YogaHub  

21-Day Yoga Marketing Challenge

Megan Mcdonough

Workplace YogaWhat would happen in your yoga business if you focused your marketing efforts on one specific goal for 21 days in a row?

Yoga professionals have a whole series of tasks related to running a yoga business. Our day can be a constant movement from one unrelated task to another. At the end of the day, it’s easy to feel exhausted and frustrated as we realize that yet another day has gone by without our being able to take action on that big dream or even a simple wish.

Lamenting how time flies, we fall into the trap of thinking “If only I had more time.

More time, though, is not necessarily the answer. Each of us, after all, has the same 24 hours in a day. However, some people seem to accomplish so much more in that time period.

Their secret is simple: focus.

The mind tends to get lost in a maze of “busy-ness” in our business when there is no clear focus and direction. We meander from action to action, accomplishing those items that are in front of us instead of applying the discipline of discernment and prioritization.

We put off exciting new adventures or settle for disappointing results, thinking that we’ll have more time later to “do it right”. But it’s not a matter of time – it’s a matter of focus.

Developing that focused attention in your business is no different from having a focused attention in your meditation practice. Unfortunately, the business meditation you may be practicing right now is “I don’t have enough time”.

Again and again, we come back to the breath in meditation. Again and again, we can come back to the focus of our work to guide our actions.

In the YogaHub community, you have an opportunity to try a new way of running your yoga work by participating in our 21-day Marketing Challenge.

Here’s the challenge: Aim for one specific, measurable, tangible business goal. Then, for the next 21 days straight, take action towards that goal.

The first step is to publicly declare your goal on this site. I know that action can be a scary step! However, it will strengthen your inner commitment, so it is worth the effort. We are a kind, friendly group here at YogaHub, so there’s nothing to be afraid of! Simply post your goal as a comment to the bottom of the page.

The second step is to note your daily progress in your journal. You can use the physical hard copy daily journal we’re providing, but we highly recommend you post your progress within the MyYogaHub.com community, or just keep making updates by commenting to my blogs as we explore this together. Writing down your efforts each and every day is a great way to positively reinforce your commitment.

I’ll begin the process by publicly stating my own goal:

To have a full class of 20 students for the October Train-the-Trainer Virtual Yoga Teacher Program.

See, I’ve shared my goal. It’s not that hard. Now it’s time to share yours. Just click on the comment button below and post your focus for the next 21 days.

YogaHub and I will support your efforts by posting a daily log from my own 21-day journey. I’ll share with you the actions and steps I’m taking to fill the Training-the-Trainer class in October. You can read the posts to get new ideas or reinforce your commitment to action.

The 21 days of blog posts will start on Thursday, August 21. You, however, can start when you want to – of course, the sooner the better!

So what would happen in your yoga business if you focused your marketing efforts on one specific goal for 21 days in a row? Take the 21-day challenge and find out!

Take the Challenge:

[tags]21-day Challenge, Megan McDonough, yoga business, professional goals, marketing for yoga, Coping with Stress Seminar [/tags]

Author: Megan Mcdonough

People with big ideas face a constant challenge: how to transform that vision into a new and better reality. Whether it’s change in your personal life or success in your business, vision needs action (and rest) to manifest.

49 Responses to “21-Day Yoga Marketing Challenge”

  1. Ruth says:

    By the end of 21 days my goal is to have my Red Sea Relax Yoga Holiday in November half full. That would be 15 students and I have 4 booked already so 11 more to find.

  2. Nicole says:

    To find a place to teach yoga once a week that provides me with the compensation I need and deserve, to make my preparation and work worthwhile.

  3. Ruth, that sounds like a yummy place to have a yoga retreat! It’s so great when we can combine a vacation with our yoga work. I have yet to do that–yet:-)

  4. Amber says:

    I am setting the goal to expand Yogadotcalm’s space. That includes acquiring the space and signing the lease; setting a budget for the renovations; and designing the new and current space over the next 21 days.

  5. Linda B. says:

    My goal in 21 days is to fill my teacher trianing class (which begins Sept 19th) with 10 students by Sept 11th. I have 3 or 4 prospects, none committed. Time frame is 4 weeks from today.

  6. Amber, I absolutely love that name! Yogadotcalm is great play on words. I checked out your website and love the look of your current studio. I just picked out colors for my studio and am going with the same yellow/gold and white theme.

    Linda, always feel free to include your website for info on your YTT program. Posting not only imprints the goal firmer in your mind, it also helps others connect with you and your work–we could click to your site to find out more.

    Nicole, may you find a perfect place to share your yoga work!

  7. My goal is to secure two more prenatal yoga teacher training programs for 2009.

  8. kate b. says:

    My goal is to have at least 15 students in every class by the end of 21 days.

  9. carolyn says:

    My goal is to reach 1500 page requests in one week at http://laughingyogini.com.

    So far my highest weekly total was 1385 requests, so I need about 115 more.

  10. Jean Fraser says:

    My goal is to complete two sample proposals for workplace trainings, and to ‘pitch’ an idea to at least one potential client.

