“In that dancer's mind, your studio will become the place to go for high-caliber training opportunities. And that is gold.”

7 Ways To Make Your Studio Stand Out Against The Competition

The number one problem with dance studio marketing is that your competition is offering the same thing you are. Dance classes. When a potential client is searching online for “ballet classes near me”, four other studios could pop up beside yours on Google.

So the question is, how can you get new students and parents to sign up for your class when there are 6 other Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Contemporary classes being advertised next to yours?

Here’s how.

#1- Who do you have on your team?

Stand back and take a look at your staff. How impressive is your lineup of teachers and choreographers? Is someone ABT Teacher Certified or PBT Certified? Maybe you have a former professional dancer, broadway dancer, or talented/award-winning choreographer as part of your staff.

Show them off! With their permission, you could use an old video of them on stage, a dance picture, or just a headshot and show where they’ve trained and what they’ve done.

By doing this, you will attract the parents of serious students and students who are looking to increase their training.

#2- Competition Studios

What if you’re a competition studio? Showing your followers how many competitions you attend, or even better how many you place well at is another way to set yourself apart from other studios. A picture of your dancers rocking the stage or receiving their award will look great on your page And will increase engagement when tagging the actual dance competition or dancers themselves.

When you post these sorts of things, you will most likely attract younger dancers who have been studio shopping for a while, or teen dancers looking for more of a challenge in their dancing.

A successful studio is a huge draw-in for new dancers.

#3 The Dancers You Have Trained

This has two different parts to it. The first one would be the dancers who are winning titles or awards at competitions, being accepted into various summer intensives, and being invited to compete at nationals, etc…These are the dancers you are currently training and are examples that the technique and confidence you have given them are getting different places.

The second option is showing where your past dancers have gone. Maybe one has been accepted to a prestigious school, a college program, or has become a professional dancer. If you have dancers who have graduated from your studio/school, get their permission and make a page on your website for your alumni or even a post featuring them.

This will not only show that you put hard work into your dancers and dedicate yourself to their success, growth, and development, but it also shows that you know what you’re doing. That you know how to train dancers for professional careers and prepare them for the real world.

(A bonus to posting about these student is a bunch of proud parents! Proud parents + a ton of Facebook shares = more eyes on your studio.)

#4 Upcoming Masterclasses

This is not only an easy way to get new dancers through the door but an easy way to create good impressions. Here’s what I mean.

Say you are a dancer at a studio a town over who hears about an ex-professional dancer with Atlanta Ballet or a highly sought-after choreographer from New York City Dance Alliance is coming to teach a class. You would skip a class at your home studio just to go take a class from that person. Maybe you would bring a friend or two with you.

In that dancer's mind, your studio will become the place to go for high-caliber training opportunities. And that is gold. By giving all students the opportunity to learn from professionals, your studio will grow and gain the attention you’v been wanting to see.

All you have to do is get out there and make those connections!

#5 Your Studio’s Environment

Arguably your studio’s most important quality.

Not much needs to be said here except happy students and happy parents are key when it comes to good reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations. You don’t want to focus on a select few families with good experiences. Every dancer and parent is important. You need to personally make time for all of their questions and concerns. You also need to make sure that the environment you are bringing dancers into is safe, welcoming, and encouraging.

Nothing could be more valuable to a parent.

Advertising a recent testimonial or pictures of your dancers having fun in class will open the door to students who have been craving that sort of atmosphere and brand new dancers/younger students who are hesitant to try something new.

#6 Upping Your Social Media Game

You've heard this a million times before, and you'll hear it once more. Your social media presence is so important. Now more than ever. It is incredible just how many people can know your studio by a small impression on instagram or facebook.

Here's an example of what I mean.

I was sitting down in the studio yesterday after a rehearsal and overheard two girls having a conversation about a girl one of them had met recently. It went like:

"...Yeah I saw her at an audition a couple weeks ago. Her technique is incredible."

"I only know her from Instagram. Doesn't she dance at that one place in Arizona or something?"

"Yes she dances at X! Their dancers are insane, have you seen them? Wait let me pull up their Instagram so you know what I'm talking about."

Now obviously, she had said the name of the studio, but we are going to leave names out of the article for now... but you get the idea.

The name of this studio had come up casually in a conversation and even looked into afterwards just by the content they produce and their online presence. With all of that being said, I understand that getting to this point takes real work, and a ton of time and patience to be known at this level. However, it is not impossible to achieve. While this may not be a 5-minute fix to your situation, putting the effort into something like this will benefit you greatly in the long run.

And if you just simply don't have the time or the patience for this, shoot me a quick message because I'd love to help you out ;) Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I'm pretty good at it.

#7 Specialty Classes

Lastly, if you have any classes that are unique to your studio, advertise them to gain interest in your studio. It may seem self-explanatory, but you would be surprised at the amount of attention you could gain by just posting it on social media.

An aerial silks class, advanced acrobatics/contortion, a Saturday morning HIIT class for moms, a theater/acting class, or even a once/twice a month daddy-daughter dance class could be the perfect way to get brand clients through the door and set yourself apart from the others.

Conclusion

So when you find yourself being one of four or five dance studios in your city, keep an open mind and find out whatmakes your studio special. Go to someone you trust and who has been with your studio for a while for their opinion. But remember, becoming the top studio in your area is 100% reachable if you can find what makes your studio the most attractive and the most unique.

Let's get talking about how you can bring in more students this semester: