Podcasts about business of dance

Hello everyone and welcome to the live recording of this week’s business of dance podcast! Now I have touched on today's subject in a couple of my past episodes when referring to student attraction and email sequences, but I realised it is such an important topic on its own, especially for new studio owners and new students at your studio. That is the importance of a welcome nurture sequence! We all want our new studio members to feel warmed and welcomed when signing up. We all know that there is more to a new student sign up besides “ yay they signed up, I welcomed them to the studio, have them all the important info regarding their classes, they paid, all good...” And I’m not saying everyone does this, but what can be really helpful to spread out the important information into a welcome nurture sequence so they feel well cared for and a part of the overall studio community. Today I am going to be going into my tips for why this sequence is important and a few things to include in the sequence itself.   Why is it important? 1. Brings them into the studio family & instills trust The whole purpose the welcome nurture sequence is in the title, for them to feel welcomed into your studio, not only as a customer but community member. You want to make them feel nurtured and have trust that their child will get the care they need and deserve. Just like when we are building our businesses we know that is more than just making money. Yes at the end of the day a business is a business, but when we focus on what our passions are and the difference we want to make in someone's life, we are far more successful as we are being true to ourselves. Same goes for the customer's perspective when they can see we genuinely care, and it isn’t just about having a student sign up or making more money, but creating a positive dance experience for them, the dynamic is shifted and there is a sense of ease instilled in them. We want them to know they made the right decision signing up to your studio, and that we are here for them if an issue arises. This comes from strong communication, being relatable and honest through your welcome sequence. This is where customer turns into community member. 2. Welcomes them to all aspects of your studio When you create your sequence, as you know it is important to include all the fun nitty-gritty details regarding housekeeping rules, introducing them to your team, the studio building or business background and story etc. That being said it is important to keep two things in mind. 1 is to spread out this information. Most people can feel overwhelmed by one or two really big emails with a lot of information. They will either skim read and possibly miss some important details or perhaps won’t read the email itself because of their inbox being full or being lost somehow. That’s why breaking it up into sections can be crucial as each piece of information is not only digestible but allows those who signed up or are looking to sign up a chance to really get to know you and your studio. That is where my second point comes it, which is to welcome your new students/parents to all aspects of your studio. You want to welcome them to not only the business itself, but you, your team, or values and overall goals of your studio. With this sequence, you can have others get to know the background of why you do what you do, and the morals that come along with it. In the end it all circles back to trust and nurturing the new clients, and building a community for your studio. After all your business is so much more than just dance classes, but creating a safe and creative environment dedicated to education and development. Let them feel like they are not just signing up TO something, but being a part OF something new and special for their child. 3. Increases interaction and involvement With this sequence, you can include little calls to action to increase engagement with new customers and gain trust from them to be able to ask questions if needed. Although your sequence is automated (and perhaps tweaked overtime) you want it to remain somewhat personal. When you have a sequence that allows adding a first name code into the email itself, it gives it a much more personal feel. Even something as simple as at the end saying, let me know any concerns you have, hit ‘reply’ and I will be sure to get back to you, and end with your signature. Now everyone in the sequence has received the same email, but it does make it feel more personal and they are more likely to write back knowing it is an option. Even the language and wording can make a world of difference. Some sequences feel so generalised it doesn’t even sound like a human wrote it. Be sure to sound like YOU and be inviting for more dialogue. This increased the interaction and involvement of those who have recently signed up their child or themselves to your studio. This creates strong communication and can build relationships with new community members, which in the end generates recurring signups or even references to their other friends & family members! Remember that people share their experiences with others, so if they have a positive one with your studio, others will know about it. 4. Gives them insight into other areas of the studio/Education Having this sequence also gives them insight on the benefits of dance education. It is great to welcome them to your studio, introduce staff and your business values but to also shed a light on important information that benefits the future of their child's development. When introducing yourself and your staff, you can also expand on the experience/expertise both you and your team have obtained, giving them trust that their child is in great hands. You can also share the key points of certain blog posts on your site that they may be interested in. For example, a 3-year-olds parent that is new to dance might not understand the direct health benefits that ongoing dance training can have and educating them on that will get them to think about the continuation of their child’s dance training in the future. You can also share the benefits of implementing the importance of committing to something from the beginning. Parents are always wanting their child to progress and tend to think about their future on a regular basis, so educating them on how dance education and commitment to an art form or hobby will benefit their child, in the long run, will ease their mind. Even getting them to see how the older, more long-term students look and sharing their stories or testimonials can give them the reassurance they need for their child's growth in dance in all aspects in their life. 5. Increase revenue potential My last point can be a huge benefit to your business which is the potential for increased revenue. Of course they those receiving the sequence may have already signed up to your studio, paid tuition, which is great, but they always have the right to know about the other amazing things you offer at your studio that may be of interest and can benefit you both. Is there something extra special you offer as a bonus at your studio or stand-alone programs such as birthday parties, uniforms, costumes, workshops or holiday camps? This is all revenue building opportunity and it doesn’t have to be done in a sleazy or sales-y way. This is just about educating them on everything else you offer at your studio. They may be just fine enrolling their child in one dance class, but share with their friends about your birthday party package or even may want to take a workshop themselves to receive the benefits of taking up a hobby as a parent. You know you offer a quality service and you just want to sing it from the rooftops! Don’t be ashamed of sharing all the amazing services you offer. It might not be relevant to them at the time, but it could be later or they may know someone else who may benefit. This is also a great opportunity to mention any benefits you give for recommending new clients whether that be a small voucher, thank you card or simply a high five (hehe). Sharing this doesn’t mean everyone will sign up but simply gets the word out there, as word of mouth is always one of the best forms of advertisement!   Before I wrap up, I want to give you a few examples of what you could include in your sequence or how you can implement the important information. What are some example to include in this sequence? Video welcoming them with photos and text Tour of the studio building (if it is a brick and mortar business) Information and photos of team members Links to blog posts on your site Your studio values Concert info Upcoming events Attire and dance shoe requirements /recommendations Studio Merch Studio story and background information Housekeeping rules and safety regulations Release forms I hope you enjoyed my first live podcast episode. It is so important to give the love and attention to new studio members, so they know they are welcomed and a part of the community. Although people can come and go at times, we essentially want to create long-term signups and students at our studio. All of this comes from first instilling trust within your welcome sequence which you want to then transcend into the classroom experience. Just remember to be yourself, be true to your studio's values, and you will always attract your ideal students!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Today is the 3rd episode of our Business of Branding series all about the tips, tricks & tools for branding consistency & replication! If you haven't heard the first two episodes of the series, I highly suggest you check them out as I dive into the background of branding, and how to start the brand creation process with your business! Now, I mentioned in previous episodes a little surprise I have for you guys which will be released when our last episode of the series airs, which will be next week. Again, I am still keeping it a secret, but I want to give you a little hint. This giveaway will not only help you with branding your business but it’s also free! I feel like I have already said too much, so let’s not waste any more time and dive into today’s episode! Tools: Canva I have mentioned this in previous episodes for when designing and creating your brand, as it is such a great tool, and that is a program called Canva. For those of you who don’t know what Canva is, it is a business and branding website which you can create a variety of different graphics on. There is a free and paid feature, but trust me, it is worth every penny. I believe it is less than $10 every month when paid annually or $12 for individual months. What makes Canva super awesome is that you can add your logo that you, your VA or an outsourced graphic designer created into your saved photos, along with team photos, and stock photos. You can also save your team, business and branding colours so when you create your graphics for your studio, you are consistent with your brand’s colours, photos and can add your logo. Be sure when outsourcing your logo, you get the designer to create the image with a transparent background so you can add it to any image. One of my favourite features in Canva is the magic resize. So that when you create a graphic for a newsletter, or blog post and want to have the same image for a Facebook post, it basically copies that same photo and changes the dimensions. It sometimes needs a slight adjustment, but still saves you or your team a tonne of time! I could go on all day about Canva because it is so awesome, but if you want to learn more I suggest you check out the site for yourself and take a look around as it is seriously an amazing investment in your brand and business. Remember to also review Canvas terms and conditions when creating images on their site, or using their specific designs. It is good to know all the terms and conditions when creating images on any site or platform you wish to use for business and money making purposes. Review all the nitty-gritty details or like I said in the previous episode, you can always consult your lawyer if you have one. We want you to stay consistent with your brand and have your business benefit, but let’s keep it legal so there is no stress moving forward with your brand. Stock Photos Another great tool is using stock images. I think having lots of photos of you and your team is amazing and you should always have your favourites on hand. But having access to stock photos can be super helpful for you to have access to good quality photos when creating graphics for your business. Some may feel uncomfortable using photos they didn’t personally take, but stock photos can we a win-win for both you and the artist who took the photo. These photographers have put these images out into the world for others to use to get their name out there, and you can have a wide range of photos that encapsulate your brand, whilst providing variety within your graphics. A great site that I personally use is Unsplash. You can type in a theme or word to find the perfect photo for your graphic. Another popular site is called Pexels. (like Pixels but an ‘e’) Tips For branding Consistency: Train your team in Branding for your Business When hiring your admin, teachers, VA, website manager, social media manager, graphic designer etc. Educate them on your brand Educate on the theme, feel and objective of not only your studio but brand Language, Colours, Logo, Canva. When you outsource, make sure others know everything they need to know about your brand before creating content for you. Make sure everyone is on the same page Make sure your social consistency and branding consistency match When creating Facebook Ads, Instagram or social campaigns make sure your brand stays consistent in your posts Keep Language consistent, adding your logo to your photos This helps others know it’s you right away, getting others excited about new content from YOU! Have a good stock of photos of both you, your team and studio Along with having stock photos from other sources and photographers having a hand full of good quality photos of you (CEO) your staff and students is great for your social graphics This ensures those who come across your studio, find you on social media or see a poster remember you, what you look like and can leave a positive memory This makes you seem approachable, real and friendly to your community as a business owner in the area Extra branding consistency tricks: Language Stay consistent with your language Not only with your text, but perhaps a slogan, or sign off in videos or posts This also goes along with your language in emails, newsletters, blog post Email sign-offs should stay consistent. Have your name, role, perhaps contact info and a little something special you always say (love, regards, xx, etc) Social Channels Stay consistent with your social channels in terms of design and name and presentation Facebook, Instagram, website, twitter etc. Same logo, colours, names @studioname @studionameofficial Stay away from numbers, _ underscores or having the same name as others Evolve Be open and flexible with your brand If you are not trademarking your logo or designs you can change your “logo” over time if you wish, or get a new one created by a designer Otherwise having your brand evolve over time is a good thing If you look at any successful brand; they grew, changed and evolved over time It’s amazing to stay consistent when choosing and sticking to your brand, and you should do that But don’t be afraid to switch it up in the future based on new passions, clients and directions you wish to venture with your business Stay consistent in where you are wanting to head and you can always evolve over time!   So that is the end of today’s episode all about branding consistency. There are so many things to consider when not only creating but staying consistent with your studio’s brand it can seem super overwhelming! But remember to take one thing at a time, outsource to others, get your team involved and know that you are not alone! Again if you haven't checked out my website I have many coaching options, services, as well as free resources to help you get started in building, systemising or revamping your dream dance business. If this is something you would be interested in learning more about when advancing your studio, head on over to www.claireosheacoaching.com  Stay tuned for next week’s episode as it is the last one for my branding series and when I will be announcing an amazing FREE branding themed giveaway! I hope you have an amazing day wherever you are in the world, and I will speak with you real soon. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

