Imagine you’re new to the MINDBODY app and you’ve found Barre, Yoga, and CrossFit studios near you, but you have only a vague idea of what these things are. What would be most helpful? What would increase your confidence about trying out one of these classes?
A 60-second general video could help. It would explain informally what to expect, what to wear, what to bring, and what questions to ask. For example, a CrossFit orientation video might convey that most gyms (called “boxes”) focus exclusively on CrossFit and offer a free first class to anyone. You’ll find that they’ll happily modify the workout for people new to CrossFit if the workout contains complex or dangerous Olympic lifts or movements that a newcomer shouldn’t attempt. Most CrossFit boxes post their daily workout to their website, so you can check their website and choose a day where the workout feels comfortable to you. CrossFitters wear shorts and t-shirts or tank tops, trainers, running shoes, and they always bring their own water bottles. Bicycling-style water bottles are best so that they can’t get kicked or spilled when the workout gets rolling. CrossFit classes start with a warm-up and often some weightlifting, but it’s important to conserve some energy for the Workout of the Day (“the WOD”), as that’s the main event. The culture of CrossFit can be intense, and sometimes shirts come off during workouts or people yell, cheer each other on, and drop weights. Don’t be intimidated; these are friendly people high on endorphins who love these workouts, and they enjoy welcoming new people to their passion. In fact, you’ll probably get lots of help if you ask for it. CrossFitters are proud of their workouts and love anyone of any age or shape who is there to work hard.
An orientation video of this type, simply explaining the general culture of yoga, barre, spa, martial arts, personal training, spin, step classes, and other common workouts could be useful to MINDBODY consumers and subscribers in many ways beyond increasing confidence (and competence) for newcomers.
First, if it’s well done, it can serve as advertising for the MINDBODY app. Anyone who Googles “what is yoga?” is probably interested in starting yoga, so when they come across this video they learn that they can find local yoga studios on the MINDBODY app.
Second, the videos can help consumers find the right workout for them more efficiently and prepare for whatever class they’re trying.
Third, it can help subscribers explain to potential consumers what their workout is, and provide brand awareness for MINDBODY in the process.
Fourth, if it’s useful, this video can eventually link from the app or live in the app so that our app users don’t have to leave the app to obtain this information when they see something new.
Preliminary iterations of these videos could be filmed easily on the MINDBODY campus, or with local MINDBODY subscribers. We could try these out, post to social media, gauge feedback, and improve as necessary. Many subscribers would be happy to have such a video shot at their location as it would provide free advertising for their studio.