Your job title may read
“Yoga Instructor,” but you are, in fact, your own business, and that
means staying relevant with the latest trends in outreach and client
communication. In other words, social media is an absolute must, even if it
doesn’t jive with the rest of your lifestyle. Despite their inherent flaws,
socialized online platforms can make a world of difference in today’s
fast-paced business climate.
According to yoga
instructor Jolene
Cherry, social media done well can help
yoga teachers establish their brand, engage with their students, and educate
communities that otherwise have limited access to physical yoga studios.
“As a business
owner, managing your reputation in all forms is essential, but social media
inherently embraces vulnerability. My teaching philosophy preaches
transparency, and digital channels are the perfect outlets.”
In this article, Jolene
Cherry shares five proven tips yoga teachers can adopt to grow their clan with
authenticity.
1. Know Your Audience
In business, discovering
your niche can help you thrive. The same goes for social media engagement. Before you start blasting the web with filtered photos of
challenging yoga poses, reflect on the type of audience you want to create a
connection with via apps like Instagram. Naturally, targeting your existing
clients and friends is an excellent launching pad, but be open to growing
beyond your comfort zone. Experiment with content as you hone your voice and
style, then look for patterns in who and how people respond. Profile
backgrounds, likes, and comments will help steer you in the right direction,
though remember to stay true to your being and project your core values.
2. Authenticity
Internet trolls adore
calling out those who post inaccurate information online, especially profoundly
altered photos in the fitness realm. As a yoga teacher, you’re already
concerned with helping people find the truth within their bodies and mind, so
apply the same mentality to your social media shares. Be courageous and allow
people to see the REAL you in addition to all those glamorous moments you’ve
experienced as an energetic yogi.
3. Cadence
You’ve heard the saying
“content is king.” To build an audience and, more importantly,
maintain engagement over time, you need to develop a social media strategy
based around consistency. Finding the optimal cadence can be tricky at first
since you need to post enough to remain relevant, but not too much that you
overwhelm everyone and lose followers. Keep your posting goals weekly and then
slowly ramp up once you become more comfortable and efficient. Odds are you’ll
need to adjust your plan at least a dozen times before you discover what works,
but as a diligent yoga practitioner, that shouldn’t discourage you.
4. Content
Eventually, your
followers will help reveal what content is working as well as posts that are
dead in the water. As you start, focus on sharing what you’re most passionate
about in terms of yoga practice, teaching, and well-being. Be mindful,
personable, and leave your ego at the door.
5. Growth
Every fiber in your
being will urge you to refresh the page for new likes and followers, but you
must resist drinking from this cup. Instead of obsessing on the number of
followers that you accrue, focus on putting out quality content that you’re
proud of. Just as you nurture your skills as a teacher, embrace growth as a
content creator and look for areas of improvement. Celebrate the small wins,
have fun, and remember to breathe.
About Jolene Cherry: Jolene Cherry is a passionate yoga instructor and health advocate who excels in a
variety of yoga styles, especially Vinyasa Yoga, traditional Ashtanga Yoga,
Power Yoga, as well as meditation-oriented Yin Yoga. She believes striking a balance in life is
the key to wellbeing and aims to help her clients reach that balance through
physical activity, mindfulness, and healthy nutrition. When she is not working,
she volunteers at Yoga in the Park and is a big dog lover.
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