Six Publicity Tips for Gaining Valuable Recognition as a Fitness Professional By Amanda Vogel, MA, and Jim Labadie

1. Make print publicity work for you many times over.

When an article containing your name and fitness advice hits the newsstands or newspaper racks, you’ll likely notice a boost in business and/or interest in your services.

Make the most of that valuable publicity long after the magazine or newspaper is out of circulation by including it in your marketing plan. Prominently post the article in your fitness studio. Mention the publicity on your website, with a link to the article’s online version if possible. Tuck a good-quality copy of the piece into your press kit.

2. Think ahead.

If you aspire to stand out as a health/fitness expert in big-name magazines, think ahead - way ahead. That's because - unlike newspapers and small publications - most major magazines work months in advance.

Be prepared to drum up summer-related story ideas in the winter. But don’t stop there. Many editors at top magazines begin concocting stories a whole year in advance! Get ahead of your competition by being the first fitness pro to suggest attention-grabbing ideas for the seasons and holidays ahead.

3. Branch out.

Magazine editors come and go more often than you might think. Focusing all your attention on one editor could be disastrous for your long-term publicity efforts. If she leaves her position at the magazine, you might be back to square one with her replacement. One way to avoid this is to build relationships with editors at many magazines and/or editors in different departments of the same publication, such as fitness, nutrition and health.

>For TV and radio

4. Pitch the producers, not the talent.

Radio and television producers decide what goes on air. The talent - news anchors, reporters and disc jockeys – typically have little or no idea who’s coming on as a guest. If you want to regularly appear on radio or TV, strengthen your relationship with the producer as opposed to the person who interviews you.

5. Show benefit to the audience.

Your goal is to sell your ideas with a pitch. The key to getting TV or radio producers to buy your ideas is convincing them that their audience would enjoy and benefit from your story or information. That’s why you must be familiar with the stories that usually air, and the audience’s demographic before you pitch an idea. Regularly tune into the TV programmes and radio shows you want to be on.

6. Come alive!

Being lively and well-spoken during your first TV or radio appearance increases your chances of being asked back as a guest. Knowing that you’ll be heard or seen by thousands or more people can be nerve-racking. When you’re nervous or overly excited before an appearance, channel that energy to create an electrifying “on air” performance. Remember, you’re a fitness professional - people expect you to be energetic!

BIOS

Amanda Vogel, MA Human Kinetics, is a fitness professional and freelance fitness writer in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is the owner of Active Voice Writing Service for fitness professionals and co-creator of Secrets to Scoring Publicity in Top Women’s Fitness Magazines, a teleseminar CD that reveals how health/fitness professionals can land publicity in major magazines. Amanda regularly writes for Shape, Self, Fit Pregnancy and Health magazines. To find out more about her information CD, and to sign up for Active Voice’s free writing and marketing e-newsletter for fitness professionals, visit www.activevoice.ca.

Jim Labadie is a fitness entrepreneur, publicity expert and speaker. To learn more about pitching producers, coming up with terrific story ideas and the biggest mistake health and fitness professionals make when trying to land publicity, sign up for his FREE mini-course at: www.howtogetmorepublicity.com.