How to build client numbers, advertise your classes, and market with confidence
Contents
1. Purpose of This Handbook
2. Understand What You Are Really Offering
3. Know Your Ideal Clients
4. The Instructor Mindset for Growth
5. Your Core Marketing Message
6. How to Fill Your First 10–20 Places
7. The Best Places to Advertise
8. What Makes Advertising Work
9. The Power of Tasters and Open Days
10. Building Referral Relationships
11. Social Media That Actually Helps
12. Use Testimonials Properly
13. Retention: Keeping Clients Once They Come
14. Customer Experience Is Marketing
15. Make Your Venue Work for You
16. Partnerships That Grow Classes Faster
17. Pricing and Offers
18. Your Monthly Marketing Routine
19. Mistakes to Avoid
20. Scripts Instructors Can Use
21. Sample Flyer Copy
22. Final Principle
1. Purpose of This Handbook
This handbook is designed to help Paracise and Wobble instructors grow successful classes in a way that feels authentic, professional, and manageable. Building class numbers is not about selling hard. It is about helping the right people discover that your class exists, understand who it is for, and feel safe enough to walk through the door for the first time.
Paracise and Wobble are both welcoming entry points to exercise for people who may feel excluded from mainstream fitness. That means your marketing should never feel intimidating, overly sporty, or focused on extremes. It should feel warm, reassuring, clear, and inclusive.
2. Understand What You Are Really Offering
People are not only buying a class. They are buying reassurance, safety, friendliness, structure, enjoyment, music, community, confidence, and hope.
Your advertising should highlight benefits such as gentle movement, a supportive atmosphere, improved confidence, adaptability for different abilities, and the enjoyment of moving to music without pressure.
3. Know Your Ideal Clients
Typical Paracise clients
- Older adults
- People returning to exercise
- People put off by gyms
- People with reduced confidence
- Those wanting low-impact movement
- Those managing long-term conditions or joint issues
Typical Wobble clients
- Those unable to stand for a full class
- Older or frailer adults
- People recovering from illness or injury
- Care settings and supported living environments
- Sedentary people needing a gentle starting point
- Those wanting chair-based exercise with fun and structure
4. The Instructor Mindset for Growth
To grow your class, think like a guide, not just an exercise teacher. Your job is to make people feel safe before they arrive, reduce fear and uncertainty, explain clearly what to expect, remove barriers, follow up warmly, and create belonging so people return.
Many potential clients may be nervous, de-conditioned, in pain, recovering, or worried that they will not manage. Your marketing should calmly answer those fears before they are spoken.
5. Your Core Marketing Message
Every class should be described in a simple and consistent way. A strong message makes clear who the class is for, what type of movement it includes, how it feels, and how people can join.
Example for Paracise
Paracise is a gentle, low-impact exercise to music class designed for people who want to improve mobility, confidence, strength, and wellbeing in a friendly and supportive environment. No floor work, no pressure, and suitable for those who find regular fitness classes too demanding.
Example for Wobble
Wobble is a fun seated exercise to music class designed for people who would like a gentle and supportive way to move more, improve mobility and strength, and enjoy exercise with others. Perfect for those who prefer to sit, need the option to sit and stand, or want a safe and sociable starting point.
6. How to Fill Your First 10–20 Places
Do not wait for people to find your class by chance. Go where your ideal clients already are and make your class visible in the places they already trust.
Start locally
- Community centres
- Church halls and village halls
- GP surgeries and pharmacies
- Physio clinics and wellbeing hubs
- Sheltered housing and retirement communities
- Libraries, coffee mornings, and lunch clubs
- Women’s groups and carers’ groups
Your first visibility plan
- Create a clear flyer
- Visit local venues in person
- Introduce yourself confidently
- Explain who the class helps
- Leave flyers and posters
- Offer a taster session
- Follow up a week later
7. The Best Places to Advertise
Offline promotion works especially well for this audience, but online promotion helps reinforce trust and visibility. The strongest approach is usually a blend of both.
Offline advertising
- Community noticeboards
- Parish magazines and newsletters
- Cafés, libraries, and local hubs
- Pharmacy counters and GP noticeboards
- Housing schemes and care settings
Online advertising
- Facebook business page
- Local Facebook groups
- Venue pages and local listings
- Your own simple website or booking page
- Official instructor listing pages
8. What Makes Advertising Work
Your advert should answer five things quickly: what it is, who it is for, where it is, when it is, and how to join. It should also remove fear by reassuring people that the class is suitable for beginners and that they can go at their own pace.
Strong flyer formula
- A clear headline
- A short description of who it is for
- Day, time, venue, and price
- A list of simple benefits
- A reassurance line such as no floor work, seated options, or go at your own pace
Words that help
- Gentle
- Supportive
- Friendly
- Sociable
- Welcoming
- Low impact
- Beginner friendly
- Confidence building
- Adaptable
- Inclusive
9. The Power of Tasters and Open Days
A taster class is one of the fastest ways to build trust and increase numbers. Once people have met you and experienced the tone of the class, they are much more likely to become regular attendees.
