Non-digital ways of connecting with students and building community, Pt. II
Plug your students in by using announcements
For a very long time, movement teachers built their communities using solely IRL methods. It’s only in the last 20 years that an online presence has been a part of the plan. It isn’t to say that “if you build it they will come,” because sometimes not enough students are gravitating toward your offer. All yoga teachers I know go through dry spells, low attendance and workshop/retreat ideas that didn’t hit. The teachers that are successful in building community show up anyway and try again.
It is often a case of working at it until it works, but there are practices you can do to help this. My main advice is this:
Start or end class with announcements
Many studios and gyms have announcements to read, and it’s good to get in the habit of mentioning one or two upcoming events. It can feel a little awkward if you’ve never done this before, but announcements get easier with time. It lets everyone know what’s going on, and does the job of cultivating community. This demonstrates that you care about the studio (your students want you to care) and invites them in further.
Announcements are usually a request of the studio, and it’s also a sneaky way of getting practice in selling your own studio events. When you hold a workshop at any given studio, the majority of your signups will (usually) be from that studio, and more specifically, from your class attendees. They already know you, like your classes and trust you as a teacher. You likely designed your special offering with them in mind. These are the students that are most likely to be interested in your workshop.
Workshops and special events
If you are hosting a workshop or special event, you need to mention it in every class you teach, from the opening of signups to its closing date.
I do mean every single one. Don’t assume that your students remember what you said or remembered that they wanted to sign up. If there is an early bird price, that of course factor this in to your announcements. Each time, tell them a little more about why they might want to attend. Give them a little peak into what you’ll be exploring and share your enthusiasm.
Your enthusiasm, your teaching specialties and your style are what people want from you. Can they get more? Tell them how. If you are not excited about your offer, no one else will be.
Announcements about schedule changes
Have you ever had class numbers drop off after you’ve been out of town? Or maybe trouble building class numbers for something new on the schedule There’s something about that when your students’ schedules shift and they forget about how much they love your class. It’s natural as humans that our focus will shift, and maybe there’s a sense in which we feel a little abandoned by the teacher.
A little handholding (I say this positively) goes a long way. Within the announcements, I mention if I am having an upcoming sub for one or multiple classes. Again, this is a demonstration of caring about your students. While I know we go into yoga teaching out of a desire to care for people, it helps 10000% to demonstrate that care. If it’s a newly schedule class, mention it in your other classes for a month or so.
An announcement caveat
This is usually clear to most, but I want to put in a reminder here. It is an incredibly bad look to promote your offerings that aren’t at the studio or location where you are currently holding class and making announcements. Other teachers have a more slippery approach to this, but it’s not me. I have a vested interest in maintaining a positive relationship with each location where I teach.
This kind of behavior ruffles feathers, and rightfully so. It’s ethically sketchy as hell. Studio owners and managers spend a lot of time and care maintaining the larger ecosystem from which you are benefitting. Yes, we are (most likely) contractors and not employees of the studio, but just as I would not collaborate with other graphic designers to poach their clients, I will not being doing that to a studio. Students can find me on social media if they want to see what I have to offer.
If the studio or gym gives you permission, then go forth. Otherwise assume it’s a no-go.
ICYMI Pt. I:
Non-digital ways of connecting with students and building community
I don’t need to tell you that an online presence is helpful when you are growing your yoga teaching audience. There are a million and a half different articles and videos and podcasts telling you the best ways to do all of this. And they will all contradict each other. It’s maddening.