Classes Or Privates

[Administrator]

July 2006 -

Sara stares at me when I question why she would want to find more classes.

"I love teaching yoga", she says.

"I'm not saying don't teach yoga. I'm saying don't teach in classes."

If a yoga studio has it's act together, classes can bring in a lot of money.

If a class has 30 students and each pays $15, that's $450 for the 90 minute class.

The teacher may get $5 per student ($150) or a fee for teaching the class ($30-60).

But classes that large are hard to come by very often. And that may represent the bulk of the teacher's income for the day.

But if you have mostly private clients, you have continual income during the day.

At this point, Sara can't fit another client into her schedule. She needs to hire additional instructors.

Why?

Because the marketing secrets we're sharing really work.

She's dropped all her classes.

And that's just the beginning.

At this rate, Sara will easily do six figures this year teaching what she loves.

And at this point, the bulk of that money comes from private clients.

It's food for thought...

[bonnie]

I certainly see the value in privates! Yet, I am in the midst of writing a proposal for teaching yoga in hospital for cancer patients, and staff at this hospitals cancer center. I am hoping that offering these classes will lead to the opportunity to teach these patients, on a private basis. Yet, I think community is very valuable to the cancer patient, and group classes will provide it. Yoga classes as a service from the hospital, gives credibility to yoga as a complementary care option, which many might otherwise not have considered. My question is how much do I charge for these classes, where the hospital is footing the bill, and 4-week sessions will run ongoing. Any suggestions when writing the proposal? I hope that students will want to continue after the 4-week session, and enter into private sessions. Thanks for your help! -Bonnie

[Administrator]

Hi Bonnie,

As we've said in another place in the forum, teaching classes is not a good
way to find privates. I wouldn't bet on that happening.

That's not to say that teaching cancer patients and hospital staff isn't a great and important thing but let's keep our focus on what we are doing.

That being said:

1. Your proposal should focus on the benefits of yoga to the patients and staff.
2. Be sure to mention the health benefits of yoga and the healing power of meditation.
3. If I am not mistaken, the Simmonton's in Texas were pioneers in the use of meditation in healing cancer. The use of Sivassna and guided healings should serve the same purpose.
4. Mention details, targets, immediate steps, financials etc.
5. Remember proposals only confirm what you've agreed previously.
6. Try and hold the proposal to one page.

As far as pricing goes, the hospital probably doesn't have a clue as to the going rates for yoga instructors.

What are the rates in your area? I never recommend anyone be the low bidder. If teachers get from $35-$75 a class, I recommend you put yourself
in at the higher price.

The worst thing that can happen is they say no.

We'll be talking about price a lot but let's just say Sara has doubled her prices since working with me.

She's getting as much as $130 an hour and we are talking about raising her rates.

Stick around. We'll show you how to do it too.

[Jen ed]

Namaste- I very much appreciate what you two are doing! My big question is how to 'put yourself our there'? I am a very experienced teacher dance, choreography, yoga, meditation, as well as an energy healer. I have a terrible relationship with asking to be paid! Not that I don't make money, but the majority of my teaching and income has come through studios, colleges, corporations.

I am now seeking to launch a private practice/ series of audio recordings of accessible meditations.... I do not know where to start.

I am located in NYC- so it feels overwhelming to just 'put myself out there' in an already saturated market. However I am offering something that is not in the lives of most people.

Many thanks!

Jennifer Edwards MFA, RYT

[Administrator]

Hi,

Thanks for joining us on the forum.

First, putting yourself "out there" is easier than you think.

Here's how I would start finding private clients.

I always recommend Craigslist as a first step because it's free. You can test your marketing approaches at zero cost.

If your Craigslist campaign starts producing results, I would build a website.

Sara's website converts very well and produces an excellent ROI.

As far as producing your meditation product, who is your target audience?

What is unique about your product?

What will people who use it be able to do.

These questions are directed at having you look at a product as a marketer does.

While in the middle of writing this response, someone contacted me about helping them market salt water aquariums.

My response to him will be the same:

What is unique about your product?

Who will use it? Who is the target market?

That determines how you market to them.

People tend to fail at marketing because they don't ask these questions.

But they should...

Because all successful companies know the answers to these questions.

If something I've written isn't clear, just let me know.

With Blessings,

Harlan

[cadehlinger]

Hi there! I am new to this thread and to teaching as well. I have just started teaching classes and I already can see how it is a losing game. I would love to get into teaching private clients, but how do I know who my target market is? I live in North Florida (Jacksonville).

[Sara]

Hi cadehlinger,

Welcome to our Forum.

If you just started teaching and you can see lots of classes won't be of benefit financially them you are one step ahead.

I encourage you to begin advertising and move in the direction of privates.

