Posted by on Jul 21, 2017 in Marketing, Products | 0 comments

Promotional Wristbands Now Available!

Looking for a way to get out the word about your Back to School Open House?  We have the answer!  The Back to School season is the perfect time for gyms to drive enrollment up!  This year, we’re going for some POP WITH SOME PROPS!  Heyoooo!  These great visual props will help you and your team drive the message home.  First items are NEW silicone wristbands (kids and adult sizes) imprinted with “Back to School My Gym Rules!”  Next we have some sweet terrycloth sweatbands for the teachers to wear.  WHY???  Because they’re cool!!!  PLUS, it will get parents and kids to ask “Ummm, what’s with the sweatbands?”  The wristbands (child and adult sizes) and the sweatbands are available to order NOW! Ideas for silicone wristbands: Give your camp kids wristbands after their final camp sessions. Many of your camp children may not be enrolled in classes.  The wristbands will serve as a reminder of the great time they had at camp and hopefully give them incentive to ask...

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Posted by on Jul 20, 2017 in Marketing | 0 comments

#MomentsThatMatter

Our newest campaign is hot off the press!  We are very excited to bring #MomentsThatMatter to our social media marketing efforts as a company and brand, just in time for it to take hold before the back to school season starts. We will be rolling out this campaign over the next week.  It will live on social media and in your gyms as an evergreen campaign for parents to use when they share content (video or photos) of their children having the time of their lives at My Gym.  We also encourage you to use this campaign hashtag as indicated below and in your own creative/unique way to help spread the virality of the movement. The steps involved in launching this campaign are listed below.  We feel these steps are simple and have great value in your online marketing efforts.  Please, if you have any questions or need any assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to support@mygym.com at any time. Next Steps: Today: Please take a few moments to...

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Posted by on Jul 18, 2017 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

Revised Liability Waiver and Social Media Notice

The Liability Waivers included in the VIMA and Birthday Party Waiver are being updated. The verbiage has been simplified, and now there is also a social media notice without an opt-out option. This is, of course, by design. If you have a customer who wants to opt out, allow the client to do so and make a note on the account in MGM. You should also keep a running list of these clients and take great care to NOT share their images on your social channels. On Tuesday, July 25th, the previously used waivers will be updated to the text below. If you have customized your liability waivers in MGM and wish to save your modified versions, please copy and save the text outside of MGM immediately. To view your current waivers, take these steps. While logged in as the Administrator in MGM, go to Admin > Gym > Settings > Legal. Birthday Party Waiver and Social Media Notice Liability Waiver:  In case of an emergency when I cannot...

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Posted by on Jul 18, 2017 in Marketing | 0 comments

PR Directives Now Available

My Gym PR Directives are now available to help franchisees promote big events or announcements without the help of a PR firm or publicist. This document will guide you through the steps of developing your Press Release, researching media outlets in your area, and then contacting the various outlets with the goal of securing media coverage. The process of obtaining media coverage requires time and detail. We have found that the media outlets are more receptive to a local business owner with a meaningful story and an accurate approach than they are to a PR firm. Previously-used SSA is no longer an MGE vendor available to franchisees. Anyone needing guidance with press strategies are encouraged to reference the PR Directives and contact the Support Division if further assistance is needed. Click here to download the directives. This document can also be found on the Operations Manual here: Marketing Manual / Additional Marketing Materials / Special Events / 01 – Open House and Enrollment...

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Posted by on Jul 17, 2017 in Marketing | 0 comments

*NEW* Social Media Strategy and Plan – Reserve your space today!

Welcome to the New My Gym Social Media Strategy!   We recognize the unique needs in marketing a small business and the necessity for a comprehensive social media plan that includes Social Media education, a comprehensive strategy for posting, and software to manage and track it all.  We are introducing an entirely new way of managing your Social Media channels that will: Centralize Organic Social Media! We have a great organization and power in numbers that can quickly provide amazing content and also powerful metrics. Save you valuable time! We are taking the guesswork out of organic social.  Follow the plan and you will be running the best strategy to grow your business. Help lighten the Social Media workload! MGE will be seamlessly posting for you directly to your Facebook and Instagram with content that is proven, engaging, and relative to your audience. Give you access to the best-in-class social media management software – Sprout Social! Enables you to reschedule and manage all your Social Media content Gives you...

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Posted by on Jul 14, 2017 in Marketing | 0 comments

Texting Your Members?  Fill out our survey to give us your opinion!

