How to Get People Talking About You

We all know how social media works. Someone grabs your attention, you stop scrolling, you like, you follow, maybe you even share their content. And what makes you do that? Usually one thing: trust. You trust their vibe, their personality, their message, their energy.
Now here’s the fun part — the same exact dynamic happens inside your fitness studio.

Whether you realize it or not, every group fitness instructor is an influencer. You walk into a room, people watch you, and your job — whether you meant to sign up for it or not — is to get people talking about you long after class ends. Just like online, people talk about the people they trust. They revisit the experiences they trust. And they recommend the instructors who make a lasting impression, the kind that stays with them long after the cool down.

And here’s a perfect example from real life. I recently had lunch with my brother, and we sat at the bar. Our bartender was an older gentleman, nothing over the top. But the moment he engaged with us, I felt his presence. He was calm, warm, real, attentive. There was something about the way he showed up that made us both feel taken care of. And without missing a beat, the second he stepped away to make our drinks, my brother leaned toward me and said, “I like this guy.” He made an impression.
And here’s the kicker: I can’t even remember what I ordered. Not the meal, not the drink. I remember him, and how he made me feel. That’s what people talk about. Not products. Not procedures. Not perfection.
People talk about the people who leave a mark.

So how do you become someone students talk about? One way is through attentiveness. The kind that makes people feel seen the moment they step into your room. Trust isn’t built from flawless choreography or the perfect playlist - though those help. It’s built from tuning in: noticing the new student who looks unsure, the regular who seems a little off today, the person struggling to keep up, or the one who’s quietly crushing it.

When students feel you’re not just teaching at them but teaching with them - when they sense that you’re alert to their experience — they relax. They open up. They feel safe. And they think, “This instructor actually sees me.”
That’s the kind of presence people talk about.
That’s the kind of instructor people recommend.
That’s the impression that turns into conversations, referrals, follows, and full classes.

Because in the end, trust is the currency of influence — both online and in person.
People share instructors they trust.
People follow instructors they trust.
People take classes that are reviewed, talked about, and validated by real human experience.
When students trust you - your warmth, your competence, your awareness - they don’t just enjoy your class… they talk about it. They bring people. They become your real-life “followers.”

That’s the influencer effect inside the studio.
Not because you’re chasing likes - but because you’re creating real experiences worth liking.
You want people talking?
Make an impression.
Give them something to feel — and they’ll give you something to talk about.