How to market yourself as a Yoga Teacher

So you’re qualified - now what?

Once you’ve completed your Yoga Teacher training and begin your journey as a qualified teacher, promoting yourself and your classes is part of your new job description.

Your marketing mantra!

There can be a bit of a stigma associated with self promotion, that you can come across as “salesy” and perhaps disingenuous. For those of us who hold yoga in our hearts as a spiritual practice, doing this can sometimes not feel very ‘yogic’ but does come with the territory of a modern day yoga teacher. 

Having a mission statement or marketing mantra to your brand as a teacher can be really helpful, this doesn’t have to be something you share in its raw state with people, but just something to keep in mind as a constant when promoting your services as a teacher …something that will build connections with students.

Essentially what do you want to be known for, why would a student want to come to your class and what is it you’re offering that’s different.

Be authentic!

Being authentic in your approach here as a newly qualified teacher is vital, if people can see that you’re a committed teacher striving to give great classes, the selling aspect will take care of itself. 

Planning and writing a class is one thing, but being able to deliver it authentically and with personality is where the real magic happens - remember your vibe really will attract your tribe!

We’re in a fortunate position nowadays that yoga is popular, and we have a variety of teachers, classes and studios quite literally at our fingertips, with the option of live classes available online daily for students unable to physically attend.

If you’re going to be a choice for someone it’s important you’re able to promote your unique offering, so you can live your dream as a full or part time yoga teacher.

Understanding your niche within the yoga world will help you do this, it will also help you to feel fulfilled in your teaching. If you’re offering a style to your students that truly resonates with you, you will naturally be more passionate about delivering that class and just this alone can make you really stand out as a new teacher on the block!

Where?

In the main it comes down to knowing your audience and advertising appropriately. Social media is an absolute force, and a free one, so it's usually the best place to start. Although your chosen audience may not be social media savvy, their children or grandchildren might be, so don’t disregard this as a tool, social media has a massive reach and will be really important to your business.

Driving engagement on social media platforms is the goal, and nowadays there’s so many different ways you can do this. Offering snippets of free content, quiz’s, asking for opinions via polls, asking people to share your posts - these are all ways to spread your name far and wide, and to engage with current followers keeping them interested in you by sharing fun and informative posts.

Increasing your marketing reach from there could be via your own website, if you’re teaching at a studio, a stand out bio on you is worthwhile doing. You can also write blogs like this one, or even a weekly e-newsletter to engage regularly with people. 

Not all of your marketing has to be online. There are lots of options still available, such as adverts within local newspapers, posters within the community and word of mouth. All are great ways to build your reputation and presence as the new yoga teacher! 

Something you might also consider once you’re more established is promoting yourself during classes, remembering if you choose to do this that people are coming to class to practice yoga - being mindful of this, keep your promotion short and sweet at the end of a class, it can be a really useful tool to reach a group of people all at once that enjoy what you offer. 

Want to know more?

At yogacourse.com we have ‘the business of yoga’ as it’s own module within our 200hr course - to learn more please visit the courses section of our website www.yogacourse.com