Question

Topic: Website Critique

Critique My Fitness And Rehab Business

Posted by Colette on 5/18/2013 at 9:01 AM ET 250 Points
Greetings!

I've developed a fitness/rehab program 8 years ago called the Barry Method. My husband a D.C. and I own a fitness studio and clinic.
Intro:
Barry Method is a unique blend of yoga/Pilates on a gravity board along with my a theory I've developed called "muscle memory contact".
I also offer my concept without the machine. This program is called "Wall Yoga" and I've written a book on this.

Dilemma
Over the past two years, the Barry Method have tripled in sales and clientele status but I feel far from being stable.
Possibly if you look at my online Udemy classes or website you may see what I could be lacking (as far as my presentation, concept or overall brand image).
I know I'm asking a very "general" question but I need to start somewhere.
I feel something is missing. I'm always in the state of pushing "uphill" with very little progress.
If you look at the online Udemy classes there are many yoga studios that seems to do very well.
I know my concept is unique, possibly this could be the issue.
I've designed a Barry Method certification program and trained six teachers. Our clients truly love our program and we have enough amazing testimonies to produce a book!
Barry Method is ideal for professional athletes as well as those who are physically disabled. We reach all levels. We offer classes in our beautiful facility as well as online at Udemy.

I've done just about EVERYTHING to move this program forward. I keep getting stuck.

Eventually we hope to franchise but as of now we can hardly get out the front door.

Perhaps you could share some insights from what little I can share online? Thanks!

My website
https://www.yogatrends.org

My online classes
https://www.udemy.com/u/colettebarry2

If you need any more information. Just reply below and I'll get right back!

Cheers!
Colette
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Gary Bloomer on 5/18/2013 at 10:04 AM Accepted
    Consider ditching your main site's header image and replacing it with a short video that shows people what the Barry Method is (again, more "show", less "tell").

    Consider a list of practical benefits: "Here's what the Barry Method will do for you in X number of days. Guaranteed!"

    You've also mentioned that you have enough testimonials to fill a book. If you have sign offs that give your the right to use those testimonials, use them on your site.

    "Before and after" results are also powerful selling points.

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 5/18/2013 at 10:35 AM Accepted
    Gary's given you some wise advice. You're one of many people teaching yoga worldwide, and people can now go to a local yoga studio to train rather than take your online class. Your "deaf niche" has benefit not only for those that are deaf, but are hard-of-hearing - including seniors who might like to do yoga, but may have trouble hearing instructions. Whether this niche can satisfy your business needs is up to you to research. I'd start by understanding where your lack of stability is coming from - are people leaving in droves, suddenly appearing (and then leaving), or simply continuing but not bringing in more friends?
  • Posted by Colette on 5/18/2013 at 11:52 AM Author
    Gary & Jay, Thank you!
    Hopefully you saw the videos on my home page on the right column. This was done by our local television show. They did a great job in educating other about who we are and my uniqueness.
    I'll make the changes. Thanks Gary!

    I tried using the "hard of hearing" and sign-language .. none of this caught on. Not even to the deaf community.

    We are not like your typical yoga studio so it's hard for us to compare ourselves with them.
    We use machines and my "Wall Work" is also misunderstood.
    We don't emphasize the "spiritual" side of yoga. Our clients are ladies in their 40 - 70's and people who suffers with physical ailments. We're more fitness and rehab since we include Pilates.
    Having said this, our clients don't "bond" together like what you see in a typical yoga studio.
    Thus, we don't have that advantage in getting soul searching customers.

    With the clients that come, 75% stick with us for a long time and love what the Barry Method does for their body.

    It's just a matter of getting them through the door.
    We've tried coupons but that attracted the wrong audience.

    Actually, If I could get this program positioned as the "new rave" (like Spinning), I'll be on my way.
    Just not sure how to get there.

    Thanks again for your answers and I'll place my vote in a few days!

    Peace
    Colette
  • Posted by Moriarty on 5/19/2013 at 4:06 PM Accepted
    I want to tackle this from a slightly different angle. I'm not going to spend long as I've spent the day on a train - and could do with some Yoga practice myself.

    If your wall work (which puzzled me) is misunderstood, how is it perceived and how should it be perceived? It sounds like something you should throw at us.