In this episode of The Business of Dance Podcast, I compiled my best money mindset tips and tricks. These clips are from my Master your money mindset in may series. If you would like to check out our full mindset series feel free to listen to episodes 40-43. Now let’s dive into today’s show so you can start mastering your money mindset and attract the abundance you deserve and desire! For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. In this episode, I will be going over 4 pillars for a strong leader as business and studio owner. These 4 pillars benefit your team, students as well as your community. As a studio owner, we have to create a sense of credibility within our community and being to be that voice for our business is crucial. It is important to be a strong leader as we are representing both our business but also our industry. It can seem like a lot of responsibility for the service we provide greatly impacts our student's growth and development. But in this episode, I will cover my top tips in becoming a strong leader for your team which will generate the mindset shift from CEO /business owner to Community Leader! Let’s dive right in!   Practice clear communication: As a leader, you need to be clear and precise with your words, actions, expectations, deadlines and communication towards your team. If you need or want anything done; be clear, and also kind with your approach. With this clear stream-lined form of communication, you are aiming to create trust both in others who work for you, as well those you work for (clients, parents, students etc.) This trust that is built especially when done in a friendly manner, giving others more reason to reciprocate with that same clear and honest communication (hopefully). This establishes your team’s respect, allowing them to be honest and come to you if they have a problem. This can also be for communicating praise or appreciation for your staff. Letting team members know they are doing a good job, as well as if there is an issue creates trust and security for both you, the business owner and a team member. The same thing goes with parents at your studio. Be kind, clear and direct with your communication about the genuine care you have for the development and well being of their child. This will not only can generate returning students, but trust for the parents to be able to discuss with you if their child is experiencing any issues. Of course, it also establishes you as a professional business owner, who takes responsibility for their words and actions. We are all emotional creatures but being able to see things from an objective perspective and being clear will save you, your team and parents a lot of time in the long run when you are able to be direct with those you interact with. Listen: Become a professional listener as well as a communicator. Although you are the person of authority within your business, having an open ear and open mind for when your team members have suggestions, brings you to their level, establishing a comfort within them to communicate with you. When others who work for you are being valued and their voice/opinion is at least being heard (regardless if some of their suggestions are something you actually follow through with or not) you create this mutual respect and establish long-term team members. This will also subconsciously raise their work ethic and effort within your business because when they feel heard, seen and respected, they want to work harder to be a better employee which in the end benefits you and your business! This can also be for listening to your community and what is needed or missing with other dance studios or even the formal education system. Listening can also be in the form of simply paying attention. What is happening in your community and participating in issues that affect your community and those within your studio. Having this awareness gives you an edge in your business as well. Perhaps those in the community feel there is a lack of diversity or even lack of creativity within the education system. This can give you ideas to what else you could include at your studio to provide a solution with what you already have to offer. It isn’t about solving all the problems in the city or town you live in, but offering something others are not because you were listening to what is occurring around you, and the needs of others. Lead by example: A great leader shows those on their team that they would never ask others to do something that they are not able or willing to do themselves.   So if you bring in a new task, rule or protocol within your business, a great thing to do is role model it yourself and lead the way...you are the leader after all. This also gains respect with your staff and team as you are practising what you preach. This can also be related to your studio's values if you have already established them. If you have these values which you are wanting to include within your curriculum to influence the lives of your students, it should be something you practice every day with your team, parents as well as members in your community. Have trust: For either long-term or new team members there comes a time for you to give your trust to the individual and see how they respond to the level of responsibility you have given them. Giving them tasks, assignments or even more responsibility within their role takes time, but once you give them the trust, and time to show you the amazing potential you saw in them from the beginning, they will begin to shine! (This may not happen with everyone, but this is where you able to see if this person is truly a good fit within your business in the long run) Many times people can excel when given the trust and freedom to do the job they were hired to do in the first place (or even better than your wildest dreams) Give them the space to do their job they were hired to do and watch as see what happens over time. For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hi everyone, it’s Claire O’Shea here and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast! I am proud to say that we are into our second week of our Studio Systems School and thus far the ladies are doing amazing! For those who were unable to join this round, I will remind you that we are still running our 1:1 Studio Systems CEO program, which is a more extended and personal version of the program and are still accepting applications. If that is something you are interested in but are looking for more information, feel free to head on over to www.claireosheacoaching.com/studiosystemsceo, otherwise I will keep everyone notified when we launch our second round of our Studio Systems School. But for now let's dive into today's episode all about delegating tasks and important projects with team members, or possibly freelancers, and how to create a sense of trust with them. It can take time to gain trust when hiring others, especially when giving big tasks or responsibilities, which will reflect you and your business, and ultimately, your reputation. How can you gain this trust? Well in this episode I will let you in on my top tips by following my 5 T’s rule!   1. Truth: Be truthful in exactly who you want to work with and what you need help with Create ads that will stand out to the right individual This ensures you can hire the person who fits your criteria This filters out anyone who raises “red flags” or doesn’t feel they are right for the job Make sure you feel right about choosing someone to hire Ensure your values are aligned Be honest in what you are looking for and your standards Be kind, but speak your truth and those who resonate will get back to you This also extends to the interview itself, be honest with them and make sure you vibe well and can picture yourself working with and trusting this individual This goes for delegating tasks for team members who already work for you, and you trust enough to start delegating or adding more responsibilities to their current role At the end of the day, listen to your intuition and your gut instinct! 2. Test In the interviewing process, you can ask them to provide examples of either previous projects or work, or ask them to write, design, or create something new This shows their skills for the tasks you are wanting to delegate to them and if they match what you are looking for Testing them can see if they can also work well on their feet so to speak and how they can handle tasks and deadlines This also again extends to a current team member by giving a test to see if they can handle more responsibility If they provide something you are impressed with or you feel you can work with then you can then proceed to the next T… 3. Trial If you are simply unsure about someone or wanting to see more, and I suggest doing this even if you are sure about someone, and that is to set a trial period This can be anywhere from a few projects/tasks to a couple weeks or even a month This will show how they work for you and with you in a longer span of time, how they communicate with you and the others in your team as well You can have a great interview and love their work but you can never really know how they will respond in the long term, after training and so on, so this is a great way to be sure they are a right fit After this trial period if you still feel right about this individual then you can proceed and if not be sure to let them know nicely that you do not feel that they are the best fit for your business and thank them for the work they have done thus far 4. Trust You may be thinking how is a tip to trust → but it is an extremely important part of the process Once hiring someone, and you are feeling good about them and their work, then it is time for you to give your trust to this individual and see how they respond to the level of responsibility you have given them Many times people can excel when given the trust and freedom to do the job they were hired to do in the first place (or even better than your wildest dreams) 5. Time At the end of the day even if you feel you have hired the right person, they passed all the ‘tests’ with flying colours, it takes time to develop a good work relationship and trust Only time can truly reveal one's true character so with delegating tasks to others, you can slowly increase responsibility and work up over time-based on their consistency with their duties Be patient with those you hire, because although we are all adults and need to show professionalism in the work environment, we are human at the end of the day Trust your gut and once you find your dream team, in time you will be able to delegate even more tasks, knowing your business is in good hands → this gives you the ability to scale and grow = more time for you!   I hope these 5 tips help you and remember to take your time when onboarding new team members and delegating tasks. With systems, trust & guidance eventually you will have your dream team and will be able to turn your studio into your dream dance empire! I hope you enjoyed this episode and wish you a fantastic day wherever you are in the world, bye for now! For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to The Business of Dance Podcast! I am super excited to bring you this episode today because a big part of my coaching programs centres around today’s topic, so you know I’m passionate about it. Today I want to discuss a huge factor in successfully run businesses in this day in age which is automation. I think all of us at one time or another has thought to ourselves, when it comes to sending out emails, posting social media content, or even running a business “I wish this would just do it by itself” I think we all wish we had more free time to either spend with our friends and family, grow and scale our business, as well as create more opportunities for ourselves, our team and students. I'm sure there are aspects we love about running our business but at the end of the day, wouldn’t it be great to have all those tedious and time consuming tasks taking care of, all the while growing your business and providing more time for doing what we love most, which is providing amazing dance experiences for our students. Think it’s impossible? Well let’s dive into this episode and I’ll let you in on my top tips on how to grow your studio on autopilot! Plan ahead: Planning ahead may seem may seem like you are taking the same amount of time to do a task in a larger chunk of time, but trust me in saying that thinking or planning ahead for the future can make a world of difference. When you are thinking about future tasks or even social media posts for your studio you can prepare for any little hiccup and gauge how something may turn out. Having a plan all sorted out for you and your team will give you more free time to adjust as you go if needed, rather then doing things one at the time all of the time. This is the first step when it comes to automation, because how can you automate something that hasn't been pre-planned?   Systemise Don’t be surprised that this is on the list. I am a huge fan of systemisation within any business, but especially passionate for dance studios, as it has helped me run and grow my personal studio practically on autopilot, giving me the time to scale my business. With systemisation you put forth the description, and elements for when planning and completing a task within your studio that can be replicated, adjusted and delegated over time. When you have systems in place, you can have an overview of exactly what needs to be accomplished and how to do it right at your fingertips.   Delegate Once you have put these plans into place, and created systems, you can then delegate or outsource to others within your team, admin or even freelancers who have skills outside your expertise. Now that you know how you want things done, and run at your studio, you can pass on tasks that you trust others to complete, which will give you more free time to focus on bigger things at hand, be more present with your studio family or even grow your studio! It may seem strange at first, and you may think “well, I know how to do this, so why get someone else, or even pay someone else to do it?” The simple answer is Time. Delegating is not always about getting others to complete a task or project you are not capable of doing yourself, but rather asking yourself where you want to spend your time. We all get the same 24 hours in a day, and if you want to work on expanding your studio with advertisements, getting involved with your community in order to have more of a presence in your area, or simply to spend more time at home with your family knowing things are running smoothly without you there all the time, then it is worth delegating to others. Automation tools and programs This is my last and favourite tip which is about finding the right tools, apps, and programs for you to use which automate your social media posts, emails, enquiries and more! There is a number to choose from but when it comes to social media planning I personally use Coschedule, and with email automation we use MailChimp. Other popular social media automation tools are: Planoly, Later, Buffer, or sprout social. And automated email services which are well known are: Get Response, Constant Contact, and Madmimi. Having these programs are amazing when to comes to automation, as the tasks which can take up a good amount of time, such as answering emails, can sometimes require the same information repeated over and over again. So by creating an email sequence for your studio answering similar questions right away to the receiver, installs a sense of professionalism while still remaining personal.  The same goes for social media post on your Instagram, facebook page, and facebook groups as well. When you plan and post regularly, you create consistency, as well as credibility, attracting others to your studio who are a fan of your social posts, or values, getting them interesting in enquiring. In correlation with point 1 about pre-planning, you can schedule a time each week or even month to plan social posts, add them to your programs, schedule and boom! You have the ability to be set for a week, 2 weeks, a month or more! Same with emails. You can set up an enquiry or enrollment automated email sequence for new students, so you can take the time focus on creating a beautiful atmosphere within your studio for when those new students roll in.   So those are my top 4 steps you can take to grow your studio on autopilot. Implementing automation strategies such as these have helped me to grow and scale my studio immensely, with this podcast, blogs as well as my coaching programs! I understand that everyone has a different goal or vision for their studio or business of dance, but I believe that no matter how big or small your goals are, implementing automation will save you more time while generating more income in the long run! I hope you enjoyed this episode and if you don’t know already my Studio Systems School is launching applications next Monday, the 9th of April! This is an 8-week program designed specifically for Dance Studio Owners to systemise & implement automation strategies for those who are wanting to grow their dance studios and create more impact within their community. In this program, you learn how to systemise for success without the stress so that you have more time to grow your business into your dream empire and run the show. Without having to do every little task! If you would like to learn more, please head to www.claireosheacoaching.com/programs and be sure to check out my 1:1 coaching program as well. I want to wish you all a fabulous day wherever you are in the world, and I will speak to you soon. Bye for now.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today I will be discussing an important topic and one that you may have heard me touch on before but have yet to have a full episode about. If you know me at all you know I am ALL about systemisation when it comes to implementing and organising tasks within my studio. With this world of technology, we live in and all the tools available to us at our fingertips why not take advantage of them to organising all the carefully designed tasks at our studio? We see so many businesses nowadays implementing systems, so why not for dance studios?! If big multi-billion dollar organisations have systems in place to run their businesses properly and on track, imagine what we could do with our own businesses of dance, no matter how small! Maybe you don’t have big dreams for your studio and just want to keep in small, local and running more smoothly, maybe you want to grow to several locations all across your country or state. Regardless of your personal dreams for your studio, systemisation can help you and your studio reach its goals and highest potential, so you can bring your dream business into a reality! Maybe the whole idea of systemisation seems overwhelming when you first start, especially if you feel you don’t have the time or are not tech savvy. But today I will be going through the important and practical steps you can take today to get your studio's essential tasks in order, and all in one place. This will start to give you the confidence you need to move forward with your business without the stress, giving it the ability to scale & thrive, while you have more free time, and who doesn’t want that? So let drive right into the episode! 1. What are the most important tasks in your studio? A great place to start is to first take note of all the important tasks for your studio, and write them down as you do them. This will help you identify what tasks need to completed when, and how you like them to be done. By determining your important tasks you can set out a plan in place and start to categorize your tasks so you can break them down into digestible tasks to show others or to remind yourself in the future. 2. Delegate Once you understand what tasks are fundamental in running your studio and how to complete them, you can start to automate these tasks by outsourcing to a VA, admin or another team member. The point of these systems is that they are organised and outlined in order for you to pass on these tasks to almost anyone in your team, giving you the time and freedom to focus on running your studio and the bigger projects at hand. 3. Choose a program to systemise with The best way to keep track of these systems, edit them and delegate to other team members is to choose a program that helps you put these systems in place. There are many programs out there but the main ones I have found to work well is Trello & Asana. Personally, I use Trello for my studio but you can find a program that works best for you which you feel comfortable with and that your team will enjoy. In these programs, you can write out tasks, create lists, boards and assign tasks to others, and even see the progression of a certain task. 4. Repeat After choosing a program, write out your tasks and know which tasks you can delegate to your team, you can then save these tasks which you can use in the future! There will be many one-off tasks but the ones you know you will use time and time again can be saved so that all you have to do in the future is copy and paste for yourself or even a team member to complete. When repeating and reusing a task, you can always add more notes in or adjust what didn’t work as well last time, so that you are always progressing but not having to write out each and every task every time you do it.   So there are my top 4 tips on how to get started with systemising your studio! If you are wanting to learn more about systemising your studio and become a Studio Systems Master, I am launching my Studio Systems School on April 9th! This small group program will go in depth in how to systemise every aspect of your studio for the years to come, which will help you grow, scale, and transform their business into an empire resulting in ultimate profitability & success! This group program is for those are wanting extra support and accountability, as it includes an online community support group with others taking the course. Alternatively, if you are wanting a solo experience I have a 1:1 coaching program which helps you become your best Studio Systems CEO! If this is something you are interested in, you can visit my website for more information www.claireosheacoaching.com/programs I hope that these tips help you to start systemising your studio and creating an idea how to run your studio in a more manageable and organised way for you and your team.   Systemise for success masterclass video: www.claireosheacoaching.com/systemiseforsuccessvideo    For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O’Shea

Hello, everyone, my name is Claire O’Shea and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. In today’s episode, I will be discussing all whether working with a coach is right for you and your studio. As well as the importance of professional development programs for business owners no matter how big or small their business may be. The truth is everyone can benefit from insight, advice or even a program which can help them on their path to reaching their highest potential and dreams for themselves or their business. No one is perfect and not every coach or professional program is right for everyone but the points I will be going over today are some that can get you thinking if you are in the position to start with a coach, program or course. If you are looking for something new to start, have used a program that didn’t work before or are new to PD in general, I really believe this podcast will be super helpful. My mum always says I am addicted to learning, so I hope my obsession can help you in some way also. Let’s dive into the show! 1. Assessment questions A great place to start is to ask yourself a few critical assessment questions: Are you satisfied where you and your team are at right now? Are things running as smoothly as they could? In what areas are you struggling or would like to improve? Do you feel like you just can ever “catch up” on what needs to be done - or are you always doing what needs to be done day by day? If things are running smoothly and have been for years, what’s next? Do you want to scale or grow? Take on more students, add another location? Expand your brand? Do you feel like everyone else seems to have it all figured out except for you? Do you see others doing what you want but don’t know where to start or how to get there? Asking yourself these assessment questions, and being completely honest with yourself about how things are going for your studio, team and business as a whole can help you see what areas you are struggling with. If you seem to find many trouble areas or even one major one, this might be a good time considering asking for help and looking for an outside source which the knowledge and expertise in these areas you feel you are lacking in. Remember you are not a failure for needing or asking for help. It takes strength to reflect and identify what is not working and what you are wanting to do better. This is a fantastic place to start. While there are some amazing dance related coaches and programs out there, it doesn't mean you have to go that way. If you are interested in solely focussing on marketing, or increasing your social presence, you may be better off on finding a specific program in that area that supports a lot of different people across a variety of industries. 2. The fear I feel a lot of us can get stuck in our old ways. What has worked all along may no longer work, and we think to ourselves “Well I’ve always done it this way, So I’ll just keep doing it”. Maybe some of you have been in the business a long time, and some have yet to open their first location and are just starting out. No matter where we are in our journey I think it is a positive thing to keep looking forward, embrace the new and get outside our comfort zones. Let’s talk about the “fear”. Not everyone has this but I can guess that some or most do. The fear of change, the fear that new things are happening, updating, advancing and we may not be able to keep up. The fear of investing in ourselves. As technology advances so do the way people run their businesses. This also goes for dance studios as well. We need to let go of this fear and ride the wave. We don’t have to follow every trend or download every new tech tool, but if things really aren’t working for you, it may be time to consider your options. Let go of that fear and ask for help. Hiring a coach can be amazing for this because you are taking control of the situation and taking the first step in the direction that will benefit your business, team and students for the better. Let go of not knowing everything and feeling like you have to do everything yourself. The truth is you are more in control when you are purposely getting the help you need. 3. Even Therapists have a therapist This sentence says it all. It basically reveals that even the most educated experts in their field still have problems. We all need assistance no matter where we are on our business journey. Even the most successful people go to others for advice, a second opinion or have a coach to refer back to. No one just gets to the top of their game by themselves and stays there without any help. You have to remember the most successful people are the ones with a team behind them. Everyone looks at Oprah thinking “wow she is so amazing, how does she do it!” And yes, she is amazing, but she also has a team of 50+ people behind her that make what she does possible. Hiring a coach or taking a business development program is similar. It is looking for ideas and ways outside of yourself and having someone look at things from not only a different perspective but objectively. We get so attached to our businesses, some even say that it’s their “baby”. But at the end of a day as much as we love our studio, it’s still a business. And getting another perspective and format to better run our business can be a game changer! Working with a Coach 1:1 is a fantastic way to get accountability, get specific support and advice. It really is the fast-tracked way. Doing small group programs are fantastic because you really do build a community of support and it is so wonderful to bounce ideas off of people who are at similar points, or even a few steps ahead. Online courses and programs are great if you are dedicated and can keep yourself accountable. Some people find the larger group programs tricky, but those that love to work individually could really thrive in this setup. 4. Accountability for your dreams I think a lot of us have big dreams for our business and ourselves, but how many times have you had an idea for your studio and haven't followed through? Perhaps your dream is to scale your studio, attract more students or even automate your business, giving you more time with your family or even to better run your studio. Whatever your plan or dream is, it is fantastic to have that one person or a few people to keep you accountable, knowing that you have set out a plan for your business, and you have the knowledge to follow through. Having this accountability there for when anything goes wrong helps you to have someone to refer back to, see how to move forward and gain a new solution for the future if problems arise. A great option is even a support group, or group coaching if you work better in a community setting. Having these programs can keep you get back on track and help you go after your dreams once and for all! No more putting your brilliant ideas or a plan to better organise your business on the back burner. It is about taking control and becoming your best Studio CEO!   I hope this episode helped you discover if hiring a coach or partaking in a professional development program is right for where you are at in your business. Remember you don’t have to do everything yourself. Asking for help and looking for a program that is right for you can be the first step in achieving your goals, and turning your business into a dance empire! With this in mind - if you love the Podcasts and want to work with me further I am thrilled to announce that I am launching a small group program Our very own Studio Systems School. Our program will start in April, where you learn how to systemise for success without the stress. Lighten your load and get back in control with your business with my automation strategies so that you have more time to grow your business into your dream empire and run the show without having to do every little task! If you would you like to eliminate the stress and work less, so you can be more organised, as well as grow your student numbers and your revenue…. Or simply get your sanity back. Then this program is for you! If this is something you or someone you know would be interested in, you can visit my website for more information www.claireosheacoaching.com/programs Numbers will be limited to ensure ultimate accountability at each session as well as create a close community-like atmosphere, inspiring you to stay on track with your goals during and after the program! I look forward to speaking with you soon and have a great day wherever you are in the world. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O’Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business Of Dance Podcast. Today I am back with another amazing guest on the podcast, who I have the pleasure to be interviewing. This weeks episode we have the incredibly talented, driven and inspirational Jen Dalton. Jen is the owner of Jigsaw Dance Studio which has 5 locations situated in the Sydney’s North West, Australia. Jen and her team encourage and build self esteem and make each child feel individual and special while embracing movement, music, co-ordination and drama. Jen is also the founder and owner of Dance Teacher Central which offers several programs helping dance entrepreneurs, aspiring teachers, and studio owners. She has created several fantastic programs such as her very own ‘Dance Teacher academy’, ‘How to find, hire and train your team’, ‘Studio owner mentorships’, as well as portfolios dedicated to child safety in the studio, assistant teacher leadership & training, and so much more!! JEN DALTON’S BIO: Jen Dalton’s life philosophy is centred around empowering & educating dance teachers to be the best and most effective leaders that they can be. As a result, giving them the tools to make a positive impact in each and every life they come into contact with. Having successfully run & owned multiple dance studios for over 24yrs with over 1000 students, managing teams of over 30 teachers & staff members at one time. Jen knows the importance of strategy, planning & continual learning. After so many years teaching dance and operating studios, Jen can show you how to streamline your dance studio operations or become the teacher that studio owners want to hire. A well as teaching and running the dance studios, Jen studied as a Police Officer for 13yrs working in the Child Protection & Sex Crimes Squad. She studied Psychology & Communications at CSU, Obtained her Cert 4 in Fitness & Training as well as Diploma of Dance Teaching & Management. It was only natural that the next step was to collate that information into dance industry language and make it easy, quick & available for dancers & teachers across the world. Jen’s programs are designed in a way that are easy to understand and most importantly implement. Most dance teachers and dance studio owners undertake training in between running their classes each week. With this in mind the Dance Teacher and Studio Owner training programs allow you to work at your own pace and pause for moments, implement some of the magic and get back to class. Dance Teacher Central: http://www.danceteachercentral.com Jigsaw Dance Studio: http://www.jigsawdance.com.au    For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.