Texting applications allow for total, direct, and convenient consumer and business communication – anywhere, anytime, and on any device. As a result, businesses increase productivity, lower costs, and provide more satisfying customer experiences, ultimately giving them the competitive advantage. We are currently in the process of researching a few different texting applications that would allow you to reach your members more seamlessly. These programs provide direct SMS texting and website text widgets, among other things. The SMS text functions would allow you to contact your customers individually (about scheduling a make-up, a birthday party reminder, etc.) or to send out a blast to multiple people (announcements about closures, etc.). This would also allow easy access for members, or future members, to text you with questions while browsing your site. Click here to fill out the survey to let us know if this is something in which you are...

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Posted by on Jul 14, 2017 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

Trampoline Safety Talking Points

With the recent discussion about children and trampoline injuries, here is MGE’s stance on children using trampolines in our My Gym facilities.  Please share them with your staff and any concerned My Gym parents. It appears that the main reason the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is strongly against trampoline use by children is the high volume of documented injuries from trampoline use specifically from home trampolines (the large backyard variations) and indoor trampoline parks.  1,2   The AAP goes on to say, if trampolines are still going to be used, follow the below safety guidelines. Please review with your staff the AAP-recommended trampoline safety precautions below: Adult supervision at all times Only one jumper on the trampoline at a time No somersaults performed Adequate protective padding on the trampoline that is in good condition and appropriately placed Check all equipment often. Repair or replace damaged protective padding, the net enclosure, or any other parts that are impaired. (We also have our My Gym rule of no adults allowed on the My...

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Posted by on Jul 13, 2017 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

Ninja Training Reminder

It’s the FINAL COUNTDOWN! Mt. Midoriyama (Google it!) is calling… It’s the eye of the MYMO, It’s the thrill of SPACEFLIGHT… Rising up to the challenge of a WARRIOR! If you are planning to add Ninja Training to your fall schedule, now is the time to start marketing, training, and promoting this dynamic new class!  All necessary items for preparation of launching this action-packed program can be found in the Core Programs file folder in the Operations Manual. The first week of curriculum is set to launch the week of August 7th. It will be available to review two weeks in advance, on the same web-based curriculum platform wherein you get your regular core curriculum. One final note: where does a Ninja shop for their groceries? …At the STEALTH food store! ...

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Posted by on Jul 12, 2017 in My Gym Foundation | 0 comments

UPDATE: Johannah Graduates!

In May, we shared Johanna’s story with you and the impact you had on her life by helping MGCA purchase an iPad for in-home therapy. We recently received an email from Johannah’s mom and thought you would all like to read it for yourselves: “Hi! Just wanted to send you a quick note to let you all know that Johannah graduated from pre-K and is moving to the next classroom. Her occupational and speech therapists have incorporated her iPad in her therapies so Johannah can point out “yes,” “no,” and “more.” Thank you again for your generous gift.” Thank you to everyone who has participated in the 100% Program so far this year. You are making a difference in the lives of these children, and it truly means so much. — Want to see even more stories of children you’ve helped? Like our Facebook Page for updates: www.facebook.com/mygymchallengedamerica — Gyms that have reached their 100% Goal: My Gym Kailua, My Gym Mechanicsburg Gyms that are more than halfway to their...

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Posted by on Jul 5, 2017 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

Your 30-Second Pitch

Perfecting your 30-second pitch is an important part of the sales process at My Gym. Being able to communicate the key aspects of My Gym in a short period of time is a skill that no employee should be without. The average person’s attention span is only seconds (especially with kids hanging onto him/her)! You need to be prepared to grab and hold people’s attention with what you have to say. This is especially important as you are all getting ready for your Fall Open Houses! When flyering or working community events… “Hey! Have you heard of My Gym? No? Well, My Gym is (insert 30-second pitch). Let me get your information so I can invite you to our exclusive Open House in September.” You quickly and efficiently told them what we are about, plus you got their information! You can, of course, just hand them a flyer, but it’s always better to get that email or phone number into MGM. Check out the “30-Second Pitch” document in the...

