Marketing and Increasing Birthday Parties We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best and most effective methods to increase Birthday Party numbers. Please click here to download the file. MGE Support: Phone: 818-907-6966 Email: support@mygym.com Live Chat: From Extranet...
Read More2014 Marketing Campaign Update – Thematic Website Splash Page Now Available As part of the available 2014 marketing campaign elements, we have created a new function on the website that, through your BOSS tools, will give you the option to activate a thematically synergistic and customizable campaign splash page that will be seen by web surfers before they make it to the homepage. This can be used to further communicate and promote any offers or events you may be running. For now, it can be used for the New Year campaign. We will be creating more splash pages for subsequent campaigns. How to activate: If you have not already done so, create your website article for your New Year’s Special and/or event. Create your own or customize the currently available website article template available in the New Year campaign folder here: My Gym Operations Disc / My Gym Operations / National Marketing and Sponsorships / National Marketing / 2014 National Marketing Campaign / January – New Year’s Marketing Elements...
Read MoreIs your New Year’s resolution to teach better My Gym classes? Have no fear; an updated training tool is here! We are excited to announce that the class videos available in the video library on the extranet have received a facelift! Please utilize these classes to help maximize training for your teachers, as they include the two-teacher model, teaching with expert language, and our Building Blocks! We’re so excited to share these with you and your staff...
Read MoreINTERNATIONAL 2014 is Right Around the Corner! Do you have your January campaign materials ready to go? Join your fellow My Gym franchisees and MGE in promoting: A New Year is a Perfect Time for Fitness and Fun! As per the JANUARY New Year campaign update of 11/6/13, the materials are ready and available for immediate use. Create your own offers, hold your own events, customize the materials, and launch your campaign! Franchisees can get a head start now by updating the following: Facebook profile image Facebook cover image Horizontal logo for email signatures Complete directives and related files can be found in: My Gym Operations Disc / My Gym Operations / National Marketing and Sponsorships / National Marketing / 2014 National Marketing Campaign / January – New Years Marketing Elements Please contact marketing@mygym.com with any...
Read MoreWe are excited to announce our new partnership with Earth’s Best, makers of organic foods and natural products for children – www.earthsbest.com! This is an out-of-gym marketing program reaching millions of potential My Gym customers. There are no materials being sent to gyms for display. What it is: As consumers purchase Earth’s Best baby food products, they receive points redeemable for various coupons, prizes, and sweepstakes. A My Gym class package is one of the options the consumers can pick as a prize. Click here for more info about the Earth’s Best Rewards Program. How it works: Once a consumer chooses My Gym as a prize, he/she will be presented with the attached coupon, which can be redeemed at a local My Gym for “One Free Trial Class, Free Lifetime Membership, and $10 Off First Month of Classes.” Click here to view the My Gym prize. What you need to know: The Earth’s Best consumer will reserve the Free Trial Class, either online or via phone. If the potential...
Read MoreINTERNATIONAL In addition to the recent update relating to Google AdWords image display ads, we have also updated the directives and key words for text ad campaigns. The files for both new and existing accounts are located on the Operations Manual here: My Gym Operations Disc / My Gym Operations / Marketing Directives / 01 – Marketing Initiatives / Online Marketing / 01 – Google Ad...
Read MoreINTERNATIONAL Merchandise Division / ShopMyGym Holiday Schedule Happy Holidays from the MGE Merchandise Division! We’re taking some time off during the holidays, and today is the last day that we are shipping orders this year. So place your orders today for any items that you need during the next few weeks. Our holiday schedule is as follows: Friday, 12/20/13 and Monday, 12/23/13: Alex Herrera out of office Contact Scott Greenfield for assistance: 818.907.6966 x121 or sgreenfield@mygym.com Monday, 12/23/13: Last day of shipping for 2013- Order by 3pm PST Tuesday, 12/24/13 through Wednesday, 1/1/14: ShopMyGym.com open for orders Orders will not ship during this period. Office closed For urgent customer service matters, email aherrera@mygym.com or sgreenfield@mygym.com. Thursday, 1/2/14: Office open and shipping resumes. Click here to order from ShopMyGym now. We’re looking forward to a healthy and prosperous New Year for everyone! Also remember to order your 2014 My Gym Kids Activity Calendar . . . We’re almost sold out. Click here to order...
