SMS is a game-changer for gyms looking to improve member onboarding. With a 98% open rate and messages typically read within minutes, text messaging ensures your communication is seen and acted upon. Here’s why gyms are turning to SMS:
- High Engagement: Texts outperform email and phone calls in open rates and response times.
- Automation: Send welcome messages, reminders, and follow-ups automatically, saving staff time.
- Personalization: Tailored messages (like using names or fitness goals) make members feel valued.
- Two-Way Communication: Members can reply to texts for questions or scheduling, creating a direct connection.
FITNESS CLIENT ONBOARDING 100% Automated (Make + Typeform)
Benefits of SMS for Member Onboarding
SMS has revolutionized gym onboarding by ensuring messages are both noticed and acted upon. Unlike traditional communication methods that often fall short during those crucial first weeks, text messaging creates a direct and highly effective connection with new members. This approach lays the groundwork for a structured and automated onboarding process, which we’ll delve into further.
Better Open and Response Rates
Text messages boast impressive engagement rates, making them ideal for onboarding communications. Whether it’s a welcome message, a class reminder, or a quick check-in, SMS ensures your message reaches nearly every new member and prompts action. The immediacy of SMS is especially useful for time-sensitive updates like appointment confirmations or last-minute class changes.
| Communication Channel | Open Rate | Response Speed | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMS | 98% | Within minutes | Universal |
| 20–30% | Hours to days | Requires app | |
| Phone Call | Varies | Immediate | Not always answered |
These high engagement rates translate into tangible benefits. Gyms utilizing SMS for onboarding report increased member participation and fewer missed appointments.
Easier Member Communication
SMS simplifies the communication process by delivering concise, direct messages exactly when members need them. Instead of lengthy emails that risk being ignored, you can send quick, focused texts to schedule tours, confirm class reservations, or remind members to complete paperwork.
Automated workflows handle routine tasks, allowing staff to focus on face-to-face interactions. For instance, a well-planned sequence of texts ensures every member gets consistent and timely communication – from their initial welcome to a first-week check-in – regardless of how busy the front desk may be.
What’s more, SMS works on any mobile phone. New members receive your messages alongside their regular texts, eliminating the hassle of learning a new app or system.
Personal Messages and Member Connection
One of SMS’s standout features is its ability to create personal connections through customized messages. Addressing members by name and referencing their fitness goals adds a layer of personalization that generic emails simply can’t match. For example, you could send a message like, "Hi Sarah, welcome to our gym! We’re here to help you crush your strength training goals."
Personalization can go even further by incorporating details like preferred class times, fitness interests, or milestones. Automated texts congratulating members on their first workout or sending birthday greetings with exclusive offers show that you value them as individuals.
"We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Every business has its own story, goals, and audience, and we make sure your texts reflect that." – RevText
This personal touch builds trust and helps new members feel supported during their early days at the gym. Many fitness clubs have seen improved retention and engagement by sending tailored messages, celebratory notes, and targeted offers.
Additionally, two-way SMS communication allows members to reply with questions or concerns, fostering authentic dialogue. This immediate feedback loop ensures that issues are addressed quickly and that members feel heard and cared for. These personalized interactions lay the foundation for deeper engagement, which we’ll explore further in the next section on SMS onboarding campaign strategies.
Core Components of SMS Onboarding Campaigns
Creating an effective SMS onboarding campaign hinges on three key elements. Each one plays a crucial role in turning new sign-ups into loyal, engaged members who feel at home in your gym from day one.
Gathering Member Information
The starting point of any successful SMS onboarding campaign is collecting accurate and relevant information during the sign-up process. Obtaining explicit opt-in consent isn’t just a legal requirement – it’s the first step in building a strong subscriber list.
Incorporate SMS opt-in options directly into your membership sign-up process. Use clear, straightforward consent language. For example, provide a dedicated phone number members can text to join your SMS list or opt into specific updates like group fitness schedules or reminders. To sweeten the deal, offer an immediate incentive, such as a free class or a discount.
During sign-up, gather segmentation data, such as preferred class times, interest in personal training, or how members plan to use the facility. This information allows you to send tailored messages that feel personalized and relevant. Keep the process simple, but ensure you collect enough details to make your communications meaningful.
With this data in hand, you can create messages that genuinely connect with your audience.
Automated Welcome Messages
Once you’ve collected member information, send a personalized welcome message immediately after sign-up. This first message sets the tone, so make it friendly and conversational. Include the member’s name, congratulate them on joining, and provide clear next steps, like scheduling a gym tour or attending their first class. Keep the message short and include a clear call-to-action, encouraging members to reply with any questions.
"We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Every business has its own story, goals, and audience, and we make sure your texts reflect that."
– RevText
Timing is everything. Send the welcome message within the first hour of sign-up. Also, make sure to include a direct phone number or keyword that members can use to text back, fostering two-way communication instead of a one-sided broadcast.
A strong welcome message lays the foundation, but consistent follow-ups are what keep members engaged.
