It is the perfect time to start your own online yoga business. This blog post will discuss 11 steps that will help you get your new business off the ground, start teaching yoga online, and make it a success.
We’ll cover everything from choosing a niche to marketing your own online yoga studio. So whether you’re just getting started or you’re looking for ways to expand your existing yoga studio, read on for helpful tips and advice!
The yoga industry is growing at a rate of almost 20% each year (Source: Statista), and by 2022, the global yoga market is expected to be worth over $80 billion (Source: Grand View Research).
It is exciting as it creates incredible business opportunities for a yoga teacher like yourself, but more importantly, it shows that the practice of yoga and mindfulness is growing. You are a part of that change!
What is an online yoga studio, and why should yoga teachers start one?
An online yoga studio is a business that provides yoga classes and training via the internet. This could include teaching yoga online in live-streaming classes, providing online courses pre-recorded, or a combination of both.
An online yoga studio is an excellent way for yoga instructors to share their passion for yoga with the world and help others achieve their fitness goals. In addition, it allows clients and students to expand access to their yoga practice.
There are many benefits to teaching yoga online, such as:
- You can reach a global yoga community with just a few clicks of a button.
- You have complete control over your schedule and can teach online yoga courses online whenever convenient for you (hello, busy lives!).
- You can keep your overhead costs low by avoiding the need for a physical studio space.
- Clients can take group classes from the comfort of their own homes.
- Clients find convenient class times that fit into busy schedules.
- Clients can choose from a variety of styles to expand their yoga practice.
- Clients can get personalized attention, and instruction is not always possible in a large group class setting.
Now that we’ve answered the question “what is an online yoga studio?” it’s time to move on to the next step: choosing a niche for your business.
Step One: Choose a niche to teach yoga online
The first step in starting any business is to choose your niche.
Choosing a niche for an online yoga studio can be a daunting task. With so many different types of yoga, it can be challenging to know where to begin. However, by taking some time to consider your goals and your audience, you can narrow down your focus and choose a niche that is right for you.
What kind of yoga do you want to teach?
Are you interested in teaching a specific style? For example, you could specialize in:
- Hatha yoga
- Vinyasa yoga
- Yin yoga
- Restorative yoga
- Prenatal yoga
- Yoga for seniors
- Kids yoga
Do you want to create space for a particular audience, such as beginners or seniors? Once you have a general idea of the type of yoga you want to teach, you can narrow down your focus.
Consider your audience.
Who do you want to reach with your online studio? First, consider their needs and interests and how you can best serve them. For example, if you’re catering to beginners, you’ll want to make sure your classes are accessible and easy to follow. On the other hand, if you’re targeting more experienced yogis, you can challenge them with more advanced poses and flows.
Get creative with your uniqueness.
Finally, once you’ve narrowed down your focus, it’s time to get creative. What makes your online yoga studio unique? What can you offer that no one else can? It will set you apart from the competition and help you attract clients and make this rewarding. Sharing your particular approach and helping people with their yoga practice is rewarding.
Step Two: Create a business plan specifically for teaching yoga online
Creating a business plan is an essential step in any new business venture. This document will outline your online yoga studio’s goals, strategies, and financial projections.
A business plan contains multiple components:
- An executive summary provides a general overview of your business.
- A description of your business, including your products or services, target market, and unique selling proposition.
- Your marketing strategy, including how you plan to reach your target market and what channels you will use.
- Your sales forecast outlines your projected sales for the next three years.
- Your financial projections, including your start-up costs, operating expenses, and expected revenue.
- Your management team details the experience and qualifications of your key personnel.
- An appendix with supporting documents such as resumes and product samples.
Having a well-thought-out business plan may seem like a lot of work up front but will save you time and money in the long run.
Not sure where to start?
Online resources such as LivePlan provide easy-to-use templates to build your plan. Think of a business plan as a roadmap to success. It allows you to break down each business component and ensure you have a well-thought process in place for success.
Step Three: Determine the location and equipment needed for online yoga classes
The location you choose to film your online yoga studio is essential. You want to make sure that it is in a spot that is convenient for your students and that it reflects your brand. A consistent theme or background helps create a feeling of unity and professionalism. It also makes it easier for your students to find you online when looking for yoga classes.
Factors to consider when choosing a location include:
- What is the purpose or significance of the location?
