Mymo Stretchkins. . . They’re invading our curriculum! Watch them in this sneak preview.
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Read MorePosted by My Gym Administrator on Nov 11, 2015 in Products, Support & Programming | 0 comments
Important MGM 3.0 Update & Webinar Registration
In January, we announced a list of upgrades coming to MGM this year. What we left out in that update is that we have been hard at work changing many things as they pertain to My Gym technology. We are very excited to announce these changes as the release date approaches. MGE is now the official owner of MGM. Gene Levi (Jenmark), who has been the vendor for so many years, has agreed to change our relationship and is now an employee of MGE. We have also added several other resources to the technology department in order to deliver the best possible product to our franchisees. The new system is called MGM 3.0, but it is much more than that. MGM 3.0 is now a combination of both MGM and the extranet. This process was long overdue, and we are excited to announce it today. There are many benefits to combining the two areas, as you will soon see. Support and technical assistance protocol remains the same but will...
Read MoreNow Zach can sit on his own…
THE CHILDREN YOU HELP: Meet Zachary Thank you to everyone who helped fundraise for MGCA through Halloween Parties and other fundraising events. Zach has Cerebral Palsy, is immobile and nonverbal, and has very little trunk control. Because of you, MGCA was able to purchase a GoTo seat for Zach, which allows him the opportunity to be more independent and actually sit with his family at the dinner table. Zach’s mom expressed her gratitude when reaching out to MGCA: “I wanted to say thank you again for the gift of the Firefly seat. My son Zachary is having the best time when we are out. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since we’ve been able to shop or go to a restaurant without adjusting him repeatedly in his high chair or cart because he’s tipping over and doesn’t have the core strength to hold himself up. Now he sits comfortably without being propped up with paper towel rolls, lol. Thank you again from a very appreciative family!!” MGCA...
Read MoreReminder: My Gym Social Media Photo Contest
Our third social media contest of the year is well on its way to becoming a great success! Thank you to everyone who has already Liked and shared the contest on your social media pages and encouraged participation in your gyms. Remember, if we all participate, it will provide us 10s of thousands of impressions! The “Where’s Mymo” Photo Contest is a fun, engaging, and interactive way to connect with our customers and further market/brand My Gym, and participation is simple! (Click this link for the contest flyers, including rules, directives, and the Mymo cutout.) International gyms are encouraged to join in the fun as well! Use the Mymo cutout as a craft at your next Parents’ Night Out or Holiday Camp! Every photo posted has a chance of winning. Five winners will be randomly selected to receive a $100 My Gym credit. When winners claim their $100 gift cards at their gyms, MGE will reimburse the full amount! The winners will be announced on all social media pages...
Read MoreHyland’s Homeopathic – Free Sampling Program
The next phase of the Hyland’s Homeopathic Free Sampling Program is here! Each gym will receive a free shipment containing all of the materials you will need to execute the program, which runs for a month from November to December, 2015. The samples and coupons should be made available to all customers from 11/12/15 to 12/12/15 or until supplies are gone, whichever occurs first. The materials include: 900 Hyland’s Homeopathic Cold ‘n Mucus 450 3”x 5” coupons for Hyland’s products 1 counter card Please place the counter card near the samples and encourage parents who are interested in doing so to take the survey AND feel free to take multiple samples along with the coupons. Upon commencement of the program, please snap a quick picture of the samples and literature display and send it to marketing@mygym.com. We have taken every possible precaution on our end to avoid the damaging of products during the packaging and shipping process, and we’re confident that each gym will receive their materials fully intact....
Read More2016 Marketing Plan – New Year Campaign & November Marketing Reminders
2016 Marketing Plan – New Year Campaign Materials Are Ready! January is quickly approaching, and that means it’s time to prepare for the first marketing campaign of 2016. To help you execute the themed campaign in your own gym(s), the following are ready for you to access: Marketing Materials Package (Operations Manual > Marketing Manual > 2016 Marketing or search “NCNY16”) The January 2016 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, press release and article templates, planning lists, and more! Web Splash Page (Edit Website > Gym Information > Special Offers) Access, customize, and activate your campaign splash page to link to your New Year Campaign web article. Exact Target Emails (Global Emails > Campaigns) Campaign-themed global email options Mymo’s Memos – New Year Themed e-Newsletter (Available January 1st) We strongly request that all gyms at least send the e-Newsletter out...
