Why Personal Trainers Should Pump Up Their Advertising ROI with Billboards

​Personal trainers have a ton of options to choose from when deciding how to advertise their services. Billboards and other outdoor advertising formats are often associated with huge businesses and corporations, but they are also a powerful tool for smaller businesses. 

​In actuality, nearly 70% of outdoor ads promote local businesses. Let’s take a look at how billboards can pull-up your advertising campaigns.

Low Cost, Big Gains

When considering advertising, cost may be the single most important factor for personal trainers. Some are only doing it as a side hustle or just don’t have a lot of cash to throw at advertising when they’re first starting out.

Even established trainers don’t want to spend more than they have to on advertising. While it obviously varies depending on what market you are in, billboards are surprisingly affordable.

They can be made to fit practically any advertising budget. Outdoor ads deliver the most value — in terms of cost-per-thousand impressions — of any type of advertising, and that includes digital.

​They’re generally much, much cheaper than newspaper, television, or magazine ads.          

They Never Rest

Outdoor ads cannot be turned off, skipped, or ad-blocked. As advertising technology has advanced, so has the technology to skip it.

​Ad Blockers can be installed on web browsers. DVRs allow people to bypass commercials. Billboards and other outdoor ads are viewed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They don’t take a cheat day.

Take a look at these signs up at the entrance of a multi-storey car park. Those businesses behind the wall and down the alley have exposure 24/7 for thousands of people driving in, who have to walk out this way to get anywhere.​
​

Fitness Business Billboards in West London

Heavy Brand Lifting

For newer personal trainers especially, advertising is crucial in creating brand activation and awareness. Future clients need to know who you are and what you do before they can schedule a session.

​Seeing your face and physique on their way to and from work every day on a billboard is a great way to make potential clients aware of you. It establishes your brand while at the same time creating an emotional bond with them. A thoughtful or funny billboard will also generate buzz and be shared on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, all at no extra cost to you. 

Hit Your Goals

Outdoor ads work. They’re massive, they’re hard to miss, and if you’re clever about their design and messaging, they’re ridiculously memorable.

If you are already taking advantage of other advertising formats, adding outdoor ads to your marketing mix is a great way to substantially extend your reach. According to the OAAA, of those who have seen an outdoor ad:

• 41% are more likely to learn about the brand being advertised
• 70% say outdoor ads are very, or somewhat likely, to influence a purchase
• 58% search the web as a direct result of seeing an ad
• 55% use mobile and social media to share information while viewing an outdoor ad
• 35% buy a product after seeing an ad

Warm Up Site Traffic

​Billboards aren’t just for driving traffic to your gym, they can also be used to drive people to your website. 58% of people search the web as a direct result of seeing a billboard or outdoor ad.

This is an excellent opportunity to direct potential clients to your website to learn more about you, your training packages, and what other services you offer.

​Hopefully, you’ve featured your latest promotion on your site and provided a quick and easy way for people to contact you with questions or schedule a session. 

About the Author

Cody J. Riebe is a Public Relations and Content Specialist for BillboardsIn.com, the largest online marketplace for outdoor ads. With over a million assets nationwide, they make it possible for anyone and everyone to easily buy billboards online.