Clients · 30-day plan
How to get your first 5 PT clients
Week 1
Set the foundations
You can’t close clients you can’t price, can’t insure and can’t collect from.
Lock your rate & intro offer
Pick your headline rate and a 4-week intro pack at ~30% off. Write both down. Stop thinking about price for the next 30 days.
Set up payment + contract
Free Stripe link or bank transfer + a 1-page contract (cancellation, late fee, par-Q). Without this you'll lose your first 'maybe' to friction.
Polish the IG profile
Bio: who you train + where + how to book. Pinned highlight: rates + intro offer. Three solid posts — you, training, a client win (even a friend's lift).
Pick the venue
Book the gym pass, pay the day rate, or sign the rental agreement. You need somewhere a client can show up next week.
Week 2
The 30-conversation push
The single biggest predictor of getting clients fast: number of human conversations per week.
Warm circle — DM 30 people
Old training partners, classmates, ex-colleagues, sports teams. One short personalised message: what you’re doing, who it’s for, the intro offer. Don’t mass-blast.
Gym floor — talk to 5 members
If you’ve negotiated floor rights, hold the door, spot a lift, share a tip. Give value first, mention you’re a PT only when asked.
Local groups — 3 communities
Local Facebook groups, Reddit subs (r/london), running clubs, parkruns. Comment with value for 7 days before mentioning your service.
Track every conversation
A simple Notion table: name, date, status (cold/interested/booked). 20 conversations usually = 1 client. Keep going.
Week 3–4
Convert and keep them
Closing is half the work. Keeping them past session 4 is the other half.
Free consult, paid first session
20-min free chat (in person or Zoom). End it by booking the first paid session, not 'I’ll send you details'. Vague follow-ups die.
Onboard properly
Par-Q, goals doc, before photos, baseline measurements. This becomes your case study material in 8 weeks.
Programme the first 4 weeks
Don’t freestyle. A clear 4-week plan they can see and tick off keeps them coming back. Renew at week 3, never week 4.
Ask for referrals at week 4
After their first clear win, ask: 'Who else in your circle would benefit?' Most coaches never ask — and 50%+ of clients have someone to refer.
FAQ
Quick answers
How long does it actually take to get the first 5 clients?
Most coaches who follow a structured outreach plan land the first 5 in 4–8 weeks. The ones who 'just post on Instagram' often take 6+ months. Direct conversations beat algorithm work every time at zero followers.
Should I offer free sessions to get started?
Free trials usually attract people who'll never pay. A discounted intro pack (e.g. 4 sessions for £120 instead of £200) attracts buyers and gives you results photos and testimonials. Cap it to your first 5 clients — never make it a permanent rate.
What's the single best source for early clients?
Warm circle conversations — old gym mates, university friends, family colleagues. Roughly 60% of PTs land clients 1–3 from people who already trust them. Your job is to make sure those people know what you do and how to refer.
Do I need a website on day one?
No. A polished Instagram profile + a one-page Notion or Linktree showing rates, location and a simple booking link is plenty for the first 12 months. Build a website once you have testimonials and case studies to put on it.
How do I get my first client to actually leave a review?
Ask at week 4, after a clear win (PB, fit better in clothes, hit a goal). Send them a 1-line voice note explaining exactly where to leave it (Google Business or your Instagram). 70% will say yes if you ask — almost no one volunteers it unprompted.