Read MoreChanges in Accepting Face-to-Face Credit Card Transactions
A new fraud reducing technology known as EMV (EuroPay, Mastercard, Visa) has been implemented in the Unites States for credit card transactions. EMV is a worldwide credit card security standard that supports chip-and-pin or chip-and-signature technology, which shifts the liability from the Processor to the Merchant. EMV will be most prevalent in the retail and restaurant industries. It relates to face-to-face transactions only. EMV has no association with, or effect on, recurring billing. To be 100% compliant, MGE recommends obtaining an EMV-compliant terminal. Gyms will use this terminal to process credit cards for face-to-face transactions such as enrolling after a guest class. They account for approximately 5% of a typical gym’s total transactions. They will not be tied to MGM, meaning the transaction will not be listed in MGM without a manual entry. An EMV-enabled terminal can be leased from Global Payments for approximately $5.00 per month. For more information on the EMV terminals, contact Julian Brain with Global Payments at...
Read MoreWEBINAR: Making the Most of Large Classes – Control, Discipline, and More
Winter is coming, and with it brings a new set of challenges in the gym: large classes! This is a wonderful “problem” to have, though it does require a different mindset in order to retain top quality. Join us for a discussion and information on discipline, mat control, timing, and tips & tricks to make your larger classes successful ones. This webinar is geared toward all staff, and will take approximately 30 minutes. This webinar is scheduled, by design, to take place when you’re likely to be having your Monday Meeting. Please use this webinar as a training topic during the meeting. If you’re on the One Year Training Plan, items you intended to review can be tabled until the following week. IMPORTANT NOTES: We make every effort to place these webinars during times we feel will work for most of the My Gym Family. Of course, this is not always possible, so a recorded version of the webinar will be posted in the Tutorials section of the extranet. ...
Read MoreMarketing Survey Reminder – Last Opportunity
Last Opportunity: Survey- Marketing and Sponsorships We need your feedback to better serve you! As per the update sent on October 7th, the MGE Marketing/Sponsorship Division would like to remind you to please take JUST 5-8 MINUTES to complete the following survey. This will be the last opportunity you have to take the survey, and your participation would be greatly appreciated. We consistently strive to provide our franchisees with the best marketing services, vendors, and materials. Additionally, we have a goal to seek out and establish the most beneficial marketing and sponsor programs. Franchisee satisfaction is of paramount importance to us. In order for us to measure, assess, and improve in these areas, we need your feedback! Please consult with your key staff as necessary to answer any questions. Unless you choose to fill out your name/gym location, your answers will be totally anonymous. Click here to take the...
Read MoreMy Gym Social Media Photo Contest
MGE Marketing is excited to launch our third social media contest of the year! The “Mymo’s Adventures” Photo Contest is a fun, engaging, and interactive way to connect with our customers and further market and brand My Gym. If we all participate, it will provide us 10s of thousands of impressions! The directives are simple: Please like the “My Gym Children’s Fitness Center – Official Fan Page” on Facebook and, from the dropdown menu, select “Get Notifications.” We’ll be posting the contest details, links, and reminders throughout the duration of the contest for you to share on your social media pages. Also, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mygymfun to repost and share the contest with your fans and followers. Get your members excited by making announcements in class throughout the entire month. Encourage members and guests to click the link on your social media pages to review the contest rules and print out the Mymo cutout. You may choose to print out and distribute the Mymo cutouts along...