Read MoreINTERNATIONAL Remember to Order your 2014 My Gym Activity Calendars Now By now, every gym should have received the amazing 2014 My Gym Kids Activity Calendar. If you haven’t ordered yours yet, check your mail for your free sample, which should have arrived last week. As you’ll see, this high quality calendar is an amazing marketing vehicle that will keep your members and their friends looking at My Gym year round. We have a limited quantity available, so make sure you click here and order...
Read MoreHow does holding a SOLD OUT Parents’ Night Out for which your parents will incur NO COST for their children to attend and each gym owner will be FULLY COMPENSATED sound to you? What do you have to do? HOLD the evening of Friday, February 7, 2014 in order to host a Parents’ Night Out. How is this possible?! We have a confirmed deal for a sponsored National Parents’ Night Out in February with a great restaurant partner. Even better, in addition to fully paying for the event for every child who attends, they will be helping us market and promote the event, incentivizing parents with a discount offer at their locations! What’s the catch? No catch; you are simply asked to promote the event in the gym, via email, and social media and also provide the restaurant information encouraging them to consider dining there that night. PARENTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO GO TO THE RESTAURANT! All materials will be pre-created for you to easily cut, paste, and send/post....
Read MoreINTERNATIONAL Google AdWords Display Network Image Ads Tutorial Now Available We are happy to announce the launch of a brand new tutorial that will help you set up Image Ads within the Google AdWords Display Network. These are ads featuring full-color My Gym pictures and logos for both classes and birthdays. We have tested the tutorial and have implemented the Image Ad campaign, and the results have been positive. Some quick facts: Costs associated with Image Ads are equal to or, in some cases, even less expensive than Text Ads on a CPC basis. Running Image Ads and Text Ads gives you the best chance of success through Google AdWords With this tutorial, the Image Ads will be created within your existing ad groups, so you won’t need to spend anything more than your current budget. A positive to display ads is that, clicks or not, the campaign helps with your local My Gym branding and impressions. Because an Image Ad generally takes up the entire ad unit, it...
Read MoreAs explained in last week’s marketing update, it’s time to prepare for February’s Olympics themed marketing campaign. In support of the campaign, ShopMyGym.com has specially designed ribbons and stickers to be used in place of your regular Building Blocks awards, plus medals to enhance your ceremonies. Click here to pre-order these items...
Read MoreINTERNATIONAL 2014 National Marketing Plan – February materials are ready! Millions of kids agree… Future champions are made here! February is only 8 weeks away, and that means soon it will be time to prepare for the Olympics Themed Marketing Campaign, tapping into all of the excitement, media, and worldwide pride associated with the games. NOTE: Regarding Olympics Themed Marketing Materials: As much as we would like to use the Olympic rings logo, wording, and other Olympics associated images, there are very strict rules reserving the rights to these elements for official partners, sponsors, etc. To avoid legal issues, we have created themed materials that tie in while avoiding direct violations of these rules. To help you execute the themed campaign in your own gym(s), the following are ready for you to access: In the Print System on the Extranet: Full-page flier Half-page flier 4×6 postcard Poster Printed ads for placing in local family guides are to be ordered through the Custom Artwork Request form, as sizes vary. Please...
Read MoreWe are pleased to announce the launch of two exciting new features for the MGM’s Client Interface. A new mobile webpage has been created for use with MGM’s Client Interface. Users will now experience screens that are easier to navigate and designed for mobile devices and finger tapping. Users also have the option to view the Full Site. Additionally, gyms now have the ability to enable Makeups on Client Interface. When enabled, Users can access their accounts and schedule their own Makeups. To enable Makeups, log in to your Extranet account, click on Edit Web Sites & Schedules, select your gym, and then Gym Information. At the bottom of the screen, place a check in the box next to Enable Makeups and then click Update....