    As to the website, you're not communicating with your ideal customer. You've gotten tons of great references, and you know from your own experience which of them are your "kind" of customer too. Put all that together and you can form a picture of the person who needs what you're offering - and I mean one person with as few generalities as you can manage. Knowing what she (for you say they're mostly shes) likes and her general character means you can aim everything directly at her.

    This sort of customer-image is one way to break a log-jam in terms of traffic. Knowing what they like means you can offer things that you can phrase your offer to speak to their other interests. That way you've broadened your field of advertising yet you retain your niche.

    Sorry if this is all a little fuzzy.
  • Posted by Colette on 5/19/2013 at 11:33 PM Author
    Hi Moriarty

    Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about my site and program. I appreciate your input very much!
    I understand what you are saying and agree.

    I'm going to consider a few of my favorite clients and why they love the Barry Method.
    I'll then try to duplicate this!

    I'll be making some changes on my website too. Hopefully this will help.

    All the input I'm receiving is helping me tremendously. I've been in such a rut!

    Also. If you like yoga then I'd like to extend to you (and anyone reading this) a free subscription to my Wall Yoga program.

    Can't thank you enough for all your help and support!
    Please follow the link below and enter the "code".

    https://www.udemy.com/the-wall-yoga-whole-body-makeover/

    makeover321

    Cheers!
    Colette
  • Posted by jayme.mcclellan on 5/20/2013 at 3:24 PM Accepted
    I'm going to second what Moriarty and Gary have said and add one more suggestion.

    Per Moriarty's suggestion: Think about some of your current clients, who they are, why they come to you, how yoga makes a difference with their physical ailments. Now, imagine you are speaking to them for the first time. What would you tell them? Per Gary's suggestion: now show them this. Your visuals needs to be the main focus vs, the secondary focus.

    Your site mentions triple results - for what though? Less pain, a balanced mood, enhanced flexibility. Different yoga styles have different affects. What is the most important benefit I get from going to you (respond to this for each of your different types of clients)? I see in one of the posts, for example "builds upper body strength for a more solid torso, arms and spine". Move this to a more visible spot. You can have more than one message in the large area.

    For an additional suggestion, I wonder if you struggle because there is a lot to say. Have you considered using a blog? A lot of your content has that personal tone to it where you can use the blog to tell your stories, share your knowledge, success, and failures. Then you can link to your stories from FB, Linked In, Twitter, etc.

    Last, your https://www.yogatrends.org website is ok, but a little dated in style. Most importantly. The opening of new windows is jarring to me as a user. I prefer to stay on the site and browse around vs. feeling like I am taken out of it. It does look like I am in the same site (minus the schedule and classes which clearly use a third party program), so if possible change those links so that they use the same window. You will have an easier time monitoring your traffic as well. Right now I imagine your exit rates are extremely high.

    I wish you great success!

    Jayme
  • Posted by Colette on 5/21/2013 at 8:49 AM Author
    Thanks to everyone. My changes are being made as we speak. I just love this place!!
  • Posted by Moriarty on 5/21/2013 at 9:39 AM Member
    Just joined, thanks Colette! I have a headache as my morning exercise didn't happen which usually sees me on my little vegetable garden. It's tipping with rain! Okay, okay, I could swim there. I just didn't feel like swimming, alright?

    Yoga's nicer. So thanks!
  • Posted by Colette on 5/21/2013 at 12:38 PM Author
    Ha! Funny Moriarty!

    I'm hooking my whole program up on Webinar. See here.

    https://www.powhow.com/classes/barry-method-yoga-pilates?status=4&scree...

    Hope you can join me there. Live :)

    No excuses when I can see you!

    Thanks again.
    Colette
  • Posted by Moriarty on 5/21/2013 at 12:46 PM Member
    Wossawebcam??

    I mean my persona would be blown - you'd see me in my penthouse on Fifth Avenue and not a tiny flat in a village nobody's ever heard of ...

    I got as far as the first exercise and used a paint pot instead of a yoga brick, not having one to hand. It really helped me on a dismally grey day. You're bookmarked, so I won't forget. My aim is to strengthen my back muscles, which must be possible.

    Thanks for the invite, it's appreciated.
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