QUIZ: do i need a new website?

do you have website shame?

you know what i mean...

do you hesitate to send people to your site because it's outdated?

or do you apologize for its lack of functionality or clunky graphics?

does it look like it was built before the 21st century?

don't be ashamed of your website shame! it's actually a very common thing.

even the most beautifully constructed sites will one day look "outdated" if they hang around long enough. and as our businesses and brands grow, it's only natural to outgrow your site!

first and foremost, congratulate yourself for recognizing the need to have a website. it gives you the ability to reach and teach people on a GLOBAL level. but, if you're hesitant to send people to your online hub because it's not an accurate reflection of you, your teaching or your brand, then it's not doing you any good!

wondering if it's time for a new look and feel for your site?

check out this quiz below.

QUIZ: Do I Need a New Website?

Round 1

1. Do you hesitate to send people to your website?

2. Do you ever apologize about the look or functionality of your site?

3. Are you tired of the look/colors/graphics?

4. Do you think it no longer "looks" like you or your brand?

5. Do you have outdated content? (i.e. blog hasn't been updated in 3+ months or write-ups about old events)

total your number of "yeses" to the first set of questions.

# of round 1 yeses: _____

Round 2

1. Can people sign-up for your email list on your homepage?

2. Can people buy your products/services/offerings directly from your site?

3. Do you regularly update your blog with valuable content for your ideal students?

total your number of "yeses" to the 2nd set of questions.

# of round 2 yeses:_____

find out your score:

now, subtract the number of "yeses" from round 2 from the number of "yeses" you had in round 1.

{Round 1 - Round 2 = Final Score}

here's what your final score means:

0 = way to go, yogi! your website rocks!!

1-2 = no need for an immediate change, but daydreaming about a rebrand could be fun

3-4 = it's time to plan a facelift! look at other sites for inspiration and work on a rebrand timeline

5 = your website is holding you back. it's time to rework it. (don't know where to start? in next week's post i'll be sharing my favorite design tools to build your best yoga website ever!)

share your score in the comments below & post a link to your website.

i'd love to check it out and maybe offer you a few tips :-)

28 ways to make money online

by now, you've likely had someone (maybe me!) suggest that you should "take your yoga biz online".  but, what does that exactly mean? well, first and foremost, it means you need an online presence and, most importantly, a website.  (read 17 reasons why a website is a MUST for all yoga teachers!)  

but, if you have a website, if you're growing your email list, if you're using social media & guest blogging to build social proof, what's the next step?...

the next step is to create an online offering; something that your ideal students will LOVE that you can sell on your website that people from anywhere in the world can purchase.

once you begin to build a menu of online offerings you set yourself up for the potential for exponential yoga biz growth because you're no longer limited by your geographic location.  by offering online products & services, you can serve ideal clients from all over the globe -- how cool is that?

even cooler is the fact that your online offering can make you money 24/7, 365 days a year.  you just have to build it once, and then you can offer it again and again with no additional time commitment -- a very valuable thing when you're a busy yoga teacher!

so, if you're ready to dip your toe in the global yoga biz community, here are 28 online offering ideas for your yoga biz.  (now, keep in mind, this list is by now means all-inclusive.  it's simply meant to get your wheels turning and inspire you to create your first -- or next -- online yoga offering.)

1. 10 yoga poses for radiant energy e-book
2. tibetan meditation guide
3. ayurvedic cookbook
4. yoga video series for beginners
5. chair yoga video
6. speaker series during which you interview holistic wellness experts
7. online yoga sutra workshop 
8. yoga for athletes online training
9. design-a-home-yoga-practice course
10. anatomy & therapeutics webinar
11. yoga for a better world telesummit
12. 30-day meditation challenge
13. discover your yoga niche workshop
14. let your authentic self shine group coaching
15. 1x1 yogic life coaching via google hangouts
16. 3 guided meditations for busy professionals
17. mommy & me yoga sequence
18. safe stretching for tight bodies report
19. yoga nidra audio recordings
20. 5 class plans for new yoga teachers
21. master arm balances online training
22. chakra map & audio teaching
23. ethics of yoga webinar
24. 3 mini life+biz coaching sessions
25. how to get more private clients coaching via skype
26. guide to self-massage & restorative poses
27. alleviate chronic low-back pain video
28. how to keep new students coming back tip sheet

do you have a great idea for an online yoga offering?  share it in the comments below!  

or, if you already offer an amazing online yoga product or service, tell me about it in the comments & share a link so i can check it out :-)

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!

biz: 3 website essentials for yoga teachers

there's no doubt about it, websites can be overwhelming. they require some degree of tech-savvy, sometimes seem to have a mind of their own, and require constant upkeep!

that said, oftentimes we're focusing too much on the little things (i.e. changing the font size or color).  or, we try to tackle too much website maintenance at once, and that leaves us frustrated and feeling like we just want to give up.

in this video, i share the 3 ESSENTIAL things (yes, just 3!) that will deliver the most bang for your proverbial website buck.

check 'em out & let me know what you think!

are you coming?!

sign up for my FREE yoga biz video training just for yoga teachers -- this 3 part video training is awesome and will cover some other essentials you need to have in place in order to have a successful and lasting yoga career.