"Net Profit" - tips for fitness professionals who wish to make money from the Internet

The Easy Way to Make Money From the Internet

As a fitness professional, you can make money from the Internet. Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers about the "dot.com" crash. There are hundreds of thousands of Web sites that are profitable right now and don't get the media's attention. Worldwide Internet users are estimated at 400 million people according to Global Reach, with over 150 million in North America. Gannet News Service reports e-commerce transactions in the United States totaled $200 billion last year. Health and fitness continues to rank as one of the most frequent uses of the Internet; Cyber dialogue estimates that 54% of all U.S. Internet users are accessing health and fitness sites. Greenfiled Online reports that 72% of U.S. Internet users purchased online during fourth quarter, 2000. Internet sales of fitness products are booming--everything from trainers to treadmills, from sweatshirts to stair steppers and from books to bikes.

To capitalize on this opportunity, it's important to understand why there is such huge growth in Internet sales of fitness products and services. Some of the reasons include:

Convenience

With today's hectic lifestyle, it's so convenient to buy online from the comfort of home or even the desk where you work. Within minutes and a few mouse clicks your orders are placed and delivered to you within days. Even bulky items that would be hard to transport in your car can be at your doorstep.

Availability

Many products do not have nationwide distribution in retail stores. Maybe the particular brand of sports drink you like is not available in your local store. Instead of driving across town, find it online in minutes and order a whole box--often at discounted prices.

Price

Prices on the Internet are often lower than in your retail store. Even when it comes to paying the shipping and handling fees, remember that you are not paying for the gas to driving across town, the parking and the lost time spent getting there and back. Many Web sites offer closeout specials at even bigger discounts.

Product Information

Ever asked a sales assistant about a product and got an incomplete answer? The Internet offers amazing product information including product comparisons, specifications, other buyers' experiences, disadvantages and even product defects. Sources include the manufacturers' own sites as well as customer groups, consumer groups and industry association sites.

The Internet may never replace the physical shopping experience for those times when it's fun to browse around the town looking in stores and trying on new clothes. However, the exponential growth in Internet sales confirms that clicking your mouse is often easier than clicking your heels. So, as a fitness professional, how do you cash in on the bonanza? It's simple, put up your own Web site and tell everyone you know to buy from your site.

While you are out all day teaching aerobics, one-on-one training, exercising or sleeping, your Web site could be making money for you 24/7 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). Your clients, friends, relatives, fellow professionals and any other people who find your site could be buying treadmills, bikes or stair steppers (they'll probably seek your advice on these big ticket items as they trust you as an informed advisor). They may be renewing their month's supply of energy bars or sports drinks. They may be scheduling an appointment with you via your online calendar, giving you extra sessions. Better yet, they may find you through ZIP code locators or search engines and choose you as their new trainer. There's no business like new business.

Think of the increased opportunities to interact with your clients. Provide daily tips and advice such as recipes, new product reviews and latest thinking on new methods of exercising. Send e-mails to encourage their progress and reminders to book additional work-outs. Use software that enables you to assess your clients and monitor their progress. Utilize new devices that are Web-enabled and allow your clients to record and track their activity levels. Even if you are less profit-conscious, all of these methods help you improve the health and fitness levels of your clients and offer a real service to your "customers." In a recent survey of fitness professionals, conducted by AFAA, 86% of respondents stated that the Internet will change the way they interact with their clients.

So how do you build your own Web site? The early days of cheap Web sites are gone. Today's sites feature complex software code and programs. Sites require continual updating to stay lively. The user's expectations have increased to a level of sophistication that many Web site managers cannot provide. Sure, you can put up a home page with your photo and bio on many free services. Will it make money for you? Very unlikely. For that you need a full e-commerce site with credit card verification and secure transactions, Internet merchant licenses, manufacturer/distributor agreements and a customer service center to deal with problems, returns and other disputes.