The Mindset for marketing a prenatal yoga class

[gaileee]

Hi,

Before and while I was pregnant, this last time, I taught a prenatal yoga class at a facility that took 25% of the client fees. Basically that is what they charge personal trainers too. I was able to place forms in a predominant OB/GYN facility, and advertise at the place where I did the class.

It was a great class, the moms really liked networking with each other and such.

Of course, then I had my baby, and then we moved!

I'm trying to see how I could market this with privates instead. I'm trying to do this at one of the facilities that I teach at. This is a circumstance, where I think that having a class of people might be better than one on one. Because of all of the sharing, the "I'm going through this, right along with you" type of feeling.

Where do you think I need to start? Is this a potential for private clients also?

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe a craigslist ad, eh for preggy ladies. I'll have to think about that one!

Gaileee

[gaileee]

Hmmm, no comments.

Anyone else teach privates for classes for prenatal clients?

Any ideas worth sharing?

Thank you! Gaileee

[MarleensYoga]

Hi Gailee

I've only done one private prenatal ever, with a student who couldn't come to class for a while. I think that many women come for the company as much as the yoga, prenatal yoga is very much a group bonding thing. Another factor is that most women in prenatal yoga have never even considered doing yoga until they got pregnant, so they're maybe not inclined to spend much money on it.

I would make sure you put the word out that you're available for private prenatals, but the group is quite small to be putting a lot of marketing effort into, in my opinion.

[gaileee]

Thank Marlene!

The class that I taught back where I lived before, it took a bit for it to take off. I had at the neight of my class 7 people at a time. And of course that varied, as the ladies started to have babies!!

Out of all the class formats that I teach, that and the ladies and gents who had fibromyalgia, for me...where my favorite classes to teach. I guess it was how they made me feel, that made such a difference. It was such a wonderful energy.

I did class passes for the prenatal classes, the more they bought, the less expensive it was. Drop ins was $10. The place that I taught at, took 25% of what I brought in, as my rental fee, but I was allowed to advertise in their place, use their printers/copiers/display material, to place in other areas in the town and such. They even had my flyers in the hospital.

Before I was to move, the ladies that had the babies, wanted me to come teach the baby yoga. I had 13 of them signed up for that....but I moved.

Did you find during the day, or after normal working hours worked better?

Thanks! gaileee

[MarleensYoga]

An early evening class is best for this group, I have found (or maybe weekend mornings would work). First time mothers all work and second time mothers need child care. Too late in the evening and they are too tired to come.

I have switched from your system to a monthly fee ($40) (with drop ins ($12) possible for try outs, 9th month and when they know they'll be going on vacation or something). I would have weeks where I had 5 people signed up for class and nobody would show up, because they were all tired. So now at least I still get paid if they're all flaky, and guess what, they're less flaky if they know they've already paid.

Seven is the most I've ever had in class, some months I have only two signed up. They only spend 6 months in you class on average, after all, so it goes up and down. But every time I think I'll quite doing it, a bunch of new students show up. I think I am destined to teach this class forever, LOL.

[gaileee]

Hi

Thanks Marlene for all the good advise.

I wish I had thought to take photos of myself when I was pregnant, doing the yoga poses.

I thought it was interesting in the YogaFit training to have the pillow in our outfits to simulate a preggy lady. The guys really liked it, you could tell ! LOL!

Gaileee, E-ryt

[Kiwiyogini]

[quote=MarleensYoga;708]An early evening class is best for this group, I have found (or maybe weekend mornings would work). First time mothers all work and second time mothers need child care. Too late in the evening and they are too tired to come.

I have found this too, early in the evening is better. I'm relieving for another yoga teacher in prenatal yoga, which is at 9.30am and 3 turn up for this class.

The room I use for my class can only hold 6 max. But I've actually got 8 ladies that are attending. I work on the idea that not all 8 will turn up on the same evening. And it averages 5-6 ladies.

For marketing I use postcards and distrubute (sp?) these to baby shops, kindy, supermarkets, cafes, library etc. I only promote this class when the client has her baby.

I too find this class very rewarding. I have not had a child as yet but today a clients tummy was moving and could not resist the opportunity to place my hand on the tummy. I feel very fortunate to share this with my clients

All the best with this class
K