How do you make them register now?

This really is a great question, it's one that I get asked quite often.

The variations I hear from dance studio owners and teachers include:

-- > How do I get people to register for classes NOW instead of waiting until the week before they start?
-- > How do I get parents to see the importance of registering their child for dance during the summer or school-year?

Whether it's for summer camps, intensives, or regular classes, the question is a good one!

As you probably already know, people are doing business differently than they were even 18 to 24 months ago.

People are waiting until the last minute to do just about everything - from booking a vacation or flight, to planning events, all the way down to registering their children or themselves into activities. For some it's a cash flow issue - people who are fearful of losing their jobs or who may have already. Or then there's just the fact that people are so BUSY they just don't make the time to take action because there is always the thought that 'I'll do it later'.

So, back to the question, "How do you make them register now?"

Here are four ways to help people take action and register for programs now.

1. Make it EASY for people to do business with you.

This may sound silly, I know! Some ways to make it easy include: accepting credit cards, having online registration, keeping an updated schedule available to view online, complimentary trial classes, flexible sessions during various times of the year, and more. I speak for all the busy moms out there when I say that the activities that I can register my child for with a few clicks at any time of the day or night are the ones that I take action on right away.

What can you do to make it easy for your current or potential students to do business with you? When people call your studio or visit your website or fan page are you inviting people come in for a complimentary trial class? Are you giving people flexibility in their choices? We find that the summer sessions - when made very flexible in class offerings and drop ins - increases our enrollment and registration.

Sometimes you have to get creative, but whatever you do, reduce the amount of steps people have to take to make decision to register. You'll be one step ahead when you make it easy for current and potential students to register for programs simply and easily.

2. Bang the Drum!

Or said in another way, always be sharing what's to be excited about at your dance studio. You want to be the happening place in town. It may seem obvious to you because you know what's going to happen 3, 6, or 12 months from now at your dance studio but do your current and future students know?

When you can strike a balance with your students on being enthusiastic about what they have going on now - plus keep the next thing in their mind - you keep that momentum going of having your dancers consistently interested in the various programs at your studio. Put it writing, on your website, on bulletin boards, in the paper, anywhere you can get the word out. Your energy and enthusiasm helps to position your dance studio as the place to be and people will want to be a part of it.

3. Create a sense of urgency.

This is not meant to 'scare' people into registrations, I just want to be clear on that! What I do mean is that people don't want to miss out on an opportunity and you often will help those sitting on the fence make a decision if you articulate clearly that there are limited spots available.

We include wording in various programs that says "Limited class size, reserve early!" The truth is, class size IS limited because we can only accommodate a certain number of children per class. Just by adding those words in our printed material and online helps tremendously with people taking action they want to make sure they have a spot reserved.

We don't say this for every class, but we do for the certain programs that we do only allow a limited enrollment in and that we want people to register for now. Sometimes it's in the form of an early bird pricing offer that will expire by a certain date, they won't want to miss out on the discount. We've had success with that as well for various special guest events. Where in your communication could you encourage people to take action?

4. Get specific - people LIKE detail.

There is something very interesting about a program or event when you get all of the details. It's what helps people make a decision.

For example, we are calling one of our summer dance camp programs for kids aged 3-6 this year, "Fairy Tale Dance Camp". Rather than just leave it at that we asked ourselves, what would make me register for this program NOW? We decided to give the specific details of each fairy tale covered on each of the 9 days of this program, so if your child likes Cindrella then Aug. 10th is your day! The parents can pick and choose the days that not only work for their schedule but what they know their child would be excited about. The registrations started immediately!

You don't have to have every lesson plan figured out today! But you can declare what's going to happen, don't be afraid to commit to specifics. Where can you add more detail or information about programs you are offering? What can you do to make it more unique or have that interesting angle that might make someone hop off the fence make a decision?

There are a variety of other ways that you can encourage people to take action. These are four of my favorites that we have found to be effective. I'd love to hear what's worked for you or perhaps where you're stuck.

Thank you for being someone who goes above and beyond for every one of your students, parents, and your studio community. You are creating magical moments for dancers of all ages. Keep up the great work and know that you are truly appreciated.

Looking for a great book to get young children excited about dance?

Dance Studio Owner Spotlight Interview with Maryann Cocca-Leffler, Author and Illustrator of "My Dance Recital"

Maryann is the author and illustrator of over 40 books for children. Enjoy this behind the scenes interview about the inspiration for her book, My Dance Recital. Through her book, Maryann wants to excite children to keep dancing or for those who have yet to sign up for lessons, to start dancing!

Enjoy the full story about the book here: http://www.dancestudioowner.com/public/393.cfm

Be a Friend First on Social Media

If there's anything for me to encourage each and everyone when adding social media to your no-cost marketing plan at your dance studio, it's to connect and be friendly on social media sites. This doesn't mean you have to share everything! What it does mean, is adding your personality and studio spirit to the communications.

There are some dance studios doing a GREAT job with their fan pages and connecting on Twitter.

You can also connect with many dance vendors now.

We'd love to add your studio to our pages favorites, Connect with one another, let me know your page and we'll add you to our favorites here: http://www. facebook.com/DanceStudioOwner

How to Set Teacher Pay Rates and The Importance of Contracts at Your Dance Studio

There are various ways to set and negotiate teacher pay rates at your dance studio. Learn why certain pay structures de-motivate faculty and what you can do to inspire loyalty.

Hear the mistakes to avoid when it comes to contracts and hiring faculty and staff. Plus get tips on how to establish agreements with volunteers to full time staff.

http://www.dancestudioowner.com/members/538.cfm