Follow-Up Messages and Progress Tracking
To turn new sign-ups into committed members, follow up strategically during their first few weeks. Start with a check-in message after their first visit or first week. This simple gesture helps members feel recognized and valued. For instance, a fitness club in San Diego used SMS to check in with new members after their first week, significantly boosting engagement.
Follow-up messages can serve multiple purposes: reminding members about incomplete paperwork, introducing them to available services, tracking their progress, or sharing limited-time offers. You can even go the extra mile with personalized touches like birthday greetings, milestone celebrations, or promotions for classes that match their interests.
To ensure your messages are timely and relevant, trigger them based on specific actions members take – like completing their first workout – rather than sticking to a rigid schedule. This approach aligns with each member’s unique journey and keeps the communication meaningful.
Together, these components create a seamless onboarding process, using SMS to build stronger connections and drive long-term engagement.
sbb-itb-9f7e00b
Case Study: SMS Onboarding Success Story
This case study showcases how a gym turned around its onboarding process using SMS campaigns, achieving measurable improvements in member engagement and retention. The example, drawn from LabsMobile, highlights the practical benefits of SMS onboarding.
The Problem: Low Member Engagement During Onboarding
The gym struggled with a problem familiar to many fitness centers: new members weren’t staying engaged. While initial sign-ups were strong, the first few weeks of membership often saw a sharp decline in participation. Members missed gym tours, skipped introductory sessions, and failed to connect with the gym’s community and services.
Without consistent guidance, new members quickly lost motivation, leading to low engagement and, ultimately, cancellations. The gym’s staff found it challenging to maintain regular, meaningful contact with all new members, especially during peak times. Traditional methods like phone calls and emails failed to cut through the noise, leaving many members feeling unsupported during a critical phase of their experience.
This lack of engagement created a ripple effect: members who didn’t feel a connection early on were far more likely to cancel their memberships within the first few months. The gym needed a solution that could provide personalized, immediate communication while being scalable for a growing membership base.
The Approach: SMS Campaign Setup
To tackle these challenges, the gym rolled out a targeted SMS campaign to refine their onboarding process. The first step? Segmenting their member database by demographics, membership types, and usage patterns. This segmentation allowed the gym to craft messages tailored to each member’s interests and needs.
The SMS campaign included several key features:
- Personalized messaging: Members received updates based on their preferences. For instance, those interested in yoga got invites to yoga classes, while strength-training enthusiasts were informed about personal training promotions.
- Automated greetings and offers: Birthday messages with exclusive offers and promotional invites kept members engaged during quieter periods.
- Re-engagement efforts: Lapsed members received special offers, such as free trial days or discounts, encouraging them to return.
- Two-way communication: Members could reply to texts to ask questions or schedule appointments, making interactions seamless and convenient.
Every message was designed to be conversational and included clear calls-to-action, ensuring members knew exactly how to take the next step.
The Outcomes: Measured Results
The results of the SMS campaign were impressive, with improvements across multiple key metrics. The gym reported that SMS proved to be "a very efficient strategy for every type of gym client," outperforming traditional communication methods in engagement rates.
Here’s what changed:
- Stronger member engagement: New members were more likely to attend tours, participate in introductory sessions, and explore various classes and services. The personalized messages helped them feel connected to the gym community from day one.
- Higher retention and reactivation rates: Lapsed members responded well to targeted campaigns, with many returning to the gym. Birthday offers also boosted visits and purchases during slower periods.
- Operational efficiency: Automated SMS handled routine communications, reducing the workload for staff. This freed up time for staff to focus on in-person interactions with members who needed extra support or were at risk of canceling.
- Better reach: With SMS boasting a 98% open rate, the gym ensured its messages were actually seen by members.
The success of the campaign encouraged the gym to expand SMS beyond onboarding. They integrated it into ongoing engagement efforts, class promotions, and retention strategies, making SMS an essential part of their communication toolkit. This case study underscores how SMS can transform member onboarding and engagement in the fitness industry.
How RevText Improves SMS Onboarding
The case study highlights the effectiveness of SMS for gym onboarding, but making it work requires the right tools and platform. That’s where RevText comes in. Designed specifically for gym owners and fitness studios, RevText simplifies the process of creating and managing onboarding campaigns, even for those with no prior marketing experience.
This platform goes beyond just sending SMS messages. It provides everything from campaign strategy and automation setup to message creation and compliance support. In short, RevText equips gym owners with everything they need to run professional SMS campaigns without the headache of technical hurdles.
Automation and Workflow Setup
A successful SMS onboarding strategy hinges on automation. RevText excels here by enabling gyms to create workflows that send timely, triggered messages based on member actions or specific timelines. This ensures no new member feels overlooked during their crucial first weeks.
For example, RevText’s automation can:
- Send a welcome message immediately after a member signs up.
- Follow up within 24–48 hours to confirm membership details.
- Check in after their first workout to gather feedback.
- Schedule milestone messages promoting personal training or specialized classes during their first two weeks.