- How does the location represent your brand?
- What are the logistics of the location? Is it easy to get to and from?
- How much space do I need?
- Is there a fee to use the location?
- How long would it take to set up and break down your film and yoga equipment?
Equipment and Supplies for an online yoga studio
You will need to purchase some supplies and equipment for your online yoga studio. The equipment you need will depend on the location you choose and the type of classes you plan to offer.
For example, if you plan to teach vinyasa yoga, you will need a mat, props, and possibly a yoga block or strap. Likewise, you might need a bolster or blankets to teach yin yoga.
You will also need to purchase film equipment. This can be as simple as a webcam and tripod or as complex as a DSLR camera and lighting kit. If you are going to create an online course or online classes rather than a live stream, there are services such as Teachable that help to create a course or series of courses for your clients.
Step Four: Build your website for an online yoga studio
Now that you have a plan in place, it’s time to build your website. This is where potential students will go to learn more about your studio and sign up for classes. Again, choose an easy platform to use and make sure your site is mobile-friendly.
Your website should include:
- A clear and concise description of your business
- An easy to use sign-up process for classes
- High-quality photos and videos
- A blog or resource section
- Testimonials from past students
- Online scheduling or purchasing
- A guide to help clients choose the suitable class
Walkthrough your online yoga studio as a new client.
When creating an online yoga class, it’s easy to get caught up in the planning and forget about the user experience. However, it’s essential to take a step back and consider how easy it is for new and existing clients to navigate your website.
Are all of the buttons clearly labeled?
Is the checkout process straightforward?
Are class descriptions clear?
Do clients get confirmation of their purchase?
By taking the time to walk through your website with fresh eyes, you can identify potential challenging areas and ensure that your clients have a positive experience from start to finish.
With a bit of forethought, you can ensure that your online yoga classes are accessible and easy to use for everyone.
Online platforms are taking notice of the increase in online yoga studios. Wix has created an entire online platform dedicated to online fitness training. It is an all-in-one solution that provides a website, scheduling, billing, live-streaming, and on-demand workout solutions. Others are doing this. Why not you?
Step Five: Choose a pricing structure to teach yoga online
One of the most critical aspects of your business will be your pricing structure. You’ll need to decide how much to charge for classes online and whether you want to offer discounts for package deals. Also, be sure to research the prices of other online yoga studios to stay competitive.
Factors to consider in pricing:
- Consider the cost of your equipment and supplies.
- Determine how much you need to charge to make a profit
- Research the prices of other online yoga studios in your area
- Do you want to offer discounts for package deals?
- Do you want to offer a free trial?
- Consider various payment structures such as charging per class, month, or year.
- Consider offering choices such as individual sessions at a higher rate, small group fees for special occasions, or one flat group rate.
When you start teaching online, it can be tempting to offer the lowest prices possible to attract clients. Unfortunately, this is not the best strategy.
Clients appreciate stable pricing, and they will recognize value when they see it. Be confident in your uniqueness and the level of service you offer, and then deliver consistently on that value. Set a fair fee and adapt when the market changes. By providing a high-quality, consistent online yoga experience, you will be able to attract and retain clients who appreciate your professionalism and dedication to your craft.
Step Six: Choose the best platform to teach yoga online
Now that you have a clear idea of what you want to do and how you’re going to do it, it’s time to choose the platform you’ll use to deliver your content.
The first thing you’ll want to consider is the quality of the video streaming service. Does it offer high-definition (HD) content? Is there a limit to the number of devices you can use?
You’ll also want to think about the price. Some video streaming services are free, while others charge a monthly or annual fee.
Finally, consider the other services. Does the service offer a community of support, consistent customer service, marketing integration, or an all-in-one comprehensive platform? If you’re looking for specific features, ensure that the service offers them. For us, customer service and a responsive help desk are always essential.
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to choose your platform! Below are some popular options:
Once you’ve chosen your platform, it’s time to move on to the next step: creating your content!
Step Seven: Create dynamite content
Once you’ve selected your platform, it’s time to start creating content for your online yoga classes. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some helpful tips:
- A clear and concise explanation of what your business offers
- The ability to book classes and pay for them online
- A comprehensive database of yoga poses
- Instructions on how to perform each pose
- High-quality video and audio streaming
- A user-friendly interface
- Compatibility with multiple devices
- Regular updates and new content to keep users engaged
- Customer support in case users has questions or encounter problems (this is SO important!)
