17 benefits of having a yoga website

in today's world, having an online component to your business is ESSENTIAL -- even if you're a "local" biz.

in fact, it's so very important that i've come up with a list of 17 compelling reasons why ALL yoga teachers need to establish an online presence if they want to truly have a fun, fulfilling and sustainable yoga career!

so, first off, let me clear up what i mean by online presence.  your online presence's primary hub is your website.  but, it's made up of more than just that.  your online presence can also include a blog, social media pages, guest "appearances" on other blogs or websites, participation in online events, and more!  

but, it all starts with your website...and, that's why i'm sharing 17 benefits of having a yoga website.

#1 - it allows your current community of students (and fans!) to find you

#2 - it gives people an easy way to connect with you

#3 - it enables you to get found when people google things like "private yoga teacher in [my town]"

#4 - it legitimizes your offerings (think about your own behavior -- would you go to a dentist, massage therapist or even a restaurant that didn't have any website?)

#5 - it's a place to showcase your and your brand's personality

#6 - it's a spot to clearly explain what you do & why

#7 - it provides your students (and potential students) with valuable info (like your teaching schedule, how to get in touch with you, and upcoming events or offerings)

#8 - you can list your trainings, certifications & experience

#9 - it let's you reach people BEYOND your zip code (which is really important if -- or should i say when -- you expand your yoga biz to include online offerings)

#10 - your website will work for you 24/7 selling e-books, yoga vids, online workshops, event tickets, and more!

#11 - it's cheaper and more adaptable than print marketing

#12 - it makes your students' lives easier because they can find everything they need in one place!  (i.e. it's GREAT customer service!)

#13 - it makes you seem more professional and committed to the work you do

#14 - it's a place to spotlight your expertise & share it (via a blog)

#15 - you can share student testimonials, which can help draw in new clientele

#16 - it builds your email list (just include an "opt-in" with an incentive to sign-up on your homepage)

#17 - it will save you time (instead of answering the same questions again & again, you can point people to a page on your website with the info, or even create a FAQ page!)

i hope these 17 benefits got you ramped up to build (or update) your website.

and, make sure to drop by next week when i'll be sharing an extensive list of online offering ideas that can make you & your yoga biz even more money!

do you have a website for your yoga biz?  

tell me a little bit about the work you do & share a link to your site in the comments below -- i'd LOVE to check it out!

how to beat the business blues

truth be told, i was having some bouts of the business blues in early january.

you know that out-of-sorts feeling that you get sometimes when nothing's really wrong, but it just feels like something's off.

well, for no particular reason, i was experiencing the business blues -- perhaps because things (naturally) got a little quieter over the holiday season...

in any case, once the biz blues set in, they can be hard to shake.  they rattle your confidence, make you questions your decisions, and make you wonder if the things you're working on are truly worth it.

the business blues can be a slippery slope and before you know it, you can find yourself defaulting to pessimism rather than optimism.  no good!

but don't worry, if you ever experience the biz blues, rest assured there is a cure!

FIRST - remember why you do the work you do.

this is essential.  when the business blues set in, it's often because we've lost perspective of the "bigger picture" -- that driving force behind the work we do.  so, first and foremost, take a few minutes to recall and perhaps jot down why you are committed to changing the world in your own unique way.  what does it provide others?  and, what does it offer you?

SECOND - make friends with the idea of success.

sometimes, we unknowingly self-sabotage because we hold certain beliefs about money or success.  if you ever get the biz blues & question whether or not you are truly worthy of abundance & success read this piece about Why Success Is Yogic.  it'll remind you that you are worthy of every good thing that comes your way so that you can start focusing on the good!

THIRD - look to others' wisdom.

business blues tend to arise when we feel isolated and try to do too much on our own.  and sometimes, the very thing we need is some guidance from people who have walked the path.  instead of further isolating yourself, allow yourself to be inspired and motivated by what others have accomplished.  and remember, the very fact that they did it means that you can too!

