How to Get More Bookings for Your September Yoga or Pilates Beginner Course
September is a golden opportunity for yoga and Pilates teachers to attract new folk — people are back from summer holidays, craving routine, and ready to try something new. If you’re planning to run a beginner course next month, there’s still plenty of time to market it effectively — but the work needs to start now.
Here’s a step-by-step plan to make sure your course gets the attention (and bookings!) it deserves.
The first work you need to do is outlining the benefits of the course, who are you hoping to attract, why would people choose your course?
Next think about the date and time, does the time work for your intended audience? Would it be best to start around 5th-8th September rather than literally the first couple days?
Now on to the Marketing promotion bit.
1. Start with the right keywords (Week 1 – August)
Think about what your ideal beginner might be typing into Google:
“Yoga for beginners in [Your Town]”
“6-week Pilates course near me”
“Gentle yoga class September [Your Town]”
Do a test, when you search these what comes up already? Imagine you are a customer, what would you click and why? What happens when you do click? This is important market research.
Use these phrases in your website copy, page titles, and social posts — especially in the title of your dedicated course page. (If all of this is starting to break you out in a sweat, remember I have a mini SEO and Web course which will explain it all, only £37)
2. Create a dedicated course page (Week 1 – August)
Don’t just tuck the details into your general timetable. Make a stand-alone page for the beginner course with:
A clear title that matches your keywords
Course dates, times, and location
What’s included and who it’s for
Easy, obvious booking buttons
An FAQ for beginners (this is great for AI too — I wrote a blog on this recently)
This page becomes your home base link to share everywhere else.
3. Make booking easy and obvious (Week 1–2 – August)
The fewer clicks between interest and payment, the better. Ideally:
“Book Now” buttons at the top and bottom of the course page
Online booking with card payment
Clear confirmation email with what to bring and what to expect
This is going to sound obvious… but have you actually been through the booking process as a customer? Is it straightforward?
Some further advice on improving your booking system here.
4. Offer bonus materials (Week 2 – August)
Beginners often like something extra to help them feel confident. You could include:
A welcome guide PDF with FAQs
Short videos showing basic postures or set-up tips
Access to a recorded class if they miss a session
5. Social Posting: Choose welcoming, relatable images (Week 2 – August)
Use photos that feel warm and approachable — think relaxed smiles and comfortable poses. Show your actual space if you can, so it feels familiar when they arrive. Please don’t use an image of you in a deep dancer pose on a beach at sunset. It’s really important you make people feel welcome.
If you’re doing a canva style image for your Instagram, make sure it isn’t too busy. Just clear, helpful information.
If you have a link tree for your instagram bio, have you put a link to your course there? And is it on your homepage?
6. Flyers and posters: keep it simple (Week 2–3 – August)
If you’re making printed materials, avoid clutter. Stick to the who, what, where, when, why and a booking link or QR code. Post them in cafés, libraries, gyms, and community boards.
I have a whole blog on flyer best practice here.
7. Local Facebook group promotion (Week 3 – August)
Many towns have community groups where you can share events.
Post with a friendly, personal tone
Use a photo and short description with a booking link
Follow group rules
Also be sure to add an update to your Google Business Profile. Free Guide on this topic here
8. Email your list — more than once (Week 3–4 – August and early September)
Don’t rely on one announcement — most people need a reminder. Try:
Now: Initial invite with booking link
Late August: “Spaces filling up” reminder
Early September: “Starts next week” last call
You don’t need to be really pushy, just be yourself. You could talk about why you love introducing folk to yoga/pilates, what you felt during your first class, encourage your email list to bring a friend (you could even have something you offer regulars if they intro someone?).
If you’ve never set up an email list, now is as good a time as any! Here’s a helpful blog.
9. Keep the momentum in September
Share countdown posts on social media (“Only 3 days to go!”)
Ask current students to recommend the course to friends
Respond quickly to enquiries — beginners often need reassurance before committing
The key is consistency. A few small actions every week in August will give you a steady stream of interest, so you’re not scrambling in the final days before your course begins.