Hello everyone, today I am back with another guest on the Business of Dance Podcast. In this episode I will be interviewing and leading a transformative conversation, specific to studio values, with the one and only Melanie Gard. Melanie is the Principal Director of Peninsula School of Dance in South Victoria, here in Australia. The School has serviced the Mornington Peninsula for over 55 years and produced some of Australia’s finest dancers, teachers and choreographers. Formerly Rosebud Ballet School, which was founded in 1961 by Miss Sandra Allan and stands today as one of the longest established Cecchetti schools in Victoria. The school commenced with 23 students and a Pianist at the Rosebud Memorial Hall and is now thriving in a beautiful new premises in Rosebud West. The faculty at Peninsula School of Dance believes that nothing is more joyful than watching a young child explore the world of music and movement with pure delight and carefree abandon. When this is nurtured in a loving environment by highly qualified staff, students will go on to derive many benefits from learning the art of dance. As the Director of Peninsula School of Dance, Melanie is not interested in just churning out “the best” dancers, but is very passionate in helping kids reach their full potential. She believes that dance is more than just a series of movements, but rather, dance can help us cross bridges in life. All of the students at Peninsula School of Dance have their own unique needs for expression, and have the support, guidance and encouragement from their teachers. Through their classes, students gain life skills and a solid foundation for adulthood. Melanie believes that dance kids have a strong work ethic, are committed and present themselves with confidence and humility. PSD is passionate about churning out decent, well-rounded human beings who go on to have happy, healthy and productive lives. And although it may not be the ultimate goal, but if students choose to take on dance professionally, PSD will give them the support they need, and will be the first ones to cheer them on from the wings of the stage!   Melanie can proudly trace the roots of her training directly back to Maestro Cecchetti himself. She trained for over 25 years with Miss Lorraine Blackbourn OAM. Under the guidance of Miss Blackbourn OAM (Fellow, Senior Examiner and Life Member of Cecchetti Ballet Australia) Melanie obtained her Advanced Certificate with distinction, Associate, Associate Diploma and Licentiate Status with distinction. Melanie also is holder of a Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management and has a Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies (Deakin University) and is an affiliate member of Australian Teachers of Dance (ATOD). In July 2006 Melanie took over the direction of the Rosebud School of Ballet from its founder Miss Sandra Allan. She is committed to continuing the traditions of high quality dance tuition and instilling a love of dance in students that has been so carefully nurtured by Miss Allan over the last 55 years. Under Melanie’s direction the school has grown to cater for over 400 students each week at beautiful new premises in Rosebud West. Peninsula School of Dance Website: http://peninsuladance.com.au/   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net Hosted By Claire O’Shea

Today will be a very special episode as I will be interviewing the owner of Studio Go & as well as one of the co founders of Studio-to-go! I am super excited for this interview, and will be asking Leah some important questions, as well as getting her to tell her story on how Studio Go & Studio-to-go came to be. So for those of you who don’t know Studio Go, it is a mobile dance studio committed to providing the best on-site dance and movement education throughout Atlanta, Athens, Charleston, Chattanooga and now in Charlotte. Studio Go is committed to being the “dance studio on the go”, which means they seek to create a studio atmosphere of quality dance, friendly relationships, and a sense of community throughout their mobile locations. Leah is also excited to be launching her new business which she co founded called Studio-to-go. Studio-to-go creates programs that cater to all things recreational dance. Leah and her partners Robyn Donaldson, and Lauren Nolan, curate creative and engaging programs for dance studio owners, and teachers. They are also consultants and curate monthly ballet and jazz programs all designed for preschool students! Studio-to-go are also working on creating a birthday party curriculum, camp syllabi, and they will soon be selling amazing dance retail that can be purchased in the near future. Leah is the founder of Studio Go and continues to teach at locations throughout Atlanta. Leah believes what sets Studio Go apart from other competitors is our passion, enthusiasm, and the desire to create a community that always seeks to put the student first. She began her dance training at the age of five at The Oak Ridge Academy of Dance in Oak Ridge, TN.  She studied Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, and Jazz.  She went on to dance and perform with the Contemporary Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Pam Reedy.  During her time with CDE she had the opportunity to work with and take classes from renowned dancers and choreographers and was selected to be a member of the CDE competition team which traveled to many competitions each year, competing both regionally and nationally. Leah had the opportunity to perform in the Macy’€™s Thanksgiving Day Parade and The FedEx Orange Bowl National Championship Halftime Show.  She also danced in productions of the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association’s The Nutcracker and Cinderella.  Leah has a BA in Communications with a Minor in Spanish from Morehead State University.  While at MSU she was on the Dance Team, serving as Captain, and choreographed several pieces for the team.  During her college years she danced professionally with the Lexington Fillies Dance Team, which performed at all Lexington Horsemen games, as well as other promotional events.  She had the privilege of being on the squad the year the team took home the AFL National Championship.  Leah resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband Todd, her son Jonah, and their two lively boxers. Studio -to-go has been officially launched!! They now provide a Concierge program that offers monthly curriculums for preschool ballet and tap. Be sure to sign up soon, as they only offer enrolment twice a year, and their cart is currently open until January 12th.  If this is something you are interested in for your studio, please visit www.studiotogodance.com/concierge-to-go. Their A la Carte services are open year round and features choreography, classroom tools, props, retail, and more!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By Claire O’Shea

Starting your studio from scratch can feel as if you are climbing Mount Everest. It’s big, daunting, and downright scary! At the end of the day a studio is a business, and when it comes to starting a new business there are a lot of risks involved. So the real question is are you ready to put your best plan into motion, combining your passion for dance with the business world, and ready to climb your Everest? If the answer is yes, then you are listening to the right episode, as that is exactly what I will be discussing today. We all know there is more to running a studio then just creating fun dance classes, but how can you be best prepared for the journey ahead into your very own business of dance? Keep listening! So how do you start your studio from scratch? Why do you want to open a studio? Have a clear vision for ultimate goals, student numbers etc. What does your dream studio look like? What is your ‘theme’ or values you want to have? Part time: Do you have the time with family etc? Will you work part time and have other team members take charge when you are not there? Full time - how many students do you need to earn enough? Do you want to be there everyday? How do you see yourself spending time there? Research What location? - easy to see, locate - not too many studios etc. Close to schools is a bonus! You can include after school programs/classes etc. Tuition prices - What are your prices for classes at your studio? (you don't want to be the cheapest! Otherwise you will attract "studio hopping" clientele…) Research based on other studios that inspire you. Listen to their podcast, or contact them directly, or talk the owner of a studio you use to dance at for further knowledge. If it fits into your budget you can also hire a business coach if you need further assistance or advice. Dreaming Studio names, colours, motto, purpose...GET CREATIVE! What is your vision? Write it out. Take the time to dream, then make a plan!! You want to create something you can easily type about or able to speak about to potential new clients. Your name & what you are about: ‘Tagline’ Vision date to open? A practical date & one that corresponds with the school year, gearing towards a good time for signups. Contact venues and see when you would be able to start! Logistics Budget: figure out your budget: how much $ do you have, what can you afford to spend, how much can you afford to borrow and how much can you afford to lose? If you have everything else figured out but not in a place financially, start looking at your options, and start a savings plan. Create a basic document with info on classes, costs, studio values etc. Set up mailchimp or something similar that is free to make a record of all people that enquire. Get their email addresses! Questions to ask in regards to your space: are the floors safe? If your waiting room big enough? Do you have disability access? Are you walls soundproof? Do you have enough storage space? Will you have a student/team lounge? Is the space properly ventilated? aircon/heated? Is there a security system? Does the roof leak? Are there enough toilets/change rooms etc. When working with your staff: Are teachers going to be employees or contractors? Are your contracts reasonable? Is your timetable convenient for staff and students? How many teachers do you need? etc. Legal Ensure name is able to be purchased (copyright) Secure domain name (don't search too much, someone will take it) Secure Fb & social handles - start building audience! Post regularly and consistently!! Secure abn or associated business tax numbers if required. Once you start to take enrolments - ensure your terms & conditions cover injuries and anything else you may be liable for. Build your legal team; lawyer, financial advisor, accountant etc. Decide Select a name. Create basic design if logo or some ideas. Integrate what you dreamed up for your brands colours, themes etc. Use resource like Fiverr or Upwork to create a logo (digital) and even a branding guideline that you can then share with future uniform suppliers and web people. Website Purchase cheap template and set up your website. Use colours & logo designs that are in line with your vision. You want continuity throughout your studio, website, and social channels. Include basic info - values, vision, class options and a link to the mailchimp automation to get more information. Start reaching out! Ask local schools/kindys if they would be interested in free classes. Maybe host a few free workshops, or discounted ones in to get people interested and to drive traffic to your studio's location! Like an open house etc. Go to schools and host a dance class in gym classes and promote your new studio opening at the end, giving out information to the kids to take home to their parents. Something that worked EXTREMELY well for me when starting out was contacting the local newspaper as well as holding short free workshops over the holidays. A lot of media sources were happy to advertise free events for free. Connect and join your local FB groups. Start interacting with people who ask about dance studios and post in the group offering your services. Find other teachers and start building your team! Ask friends who you’ve danced/taught with before and trust, post on dance job opportunity sites, network etc. Attend community events, network and get to know community leaders. Take workshops with for studio/business owners. Learn from others, get inspired by other dance studios.   Tips & important things to remember! Take it slow, smart and keep your vision clear! Remember why you want to open a studio in the first place! Have your goals be realistic but meaningful to you! You don’t have to everything yourself! Get advice from others, and get inspired from successful dance studios, and ask for help if you need it. Technology is your friend, for when you get stuck and need answers, as well as for promoting yourself. Don’t sell yourself short, know your worth and let the world see your vision!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By Claire O’Shea

In last week’s episode I provided my favourite time management hacks for maximum productivity, which will help you keep focused on the tasks at hand when growing and running your business /studio. Today I will be discussing how to use time blocking within your schedule, as a way to plan for a perfect week. You will also have access to my free detailed download for you to review what is discussed in this episode, as well as given examples of what a perfectly time blocked schedule can look like. This download is really helpful for those struggling to keep track of all their tasks and finding the time to complete them within their busy week. To access this download, simply head to businessofdance.net/ep10. I understand why creating a time blocked schedule can seem daunting at first, or even while creating it, but I promise you, once you see your week or even month all planned out before you, with wiggle room for changes along the way, this will bring about some ease for you, knowing exactly what needs to be accomplished that week while incorporating fun & down time. An important question to first ask yourself when creating your time-blocked schedule is: “what would my week look like if life went my way, and I had control over 100% of what happens to me, my life & business?” In this quick-paced society we live in, it can be challenging to buckle down and organise all your un-stimulating, and tedious tasks that need to be accomplished in your daily or weekly schedule. That being said, experts say that time blocking can increase your productivity by 150%! So how does time blocking work? For each section of hours or period of time in your day, for example: morning, afternoon, evening & night time; you can assign a certain task to those time sections. Alternatively, once you have refined your timetable a little, you can allow only a few hours for a certain task (or even just 30 minutes). Don’t forget: Parkinson's law is the adage that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion". This ensures you “blocked off” your time from all other tasks, projects, social media etc. when focusing on what you scheduled in for that particular time block. No distractions allowed! Here’s a couple examples: As a dance studio owner you may have a have a few hours in the morning before heading into the studio. You may block off that time for your morning routine, or self care time to do yoga, walk the dog, meditate and make yourself a healthy breakfast. In that time you don’t answer emails, worry about the maintenance of your studio, or check facebook. During studio or office hours which are blocked off in the afternoon, you focusing on the tasks at hand you wrote in your schedule for your studio time. And in the evening you block off time for your family, where you cook and eat with your them, and maybe watch a movie etc. Another example is if you are a busy stay at home parent but are working towards your own dreams, and aspirations to work online and build your own business. You  would then block off the afternoon, while the kids are attending school to work on those projects. Remember that the purpose of time blocking is to block out all other distractions, tasks or duties while focusing on the ones written into your schedule in that particular time block. So how can you create your own perfect week? Step 1. Record everything you do for a week (or alternatively, reflect & review on a to-do list from a previous week. Step 2. Review: what can only you do from that list? What can you delegate? What could you delete altogether? → meaning to automate or schedule. This will allow you a great time to reflect and see what you are actually spending your time on, versus what you think you are spending your time on. Step 3. Group remaining tasks into themes. It’s time to select 7 themes. 5 for each day of the week and 2 for the weekend. Themes could include relaxation, rejuvenation, organisation (more weekend themes), team, content & class planning, CEO day, Project work. Etc. As Dance Studio Owners, teaching may not fall into this particular theme, but this is a personal timetable - so that is ok!! Step 4: Allocate recurring tasks to themes. Eg. Team meetings may be on a Team or Development day, Social media scheduling may be on a Studio Advertising & marketing day. You may allocate a day for content & program creation where you write all blog posts, marketing posts, class lesson plans etc. From there, you get to play! You just need to decide how you think you are going to work best. Creation at the start of the week? Meetings at the end? At the end of the day, you know you. And making changes while you are trying to adjust to your Dream Week is 100% normal. Reminder: Each day has a theme. In addition, each day is segmented according to a specific focus area. Step 5: Each day should include scheduled times for checking emails, returning phone calls etc. If you are still in charge of your social media and required to comment and interact, ensure to allocate a time for that also. Select a time during each day where you plan out the next day. Use your diary, planner or the handy pages from our guide to then plan out your day in order and by the hour. Once you get in a pattern & practice more - this shouldn’t take you too long. Step 6: Make sure to print out your Dream week and display at your desk. Record it on your phone or save to Trello. However, make sure you take a copy with you!! For the first few weeks, take notes on any clashes or difficulties you are having and adjust accordingly. Worried about those little odd jobs? Even those would have a topic or theme. They just need to wait until the scheduled time/day or if you finish a planned task early. Extra tips when creating your schedule: You can create your schedule in whatever form is more effective for you. You can create one on Trello, spreadsheets, google doc, whiteboard or calendar, but I will be providing a printable version of an empty time blocked schedule in the download. Prioritise your tasks, not just within your week but daily. This will create less stress, knowing you can tacking the bigger, more important issues, and tasks first. QUICK TIP: As a business owner you will have many emails to answer, phone calls etc. These are important tasks so you can time block and assign them their own special theme or label on your schedule. A great tip from Michael Hyatt is to communicate those times as “office hours” on your voicemail message and in your email signature so clients, and parents can see when you are available. They will appreciate knowing when you will respond, thus eliminate the guessing game for when they will get their important questions answered. Lastly remember to leave some blank space in your schedule as new tasks, or plans that may arise. This is doesn’t mean you can forget about the other tasks written in and replace them with new, more fun tasks, but rather leaving some room for flexibility, as life never seems to go exactly as planned, but you can certainly do your best. For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. On the go, or don’t have time to listen? Download our FREE how to guide: Rock Your BOD: Including your very own dream week template, a daily planning template, an example of my very own time blocked schedule, and so much more! Get the FREE download at businessofdance.net/ep5   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Enough time is something we all feel we lack, from the seemingly never ending to do list to those big projects or events we want to tackle. We do our best to avoid acting like the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland yelling “i’m late! I’m late!” to every appointment, dance class, or meeting. Not everything may be on a schedule, even if we take account for the time spent in traffic. So how do you manage time within your busy schedule & business? In this episode I deep dive into my personal time blocking & time management hacks to keep your head afloat, generating a positive relationship with your day planner. Sit back, relax, and breath out any stress you have with time, because the fact is, time is really an illusion. So let’s create a perspective & plan that works for you. So how can you create better time management skills within your business?   1. Start your day with a clear vision & focus on the tasks at hand by writing a list You can achieve this by clearly planning out your day the night, the day or even the week before. A great way to do this is by creating your own personal time blocking calendar. I’d advise you to make a general list for your week as well, and can be revised along the way. We all know little things pop up. Write a list of tasks that need to be done, and integrate them into your schedule. Even something as simple as writing down what needs to be accomplished that day can alleviate a load of stress by seeing the tasks right in front of you. We often over exaggerate, how many things we have to do or the time it will take to complete them, but the reality is, when we break it down on paper we can clearly visualise what needs to be completed and the time it will take to complete it. Create a system for how you like to write these lists; handwritten, typed in notes, in trello with its own checklist, recording a voice memo for yourself, in picture form on Pintrest etc. Whatever helps you get job done and keeps you on track, do that! 2. Prioritise!! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed even after making a list, but when you break down that tasks at hand into what is most important, and what needs to get done first then you can actually get started! From there you can estimate how long something may take, from there once you are done, you can cross it off of your list and move on to the next task.   Time can be on your side if you choose it too, as I said before It really is an illusion, so make your list, prioritize and before you know it you’ll get everything you needed to get done that day, and even have some time to spare to relax. When prioritising tasks, ask yourself these questions: What does my my team or students need most from me right now? What is the one task I can do to move my business forward? Are there any income generating tasks that are a priority? What will cause the most trouble if it doesn’t get done? What is the biggest contribution I can make right now? Which strategic tasks do I need to deal with today to help us work smarter tomorrow? 3. Minimise distractions The more uninterrupted time you can get in one time block, the better! You will get more tasks completed & more efficiently. What are the activities that tend to disrupt your work the most? From there you can create a solution, and always be one step ahead of the game. It is important to know your weaknesses and what distracts you, to make you stronger, and more focused, so you can be over prepare for when they come knocking on your door. Some obvious tips could be exiting out of your email so you aren’t tempted to open it every time it brings, shut down facebook and put your phone onto airplane mode. 4. Limit multitasking Many of us multi-task and believe that we are being more effective within our schedule, but evidence suggests that when we do not effectively focus on one thing at a time, we actually to get less done, and take more time completing multiple tasks rather than one whole task. A great tip is to plan your day in sections; just like how you prioritise your daily list and set specific times for each tasks, or meetings. This can help you assess how much you can accomplish that day within your given hours.  A list can feel daunting if it’s just a long list of todo’s with no time frame. Whenever you find yourself multitasking, stop and sit quietly for a minute, then look back to your list, 5. Learn to say NO It can seem challenging to turn down invitations to certain fun events, parties etc. But there are going to be times when running your business where you have to say no and politely decline. This does not mean you can never have fun, go out with friends, or have date nights for the rest of your life. But once again, when you learn to prioritise, this also means that some events will not correspond with your schedule. Learning to say no can be quite empowering. Taking the time to put you and your dreams first, is not a selfish act, but rather a practice of true integrity. Once you completed what you set out to do, it will be much more rewarding to spend the time away from your business knowing everything is running smoothly, rather than leaving it hanging with important unfinished tasks. 6. Review what you accomplished at the end of the day Once you have completed your day, right before you write tomorrow’s list, check off all that you accomplished that day. This will boost your confidence and give you a sense of pride knowing all that you accomplished in that day. If you feel like you didn’t get it done? Create a separate list with the ONE main thing you are going to do for tomorrow. Once completed you can move onto the remaining tasks. But NEVER until you finish the ONE THING. This is modelled off a fantastic book called: “The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results is a non-fiction, self-help book written by authors and real estate entrepreneurs” by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan. I would highly recommend you grab a copy! Reviewing how long a task took for the future is also a good idea to take note of. So when you see it again on your list for days to come, you can say “ I can fit that in my schedule between A & B because it takes X amount of time” 7. Some great apps to help with productivity: Pomodoro: is an app that has a timer and countdown to a short break. Clock app on your phone - set it and don’t stop until the alarm goes. Forest: you set the time you want to work and leave the app open. During the time if you try and click out of it, it will ask you if you want to break focus? Keeps you on track and you can see a little seed growing into a big tree once the time us up. Turn off notifications on your desktop. Remember not to freak out over time, and tasks. Take one thing at a time, make your lists, prioritise, focus on your goals and dreams, and slowly keep climbing that mountain of success, because time is on your side. For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @businessofdance. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea 