"Their automation and scheduling features save us significant time, and customer engagement has definitely improved", says Marnus Schoeman, a RevText user.
By automating these tasks, gym staff can focus on more personal, face-to-face interactions instead of manually managing messages. This creates a better experience for members while freeing up staff to handle other priorities. Plus, RevText ensures that all messages meet strict compliance standards.
Compliance and Message Delivery
SMS marketing comes with a maze of regulations, particularly TCPA rules, which can lead to hefty fines if ignored. RevText takes the stress out of compliance by managing these complexities for gym owners.
Here’s how RevText handles compliance:
- Ensures explicit opt-in consent during member signups.
- Keeps detailed records of consent.
- Provides tools to immediately honor opt-out requests.
Beyond compliance, RevText works directly with carriers to maximize delivery rates, ensuring messages reliably reach members’ phones. This dual focus on compliance and delivery gives gym owners confidence their campaigns are both effective and legally sound.
"Because SMS is native to everyone’s phones, it’s really important that automation functions and RevText delivers", says Neil Capano from Aviation News.
Advanced Campaign Tools
RevText doesn’t stop at basic SMS functionality – it transforms text messaging into a dynamic, interactive tool for engaging new members. The platform includes features like keyword replies, link tracking, and MMS support, all designed to personalize and enhance the onboarding experience.
Here’s what these tools can do:
- Keyword Replies: Members can text keywords like "TOUR" to schedule an orientation, "CLASSES" to get the weekly class schedule, or "HELP" to connect with customer service. This two-way communication ensures members get the answers and resources they need instantly.
- Link Tracking: Trackable links let gyms see how members engage with resources like welcome packets, tutorial videos, or fitness goal forms. This data helps tailor follow-up messages to individual preferences.
- MMS Support: Send photos, welcome videos, or visually appealing class schedules to make members feel more connected and informed.
RevText also offers a mobile app that lets gym managers monitor campaigns and respond to member inquiries in real time, even while walking the gym floor. Coupled with detailed analytics tracking metrics like open rates and click-through rates, gym owners can continuously refine their onboarding strategies to improve engagement and retention.
Conclusion: Better Onboarding Through SMS
With an impressive 98% open rate, SMS offers a reliable way to ensure your onboarding messages reach new members. This direct approach fosters immediate engagement, helping newcomers feel supported and connected from the very beginning.
What makes SMS even more effective is automation. By automating follow-ups, welcome messages, reminders, and progress check-ins, SMS platforms take the pressure off your staff while maintaining consistent communication. This prevents new members from falling through the cracks and ensures they stay engaged. Gyms like Anytime Fitness and Equinox have seen major improvements in member engagement thanks to these automated systems.
For those looking to streamline their onboarding process, platforms like RevText provide an all-in-one solution. With tools like automated workflows, keyword responses, and detailed analytics, gym owners can deliver a polished and professional onboarding experience – no technical or marketing skills required.
If you’re still relying on manual follow-ups or hoping new members will figure things out on their own, SMS offers a better way. It’s not about replacing personal interactions but enhancing them, ensuring every member receives the guidance they need. When new members feel informed and supported from day one, they’re more likely to stay, participate in services, and become loyal advocates for your gym.
Leverage SMS onboarding to create a seamless, effective experience for your members. The results speak for themselves.
FAQs
Why is SMS such an effective tool for onboarding new gym members?
SMS is an incredibly effective tool for onboarding new gym members because it delivers messages straight to their phones, ensuring they catch important updates and reminders. With a staggering 98% open rate, SMS campaigns are hard to ignore and encourage quick responses, outperforming emails and phone calls in grabbing attention.
Gyms can use SMS to send tailored welcome messages, timely class reminders, and special offers, creating a sense of connection and support right from the start. This kind of direct and personalized communication helps build stronger engagement and keeps members coming back.
How can gyms personalize SMS messages to engage new members during onboarding?
Personalizing SMS messages is a great way to make new members feel appreciated and connected right from the start. Begin by using their first name in your messages – it sets a friendly and approachable tone. You can take it a step further by including details that match their fitness goals or membership type. For example, share beginner tips or send class schedules that align with their interests.
Timing plays a big role too. Sending a message shortly after sign-up can help reinforce their decision and keep their enthusiasm high. Automated workflows make it easy to send timely follow-ups, like reminders for orientation sessions or check-ins after their first visit. These small, thoughtful touches can make the onboarding process smoother and foster lasting loyalty among your members.
How can gyms stay compliant with regulations when using SMS for onboarding new members?
When using SMS for member onboarding, gyms need to stick to important regulations like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This means getting clear, written consent from members before sending any messages. Messages should stay relevant and not overwhelm recipients. Plus, it’s essential to offer an easy opt-out option – something as simple as replying "STOP" works.
Protecting member data is another critical piece of the puzzle. Ensure the information is secure and only used for its intended purpose. Tools like RevText can simplify compliance by offering features such as opt-in management, automated keyword responses, and message tracking. These tools not only help gyms stay within the rules but also keep members engaged.