  11. Sarha Orantes says:

    I will spend one hour each day on marketing with the goal of reaching 3 new clients for my yoga therapy practice within 21 days. Today, I will sign up for the PRYT coop ad, make a list of ideas, and plan a schedule.

  12. Lroi says:

    My goal is to choose a new day/time for yoga class in Boulder and fill it with 10 students by the end of the 21-day challenge.

  13. Nancy Sanks says:

    My goal is to book a lunch and learn “Coping WIth Stress Seminar” with a contact person for Barona Casino. I have a table at their employee Health Fair on Sept. 26th.

  14. Dee says:

    My goal for the next 21 days is to have 10 repeat clients for my yoga therapy practice. This shouldn’t be too hard since my service is currently free! I’m a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Practioner-in-Training. visit: http://www.healingbasket.ca

  15. Sharon Daly says:

    My goal is to have 10 people in my Transforming Stress 8-week program which begins in October and to fill my Women’s Yoga retreats in Sept/October.

  16. Kelle says:

    My goal is to find another teacher who would like to rent out space in my studio to help offset overhead.

  17. Lynn says:

    My 21-day goal is to market and relaunch my private client business and semi-private series classes, with at least one three-person, six-week class launched within the 21-day period.

  18. Lianne says:

    Great idea, Megan, thanks for facilitating this – it’s perfect timing for me.

    My goal is to have a website that authentically reflects me and informs potential clients about my services. My current website is a mishmash and was put together in a hurry.

    Amber – congrats on buying Yogadotcalm from Ian – I attended class there a few years ago (my sis lives in Calgary).

  19. Christine says:

    My intention is to have 12 students registered in each of 10 weekly classes over the next 21 days, even though I will be on holiday from 8/28 to 9/6. I also intend to have 3 more students in each class in the time between Sept 11 and Sept 20.

  20. My goal is to finally manifest the Yoga for Golfers Clinic that I have been thinking about for the past year. Since yesterday I have created the flyer and began contacting golf courses along the Emerald Coast, leaving messages with the golf directors. I already have 2 people interested! I commit to working toward this goal every day and documenting my progress and efforts. I would like to have 5 booked clinics by the end of this challenge!

  21. What a great idea – we covered this today on http://www.yoga-abode.com
    I am having a think about which aspect of my yoga business to focus on for the next three weeks.

  22. As I write this I see that there are 21 responses to the 21 day challenge. That, I am sure, has some deep mystical meaning…

    Welcome to all you brave folks who are sharing your goals. It is through the participation and active involvement that our goals are reinforced. Write on!

    Lucia, thanks for covering the 21 day challenge. Let us know what you come up with for a goal.

    It’s wonderful to see so many students from the Training the Trainer class! Welcome…I look forward to reading about your progress.

    Megan

  23. Amy says:

    I intend to prepare some marketing materials, cards, articles, brochures to grow my practice.

  24. Check out this fun video from a brave group of yoga teachers at Kripalu who made a public commitment to the 21-day challenge!

    http://www.myyogahub.com/viewVideo.php?fileID=67

  25. Kelle says:

    Funny, after I replied to this earlier with my goal, almost immediately I felt another, more appropriate one come to mind – that I will find 5 new Peaceful Weightloss Through Yoga clients in the next month. Then I won’t need another teacher. So – that’s what I”m working on manifesting.

  26. I thought I’d just report my progress towards my goal – I now have one extra booking for my Yoga holiday in Egypt and this lady wants to take the Reiki course as well! One of the women who was staying in the hotel last year will be there again and coming to my classes and may take the Reiki course too.
    Love and light
    Ruth

  27. My goal is to complete my application to my local Nurses Association to give my newly conceived Yoga Nursing Course to Nurses who are interested in therapeutic yoga for self-care and as a healing modality for their patients.

  28. My goal is to get 100 more links (measure by google’s Webmaster tools link back tool).

    – Namaste

    Steve

    Yoga Videos and DVDs at MyYogaVideo.com

  29. Mary says:

    My goal is to make strong yoga connections in the Bay Area with both students and teachers. I would like to become a part of the yoga community with places to continue to grow and to share this gift.

  30. Karen says:

    My goal is to develop and formalize my marketing plan. I have taken the 1st step by finding my marketing advisor, now I need to keep following thru on working with her in developing, formalizing and then executing my plan.

  31. Amber says:

    Well, the space that I was looking at fell through for the time being, so I’ve been taking steps to expand and make the best use of the current space that we are in.
    An acoustically treated drape for the centre of our large room to divide it when possible into two studios, a couple of more small renos to enhance the space and a revamp of the current website are all the in progress.
    I hope everyone is doing well!
    shanti

  32. Lorrie says:

    I have been so motivated by all of the comments that I thought I would give it a go. I am just starting my fall schedule of classes ( after taking the summer off with my two boys). My goal is to have 10 participants in each of my 10 classes. I am always quite anxious in the fall always thinking that I have “lost” students over the summer. Each year marketing becomes even more important as more teachers come in to my community. Today, I will start to make follow-up phone calls to my e-mails. My schedule starts this Monday and I have some work to do.

