Jen Corley director of Wellness at WeTravel guest hosts the beYogi Webinar to talk to us about yoga retreat planning and how to create a successful & profitable program. 

Jen heads the Wellness segment of WeTravel, an online payment & registration platform supporting retreats, trainings, and other destination-based wellness offerings. Her team works with retreat leaders and small wellness travel companies to better understand the technology, educational resources, and other tools they need to grow their businesses and focus on what they do best: creating amazing experiences for their clients.

The 5 Elements of Yoga Retreat Planning 

1. Lay A Thoughtful Foundation

What is the unique value proposition you have to offer? This goes for your business or brand, as well as for a particular offering. Figure out your WHY for leading retreats, get to know your audience, conceptualize your ideal client, understand your competition, and be super clear on the benefits you expect to offer.

Also COVID-19 is not out of the conversation just yet especially if your retreat requires significant about of travel. Download this COVID-19 Planning Checklist to ensure you are keeping all your students and your attendees safe.  

2. Carefully Craft The Experience

Complete solid due diligence on your service providers and set up a client-friendly booking & registration process. Pre-departure, communicate often with your vendors and participants. With this preparation, you’ll be better able to step into your role holding space for your group. They’ll also be more likely to have their expectations met (and ideally exceeded).

You want to make sure you are doing your due diligence especially when it comes to questions to your vendors. Download this venue checklist to ensure accessibility, amenities, food, and pricing is up to par. 

3. Be Strategic About Marketing

Marketing unfortunately isn’t fairy dust you can sprinkle on your offering at the end! It’s an organic process that needs to be tailored to your own strengths and preferences and woven into all of your professional activities. When it comes to retreat marketing, it’s helpful to tackle it in stages as part of a cyclical process.

4. Keep A Laser Focus On Financials

Outline all of your yoga retreat planning expenses, including fixed costs, variable costs, percentage costs, and opportunity costs. Protect your downside by crafting solid participant Terms & Conditions, scrutinizing your vendor contracts, carrying proper insurance, and focusing on a minimum group size for profitability.

It can be extremely overwhelming to create an entire financial plan and that is why WeTravel created this budget builder worksheet which will allow you to estimate profits by walking you through simple revenue calculations and planning for ALL your costs. 

5. Build A Long Term Vision

Retreats can deepen your bonds with existing clients, connect you to broader networks, and diversify your income. Turn delighted retreat goers not just into repeat clients but into your best advocates. Harness the power of their images and testimonials and make it easy for them to share their stories.

Whether this is your first experience planning a yoga retreat or your 10th, it is important to keep in mind all the elements, brainstorming, communication and more it takes to make your dream become a reality! 

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