The One Hour Yoga Business Makeover

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by garyhalperin

also, how do you know this

"Mexico yoga retreats is a highly searched term on the Internet."

and highly searched compared to what?

You want all my secrets?

I have some special tools that tell me how many times a word or phrase is searched on the Internet.

I'm not a gambling person. If something is going to bomb, I'll tell the client up front.

Like the lady who wanted to sell xylophone music on the net.

There were only 2 searches for it in the previous month (and I suspect she was both of them.)

I advised her not to go into that business.

I like having tomorrow's newspaper in front of me before predicting the news.

Before I got on the call with Trina, I did a compative analysis of the keywords "Mexico yoga retreat" and "yoga retreat".

That's how I knew the information in advance.

I don't expect most yoga teachers to know these tricks.

But I'll be sharing the ones I think will most affect their business.

Peace.

Harlan

[Administrator]

PS. I just got home last night and there's a huge box waiting for me.

I know I didn't order anything...

It's from Google. They sent me a huge cooler.

See what $90,000 buys you?

[Haleybird]

Harlan

Thank you so much for what you are doing with this website. Next to teaching my Yoga Classes today, listening to your phone conversation with Trina was the best spent hour of my day.

This summer I will be opening my own Yoga and Music Studio (I have 2 unrelated talents). I am very interested in using Google Key words to advertise as well as internet advertising in general. Can you talk more about this in future posts?

Also, you mentioned that Trina should discontinue placing ads in local newspapers. Is that a general suggestion or one specific to Trina?

Do you think Internet advertising gets the attention of babyboomers or older populations?

While I have your attention, what is your stance on direct mail and yellow pages ads?

Like most new business owners, I have limited funds to spend on marketing and am hoping to get the most bang for my buck. Help me. Please & Thank you.

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by Haleybird

Harlan

Thank you so much for what you are doing with this website. Next to teaching my Yoga Classes today, listening to your phone conversation with Trina was the best spent hour of my day.

It's our pleasure. And there's lots more to come.

Originally Posted by Haleybird

This summer I will be opening my own Yoga and Music Studio (I have 2 unrelated talents). I am very interested in using Google Key words to advertise as well as internet advertising in general. Can you talk more about this in future posts?

I promise you won't be able to shut me up!

Originally Posted by Haleybird

Also, you mentioned that Trina should discontinue placing ads in local newspapers. Is that a general suggestion or one specific to Trina?

It all depends on the offer.

To ask the general population in San Diego - which has zero knowledge of yoga - to buy into a yoga retreat was too much.

However, a local studio may be different.

I've spend over $600,000 on newspaper ads in my marketing career of my own money. We'll need to go in detail when it gets closer.

Originally Posted by Haleybird

Do you think Internet advertising gets the attention of babyboomers or older populations?

Actually, both use the internet. I'm a baby boomer and have a computer lashed to my side 18 hours a day.

Well maybe 17 and 1/2 because my wife won't let me read or answer emails during dinner.

My mom who is 80 can't stay off the Internet. Just this week when she forgot the password to her computer (It was her own name) I had to rush over there and fix it.

I'll need to get into some math in another post soon.

Originally Posted by Haleybird

While I have your attention, what is your stance on direct mail and yellow pages ads?

Like most new business owners, I have limited funds to spend on marketing and am hoping to get the most bang for my buck. Help me. Please & Thank you.

My order for you would be:

#1: Craigslist
#2: Internet advertising and website with Pay Per Click
#3: Newspaper
#4: Direct Mail (postcard only)
#5: Valpack or Coupon Express
# never: Yellow Pages unless you do it the way I suggest. Yellow Pages advertising is:
expensive and usually brings in clients looking for the cheapest price.

Sara and I gave a marketing seminar in Boca to yoga teachers and I did a study of yellow pages for yoga studios.

Almost every studio with a large yellow pages ad had gone out of business.

So do not get suckered by the yellow pages salepeople. The free ad they give when you get a business phone will be more than enough to get started.

You need to start working on your website now.

You do have a marketing plan ---- don't you?

[Haleybird]

Of course I have a marketing plan. What do you think I am...a yoga instructor?

I have begun my marketing plan and it pretty much lines up with your suggestions. I just wanted to make sure I was on the right track. Pay per click is the only new element (and I think very valuable).

For newspaper ads, how far in advance from the start of a new session do you suggest posting ads in local papers. Or how far in advance do you recommend advertising the opening of a new studio?

Many Thanks!

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Haleybird

For newspaper ads, how far in advance from the start of a new session do you suggest posting ads in local papers. Or how far in advance do you recommend advertising the opening of a new studio?

Many Thanks!

The goal of a newspaper ad is to get people to pick up the phone and call you or come in to your studio.

Do not advertise in advance UNLESS you are having a grand opening.

Every dollar you spend on advertising must bring a response.

I hear an echo of Harlan in my ear - each ad has to be tracked so you know what works.

If you are opening a studio in June, don't bother advertising any earlier than the week before announcing a grand opening celebration.

You need to preserve your money for marketing and make every dollar count.

Start thinking about which newspapers you want to target and why!

Start talking about rates now with the newspapers and Harlan says newspaper advertising people don't believe in the niyamas. Everything
they quote is inflated and should be the beginning of your discussion not
the end.

Substitute "car dealer" for "newspaper" and you'll get Harlan's point.

Hope this helps.

Shanti.

Sara

[james]

Thank you Harlen and Sara.
I will be playing and replaying this I don't yet
have a website and yes I have been teaching
too long not to.-Namaste

[Administrator]

We'll be talking about websites in the future. In great detail.

Stick around, we'll show you exactly what to do - and - what NOT to do.

Namaste!

Harlan

[gaileee]

Hmmm,
Well here's my website.
Yoga with Gaileee, Prenatal, Gentle Beginning Yoga, Yoga Strength, Flow Yoga Style in Beaumont/Nederland/Port Arthur, Tx

I do get emails and calls from the website inquiring as to when I teach. If I am wanting to convert the website to one that emphasizes that I teach privates then where would be the best place to put that on the site?
Thanks!
gaileee

[gaileee]

Hi,
I wanted to add, that I do get emails from yogafinder dot com when someone clicks on beaumont texas. I recently got an email from Doug Swenson wanting me to arrange for a workshop for him in this area. But, one weeks notice is not enough time for me (plus being it spring break). gaileee