| Many yoga teachers do not like to do any form of | | | | ads, advertising in local alternative health magazines, |
| marketing for fear of seeming pushy. | | | | newspapers and so on. The ad representatives who |
| That is all well and good, but here are a few things to | | | | call on you promise results. But results are usually nil, |
| consider: | | | | and you get stuck with a huge advertising bill. |
| - Expecting classes to fill with no outreach is arrogant, | | | | Sometimes you might think that if you had a bigger |
| even if you polish your attitude with a spiritual veneer... | | | | advertising budget, you wouldd get more students. But |
| - Guilt over charging money for yoga means you may | | | | the simple fact is, traditional advertising does not work. |
| not value what you do, so why should anyone else... | | | | Well here is good news for you. There are cheaper, |
| - And not letting the community know about the many | | | | easier, and much more effective ways to attract new |
| ways you can improve their lives is simply irresponsible! | | | | yoga students than using print advertising. Some are |
| Consider your marketing efforts as a form of service | | | | completely free, and work like gangbusters. |
| work | | | | Your best advertising is word of mouth, and your |
| If teaching yoga is your career, then you are in the | | | | location -- both your actual address where you have a |
| solutions business -- you have answers for stress | | | | street sign (if you have a studio), and your location in |
| relief, weight loss, fibromyalgia, you name it! | | | | Google searches. |
| But can the people who need you even find you? | | | | Even if you do not own a website, there are still ways |
| As yoga teachers, it is our job to make yoga available. | | | | for your offerings to be found on the Internet. |
| It is our responsibility to share our knowledge and skills | | | | Here are five free ways to attract more yoga clients |
| to help others. And, with a little marketing, you can do | | | | from the web |
| just that! Reach the people who need you. And let the | | | | |
| money be their way of thanking you. There has to be | | | | 1. Write press releases for your events and services |
| an exchange of some kind, or you will burn out from | | | | and distribute them on press release distribution sites. |
| playing the martyr. | | | | 2. Create a Facebook Page for your yoga business. |
| After all, even the most selfless swamis in India are | | | | Invite friends to join your page, then post your yoga |
| supported by their communities -- they may not be | | | | classes and workshops. This is a great way to get |
| paid by check or credit card, but all their needs are | | | | word out about your events. |
| provided for. Your job now is to build a community to | | | | 3. Post your classes, events, and therapeutic sessions |
| nurture with your skills -- and be nurtured in return. | | | | on Craigslist. |
| Traditional advertising no longer works for the yoga | | | | 4. Write yoga articles and distribute them through |
| business | | | | article directories like EzineArticles. |
| Very few people use the phone book to look for | | | | 5. Create a YouTube account and post videos about |
| yoga. Same goes for print ads. They simply are not | | | | your yoga expertise. |
| cost effective. Most people will look for the services | | | | Get started with these free online marketing tools, and |
| you offer on the Internet. The trick is to help them find | | | | you are certain to attract new clients to your business, |
| you! | | | | make more money, and enjoy a great yoga career. |
| I know I have wasted a lot of money on yellow pages | | | | |