What is the biggest problem you want to solve at your dance studio?

We recently asked this question to the dance studio owners and teachers

during our workshop sessions and at our booth in New York City

at the dance teacher summit.

The responses were very insightful.

Can you guess one of the most popular responses?

++++++++++++

Parents!

++++++++++++

Parents lack of participation, parents who think they are always

right, parents who don't read notices or communications, parents

who can't accept class placement and the list goes on and on and on.

Can you relate?

We have good news and some bad news when it comes to parents.

(It would be impossible to address every parent issue in one email,

so this week we'll focus in on one tip.)

The good news: We LOVE parents and especially enjoy helping dance

studio owners and teachers see the gift that each and every parent

problem brings to your business. And at our studio, we are not

immune...we have our fair share of parent problems to solve.

The bad news: Parents will never give up! They are always going to

be a big part of running your dance studio business and will always

want the very best for their child.

This week's tip: Give your parents reasons to RAVE about your dance

studio. Allocate some time, energy, and resources into your

appreciation marketing budget.

Right now, we're in the middle of our open house schedule. Like

many of you, we're in the process of building our fall enrollment

and getting students registered.

We know that parents are busy, they usually have multiple

schedules to plan, money to spend on back to school

essentials, bills to pay, and just the many other stresses that

life throws us. Dance class registration may not be at the top of

their list, so parents need some incentive!

This year, we're still in the midst of testing this...I'll report the

full results by mid-September, we're doing one more thing to say

thank you to the parents. We know how they talk, they share and

they RAVE about our studio. That kind of marketing is priceless.

Take these ideas, modify them and test them, we'd love to hear any

results you have.

When a parent register's their child by September 1st, we're giving

them a chance to reach into a fish bowl and draw a coupon worth a

percentage off of savings from our dance shop. The percentages

range from 25% to 50% off their total purchase. So with just a

registration fee, we're thanking the parents with big savings on

ballet slippers, tights, leotards, logo wear and more.

Are we reducing our profit margin from our dance shop? You could

look at it that way, but rather we see this as our appreciation

marketing budget!

Plus, it gives parents an incentive and sense of urgency to hold

their child's class spot by the date of September 1st to receive

this special coupon. Anyone who calls our studio hears about this

special on the phone as well. Do what you can to encourage and

inspire the parents to take action.

What can you do if you don't have a dance shop? Try another

variation, we did this for summer classes, perhaps enter each

registered student into a drawing for a chance to win $100. off of

tuition for this school year if they register by a certain date. Then

draw one winner, people get excited about things like this.

You can get creative. Try some variations on bring a

friend week, send thank you notes or birthday cards.

The time, energy, and money you invest with your existing parents, families,

students, customers will grow your dance studio business in wonderful ways.

How to Prevent Burnout: Part 1 of Studio Owners Who Do Too Much

The problem with doing it all and how to prevent burnout

Most studio owners take on too much, leaving no time for rest,

relaxation or even family. It's understandable to want to be in

full control of your business--after all, it's your livelihood and

something you are endlessly passionate about. The problem starts...

http://www.dancestudioowner.com/public/109.cfm

How to Generate Early Fall Revenue and Create Urgency for

Enrollment at Your Dance Studio -- the Four- Week Open House Model

Bridging the financial gap between the end of your school year and

the start of the next is stressful. Summer programs are helpful but

they typically just help you get by. When I finally made the switch

to an open house model that covered a three to four week time

schedule plus guaranteed spots for students with only the cost of

registration -- my finances improved and my worry of getting

students to return decreased.

http://www.dancestudioowner.com/members/146.cfm