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Post by greenergrass on Oct 13, 2016 20:03:04 GMT
Starting a new thread - I'm hoping there are enough people out there with Groupon experiences to help others understand whether this is a good idea or a bad idea. I've seen some really CHEAP groupon offers and of course these need to be HOME club only. Some newer franchisees could be tempted to do this. And maybe corporate even recommends it. But let's hear what everyone with experience has to say.
Personally, I thought it was a lot of work and the Groupon prospects mostly didn't join after or anytime much later. They didn't do training except for the time that I had someone doing some PT at my place when he was in between gyms and opening his own place. So instead of having his clients join normally, they were able to join during a Groupon that a bunch of us did.
It's not much different than $8.95 trial. Some use, some don't use. I don't think it's wise to do a long Groupon membership (more than 2 months) and not during a busy time when you want people to just join.
It stinks when you have people that are seasonal memberships and you give them a way to come back cheaply after being away three to five months.
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Post by supercool on Oct 13, 2016 20:16:46 GMT
A group of our local franchisees tried it three or four years ago. I found it to be a total waste of time. We got very little response, and I don't think a single person ended up joining from it. It was a very aggressive offer...like 3 months for $30 or something like that.
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Post by fishstyxx on Oct 13, 2016 23:20:06 GMT
Not a fan. Haven't run one. If I did run one it would be heavily weighted toward personal training. What I'd do is give away my portion of the personal training so that the trainer can make money and build their clientele. In that way I think everyone wins.
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Post by snaplongtimer on Oct 13, 2016 23:45:58 GMT
Honestly, it's a toss up how well a groupon will do. In 2010, I did one with a hand full of other snap clubs and out of 99 people that signed for my club, 13 joined. In 2012, less snap clubs were doing the groupon and out of 28 people that signed for the deal, 9 joined. The deal was 3 months for $20. Ouch right? Half $$ goes to Groupon. Key card is 5 plus contract expense lol..leaves about a few bucks/person. Many people did not use it and others never joined. After the smoke clears and if you can stomach all the crap from coupon shoppers and signing them up, you will end up with a few or more members I am confident of that. This year, with one club, I did something like 1 month membership, PT session and 2 guests passes for $21. The alternative offer was 3 months for $45 which ran the same time. Same terms apply with Groupon. A handful took the deal only because there is so much competition now around that club. Once again the whole idea is to get them through your door and there will be those you wished never came in. I really don't know what to tell you whether it's worth it or not, but there is the always the intangible benefit of these people talking about their experience at your club. It's all a gamble...
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Post by firecrackergirl on Oct 17, 2016 18:03:14 GMT
If your main objective is bringing people in the door, then by all means, do it. They come in with groupon, and they usually haven't even signed for groupon yet. So you could technically offer them a different package IN-club. Just a thought. Either way, you get new people you may not have gotten before.
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Post by snaplongtimer on Oct 18, 2016 19:05:34 GMT
The main objective is to bring people through your door and firecracker is right. You will get new people you most likely wouldn't have gotten anyway. Don't plan to make too much money if any with Groupon. My one club running Groupon right now (the struggling one) has brought in a good handful and it's always nice to get an email from Groupon telling me they are dropping another $50 in my account every few weeks or so.
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