Let’s get real for a minute, retreat leaders.

You’ve created something beautiful.
Your retreat is soulful, transformational, and packed with value.
But… it’s not filling.

Cue the desire to price cut.
Cue the self-doubt.
Cue the urge to throw in the towel and say, “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”

I’ve been there. And I’m here to tell you—you ARE cut out for this.
But chances are, what you’re dealing with isn’t a “you” problem.
It’s a retreat planning problem.

So let’s talk about why your retreat isn’t filling—and exactly what to do about it!

You’re Marketing, But You’re Not Selling

Let’s clear something up right now: Marketing and selling are NOT the same thing.

Marketing is what gets you noticed.
It’s your emails, your Instagram posts, your website, your landing pages.
It’s the attraction part.

Selling? That’s you in the DMs.
It’s following up with someone who clicked your link.
It’s reaching out to that woman who liked five of your retreat posts and commented “This looks amazing” but never booked.

Marketing attracts.
Selling closes.
If you’re only marketing and never actively selling, you’re leaving money (and impact) on the table.

➤ Action Step: Every time you send an email or post about your retreat, follow it up by personally reaching out to those who showed interest. Be a human, not a billboard.

You Have No SEO Strategy

Let me guess—you spent hours designing a gorgeous retreat page.
You shared it once on Facebook.
And then… crickets.

Here’s the deal: if people can’t find you on Google (and now on AI!), you’re missing out on one of the biggest retreat planning tools you have.

SEO (search engine optimization) is not just for tech bros in Silicon Valley.
It’s for retreat leaders like YOU who want their dream guests to actually discover them online.

➤ Action Step: Optimize your retreat page with keywords like “wellness retreat in [location]” or “spiritual retreat for women.” Use those same keywords in your blogs, page titles, and image alt text.

You’re Ghosting on Social Media

I hate to say it, but posting once a week on your grid is NOT a social media strategy.
The algorithm doesn’t know who you are. And worse—your audience forgets you exist.

Inconsistent posting makes your retreat look like an afterthought.
If it’s not a priority for you, why would it be for someone else?

➤ Action Step: Show up consistently (3–5x/week), vary your content (behind-the-scenes, testimonials, personal stories, value-packed tips), and talk about your retreat OFTEN. People need to see something 7–10 times before they take action.

You’re Playing the Waiting Game

“Build it and they will come” is a great quote for baseball fields—not retreat businesses.

If your strategy is:
➞ Create the retreat
➞ Post about it once or twice
➞ Cross your fingers
Then we need to talk…

Intentional retreat planning means having a launch plan.
It means warming your audience, teasing the offer, building urgency, following up, and re-following up.

➤ Action Step: Give yourself a solid 3-8 months (depends on your audience) to market and sell your retreat with clear goals each week. Start with hype content. Then details. Then bonuses. Then scarcity. Then last call. Don’t just launch—lead.

You’re Not Offering Real Transformation

Oof—I know this one stings.
But sometimes retreats don’t fill because they aren’t clearly solving a problem.

If your retreat description sounds like this:

“A peaceful weekend of yoga, journaling, and connection…”

Cool. But what’s the transformation?
What problem is your guest experiencing that your retreat helps solve?

➤ Action Step: Be crystal clear. Does your retreat help burned-out moms reconnect with themselves? Help entrepreneurs clarify their vision? Help women heal their past and step into their power? SAY THAT. Loudly and often.

You’re Doing It Alone

Trying to run a retreat business solo is like trying to build a house without tools.
You might get there eventually—but it’ll be crooked, slow, and exhausting.

The most successful retreat leaders I know (myself included) don’t go it alone.
We have mentors. We have community. We ask questions. We test ideas.
We invest in our growth.

➤ Action Step: Join a space like the Retreat Leader Membership (shameless plug, because it works) where you get the support, coaching, and tools you need to build not just a retreat—but a business.

Final Thoughts

Retreat planning takes heart AND hustle.
If your retreat isn’t filling, it doesn’t mean you suck.
It means you’ve got gaps in your strategy—and you’re not alone in that.

Now you’ve got the knowledge.
Now it’s time to take action.

Marketing + Selling + SEO + Consistency + Clarity + Support = Profitable Retreats
Let’s get you there.

You’ve got this.
And I’ve got your back.