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Posted by on Jul 5, 2017 in Marketing | 0 comments

Marketing Fund Increase (Canada)

Hello, We take every franchisee cost or fee very seriously, and we understand that every dollar is important.  As changes occur in the marketing world, My Gymers have sometimes had the luxury of moving forward at their own pace.  But the marketing space has transformed very rapidly and drastically.  Mass mailers and ads in community print magazines are things of the past.  Traditional forms of marketing have become largely irrelevant, especially to our target audience, young moms.  To be relevant and in front of millennials, we need a very strong, centralized, digital marketing plan – a plan with social media at the forefront, engaging content, and various forms of digital advertising thereafter – an in-house, centralized, and connected system providing real-time analytics across various mediums. It has become necessary to increase the monthly Marketing Fund to be able to meet the needs of franchisees and the ever-changing marketing landscape.  Effective for the month of September 2017, the Franchisee Marketing Fund will be increased to $150 per month for all...

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Posted by on Jul 5, 2017 in Marketing | 0 comments

Marketing Fund Increase (US)

Hello, We take every franchisee cost or fee very seriously, and we understand that every dollar is important.  As changes occur in the marketing world, My Gymers have sometimes had the luxury of moving forward at their own pace.  But the marketing space has transformed very rapidly and drastically.  Mass mailers and ads in community print magazines are things of the past.  Traditional forms of marketing have become largely irrelevant, especially to our target audience, young moms.  To be relevant and in front of millennials, we need a very strong, centralized, digital marketing plan – a plan with social media at the forefront, engaging content, and various forms of digital advertising thereafter – an in-house, centralized, and connected system, providing real-time analytics across various mediums. It has become necessary to increase the monthly Marketing Fund to be able to meet the needs of franchisees and the ever-changing marketing landscape.  Effective for the month of September 2017, the Franchisee Marketing Fund will be increased to $200 per month (a $50...

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Posted by on Jul 3, 2017 in Marketing, Products | 0 comments

A Fun Way to Promote Back to School Enrollment and Your Open House

The Back to School season is the perfect time for gyms to hold an Open House to drive enrollment up!  This year, we’re going for some POP WITH SOME PROPS!  Heyoooo!  These great visual props will help you and your team drive the message home.  First items are NEW silicone wristbands (kids and adult sizes) imprinted with “Back to School My Gym Rules!”  Next we have some sweet terrycloth sweatbands for the teachers to wear.  WHY???  Because they’re cool!!!  PLUS, it will get parents and kids to ask “Ummm, what’s with the sweatbands?”  The wristbands (child and adult sizes) and the wrist sweatbands are available NOW! Ideas for silicone wristbands: Give your camp kids wristbands after their final camp sessions. Many of your camp children may not be enrolled in classes.  The wristbands will serve as a reminder of the great time they had at camp and hopefully give them incentive to ask mom about returning to My Gym. Give the wristbands out at community events, street fairs, etc....

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Posted by on Jul 3, 2017 in Marketing | 0 comments

Email – Best Practices

How many emails should I send? When should I send them? To whom should I send them? What should be in my emails? The answers to these questions and more are now available on a presentation in the Webinars and Tutorials section. If you struggle with your email marketing, then this is for you! Even if you don’t think you need the help, take a few minutes to watch this presentation. You just might learn something that will make your emails even better!! Make sure to pull this presentation up with whoever does the email marketing in your gym. This “Email Best Practices” presentation is a step toward crafting better emails, having more opens/clicks, and getting more leads or sales! You don’t want to miss it! Click here to download and view the presentation. NOTE: The link above will open to a box.com site with the message We’re sorry, this file format is not supported. You will need to click DOWNLOAD to save the file to your...

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Posted by on Jun 29, 2017 in Marketing | 0 comments

10 Reasons why you should utilize Facebook Live

If you haven’t heard of Facebook Live, now is the time to get started.  We have created directives to take advantage of Facebook Live for your next enrollment event.  Also, read on for 10 reasons why you should be taking advantage of Facebook Live: It helps your potential customers get to know you in a low commitment (or low barrier to entry) environment. It can lead to higher engagement on your Facebook Page down the line by creating more invested followers. Followers create leads, and leads create enrollments! It will help you generate ideas for future content as you get to know your customer base even better. You can reference this video later, as it stays on your feed after it’s recorded. Later in the year, you can share this Q&A video as a reference for My Gym Memberships and general My Gym Questions. Live Videos receive prioritization on the news feed. (Take that, Facebook Algorithm!) When one Facebook post receives high reach, the following posts also are pushed...

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Posted by on Jun 23, 2017 in Strategic Partners & Sponsors | 0 comments

Gazillion Bubbles: More Samples On the Way!

