admin As private yoga teachers, marketing is a huge part of what we do. In fact, most of us spend as much time marketing as we do teaching in an effort to keep our docket full and manifest new opportunities.
Word-of-mouth marketing is the most effective form of marketing in any service industry, including yoga. Let’s begin there. The process of word of mouth occurs when people whom you trust, know, and like recommend the goods and services of others they also know and like. Referrals, solicited or unsolicited suggestions, and grassroots are all part of word-of-mouth.
A Natural Process
When you do amazing work as a yoga teacher, this happens naturally. Our clients naturally recommend our services to their family members, friends, and other professionals. The word-of-mouth train keeps chugging, and a snowball effect occurs.
It’s natural to grow your practice and have happy clients. But that doesn’t mean you can’t speed up the process and encourage your clients to send other clients who share your values your way.
Some clients don’t know that we are looking for new clients. Don’t be afraid to share your intention with existing clients. You can casually ask them at the end of your session or send them an email letting them know that you will be accepting a specific number of new clients.
It is a great opportunity to thank clients for referring others in a manner that resonates with the brand we represent as a yoga business and private teachers.
It would be best if you never forgot to thank students for referring new clients. This can be done with a card of thanks, a small present, or by sending them a bonus if it is a clear incentive. We, as customers, never forget the steps businesses take to make us feel valued and cared for.
How to turn word of mouth into a robust referral network
1. Make it clear that you want to work with new clients, and plan a date to inform your existing clients.
2. Create a sample email, or choose a specific time when you will mention your referral program to your clients. Please include this in your package schedule and calendar so that there is consistency about the times at which you inform clients and ask them for referrals.
3. Create a system of incentives.
4. Introduce new customers through word-of-mouth referrals.
5. Seal the cycle by saying a sincere thank you.
As you gain more clients and as they benefit from your sessions. It’s important to make it easier for them.
Marketing for yoga teachers should be mindful and conscious, and this goes beyond word-of-mouth. Marketing that feels good has a lot of content and value and makes people feel as if they’re getting something precious.
Marketing can either be paid for or free. But when done with mindfulness, people will begin to like and trust both the marketing itself and the person or business who is putting it out.
It’s important to make sure that the marketing of a business that is solely owned by a person, such as your yoga studio, feels focused and mindful.
