Exciting New Old Practice
Posted by terrepruitt on February 5, 2015
I have been teaching Nia since 2009. Just now, this year, this month, I decided to send a monthly e-mail. I HAVE sent e-mails in the past, but I have never done it on a schedule. I have never sent an e-mail on a MONTHLY basis. In the past I have sent e-mails when I had an announcement or when I wanted to wish my students a happy holiday or when I felt I needed to remind them of something. But I just decided in the middle of last month that I was going to send a monthly e-mail. It somewhat came about when I wanted to promote the Nia Class and Playshop I am producing in March. It also came about when a group of us were talking about people that we have not seen in a long time. I was asking the group of Nia participants if they saw so-and-so. Because sometimes the people could stop coming to the Nia classes but still attend other classes. The people I was asking about, I was told, had not been seen at other classes either. So then we started talking about being able to contact them. It has been suggested in the past that the venues should give me people’s information. I am not comfortable with third party hand-offs. Of course, no one is under any type of obligation whatsoever to tell me where they are and what they are doing when they stop coming to a class. But I – we, the other students and I would like to let people know that they are missed. So I decided to ask for people’s e-mail address so I could have a way to contact them. The classes for which I rent the studio, I have always requested a e-mail addresses. But requesting them in this type of setting is new for me.
There are a lot of reasons someone might stop attending a class. And honestly, it is not necessarily my business, I don’t need to know why you stopped coming. But I really do have a desire to let you know that we noticed and we miss you. When someone lets me know they are thinking about me, it makes me happy. So I think it would be nice to let someone know that we are still holding class and we miss their energy or style they used to bring.
I asked my students what they wanted to received: monthly e-mails, special e-mails, love notes. They all said, “What are love notes?” And I replied, “E-mails tell you I love you.” Some of them had quizzical looks in response. Some were completely ok with that. I did explain that sometimes I just wanted to say thank you or let them know I was thinking about them. Or sometimes I might inquire as to their status. And I mentioned some of our fellow participants that are no longer here and they nodded. The monthly e-mails are going to consist of announcements, tidbits, and links to my blog posts.
This monthly e-mail format is flexible, it might change. I might not have anything to announce one month so I might use that space as a reminder. The tidbits will be little bits about Nia, exercising, nutrition, a quote, etc. It will be a short e-mail and it will be skimmable. Recipients will be able to skim it quickly. There will be links to information in case you want more.
I am so blessed to have such great students. We have fun.
I am excited about this new thing. I know that many people send out monthly e-mails, I get them. I know this is something I probably should have been doing since the beginning, but I didn’t, I am doing it NOW.
Would you like to receive the monthly e-mail? If so indicate that in the comment. You enter your e-mail address when leaving a comment. So that is the one I will use if you ask to be added. No one else sees that information. Do you receive any e-mails monthly?
Terre Pruitt's Blog 
paywindow7 said
While I’m not on of your students I do enjoy reading your emails and I’ve never felt comfortable about trying to communicate with someone using a comment box. You have my email address so even though I’m not a student I would appreciate your monthly updates.
Bob Cloud
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terrepruitt said
Great, Bob, thanks. You may become so intrigued with Nia you end up finding a class to attend!
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Mind Body Soul Stylist said
Good for you, Terre! I am going to start a newsletter as well. It’s a great way to stay in touch. Have you found the service you’ll use? I’ve been told Constant Contact is a good one though many people use Mail Chimp.
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terrepruitt said
I am not going to use a service. I created a template in Outlook and I created e-mail groups in the address book. I am not going to send fancy e-mails just very basic ones.
I’ve heard of both of those services. Which one do you like?
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Mind Body Soul Stylist said
I dont know. I haven’t gotten much beyond my decision to start a newsletter. But it should be fun figuring all that out.
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terrepruitt said
Well, if you have a moment and think about it . . . let me know/us know what you learn. On FB I have friends that often ask which one “should” they use? Who likes what? And I don’t know anything about them. I assumed they cost money and I am not in a position where I want to or CAN spend money on something when I can just do it myself. So I don’t really know what a service does.
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Mind Body Soul Stylist said
I believe Mail Chimp is free for a certain amount of subscribers.
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terrepruitt said
So you mean it doesn’t cost money, but other people’s information?
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Jill Campana said
I love that you do Nia “love notes”. Make it so much more special. Love you.
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terrepruitt said
🙂 Actually they are “Terre” love notes as they are just me saying “Hey, thinking about you.” Ya know?
XOXO
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