Read MoreGet the Premium Staff Shirt in Twelve Colors! Introducing the New Premium Tri-Blend T-Shirt
Now you can get the My Gym Premium Staff T-Shirt in twelve bright, amazing colors! Regularly, this shirt is offered on ShopMyGym.com in red and blue, but we’re taking special orders now for ten additional colors. Because of its great comfort and construction, this premium tee has been very popular since its introduction almost two years ago. So, when several gyms asked us for other colors, we didn’t hesitate to offer eight more. Plus, we’re introducing a new premium tri-blend staff T-shirt in a charcoal “tone-on-tone” design. This tri-blend shirt is the softest, most comfortable shirt we’ve ever made. It will make a great gift for your staff and special members. Hop onto ShopMyGym.com now and place your orders by Wednesday, 11/4, and you’ll have your shirts by the end of November. You might want to order a few extra shirts to save for future staff members, or you can always put in a special request and we’ll make more for you at that time. Click here to order...
Read MoreWEBINAR: 2016 Marketing Plan
Click the button to enlarge video. WEBINAR: 2016 Marketing Campaign from My Gym Enterprises on...
Read MoreGet ready for MOVEmber with the Mymo-stache T-Shirt!
Movember is just around the corner. For those of you who are not aware, Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health, and physical inactivity. According to the Movember Foundation, this year there’s a new way to observe Movember: the challenge is to get active and MOVE every day of Movember – 30 MOVEs in 30 days; no MOVE is too big or too small. So, we’re encouraging you and your members to support MOVEmber and wear your Mymo-stache T-shirt, grow a moustache (if appropriate), and MOVE every day during the month of November. If you don’t have a Mymo-stache shirt yet, click here to get yours from ShopMyGym.com now. Be sure order extras for your members too. ShopMyGym will donate a greater than usual percentage of revenues from the sale of all Mymo-stache T-shirts sold between now and 11/30 to My Gym Challenged America. MGCA is...
Read MoreNew Building Blocks Cycle and Poster!
Next week marks the end of our latest Mind and Body Building Blocks cycle. Enjoy your respective Presentation Ceremonies, and don’t forget to give stickers for skill sheets (along with their usual ribbons) to all the kids for a job well done. Starting October 26th, you’ll embark on the next four-week Mind/Body cycle, as reflected in curriculum. The first four-week cycle will go through the week of November 16th, at which point there will be stickers to hand out at the end of classes, but no Presentation Week. The second four-week cycle will commence November 23rd and run through the week of December 14th, at which point there will be a Presentation Ceremony. Consequently, we’re making the materials – new Skill and Development sheets and the PDF for the Mind/Body poster – available now. You can find them in the Operations Manual, in the Systems > Building Blocks folder. *New and noteworthy!* MGE is making a blank version of the Mind/Body poster available for franchisees. Should you choose to...
Read MoreNew Digital Ads, Black Friday & Cyber Monday Information, and 2016 Marketing Plan Webinar Reminder
Update: NEW Digital Ads for Social Media Marketing MGE Marketing has increased the library of Digital Ads that are available for your social media use. These digital ads can be used on Facebook and Instagram along with your own customized posts to help promote your classes, events, campaigns and more. To view and download these new elements, visit the extranet and click “My Gym Marketing Library (logos, photos)”; then click “Digital Ads” to see all available pieces. Click an image to enlarge; then right-click and save image to download. New ads include Kidpower, Zumba, Buddy Month, Cardio Kids and more. We will continue to add to this library of images. Maximize and simplify your marketing while saving time with our Digital Ads! Please contact marketing@mygym.com with any questions. UPDATE: Black Friday, Cyber Monday Marketing Black Friday (November 27) and Cyber Monday (November 30) are approaching. Now is a great time to plan ahead for your promotions. By using the Client Interface Promo Codes along with the available marketing materials,...
Read MoreMy Gym Programming Developmental Index Price Dropped to $2.50!
