Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shelly "Holly Hula" McB on January 7, 2011 at 1:40pm

I think the youtube idea is a GREAT one.  you could also look and see what cheap&easy options there are for a basic website.  i was lucky to learn HTML from a roommate like 10 years ago and was able put together a simple website for myself: www.hothoopers.com  

definitely try and find some way to establish a web presence with an easy address if you can swing it.

Permalink Reply by Isa "GlitterGirl" Isaacs on January 8, 2011 at 8:51pm

wordpress.org is a great way to get a free website up. 

that said, i know, as a consumer, i'm much less impressed with companies that are not their own domains. it's 2011 and it's way too easy to get something going. 

you can even do a wordpress site (which is free and easy) free on a hosted domain site of your choice. having a memorable domain goes a long way in your marketing. 

 

i have a whole business training class on this as well as a manual i sell with exercises (workbook style) to help you define your business and really build your entrepreneurial skills -- without needing to go to business school. If you're interested in details, private message me, or, for quicker response, email me at glittergirl (at) templeofpoi (daught) com. :)

Permalink Reply by JEN on January 14, 2011 at 8:36pm

Lots of good responses here-I've been teaching for almost a year now, and have 15+ classes weekly at this point, I'm having to turn places down b/c I'm stretched so thin! Here's what worked/didn't work for me. 

One small dance studio taught Hoop in my city before I started teaching last year. So basically, no one knew about it, it was totally off the grid. 

 

I tried a couple things-renting studio space and then being a contractor through studios, and honestly, renting studio space was not going to be a financially viable option anytime in this city. It's definitely taken time to build class size, and quite frankly, hooping is a "specialty" type of class at most places and simply isn't going to pull in the numbers like a zumba class does. And I'm glad b/c I like the intimate feel of having under 10 peeps in a class! My classes at the Y are the biggest, and I've had 20-25 hoopers and it's kind of overwhelming LOL Especially because it's drop in and kind of all over the grid. 

So anyway-lots of ramblings, but I find that working as an employee or independent contractor for places with established members has been the best way to grow my business. 

 

 

JEN

Permalink Reply by Sarah Maccarelli Jordan on February 11, 2011 at 10:25am

I suggest new teachers start a hoop meet up group on meetup.com   Within days I had more than 20 members and 6 people rsvp for my first class! :) I live in a small town (1 square mile), but I'm getting to hoop word out! :)

Permalink Reply by Hooping Ted on March 8, 2011 at 9:20pm

Haha welcome to the wonderful world of running your own business Cuban Leigh! Yes, all independent business owners who for themselves are responsible for every aspect of the business, including marketing, advertising, promotion, bookkeeping, accounting, legality, purchasing, manufacturing, customer relations, and that's not even counting the actual job of teaching! Or performing or making hoops, if ya do that too. 

 

You have a few options: learn the skills needed to run your business, hire professionals to help you do some of the work for you on an as-needed basis (salespeople, lawyer, accountant, etc), or work for someone else. 

 

The benefit of working for yourself is that you call the shots! You set your schedule, dictate the terms and rules of your classes, set your own prices, take vacations when you want, etc. The flipside is that ultimately you're the only one responsible for your own success, or failure. Working for someone else can offload some stress since a dance studio, YMCA, community center or health club can do most of the work of getting people in the door and you just promote your class within the membership. They also subtract taxes, keep the lights on, provide a comfortable, safe, legal environment, keep the books, and deal with some customer service. Of course, the pay can be a fraction of what you'd be making working for yourself. It's a tradeoff. 

 

If you do decide to work for yourself, it's a lot of trial and error. You try stuff - some works, some doesn't. That's why I recommend educating yourself as much as possible. Other people in many fields - not just hooping - have made these mistakes many times over and paved the way for you. Learn from others so you don't waste your time and money. Take classes on business and marketing and promotion. Get books, CDs, subscribe to magazines, go to conferences like Hoop Convergence and Hoop Camp, take as many hoop classes, workshops, and teacher trainings as you possibly can to get ideas, surround yourself with smart people who know about hooping and business, and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. It's a great journey and can be incredibly empowering and rewarding. Congrats on taking the first step. Great luck!

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