In this episode, we are counting down the Top 10 episodes of the Business of Dance Podcast. These are the episodes you guys LOVED and we are celebrating! Plus + a special bonus announcement. For more Business Of Dance please like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.

In this episode, I will dive into my tips for how to start adding birthday parties to your studio. The amazing thing about adding birthday parties to your studio is that it can be a great revenue builder or using your space over the weekend if you have spare studio space to utilise. If this is something you are considering or have already considered adding to your studio, then you’re gonna love my tips for today. Article mentioned: http://dancestudiosuccess.com.au/lifes-a-party/   For more about this episode, head to: www.claireosheacoaching.com/ep98  Want to book a FREE discovery call?  If you are wanting to learn more, feel free to head on over towww.claireosheacoaching.com/discovery For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Rhee Gold and many others consider Roni Mahler a legend in the dance world. Rhee and Roni talk about making strong dancers in this new generation, the power of dance and the role of dance teachers in empowering the youth of today. From the early days at the DanceLife Retreat Center, through to her teaching today, Rhee and Roni reflect upon how she has definitely enjoyed the journey.

  Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. My name is Claire O’Shea and today I will discuss a topic that has affected every person on this planet, which is fear and failure. It is so common to have fears about failure with our everyday life, but these emotions can be heightened as business owners. Somedays it feels like everything is up to us in order to have things running smoothly. Not to mention make enough revenue to pay ourselves and staff. It can be stressful because we put all this pressure on ourselves in order to avoid ever making any mistakes. But the truth is we all make mistakes, fail and adjust accordingly. It is a part of entrepreneurship and living as a human being.   The thing we must be able to do is to keep moving forward and evolve our business without having a complete breakdown or crisis every time something doesn’t go exactly our way or even work out at all. We must have the tools in order to face these fears, as well as differentiate what is really happening and that we are fabricating in our minds. In this episode, I will run you through my personal tips on how to overcome fear and failure as a business owner. The purpose of having these tools is being able to look at situations from a different perspective in order to gauge a solution and tactfully move forward. So without any further delay, let’s dive into the show. What is the worst that could happen? Any situation we put ourselves out there; trying something new, or different, we put ourselves at risk of things going in opposition to what we want. But that doesn’t mean it will go that way…. But when we really think about it, what is the worst that can happen? When we think of the absolute worst outcome possible the reality is, the likelihood of that actually happening is smaller than you think. If you think the world will end, everyone will leave your studio, and all will fail etc. You are more than welcome to think that... But the fact is, those are such crazy, extreme circumstances, and it would take a lot for them to ever occur. This exercise can help gain perspective in order to grasp the reality of a situation. That being said, there is no reason to dwell on these fears, when you can replace them with positive and proactive thought patterns. From there you can come to terms with that you are really afraid of with a particular situation. There is a simple writing exercise to help with this:   1; Write out your problem, fear or situation. Then write out what is the best action to take in order to avoid this happening.   2; Write out what you would do IF this would actually happen to occur. From there you can come face to face with your fear with logic. The rest is out of your control. A good example is that famous drip graph where it says: Can you do anything about it? If the answer is yes, then don’t worry. If the answer is no, then don’t worry! Set yourself up with success by starting with what your fear really looks like. Take notice that it may be much smaller than you think and the likelihood of it actually happening can be even smaller. On the flip side, I encourage you also to start exercises to focus on the positive. Daily mantras, gratitude lists or even taking a few moments to yourself each day to focus on what has worked really well   Re-think & re-define failure All of us have been taught that failure is bad and winning is good. It is ingrained in us through movies, sports, competitions and so on that, there are winners and losers, that it is black and white. If you fail you did something bad and if you won you did something good. It has gone as far as if you fail you ARE bad and GOOD if you don’t. This puts a stunt in our growth as humans from a young age to think we should never do anything wrong and if we do, nothing will go right for us. WRONG! Failing is simply trying. If something doesn’t work, you try again, adjust, and move forward. We see so many accomplished individuals, companies and inventions in the public eye, but this didn’t happen overnight. A great analogy is Apple. How many versions do we have of the iPhone do we have currently? There is a new one coming out practically every year! Upgrades don’t mean the first version was bad but simply being modified, and advanced as time goes on. But what amount of experimenting, and prototypes made in labs we never even knew about. Most of us just see the end product and think we could never make something that good, not knowing there was 100’s of failed versions before then. This can apply to your business as well. What if you try something that totally flops? I empathise that it can be hard, especially when you and your team have worked so hard. But we must be able to look at failure objectively and be able to re-think failure as a bad thing, to simply an experiment. Something didn’t work out, so we try again, make adjustments, ask for feedback, look back and take out what we don’t like etc. You are not a failure if something doesn’t go to plan, but simply a DOER! “What if I fall?” Oh, but my darling, what if you fly!” - Erin Hanson   I’m sure many of us have heard this famous quote. Which leads to me my last point…. We have established how failure is not a bad thing, but simply one outcome from trying something new. We have thought the worst, gained a broader perspective and have created a solution to all outcomes. So, now comes the best part. What if everything goes to plan, or even...better than you thought! Also, what if you learn and grow?? If we can conquer the worst, we can prepare, and expect the best! You can do the same writing exercise as my first point but reverse it. What would you do if everything goes perfectly, and what will do you to ensure it does? Although there is the possibility of failure or a different outcome with any risk or action with our business, the same can go with the polar opposite. Another quote I love is “If you want to predict the future, create it” By Peter Drucker. We have so much more power than we think. Fear is always going to be there but it doesn’t have to dictate our actions. What would it look like if you didn’t fail? We need to be able to visualise our dream outcome in order to even come close to it. It is fine to be aware of fear and understand failure, but remember that is only a defence mechanism in our system to protect us. It doesn’t mean it is true, right or even a reality. We define our success, and we can have outcomes in our favour. If you could have everything you have ever wanted to come true with your business, you need to have a clear vision of what that looks like. Because the truth is, that is absolutely a possible outcomes, better yet, it is on it’s a way to you right now. I hope you enjoyed these tips today. I know it is a heavy subject, as have experienced failure first hand. It can be ugly, messy, and even have us questioning our worth. But if we use these 3 steps, we can see things from a much bigger picture and realise it is only a small aspect of a big puzzle that is your business & life. Failure can even lead to big and beautiful things. Sometimes things don’t work out because they weren’t meant to, and life was leading you elsewhere, to the real place you want to be, even if it doesn’t look like it right now. Remember, you also create your own success and that there is always the possibility of things falling into place. But we cannot let fear stand in our way.   If there is anything particular in your business regarding fear, or have even experienced failure and need a second opinion, I want to remind you that I offer free discovery calls to those looking for real tangible solutions! If you are wanting to learn more, feel free to head on over to www.claireosheacoaching.com/discovery I hope you all have a great day wherever you are in the world, and I look forward to speaking with you soon. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

  Hello and welcome to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. My name is Claire O’Shea and today I am coming to you with a very special and highly requested topic which is how to create the ultimate teacher handbook. Now, you may already have your own guide or may be brand new to the idea, but either way, I really feel the points I will discuss today can really shape your guide if you choose to have one for your team. Teacher handbooks can be so beneficial and a really great time saver because you are not having to repeat the same information over and over again to each teacher during their onboarding process. Having this handbook is crucial as it outlines your values, standards and expectations as well as the importance of teamwork. So a question I get asked all the time is where do I even start? What should I include in my handbook, how long should it be etc. Well, I will dive into all of that into today's show as well as by providing a special free download where you get can your very own copy of my teacher handbook template. To get your copy simply visit  www.claireosheacoaching.com/teacherhandbook  Now let’s get into today’s episode.   Start with a welcome page or letter Say hello, get inspired and explain the purpose of the handbook Introduce yourself and incorporate some of your Bio you would like as well This welcome page will set the tone of the book Outline your studio’s values & mission Your studio’s goal Keeping them on the same page Why they are important Different ways to integrate them Add in worksheets or blank pages for Teachers to add their own goals & dreams   Rules and regulations “the serious part” What rules do you have at your studio Ex. Hair always up Tidy their classrooms before they leave, roll procedure Emergency Situations Mandatory reporting Social media policy Teacher expectations What is expected of them when conducting their class Kindness and respect to their team members and students Honest communication Music choice Class layout or inclusions Team meetings & the importance of their attendance When you normally hold meetings and why Meeting expectations and what they need to prepare prior Dates in advance! Deadline & due dates What are the important dates for them to keep in mind as teachers Concerts Camps Costume and music selection Choreography Meeting their benchmarks   Templates, planners & guides Any example lesson plans, templates or articles you find useful or helpful   Tech savvy? Can put this all on a trello board for easy access Split up content into email drip series or schedule to private FB group throughout the first month of classes (or when is relevant)   The Big Binder For my studio, I combine this all together in the big binder which is a complete overview of what is required for the year including class plans, teacher expectations, curriculum & more So there you have it, folks. Those are some of my top tips on what to include to create the ultimate teacher handbook at your studio. Remember it doesn’t have to be complicated or even 50 pages long, but simply outlining the critical areas of your studio, as well as establishing their role as teachers. Everyone likes to create theirs slightly differently and that is totally fine, as every studio is different. Just remember to keep it clear and concise and emphasise the importance of them reading and reviewing this handbook, as it can save a lot of complications in the future. I just want to remind you that you can also get your free copy of my teacher handbook template for you to print out and start creating your own handbook, and you get this by heading to www.claireosheacoaching.com/teacherhandbook   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. My name is Claire O’Shea and today I will be sharing with you some special tips and insight into how I add zest and zing to my studio. As business owners, we are always trying to keep things fun and fresh. It can be hard to come up with new things all the time which is why having some strategies to use time and time again is key, rather than starting from scratch or trying to keep up with every single “new thing or trend” studios may be doing. Each of us has our own limits with time, resources and imagination for new ideas. Although we are creative individuals, It isn’t our job necessarily to change elements of our studio regularly, but simply keep it fun, fresh, by adding that zing which keeps people excited to come back to our studio time and time again.   If you are a regular listener of the podcast you may hear me say words like glow, sparkle, zest, zing etc. To me, these words are far more than just fun jargon. It is about bringing back that excitement you had or have for your business and emanating that across your dance programs, classes and relationships. I discuss these topics because I essentially want to help others get recharged with that passion for their business. This podcast is called the business of dance, but there are elements that are a part of business ownership that go past automation and systems. It is that feeling we have inside about our love of dance and helping others; our core values. Today in this episode, I will be discussing how I personally add in the zest into my studio time and time again, which as a result helps grow my business and shape a well-rounded community. So let’s dive into the show. Try something new! Something simple is to try something new. It doesn’t have to be big or even cost you money, but simply doing something new, or different in order to keep that zest and zing alive at your studio. This can range from integrating new themes into your studio, having a workshop or event that is shaped around something relevant in dance or that particular time of year. A great place to start is to assign your team to research or brainstorm ideas for what they feel is “resh” right now. A way to do this is by keeping an eye on social media with Instagram, dance-themed Facebook groups as well as Pinterest pages. We can all get inspiration from others in similar fields and learn what is the new fun thing, and experiment for how you might integrate with within your business. This shows you are open to trying new things which in turn, always keep that zest and zing alive within your business. Review (What is, and isn’t working) A great way to spice things up a bit is to simply do a review So many of us can get stagnant as studio owners with doing the same things over and over. That isn’t to say to ever ditch what is currently working, but review what may not be working or converting the way you would like it to, and then adjust accordingly to match the other amazing aspects of your business. This can take place with your quarterly reviews, during team meetings or simply at the end of the year and look at everything from a bird's eye view. Sometimes to keep things fresh it isn’t about adding on but taking away or tweaking what already exists. This can be from a system that no longer serves your business or even an event or workshop you host every year that just isn’t seeing the attention it deserves. When we let go of what no longer serves us, we can make room for new and exciting things, while keeping that zest & zing alive! Take that extra time for your students/parents Sometimes the best way to keep up the zing within your business is working on your communication. After all, at the end of the day, we want our students, and their parents to feel heard, special and a part of the community. This can be as easy as sending out a weekly or even fortnightly email to ask them how they are doing, how was this week for them etc. Even taking the time to have a bit of a chat after class (if you are still teaching at this time) We all have such busy schedules, but a part of running a business is keeping up that standard of streamlined communication, as well as kindness. A thing to remember is that a little can go a long way, and that extra effort reminds them why that came to your studio in the first place.   Don’t be afraid to keep evolving. My last point goes hand in hand with my first 2 points. When we are willing to try something new and let go of what isn’t working in our business we allow the opportunity to evolve. You never know just where your business will go, when you allow it to grow and take shape into what it is meant to be. It isn’t about changing everything but simply understanding that businesses evolve over time. There are niches within owning a dance business that is still yet to be discovered! This can come in the form of you wanting to take a different direction; adding a new genre of dance, having your own location or be an onsite studio, integrating music or drama classes, sticking to a specific age bracket, or even something as small as adjusting your values as time goes on. Things can change over time, and allowing any changes to come when they do naturally, at a rate that is feasible, you will always keep things fun and fresh without too much stress!   BONUS: Try a live video Create a music video showing off all your students Use something like Canva to refresh your brand or add logos to your photos Do a survey - what are people wanting Hire a guest teacher So those are just a few tips on how I personally add zest and zing into my studio. Adding these elements that keep things fresh, fun and alive at your studio doesn’t have to come from drastic changes, but rather keeping an eye out and being mindful of what you feel may be missing or simply trying something new and fun! Again we don’t need to follow every trend to keep things up to date at our studio. It really just boils down to authenticity and spreading that throughout our businesses, and all those who come into contact with it. I hope you enjoyed today’s show, and that this episode inspires you to add some extra zing into your studio! Have a great day wherever you are in the world, and I will speak to you soon. Bye for now.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea  

