For the past few months I constantly had to remind myself that this weekly is a blog now, not an article. It’s not an in-your-face-piece of writing that pops up when you casually browse through the local newspaper while killing time in a waiting room at the doctor. It’s no longer part of a printed paper, delivered to lawyers, dentists, teachers and restaurant owners, and therefore it needn’t be so objective or universal as before.
Yes, I know, it`s NOT a personal Blog – it still represents our studio. I still try to steer away from controversial topics and try my best to exercise discretion, but definitely my writing has become way more personal, honest and relaxed… I often carry my heart on my sleeve because I know nobody is under any obligation to read this. You don’t HAVE to download the App, or you can simply delete the link that I share on my WhatsApp broadcast groups…No pressure!
So, when there are moments like today, when I need to really open up and share exactly what I feel at this moment, I can, I may and I will, because that is what a blog is all about. Here’s the thing…
Last December, while we were having one of our legendary family dinnertime conversations, sharing our thoughts and dreams for 2019, Eswee said: “Mom, you should REALLY spend more time and effort with your studio’s social media marketing. It would really be a great asset to your business…”
At that stage our studio had been quite active and visible on Facebook, but I took his advice to heart, did my homework and research and gradually started to build an Instagram profile for Mirna’s Aerobic Studio. In middle January we had 298 Instagram followers, and on our family’s WhatsApp group I jokingly commented: “As julle 2 Bothma studente daar in Stellenbosch nou net vir mams ook sal “follow”, dan staan ons op 300…☺” My two blond kids jokingly rolled their eyes, but we did go to 300 followers. Yeah!
…Okay, so with the professional help of Mari Kruger from Inkbox, we took action: we focused on good content – video clips of our classes, inspirational quotes, good quality photos and stories, showing the world where we are, what we do, what we stand for and who we really are…
It has been amazing to witness how our number of followers has grown week after week, how people from all over the world started to interact with us, and above all it has been an eye-opener to experience that our small studio in Ermelo, Mpumalanga really IS a workout force to be reckoned with.
Today we are on 12,5k Instagram followers, and yesterday we posted our first full-length Rebound choreography class on our YouTube channel. It has been welcomed and applauded by ReboundSA and many fitness enthusiasts globally. While I’m writing this piece, our views on YouTube has reached 1100. On Instagram, Vanessa Krauze, one of our dearest members who recently located to Malelane, commented: “Thank you, Mirna! I’m so excited to join in on the rebounder at home. This is just what I have needed, you have no idea…”
So much has happened the last few days: A girl from Gauteng commented with this heartfelt message on one of our Insta posts: “Your videos have inspired me to take another leap of faith, get myself together and re-join the gym…”
On Thursday I had an amazing phone conversation with a young and upcoming studio owner from Nelspruit. She asked if I had time to answer a few questions:
- Is it a good idea to implement Rebound classes?
- How do I manage to get this vibe with these people on our videos acting as if they are having the time of their lives?
- And how on earth do I convince them to pose so casually in our workout videos?
The answer to the first question was easy – we took a huge gamble in 2014 when we brought Rebounding to Ermelo. Not many people had been familiar with the workout at the time, so I think we were lucky. (Today Rebounding has become an expensive fitness venture for gym owners, with one rebounder going at a retail prize of about R2200…) Back then our timing was perfect and rebounders were quite affordable. The workout was welcomed by our members and today is still one of our most popular.
To her questions about our vibe and willingness to be in fitness videos I didn’t really have immediate answers – I guess the vibe has just always been there. It’s something I learned many years ago while still teaching aerobics classes to a few farmers’ wives in the small community of Lothair: the moment you step on that stage you act as if you are having the time of your life as instructor, your energy determines the vibe – regardless if 2 or 42 people show up for class.
Regarding our workout videos – it’s really a true depiction of our classes. Nothing is staged – we are punctual, disciplined and prepared. We are focused, relaxed and we have fun, all the time, every time. Nowadays we aren’t even aware of the presence of Anton, our camera man!
What am I trying to say? That social media marketing may expand your business, but in the end, if your intentions are real and true it’s about much, much more – it’s about showing the human side of your brand and looking out for the best interests of your clients. 23 years of experience in the fitness industry has now brought me to the point where I believe I have much to offer to the world, there, just where I am, in our cosy studio.
“What really matters is what you do with what you have”, wrote HG Wells years ago. Focus on your work. Do what you’re great at. Don’t compare yourself to others and or waste time criticising the lives and work of others. Do what matters most to you and make a difference doing that.
Does it really matter? Yes, it does. Everything matters. Everything you DO matters. As bestselling author Amy Leigh Mercree says in her book 30 days of living from the heart: “Every time you share and care, the light multiplies…”
Yours in fitness
Mirna
082 779 0507
PS: Volgende week… My 10 minute met Nataniël…
…en onthou om ons eerste vol lengte Rebound klas op YouTube te kyk!