Best Practices for Email Campaigns & SMS Marketing

Why Email and SMS Marketing Still Work

Email and SMS are still two of the most direct, cost-effective ways to engage with your fitness community. When paired with the right gym management software, these channels can drive measurable ROI through personalized outreach, automation, and deep segmentation.

Whether you’re running a CrossFit box, yoga studio, or martial arts school, mastering these tools is essential for sustainable growth.

Identifying Your Ideal Audience

Before you hit “send,” take a step back. Who are you trying to reach?

Use Member Data Strategically

Your fitness CRM holds valuable insights—from attendance patterns to class preferences. Use this data to:

• Segment by interest or behavior
• Personalize communication tone and timing
• Identify upsell opportunities

The more tailored your approach, the more effective your campaign.

Building an Email and SMS Contact List

Grow Your List Ethically

To build a list that actually converts:

• Offer exclusive content or discounts for signups
• Add opt-in options during registration or checkout
• Stay compliant with GDPR and CAN-SPAM

Respect leads. Build trust from the first touchpoint.

Crafting Subject Lines That Get Clicks

The subject line is your foot in the door. If it falls flat, your message might never be read.

• Keep it concise (under 50 characters)
• Add personalization when possible
• Create urgency without sounding spammy

Example: “Your 2 free guest passes are waiting…”

Incentives That Drive Action

Offering something of value is the fastest way to increase conversion:

• Flash discounts on personal training
• VIP invites to members-only events
• Loyalty rewards for long-time clients

But make sure your incentive aligns with your business goals. Free doesn’t mean valuable—value means valuable.

Mobile Optimization Is a Must

Most of your members will read your emails and texts on their phones. Make sure it looks good and works well:

• Use short paragraphs and bullet points
• Stick to one CTA
• Design for thumb navigation

If it takes more than 3 seconds to read or act, it’s too much.

Set Up Automated Drip Campaigns

Drip campaigns help nurture your audience over time:

• Onboarding series for new members
• Retention campaigns for inactive users
• Upsell sequences based on class history

Use your gym management software to automate these workflows and ensure consistent, relevant engagement.

Respectful Opt-Out Options

Always include an unsubscribe link. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about trust.

Make the process:

• Clear
• Immediate
• Hassle-free

Your members will appreciate the respect for their time and preferences.

Tracking Performance and Fine-Tuning

No campaign is complete without analysis:

• Monitor open, click, and conversion rates
• Run A/B tests on subject lines and CTAs
• Adjust send times based on engagement trends

Let data—not assumptions—guide your next move.

Achieve Marketing Success with Zen Planner

Email and SMS are cornerstones of modern fitness marketing. With Zen Planner, you can seamlessly manage campaigns, automate follow-ups, and connect with the right audience at the right time.

Zen Planner’s gym management software gives you:

• Member segmentation tools
• Marketing automation

Reporting and performance tracking

Want to simplify and supercharge your marketing?

Discover how Zen Planner helps fitness businesses like yours build stronger member relationships and boost retention.