Hello everyone, my name is Claire O’Shea and Welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today I have with me another fierce and fabulous guest on the show. In this episode, I will be interviewing Alicia Jonas. Alicia is the director of music and dance studio Arts in Motion and is the creator of her coaching business The Confident Dance Studio. Alicia is a business strategist for performing arts, yoga, and fitness studio owners. Her method within her business is a combination of strategy, systems and mindset. She works with studio owners to align their work with who they are and what they want; streamlining systems, creating marketing strategies, and digging deep into their goals to create more income, build an unstoppable team, or get more customers while leaving them with more time, more confidence, and less stress! Alica’s Bio: (Alisha) Alicia stepped into dance at the age of 3 and never left. After pursuing dance and business degrees, she made her living in dance through her experience as a professional modern dancer and teacher. In 2006, she added a role as dance studio owner, and now is using her experience to assist other studio owners as a business coach.   As a wife of 15 years and mom of 3 sons 10 & under, she recognizes the importance of creating intelligent systems and structures that help your studio run efficiently and keep it growing, while giving you the ability to step away to spend time with your loved ones. It is her mission to help every studio owner to find freedom within their own business.     The Confident Dance Studio Website: http://theconfidentdancestudio.com/about Alicia’s Studio: https://www.artsinmotion-stl.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciajjonas   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The business of Dance Podcast. My name is Claire O’Shea and today I will be sharing a very special episode with you, and will be diving into the benefits of adding check-in emails into your studio sequences as well as the very email that enrolled over 20 parents to my studio! Now, I have touched on email sequences a bit in past episodes, and blog posts discussing why they are so vital for creating a solid base for communication at your studio with your parents and students. I’ve also made an entire episode about the importance of a welcome and nurture sequence, and if you would like to listen to that episode as well, and that is episode 59 (https://www.claireosheacoaching.com/ep59/) Today's episode is going to be more focused on those who either have attended your studio in the past, participated in a holiday camp, or even just took a workshop once at your studio. These are the people who we are connected to but may not have been in contact for a period of time. Today I want to share with you the reasons why just a simple checking in can go a long way and the email that brought 20 parents back to my studio. You never know if someone is in the right position to re-enroll or take a class again at your studio until you reach out. Timing is such a big thing when it comes to business as well as life, and just a little “hello” can go a long way. I also will be providing a very special free download called the Check-in Email Cheat Sheet. This is for those wanting a copy of the email I will be mentioning in this episode, plus some extra info on creating these check-in emails. You can get your copy by going to www.claireosheacoaching.com/checkinemail   So without further delay, let’s dive into the show! 1.Create a system for storing or keeping emails on file The first thing you can do to get this process started for you and your team is to create a system to keep track of all those who come to contact with your studio and place them into categories That way you can see what stage someone is with your studio, and from there they are getting the correct information based the position they are in. For example, Enquries>Booked trials>Those who've trialled>Those who haven’t>new enrolled>not yet enrolled>unenrolled etc. When it comes tools or software you use to keep track of your email lists, a great one which I use is MailChimp. With MailChimp, you can both schedule out emails for a designated time, or in a sequence which spreads out your message to others in a drip feed style based on the time they were added to the list. It is also good to keep in mind the reason why someone may not be enrolled or unenrolled. If there was an issue with a student and the parents have stated they wish to not return, then putting them on a list to receive future info may not be wise. But for those who we keep on file who may have both participated and showed interest in an event, trial or camp at our studios, we have the opportunity to reach out and inform them about new and exciting things at our studios. Keeping these people on file and up to date gives them the opportunity to assess when the time is right for them to revisit our studios, as well as make them feel welcome at any time. Don’t be afraid to reach out or feel you are “bombarding” people Sometimes we can feel both as business owners and people, overwhelmed with the amount of content we are creating and consuming We all know those emails we get once or even multiple times a day by certain companies that we kind of give an eye roll to, but the truth is in terms of our studios, if someone is interested, they will read what we have to say. In the grand scheme of things an email that we may send out once a week or even a few times a month is a very small fish in the pond of someone's inbox. If someone isn’t enjoying our content or wishes to not receive our emails they will simply unfollow or delete your email. It is completely normal and standard for a business to send out update emails to others who have come into contact with our business. It is natural to want to keep others in the loop with new and exciting business ventures. It is a part of caring about others, and frankly just good marketing. We don’t need to feel any shame of “bothering” someone with updates, because you never know when the very email you send could catch someone's eye and be just want they or looking for. Or better yet, know someone else who may be interested. If you honestly feel you are sending too many emails, feel free to cut back, but from my experience, a weekly or even fortnightly or monthly email is not too much. Timing is everything The reason why timing is key is that you never know the place someone may be in until you ask or put yourself out there Many times those who have visited or took part in an element of our business and didn’t signup right away doesn’t mean that we did something wrong or that our studio is the wrong fit. It can be a multitude of reasons from; low funds, moving to a new part of town, balancing other hobbies their child has or that their child simply isn’t ready to start a dance class There are many cases where someone may come to your studio but may not have the intention of staying or signing up. But that does not mean they will never. Sometimes people like to test out different studios, and that is why trials can be a wonderful thing is to integrate into your studio If the timing simply isn’t right, but they loved you and your studio, guess where they will go when they are ready? Your studio! With the email I sent out, it was simply a timing issue with a few of the parents who I reached out to. This is why keeping those update and check in emails is so important, while remaining on good terms. Another tip is to relieve this sense of pressure. If someone isn’t ready or in a place to signup, let them know you understand and are here whenever the time is right. A great way to achieve this is just by having confidence in your studio. That if someone doesn’t sign up it will still thrive because the right people will come along in time or gravitate back. You don’t want to leave others with a bad taste in their mouth or feel guilty for not signing up as that will not attract them in the future. Wording your “check-in” email The key to this email is the wording and length You want to give the important details if you are giving an update and ask the essential questions to get your point across I would try to keep it short and sweet if possible and be honest with your intentions   So those are some of my reasons why it is so important to do little check-ins and updates for those who come into contact with your studio but may not signup right away or those taking a break from your studio. I hope that these tips helped and the email which enrolled more students in my studio will give you some ideas of what you may want to say to others in a similar position with your studio or dance business. Keeping in contact with others is an important aspect not only when attracting others back to our business but forming a community in and around our studios. If you would like more assistance with the topic of email sequences, I actually provide a service where my team and I not only write a specific sequence you are needing in your studio but we actually set it up for you in MailChimp! If this is something you would be interested in integrated into your studio, feel free to visit www.claireosheacoaching.com/emailcreation. A reminder that you can also get your free copy of the email I mentioned in this episode, plus extra tips to get started, called the Check-In Email Cheat Sheet, and you can get your copy by going to www.claireosheacoaching.com/checkinemail That is all for today’s episode. I hope you have a wonderful day wherever you are in the world and I will talk to you soon. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today I have a special episode as I will be discussing a topic related to our 5-day challenge which started today! This free challenge is all about giving your studio the glow up it deserves by addressing the areas of your studio which need a little facelift and love. If you are wanting to take part of this free challenge, then you can signup to receive your free workbook by going to www.claireosheacoaching.com/studioglowup and be sure to head on over to my facebook group www.facebook.com/group/businessofdance to stay up to date with my daily FB lives throughout the challenge. I hope to see you all there!   Now for today’s episode, I will discuss how to make your studio glow on the inside out! Our businesses are so important to us as we have dedicated a big portion of our lives to build an institution centred around our love of dance. We know there is SO much more to our studios than making money and the day-to-day grind of owning a business. There are elements to our business that not everyone who comes into contact with our studio will see, but is in essence how our studio thrives, grows and glows! Today I will touch on the unseen but important aspects that need to be nurtured in order for our studio’s to glow from the inside out! Let’s dive into the show. Do your inner work as the business owner This is the work that is necessary for you to be your best self as a studio owner, entrepreneur, teacher etc. What personal development can you partake in regularly, or a few times throughout the year that makes you become your best version? Is there a conference you love going to that always inspires you and re-ignites that spark in you? Are there self-care practices that you can incorporate that get you to function at your highest? We need to remember that we are still human beings at the end of the day. But as business owners and leaders, we need to live by example for your students and staff If we want our studio to glow, then we must also glow! Find a routine or ritual that brings out your inner sparkle so you can inspire others and share that with them. Something as simple as a self-care day, or even half day can be so beneficial It isn’t about taking time off but integrating elements within our life that truly make us shine! From there you can integrate some of these practices within your studio! Why not host a workshop or talk about self-care and self-love. This can be so beneficial as we are dealing with young children on a regular basis that may struggle with self-confidence. Dance is such a great tool to bring out our inner fire and sparkle. So why not take it one step further and get the student to learn how to incorporate this sparkle into other aspects of their life It all starts with us, and from there the glow of our studio is ever expanding   Keeping up with maintenance & studio aesthetic This is an obvious one, as I am sure most of you already keep up maintenance if you have a brick and mortar style studio like myself, with having cleaners come in on a regular basis and so forth. But there is also an element of keeping up with your studio’s aesthetic that goes beyond just cleanliness or fixing something when it is broken It can be something bigger like having a fresh coat of paint, redecorating the space in your lobby or waiting room to be more comfortable and welcoming It can also be something as small as having your students write down something positive they learnt in class or about a teacher and hanging them on a wall for inspiration. Keeping up with aesthetic doesn’t always mean redecorating, or investing tons of money, but rather having your goals, values and overall vibe of your studio to be consistent within the building you host your classes and the classes themselves Just like being consistent with our branding, we also want to be consistent with our entire studio whether it is onsite, or in your brick and mortar business. We want the internal to match the external, just like our first point. Getting your studio to glow has nothing to do with making it flashy, it is just expressing who you are and what your studio is about and allowing your business to be maintained across the board in both values and aesthetic. That being said it is so important for the place itself to be kept nice and organised. We all know how amazing it feels to step into a fresh clean studio every day! Keeping up with those standards with both your students and staff will increase your creditably level and keep your studio family onboard with studio expectations.   Creating a shift in your studio without starting from scratch There are so many times as a business that we wish we could start from scratch, or re-do an area within our studio. But without looking too much into the past or accumulating regrets, it is fine to feel as though we could do or have done things differently The truth is you totally can! We all learn and increase our set of skills as time goes on, so there is always room to grow without starting from scratch Some tips on how to have a small reset without scrapping your entire business or at least the elements are working are: Taking a course or working with a coaching Incorporating PD with you and your team on a quarterly basis Getting advice or inspiration from other studio owners Levelling up with new certifications to incorporate other programs, dance styles or competitive opportunities Teaching fewer classes or stop teaching altogether and hiring another teacher so you can focus on other areas of your studio and take time to recenter Re-branding your studio's name, colours or even just a website refresh There are times we feel as if it’s too late to change things with our studio’s but that is simply untrue It can take time to make shifts or changes within our business, but that does not mean it is impossible or that the ship for a new direction has sailed If you want your business to glow and reach the highest potential you have always dreamed, it is completely 100% possible. You just need to be honest with what changes you want/need to make and start taking those steps! Remind others what is special about YOU & YOUR STUDIO We all remember when first starting our businesses, outlining what will set us part We integrate that into our business plan, when writing our values, and creating our curriculum, but does it stop there? When we want our business to glow, grow and thrive we need to have that essence that sets us part to be integrated into EVERYTHING we do. In business terms we call it a “hook” but it is essentially that aspect of our studios that got our students, parents or dream client to say “where can I sign up, this is the place for me” Our studios thrive off of the success of our students and the pleasure they get from participating in the programs we create. Their experience echos to their parents, community members and so forth… We need to come up with a way to really remind them why they chose us over another studio in order to keep up with both retention, reputation and resilience! This can be created in many forms from value-based lesson plans, consistent communication and the manner in which we conduct our communication with parents and staff, as well as community events or workshops This isn’t necessarily about creating new or free things, but simply reviewing every element within our business that comes into contact with others at our studio and developing a system or manner to have our values and voice be heard. This ensures overall consistency, showing others you are the real deal, which instils trust within your community and allows your studio to glow!!   So those are my top tips on how to make your studio glow from the inside out! We all want our studio’s or businesses of dance to thrive and glow in the way we first envisioned it. The cool thing is that this glow is ever evolving, and if you feel it dimming you have your toolbox and resources to light it back up again. It is never too late to reignite that glow and have your studio to shine, you just have to remember that light starts with you, and your love of dance. Again, if you are taking part in my free 5-day Studio Glow Up Challenge which started today, I look forward to chatting with you all tomorrow in my facebook group The Business of Dance, where I will be doing live chats and Q&As all week at 10 AM AEST. If you are wanting to still participate in the challenge and get your free workbook you can head to www.claireosheacoaching.com/studioglowup . Have a great day wherever you are in the world, and look forward to chatting with you soon. Bye for now For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea  

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today I will discuss a very important topic for those who love planning and getting things done ahead of schedule. Or maybe this is something you are striving for with your business and wanting more insight on. In this episode, I will be touching on my top points on how to create content for your studio all year round!   I want to also give a reminder that my free 5-day Studio Glow Up Challenge starts next week;  the 25th-29th of March and the spots are limited! This challenge gives you the knowledge you need to establish your studio goals, involve your team and master your marketing & automation strategies all in less than a week! Here’s a break down of the challenge: Day 1: Prime the foundation for your goals Day 2: Contour & collaborate with your team Day 3: Highlight your automation strategy Day 4: Set your marketing plan in place Day 5: Challenge Review + Q&A   For more information and to sign up for the challenge head to www.claireosheacoaching.com/studioglowup and visit our Facebook group where I will be hosting live videos each day of the challenge www.facebook.com/groups/businessofdance   So without further delay, let’s dive into the ways you can plan your studio’s content ahead of time, mapping out your entire year. But what is content creation or content marketing?   Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.   This will relieve you and your team the stress of creating brand new material every single month or even year! So let’s dive into the show! Where is your content shared? Social media Blog posts Email automation (or being manually sent), nurture sequences Team content, training etc. Everything where you are creating CONTENT to be shared for a purpose.   Break down your year into digestible chunks & categories When planning content for your studio, whether for social media purposes, events or curriculum, you want to map out your year in a digestible manner in order to see how the whole year can play out This can eliminate stress as you are not planning your 12 months all in one go That isn’t practical and will leave you scatterbrained trying to do everything all at once. Something to first do is separate the parts of your studio you need to plan content for. This can be your social media, individual class curriculums, concerts, holidays, yearly events, team meetings, emails etc. You can then plan with your team, the content needed for each section and when they will be implemented throughout your year. From there you can break down your year in milestones, or chunks that make the most sense to you and your team. At my personal studio, we map things out based on terms. We have 4 terms and organise our content based on the time of year, holidays, and the number of weeks within each term. Some people do quarterly which is also fine. Just make sure you give yourself enough time ahead to plan so you may visualise all that takes place in the time frame you choose. You will want to map this out within your studio systems so you can repeat how you create and implement your content for years to come (and tweak and re-use it each year). For instance, if you know you always have your studio’s concert in December, Then you will start planning the content for your studio recital months ahead. If you create a template from the year before, you can see all the content that needs to be completed and when. This saves you time when planning your concert for this year, and years to come. This can be with your studio’s concert theme & logo, ticket advertising, pre-nurture content and more Themes/Time of year Something to take into consideration when planning your studio’s content year round is themes based on the time of year. If you are planning ahead for your studio class structures, curriculum or even social posts, you want to keep in mind themes can be used based on time of year. This will help you plan ahead, rather than having to think of your feet every month, holiday or term (or every day when you are trying to find something to talk about). For instance, we all know Halloween is at the end of October, so planning that month or week around the theme of Halloween can help you plan ahead of time. You can create a small choreographed dance to a creepy Halloween song, host a Halloween movie night at your studio and create social posts or blog content based on the theme Same goes for Christmas (if you celebrate that at your studio) When you are aware of holidays, and the time of year each term will be, it will save you and your team time planning ahead as you can already imagine the kind of content you will want to create at that time. This can also fall under the category of benchmarks for your students If you map out where you need your students to be, and at what level by a certain time, you can plan your curriculum based on methods which help them progress and get to where they need to be. As I have mentioned before, the best way to plan for anything as a business owner is to think of your end goal and work backwards Planning ahead doesn’t have to be complicated, just takes a little foreseeing and visualisation to where you want to be in the future.   Social media The next area you can start planning content for is social media. This is your content for your studio’s Facebook page, Facebook parent/student groups, Instagram, website etc. As well as creating fun and exciting content within our studio itself, we also want to keep the content up to date with our social channels, which match the overall vibe within our classes. We want to transfer over the thrill, and joy within our studios so that may draw in others to sign up and check out our classes, or events. In order to stay consistent with our content on social media, we must plan ahead, stay on track and automate! In order to have this content flow year round, you want to build your content over time by gathering photos from your classes, concert, workshops, staff and fun events held. Although it's not bad to have stock photos now and again, you want to show as much as you can of what it is really like at your studio. This will get others in your community excited to see what is happening next at your studio, interested in getting their child involved as well as bringing back positive memories for existing families and students. You can outsource to your admin, VA or a team member to sort through these photos and post on your social channels with fun text and quotes that correlate with your studio’s values, and vocabulary. These posts can be spread across your social channels and can be to the time of year, with themes, announcements, and general communication with your studio family. Automation From there you can automate your content and schedule your posts. The amazing thing about automation is you don’t have to manually post your content every single day, week, or even month! What I always recommend is to have a base for your posts, and you can add more recent posts over time as thing happen in “real” time I’ve mentioned before to see it as a cake: Your regular automated posts are your base, and your posts relevant to what is happening now in the present moment at your studio is the icing and sprinkles! Another great feature with some automation platforms is called reque, where you can automatically repost old content in a random order over a certain period of time. Not everyone will see your posts or videos when first uploaded, so this gives people a chance to stay updated with everything you have created! You can also repurpose content. If there is an important lesson or value you are implementing at your studio, maybe write a blog post about it as well. Perhaps you want to show the parents a new move or technique their child has learnt. You can film that particular section of the class and post on Youtube or Facebook to share around with others. Remember you can plan posts, weeks if not months ahead, having your year all planned out so you don’t have to think about what to post that week. From there you can add bonus posts from present content or info, which is still saving you and your team a tonne of time.   How do you have enough time to do this all? Time block and start with the larger content and break it up. For instance, if I have to share content about how to prepare for an upcoming show or competition, we have an email template (or an email can be created for that). Once completed, I take that info and add a fun intro & conclusion for a blog post (repurposing) and then split it up into bite size chunks for socials and also scheduling it as a reminder for my team that that event is coming up. So basically I take a hero piece of content and then repurpose the sh*t out of it in as many areas as possible. We save that into a template into our marketing software or Trello so we can use it again next year. All we have to do is schedule it and change the date if needed. Those are my top tips that can help you and your team create content for your studio all year long. It can seem like a lot of work especially in the beginning or if you are starting to implement more opportunities and add ons to your studio, but trust me, just like with our systems, once things are in place, you can save so much time in the future! We as studio and business owners are very creative individuals but this doesn’t mean we can create something brand new every single week on the spot. We must plan ahead, collaborate and work with our teams! This is the power of automation as well. Our content will flow naturally without us having to think too much about it. The beauty of living in this day in age is that we no longer have to do everything manually, giving us more time to be present, and in person with our studio families. I really hope these tips can assist you, and give you the insight you need to build your own personalised plan for your studio’s content. Again, If you haven't signed up for your spot in my free 5-day Studio Glow-Up Challenge, I highly suggest you do as the spots are limited. You can sign up by going to www.claireosheacoaching.com/studioglowup  I will speak to you all soon and am excited to start the challenge next week! Have a great day wherever you are in the world. Bye for now.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea  

