Why You Should Use Social Media to Promote Your Online Classes
Self-promotion can sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable, can’t it? Whether you’re a creator, coach, or online teacher, your mission is to share your valuable knowledge and skills.
However, the idea of combining your expertise with marketing tactics can feel uncomfortable and opportunistic for many of us.
But if we truly believe that what we offer can make a difference in people’s lives, shouldn’t we strive to reach as many people as possible? And isn’t one of the easiest ways to do that by sharing our stories and wisdom online?
We certainly think so.
If you’re not yet convinced about the benefits of social media to promote your online classes, consider these five compelling reasons:
01 Social media helps you meet your students where they are.
Brick-and-mortar businesses might rely on traditional advertising methods like newspapers, magazines, radio, or flyers. That makes sense. They’re meeting their students where they are: in their neighborhoods or where they shop.
While these methods have their merits, they require potential clients to make an effort to seek you out.
On the other hand, when you connect with your audience on social media, you're reaching them in a place they already frequent a lot. A simple click is often all it takes for them to explore your offerings,
Imagine you're a painting coach. Through social media, a budding artist can easily discover your classes with just a few clicks, making it convenient for them to explore their passion for painting.
In the marketing world, experts call this a ‘low barrier to entry.’ We want to make it as easy as possible for people to try your classes and experience yoga.
02 Social media makes it easy to track what’s working (and what’s not).
In the traditional classroom, it’s challenging to determine precisely how your students found you. They might have discovered you through a Groupon offer, a friend's suggestion, or perhaps while searching for a class, stumbled upon yours. Unless you poll each student individually, which can be time-consuming and may seem invasive, you’ll have no way of determining their initial point of contact.
Social media changes the game by providing detailed analytics. You can identify where your students come from, whether it's a popular pin, a mention from a well-known blogger, or the success of your Facebook ads.
This insight enables you to double down on successful strategies and refine those that aren't yielding results.
03 Social media is much, much faster than traditional marketing.
Traditional marketing can be a slow, long, exhausting process. It can take several weeks or even months from the inception of your idea to the moment your advertisement actually appears in a magazine.
Social media, in contrast, allows you to promote a new course immediately. Imagine announcing a spontaneous live workout session on social media to capitalize on current trends and attract more participants. You can launch a new class and share it with your followers on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter (now X) almost instantly!
04 Social media allows you to be your authentic self.
Newspaper ads and radio spots are not the place to share a gorgeous Rumi poem you read this morning or your latest green juice recipe. These traditional advertising platforms often limit your creativity and content options.
On social media, you could share an inspirational quote, a favorite pose, and a cute tank top any given day. You can invite your students into your home, bring them along on your trip, or even showcase behind-the-scenes glimpses of your online teaching set-up. You get to share your authentic self, as frequently as you desire. Something that simply isn't possible with traditional marketing!
05 You’re probably already on social media, so use it to build your business!
2.9 million people use Facebook, 2.05 million use YouTube, 2 million use Instagram, and about 1 million use TikTok; we’re guessing you’re probably already on one of these platforms a few times a day. So, why not harness the power of these platforms for your professional growth?
If you frequently post about your gardening hobby on Instagram, you can seamlessly incorporate gardening tips and techniques into your online gardening classes.
By spending just a bit of extra time and effort, you can efficiently build your online teaching business through engagement with your existing online community.
FAQs
Q: How can I stand out among the vast competition on social media?
Consistency, uniqueness, and providing value are key. Post regularly, showcase your distinct teaching style or expertise, and ensure your content addresses the needs and interests of your target audience.
Q: What social media platforms should I focus on?
It depends on your niche and where your audience is most active. Experiment with platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter (now X), Pinterest, or LinkedIn, and adapt your strategy based on which ones yield the best results.
Q: How can I balance authenticity with professionalism on social media?
Authenticity doesn't mean sacrificing professionalism. Share personal insights and anecdotes that align with your teaching journey, but maintain a professional tone and ensure your content adds value to your audience.
Final Thoughts
While self-promotion might initially feel uncomfortable, using social media as a tool to share your expertise with the world is a powerful and effective way to reach those who can benefit from your online classes.
It's not about being smarmy or overwhelming; it's about using these platforms with intention and authenticity to spread your message + mission!
