Re:Chicago Yoga Studio: "Why I won't do a Groupon"
by TrevorBurnham on Saturday August 27, 2011 @03:17PM
(#2932206)
One thing no one has mentioned is Yelp. Yelp is huge for yoga. If your yoga studio doesn't have any reviews on Yelp, a lot of people are going to be hesitant to pony up $15 just to try one class. (Many studios offer a discount for new students, but this one doesn't.)
There's a big overlap between Groupon users and Yelp users, so it's a great way to get a batch of reviews up fast. But that's a double-edged sword, especially if Groupon buyers are going to be packed in like sardines in the studio's first weeks.
Here's what I'd suggest: This studio needs to get a Yelp page up right away, and at least post a message there about when they're opening. They may even want to offer a deal right there: "Mention Yelp, and get $5 off your first class!" That way they'll attract more customers (but not too many), get reviews early, and cut out the discount middleman.
There's a big overlap between Groupon users and Yelp users, so it's a great way to get a batch of reviews up fast. But that's a double-edged sword, especially if Groupon buyers are going to be packed in like sardines in the studio's first weeks.
Here's what I'd suggest: This studio needs to get a Yelp page up right away, and at least post a message there about when they're opening. They may even want to offer a deal right there: "Mention Yelp, and get $5 off your first class!" That way they'll attract more customers (but not too many), get reviews early, and cut out the discount middleman.