Q: What policies do you put in place to encourage parents of competition dancers to pay their bills in a timely manner? A: After many years of feeling the pinch of not being paid on time, we set clear guidelines in our team agreements and made a payment schedule that requires all expenses to be […]
Enrollment is an issue that plagues brand-new and veteran studio owners alike. Without a steady stream of revenue from new students coming through your doors, your studio won’t survive—no matter how crisp your dancers’ technique is or how well-produced your recitals are. Enrollment—in biz speak, customer acquisition and retention—depends on your business’ investment in marketing. […]
Dance teachers have a lot of strengths (communicating corrections, choreographing gorgeous movement, planning excellent recitals, cleaning technique—just to name a few) but when it comes to interior design—talent isn’t exactly a given. So when studio owners remodel or build, worrying about the decor can feel a little overwhelming (you’ve got just a few too many […]
At Brookfield Center for the Arts, owner Mandy Winiecki gives parents what she calls a “five-diamond experience.” Her Wisconsin–based studio caters to an affluent community, and she takes advantage: “Instead of trying to be the cheapest,” she says, “we are the most expensive. But we deliver the best of the best.” Here are her suggestions […]
Parents: Can’t live with them, can’t run a studio without them. They aren’t shy about voicing their opinions, asking for special treatment or complaining about tuition rates. But they are, first and foremost, your customers, and that means they’re entitled to a great customer experience. “Remember that you’re in a service business,” says Frank Sahlein […]
When Laszlo Berdo teaches men’s class at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, he sees some dancers who turn very well, but only to one side. “I have guys who can do triples in à la seconde on the right, but they can’t do a double pirouette or a single à la seconde to the left,” he […]
Running a studio can be a major juggling act. You have to stay on top of the big things, like paying rent on time and chasing after delinquent payments, and track the details, like replacing that blinking lightbulb and sending out a snowstorm alert. No surprise, then, that a few things slip through the cracks—costing […]