Originally Posted by
alenadundas 
1. how do you currently keep track of payments from your customers? How do you reconcile all your invoices / payments? Do you keep track of everything in a spreadsheet, or do you use your gym's system?
If you are contracting with a club, this probably means you are a business within a business. Thus, you would do best to set up your own system. I always used an accounting software program for my clients, such as QuickBooks. A more affordable option for some people is Quicken.
You definitely want a system that will not only streamline this process for you, but also allow you to grow.
2. how do you record your client programs / exercises? Do you use traditional pen / clipboard or are you using smartphone / mobile technology (eg iPhone, etc)?
Personally, I literally had still used a form I created and would pen in their particular workout for that particular day. Because my background is clinical, where we charted everything, I also had a chart for each client, which I brought with me. Although I would file their workouts, all other important information would be with me at each session, such as their initial assessments, their last assessment, etc. I also had a copy of the accident reporting form, which I think is essential.
However, I also used the software Nutribase for tracking their progress.
3. Do you do any kind of marketing for your services? If so, what kind? Search engine marketing? Directories?
Everything you do, now, should be considered marketing. Marketing is literally just having a conversation with someone and then handing them a card!
In your local area, join the Chamber, if that's an option. Look for an entrepreneur group. Get involved in your community, and get known for your expertise! Become a resource for the local newspaper; get to know the reporters.
Online, marketing opportunities are endless.
* What I often tell clients to FIRST do is join Facebook and start posting. Then join Twitter, and join LinkedIn. My social media VA suggests just spending 5 minutes a day on any one of these, in order to get your name out there and share what you know and who you are.
* Then, you should have a website. If that's too expensive an option, at least set up a blog. Then post on that blog at least once a week. Short and on what you are passionate about. And then share your blog posts EVERYWHERE!
* You then need to start building up a following, and this would be by collecting people interested in what you have to say in a newsletter/eblast. These do not need to be long, NOR must it be all your content. However, it gets you in front of your target market on a regular basis so they don't forget you. People are busy, so you have to keep reminding them you're there.
* An excellent online strategy is to figure out where your target market hangs out online, and then take part in the community on those sites. Post, share, let people get to know you. Always make sure there is a link to your site in your posts, so they can easily come check you out.
These are just a FEW marketing tactics. All businesses should seriously sit down and create a marketing plan. This way you have spelled out your goals and objectives, as well as a plan for how you will accomplish those goals and objectives. And in that plan, you have set up measurements so you can test how well a particular strategy is working. One example of how to measure would be watch your site visit statistics; where are people coming from to your site, and then how many people are purchasing your services or buying your products.
Good luck to you!
Thanks in advance for any information, I'm really curious to see what everyone's different methods are!
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PTs -please help!: what methods do you use for admin? (payments, bookings, referrals) 
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