So what is a Zumba demo? It’s a public Zumba Fitness class that anyone can watch or join. They are a useful way to get your Zumba business out to a new audience and are easier to organize than a flash mob or Zumbathon.
Sometimes you will have to pay for a Zumba demo, e.g. By taking a booth at a trade show, but depending on where you are, you can often organize demonstrations at little or no monetary cost.
A Zumba demo can be a fun addition to a larger event, and if it’s open, people will often invite you to do a short demo at sporting events, cultural events, even weddings, and sports stores.
When I first created my Zumba business, I created a plan of action and decided to do regular demos as a way to build my business. I asked the Universe for help with this and what do you know? Two dozen demo opportunities presented themselves to me.
If you are reading that and thinking ‘That’s all well and good if you have demo slots offers, but what if you don’t?‘
Start by brainstorming possible demo locations in your city.
For example, shopping centers, large events or even local events.
Contact these potential locations by email and ask if you can demo Zumba Fitness.
Be sure to draw their attention to the benefits you will have for them:
- A Zumba demo can add additional value to an existing event
- It gets people moving (something town halls like)
- It’s free for the organizers and can attract the ‘Zumba crowd’.
Follow up your email with a phone call.
See if you can bring your own sound system so you don’t have to plug anything into an outlet (which will limit the number of potential places).
This means that the only thing you will need is space and a stage.
You can also ask your students if they have any ideas for potential places.
People will surprise you with their generosity.
For example, one of my students was married to a local figure who competed for events in our town. He invited me to do Zumba demos at various festivals, concerts and events that were taking place, including one with DJ Mams and Luis Gersao.
Practical steps to follow once you have a date and a place:
1) Decide if you are going to do it with other instructors or just with your students.
2) Let your students know about the demo, well in advance! You can write about it on your blog and create an event on Facebook.
3) Create your playlist and make sure to add the songs (if they are new) to your class playlist so students have time to learn the choreography. Choose a song that is easy to do, so that members of the public are encouraged to participate.
4) Write a press release and send it to your local media contacts. You can also make a short video about the demo, upload it to YouTube and build interest that way.
5) Design a flyer or have it designed, print it and distribute it. Give them to the students too.
6) Ask the students who will be coming that day to write their names on a list, so that they commit to coming with you. Make sure they also know where the place is and how to find it.
7) Find someone who can film you on the big day and someone else (ideally) who can take photos of you. It will be helpful to have photos and videos of the demo to share so that it has a longer “shelf life” than the people who saw it that day.
8) Talk about the demo frequently in the run-up to it – make sure everyone knows about it!
9) On the same day, make sure you arrive in plenty of time. Check that your video and photo people are okay with what they’re doing and that your sound system is working. Before you leave, you can send out a short press release reminding the local media that you will be there. You can also send a group text message to your students to get them excited about the event.
10) Do the demo! Have fun!
11) Send a thank you message afterwards to your students and the demonstration site.
Use the footage to create a video within 24 hours and upload it to YouTube and your blog. Send a press release with 2-3 photos to your local press contacts and update your Facebook page with them as well.
Congratulations! You have organized your first Zumba demo. The rest will be easier after the first.