Workshops and studio events are becoming increasingly popular for teacher training and clients alike.
I know that from many of my conversations with you studio owners like you that workshops and events are things that you’re thinking about doing or you already have lined up.
Hosting workshops or retreats are a fun and creative way to build awareness and buzz in your boutique fitness studio (or wellness business) as well as adding a little extra profit to your bottom line.
But a successful pilates workshop takes effort and planning.
To create a sell out event, you will need to be organized and prepared to market yourself and your business.
Want to plan a workshop in your boutique fitness business?
Here are my top tips:
Set the date well in advance. Depending on the type of event you will need to give yourself enough time to generate interest in the event and for your clients to plan accordingly. For an event you are hosting in your studio you will need 1-2 months to pull together all the details (and ideally you are lining up dates 3 months out) for an event where travel is necessary, you may need to plan further in advance.
Set your pricing strategy. Workshops are a premium service and typically are longer in length with a specific focus and structure the regular classes, so they should priced according to that value. That said, an early bird rate is a great way to get early sign-ups and create a sense of urgency in your promotions.
Market early and do plenty of it! You have to be ready to broadcast your event to the world. Don’t hide! Posters, social media, leaflets and flyers are a must. But it doesn’t stop there. If you aren’t talking about it, you can’t expect anyone else to either. So get chatting with your clients about what you have in store and get them excited too!
Make registration super easy (and have a system). What information do you need from the attendees and what do they need to know from you? Make a list of what’s included and what should they expect as well as what they should bring themselves. Do they need a mat, notebook or water? Put this information together well in advance so you can send details as soon as you get sign-ups.
Be ready to deliver an exceptional workshop. Your clients will keep coming back for more as long as they love the way you make them feel. Remember - it’s ALL about the experience!
I’d love to hear how your events have gone - what worked well and what didn’t?
Seran Glanfield
Pilatespal profile Springthree.com