Launched in August 2013, the My Gym Programming Developmental Index is a valuable tool available to gyms in the ongoing quest to enhance learning among students and parents. Each colorful page breaks down the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of what we do every day at My Gym far beyond simple ‘working-on’ explanations. This booklet is meant to complement the My Gym program, not just Building Blocks, and can be used internally as a supplemental training tool. Externally, we recommend that the Index be used in the following ways: Laid out on the front counter for parental perusal (walk-ins, new members, etc.) Brought to marketing events (booths, expos, etc.), and used to explain how the My Gym curriculum coincides with child development Referred to in enrollment conversations; have it nearby for quick reference when selling the program This durable booklet makes an impressive presentation; it’s professionally printed on thick paper, laminated, and coil bound. Soon we will be introducing another Building Blocks guide, which will reflect the changes in the program. ...
Read MoreIMPORTANT-MUST READ: Bambo Nature Diapers Compliance
As per our update below of August 17, 2015, MGE has entered into a Sponsor relationship with Bambo Nature Diapers. Per the information in this update, we are obligated to have our gyms follow these directives outlined below. Bambo has informed us that, over the last 2 weeks, they have sent various representatives out to gyms across the country to check on the placement of the marketing materials and samples. Overwhelmingly, they have found our My Gym locations compliance level to be “low” at best. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND JEOPARDIZES NOT ONLY OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH BAMBO NATURE BUT WITH OTHER POSSIBLE PARTNERS IN THE FUTURE! THOSE GYMS WHO ARE NOT COMPLYING AND/OR NOT REQUESTING REPLACEMENT MARKETING MATERIALS OR SAMPLE DIAPERS ARE JEOPORDIZING YOUR FELLOW FRANCHISEES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD! COMPLIANCE HERE IS NOT AN OPTION! PLEASE PLACE/ADJUST THE MARKETING MATERIALS AND SAMPLE DIAPERS SPECIFCALLY AS OUTLINED BELOW. IF YOU REQUIRE REPLACEMENT MARKETING MATERIALS OR DIAPERS, PLEASE EMAIL WHAT YOU NEED ALONG WITH YOUR GYM’S ADDRESS TO MARKETING@MYGYM.COM....
Read MoreSocial Media Marketing: Taking it to the next level – Part One: Facebook Ads
Introduction: Facebook advertising is a simple way to reach more customers with your business page using only as much or as little of your budget as you desire. MGE recommends $50 to $100/month on your campaign(s), or more if you desire. Contrary to boosting or promoting a post, which only increases your current fans’ visibility of your content (people who already LIKE your page), Facebook ads can be targeted to all new potential customers with respect to zip codes, interests, etc. Alternatively, ads can be set to reach JUST new customers who are friends of your current fans page. You can run multiple campaigns for different parts of your business: classes, birthdays, enrollment night, etc. For more information on the power of Facebook Advertising and tips on where to start for your My Gym Business page, read below. GET STARTED HERE: https://www.facebook.com/business/products/ads Because of the ever-changing nature of Facebook and its advertising platform, we recommend always referring to Facebook’s Business Help Page for tutorials and troubleshooting help. (TIP: Bookmark...
Read MoreNEW FALL/HALLOWEEN MYMO’S MEMOS ISSUE AVAILABLE NOW!
The latest issue of our Mymo’s Memos customizable newsletter is now available in Global Emails > E-Newsletters for your use. It contains informative articles, fun tips & jokes, and the latest My Gym news. You can insert articles and announcements of interest to your members, and share “all the news that’s fit!” with My Gym families in your...
Read MoreSurvey – Marketing and Sponsorships
As per the update sent on October 7th, the MGE Marketing/Sponsorship Division would like to remind you to please take JUST 5-8 MINUTES, uninterrupted and as focused as possible, to complete the following survey. We consistently strive to provide our franchisees with the best marketing services, vendors, and materials. Additionally, we have a goal to seek out and establish the most beneficial marketing and sponsor programs. Franchisee satisfaction is of paramount importance to us. In order for us to measure, assess, and improve in these areas, we need your feedback! Please consult with your key staff as necessary to answer any questions. Unless you choose to fill out your name/gym location, your answers will be totally anonymous. Click here to take the survey. ++++ The MGE Marketing/Sponsorship Division consistently strives to provide our franchisees with the best marketing services, vendors, and materials. Additionally, we have a goal to seek out and establish the most beneficial marketing & sponsor programs. Franchisee satisfaction is of paramount importance to us. In order...
