No matter the type of activity, there is no doubt that fitness studios can bring people together through community. As a studio owner, it may be difficult to understand why classes aren’t filling up if you know that there is potential for the community. Throughout this blog post, we are going to describe a few different tips to get the outside community into your studio and keep that sense of community within.
Have a good sense of your messaging and incorporate that in studio and on social media. Having a clear understanding of what your brand stands for will help in your communication with your audience. How are your clients supposed to know what makes your business special if you don’t? Create a tagline and mission statement and include it within your presence in person, online, and on social media. Your tagline and mission statement should be easy to find online, such as on your website and social media, as well as in person through flyers, business cards, and potentially incorporated into your logos, signs, and advertisements. Having a strong message present will help students understand why they align with your studio.
To keep clients eager to come back to your studio, try to come up with fun events or special classes that they can look forward to. Planning something such as a weekly discounted class, bringing in a special guest instructor, or even a themed class can create a buzz that clients can only find in your studio. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just enough to keep people talking and looking forward to spending time with you and the community. When clients can count on something consistently exciting at your studio, whether it’s once a week or once a month, they will keep coming back.
Engage people outside of the studio community. It’s important to diversify classes with people that don’t regularly attend sessions. If your studio is near a college or university, try to advertise the studio to reach that audience. This outreach could be through signs around campus or a class hosted by your studio at the university’s gym. Offering a free monthly class at your studio engages people who are yoga beginners or don’t have the money to attend classes regularly. A free monthly class increases engagement and gives people a fresh experience in your area. Diversifying your class attendance allows more people to experience your studio and grow your community.
By incorporating intentional messaging, planning events, and engaging with the outside community, you can better increase engagement within your studio community and the outside community. You’d be surprised how often your student base is ready to take part in new community events and wants to be a part of the community you are creating. When in doubt, you can always reach out to a PR professional for more specific guidance.