Usually when I’m coaching yoga teachers, it’s around business. And the number one focus I stress is to find your niche. You know, your people, those who vibe with you, the ones you’re meant to help.
There are endless possibilities and to become an expert in all of the variations would take, well, a long time. So what do you do?
define your niche
What’s a niche? (Do you pronounce it “nitch” or “neesh?”)
When you become known for one thing, a specialty, this is considered your niche.
Narrowing your focus sounds counterintuitive. It feels constrictive and limiting. It’s like someone asks you to choose only one crayon to color with for the rest of your life.
Rest assured, regardless of the industry business owners everywhere dislike niching down. Yet the first lesson in all business and marketing classes is to find your niche, your focus, who you’re going to serve.
before i found my niche as a yoga teacher
I struggled with this too
In 2003, I started conducting yoga teacher training and loved-loved-loved it. I thought, “here are my people!”
Early 2011 after I got pregnant, I decided to add online into the mix, and since it was in my wheel-house, I leaned toward taking teacher training online. Unfortunately I let a couple of negative comments and a stink-eye letter from the Yoga Alliance derail me from my idea.
Thus began my search for a new niche.
People I could dazzle with my knowledge and expertise. First it was women going through divorce. Then it was women in transition. Then it was women who practiced yoga.
And every shift in my focus, shifted all the surrounding components:
- Oh I need to update my website.
- Oh I need to edit my content and offerings.
- Oh I need to join a different group.
- Oh I need a different skill set.
With all the shifting, changing and morphing, I never got any traction. No traction equated to doubts. Lots and lots of doubts.
how do you find your niche
Two different mentors, at two different times asked me, “Why don’t you continue working with yoga teachers?”
Bum-bum-bummm.
I denied this obvious answer; a demographic I was more than familiar and comfortable with; where I had hours (and hours) of knowledge and expertise; where I was already training and coaching.
It took the Universe a few round-about coincidences and signs to show me, hey, your work is with yoga teachers.
Looking back, the last few years have been exhausting. Expensive. Depleting. And I’m pretty sure it’s been exhausting and confusing for my clients who’ve been patiently loyal, patiently waiting for me to see what everyone else already knew.
Now please, let me save you some of the same frustration, heartache, and exhaustion.
why finding a niche is important
Finding a niche that resonates with you provides direction. Instead of trying to learn all the things about yoga, you pick a path and get really, really good at it.
Also when clients decide to take yoga they usually have a reason: to eliminate stress, strength low back, lose weight, avoid surgery, etc. When a client seeks a solution, they’re looking for specific criteria, someone they know can help them with their problem.
Let me repeat: Clients are actively searching for someone with knowledge in how to “fix” their problem. They are not looking for general yoga instructors teaching general classes.
5 tips for finding your niche
If you’re a new teacher, you may still be experimenting with different styles to find what you like teaching the most, and that’s okay. After a while, you may start to notice a pattern with the people you’re teaching.
That leads me to the first tip in finding your niche.
#1 Pay Attention
Start listening to what people are asking you, complimenting you on, coming back for. Sadly, you’re not everyone’s cuppa-tea, but those you inspire, they share similarities. Find them. Write them down.
#2 Dream Client
Grab a piece of paper and write out 10 qualities your dream client possesses. My list looked something like this: yogis, mamas, into health & wellness, spiritual, possibly in transition.
#3 Go Deeper
Keep digging. Go against the urge that says to stop at number two. Those few descriptions are still too vague. What kind of yogis? What age are the mamas’ kids? What kind of health and wellness? What kind of transition, divorce, kids going to school, empty nest?
#4 Iced Tea Test
As you’re identifying qualities and quirks, would you invite them over to your house for iced tea? Would you hang out with this person outside of yoga classes? If the answer is NO, you’re not there yet.
#5 Ask
Sometimes the answer is painfully obvious to others. While you’re hem-hawing, thinking “I don’t know,” others may be ready to give you a gentle two-by-four against your head. And don’t be stubborn like me.
final thoughts on finding your niche
Choosing an area of focus doesn’t have to be like coloring with the red crayon forever. As you grow and evolve as a teacher, you may find yourself drawn to another specialty. And that’s okay!
Whether you want to teach a specific style of yoga (check out our Teach Yoga Now courses), or individuals with a specific need, defining your niche will also help you find your clients.
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