Since you are unsure of you target market, it is time to do some research!

You want to take a look at the competition around you. What are other yoga teachers in Jacksonville doing. What types of yoga are being taught in the studios or by people advertising for Yoga sessions.

Next, begin to pay attention to who your students are. Their age range, the type of yoga they like to do and find out about who they are.

Next you want to be UNIQUE. You want to find a niche that nobody is taping into so you will stand out. Make yourself and what you do different than what every one else is doing and create a new target market.

IF you haven't already post an ad on craigslist after you think about where you think your market of clients are going to come from.

Examples are:
Kid's Yoga.

Yoga for people who need to relieve stress.

Yoga to tone your body.

Yoga for woman who dislike the gym.

Yoga for cancer patients.

So first check out what's going on in your area. Talk to other teachers and find out what they are doing and look for ads.

Get creative and search for what it is that will make you stand out.

Let us know what you come up with and how we can help you further.

Namaste,
Sara

[penneylane]

Sara and Harlan,
I just found your site and really enjoy all the information. Here's my questions...
1. What would a typical private session include that is different from a classroom setting? Could you give an example of what you do in your private sessions that draw clients? I'm not asking for secrets, just general information as to why someone would prefer private over class structure.
2. After reading your forum posts, I'm a little ashamed to say I am charging only $7/class to my two private ladies. I've thought about raising the rate...how do you tell them you are going to charge $25 per class (or $50 or $100 eventually),instead of $7 without losing them? And, did you lose clients when you upped your rates?
I teach 3 classes per week, 2 being at a fitness center and one as a private for the 2 ladies I mentioned earlier. My classes are packed and my manager tells me she gets frequent compliments about my classes in their comment box, which encourages me that I'm on the right track (and path). However, as you know, instructor's compensation in a club environment is pretty low. I have two kids in the nursery ($4per hour) and I make $17/class minus taxes. I love teaching classes because the energy is wonderful and, I have toyed with the idea of owning a studio, but honestly, I just want to teach yoga and thereby make a respectable income doing what I love. The business end sounds daunting and scary. I don't think I want to be responsible for running a club or studio and deal with a whole new set of issues. That's why I love the idea of teaching privately, but up until I found your site, I didn't have the courage to go much past the "idea stage". I'm intrigued by what you and Harlan have to say. I have a website called yogasoup.net and post mind/body and self-improvement articles on it. Its brand new (just a month old) and evolving into something I hope to use to support my yoga business, whatever that may be. Child care is also an issue, too. I always have to consider paying someone until my little one is in pre-school. With the amount of time and money we as yoga instructors put into our craft, I definately support getting paid an appropriate fee for our services. I think I'm finding that the only thing that stands in the way of that is our own limiting beliefs...Thanks for the insight you offer everyone.
Donna P.

[gaileee]

Hi,
First time to post too, and have similar questions or environment. I have a baby, and have to have classes during times when childcare at the Y or Gym is available or when hubby can take care of baby in the evening.

When I put the pencil to the paper, the Gym environment pays me 21 dollars a private. I travel 20-28 minutes each way, and will do a 1 hour private. This doesn't could the time I put into the lesson plan, researching and providing information to the client, based on their needs (an example, sciatica, or postural situations). Plus time to pick up/write in a time sheet, bring/pick up baby to the childcare if that is going on too. So I make $10.50 an hour in this situation. I don't see this as increasing at the gym, since they charge 48 per hour, I get the 21 (my base pay). In the regular class that I teach there, I get an hour and 15 minutes, based on my base pay, so I actually make a little bit more, but the time committment is the same. (always varies due to if child has to go to childcare, or the traffic issues.)
I can only book privates when one of the two group exercise rooms is not in use, so this limits my time availability. At the Gym I have 2 regular classes with 3-10 people, and a occasional Saturday class with 18 - 22 people attending.

Option 2 is at the Y, and I get 70% of a 30 private fee, and again its 21 dollars. Its most closer to home, but has less childcare hours available, and room availability too.

I've got two clients at the Gym, but it really at this situation isn't worth my time for 10.50 an hour. But I'll continue with these clients, since I made a committment.

I'm thinking I need to build my client base at the Y, and work around the room schedule/childcare. I need to make up a brouchure, then list it on my website, then get on craigslist, start advertising about, yoga for golfers, yoga for better back, prenatal yoga ... sciatica yoga, those are my strengths. AT the Y I have one class and 18 - 25 people attending.

Lynnleee

[MarleensYoga]

PennyLane,

I have worked at several gyms and never have I had to pay for onsite childcare while I taught my classes. That is ridiculous!

If your classes are as popular as you say, this is the time to tell them you want a raise (the minimum should be $25 per hour, imho) and free childcare. If they're hesitant start talking to other gyms!