  33. Tracy says:

    By September 25th, I will have 4 new corporate clients, through which I will offer at least 8 on-site classes per week.

  34. My goal is to spend 15 minutes every day working on my marketing materials, especially my elevator speech and brochures, so that when I speak to someone about my Wellness Center, which offers yoga, life coaching, workshops and ceremonies! I have a presentation on September 25 and 29th, so this is an excellent goal to have in front of me. And I am willing to be supported.

  35. My goal is to average at least 10 students in all my yoga classes by the end of 21 days.

  36. Jean Fraser says:

    Reporting in on my 21 plus day experience. My goal was to meet with a potential client and to write two sample proposals. I did meet my goal of meeting with a potential client. I am happy to say I delayed the proposal writing and it worked out for the best as I now have a very specific idea for follow up.

    Many thanks for the idea and encouragement of setting the goal!

    best,
    Jean

  37. Kim says:

    My goal in 21 day is to have 2 private yoga clients with each having 6 sessions at $100 per session equaling $1200 income in 21 days.

    Namaste,
    Kim

  38. Kat Robinson says:

    Over the next 21 days I plan to revamp my website.

  39. Can’t wait to see the finished site, Kat! Let us know when you’re done:-)

    Megan

  40. I arrived to this entry via Google and can’t stop reading! I will soon start my health related career and I appreciate all bits of information! Thanks

  41. Christine Zebrowski says:

    My goal is to have an increase and maintain student enrollment of 80% I will create a website and have it designed and launched to my email data base in this 21 day period. And.. have fun doing it.

  42. Lupe, I’m glad you found your way to this site! I wish you all the abundance you can handle as you create your new health related career!

    Christine, that sounds like a very worthwhile goal! I wonder about the time line. Is that enough time to judge an 80% increase? Is the system already set up to monitor that number? Are you also measuring that number over a longer period to check if it is sustainable for the long haul? The same with the website. Between writing copy, designing the site, and doing an email blast announcement is 21 days enough time, or would chunking it to smaller sizes work better? It’s all do-able, just some questions for you to ponder to make sure there is room for fun too:-)

  43. Christine Zebrowski says:

    Megan..thanks for taking time to check on this project. I was easily managing that number of students until the financial crunch of a couple of years ago. Thank God that I have a loyal following that have kept me afloat. Since I made my commitment. I have a young student who has already on his own started to work on my website. My students are in action sharing about yoga and I have a lead that might bring a bunch of students at one time. Thanks YOGAHUB for bringing me into the moment to remember that I not alone.

  44. Christine Zebrowski says:

    My daughter just suggested that I ask the group if they have a recommendation of a completed website of a similar situation. I run the studio myself and teach 11 classes a week including gentle and prenatal as well as a Feldenkrais based movement therapy class. I do Phoenix Rising and Relax and Renew private sessions in between group classes. I’m in a small affulent suburb of Buffalo NY where 4 new yoga studios have set up business in the last 3 years. Although the styles are very different this too may have had an effect on the drop of new students enrolling.

  45. Hi Christine, Glad to hear your students are in action to help the practice grow. Never underestimate the power of a raving fan! As far as websites, I’d suggest starting a file on your browser and spend some time bookmarking those sites that resonate with what you’re wanting to create. What do they have in common? What colors/layout do you like best? How do they structure navigation? Then, play around with your key concept (what differentiates you from those 4 studios around you?). Look at your services and see what makes sense in terms of layout. Then work with your webmaster (or student) and start creating!

  46. I am new to Yoga Hub today and have decided to take up the 21 day challenge I would like to fill my Pilates/Yoga day workshop that I am booking for May. I do have a fear of failure which has often held me back but I am feeling very positive. This yoga site is great and I am really enjoying reading and browsing through.

  47. Thanks for the great compliments. You should check out the Virtual World Yoga Conference if you’re not already registered. You especially might want to look into several of the presenters speaking this year including; Cherie Sohnen-Moe, Leslie Nolen, and myself as we’ll be speaking on very relevant topics for studio owners and business professionals. You can view the entire list of speakers by category here.

    http://events.yogahub.com/sessions

  48. Hi Ellen,

    I wish you all the best on your exciting journey! It’s nice to read that despite the fear you’re moving forward one step at a time. That’s what it takes!

    Megan

  49. I love reading the posts here from other Yoga teachers and business professionals. I am going to take the 21 day challenge too! As I always seem to have many things going on, it is a great 1st step just to focus in on one primary goal! My goal will be to increase attendance at my upcoming 3 day Beach Yoga retreat in Laguna. The price is so inexpensive and I have planned so many wonderful activities that now I just need to focus on marketing it better. I already have 4 committed participants but would love to have a total of 8! Let’s see what will manifest with this focus! I’m excited and have some intuitive insights flashing through my brain as I’m typing even now! http://www.yogaonthebeachwithjacquie.com

Leave a Reply to Megan McDonough