This was not a post I originally planned to write, but my most recent workshop needed to be postponed due to lack of sign ups. A yoga teacher’s worst nightmare, right? No – I think we can reframe this and definitely not take it personally!
I decided long before the event what my “cancel number” was going to be or the minimum number of attendees. Some places do not want to cancel a workshop, but if you only have 2 people showing up – it might not be financially worth it. It’s different than a yoga class. I’m always happy to teach to one student! What a great private lesson.
But workshops are a different beast. You’re splitting the fee with the studio owner, putting in more time planning and preparing, and for me – I love creating and printing take home worksheets.
I knew I needed at least 5 people – full price – to attend my workshop. This is something I discussed with the owner long before the day of the event. This also keeps them aware that they’ll need to do some marketing before the event if they don’t want to postpone / refund.
Some studios offer a “flash sale” or last minute discounted rate. I personally do not believe educational workshops should be discounted. If it was priced wrong originally – then postpone and set a new price. Don’t offer flash sales. 1. This lets your members know that they can wait and sign up at the very last minute, forcing discounted rates. Don’t condition membership to believe you’re always going to drop a rate. 2. Education and planning are worth more than a sale just to fill a room. Don’t discredit training and passion for the sake of keeping an event on the calendar.
However, some areas will go for a $60 workshop while others will not pay more than $30 for anything! Know your location and offerings in the area. Sound Baths are not comparable to Workshops. They are 2 different things entirely!
Not only do I set my minimum number, I set my postpone/cancel time. It’s usually 24 hours before the workshop, with a healthy 4-6 week marketing window. As long as the studio has promoted the event more than once – chances are if they’ve mentioned it over and over again, they’re not going to get a dozen sign-ups the night before.
It’s okay that one studio can’t fill the workshop. It doesn’t mean the workshop is a dud. I filled 16 people in one Workshop 25 minutes away from another studio where only 1 signed up. That studio doesn’t fill up Yin classes on the regular – we were taking a chance with a Yin Workshop.
This is hard to not carry the weight of disappointment around or think you’re a bad teacher. That’s nonsense. Workshops are truly different than yoga classes. When we announced we were postponing my Yin Workshop I noticed another studio canceled their Energy Cleansing Workshop for the same exact date. Maybe the date was just off for both studios? Who knows – it’s important to shake off any negative vibes, and not give up.
Postponing canceling – whatevering – does not discredit your passion, knowledge, and joy to teach! Reframe that experience, it’s not happening right now. I promise there is another place where it will happen! Some studios just aren’t great at marketing their events and they struggle. Other studios do not have the students who want to learn more – they’re in it for the workout. It’s not that you have a bad workshop. You just need to find the right places!
I would imagine that a “hot yoga” or “sculpt yoga” studio setting isn’t going to fill a yogic philosophy workshop. Make sure you’re pitching to the right studio. That your workshop fits their vibe. Just because you found space doesn’t mean the membership is the right membership to attend. I learned this – regularly low Yin attendance isn’t going to fill a Yin workshop.
Protect your time, energy, and workshop – plan ahead what your minimum number is and when you need to cancel if it’s not met.
Most importantly, it’s nothing about you personally if you have to cancel. Do not carry that around with you.
from my mat to yours ~
Stef