- First class free
- Bring-a-friend week
- Free 20-minute demonstration at a community event
- Seated movement taster in a care setting
- Wellbeing event mini session
- Open morning at your venue
10. Building Referral Relationships
Some of your best clients will come through trusted professionals and community contacts. Build those relationships steadily and professionally.
Build relationships with
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- GPs and social prescribers
- Care coordinators
- Falls prevention teams
- Community nurses
- Wellbeing officers
Suggested introduction
Hello, I run Paracise and Wobble exercise classes locally for people who may feel regular exercise is too demanding. My classes focus on confidence, mobility, function, and enjoyment in a safe and welcoming environment. I would love to leave some information in case you know anyone who may benefit.
11. Social Media That Actually Helps
You do not need to be everywhere. One platform used consistently is more effective than trying to do everything at once. For many instructors, Facebook is the most useful starting point.
Useful post ideas
- Class day reminder
- Smiling group photo with permission
- Short welcome video from you
- What to expect at your first class
- Participant quote
- Benefits of gentle movement
- Venue directions and parking
12. Use Testimonials Properly
Testimonials are powerful because future clients trust people who sound like them. A calm, honest testimonial often reduces fear more effectively than a polished advert.
Good themes to ask about
- What they were worried about before starting
- How they feel now
- What they enjoy most
- What changes they have noticed
13. Retention: Keeping Clients Once They Come
Getting people through the door matters, but keeping them coming back matters even more. Retention grows when people feel known, welcomed, safe, successful, and included.
Simple retention habits
- Greet everyone by name
- Arrive early
- Check in with new people
- Celebrate progress
- Remember personal details
- Follow up after a first class
- Create routine and familiarity
14. Customer Experience Is Marketing
Your class experience is your strongest advertisement. The way people feel in your class shapes what they tell others.
- People felt comfortable
- The venue was easy to access
- You explained things clearly
- They felt included
- They enjoyed the music
- They left feeling better
15. Make Your Venue Work for You
Venue choice can support class growth or undermine it. A good venue removes practical stress and helps people feel comfortable from the moment they arrive.
- Easy parking
- Accessible toilets
- Level access
- Warm and well-lit room
- Safe flooring
- Good acoustics
- Chairs available where needed
16. Partnerships That Grow Classes Faster
Think beyond direct-to-client marketing. Partnerships with local groups, care providers, charities, and wellbeing organisations can help you reach more of the right people much faster.
Potential partners
- Care homes
- Housing schemes
- Lunch clubs
- Local charities
- Falls prevention programmes
- Health and wellbeing fairs
- Rehab and recovery providers
17. Pricing and Offers
Make starting easy, but do not undervalue yourself. Reassurance and accessibility often matter more than heavy discounts.
- Pay as you go
- First class free
- Introductory 4-week block
- Bring-a-friend offer
- Loyalty card
- Community group rates
18. Your Monthly Marketing Routine
A simple, repeatable routine works better than occasional bursts of effort. Small actions done regularly build momentum.
Every week
- Post class reminders online
- Speak to participants before and after class
- Ask for referrals naturally
- Capture one photo or success story
- Check local groups for event opportunities
Every month
- Refresh posters and flyers
- Contact one new local partner
- Post one testimonial
- Review attendance numbers
- Follow up with absent members
19. Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid language, imagery, or messages that make your class sound too advanced, too intense, or only for already-fit people.
- Assuming people understand what Paracise or Wobble means
- Using fitness jargon
- Making your class sound too advanced
- Overloading flyers with too much text
- Posting inconsistently
- Ignoring first-time enquiries
- Relying only on social media
20. Scripts Instructors Can Use
Prepared scripts can make instructors feel more confident when speaking to venues, professionals, and new participants.
In-person introduction
Hi, I’m a local Paracise and Wobble instructor. I run gentle exercise-to-music classes designed for people who may want a more supportive and accessible way to move. The focus is on mobility, confidence, strength, and enjoyment, and everything can be adapted.
Reply to a nervous enquiry
You do not need to be fit to come. The class is designed to be gentle and welcoming, and you can go entirely at your own pace. I’ll make sure you feel comfortable and know what to expect.
Follow-up after first class
It was lovely to meet you today. You did really well. Please remember there is never any pressure to do more than feels right for you, and you are very welcome to come again next week.
21. Sample Flyer Copy
Use simple, benefit-led wording that reassures people and tells them exactly what to expect.
| Gentle Exercise to Music Friendly Paracise / Wobble Classes Near You A welcoming class designed for people who want to move more, improve confidence, mobility and strength, and enjoy exercise in a safe and sociable way. • Gentle and low impact Where: [Venue] First class [free / introductory offer] |
22. Final Principle
The most successful instructors are not always the loudest marketers. They are the clearest, kindest, and most consistent.