Hugh Jackman and Jennifer Aniston have one.

by Rebecca Myers | Sunday, February 06, 2011

Have you ever dreamed of being a trainer to the stars?

Perhaps, by chance, you’ve found yourself training a high profile client. Either way, training VIPs can prove a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience
and a bit of preparation goes a long way.

Love or loathe the hype, high profile people can be the gateway to a plethora
of opportunities and if you find yourself getting close to the spotlight it pays to be armed and ready for action!

So what does it take to attract and retain high profile clients?

Do you need to be at a certain skill level, and is it worth all the potential stress dealing with big personalities?

High profile people come in all shapes and sizes, in all industries and professions. Celebrities and media personalities are usually the first groups that spring to mind, but don’t forget all the other influential people such as judges, barristers, entrepreneurs, company directors, CEOs, senators, socialites, philanthropists, artists and many more.

Perhaps you are training a high profiled, highly influential person already?

Attracting high profile clients

Some people may have been ‘lucky’ to land a high profile client, but it has been said that luck is simply when opportunity and preparedness meet.

If you want to attract high profile clients, follow these guidelines to ensure you get
‘lucky’ too.

Network through your contacts:

I bet that some of your friends or family move in influential circles.
Perhaps your parents know someone high profiled? Write a list of the people who can help you tap into these social networks, and don’t forget to pass on your business cards at every opportunity!

Referral is by far the most popular method to land yourself a VIP.

Hang out where they hang out:
I’m not just talking about working in the studios and gyms of the stars, but trying
to tap into their social scene. Gallery openings, bars, restaurants.
It’s amazing who you can meet and the conversations and referrals that can evolve.

Look the part:

Do you walk the talk? Does your clothing reflect the person you are trying to portray? Is your body a walking example of your training techniques?

Become your worst critic and look at yourself from the outside in.

Have a clear message and a clear training strategy:

Can you sum up your training philosophy in 30 seconds? Do other people get it? If you are trying to be everything to everyone then you will end up being nothing to nobody.
Write your personal mission statement, and make it crystal clear.

Raise your profile and credibility:
When it comes to positioning yourself in the right location to attract
high profile clients, be relentless and don’t ever give up. However, when it comes to actually meeting and converting the client, back off. Many high profile clients are very private and sensitive to the hard sell.

Going in too strong can have the disastrous effect of undoing all of your good work up until this point.

Retaining high profile clients
Once you’ve landed yourself a high profile client, it requires strategy to
ensure they remain a close contact even after their training has finished.
Most VIPs are constantly on the move, and the chances are the training will not last.

But this doesn’t mean you should lose them as a contact. If you are a coach and mentor to them, you will be able to stay in touch no matter where life takes them.

Be a coach and mentor:

By showing an interest in the entire health and well being of your client, you will be
able to forge a longer term relationship.

Have a few meetings off the gym floor, and provide the client with lots of extra
material. E-mails, handouts and hotel programs show that you are committed
to them achieving their results. It gives you the opportunity to stay in touch
with them no matter where in the world they are.

Be an exceptional trainer and never stop learning:

VIPs want to know they are getting the best treatment and experiencing the latest,
most innovative techniques from a highly skilled professional. They want results, but they are often impatient, so you need to hone your personal training skills and be the best trainer you possibly can.

Be prepared:

Learn everything about your client’s life, their health, their work, their interests, and their
personality (thank goodness for Google!). It will always keep you that one step ahead.

Confidentiality is the key:

Many high profile people are very paranoid about their private life so whatever you do, ensure you respect their privacy at all times. For example, boxing in a public place can be a big risk, as can trying out new moves in front of others.

Some VIPs don’t even want others to know they are being trained at all.

Get them involved:
If you’ve got a grand plan for your career, tell them. I bet they will want to help. The fitness industry is often exciting to outsiders and there is money to be made.

Don’t be afraid to share your dreams when they might be able to help it come true!

Stick at it:

Big personalities often mean big headaches. Only you can be the judge of whether they are worth the effort. On learning from others’ experiences, more good tends to come
from training VIPs than bad. And as the old saying goes, ‘what doesn’t kill you
makes you stronger!’

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