Studio Resources

If you’re reading this after a long day of back-to-back classes, a parent email you’re not sure how to answer, and a to-do list that somehow got longer by the time you sat down, you’re not alone. And you’re exactly who this guide is for. Running a dance studio is one of the most rewarding…

Have you ever heard of the “curse of knowledge”? It is a cognitive bias that happens when we think someone else has the same knowledge we do. And it happens all the time when we communicate with clients! On a scale of 1 to 10, your dance knowledge is a 10. But your average client…

While your mission may be the most motivating factor in your business life, it cannot happen without hard work, dedication, and yes, revenue. As STS™ founder Misty Lown says, “Without money, there is no mission!”  In order to serve your community and have a positive impact, you must have a profitable business model. So, what…

As a studio owner, you want to develop your team so that more leaders can rise up. More leaders on your team means that you can step forward into your strengths as the visionary and executive of the business. But how do you know who is right for a leadership role? Start by identifying these…

When you increase your personal productivity and delegate more responsibilities to your employees, it’s likely that you will see new opportunities for your time. No longer will you be stuck in an endless loop of answering phone calls and producing emails! Instead, you can turn attention to the big picture of your studio.  To maximize…

As a leader, you have a responsibility to help your employees understand what success looks like at the studio. If they have clarity around what’s required of them—and are held accountable—they are more likely to have confidence in themselves and follow-through on doing great work. Key Results Areas (KRAs) are a few, firm definitions of…

Have you ever looked at your studio’s social media and thought, “It’s time to get a handle on this!” Getting savvy on social media doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some common traps, followed by solutions: Trap #1 Inconsistency. You find yourself posting whenever, wherever—without a plan. Solution – “Social Day.” Set aside one…

Your employees are an invaluable resource to your business. They are arguably your biggest and best investment in order for your studio to achieve its mission! But sometimes it’s a challenge to keep your staff engaged. They may seem disconnected or burned out, especially after these past two years. So how can you lift them…

With today’s hiring challenges, it’s no wonder studio owners find themselves wondering, “How will we get it all done?” The answer lies with a multi-pronged approach, including updated hiring strategies and raising up your existing staff. Use these tactics to develop the muscle that powers your studio! Create a career page on your website, with…

For your business to be financially healthy, there are a few firm percentages to target. Understanding these numbers—and working to close any gaps—will put your studio on solid financial footing. If you’re not reaching these percentages yet, ask yourself: What needs to change about my business model? Then get to work on those answers! Target…

Getting new people in the door can be as simple as following an advertising formula or generating leads from a community event—but what about attracting the right clients? It starts with identifying buyer personas. A buyer persona is a fictional description of your ideal client. It is a well-researched, thoughtful representation of the personality type…

There’s a misconception in business that multi-tasking is right and necessary. It’s not! Multi-tasking actually slows efficiency and makes you more prone to distraction. With a single focus, productivity improves and clear thinking reigns. Establish these habits to improve your focus on one task at a time: Create a short to-do list every night before…

Management and leadership are two different behaviors: Management is task-oriented, with a focus on implementation. Leadership is people-oriented, with a focus on inspiration. Sometimes it can seem as though they are in conflict, or that one is better than the other. But the truth is that you need both in your business. And as the…

Is there a gap in your studio sales—an area of opportunity you’re missing? Using the five key dance studio programs below, evaluate where you can “fill the gap” and upserve your people in an innovative way. Promotional. These programs attract prospective clients. Think trial classes, story time, birthday parties, Girl Scout badge workshops, and other…

Does this story sound familiar? You come back from the holidays refreshed, ready to tackle your to-do list: calls, emails, decisions—pretty soon, it’s a blur again. By the time you get home… whew! You might not even remember the last time you ate. This cycle can feel all too familiar for those of us in…

Just like Key Results Areas (KRAs), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential for helping employees understand their performance in alignment with your expectations. However, where KRAs focus on individual responsibilities, KPIs provide quantifiable insights into your studio’s overall success. They serve as measurable benchmarks that highlight achievements or uncover areas needing improvement. By clearly identifying…

If you find yourself facepalming every time a client says, “I saw the newsletter but didn’t read it,” you are not alone! We’ve all been there. Email inboxes are noisier than ever, and your studio’s newsletter may be getting tuned out. It can be a challenge for busy parents to wade through all the messages…

Have you ever struggled with retaining your middle school and high school dancers? It is a common challenge for many studio leaders, as these students are faced with more challenging homework, a variety of school activities, and the magnetic pull of social commitments. But dance, as we all know, can be the one consistent thing…

Getting new people in the door can be as simple as following an advertising formula or generating leads from a community event—but what about attracting the right clients? It starts with identifying buyer personas. A buyer persona is a fictional description of your ideal client. It is a well-researched, thoughtful representation of the personality type (or…

Your employees are an invaluable resource to your business. They are arguably your biggest and best investment in order for your studio to achieve its mission! But sometimes it’s a challenge to keep your staff engaged. They may seem disconnected or burned out, especially after these past two years. So how can you lift them…

Have you reached the point where you are ready to try out a new program idea, such as an additional performing group for young dancers or a daytime pre-professional track for teens? Or maybe you want to see if a class for special needs dancers will take off, or if an adult beginner series would…

How many times have you found yourself in a pinch with staffing? If the answer is “Too many!” then it’s time to create solutions at your studio by cross-training your team members or hiring new ones for very specific roles. It’s never convenient to be stuck in an unexpected situation or faced with making a…

No one in business likes receiving complaints, so what if you could prevent them from happening in the first place? With an open mind and a commitment to great service, you can stop many complaints in their tracks by soliciting client feedback. Understanding pain points allows you to implement solutions before issues have a chance…

Your success often parallels your productivity—but not all productivity is created equal! Sometimes what feels “productive” is really just “busy.” True productivity is rooted in spending focused time in your zone of genius, otherwise known as your sweet spot. For some studio owners, this is choreography and classroom work. For others it is creating new…

Your employees are an invaluable resource to your business. They are arguably your biggest and best investment in order for your studio to achieve its mission! But sometimes it’s a challenge to keep your staff engaged. They may seem disconnected or burned out, especially after these past two years. So how can you lift them…

Your studio’s culture is built from your values; it’s the way your mission and vision influence the atmosphere around your staff and students. Over time though, you may notice that the studio culture has shifted. It makes you wonder, “How did that happen? What can I do to fix it?” The answer is to conduct…

As the business owner, you naturally get pulled in many directions when you are at the studio. Trying to get proactive work done in a reactive environment can feel impossible. Sometimes it can feel like the hours of day disappear right before your eyes! Is it possible to take control of your time and still feel productive…