383: Gift Certificate Policies & Questions with Shannon Crow

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 383: Gift Certificate Policies & Questions with Shannon Crow   Description: What are the policies in your yoga business around gift certificates? If you don't have them in place, this episode is the perfect starting point to get started thinking about creating some policies about gift certificates and more in your yoga business.   Shannon shares a question that was asked in the Connected Yoga Teacher Group on Facebook about gift certificates. A member asked about whether they should honor an expired gift certificate given out during a silent auction or offer an alternative that shows compassion for the buyer's circumstances. Shannon shares the feedback on the post and what the original poster decided to do. She also invites us to consider the policies we have in place in our yoga business, not just about gift certificates but in other areas as well.   Shannon then shares a response she received on speaking up for social justice causes and other injustices. What can we do when it feels like our actions can't make a difference? Tune in to be inspired by Shannon's response.   Key Takeaways: [0:10] This episode touches on two topics - the importance of community and support, and gift certificate policies. [3:46]  Shannon gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors, OfferingTree and two of Shannon's trainings focused on yoga for pelvic health. [6:17] Have you joined the Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group yet? It is a wonderful and supportive community of over 12,000 members and yoga teachers from around the world! [7:13] Recently, a yoga teacher asked a question about policies around gift certificates and vouchers - holding a boundary around an expired voucher vs. offering a more compassionate alternative that benefits both parties. [11:24] Did you know that you can create gift cards and discount codes through OfferingTree? [13:23] It would be a great idea to review your policies about gift certificates before giving them out at a silent auction. Shannon shares what the original poster decided to do based on feedback from the community. [15:35] Some countries may have laws about expiration dates on gift certificates. It can be a good idea to consider some of the policies you have in place in your yoga business regarding gift certificates, as well as other areas. [18:15] Shannon shares a little about a response and a question that she received from a yoga teacher in a small rural community in the US about speaking up on social justice issues. [25:38] Keen to work with Shannon? Sign up for her email list to stay in the loop about her latest coaching offerings. Links: The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Gift Certificate for Silent Auction Facebook Post Question About Non-expiring Gift Certificates Facebook Group The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 254: Must-Have Legal Agreements with Erika Kullberg The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 382: Having Tough Conversations with Rebecca Sebastian Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga (Podcasts & Articles) Resource  The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team Shannon Crow on Instagram Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, and Yoga for Pelvic Health 20-hr Online Training with Shannon Crow.   Quotes from this episode: "It would be so great to really review policies about gift certificates before giving them out."   "We can't think of every policy that we'll have for everything in our business, but we might want to consider some of the policies."   "What is the work that you're doing and is it helping the community in some way?"   "As a collective, just like the aster flowers, we can make a tremendous difference together."