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. I have mentioned in a few episodes how crucial it is for us as business and studio owners to map out our marketing plan in a monthly or consistent manner. This plan can stem from your yearly or quarterly marketing plan scattered and implemented within each month. It is so important that we can see the big and long term picture when marketing our business as a whole, while also isolating parts of our studios we are wanting more exposure, attention or even profit in.   I have created a free download for you today that includes a marketing template calendar, steps to think about and tips and tricks to automate this process. To grab your copy, head to www.claireosheacoaching.com/marketingtemplate     Now when you hear the term marketing, it may excite you or start the nervous sweats. But never fear! This episode is going to help provide clarity and action steps. Anddddddd… if you would like to dive in even deeper & take action I want to remind you about my upcoming 5-day Studio Glow Up Challenge! This challenge will take place on the 25th-29th of March and is completely free! In just less than a week I will help you establish your studio goals, involve your team and master your marketing & automation strategies! Here’s a break down of the challenge: Day 1: Prime the foundation for your goals Day 2: Contour & collaborate with your team Day 3: Highlight your automation strategy Day 4: Set your marketing plan in place Day 5: Challenge Review + Q&A For more information and to sign up for the challenge head to www.claireosheacoaching.com/studioglowup and visit our Facebook group where I will be hosting live videos each day of the challenge www.facebook.com/groups/businessofdance   So without any delay, let’s dive into today’s show where I will let you in on my tips for how to master your monthly marketing campaign for your studio or business of dance.     What is your long term & short term goal with your campaign?   I know what it is like in the beginning and understand that mapping out a whole year can seem a little intimidating which is why when we map it out monthly it can feel more manageable. But before this can be implemented, you must structure your long term plan and the results you are seeking. From there you are able to break it down. You want to first identify what outcome you are wanting by the end of the year when starting your plan, as well as on a monthly basis. This could be student numbers, revenue-based or simply how you want to feel and the end of the year. As an example, if you know that you offer a summer camp at your studio for a week or two every year, then taking the month before or even the month before that to target your ads or promotion towards the sign-up of that camp would be wise. If your overall goal is to get to a target number of students by the end of the year, marketing your advertisements towards your ideal client throughout the year can help you build momentum in that area of your studio. It can seem intimidating to map out such a long period of time, but if you take the initiative and time to sit down with your team, admin or VA and plan long term, it can actually save you time each month having to think off the top of your head without any real concrete direction. So take out a pen and make a note of the events or special days that run without fail every year as well as new things you would like to do. That what we know when creating our marketing plans when we need to start advertising for them. The breakdown As mentioned, once you have your long term goals and targets in place, you can break it down into your monthly calendar, plan or system your studio uses. When it comes to ads, both paid and free, you want to choose where you are going to post, and when. With the way algorithms work on each platform, these days can vary and change over time. Being aware of what works for your business and brings the most ROI (return on investment) is key. This comes from experimentation over time and reviewing your stats. So make sure to keep track and do this regularly. Once a pattern can be identified, you can then use this to schedule your monthly, weekly or even daily marketing strategies. Posts and ads can be scheduled, emails can be automated and so on because you know which days and times are more effective for your targeted audience. You can outsource to those on your team, or an online source to set these up for you, saving you lots of time, and energy. From there you have the building blocks of what can now be turned into your monthly marketing plan, practically set to autopilot! This can be set up in a checklist of exactly what set steps to take to create your marketing calendar for a particular event or class. Once these templates are created, you can simply select them each month for what is going to run or be active.   How to set it out → resources to use….. What does this actually look like? If you're like me, one of my first questions is always…. But what does this look like? You can get a tech person to implement these straight into a flow program like Trello or Asana You really need to plan stuff out, can create a flow in the marketing template we created for you and then create a digital copy. Once you have streamlined how a certain event is run & marketed or even a certain type of event, you can set up templates, text examples & email patterns, Facebook ads etc. so you don't have to reinvent the wheel every time. Then you can simply map out on a monthly calendar when and which campaign is starting, and follow up touch points. We also have a wonderful social media automation tool called coschedule which allows you to use “marketing elements” also. You can create templates and set them up as needed. Don’t waste your time of what isn’t working Something to keep in mind is to see what is working and what isn’t in terms of marketing. This is why keeping a tab on your stats to review what is your strongest and most effective ROI. If you are posting the same Facebook Ad and it isn’t getting any more student through the door, then you need to take down the ad and re-evaluate the text, photo and try something else if it isn’t converting. When we are mapping out our plan we want to implement what we know to be working, leave out what isn’t and of course have room for experimentation on new marketing strategies. Understand what isn’t working and let it go. This can also filter into categories of marketing. If Facebook Ads are not working for your studio, and posting in local groups or word of mouth has more conversions, stick with that and move forward from there. It is all well and good to try new things and tactics, but if you have always added an element into your marketing plan that is no longer benefiting you, it is okay to discontinue it.   Have your campaign always lead back to your target audience When planning your campaign you want to always keep in mind who you are targeting with your marketing. We always want to put ourselves in the shoes of our ideal clients and shape our perception of their wants and need in order for us to provide them with a solution Have everything within your monthly plan work back to who you want to see your advertisements, promotions, photos, videos, emails etc. Remember why and who you are marketing in the first place It can take time to refine your target, but the clearer you are on who they are, the easier it will be to map out your plan, as you are doing it for them to interact with your studio, sign up and benefit the very programs you are promoting in the first place.   Assess your resources: When you are mapping out and planning your marketing campaign you need to consider the resources you already have, how you will utilize them to your advantage, as well as what you are willing to invest. It is amazing when you have a well thought out and planned marketing strategy and campaign, but if what you planned doesn’t meet your budget or resources it isn’t going to benefit you much at this time. It is totally okay to start small. You don’t need to fork out a bunch of money for advertisements, but utilising what you already have and grow your campaign over time. For instance, if you only have a small team or one admin staff you can work together to plan our monthly campaign, posts etc. You can start out with just one Facebook ad a month which can go live for as long as a week or a few days and go from there. It’s more about finding a strategy and tactics that work for you and mapping them out in a practical manner for you and your team. We want results, ROI and of course retention! By mapping out our plan monthly we are able to take what we know is working and implement it. Giving our marketing a hands-free approach.   Record it all down The last step is to rinse & repeat this same strategy and method to plan future projects that need marketing.   I have created a free download for you today that includes a marketing template calendar, steps to think about and tips and tricks to automate this process. To grab your copy, head to www.claireosheacoaching.com/marketingtemplate   So those are my top tips on how to create your monthly marketing campaign for your studio. It can take a little bit of time and planning in the beginning and is completely normal to feel slightly overwhelmed. But trust me when I say that marketing your studio, does get easier over time. You create systems for your campaigns, you learn new fun ways to manage marketing ads and these skills do come with time. We are living in a really interesting time as marketing comes in so many shapes & sizes and with social media on our side, the possibilities are really infinite, you just have to find what works for you over time.   I am also excited to announce that I will be hosting a very special 4-week coaching course called Studio Grow & Glow. In this course, I will be showing you step by step exactly HOW to create, as well as set up your marketing plan for the entire year! I will be discussing more about this course soon but until then, be sure to secure your spot in my coming free challenge (which is limited) The Studio Glow-up Challenge which takes place on the 25th-29th of March by going to www.claireosheacoaching.com/studioglowup and visit our Facebook group where I will be hosting live videos each day of the challenge www.facebook.com/groups/businessofdance . I look forward to chatting with you all next week where I discuss how to create content for your studio all year long! Take care whenever you are in the world. Bye for now! For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today’s topic is a very special one, as I will be sharing with you the reasons why taking on a coach was the best thing I did for my studio, as well as inspire me to become a coach myself, for fellow dance studio entrepreneurs like you! Now, I understand not everyone listening is in the position currently to take on a coach, but I just want to give a little insight into my experience and share how much I have benefited both professionally and personally when I hired a coach to level up my skills with my business. I also have an episode where I discuss if you should take on a coach or when to know it’s the right time to hire a coach for your business. If you would like to hear this episode, go ahead and give that a listen as well by going to www.claireosheacoaching.com/ep28.   The truth is everyone can benefit from insight, advice or even a program which can help them on their path to reaching their highest potential and dreams for themselves or their business. I have witnessed many people get stuck in a place with their business where they may feel a bit strange as a successful business owner to then take on a coach. Some people feel it is a step backwards or may experience guilt that they don’t “have it all together” But the fact is, there is always something new to learn, and always someone out there who has stronger abilities in a particular area we may need assistance from. That doesn’t mean you aren’t incredibility skilled in your area of expertise, but rather so passionate about making a difference with your business, that you want to learn to be the best you can be! So without further ado, let’s dive into today’s show, as I tell you the reasons why taking on a coach was the best thing I did for my business, and why I wouldn’t be where I am today without the skills I learnt from taking on these personal development programs. They kept me accountable with my dreams   We all take on a coach for different reasons based on the area of our business we want to expand our knowledge on, but one thing that is consistent with most coaching programs is the abundance of accountability. In the past, I have done small group coaching, DIY programs, masterminds and a 1:1 coach for 2 short periods. For a little while now, I have taken a break to really focus on my vision and allow my thoughts to really prosper. Instead, I have a ‘biz bestie’ that I meet with weekly on zoom and speak with almost every day on Voxer. We keep each other accountable, brainstorm, share good and bad ideas, complain & most of all support each other. With that in mind, a coach is more than just someone delivering you the information needed to build or grow your business, but along the way giving you that guidance you need. They give you the knowledge and skills, but also make sure that you follow through. There are deadlines, and benchmarks just like any class you took in school or class at your studio. Having this meant I had to complete the necessary steps in order to take my business to the next level. This helped me develop my time management skills as well as kept me on track with the tasks at hand within the program. We all get excited about levelling up or growing our business, but it is the follow through that makes all the difference. Having someone there along the way, bringing guidance and support, can be the very thing we need to go after our dreams and transfer them from our minds into reality. It helped me really clarify my vision and focus on what needs to be done, versus what I think I wanted to do. If you are ready to take the next step in your business and feel like you would benefit from 1:1 guidance. I would recommend downloading some freebies or absorbing their free material first. Most coaches also have a free call to introduce themselves etc.   They helped me see my business from a non-bias perspective   We all know what it is like to speak to friends and family about a particular issue in our lives; They are kind, caring and try to give us the best advice they can. But when it comes to running our business, sometimes it is best to get an outside perspective with a non-bias opinion. Sometimes family members can also get your hackles up in a way that no one else can. My mum, for instance, is always wanting to help and has a lot of wonderful ideas. But for some reason, it has been hard for me to listen to her advice and take it on without feeling like she is criticising me. Now, this is something that I have been working on, but sometimes you can’t also help your reaction. Having a coach is great in this way as they understand your particular issues in your business, and can help you based on what they know, rather than how they see you. You also have the opportunity to find a coach in a similar field who knows what you have been through or to branch out and find someone from a completely different industry to get some out of the box input. With my coach, I got the help I needed from a person I respected and trusted to give me the best possible solution for how I wanted to level up my business. Since my coach at the time wasn’t a dance studio owner themselves but helped many kinds of entrepreneurs, it helped me to see my studio purely as a business. I wasn’t any less passionate about dance, the arts or our values, but this perspective helped me develop and broaden how I saw my business as a whole and really work on the business side versus the creative which can be beneficial. This was so beneficial because once I did this, and everything was running much more smoothly, I could then really give my energy to the students, and staff in a way I couldn’t before when I needed help on the business side of things = business & studio growth! I have also seen great results from dance-related courses and workshops as many of the coaches or presenters have had first-hand experience. This business can be isolating, so having someone who totally gets it can be a wonderfully supportive feeling. The power of automation I was well aware of the concept prior to taking on my coach (and have always had a bit of an obsession with technology), but after taking on the program, I widened my knowledge of the power that automation has on businesses. There were so many tasks, all of different sizes I was wasting precious time on, or outsourcing to staff members which could have been automated. This really helped me understand the potential time that could have been saved when I automated these tasks. I saw emails, social media, even event planning (which of course is a huge aspect within our studios) completely differently. Implementing automation changed the way I ran my studio completely, and gave me the freedom to think bigger to where I wanted to head with both my studio and becoming a coach myself (which I am doing now!) This doesn’t happen overnight and automation can take time to set up, as well as to train your staff on. But once these tasks and systems are automated, more aspects of your studio will then flow on autopilot! Helped me see the “bigger picture” and unlock my potential   Something I mentioned in a previous point is how taking on a coach can help you see your business from a different perspective. Since you are seeking help from someone who has your best interests at heart but doesn’t know you personally, this allows them to give you amazing feedback and advice from a non-bias point of view. This really allows you to revamp, rebrand as well as rethink parts of your business that is or isn’t working for you. It isn’t necessarily about being detached but gives you the ability to see the bigger picture and the long term game with your studio. Think of it as working on your business from a bird's eye view rather than on the ground in the nitty gritty parts of it. It gives you the opportunity to really zone in on where you want to business to go long term, and with this, you really have to get specific. It is a combination of allowing yourself the freedom to dream about your business and get to work on building that dream. With the accountability from a coach you really get to allow yourself to tackle the “visualisation” with practical steps. We need to think long term as business owners and play the game of chess by planning our next moves. Without a business forecast, it is hard to predict where things will go if we don’t have a clear vision. With my coach, I got to see where I wanted to go, and even past that into ideas of unseen potential. I saw my coaching business, this podcast, and so much more. I saw my potential and the potential of where these new skills could take me. ( and you can too!)   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone, my name is Claire O’Shea and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today I want to discuss a very important topic which is how to maintain good relationships with your staff, students &  parents (basically anyone who comes in contact with your studio). Now everyone plays a different role in your business, and through that, each relationship will be different to a certain degree. But today I want to discuss practices I implement across the board to maintain good relationships, and retention in order to build a long-term community within my studio! So let’s dive into the show!   Open lines of communication from the beginning!   Communication is a critical component of maintaining good relationships in all aspects of our life. Many times the conflicts that arise with our team members are a result of lack of or miscommunication. This can be confusion about dates, how to approach a class, what time to arrive for class or even something smaller like preferred music choice. This means having regular meetings, phone calls and check-ins to ensure everyone is across everything. Although as business owners, we may be able to predict things more easily over time. That being said, we are not mind readers and making assumptions with anyone in our life or business normally results in issues down the line. Be open with your communication when it comes to interacting with those who come into contact with your business. We have automated email series for new families, returning families, not returning families, exam students, performance students & more! This ensures that every person in and around the studio is receiving the same educational experience. By educating them, they are more aware and content. Ask questions, give clarity with your information, never be afraid to repeat yourself, and be open to feedback. This could be done through surveys, Q & As (in person and on Facebook). But remember, if you don’t want the feedback. Don’t ask. We are still human, and as businesses owner, be must always be open to adjusting how we communicate. At the end of the day we want our team, and members of our studio to be on the same page. This requires us to be aware of how we communicate and converse with others.   Honesty & transparency: Similarly to how I discussed values and writing your studio’s mission in previous episodes and posts, being honest and transparent with who you are, and the experience you offer at your studio will attract those who resonate. Be your authentic self whether that be laid back & chilled, outgoing & loud or a bit of a mix of both. Certain people are going to be attracted to your personality and that of your studios. It’s important to be your authentic self. You are never going to please everyone at your business but for the most part, people love to be around others who are honest with them. This goes hand in hand with customer relationships and loyalty. If someone is not only upfront with their business mission, but genuinely passionate about what they offer or “sell” they are more likely to be trusted by those interested in participating. This can be laid out through welcome packs or info guides to ensure that everyone is aware of expectations, costs & everything! We trust those who we know will give us an honest answer, even if it something we don’t want to hear. When we are honest with the parents of students about issues that may arise, you are more likely to find a mutual solution where everyone wins. Never be afraid to be upfront about the nature of your studio, prices, and the values which represent your business.   Trust: That last point was about instilling trust from those who you interact with at your studio by being honest and transparent, but trust goes both ways in any relationship. You have to build trust with others by giving and receiving that trust. Always listen to your gut and intuition if you don’t feel you can trust someone of course, but those you know you can rely on, you can exercise this trust over time. As an example, if a team member has been onboard for a while and is willing to take on more hours, teach more classes or switch directions within the studio, giving them the trust to and time to show their skills will better both your relationship and give them confidence. Remember trust is built and isn’t an overnight process but can make or break the fundamental connections within your studio family.   Setting boundaries: My last point is about setting boundaries. When you set boundaries with your team, student and parents at your studio, you know where to draw certain lines that maintain a healthy relationship There is nothing wrong with becoming friends or having a close relationship with parents or staff, we just need to remind ourselves where we need to set boundaries, and where to draw the line between colleagues, the business owner and teacher. Dance education is fun and exciting but our studios are still a business at the end of the day (and sometimes parents can forget that) One thing you can do for yourself is a little write up on your role within your business you want to play and set your own boundaries accordingly. This is a great thing to do for all positions at the studio as it provides clarity and a clear guideline for parents This isn’t about creating a divide between you and others at your studio, but rather taking a stance on how you want to communicate and be involved as a business owner. This can eliminate conflict over time, and overall create and nurture the relationships between others If people are well aware of the boundaries in advance, they are less likely to push them by accident or even on purpose.   So there are my 4 points to maintaining good relationships with staff, parents, and students at your studio. It can feel like a foreign concept, in the beginning, being a business owner, and leader of a company, but when we establish our role, are transparent and honest with our communication, things will start to feel more natural over time, and relationships will be maintained and thrive. We all want our place of work to feel like home, and creating healthy relationships with those we work or interact with will facilitate this. I hope you enjoyed these tips today and I look forward to speaking with you all soon. Have a great day wherever you are in the world. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today’s episode is something I am sure all business owners can relate to on some level when you’ve been in the game for a while, which is a plateau. Now, a plateau isn’t always a negative thing. For those who have been in the beginning stages of growing a studio or business may feel relieved that things are flowing finally and there is less “hustle” to be made. Maybe you finally reached your student numbers, and are happy the way things are for the time being which is awesome. When this does happen though, I want others who are wanting to grow their business more to know that it is okay. A plateau is a sign that what you were doing previously worked, but it is now time to step things up a bit and “level up”. Life and business are similar in the sense that we have times where nothing crazy is happening and things are going smoothly after all the hard work we put in. Certain times of the year also play a big factor for signups and overall traffic to your business. That being said, if you are ready to get out of the plateau and take things up a notch in order to skyrocket your business to match the image you have in your mind, this episode is for you. Today I will be talking about how to overcome this plateau and get things moving upward and onward with your business. Let’s dive into the show. Is your business plateauing or are you? There are definitely times in business where things aren't exactly “booming” It can be times of the year or from a variety of circumstances Something to also consider is that everything we feel inward is projected outward (maybe that sounds too woo-woo to some) There will be times as a business owner where you will need to question “Is my business having a plateau, or am I?” Are you feeling like you are having a plateau, or even just a little burnt out? It is never something to feel bad about because the truth is it happens to everyone. Things are finally running smoothly after months or years of sleepless nights and building up your business, that it is natural to want to coast for a little bit But when you are ready to level up again and take things further, it has to start with you Adjusting your mindset to feeling and being ready for the “next big step” is the first step before anything else When you first start to realise you are prepared for the next hurdle and visualise what that looks like to you, then you can dive into the nitty-gritty details of your action plan Again this can take time, so if you are still in that mental plateau don’t stress because it doesn’t last forever Another resource for this is episode 47 which is how to prevent a business owner burnout. You can listen to this episode by going to www.claireosheacoaching.com/ep47 Identify where in your business need to be adjusted or “levelled up” After you adjust your mindset you can look at the business side of things Where do you feel you are plateauing in your business? Is it student number related? Traffic to your website or enquiries? Events or workshops? Where do you feel needs the most attention at the moment? Attracting more excitement & hype about your studio within your community? When we first identify the area that needs to be taken up a notch you can start moving forward into that direction Narrow in on particular issues rather than targeting your whole studio. Sometimes it is an easier fix than we expect, and one area that is tweaked and worked on can be a game changer for the business as a whole. From there you can move forward with what is already working in your business and let go what is not benefiting you or what may be outdated at this time Is it time for an update? The reason a plateau isn’t necessarily a bad thing as mentioned before is that what you were doing got you to where you are today, so in a positive sense, it worked. But is that also the very things keeping you in the same place you are now? If this is not what you want then updating an aspect of your business can be hugely beneficial Things are changing so much in business and technology it is hard to keep up, so in relation to updates, you don’t have to go reinventing everything in your business every time some new invention or strategy is released. The fact is when things are working for you, no matter how old they are there is no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but simply update what is working in order to take things to the next level. This can be as simple as a little website update Adding a new style of dance to your studio the coming term to get others excited for something new Hosting a new workshop or community event to rebuild the hype with your business It doesn’t have to be huge or even a big investment. A little can go a long way at times But when you are ready for something with your business, we have to think about how WE as the business owner will offer or give more (that doesn’t mean for free but of value). What will others get out of the new things we are creating, and how is it different from what we are doing thus far? Build your knowledge My last point is about building your knowledge for how to grow your business in the direction you are wanting to head Once you know where you want to go with your business and overcome your plateau, you can search for more information about how to do just that Chances are that whatever you are currently going through with your business someone else has before you Look into a blog post written about your particular issues, podcast episode or even book Take a course, hire a coach or attend a conference Sometimes we need to step outside of our own circle of knowledge to see things from another perspective, and the best way to do that is to connect with others Ask questions you have on a Dance Community Facebook group (cough cough* Business of dance group) Don’t be afraid to speak up and talk about what you are going through. You never know what kind of information you may stumble upon It doesn’t matter how long you have been in the game, we always have new things to learn Even some of the most successful people have asked for help, hired a coach, enrolled in a program. We can’t know everything, and certainly not right away. Look into your options if you are open to it. But if you are ready to take things to the next level, ask yourself the question of what you are willing to do about it, and the kind of investment, be it time or money.   I really hope you enjoyed this episode and these points inspired you to get out of your plateau. It can take time and isn’t an overnight process. First identify you are in a plateau and to start planning your way out of one is the first step.   The whole reason I started my coaching business as well as this podcast is to help others with the very issues I struggled with. So if you are wanting to take the first step of getting out of the plateau I suggest you take a few minutes to check out my website. I created LOADS of free content, as well as a variety of courses and services. I wanted to make a little something for everyone who is a studio owner wanting to create their dream business. Just seeing what is out there in terms of finding a solution is a great place to start.   I will also take the time to mention my Studio Systems School Special Offer which is unlimited access to the 8-week at-your-own-pace program, a free copy of The Student Signup Strategy ebook, and a free call with me to discuss the direction you want to head with your studio. It is a beyond awesome deal, and am super excited to see everyone reach their goals and highest potential this year! To learn more, visit>>www.claireosheacoaching.com/studioschool2019 That is today’s episode, and I look forward to speaking with all of you soon. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hi everyone and welcome to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. This episode a Best of BOD complication where I share the best tips and tricks from previous episodes and interviews! Today’s show includes my best tips for new student attraction and enrolments! So Let’s dive into the show.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today’s show we are continuing the conversation and interview with the fabulous Stacey Morgan. If you haven't listened to last weeks episode I highly recommend you give that episode a listen as we discuss how Stacey balances running a studio while balancing motherhood. In this episode, Stacey shares with us the benefits of entering local, state and national awards and how she has used winning awards to build customer loyalty and to create buzz around her business. I’m super excited to continue the discussion with Stacey so let’s dive into the show!     Stacy’s Business information: Studio website: http://pmperformingarts.com   Miss Bossy Boots Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/miss-bossy-boots-podcast/id1155905724?mt=2 For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

  Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today I will share with you my favourite resources for fellow dance studio owners and entrepreneurs! As business owners, we are constantly learning and evolving. We want our businesses to run smoothly and more efficiently, which pushes us to do more research along the way. It is great to have access to resources to give us insight in order for us to become the best studio and business owners we can be. Today I am going to share with you some of my favourite dance and business owner podcasts, books, and resources that helped me and continue to inspire me when I need it. Let’s dive into the show!   Let’s start with podcasts. Now as I said before, not every resource will be dance or studio related, but I think it is really important to listen to entrepreneurs and business podcast in general, as we can transfer those lessons and strategies into our studio as we see fit. Podcasts   Jenna Kutcher’s The Goal Digger Podcast Live-workshop style business podcast that helps thousands of people redefine success and chase their dreams. Including interviews with experts on how to dig in, do the work, and tackle your biggest goals along the way.   Dax Shephard Armchair Expert A podcast that celebrates the messiness of being human.   Natalie Eckdahl’s BizchixPodcast Discussions and Interviews with hundreds of industry influencers to help listeners and clients grow their businesses. The show is targeted towards high achieving, entrepreneurial woman ready to take your business to the next level.   Shameless by Zara McDonald & Michelle Andrews The pop-culture podcast for smart women who love dumb stuff   Stacey Morgan & Jane Hillsdon’s Miss Bossy Boots Podcast Both women are motivated, passionate and driven female business leaders who love to share their insight with anyone who will listen. They're also incredibly curious as to how other business leaders run their business. Most of all, they are determined to inspire more women into leadership positions. Books (audio/paperback) You're a badass at making money by Jen Sincero This book is an excellent read for anyone looking for some financial advice with a decent sense of humour. Jen Sincero uses her own economic transformation to teach you what’s actually holding you back from making real money.   Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling   How to run a preschool dance studio by Emma Franklin Bell Whether you are an experienced, established teacher who has been running a studio for a decade or a new teacher embarking on your first dance studio, this practical, helpful and insightful book is for you. Jam-packed with tips, tools, strategies and solutions, this book reveals the insider secrets to running a successful, profitable and purpose-driven studio. We also had Emma on the Podcast, where we discussed creativity in the dance classroom. You can listen to that by heading to http://www.claireosheacoaching.com/ep50   Becoming by Michelle Obama   Audible Audible is a really great website and app that allows you to download and listen to audiobooks. It is essentially an online library where you pay a monthly subscription and are allowed to “check-out” 1 book a month and can listen to unlimited original podcasts. #notsponsoredbutshouldbe www.audible.com   Listened to recently: Videos/Courses   Marie TV with Marie Forleo Marie is an entrepreneur, writer, philanthropist & unshakable optimist dedicated to helping you become the person you most want to be. With her award-winning show MarieTV, world-class online training programs, a book in 16 languages and an audience in 195 countries, she helps people dream big and back it up with meaningful action to create results. Youtube channel “Marie TV” Website with free resources + Bschool at www.marieforleo.com   Youtube → Make up inspiration & therapy: Chloe Morello & James Charles Creative Calming Colourful Informative Could also be great to find stage makeup examples to share with your students & parents   Instagram   Three Birds Renovations Renovation tips & tricks Great youtube channel Decor inspiration and tips   Confetti Rebels Empowering t-shirts and accessories inspired for women by women   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Welcome back to part 3 of our interview with Lauren Nolan, if you haven’t listened to part one or two, we suggest you give them a listen, and those are episodes 76 & 77  Lauren's Bio: Lauren Nolan is a Co-Owner and Director of Programs for Studio To Go, a dance curriculum distributor whose clients span four continents. The company also specializes in an online course revolving around the creation of on-site dance education businesses. Mrs. Nolan is the Artistic Director for Studio Go, an on-site dance studio operated across the Southeastern US. With over a decade of instructional experience, Lauren currently teaches ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and creative movement (for 3 different studios) to students ranging from 2-15 years old. In her professional life, Lauren has enjoyed the various roles of Dance Studio Administrator, Choreographer, Production Consultant, Model, and Spokesperson. Her performance background includes the Moscow Ballet of Russia’s production of The Nutcracker, Dance Alive! of Gainesville, FL, and Disney World’s Thanksgiving Parade in Orlando, FL. She has even entertained the United States Army! Lauren held the title of Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen 2006 and consequently competed in Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, which is the “little sister” to the Miss America pageant. There, she performed alongside Joey Fatone of NSYNC and Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry. Nolan went on to compete in Miss Georgia for six consecutive years. She was named swimsuit and interview winner, top fifteen, top ten, 3rd runner-up, and 1st runner-up to Miss Georgia twice! This past summer Lauren was an official on-stage emcee of the Miss Georgia pageant in Columbus, Georgia. Mrs. Nolan earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from the University of Georgia, graduating Cum Laude. She and her husband David reside in Buckhead Atlanta with their (2) ten-year-old miniature dachshunds, Ryder and Milo. You can typically find Lauren with her nose in a book, or in a yoga pose. Studio To-Go Website: https://www.studiotogodance.com/   Affiliate Link: https://www.studiotogodance.com/concierge-to-go/?pa=BOD0119 For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net . Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Welcome back to part 2 of our interview with Lauren Nolan, if you haven’t listened to part one we suggest you give that a listen which is episode 76, and also stay tuned for part 3 on Friday, Jan 11th  Laurens Bio: Lauren Nolan is a Co-Owner and Director of Programs for Studio To Go, a dance curriculum distributor whose clients span four continents. The company also specializes in an online course revolving around the creation of on-site dance education businesses. Mrs. Nolan is the Artistic Director for Studio Go, an on-site dance studio operated across the Southeastern US. With over a decade of instructional experience, Lauren currently teaches ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and creative movement (for 3 different studios) to students ranging from 2-15 years old. In her professional life, Lauren has enjoyed the various roles of Dance Studio Administrator, Choreographer, Production Consultant, Model, and Spokesperson. Her performance background includes the Moscow Ballet of Russia’s production of The Nutcracker, Dance Alive! of Gainesville, FL, and Disney World’s Thanksgiving Parade in Orlando, FL. She has even entertained the United States Army! Lauren held the title of Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen 2006 and consequently competed in Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, which is the “little sister” to the Miss America pageant. There, she performed alongside Joey Fatone of NSYNC and Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry. Nolan went on to compete in Miss Georgia for six consecutive years. She was named swimsuit and interview winner, top fifteen, top ten, 3rd runner-up, and 1st runner-up to Miss Georgia twice! This past summer Lauren was an official on-stage emcee of the Miss Georgia pageant in Columbus, Georgia. Mrs. Nolan earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from the University of Georgia, graduating Cum Laude. She and her husband David reside in Buckhead Atlanta with their (2) ten-year-old miniature dachshunds, Ryder and Milo. You can typically find Lauren with her nose in a book, or in a yoga pose. Studio To-Go Website: https://www.studiotogodance.com/   Affiliate Link: https://www.studiotogodance.com/concierge-to-go/?pa=BOD0119 For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net . Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast! Today I have a very special interview lined up for you. Joining me again on the show is the fabulous Lauren Nolan from Studio To-Go. We previously interviewed her with business partner Leah Matthews, as well as did a group chat with both of them. But today we are going to dive into getting to know Lauren, as well as let you in on their amazing concierge programs which are available for registrations soon! But first, here’s a little bit more about Lauren:   Laurens Bio: Lauren Nolan is a Co-Owner and Director of Programs for Studio To Go, a dance curriculum distributor whose clients span four continents. The company also specializes in an online course revolving around the creation of on-site dance education businesses. Mrs. Nolan is the Artistic Director for Studio Go, an on-site dance studio operated across the Southeastern US. With over a decade of instructional experience, Lauren currently teaches ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and creative movement (for 3 different studios) to students ranging from 2-15 years old. In her professional life, Lauren has enjoyed the various roles of Dance Studio Administrator, Choreographer, Production Consultant, Model, and Spokesperson. Her performance background includes the Moscow Ballet of Russia’s production of The Nutcracker, Dance Alive! of Gainesville, FL, and Disney World’s Thanksgiving Parade in Orlando, FL. She has even entertained the United States Army! Lauren held the title of Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen 2006 and consequently competed in Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, which is the “little sister” to the Miss America pageant. There, she performed alongside Joey Fatone of NSYNC and Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry. Nolan went on to compete in Miss Georgia for six consecutive years. She was named swimsuit and interview winner, top fifteen, top ten, 3rd runner-up, and 1st runner-up to Miss Georgia twice! This past summer Lauren was an official on-stage emcee of the Miss Georgia pageant in Columbus, Georgia. Mrs. Nolan earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from the University of Georgia, graduating Cum Laude. She and her husband David reside in Buckhead Atlanta with their (2) ten-year-old miniature dachshunds, Ryder and Milo. You can typically find Lauren with her nose in a book, or in a yoga pose. Studio To-Go Website: https://www.studiotogodance.com/   Affiliate Link: https://www.studiotogodance.com/concierge-to-go/?pa=BOD0119 For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net . Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Now that the holidays are here, I hope you are sitting back, relaxing with your family and a nice cup of hot cocoa, or iced one, if you are here in Australia (Haha) But regardless, it is time to celebrate this past year, and all your accomplishments. The new year is approaching and now comes the time for both reflection as well as goal setting. If your year was anything like mine I bet you are wanting a bit of a break before 2019 kicks off with a bang! This time of year is really special, not just because we are spending it with our families but because it is almost like the “calm before the storm” aka the new year. It is the best possible time for goal setting; to see what we want to carry on from last year, and what needs to be accomplished with future goals. So take out your paper and pen, or if you are listening on the go, just make some mental notes for later. In this episode I discuss how to get ahead with your goal setting, so you can go into 2019 guns blazing (metaphorically..). So let’s dive into the show! Start first by prioritising unfinished goals from last year (if you have any) I first want to mention that there may be goals that are still in the making, which are on track and just were not completed before 2019, and that is fine. This is about the goals you wanted to have done by the new year, that may have pushed back, taken the back seat to other goals and tasks at your studio, or the timeline itself for completion may have been underestimated. Whatever the reason for your particular situation, I want you to revisit this goal before setting new ones. It isn’t about feeling bad or guilty, life gets in the way and running a business is a big responsibility. It is about looking at it objectively and asking yourself these questions: Do I still want to accomplish this goal? Why did I set this goal, to begin with? How can I prioritise this goal within all the other tasks and duties of running my studio? What is the next step (no matter the size) to take in order to get closer to that goal? What can I outsource? In order to take the next step, or start making other goals, you must break down what wasn’t finished last year, as well as the goal setting method that has not have been working for you. Maybe you took on too much at once, or this goal needed more time. Take the time now to reassess your goal setting strategy, and break down step by step the tasks to complete it. Only then can we move on to set new goals. From doing this we can feel relief knowing this goal is accomplished, as well as save time for the completion of the next goal. Minimise to maximize This step is all about narrowing down on what goals you want work on this coming year. Many of us get really excited about the new year and start thinking of every little thing we want to add or create for our studio I always encourage productive daydreaming aka visualisation, as well as thinking big when it comes to growing and building your business That being said, when it comes to goal setting, for a year to year basis, it is easy to take on too much than we can handle, and we miss the opportunity to accomplish the small, yet essential goals for our business. For example, with multitasking, people seem to think they get more done, when in fact, they are just less focused on many tasks at once. I’m not saying to take on fewer goals necessarily, but narrow in on the main goals for your studio that are attainable when well planned and structured, on a realistic timeline. This eliminates saying you want to do 100 things and only end up doing a couple. You may have some goals in mind already, or you can create them by categorising the main parts of your business you want to grow, improve or adjust for the coming year. For an example, if your goal is to grow student numbers which are the big picture goal, you can then minimize this big goal into little goals. So you can ask yourself the question of where about in your studio do you want to grow? If there is a particular class you want more boys in as an example, you may need to work on marketing when it comes to attracting parents with boys who are interested in taking a dance class. That can be your small beginning step, and you can work up from there. So many times we just look big picture, which is fundamental in the beginning, but don’t take the next step which is breaking it down into categories and creating a clear path for the goal to be accomplished. Sometimes we simply take on too much, which can hinder and get in the way of how awesome we are as business owners. Make sure you and your team are dreaming big, and are able to take on the goals ahead in a practical manner. This will lead to success and are you able to take on the next goal sooner than you think. Map out a goal timeline Now that you have your goal or goals written and broken down into more digestible tasks, you can now create a timeline for your goals. It is hard to judge exactly how long a task or goal can take, especially if it is a long-term goal. Of course, the best place to start is with an end or due date. From this, you can work backwards and create benchmarks of what needs to be completed along the way for your bigger goal to be accomplished. This can be mapped out in a timeline which you can design in a way that makes sense for you and your team. When you break down the steps and tasks as mentioned in the previous point, assign what you feel to be a realistic due date for you or the people you are outsourcing to. This can really help you visualise how everything comes together and not leave anything hanging or procrastinated, only to try to finish everything last minute. This can come with trial and error as well, as you are learning how long something may take to be completed, especially when taking on new tasks. Remember Parkinson's law: "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion" So if you give something a month to be completed it will take a month, whether that task could be completed in 2 weeks or 2 months. When you give yourself a timeline and due date, it will give you that extra push to finish the date you set out for its completion   So those are my 3 tips to get started on your goal setting for the coming year. Remember to also have fun with this, and get creative when thinking about the goals you are wanting to obtain this coming year with your studio. Whether that be more students, opening a second location, outsourcing more to create more time for your family or simply integrating more fun, and creativity into your curriculum. Take this time to really dive deep into the reasons behind your goal setting as well, those are your motivations to start and completed your goals in the first place! I hope you all have an amazing holiday season and Christmas. Have a great day wherever you are in the world, and I will speak to you really soon. Bye for now! For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hi everyone and welcome to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. This episode a Best of BOD complication where I share the best tips and tricks from previous episodes and interviews! Today’s show includes my favourite tips and insights from past interviews with fabulous female dance business owners and entrepreneurs! So Let’s dive into the show.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today I want to talk about a topic that may not sound very fun, but I’m sure can be helpful to new or aspiring studio owners, and that is the 3 worst experiences at my studio, and what they taught me. Now I think many of us can see solutions for issues after the fact as hindsight is always 20/20, but when it comes to running and owning a business, it is hard to know what to expect, which is why I ways say, expect the unexpected, but prepare for the best! The fact is that 2019 is fast approaching, and many people are looking to open a studio in the new year as a goal of theirs and dream for a long time. So by sharing my stories and experiences with others, I hope to help save some trouble, and possibly avoid mistakes for others in the future. Know that no matter what, you will always have your own struggles, but I think learning from others both in good and bad experiences, can help you in the long run. Now today’s, episode isn’t necessarily things I did wrong, but experiences I had that were a struggle for me and my studio. Perhaps some can relate to this, have a little laugh (even though at the time it may not have been that funny) So let’s dive it. Sit back, relax, and brace yourself. These are the 3 worst experience at my studio and why they taught me…   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of the business of dance podcast. Today I want to touch on a very special topic, which I hope helps inspire those who may be struggling with their level of passion at this time within their business. Now, when we “lose” our passion, it isn’t really lost, but simply needs to be reignited. It never left or went away, but simply can be masked and overshadowed by stress, overworking, and a build of tedious everyday tasks. We must remember, that life can be a rollercoaster at times. We have our ups and downs. To remind ourselves why we started our business, or studio is key when we feel our sparkle to be a bit dull at times. In today’s episode, I will share with you the things I do to reignite my passion for my studio, business and life. So let’s dive in. Switch things up We all have our to-do lists, and schedule, but sometimes we are able to rearrange things a bit to give ourselves some variety. Without compromising the big picture, and the tasks ahead, see what you can switch around to create a feeling of something different. It is so easy to get stuck doing the same things every day, allowing us to lose passion and focus. But by switching things up, it almost tricks the brain into thinking it is experiencing something brand new, which can help us to be present and see our daily task in a new way. This can be as small as switching up your morning routine, to teaching a different class next term, or completely stop teaching and just focus on the business side of things. Whatever you can do which can create a fresh spin on your everyday task will help to get back into your groove and passion   Take a break It is totally okay to take a break! Sometimes we just need a short time out. This doesn’t mean leaving unattended tasks, or the studio all day, but 5, 10, 15 min or even an hour can be dedicated to resting our minds, and bodies. This can be just taking a walk around the block Meditating Have a chat on the phone with a friend or just not looking at your phone or computer for a little while It is awesome to hustle, but we are all human at the end of the day and need rest This can also help with creativity, as taking a break from a task or project can be helpful as it allows you to see things from a different perspective you couldn't see otherwise. Outsource the things you “hate doing” There will come a time in your business where you can outsource and delegate more tasks as time goes on. This is great, but I understand everyone may not be there right now and that’s fine That being said, if you are feeling burnt out in any way, something to consider when outlining your schedule is to outsource a task you absolutely hate doing, no matter how small and to give it to a team member. If there is something you hate doing it, see if there is a way to outsource it, giving you more time to focus on what you love doing and reigniting that spark This can be as simple as getting others to create social posts, making photocopies etc. Just even a few extra minutes for you can save a lot of stress when you are able to delegate something you really feel takes away from your bigger job at hand; running your studio.   Take a course or seek a mentor Sometimes speaking to another person who is in the same field of business, or is doing something you aspire to can be helpful when reigniting that passion We often get caught up in the flow of things, but having goals and something to work towards can help generate that drive we felt in the beginning with our business This can be generated from weekly or monthly meetings with a coach, participating in a program which focuses on an element within your business which you would like to improve on or simply someone to speak to about regaining that passion of yours Hearing from another perspective can remind you of why you started your business in the first place and redirect to where you want to head to the future Owning a business can be a lonely process at times, which is why it is so helpful to reach out t others in the industry to help, guidance or simply a new take on things   I hope you enjoyed this week’s episode. I can understand what it is like to lose that spark, but trust me, when it comes to reignite that flame, there are many ways to create that fire within again. Sometimes we just need to switch things up, take a break or gain another perspective. Sometimes this is a sign that where we are heading with our business isn’t what we want. This takes us into a new direction, which can seem scary at first, but in the end will be the best thing to happen, as you can be on your way to your dream business and life! Again if you are in a position where taking a coach is something for you then I highly suggest you check out my coaching options, services and packages to see what would be the best fit for you by going to my website www.clairosheacoaching.com where you can also book a free discovery call! I hope to speak to you soon. Have a great day wherever you are in the world. Bye for now! For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hi everyone and welcome to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. This episode is a Best of BOD complication where I share the best tips and tricks from previous episodes and interviews! Today’s show include my favourite tech tips for studio owners!    For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today’s episode is something I think all business and studio owners can relate to, which is the things I wish I knew before starting my studio. I hope to also inspire others who are listening who may have just started their studio or are thinking about opening a studio in the near future. I feel like every business owner has experiences which they may not have been completely prepared for in the beginning stages of opening their business. You can research all day but in the end, you will never truly know what it is like to run a business until you start one. Like anything in life, it is a learning process and skill you develop over time. With all this in mind, here are the things I wish I knew before starting my studio:   Things can take longer than expected (expect the unexpected)   Something to always keep in mind is that things can take time. Some of the best things in life normally do. This can be from growing your student list to building your studio venue. If you have an end or due date in mind for a certain area when opening your studio, that should always be aimed and strived for. But be aware and ready for curve balls that may arise. Anything can happen at any time so being on or ahead of schedule is always a good thing. Not to say that anything can or will go wrong but simply be open and flexible for minor extensions on a certain task, renovation or project. When building a business is a collaboration process at times. Maybe you are the only teacher, admin and creator of the business, but to those you hire in the building, renovating or designing stage are your team temporarily. Having everything is done accordingly to plan at all times should be expected from those you outsource to. But again, there are many conditions in life out of our control, and coordinating with others is a skill within itself. Plan ahead, be prepared for anything and practice the art of patience. You will need help (you can’t do everything yourself) Similar to my last point, building a business is a collaborative process. It is easy to say “ I can do it all by myself” but in reality that isn’t very practical. It is a challenge in the beginning as you may have taken out a load or are on a tight budget, but getting others to help as much as you can help you save time, so you can focus on the bigger picture as well as the other 100 tasks that need to be done. You can even ask friends and family to volunteer. Something as simple as having someone paint a wall or set up a ballet barre etc. can be a HUGE weight off of your shoulders. You don’t have to spend a large sum of money to get what is needed to be done. Be aware that you will need help, and don’t stress about asking for it or feeling that you aren’t good enough to do things yourself. You are being a wise business owner by doing so. You are human, only get 24hrs in a day, and have two hands. Don’t stress and just take each day at a time. Cash flow management It is easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to money and finances as a business owner, especially when you don’t have an accounting background. Maybe you think “oh well this is just a small purchase” but you will thank yourself later when you keep track of every cent spent, earned and so forth. Make sure you have a solid financial plan in place and tracking system for your finances for your business. Keep personal and business finances separate. The last thing you want is when Tax season falls around you are wondering when X purchase was made, where and why. Make sure you are turning a profit, your ROI is paying off and most importantly, remember to PAY YOURSELF FIRST! How can you pay others, if you, the business owner isn’t generating profit? Owning a business/studio can be a lonely process I am not trying to bum anyone out, I just want to be honest, because it is true. In the beginning, it may just be you. Creating the curriculum, teaching classes, designing ads, promoting your business and so on. You may be in the class with students, which is awesome for the hour /hour and a half, then its back to the grind. More time will be spent on your computer then you expect with research to have everything in place for your business license, insurance, and more tedious things. Of course, things change over time, and having a staff is so amazing and rewarding! What I can tell you is that is it so worth it in the end. You are building a business, a dream of yours. No one said it was easy, but no one can ever truly explain to you how amazing it feels when your vision comes to life.   Managing people is harder than I thought It can be a challenge to coordinate and plan things for yourself, but it is a whole other world when doing that for other people. You cannot be afraid to speak up and take action You are the leader for your business and if you want something done a certain way you must put those systems in place and educate your staff on them It can seem scary at first if you are not used to be the CEO of a business or organisation, but you must be able to take charge (elaborate on your own experience…)   You must grow a thick skin from feedback Again you must remember that owning a business is an ongoing learning process. There will be times where we may do things a certain way which others disagree with. It is hard to know what will come up exactly until it does We pour our heart and soul into our business but we must remain open for positive feedback, while being able to not take it personally if it is negative feedback All we can do is learn as we go and take each experience as a way to grow It may be hard in the beginning when you create something you are so proud of only to hear someone criticising it later on… Know when to use feedback as a way to grow and better yourself and business, and when to not let it get to you. Otherwise, you are in for a lot of unnecessary stress.   You can't make everyone happy When it comes to anything in life, everyone has their own point of view and opinion, meaning not everyone will always agree with you You cannot please everyone all the time, and if you try, you will drive yourself insane. All you can do is your best if someone is having an issue while providing the best possible solution for both of you. But there does come a time where you may have to walk away and respectfully go separate ways with a client, parent or team member As an example, you may get a parent who is having an issue with something regarding your studio.  If there is a reasonable solution you can both find then wonderful. But sometimes you just will not see eye to someone and then your business is just not for them. There is a reason your business has an ideal client, rather than creating something for every single person out there.   Have fun and enjoy the process! As I have mentioned before, things will have to rearrange and may turn out a bit differently than you initially expected. But in the end, it always works out. Perhaps the process of things take longer than expected; more research had to be made and a different route to get where you wanted to go needed to be taken. The point is that you get where you need/want to go at the end of the day, so relax! It doesn’t make you get there faster, just puts a strain on you. Enjoy the ride and keep striving your goals and dreams. I hope you enjoyed these tips and insight into what I wish I knew when I started my studio. It can be a big process in the beginning but just take one day at a time and plan ahead. All you can do is expect the absolute best and be prepare for the worse if that would be to happen. Again if you are looking to open your own studio or need help with a certain area of your business, I offer FREE discovery calls to help redirect your studio’s goals. I am now offering strategy calls to help with increased enrolment for 2019, creating studio signup systems, as well as an introduction to coaching if that is something you are needing at this time. If you would like to learn more about these strategy sessions, feel free to email me at info@claireosheacoaching.com I look forward to speaking with you all next week. Have a great day wherever you are in the world and I will speak to you soon. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

