Saw This On Craigslist...Sigh

[Administrator]

I am a certified yoga practitioner. I received my training in Trimbak, India at Yoga Vidya Gurukul. My practice consists of chanting om-kar, surya namaskar (sun salutaions), asanas (postures), and pranayama (breathing exercises). I will design a practice to suit your goals. Yoga can offer many positive benefits: relaxation, enhancing mind focus, increasing flexibility, balancing body systems, self-healing and more. I am available for private instruction. Please e-mail for rates.

Okay, for you folks who've been around for a while...

Why do I have serious problems with this ad....

and why is this person guaranteed to get zero response...

Peace.

[jane hb]

Too much yoga jargon - interesting to yoga teachers, but not interesting or engaging to the general public. It does not list specific benefits or answer the question "what's in it for me." Sara & Harlan, you two are wonderful! Fyi - I have received the most response from Craigslist using Harlan's stress related ad (written for those who get the paid newsletter). A few inquiries, but no actual bookings - not yet anyway. I am employing Sara's telephone techniques and believe that I am really getting it, (holding off on price, engaging in wonderful conversations, etc.) still no scheduled privates. I have only been using Craiglist for about 3 weeks, am I being impatient? I want a convertible too! (Love that photo by the way - very motivating) any advise? Sat Nam.

[Administrator]

Wow, you are getting it.

If you are having a problem getting leads to convert, it's probably
your phone style.

Can you record one of these conversations for me to listen to?
I'll keep it private and not share it.

Unless there's something really juicy on it....

Who else saw something in this ad that needs to change?

Peace.

Harlan

[MarleensYoga]

Most of it already mentioned:

The ad is about the teacher, not about the client. The client is only interested in himself and couldn't care less if and where you went to the ashram. In fact, if the client even knows what an ashram is, they probably think they are scary cult-like weirdo conventions. Sanskrit galore. The benefits (sparse as they are in the ad) are way at the end, people have already given up reading by then.

Always ask the client to call, not e-mail, you supposedly can't win them by e-mail (although I have a few that e-mailed me and booked on the basis of our e-mail exchange (I was in Europe at the time, so calling was a bit inconvenient)).

I haven't had any response to my craigslist ads (a few click throughs to my website, but no actual phonecalls). Most of my clients have found me through yogafinder.com and through referrals.