A typical private client

[Leela]

Hello...thanks so much for providing this information. It's up to us to realize our value and set expectations accordingly. I have recently been certified to teach, and really have no interest in pursuing classes after reading this site. I'm working on my craigslist ad for privates, and more importantly working on the several excuses holding me back from just going for it (like my reservations about going to strangers houses, or cleaning out & painting my downstairs room to do it here). I have a few questions, some answers I'm finding here... but I wonder if you could describe what a "typical" client would be like...understanding that everyone is different, but generally speaking:

How often does a typical client get a private lesson? (I'm having a hard time contemplating that an "average" person would spend $3-400 a month)

How many would have a lesson in their office?

Do any privates ever want to bring a friend or partner? (semi private I guess)

More questions swirling around, but will leave it here for now...thanks again!

...L

[Sara]

Hi Leela,

Congradulations on becoming a yoga teacher. You are on an ecxiting new path. And I think its great that you want to get started with privates. Good way to go.

First I think you should get to it and go clean your downstairs room. This will give your clients more options and also you will then have a ready made private room for you to do your own practice in.

2nd is that clients will pay lots of money monthly is they find value in what they are paying for. Let go of deciding whether or not someone will spend hundreds monthly on yoga. Trust me ---People will. If you have a problem with it and think people will than it will become an issue.

I have clients spending $1000.00 and more on private yoga lessons. If it is valuable to them and they are gaining the benefits from yoga then People will spent the money. Don't worry about people who can't afford to do this because you are targeting the people who can afford to do this!

Harlan is the only person that I see in his office. Everyone else I go to their home and I have a new client that will be coming to me. ( Hint: the corporate market is a great on to go after.)

I have a few Straglers(meaning one time a week people) Most clients see me twice a week or more. You want to let people know upfront that in order to feel and experience results that they should see you more than once a week. The rest of my clints are 3-5 days a week.

Yes, some people do a semi-private. I had a couple who see's me 3 times a week want to do one couple session a week and they just decided to alternate weeks individually cause they preferred the one on one attention. So far I only have privates but sometimes I do have people wants group or semi-private.

I think I have answered all of your questions. Let us know how your craigslist add works out and I wish you lots of success.

Stay healthy and vibrant,
peace,
Sara

[Leela]

Thanks for the great response...My husband and I brainstormed and determined it's completely feasible to turn the room downstairs into a private studio, and was even able to come up with a reasonable budget. A good friend of mine is starting out in the interior design business, and so she's going to help me out (and we'll trade services as payment!).

I've come up with a draft for my Craigslist ad. I have a (skeptical) friend that plays hockey, so originally my ad was for hockey players, but I also live very close to a Jack Nichlas golf course, so plan to modify to target golfers....or runners, or tennis players, or ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Secret to Better Hockey

Want to know the secret to playing a better game? Find out how to build

strength, balance and focus. Have fewer injuries. Have more endurance.

Reduce muscle fatigue and stiffness. Increase your focus.


As a hockey player, you know it is important to maintain muscular balance,

especially since the game naturally favours one side of the body. Are you

prone to stiffness in the lower back and tight quads, hip flexors and

hamstrings? Yoga offers hundreds of exercises to complement your sport.


You are flexible enough to do yoga. You can do yoga. I can show you how.

Prevent injury. Improve your performance.

Mark Messier does yoga. Barry Bonds does yoga. Shaquille O

[geraldine]

Hello Sara and Leela,

I just read both your messages and I am a little puzzled. I will be certified in July and I am thinking ahead about having my own studio where I would teach classes and have privates for regular yoga or therapeutic yoga (I will be certified in that next year.) So my questions are these:
1) Why are classes not lucrative? Leela seemed to imply that the website is discouraging teachers to teach classes. I do my own practice a yoga studio in town and the owner seems to be doing fine.
2) I want to have a decent wage but I am also interested in Yoga for the educational aspect of it so I am not interested in having only clients who can afford what I have never been able to afford: private yoga lessons. Any ideas on how to make a studio a profitable business?
3) I do not wish to drive all over to people's houses. Is there a good marketing way to attract people to my studio instead?

Thanks so much for your thoughts, this is my first post!
Cheers,
Geraldine

[Leela]

Hi Geraldine! Here's my $0.02:

Originally Posted by geraldine

Hello Sara and Leela,

I just read both your messages and I am a little puzzled. I will be certified in July and I am thinking ahead about having my own studio where I would teach classes and have privates for regular yoga or therapeutic yoga (I will be certified in that next year.) So my questions are these:
1) Why are classes not lucrative? Leela seemed to imply that the website is discouraging teachers to teach classes. I do my own practice a yoga studio in town and the owner seems to be doing fine.

I think you can earn an income from teaching classes, although there are so many teachers that don't. The average here for new teachers is about $35 per 90 min class (less than $18/hr), and if you include travel time to and from where ever your going, your hourly rate is getting pretty low. Rates do get higher, but you have to find somewhere (a good studio or yuk, a gym) to hire you. Teacher training is very popular right now so there are LOTS of yoga teachers coming out there right now...

The message I got from this website is my hourly rate will be higher with privates than with teaching classes.

With my room downstairs, if I can get $70 - 80 a session for privates, I'd need to find 7 - 8 people paying $10 each to make the same per hour (which I don't have room for anyway)

I still intend to teach classes...teaching individuals is going to be different from teaching a group. It's also good practice, and I like the energy form a group class. I just don't plan to buy lots of groceries from it.

...L

[Administrator]

[quote=Leela;289]
I've come up with a draft for my Craigslist ad. I have a (skeptical) friend that plays hockey, so originally my ad was for hockey players, but I also live very close to a Jack Nichlas golf course, so plan to modify to target golfers....or runners, or tennis players, or ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Secret to Better Hockey

Want to know the secret to playing a better game? Find out how to build

strength, balance and focus. Have fewer injuries. Have more endurance.

Reduce muscle fatigue and stiffness. Increase your focus.


As a hockey player, you know it is important to maintain muscular balance,

especially since the game naturally favours one side of the body. Are you

prone to stiffness in the lower back and tight quads, hip flexors and

hamstrings? Yoga offers hundreds of exercises to complement your sport.


You are flexible enough to do yoga. You can do yoga. I can show you how.

Prevent injury. Improve your performance.

Mark Messier does yoga. Barry Bonds does yoga. Shaquille O

[Leela]

Originally Posted by Administrator

Now the ad is very good... but...

Unless you are in Canada, don't expect hockey to be such a big draw.

And...

It's not the height of hockey season (it's the playoffs).

The use of hockey as the attractor is what I question.

At this time of year, I'd go with golf and save hockey for later.

Of course, since Craigslist is free... test and see what happens.

Peace.

Harlan

I do happen to be in Canada....beautiful Victoria, British Columbia as a matter of fact! . If you're ever in town, be sure to come check out my new private studio!

I likely won't target hockey players (except my skeptical friend of course), but it was the first one I wrote, and I was curious of your thoughts on this style of ad.

Golfers look out...

Namaste and thanks...L

[Administrator]

I'll be attending a seminar in June in one of my favorite places, San Juan Island.

I'll stand over in Lime Kiln Park and wave to you!