Surprise! We are excited to announce that each gym in the U.S. and Canada is going to receive ANOTHER shipment containing two more Tornado bubble machines for the gym AND 100 x 8 oz. samples of Gazillion Bubbles to hand out to your customers. Shipments should start going out next week. You can send a thank you shout-out to Gazillion Bubbles by posting a photo of My Gym bubble fun on Facebook and/or Instagram. Be creative. Be sure to include the tags #GazillionBubbleStorm and #GazillionMagic. You can also tag Gazillion Bubbles by using @OfficialGazillion. MGE is also continuing our exclusive wholesale program for My Gym franchise owners to purchase Gazillion Bubbles Solution at greatly reduced rates. 2 Liter solution is still available for order. Because of inventory volumes, you can now purchase 1 Liter solution instead of 4 Liter solution at the same price per ounce.  The 1 Liter solution is much easier to pour, however, please note that it does not contain a wand. SHIPPING IS INCLUDED AND...

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Posted by on Jun 21, 2017 in Products | 0 comments

New Performance Staff T-Shirts in Stock

Fitness apparel is popular for many reasons, including fashion, comfort, and performance. Because of this rise in popularity, ShopMyGym has added a new, more affordable performance T-Shirt to its line.  ShopMyGym has carried the Champion moisture wicking T-Shirt for several years, and it has been quite popular, but we recently sought out a lower cost option to make this type of shirt more cost effective and practical for all gyms to use as a staff T-Shirt.  As many of you know, there are significant differences in quality, comfort, fit, and appearance in all types of apparel, and fitness apparel is no exception.  After evaluating many options and turning many down because of poor quality, appearance, and fit, we concluded that the Gildan 47000 Performance Adult Tech T-Shirt is an amazing value and offers the best quality, comfort, appearance, and fit at an affordable price point.  This shirt’s features include the following: Active fit 4.7 oz., 100% filament polyester jersey knit My Gym silk-screened left chest logo Moisture wicking and...

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Posted by on Jun 15, 2017 in Products, Support & Programming | 0 comments

Get Ready for the BOSU Sport Balance Trainer – Budget for 2017 New Curriculum Products

The programming team has an exciting new piece of equipment coming this fall: The BOSU Sport Balance Trainer.  While the main purpose of this post is to make you aware of the expenditure in advance, we also want to give you a sneak preview of this fun addition to our curriculum. The BOSU is a balance ball trainer used in health, fitness, sports conditioning, and rehabilitation facilities to strengthen muscles while improving balance and coordination and combining physical and mental focus.  The BOSU Sport Balance Trainer is a smaller version of the original BOSU Balance Trainer (22” diameter vs. 26” diameter), making it ideal for kids. The BOSU Sport was tested in 25 gyms, and the kids and the teachers fell in love with them, so the programming team wanted to make them available to everyone.  You may find the BOSU within the curriculum in relays, games, adventures, and skill stations for all age groups. Each gym will need a minimum of three units.  The retail price is $99,...

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Posted by on Jun 13, 2017 in General, Technology | 0 comments

PCI Compliancy – Global Payments Account Holders

Please be advised that Global Payments has recently partnered with ControlScan to provide the latest information and protection on PCI Compliancy standards. The fee structure for compliancy will remain a nominal part of the monthly fee. At no time will you be asked for credit card information to pay for services. As a reminder, maintaining PCI Compliancy is required by Visa/Master Card. The lack of compliancy will result in additional monthly fees. It is important to note the previous partner, Security Metrics, will likely continue to reach out in efforts to elicit business. This, unfortunately, is unavoidable....

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Posted by on Jun 13, 2017 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

South Training Seminar

We just spent an awesome weekend with a wonderful group of really fun and energetic My Gymers in the South.  There were 72 people in attendance, and your passion, dedication, and ideas helped create an awesome event!  Thank you to the Boynton Beach, FL My Gym for hosting the event.  Veronica and Sebastian Giraldo, and the Boynton Beach team did an amazing job! South Award Winners We would like to recognize the award winners from the South Training Seminar.  Keep up the fantastic work! Franchisee of the Year Award The owner who best exemplifies the ideals for which My Gym stands by achieving excellence in the areas of business operations, leadership, customer service, program quality, and enrollment Kathy Karner – My Gym Kendall, FL +++ Achievement Award The owner who has achieved remarkable progress in striving for excellence in the areas of business operations, leadership, customer service, program quality, and enrollment Mindy Reeth – My Gym Virginia Beach, VA   +++ Director of the Year Award The director who...