Read MoreMGE 2014 Marketing Campaign – FEBRUARY MARKETING MATERIALS COMING At the end of next week, materials for the FEBRUARY phase of our 2014 “Millions of kids agree…” campaign will be available to you. February’s marketing theme is “Millions of kids agree…future champions are made here!” This is in honor of the Olympic Games. In conjunction with this campaign all gyms are encouraged to hold a special Building Blocks Olympic Themed Acknowledgement Ceremony in February (in place of your normal ceremony). So, you have time to adjust your normal BB ceremony schedule if you start planning now! Our February merchandising support will be: Special Edition (Olympic themed) ribbons, stickers and medals. These specially designed elements will be available to be used in place of your regular Building Blocks awards. We will also provide ways to utilize these materials for Gymsters, Waddlers, and other My Gym kids who are not in the Building Blocks Program. Look for more details on how and when to order and how to utilize these products...
Read MoreINTERNATIONAL ShopMyGym BLACK FRIDAY SALE!! Save 25% on My Gym Birthday Party Favors! This Friday, save 25% on My Gym birthday party favors. The My Gym birthday party favor bag is convenient for gyms and parents, a great profit and marketing opportunity for gyms, and a strong value for parents. The bag is filled with fun products, including several My Gym branded items and toys. These bags regularly cost $2 each, but this week they’re on sale for just $1.50, so now is the time to stock up. With a suggested retail price of $3.50+, gyms can earn a nice profit selling these for their parties. Make sure you’re offering these to parents when booking parties and using the brochure available on the extranet. Here’s another suggested application for those of you hosting holiday parties: You can switch the contents of these bags into the My Gym clear plastic handle bags and then give them away as holiday party favors. This sale runs this Friday 11/29 from 12:01 A.M....
Read MoreIMPORTANT 2014 MARKETING CAMPAIGN REMINDER: “Our campaigns… your way” is not just a slogan! In our 2014 Marketing Campaign THERE ARE NO SET PROMOTIONS, OR EVENTS to which you are obligated. WE MERELY CREATED SUGGESTIONS (creative and effective…but…) YOU DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU…YOUR WAY; be creative, offer more, offer less; hold one suggested event, or hold them all; your choice! Please refer to the attached document as just one example of the many ways you can customize your local offers, events, and...
Read MoreMGM 2.0 has further integrated with Exact Target to allow for more advanced emailing functionality. This functionality enables all emails sent by MGM to go through Exact Target. This includes manual emails for receipts and confirmations as well as the new auto-generated emails. All emails now include a My Gym branded look and feel. To enable this new functionality, gyms must access MGM’s Admin section and click on the Exact Target tab. Then, click on Exact Target Setup and enter your Exact Target Username and Password. If your Account ID and List ID have been previously entered, they will remain the same. Please confirm those IDs when you are in your Exact Target account. If the Account ID and List ID are not set up, see the Help Desk’s MGM Email and Exact Target section for directives about locating these ID numbers. It is important to note that gyms will no longer receive a copy of every email sent. A list of all manual and automatic emails can be...
Read MoreThe 2014 My Gym Kids Activity Calendar is ready to view! Attached to this update you can view the entire Activity Calendar and all of its fun and interactive elements (click here to view the entire calendar). We have put a lot of effort into making this specific promotional item functional and relevant to our mission as a fitness center for children. We know how important it is for you as gym owners to guide and educate your members and their families on the value of staying active and healthy. That’s why this calendar is a great tool for helping them set and track fitness goals, learn muscular anatomy and exercise execution, understand nutrition and fitness facts, and so much more! This calendar has the possibility of ending up on the walls of your clients and future customers, not only as a captivating marketing item but as a valuable fitness tool. We encourage all gyms to consider utilizing this great asset, and remember… you can use, sell, distribute this...
Read MoreMy Gym PR, Media, and Blogger Relations 2014 Effective December 1st, 2013 In 2014, Engage 121 PR will no longer be offered as an approved vendor/service in conjunction with the Marketing Fund. As per adjustments to the marketing fund and in line with our 2014 Marketing Plan and “Millions of Kids Agree…” campaign, North American gyms will now have a full-blown media/PR agency at their disposal! Our national PR Firm, SSA, is going to take over the reigns as it relates to local PR and go above and beyond the capabilities of Engage 121. SSA is going to expand on their national efforts by working directly with gyms at the local level. This means that any gym can contact SSA (per the below directives), and they will work on your behalf to achieve media/blogger coverage in your market. If your My Gym location is planning a special event such as an Open House, Enrollment Night, or any other event, or if you’re running a special promotion/discount, please email My...
