I’d stretch myself to get more business

Dear Biz

I used to work in the banking sector and decided I wanted to leave the corporate life. I started to go to yoga classes to help me de-stress and really liked it and trained to be a teacher.

I have now set up a yoga business, Hummingbee.co.uk, offering classes in my local Epsom and Ewell area in Surrey.

I run one-to-one and small group sessions in my home studio and offer larger classes on various evenings during the week for differing levels from beginners. I also specialise in yoga during and after pregnancy with a mum and baby day class.

I’m doing OK but want to raise awareness of my classes and get people to come back more regularly. Any ideas? Louise Millward, by email

Biz replies

You need to target people who live nearby so it doesn’t take them much effort to get to you, especially as we head into the winter months. Look for opportunities to put up posters in shops and team up with other small businesses so you promote each other. There may be, say, a beauty therapist who will recommend you to clients or put leaflets or your business card on show in return for you doing the same for them.

You could offer your services to small businesses as a perk for their staff with special group rates.

Encourage existing clients to bring a friend along by offering them a small discount. To get people back through the door offer a deal for multiple bookings.