFPT, its affiliates and industry partners.
