Barbell Blondie

View Original

Vacation Mode: How I Successfully Managed My Fitness Business Without Sacrificing Leisure

I recently went on my honeymoon, and STILL managed to get work done!  When planning my 3 week trip to New Zealand, I knew I didn’t want to spend time on my social media or my emails, and I definitely didn’t want to bring my laptop when I was supposed to be spending time with my husband!

I’ve been using virtual assistants for years, and they’ve helped me grow and run my business, so I wanted to use their help to reach my tech-free vacation goals! I honestly wish more personal trainers knew how to use virtual assistants, because it allows me to be a better business owner, and to spend more time doing what I love, aka training my clients.

Before I went on my honeymoon, my virtual assistants and I came up with a plan for continued work while I was away.  Just because I’m not at my computer, I don’t want to prevent them from making money, and I wanted to honor our monthly commitment to one another, instead of pausing my account and possibly forcing them to take on more clients while I’m gone.

I also wanted to be able to ease back into work when I returned, and not feel like I had to scramble to catch up on tasks that I would have done, had I not been finding Lord of the Rings filming locations and bungee jumping in New Zealand!

To prepare, I created lots of content in advance: videos, images, and client administrative tasks.  I wrote up detailed instructions, and I confirmed my VA’s had access to all the shared folders before I left.  Then I used the gmail “schedule send” feature to automatically send them new tasks each week that included links, attachments, and instructions.  I had my VA’s working on video editing, client paperwork that they don’t need to have a personal training certification for, and preparing fun content for my social media.

When I returned, they sent me everything they’d been working on for three weeks, so nothing missed a beat while I was gone, and I wasn’t scrambling to get work done the first week I returned from vacation.  

Ways Personal Trainers can use Virtual Assistants (even if they don’t have a fitness background!):

  • Calculating Client’s Progress from your Workout Notes

  • During your work commute: Reading your emails over the phone while you dictate responses (This one was a lifesaver for me a few years ago!)

  • Tracking client sessions so your bookkeeping is up to date

  • Organizing your email inbox

  • Video editing for online workout platforms

  • Creating thumbnails and templates to make your social media and marketing easier

  • Updating and managing contact lists for newsletters and customer leads

  • Creating subtitles and captions for workout videos

  • Drafting Newsletters

I think the hardest thing about having a VA is learning that it’s okay as a small business owner to ask for help. Delegating tasks can be hard at first, but Time Etc. is really good at suggesting ways to get help that you didn’t even realize you could assign to someone else!

I love working with my virtual assistants and they are a critical part of my business!  I’ve been really happy working with Time Etc. for years now, and my Virtual Assistants are located in the U.S.A. which makes me feel good that I’m contributing to the economy. Assigning tasks to VA’s is a skill, but you can try it for a discount by using my link here.

Don't let your business suffer while you enjoy life's adventures. Embrace the power of virtual assistants and discover how they can enhance your productivity and allow you to focus on what truly matters—your clients and your passions.

This content contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.