Read MoreBlack Friday, Cyber Monday Marketing Black Friday (November 29) and Cyber Monday (December 2) are quickly approaching. If you want to run a promotion or special offer, here are some ideas to consider: Non-Enrolled Members – $10 off your first month back (usually $10, but could be more for a Black Friday deal) – Enroll and receive a free PNO or Camp New Members – Receive a FREE membership, a $75 value! Birthday Parties – Book a birthday party and receive a FREE bounce house upgrade, a $50 value! “Thanksgiving Shopping Days,” “Black Friday,” “Drop ‘n Shop,” and “Cyber Monday Specials” headers are available in Exact Target. For a reminder on how to swap out headers in Exact Target emails, please click here: http://www.my-gym.com/mgm/et/changingheaders/. There are also color and black & white fliers available on the My Gym Print System. Simply search “Thanksgiving Shopping Days,” “Black Friday,” “Drop ‘n Shop,” and “Cyber Monday Specials,” or you can browse to Holidays > Christmas to...
Read MoreGrand Openings We are extremely pleased to announce the Grand Openings of two new locations. Charissa and Sean Maher opened on October 17th in Charleston, SC, and Bruce and Tracy Jacobson opened on October 31st in Waterford Lakes, FL. Both gyms recently completed a successful open house period and are busy providing exceptional classes and parties for their communities. Please send warm wishes and congratulations to Charleston@mygym.com and...
Read MoreBuilding Blocks Tips and Updated Directives Building Blocks ROCKS! Here are some tips we want to share on running a thriving Building Blocks program in your gym. Also, in an effort to constantly provide franchisees with the most updated and applicable directives, we have updated the Building Blocks Directives and supporting documents. Please familiarize yourself with these changes. Tip 1- Adding extra skill to the class When performing skill based play during the Coming-in/Explore Time for your students, try to intentionally focus your skill based play on the Building Block they are working on at that time. For example, during your coming-in time for Terrific Tots, while working on their Confidence block, pull out a red and black mat and have one teacher guiding the children through practicing independent forward rolls. Or, perhaps in a Whiz Kids class, during their Stretching and Body Knowledge block, you can lower the parallel bars and have one teacher guide the children through some stretches during explore time. This allows for one or...
Read MoreEmail Inquiries from the Website Following up on a Facebook thread from last week, it has been made apparent that some incoming inquiries are getting trapped in franchisees’ Junk Mail. If you have determined (because you are checking the email inquiries against the database) that you are receiving most of your inquiry emails, chances are high that the rest are getting caught in your Junk Mail. Since, many of you are using Outlook, please see attached for instructions on how to manage your Junk Mail Filters in the Outlook...
Read MoreIntroducing the I Heart MG Coffee Mug We’re proud to introduce the I Heart MG Coffee Mug. Start your day with this stoneware coffee mug, which features the “I (heart) MG” logo on one side and the My Gym logo on the other. Everyone’s going to want to use this one for their coffee, hot cocoa, and more. It will make a great gift and retail item. Just think . . . your members and staff will be reminded of My Gym every time they take a sip! This product will be a stock item, but we are initially making it by special order to ensure that we have enough to fill all orders. Place your order by 3 pm Pacific time this Friday, 11/22, and your product will ship the week of 12/2. Click here to order now. Reminder: Holiday Product Orders Due by tomorrow, Tuesday, 11/19; Custom Product Orders Available Remember to place your orders for My Gym staff holiday gifts by 5 pm PST...
Read MoreIntroducing the 2014 My Gym Kids Activity Calendar The first national marketing campaign of 2014 is right around the corner! It’s time to get our members and communities excited for the new year, and what better way than with the amazing 2014 My Gym Kids Activity Calendar! This fantastic giveaway will encourage your members to get healthy in the new year with interactive activities, nutrition tips, healthy recipes, exercises, family fitness activities, and more. It even includes stickers to track the children’s progress and motivate the little ones to get fit. This awesome marketing piece brings home the My Gym experience and will live on the walls of all your members year round! This is a high quality, full size, full color wall calendar. With all gyms participating by purchasing a calendar for each of your members as well as new members enrolling early in the year, we’ll create a strong and lasting impression. This is also a perfect gift for your partners such as schools, community centers, and...
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