Profitable Retreats: Avoiding Key Mistakes

This article is authored by Stand Out Online Member Leni Cavazos, The Retreat Planner

The wellness tourism sector is booming, with a projected average growth rate of 16.6% leading up to 2027. Retreats not only offer a way to stay deeply connected with your audience but also present substantial business opportunities. If you've ever considered incorporating retreats into your offerings, whether a few times a year or as a focal point of your business, it's crucial to understand that while the potential is immense, so are the challenges.

Most coaches in the industry struggle to surpass the $50K revenue mark annually—but there's a solution. In this article, I'll share key steps from my Epic Retreats Realization System to help you avoid common pitfalls and continue sharing your gifts with the world.

1. Planning and Expenses:

The Hidden Pitfalls Often, retreat planners run around like headless chickens, caught off-guard by escalating costs and a crunching timeline. For instance, in my retreats, I use high-quality incense costing $20 a box. For a five-day retreat, that’s three boxes, totaling $60. If you were to host a month-long writing retreat and maintain this ambiance, the cost would skyrocket to $360 just for incense! Such overlooked expenses can significantly eat into your profits if not planned for meticulously.

2. Identifying Your Ideal Client: Be Exclusive, Be Exquisite

You aren’t meant to be everyone’s cup of tea; aim to be champagne. But how will anyone know they want your specific brand of champagne if they aren’t aware of the unique experience you offer—the soft bubbles, the exquisite taste? Clarity in who you serve is paramount. In Epic Retreats Live, we pinpoint your ideal client right from the start, ensuring your offerings resonate deeply with the right audience.

3. Beyond Social Media: Crafting a Holistic Marketing Campaign

If your marketing strategy has been confined to social media, it’s time to broaden your horizon. Marketing is not just about promotion; it's a seven-step customer journey, beginning with brand awareness. This initial phase isn't about hard selling but about letting people know who you are and the value you provide. In my masterclass, I teach how to create a holistic marketing campaign that suits your unique style and effectively moves potential clients through all seven steps.

4. Pricing Strategies: Value Your Offer

A common error many retreat leaders make is pricing their retreat based on competitors’ rates. Ask yourself, how much is it worth to save someone a lifetime of therapy or the financial and emotional costs of a divorce? In Epic Retreats Live, we explore comprehensive pricing strategies that reflect the true value of your retreats. Remember, don't sell yourself short by comparing; differentiate.

5. Enhancing the Client Experience: Prepare to Shine

The effort to sell out a retreat can be overwhelming, often leaving organizers too exhausted to engage fully when the event finally begins. My advice is to finalize preparations well in advance, allowing the final week to be a period of creative flow and excitement. A satisfied attendee is ten times more likely to reengage with your offerings, so ensure their experience is nothing short of transformative.

6. Post-Retreat Engagement: Keep the Doors Open

One of the biggest oversights is failing to offer attendees a way to continue their journey with you after the retreat ends. Don't close the door until the next event. Ongoing engagement and providing avenues for continued growth can turn one-time attendees into lifelong clients. Join Epic Retreats Live Now To dive deeper into these strategies and truly unlock the potential of your retreat offerings, join Epic Retreats Live. Let's elevate your business together. https://epicretreatslive.com/