Marketing so that you can sell yoga classes may feel unnatural and inorganic to the common yogi. After all, yoga promotes peace and relaxation while selling is one of the most stressful aspects of any business. But, if you want to a run a successful yoga studio, you will need to put a little time into promoting your business.  

Before you run screaming for the hills, here are a few simple ways to organize your campaign so that you can increase success and reduce stress.

Frame your marketing

Who is your target customer? Picture them in your mind. Identify their problem. How is your yoga membership going to help solve that problem? A few common concerns you could address in your campaign include:

• Accountability: People who purchase a package may feel more inclined to keep going since they have already paid for the classes.
• Gifts: If there’s a holiday coming up, consider targeting your marketing to gift-givers.
• Yoga as a fun exercise: Customers who might otherwise be interested may shy away from yoga because they think it’s boring or too serious.

Think of your customer and frame your marketing content to solve their specific problem.

Many businesses fail because they focus too much on sales and not enough on leads, according to Entrepreneur.  Framing your marketing to attract clients will increase leads. If you can get more people to see your business and experience your class, then you have more opportunities to convert these experiences into sales.

Create an irresistible offer

People like getting things for free. When marketing your yoga package, consider offering free access to a mobile app personalized to your unique yoga studio. People love simplicity and convenience; an app that allows customers to check class schedules, purchase packages, or make a payment are great ways to make it easier for customers to say yes to what you have to offer.

Another option is to offer other free information. Don’t underestimate the power of online marketing through your website and social media. Provide useful information on your blog (articles, e-books, coupons) and set yourself up as an expert. People want to work with someone who can give them results. Prove your expertise so that people think of you when they are considering a health purchase.

Other ideas:

• Price your packages so that it’s cheaper to buy classes as a set rather than individually.
• Make it easier to schedule a private session with a free online scheduler.
• Offer a free email goody when they sign up for a package (a series of emails with healthy eating tips or stress-relief ideas, etc.).

Plan your offer, pair it with a freebie and get ready to promote the heck out of it. Selling yoga packages will be much easier this way.

Decide a campaign strategy

Create a plan. How will you get the word out about your yoga packages? A combination of traditional and online marketing campaigns is key for local studios. Identify where your target customer is most likely to see your marketing and set your focus there. A few ideas to consider when selling yoga:

• Facebook ads
• Facebook posts that lead to your website or a landing page offering a deal
• Advertisements in local papers
• Mailers
• Billboards
• Word of mouth

Ideally, you’ll incorporate several strategies. And no matter which method(s) you choose, make sure you set up a system to track results.

Track your campaign

Spending money on a campaign can turn into a money pit if you don’t figure out which marketing angles are making you the most money. A few simple ways to track include:

• Asking new customers where they heard about your deal
• Monitoring social media activity
• Reviewing any online ad activity (for example: Facebook ads allows you to track views and clicks)
• Keep a record of course attendance

Whether you run a small yoga studio or operate out of your basement, you don’t want to waste money on ineffective marketing. Continually paying for something that isn’t resulting in leads can be disastrous. By watching and recording your different marketing strategies and adjusting your focus as needed, you can save money and increase interest.

Encourage word of mouth reviews

One of the absolute best ways to sell your business doesn’t cost a dime. Good customer service leads to great reviews. The popularity of sites like Angie’s List and Yelp prove that consumers care about the experiences of other people. If your current clients enjoy their experience with you, encourage them to leave an online review or to share your business with their friends and family.

Offering incentives like a free class or a low-cost goody in exchange for more leads is a budget-friendly way to improve your reputation and drive more traffic towards your yoga studio.

Remember: When selling yoga, focus on your client’s problem, show them how your yoga package will solve that problem, offer an incentive, provide an enjoyable experience, and encourage word of mouth reviews. If you create a system and follow it, you can keep your Zen fully intact.