It is known that yoga provides balance and harmony to this stressful life. You may live in a city where there are a lot of yoga studios offering an array of classes and practices. If you are a yoga instructor, one of the many challenges you may face is keeping students coming week after week. Here are some tried and true techniques to keep your students coming to your classes.
Tip#1 – Incentives. People love freebies. Offer your current students discounts or added classes if they renew prior to their package expiring. But in order to keep your business going in the right direction, you need to ensure that your promotions are tied to generating income rather than giving away something for nothing. For example, trial offering the discounts at your higher level packages.
Tip#2 – Comfort & Convenience. Make your yoga studio an environment that is inviting and where people feel relaxed and at ease. Provide a couple of lockers for your customers; have an area where they can keep their yoga mats safely; stock your washrooms and showers with shampoo, soap, even towels.
Tip#3 – With new students (and current), make them feel welcomed and part of the studio. Everyone loves to feel like they are important especially when he or she is paying to be there. Remember names, inquire about their progress and provide helpful hints or tips for their practice.
Tip#4 – Ensure the purchase process is flexible by allowing people to pay with cash, credit or debit. I remember at one particular studio I visited, when I was ready to purchase my package after an intro class that day and only discovering that they didn’t accept credit cards, proved a loss for them.
Tip#5 – Communication goes a long way. Be aware after teaching a class of students who may be lingering around and likely waiting to have a chance to speak with you. A lot of newbies are intimidated with talking to a teacher yet if you give them a few minutes of your time, it gives them confidence that you are interested in their progress. Provide your email or phone number and open yourself up to being contacted by your students.
In the beginning, many of us are focused on getting as many students in the door as possible. But once they’ve taken the step to start yoga, we must not forget to nurture their commitment and interest in the practice.