When you start as a yoga instructor, you will need to build your personal brand up from scratch. Your greatest asset in your business will be your skills and knowledge, but soon you will have to focus on protecting your reputation as well. There is a lot of competition out there, and if your customers smell trouble, they will be quick to move on. To make sure you will grow as a person and carry on expanding your yoga business, follow the below tips on protecting your brand.

1. Health Notices

It is important that you tell your students online and in the studio that not all exercises would be suitable for them. The best advice you can give your class members is to seek the advice of a health professional before they would start the course. You don’t want to be blamed for injuries, therefore, to protect your brand and reputation, you have to inform your class about the potential risks. A good way of ensuring that you are not going to have to take responsibilities for injuries is to get clients to sign a disclosure before they sign up for one of your courses.

2. Liability Insurance

Image via Marine Corps Base Hawaii

No matter how careful you are, you will need to get a liability insurance for your yoga business. Whether you rent a studio to hold regular classes, or recording your classes in a professional venue, you have to get liability covered. You will need to make sure that you are not going out of business just because somebody got injured on your premises. While it might seem like an unnecessary additional cost of starting your yoga business, it gives you a sense of security, and helps you get on with your business when your existence is threatened by lawsuits.

3. Comment Monitoring

If you have your own YouTube channel or video training site, you have to closely monitor the comments and feedback. Your online students might be telling you that it is challenging for them to follow your instructions, or some of the moves are too hard. If you don’t react to the comments and feedback, you will come across as an ignorant teacher, who only cares about money. Get a feedback form on your website, and install a chat console, so your students can get in touch. Offer a questions and answers sessions after introducing a new series to your class, so you can help them make the most out of their practice. This way, they will feel that you really care about their personal development.

4. Review Sites

To find out what your students think about you, register your yoga classes and website on review sites.  Bear in mind that anyone can add a website or business in an online directory, even Google Maps, and leave a review. Get a system set up that will help you monitor the ratings and reviews, so you can answer them. Don’t be discouraged if you get a negative review: try to learn from it. Acknowledge the author’s view and opinion, and offer help with rectifying the problem. This will help you show that you care about individuals, and are open for discussions.

5. Building Good Relationships with Other Teachers

The best way of avoiding bickering and jealousy in the highly competitive world of yoga instructors is to work together, instead of against each other. Never leave negative comments about other instructors, not even if one of your students is asking. Instead, reach out to people whose style is similar to yours, and set up a way of collaborating. Create an online video together, or answer questions live, inviting your own students to discuss their problems with another instructor who might have a different perspective.

6. Protecting Your Patents

If you have authored a new yoga style, or a move, maybe you came up with a cool name for a pose, you want to make sure that you get the credit. You will need to register your brand name or patent, or others will start using it and claim that they invented it. Protecting your unique style and intellectual property is just as important as keeping an eye on your finances. Remember that your brand is your asset, and your unique inventions are a part of your brand.

7. Data Protection

You don’t want to end up losing your customers’ personal information, or getting your site hacked and allowing student information to get into the wrong hands. Encrypt your site, and back up information safely on the cloud. Create a privacy policy, and let your students know how and why you will use their personal details. Never share names or personal details with other companies, not even if they offer you a payment. Your reputation is worth more than a few extra dollars.

8. Software Applications Security

If you use live streaming software or applications, your business might be vulnerable to intrusion. Instead of using free or open source software, you can get your own yoga app designed by Svitla Systems. Make sure you list the features you would like your yoga app to have, and the compatibility requirements. If you deliver some of your training through apps, you might want to get a secure payment method integrated that will protect your own and your customers’ financial details.

9. Backing Up All Claims

It is important not to make claims that cannot be backed up by facts. You cannot state that you are going to make everyone lose 5 pounds in two weeks, unless you have evidence that everyone who attended your program has done the same. Disclosures are important, but don’t forget to back up your claims. Check out the latest research publications, and build your brand message on facts and results of studies, instead of looking desperate to get people to sign up.

When you manage your own yoga studio or deliver training online, you need to keep an eye on your brand’s reputation. Monitor customer feedback, cover the legal aspects of doing business, and protect your students from harm.

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