For many yoga studio owners, the idea of yoga as a business and not just a nurturing practice can be challenging. Many studio owners worry that too much marketing makes their studio seem inauthentic or too focused on money. But the fact remains that in order to provide a daily dose of relaxation to your students, they need to know where and who you are. Yoga social media marketing can be fun and authentic while sending new students your way. Here are 18 yoga studio marketing strategies to support your mission.
Why are yoga social media campaigns so important?
These days, yoga studios are on every corner. It seems oxymoronic to think of money making and yoga in the same sentence, but deep breaths and open hamstrings are not going to pay the bills. You can stay true to the core of yoga while still supporting your studio with yoga studio social media campaigns.
However, social media campaigns are more than just dollars and down dogs. Engaging with your students helps build your community. This results in strong relationships that last and students who bring their friends and family for classes in the future.
18 ways you can bring some “om” into your yoga social media marketing
You can ease into yoga social media marketing the same way you guide your students into bird of paradise. Just like your yoga practice, seek a balance of ease (you’re the expert on yoga) and effort (building your social media muscle) in your overall social media marketing plan.
Here are 18 ways to find balance.
1. Find your breath… and your niche
The key to these yoga studio marketing strategies is to remain true to your studio’s mission, first and foremost.
If your studio focuses on studying the yoga sutras and incorporating them into daily life, your tone and strategy will be much different than the ashtanga studio down the street or one that specializes in prenatal classes.
2. Get on a regular schedule
Your students expect the same class on the same day at the same time.
Bring that same discipline to your social media postings with content schedulers like Hootsuite. You can schedule posts weeks (or months!) in advance.
3. Follow content sharing guidelines
No one wants to log onto their social media and see aggressive sales pitches from their yoga studio. Follow one of these suggested ratios for your content.
- The 5-3-2 rule: Five pieces of content from other valuable thought leaders, three directly from the studio (i.e. promotions or classes), and two personal updates
- The 4-1-1 rule: Four pieces of content from others, and one repost for each studio promotion
- The 555+ rule: Five each of studio promotions, updates about other related topics, and responses to users, plus value-adding posts like branded posts that use hashtags
Pick one and stick with it for a set period of time to see what works best for your audience.
4. Ask teachers to share and tag
Teachers are some of the best social media marketers you can use.
Ask teachers to share their class times, their practices, and their insights on their own social media accounts (always with a tag – see below).
5. Use a branded hashtag
Develop and use a branded hashtag for your studio (and ask students and teachers to use it, too).
People can follow the hashtag on Instagram or other social media sites to see what everyone is posting in one place (and get regular updates). If you’re running an event or promotion, it’s also easy for everyone to follow along.
6. Encourage students to share the love
Yoga students are passionate about their practice and their teachers. Encourage them to leave online reviews and recommendations on a variety of platforms.
While it is un-yogic to incentivize good reviews, review reward programs can be a good way to encourage feedback.
7. Don’t be afraid of videos
Video content is shared by 92% of mobile video viewers, with 1200% more shares than text and images – combined.
If you’re self-conscious about your practice, ask teachers to share theirs or use a time lapse feature.
8. Use GIFs and other short videos
GIFs are a funny break in the day and can offer reminders for students to breathe, relax their shoulders, or take a break.
9. Use it to run contests and promotions
Got a great promotion? Want to run a 30-day challenge?
Post on all of your social media channels and ask students to post and tag as they practice.
10. Focus on community, first
Truly, the yoga community needs to come first. Your students put a lot of trust in your studio. Make sure the relationships you are building are authentic.
11. Share your unique way of doing yoga
Do you offer a unique type of yoga, all the time or every now and then?
If your teachers offer goat yoga, yoga happy hours, or partner yoga, use social media to promote your classes with pictures and videos. Ask local influencers (who are always hungry for new and interesting content) to share about the classes too.
12. Use hashtags on Instagram (and other platforms)
In addition to your own branded hashtag, use other yoga hashtags on your social media.
Be judicious and kind, though. Spammy hashtags or hashtags that don’t relate to your content (e.g., a hashtag of a holiday or political event) can alienate students.
13. Look to Pinterest for how-tos
Pinterest is also a great tool for you, your studio, and your students. Pin your how-to videos and the videos of others to connect with users on this platform.
14. Pick a platform
It’s better to post regular quality content on one to two platforms than weak, irregular content on five.
Start with the platform you are most comfortable with and expand from there. Some of the best social media platforms for yoga studios are Instagram and Facebook, followed by Pinterest and YouTube.
15. Have a solid website
Sure, you can post your hours on social media, but linking to your yoga studio’s website in your profile can add value to the social media experience.
Class schedules, new student specials, and new blog posts on an optimized site make it easy for students to find you and come to class.
16. Consider using an app
The Mind-Body app makes signing into class easy, and there are other ones with different tools to help with scheduling. If you already use software for logging students in at the studio, give them tools to do it themselves straight from their smartphone.
17. Claim your business on Google
Google offers many free tools for small businesses.
While not strictly a social media platform, claiming your business on Google opens up Google My Business posts and can help get you to the top of your local search results.
18. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in
Some yoga studios worry that taking a stance on any issue will cause students to leave. Yes, some students may get offended by what you post and opt out of your studio.
But part of being yogic is being authentic, inclusive, and accepting. Let your students know what you stand for professionally and give them space to join you there.
At Boost, we know that all you want to do is spread the love and bring peace to your students. To find out how we can help you with your yoga social media marketing, get in touch today. Namasté.
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