jumpstart your studio this spring

As a studio owner, it pays to be “mindful of your business investment.”

As a teacher & business owner, I always knew when spring arrived; it seemed students, well, were a tiny bit less interested in practicing and more involved in finding things to do outdoors.

How can you help teachers manage this issue? Missed lessons and cancellations do, after all, come out of the bottom line. Even if your studio is built around quarterly or period building, maintaining a high level of student interest and excitement leads to more spirit (and referrals).

The key question for exciting students becomes:

How can something be different, providing “overt fun” in some way?

Here are a few ideas to springboard your thoughts. I’m sure there are others that fit your “studio flavor.” Feel free to post a comment and share your own thoughts.

Do discuss these ideas with your staff to get their “buy-in.” That’s important. Change can open up possibilities… What teacher wouldn’t enjoy students who are more excited? Which teachers would turn down more students and income? Doing this puts vitality into your studio!

outdoor activities

Have you ever considered lessons and weekend classes outdoors, weather permitting? For musical instruments, find (or create) sheltered spots against a wall. That allows sound to reflect. Wind instruments, in particular, benefit from outdoor playing. When the sound “disappears into the large space,” students will often use better breath support and relax to get a bigger sound. You may of course opt NOT to put the snare drum lesson in front of a hard surface for more volume.

Other subject areas may involve special requirements. How does one replicate a dance floor outdoors? Perhaps have students wear runners and use a very smooth lawn surface or tennis court. For an outdoor session the focus would be less on “watch yourself in the mirror”, more on “use the space around you.” That could lead to more free movement and expressive qualities.

An art class might draw or paint based on outdoor subjects. Martial arts lend themselves to outdoors too. Keeping uniforms free from grass stains might take some planning, though. Perhaps put down canvas or us a soft tennis court?

Not every activity can be adapted to an outdoor setting. Perhaps there’s another space available — community center, church hall, even a park shelter. The idea is to encourage variety. Fresh ideas on your part = revitalized interest.

“experience” events

Offer a chance for students to explore other studio classes. This may take investment on your part, it may also pay real benefits.

If you can turn existing “one class/instrument students” into multiple class enrollment, you’ve added revenue without increasing marketing costs. Schedule a special event on a Saturday morning where students can work with teachers for other areas. Does your dance studio encompass ballet, jazz, and tap? Interest those kids in multiple styles!

The same could apply for art. Turn painting students into sculpture and pottery enthusiasts. Music students could be “mined” for music theory classes, pianists might pick up a stringed instrument. That snare drummer could learn to read notes in addition to rhythms through piano lessons.

Organizing this sort of event means setting up a series of “stations” for each type/media, then having a schedule where students rotate every 20 minutes or so. You could even charge a modest amount and use funds to cover some or all of the teacher expense. Not all teachers need to be involved, just enough to cover each area.

This really follows the principle of “cross-marketing” studio offerings to existing clients. Depending on how creative you wish to be, maybe include beginner activities and encourage younger family members to attend.

faculty retreat

A retreat (even a pizza party or coffee & dessert meeting with some door prizes) can build faculty connections. Hold a cookout and provide the steaks! Guided small group activities may lead to exchange of ideas for effective teaching. It’s also possible that there are things the teachers observed that they will offer up as ideas for change. You may have to front some funding for this (perhaps even pay for attendance), but the value might outweigh the short term cost.

Tips:

• Plan carefully so there are times for general conversation, others with focus on positive discussion and exploration.
• Use small groups as well as full sessions. Perhaps assign each small group in a “subdivided activity” a separate topic and writes up their “best two thoughts,” then pull things together at the end (common in business meetings where creative thinking is encouraged).
• Try to avoid “problem declarations” and focus on “solutions.” Examples: What are the things I could change to make your teaching more successful? What can I do to give you what you need so the teaching experience is best for you?
• Break down any questions or discussion into areas (scheduling; environment; support; communication, etc.). This avoids the common challenge of an open ended questions… “What answer is he looking for?”
• Consider having people sit in a circle so nobody can “hide in the back row.” This can also lead to eye contact and a better sense of connection.
• Summarize at the end, then put out a thank you note including key points to all who attended.

Your teachers are a valuable asset. Giving them a chance to share their ideas helps everyone!

It’s true — a bit of creative thought and action on your part can help students and teachers stay engaged and involved when “the distractions of warm weather” call, as they do to us all.