Marketing Meeting: Elyse Sparkes | saraheutsler.com

In the Marketing Meeting series I talk to some of my my fave online entrepreneurs to learn more about the tools and techniques they employ to grow their biz and bring in the moolah. No overnight sensation stories here–just the facts.

Time for the Marketing Meeting round two! Last month we met Mallie and learned the nitty gritty of her marketing processes. This month I asked Elyse Sparkes to join us for the conversation. I worked with Elyse on a project a few months ago and she is absolutely lovely! I love her energy and mission, and I think you will, too. Visit her online at ElyseSparkes.com.

Name: Elyse Sparkes

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Tell us about your business! How long have you been doing this?

Basically, I get people moving. I do that through my online fitness program, the Tone & Tune UP workout, and also by seeing clients in-person at their homes. I’ve been a personal trainer since 2005, starting working exclusively for myself since 2009, and started my online business in 2013.

I work with women who have busy schedules and want an effective workout they can do at home. No gyms, fancy equipment, counting calories, measurements, or weighing in.  I’m more about helping people make exercise a consistent part of their lives in a way that feels good. Along the way people find that they really CAN fit fitness into their schedule, they build strength + flexibility, AND start having kinder thoughts about themselves. I love my job!

What was your biggest marketing struggle starting out?

I spent a lot, A LOT, of time worrying about details of naming things (confession: I still do sometimes). Should I be ‘Sparkes Wellness’ or go by my name, Elyse Sparkes? Should my tagline be ‘ignite your health’ or not? I wasn’t feeling like what I had already was exaaaactly what I wanted my business to be, and I wanted to get those names, titles, url’s in place before I went forward. Turns out, those things are important, but they’re also very easy to shift and change as you develop, grow, and create new products/services.

What was your marketing “a ha!” moment?

When I realized I could talk, write, and tell people about my business in a natural, first person-y way. As if I was just talking to a friend, excited about my project and inviting them to do it with me.

What is your favorite marketing tactic?

I’ve found that making connections with other entrepreneurs and teaming up for events -whether online or in person- is the most successful (and most genuine + fun) way to market my services. A very close runner up is connecting with people through my email list. It’s very intimate and I get a lot of personal responses to my emails, so I take the time to respond and form relationships in that way.

On average, how many hours a week do you devote to marketing? What all does that entail?

Eeeks, it’s hard to say how many hours per week I devote to marketing because as a personal brand I feel like almost everything I do is marketing.  I’m on social media platforms like Instagram and (maybe now Periscope!?) to connect with people. I’ve just recently experimented with Facebook ads and created an open Fitness Inspiration Facebook group. Every month I write a blog post with a helpful move or a short workout video, and I do some guest blogging as an expert on SheKnows.com

How do you measure marketing success?

If I’m continuously getting exposed to new people, if my colleagues are referring their clients, and if my clients are referring their friends, I feel like I’m successful. I’m not a numbers person, so looking at specific stats doesn’t turn me on as much as the real connection with people.

Do you have any favorite marketing materials (postcards, media kits, etc.)?

I have a ‘share’ page on my website that allows people to grab swipe copy + pics to help spread the word about Tone & Tune UP. It’s so handy, because all the info is in one place!

What are your can’t-live-without-them marketing tools?

Sometimes I make graphics on-the-go. Picmonkey and the Studio app have been amazing for that! The tip that has saved me the most time was learning about + using color hex codes. (So simple, I know, but I didn’t know that they existed. They help out a lot!).

A lot of people debate if business cards are still worth it in the digital world. I’d love to know: business cards–yea or nay?

Nay. I haven’t had new business cards printed in years! THAT being said, I AM getting into postcards these days. 😉

Thanks for the Marketing Meeting, Elyse! Let me know what you learned in the comments below.