And … action! Dispelling the myths about producing your own fitness video

American Fitness, Sept-Oct, 2004 by David Wicker

If you're a group fitness instructor or personal trainer, you've probably thought about making your own fitness video. Before embarking on this venture, you need to realize most self-produced fitness videos don't make a profit. However, with proper research and risk management techniques you could make a successful video and enjoy numerous benefits.

The number one benefit is the extra income. If you are properly positioned to sell your video, you can double, triple and even quadruple your monthly income. For most instructors, "residual" or "passive" income is a new concept. Since fitness instructors get paid for teaching classes, their income is restricted by the number of classes they teach. However, a fitness video enables an instructor to do the impossible; namely, be in two, a hundred or thousand places at once, all over the world. The idea of teaching a class once, on camera, and repeatedly getting paid for it is appealing to anyone.

Other benefits include media exposure. The release of a new fitness video can make a great article or interview in your local newspaper, radio station and other media outlets. This exposure is free and a great way to become better known as a fitness instructor in your area and beyond.

A fitness video also increases your chances of success in the job market, because it is a great item to send with your resume. A quality fitness video can immediately show you are a first-rate instructor and gives you a chance to showcase yourself at your best. Moreover, if you are applying for jobs overseas and other places where personal contact is difficult to arrange, sending your fitness video can improve your chances of being hired.

With all these great benefits, why doesn't every instructor make a video? In my experience as a fitness video consultant, I've identified five common myths that keep instructors from taking action.

Myth 1: I have to be famous or extremely popular in order to succeed with a fitness video.

Reality 1: You don't have to be a big name to succeed. For example, you've probably never heard of David Wicker, yet I've sold nearly 50,000 videos, earning over $250,000. In order to succeed, you simply must have something people want and market it well. Keep marketing in mind when making your video because the more unique your video is, the less competition it will have.

Myth 2: I have to look like Mr. or Ms. Universe to have a fitness video.

Reality 2: You don't have to be in perfect shape to make a fitness video. Remember, the majority of the general population is older, overweight or unable to do advanced workouts. As long as you are reasonably fit, you will inspire these people. The key to succeeding with your fitness video has more to do with the quality of your program and your ability to communicate, than looking like Mr. or Ms. Universe. You don't have to be a fitness model to reach people, just show you care and offer something that will help people achieve their goals.

Myth 3: A lot of money is needed to make a fitness video.

Reality 3: You don't have to pay an arm and a leg to produce a fitness video. In fact, there are two ways you can make a fitness video without using any of your own money. You can be hired talent for a video production company or presell copies of your video. But even if you use your own money, you can learn how to negotiate with video producers, editors and duplicators to make a professional fitness video for as little as $2,500.

Myth 4: Only instructors with big egos make fitness videos.

Reality 4: While some instructors make videos in the hope of becoming celebrities, the majority make fitness videos because they have created a great program and want to share it. Malay people you've never heard of are helping people around the world with their videos. Caring instructors who are committed to helping their students can inspire far more people by having their own fitness video.

Myth 5: I don't know how to produce my own fitness video.

Reality 5: Learning how to make a fitness video is easy. How to Produce Your Own Fitness Video for Extra Cash is one comprehensive, step-by-step book on the subject, written by yours truly, which provides the information you need to successfully produce a quality fitness video. If you're not much of a reader, a seminar or personal consultation may be more to your liking. Remember, the information you need is available.

Before you pick up the phone book to hire a video producer, look out for pitfalls along the way. Unfortunately, most instructors who produce their own fitness videos fail to make money. In fact, over 80 percent of them never recover their investment. This occurs because they did not research the steps involved in making a successful fitness video. The most important question to ask before producing a fitness video is, "Who is going to buy this video?" The second most important question is, "Am I sure they will buy it?" These questions will help you determine if you have a sales outlet in place. Knowing how to reach your market is key to a fail-safe method of producing a fitness video. You also need to learn about designing your program, marketing your video, hiring video producers, negotiating for the best prices, duplicating videos, packaging and selling them.