My Craigslist

[jennifer]

Hi Sara and Harlan,

Sorry I posted this in the wrong place the first time, and thanks for the primer on how to use the forum- you guys are just so informative!!!

So here is my craigslist posting.

Come experience the benefits of one on one sessions with a certified yoga and pilates instructor. Reduce stress, increase flexibility and strength and improve your life. Each session is tailored to meet your specific needs and help you achieve your goals in a supportive and non-competititive environment. From therapeutic movement to a vigorous work-out, I am here to inspire you to become your best self.

I am not posting my phone number for several reasons, including small children and teen-agers in my home (where my studio is) that answer the phone.
How often do you recommend posting the ad?

Namaste,
Jennifer

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by jennifer

Come experience the benefits of one on one sessions with a certified yoga and pilates instructor. Reduce stress, increase flexibility and strength and improve your life. Each session is tailored to meet your specific needs and help you achieve your goals in a supportive and non-competititive environment. From therapeutic movement to a vigorous work-out, I am here to inspire you to become your best self.

Okay, first - there is an old saying "The More You Tell, The More You Sell."

And you aren't telling very much.

Also, your first sentence is your offer.

Have you seen our video at http://buildyouryogabusiness.com/ideas.html

You are asking them to marry you and you haven't built a relationship.

Most people reading your ad will no nothing about yoga.

Men think it's something women do.

You need to say much much more in a conversational tone.

The ads I wrote for Sara were close to a page in length building
that relationship.

Also, you need to have them take action.

And there needs to be a phone number or a website in the ad.

If you don't get them on the phone, you will not get them as a client.

So get a special pay as you go cell phone for yoga calls only.

But you can not engage a client by email alone.

You've got benefits here but you share them in the briefest of sections.

Let's see some more details.

Peace

Harlan

[jennifer]

Hi Guys,
I have two new clients from my craigslist posts, even from the first not-so-hot one!
Here is my new (and hopefully Harlan approved/improved one):


Begin to lose weight, maintain your weight loss, reduce stress, strengthen your muscles, and increase your flexibility with one on one sessions with a certified yoga instructor.

Improve your life, enhance your creativity and discover the well spring of vibrant health that is yours to claim.

Each session is tailored to meet your specific needs and help you achieve your goals in a supportive and non-competititive environment.

You can come to my private yoga space for our sessions, I have lots of yoga props and even a great yoga wall to help you achieve your goals.

You will learn:

Safe and Proper alignment to tone your body and improve your posture

Breathing techniques to soothe your mind and give you more energy

Exercises for core muscles to help flatten your belly and reduce back pain

Yoga poses proven to alleviate depression and anxiety

Mood mending sequences to help you stay focused and happy

Poses to help with areas of chronic pain or injury

We will begin with gentle stretches and toning exercises and you will progress at your own pace

Home exercises so you will see your desired improvents more quickly


Together we can accomplish things you never dreamed were possibe (like touching your toes!!!).

I promise to be patient, understanding, and compassionate while I encourage you to discover your potential.

From therapeutic movement to a vigorous work-out, I am here to inspire you to become your best self.

I am thinking of naming the ad "The Best Yoga Class Ever"

What do you think?
Jennifer

[yogamaniac]

Sounds good.

[jennifer]

Hi Guys,

I have been working on my crailsist posting and recently changed the post title to "The Secret to Feeling great and Losing Weight".

I took the word Yoga out just because Sara and Harlan said it can turn some people off.

The interesting thing is that I have almost doubled my income in the past month, but no-one has booked from the craigslist add.

I have been using Sara and Harlan's phone technique, but have yet to get a client book a session and show up.

Truth is, that is fine. Seems the universe is reading craigslist and has sent me 4 new clients, a previous client came back, and a current client saw my schedule book open (and full!!) and decided she wants to come twice a week instead of once.

I did get one new client from craigslist, she had posted in need of a personal trainer, and I replied. She had read my post, but thought she was too big for yoga. She is coming twice a week and cried at the end of her first session because she felt so "good and strong".

It was one of those moments that makes all of the past struggle so worth it.

I have also instituted a 24 hour cancellation policy, and I am charging my clients when they don't show up. Since my schedule is so full, I can usually fill session if I have enough notice.

More Later,

jennifer

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by jennifer

The interesting thing is that I have almost doubled my income in the past month, but no-one has booked from the craigslist add.

I have been using Sara and Harlan's phone technique, but have yet to get a client book a session and show up.

Truth is, that is fine. Seems the universe is reading craigslist and has sent me 4 new clients, a previous client came back, and a current client saw my schedule book open (and full!!) and decided she wants to come twice a week instead of once.

I did get one new client from craigslist, she had posted in need of a personal trainer, and I replied. She had read my post, but thought she was too big for yoga. She is coming twice a week and cried at the end of her first session because she felt so "good and strong".

It was one of those moments that makes all of the past struggle so worth it.

I have also instituted a 24 hour cancellation policy, and I am charging my clients when they don't show up. Since my schedule is so full, I can usually fill session if I have enough notice.

More Later,

jennifer

Hi, we haven't posted Sara's telephone technique so I'm not sure what you are doing on the phone.

But congratulations on the expansion of your yoga business.

We hope it's just the beginning!

Peace.

Harlan

[jennifer]

Good morning,

I am just using the "don't tell them the price upfront " suggestion, when they ask I say I have different prices for different services and depending on how many times a week they come.

I try to assume they are going to book and get them talking about their needs and what they want.

I try not to ask them to marry me, just to try me out for a little hour long learning session that gives them new info on their body, feels great, and teaches them the very most important aspect of yoga. (breathing)

Harlan was absolutely right about the pervs, they float right to the top and ask for tantra yoga, nude yoga, etc. (not that I haven't done yoga nude, or don't respect the tantra path, i just don't call strangers to ask about it!!!).

I am putting getting a web-site and a phone line exclusively for my business on my to-do list, per Harlan's advice.

I think these have to be done before my craigslist add is sucessful in the way it can be.

I often talk to my students about yogic choices, and how occasionally there comes a time we have to give up something in order for our practice to progress (not dark chocolate!!!).

So, yesterday, I unsubscribed from Netflix so I can redirect that money into the Build Your Yoga Business newsletter.

Netflix was awesome, the movies they have about yoga, hinduism, and buddhism have been a huge source of inspiration to me.

Truth of the matter is, I will be able to resubscribe really soon, it was more a symbolic gesture than a real lack of finances, I just found myself making excuses not to sign up for the newsletter.

I am going through a divorce and entering the realm of the single mother, and I want to be very clear with the universe that I am excited about more abundance and joy in my life.

Seems like Harlan and Sarah have really good ideas about that, so I'll let you guys know how it works!

Namaste,
jennifer

[Administrator]

Just ignore the price question entirely and ask them about questions.