Read MoreThanks to you…
THE CHILDREN YOU HELP: Meet Timmy Thanks to your help and contribution to the Macy’s Shop for a Cause fundraiser, MGCA provided an improved quality of life for little Timmy! Timothy was born with Cortical Visual Impairment, GERD, Umbilical Hernia Irritability, and several other challenges. When Timmy’s mother got the news that he would receive several much-needed items, she explained: “Life with Timmy will always be difficult at times… We are *always* ready for an ER trip. But, it is our life and we cannot imagine any other. We are so grateful for your help.” Timmy loves his Gearation game, where he can enjoy the different sounds and sights it provides for stimulation. HALLOWEEN IS ON ITS WAY! When brainstorming fundraising ideas for your 100% Program, many of you designated Halloween Parties and other fundraisers surrounding this child-friendly holiday as your best opportunity to raise the $1,000 so sorely needed by the children of MGCA. Halloween is fast approaching, and now is your opportunity to start thinking about how to make...
Read MoreImportant New Protocols
Updated One Year Training Plan We have updated the One Year Training Plan to be more streamlined and to include two new protocols. If you are currently using the One Year Training Plan, be sure to switch to the new one. If you are not currently on the One Year Training Plan, we recommend you start immediately with the corresponding month in the training plan. The updated One Year Training plan contains new trainings such as “Child Advocacy and Sexual Abuse Policy” as well as the “My Gym Disability Sensitivity Training.” It is imperative that both trainings are reviewed with new staff members and with the entire staff every 6...
Read MoreHyland’s Homeopathic – Free Sampling Program
With cold and flu season just around the corner, were pleased to participate in the Hyland’s free sampling program once again. Each gym will receive a free shipment containing all of the materials you will need to execute the program, which runs for a month from October to November, 2015. The samples and coupons should be made available to all customers from 10/12/15 to 11/12/15 or until supplies are gone, whichever occurs first. The materials include: 700 Hyland’s Homeopathic Cold n Mucus 700 3”x 5” coupons for Hyland’s products 1 counter card Please place the counter card near the samples and encourage parents who are interested in doing so to take the survey AND feel free to take multiple samples along with the coupons. Upon commencement of the program, please snap a quick picture of the samples and literature display and send it to marketing@mygym.com. As a thank you for participation in the Hyland’s program, if you get at least 3 parents submitting feedback to the online survey page...
Read MoreMy Gym Holiday Campaign – Materials & Merchandise
Soon it will be time to prepare all of your marketing for the Holiday Marketing Campaign for November and December. To help you execute the themed campaign in your own gym(s), the following are ready for you to access: Customizable Print Materials: These materials are located in the Print System on the extranet. (Franchisee Tools > Order Marketing Materials > National Campaigns) All printed marketing materials may be printed locally or from All Printing and displayed in your own gym(s) as needed. Full-page flyer Half-page flyer (color and black & white versions) 6×4 postcard (Got Print formatted postcard template also available) Poster (11×17 size design) Holiday Theme Gift Certificates Printed ads for placing in local family guides or other publications are to be ordered through the Custom Artwork Request form, as sizes vary. Please select “2015 Holiday Campaign” under “National Campaign Artwork” when placing your order so that artwork will match in style. Email Marketing: Global Emails (generic emails for you to customize with your own message and offer)...
Read MoreSignpost
There has been a lot of discussion on the Facebook boards about Signpost recently. As posted by the Marketing Division last week, we had tested their services last year and decided against recommending them. Since then, they have apparently modified and possibly improved their services. Therefore, we will be undertaking a formal re-evaluation process to test their new services, costs, and value over the course of a few months. Once we have completed our test and assessment, we will make a formal recommendation. In the meantime, we suggest that gyms hold off proceeding with Signpost. If you decide to do so, at the very least, we recommend that you do not sign any long-term...
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