FOURTH - set an intention for your business.

if you're feeling bluesy and stuck-in-a-rut, set an intention for your business' future.  instead of letting your emotions sabotage you, hold an intention of what you're trying to do, create or build, and return to it whenever you feel the biz blues trying to derail your good work.  plus, when you have an intention, goal or project that you're working on, you'll be able to focus on the task at hand rather than worrying about the past, future or whatever else is making you melancholy!

want to beat your yoga business blues once and for all?

join the Become a Yoga Brand Speaker Series & learn from the best and brightest yoga biz pros!

how to befriend yoga "big shots"

ever hear the saying you're the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with?

well, that's a very important piece of advice to keep in mind -- especially when you're trying to grow your yoga business.

if you don't surround yourself with people that are motivational, uplifting, helpful and who believe in you and what you're trying to build, you're going to have a rough time.  not just because you won't have the support you need, but because if you don't surround yourself with people who believe in possibilities, you're in for a major prana drain.

that's why one of the best things you can do for your budding yoga business is to befriend yoga "big shots" -- teachers and mindful entrepreneurs who are a few steps ahead of you on the path to yoga biz success who can lead the way, offer guidance, and help you avoid unnecessary pitfalls.

if the idea of reaching out to people has you shivering in your boots, i've got some "how to" advice that i hope will help!

1. get on their radar.

if you're hoping to meet or collaborate with someone, you have to first get on their radar.  how else will they know you exist, right?  i know it may seem scary to send an email to someone who you idolize, but the more you do it, the easier and easier it will become!  my advice, make a list of all the awesome yoga teachers, life coaches, heart-centered professionals, and biz mentors you'd LOVE to have in your corner, and then pick 5 to send a short, sweet email to.  you may hear back, you may not, but celebrate the fact that you did something outside of your comfort zone!  and then, email 5 new people the following month!

2. it's about quality, not quantity.

when it comes to networking with "big shots", remember it's more important to have quality connections than a large quantity of connections.  when you send your emails, you may only hear back from 1 or 2 people -- and that's OK.  your business is teaching yoga, not managing a network of email correspondence!  cultivate relationships with those you do hear back from by sharing valuable information and advice, interesting blog posts, and offering to help them with projects that they have going on that you're interested in.

3. be pleasantly persistent.

this advice comes from marie forleo, one of my marketing+biz teachers.  she extolls being pleasantly persistent when trying to foster real relationships with "big shots".  if there's someone you really, really, really want to connect with.  it's totally OK to email them a few times over the course of a couple months.  sometimes a little extra persistence is the very thing they need to see to realize that you're serious about your yoga biz.

4. speak on their level.

in all your correspondence with "big shots", speak on their level.  do not write or talk as a "fan".  fans always want something, peers do not.  speak as a fellow professional.  it's totally fine to compliment them on the good work they're doing, but don't make yourself sound small or insignificant or unworthy in the process.  write as you would to a friend.

5. don't reinvent the wheel.

after sending out your first batch of emails to "big shots", check out which ones got responses.  how were they worded?  how long were they?  (tip: generally the shorter and the more to-the-point, the better)  what did you lead in with?  was it formal or casual?  once you see what style of email elicits the greatest response use it as a template for all future introductory emails to save yourself time!

don't know where to start when it comes to emailing "big shots"?  in my upcoming course, Become a Yoga Brand, i include several email templates taken from actual emails i've sent that have elicited positive responses that you can use for networking, getting interviewed, pitching ideas, and more!!!  sign-up now to hear more about the Become a Yoga Brand course & you'll gain FREE access to my BYB Speaker Series to learn from some awesomely successful yoga "big shots".

do you have any tips for how to befriend yoga "big shots"? if so, please share them in the comments below!

biz: i have the long-term vision -- but how do i make it happen?! {video}

if i know you, you have some BIG plans for your yoga career (and your life).

you're not content to just sit around and wait for things to happen.  you're not ok with just crossing your fingers and hoping that one day you'll have an amazing, world-changing yoga career.  you want to be proactive.  you like to make things manifest.

but, how do you do that?

you have the long-term vision.  you know where you want to be 1 year, 5 years, 10 years from now in your yoga career, but do you know what you need to do today, tomorrow and next week to make it happen?

if not, check out the video below.

in it, i share 3 easy things you can start doing TODAY to help you achieve the yoga career of your dreams tomorrow.

remember, nothing happens overnight, but small consistent steps in the right direction will set you up to achieve all of your big dreams.  so, what are you waiting for?!  start now!

commit to making it happen!

share in the comments (or email me!) the ONE THING you're going to do TODAY to make your dream yoga career a reality tomorrow :-)