- A variety of payment options to make it easy for customers to pay
- A secure system to protect user data and transactions.
You can also find helpful tips and resources on Yoga Journal and DoYogaWithMe.com. Once you have a few ideas, start planning your class structure, and what poses or sequences you’ll include. Remember to keep your target audience in mind as you create your content.
Step Eight: Market your online yoga studio
Now that you have a plan and some great content, it’s time to promote your online yoga business! There are many ways to do this, but some of the most effective include:
Starting a blog and writing articles about yoga
These days, it’s essential to have an online presence if you want to be successful in the yoga world. A blog allows you to reach a broad audience of potential yoga students.
By sharing your knowledge and experience online, you can help people learn more about yoga and perhaps even inspire them to start practicing. In addition, a blog is a great way to build relationships with other yoga practitioners and teachers.
Creating an email list and sending out regular newsletters
Regular newsletters help keep your current students engaged and help attract new students. By sending out a newsletter, you can keep your students up-to-date on new classes, special events, and anything else that’s going on at your studio.
You can also use your newsletter to promote any sales or discounts you may be offering. And if you’re looking to attract new students, a newsletter is a great way to show them what your studio offers.
Participating in online forums and discussion groups related.
Yoga online forums are a great way to connect with potential students and market your classes in the yoga community. In addition, participating in these forums can build a reputation as a knowledgeable and helpful yoga teacher. This will help you attract more students to your online and offline classes.
Creating social media accounts and sharing your content
With a social media presence, you can reach a wider audience and connect with potential clients worldwide. Plus, it’s a great way to build brand awareness and increase visibility for your yoga business.
Using search engine optimization (SEO) to attract new clients
SEO can help your studio’s website appear higher in search results, making it more likely that potential clients will find you. You can improve your visibility online and attract more clients to your yoga business by using SEO techniques.
Not an SEO expert? No problem. Many of the online platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer built-in SEO.
Step Nine: Keep your students engaged.
It’s essential to keep your students engaged and coming back for more, so be sure to mix up your content and keep things interesting. You can do this by adding new sequences or poses, varying the length of your classes, or offering different types of yoga such as restorative or yin.
You can also keep your students engaged by offering exclusive content, such as bonus videos or a private Facebook group.
Step Ten: Staying organized is key for yoga teachers online
With any business, it’s crucial to stay organized and on top of things. This is especially true when you’re first starting. Some helpful tips to stay organized include:
- You are creating a schedule and sticking to it. Map out when you will work on content creation, marketing, bookkeeping, and emailing.
- Setting deadlines and goals. Be specific with your goal setting. How many videos do you want to create? How much money do you want to make? How many people do you want to reach? The more specific your goals, the more focus and attention you will bring to your work.
- Tracking your progress. Measuring progress is a hallmark of success. After setting your goals, evaluate the markers you will use to measure success and look at them regularly.
- Staying on top of finances. You are not your business. Your business is its living, breathing entity that you nurture and watch grow. Respect the finances of that business as a separate entity and manage them correctly.
By staying organized, you’ll be able to better manage your time and resources, which will help your business run more smoothly.
Step Eleven: Evaluate your progress as an online yoga studio
After you start your business, it’s important to take some time to evaluate your progress. This will help you identify areas that need improvement and make changes. Then, be sure to set goals for the future and continue marketing your business so it can grow!
For example, if you teach online yoga classes, you might want to increase your online marketing efforts to attract more students. You could also add new elements to your classes, such as meditation or relaxation techniques, to appeal to people.
Your existing clients provide the best feedback. Send out an email survey and ask them what they like and would like to see. People are typically open and honest if asked directly. They will provide the roadmap for your next step.
By assessing your progress and setting goals for the future, you can ensure that your business continues to thrive.
Conclusion
We commend you if you’re thinking of taking your yoga practice and teaching online! It takes a lot of guts and hard work to launch your own business, but it can be incredibly rewarding. We hope that by sharing these insights into business planning, marketing, and content creation, you will feel more prepared to take the leap and make your dream a reality.
Remember, we are always here to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need advice along the way.
Are you ready to get started? Let us know in the comments below!