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Posted by on Jun 12, 2017 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

My Gym Ninja Training: Going Live August of 2017!

Ninja Warriors Assemble!! Do you have what it takes? Are you prepared to tackle any obstacle of both mind and body that comes your way? This may just be the perfect program for your gym! The My Gym Ninja Training is officially HERE! Programming will be set up to be launched live in gyms the week of Monday, August 7th. We strongly advise gyms to start this program on the suggested date, as each week of content aligns with the current weekly programming so as to avoid conflicts with equipment needed in other core classes. We invite any and all considering adding “Ninja Training” to their schedule this fall to review the directives, which will be available on the Operations Manual as of July 1st. Starting July 1st, you’ll find all the necessary information and resources to run the whole program in the Programs – Core > Ninja Training folder, including several months’ of pre-written curriculum. More will be added in time. Ninja Training videos for many of the obstacles...

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Posted by on Jun 12, 2017 in Support & Programming | 0 comments

Changes to the My Gym Model

Hello, The Optimized My Gym (OMG) model was introduced 3 years ago.  At that time, there were over 20 test locations, all of which unanimously advised we move forward with the model.  The model was initially met with some apprehension, but we are happy to say that, after 3 years, the model is strong and over 90% of My Gyms have transitioned to this model.  None have transitioned back to their previous way of operating.  Many gyms have hit their highest numbers in their history the last year or two, and we hear often that the goals of the OMG model were met and exceeded. For the last 3 years, we have provided information on the Operations Manual and Curriculum about both models.  At this point, it only makes sense to unify and move forward with one model.  Your Franchisee Advisory Board has been consulted on the matter and has given their unanimous vote to move forward. Please be advised that, as of August 2017, we will no longer...

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Posted by on Jun 10, 2017 in Strategic Partners & Sponsors | 0 comments

Beat Bugs To-Do List

The Beat Bugs are taking over My Gym! Did you receive your Beat Bugs poster yet? If so, make sure it is hanging in the gym. If not, email strategicpartners@mygym.com and let us know. Posters were shipped to all gyms in the U.S, Canada, Australia, and the U.K. and should have arrived this past week. Please snap a photo of the poster and send it to strategicpartners@mygym.com. If you have already sent it, thank you! Remember, this step is required to receive the partnership revenue share. We are sharing some of these compliance photos with the Beat Bugs team. So, for fun, you could even go a step further by having some staff and/or My Gym kids in the photo with the coloring sheets or in an animated pose. Because you’re a My Gymer and we LOVE to do fun things, you could also make a short video with Beat Bugs music in the background. Show us your creativity! Sharing that on Facebook and tagging Beat Bugs would be...

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Posted by on Jun 8, 2017 in My Gym Foundation, Products | 0 comments

The MGCA T-Shirt Has Arrived!

The new MGCA shirt is in stock and ready to purchase. If you pre-ordered your shirts, you should receive them by the end of the week. If not, you can purchase your shirts from ShopMyGym.com in the Adult Apparel category and they will ship immediately. We invite everyone who has an MGCA T-Shirt to wear it this upcoming Sunday, June 11, for National Children’s Day. Be sure to share and tag MGCA in your photos on Facebook and Instagram to show the...

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Posted by on Jun 6, 2017 in Marketing | 0 comments

2017 Marketing – Back to School Campaign Materials Are Ready!

Back to School marketing materials are ready!  Now that all gyms are running the Summer Marketing Campaign, it’s time to start planning for Back to School.  During August and September, all gyms should implement the Back to School Marketing Campaign. Utilize the online and print materials to plan now for a successful Back to School Open House and fall enrollment drive. Marketing Materials Package (Operations Manual > Operations > Marketing Manual > 2017 Marketing > 08-August Marketing Materials.zip) The August 2017 Marketing Materials package is available as a zip file on the Operations Manual.  Just download one file and you’ll have a completely organized package that includes digital artwork, social media promotional copy and profile pictures, article template, planning checklist, and more for all of your Back to School marketing! Web Splash Page (Admin > Website > Settings > Special Offers) Access, customize, and activate your campaign splash page to link to your campaign web article.  Exact Target Emails Campaign-themed global email options in Global Emails > Campaigns Mymo’s...

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