Switching From Classes To Privates

[Sara]

This is a post from James. Since it is of such importance, I thought I'd share it.

Dear Sara,
Thank you for your warmth and ideas.
As I mentioned currently conducting 22 classes
per week and would like to drop about 4 at $25/hr
and generate private lessons at a higher rate say
60-70/hr. Could you tell me how to view your
ads on craigs list and what other marketing
ways I could reach out to people.
The style of Yoga I teach is derrived from White
Lotus Flow of Ganga White and Tracy Rich of
Santa Barbara,CA. Depending on who shows
at my classes they may be Hard,Soft, or combined
with restorative and ViniYoga. Besides my Root
teachers I have had workshops and classes
with most of the Hot flavored Yogi's of the Month
and enjoyed them all.
I also have done an annual Yoga Weekend for
my faithful students for last 3 years now.
This has been very enjoyable and also good
for their Yoga on and off the mats.
Thank You and am looking forward to your reply.
Hugs and Salutations.
Namaste,
James

Hi James.

First. Ouch. In the back of my mind is the painful day when Harlan
made me stand at the white board in his office and figure out how
much (or how little) money I was actually making.

When I added up all my classes and found that including travel time I was
making an average of $15 an hour, I was stunned.

Than I looked at what I was making from privates and it was averaging $85 an hour. (This was before I raised my rates.)

Harlan asked me, "So what is costing you money...."

The answer was all those classes.

When you want to build a business, it's important to take one step at a time.

If you try to do too many at once, you'll probably stumble and fall.

We are suggesting Craigslist and referrals right now and we haven't even gotten into referrals.

So, make a list of the types of clients you have helped.

Have you helped people with stress? Back or knee pain? Weight loss?

Harlan has lost 50 pounds so far doing yoga. He's been a walking advertisement for my business. People stop him on the street and ask
"what happened to the rest of you?"

Every yoga teacher I know has really connected and helped several students.

Make your ads about their accomplishments. (Get their permission first if you
use their names.)

I suggest you post some sample Craigslist ads and Harlan or I will give you feedback for them.

My marketing on Craigslist was so successful I haven't had an ad there in months.

But my ads were all about the benefits of doing yoga.

And boy did they make the phone ring.

Of course, I had a marketing guru help me with them. And the good news
is, he'll help you with yours for free on this forum.

(I still can't believe what he charges his private clients. Yikes.)

Get rid of those 4 classes immediately. It will automatically shift your
thinking and make room for private clients.

And while you are at it, $60 to $70 is a great place...to start. But you'll soon discover you can go higher.

Namaste!

Sara

[yogini71]

Kia ora from New Zealand!
What a great resource - its got me thinking already...I work so hard for those classes and really love teaching but sometimes it does feel like a labour of love than a source of income. I would love to teach more individually, personalising a session to that persons needs and abilities on all levels. But yoga therapy and private classes in New Zealand are not really heard of, some people that have come to my classes have really needed one-on-ones but have been loathe to move yoga to a place outside of their once or twice a week trip. What advice to you give in creating a market that does not yet exist? Or at least doesn't have self-realisation of its existence ; )
Blessings,
Amanda

[Arjunaweeping]

Hi there

Love the website and the forum.

I live and teach Yoga in Scotland, and in May of last year left my steady high-income employment to start teaching full-time. It's been a slow evolution, now reaching the point where i can pay the bills every month, and always hoping to take it further. It is great that your marketing approach keeps one eye on the unique factors that Yoga teachers should take in to account, the Yama and Miyama that is so painfully missing from many manipulative approaches to marketing.

Just like Amanda's situation in NZ, here in Scotland Yoga isn't really thought of as a therapy. Although it has a strong brand image in the UK, it tends either to be looked on as a "woman's thing" (which is fine by me) or some thing that only flexible people can do (because it's all about stretching, right??! ;-) . Even those who are interested in Yoga as therapy baulk at the thought of even modest amounts (

[yogamaniac]

Yes I agree with you on this one. I have been teaching for four years near Winchester in hampsire UK. People do hate the the idea of paying anything more than what they would for a local class basd session. I get my students to pay

[Administrator]

First, the goal of a website should be to share information and a little of your personality.

There are no benefits at all listed on the front page of your website.

Self-deprecating humor such as "I might even have remembered where I put my brain" just confuse your audience.

I realize the British sense of humor (humour) is vastly different than it's American cousin but if you put yourself down, it's going to be hard to find
students who value you.

Your goal should be to share benefits of yoga and benefits of working specifically with you.

Do not put prices on your website. You are letting people judge you on your prices not on the benefits.

Peace.

Harlan

[jennifer]

Hi Guys,
Thanks so much for your support. I am already mostly teaching private lessons (15-25 per week) and teach 3 to 4 classes at a local studio. I took your advice and posted on Craigslist, but have to admit it made me a bit nervous. There were many adds for "special massages" in the same section. I work alone out of a small studio in my home. I have always used word of mouth to generate new clients, but need a boost to my current numbers. Any suggestions to keep single people working alone like me safe as we explore the craigslist marketing approach?
Thanks again! Namaste,
jennifer

[Administrator]

First, your time on the phone should screen out the nuts.

They will rise to the top every time.

There is another thread where this was discussed in greater detail.

It is located here...

Posting phone numbers


Peace.

Harlan

[yogamaniac]

Ok since I checked back I have put some benefits on the front page. I have seen many pages in the UK that don't seem to have them on the front, but what you have said is quite true. I think that if people see it quickly how it will help them, then it gets them interested to read further into it. Took out a bit of the self depreciating humor, but had to leave some in somewhere. If you come to my classes, then funnily enough, that is me... Only yesterday evening I thought I was doing ever so well with my new leaflets and registry for peoples names and payment details, only to find out I had been walking around with my trousers inside out. Luckily enough I am yogic enough to make it work as an example of something in yoga. Altough I am sure I will get a few digs about it next week. Light hearted approach is me all over.

Welcome to Yogamania

Anyway I digress. Since posting that bit I have had another private session booked that is Wed nights 18 miles away. I put the price up to £30 for this gentleman and then if his wife wanted to do yoga too an extra 10 on top. They are perfectly happy with that. I have taught them two weeks in a row and they are really enjoying it from what I can see. Plus someone else who I talked to yesterday saw my ad in the parish plan ( local govenrment leaflet that went round on Monday about specific local issues and events in our local village community). I gave her my website, then realised the next day that I had reeled off the address wrong. I keep everyones numbers and details who ring for future emailshots and phone calls and called her today. She had already gone to the local shop and picked up one of my leaflets. She would phone after the weekend to book two privates a week!

I have 3 privates, and now hopefully 5 in total. Funny how since I put my prices up business is better. My class price I put up from £5 to £6 with a 5week block discount for £25 for 5 classes and it is making people come, and pay, or pay more and come anyway each week. I had 17 in my Monday class and that is usually 8-10 on average. Every class was up. I ended up bringing home £390 ($776 aprrox) last week. It feels like I don't need to go and get another job now as my career is working and I feel a productive member of the family unit. No matter if I love yoga I still need to pay bills. Just by changing a few things it has helped immensely. For everyone reading, just keep believing in yourself and the universe and it will be good to you in many ways. Funnily enough I enjoyed yoga more this week because I knew I could afford to drive there and back now without running out of petrol!

[Administrator]

What a wonderful report.

Sara and I discussed how much her rates have gone up in the past year.

She now charges between 110-130 an hour for a private with no price resistance in sight.

It's all mindset.

Peace.

Harlan