You want to improve your dance studio but you aren’t sure how. Or maybe you just received a retail cash advance and don’t know where to start. Determining where to allocate your windfall in any business can be a bit daunting. So many things go into running and growing a dance studio that it feels like a misstep could cost you. Not to worry. We’ve put together 6 ways to bring in new customers and increase studio revenue.

1. Create an Online Presence

Though this may seem a given in this day and age, you’d be very surprised at how little many dance studios will put into their website. It’s bare bones. The Studio name, classes offered, a few pictures, and a location and phone number are general finds. Invest more in your website. For many of your customers, it’s not the studio itself that gives them their first impression.  Upload videos, give testimonials, and design it to look like a website that doesn’t scream 1998. Most importantly, allow online registration. After you’ve wowed your potential clients with your new website, why not give them a chance to register right away?

2. New Staff

Dance studios are famous for developing a sort of family. The dancers, instructors, and parents are tight-knit and supportive of each other. Don’t count out fresh blood though. If you’re looking to make changes to your staff, use this opportunity.  Find those instructors that represent the goals and mentality your studio values. Even find one who doesn’t. No harm ever comes from a new perspective. Give your students every opportunity to learn all they can.

3. Specialty Classes

What do you do with your new instructors? What classes should they teach? Don’t sell yourself short on specialty classes. Tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, voice, and theatre dominate the studio scene. However, many studios have drastically improved their business growth by adding specialty classes. Zumba is very popular now. How about music classes like piano or guitar? Adult and fitness classes are becoming prominent: Salsa and Ballroom are big. The more variety you offer the greater chance of pulling in new customers or even crossover students. 

4. Part-Time Competition

While having a full-time competition team is infinitely rewarding for your students fully dedicated to their skill, what about those who are unsure or lack the availability? A part-time team may be the answer. Dance competitions are, for lack of a better word, competitive. To a new student, even one with inherent skill, coming into the atmosphere can be a little staggering. Aside from that, any dance mom can tell you that having a child on a full-time team with countless classes and costumes, not to mention team fees, can be expensive. Offer your new customers, or even existing customers who may be interested in competition a chance to ease in. A part-time team, with only one or two classes and one dance number at a competition is a less intimidating, and infinitely cheaper way of introducing new talent.

5. Social Media Marketing

This one might also seem like a given but it’s important enough that is deserves your extra attention. Simply, create a presence and utilize it to reach out and connect to potential customers as well as current students. A facebook page, a twitter account, and even instagram are useful. Social media is, after all, the newest form of word-of-mouth. 

6. Improve Location

Moving from a poor locale is definitely a big adjustment but will pay off in the long term. Use your retail cash advance to pick a more prominent building. Get a new sign, spruce up your exterior, and interior for that matter. Take the opportunity to get new equipment and set up shop in a noticeable and marketable location.

Apply for your Retail Cash Advance from Quikstone Capital Solutions and get started on bringing your dance studio into the spotlight.