Inspired by Podcast #9 (Kickstart your own Business)
 

I might have gone nuts after listening to this last night, but after 5 years now of trying to run a self-employed personal training business (offering in-home training, workout plans, nutritional guidance- the works) and apparently learning every way NOT to do it, I finally said screw trying to make any money off of it and posted this on my local craigslist: Free Workout Plans/Nutrition Guidance from 3x Certified Trainer

I figured I might as well just do it for fun, since I enjoy what I do anyway, and quit even trying to make a profit from what I do outside of my side job at a local gym. Funny enough, I posted that late last night, and already this morning I've gotten two replies so far when my post has only been up for about 9 hrs. It seemed like a good idea to help a lot of extra people with their goals, and not caring about whether or not it pays the bills is kind of a fun feeling- Now I just have to find something to do as well that WILL pay them... Isn't that supposed to be part of the fun though? ;)

Congrats on your replies
 

This is part of the Abundancy theory/Web 2.0 thinking that I am glad you have discovered. In addition to making the most out of those replies that come in you should think about starting a blog showcasing your talents.

I'm a prime example of why these sorts of efforts would work. I'm a man who badly needs workout planning and coaching and certainly could benefit from nutritional improvements. In my intellect I know this well ... in my concious mind I have seen so many "sign up now" and "Bowflex-type" advertisements that there is likely no advert on earth that would gte me off my swivel chair. If those guys with the fab-abs and the sexy girls on the Bowflex ads didn't "move me", it's unlikely any amatuer advert/listing will either.

But if someone establishes themselves as an expert ... and doesn't try to sell me ... my mind will move toward action ... and people naturally buy from friends and people they know.

You know, I was about to start working on a fitness/nutrition website (working slowly on a pc game one right now) and I've now decided that I should do something similar to what you were saying, just a free site no flashier than Steve's that offers free workout planning and nutrition help without selling anything at all. I think that might be more useful to people than yet another fitness site, where I 'd have to write my own version of the thousands of good articles already out there. I just don't know where to really start designing a blog/website.

PM me if you want any workout/nutrition help btw ;)

Edit: the two people I'd gotten emails from this morning has now grown to 3 as of this evening.

Zig Ziggler is fond of saying "Thr surest way to get what you want is to help enough other people get what they want"
Sounds like you are well on your way.....
You have started the journey.... The destination is going to be a surprize even you haven't imagined