In this episode, I speak about something I have touched on in past episodes regarding other topics, which is your studio’s mission and values. The core of what your studio is about, and what you hold important for your classes, students and staff. I want to discuss today how to create these values, as well as how to implement them into your business. This could be for those starting or looking to start their own studio or existing businesses who want to shape their studio or even start the branding process. Of course, we all have our values as people and business owners; be a good person, treat others well and with respect. But having a set of values in regards to your studio’s overall mission can create a level of clarity that can allow your studio thrive, attract more students as well as brand your studio into a dance empire. Today I will be discussing my tips to creating your studio's values and mission and how to integrate them into your business today! Let’s get started. Start by answering these critical questions In order to start or reevaluate your studio’s values, you need to know at the core who you are, the direction of your studio, as well as the impact you are wanting it to have on your students and community. What is most important to you in regards to running a studio? Start by stating YOUR values, as a human, business owner or entrepreneur What do you want students to experience at your studio? What will they get ONLY at your studio? What is the main take away? What are the qualities within the atmosphere at your studio? How do you want others to feel when then enter/exit your studio How will others benefit? In what ways will your programs enhance development in children or students of all ages? What is your ideal client's motivation to sign up? What solution will you provide to others? What sets you apart? How are you different? Map it out Write your studio name in the middle of a piece of paper or chalkboard Then draw a line connected to the name and write a value/quality of your studio Other notes can branch out from another or from the core of your studio This can help in the brainstorming process See this process almost like a family tree. You can do this with your team (if you have one) or on your own You can take the points from your answers in the previous point Look back to your business plan and find the keywords you resonate with Get creative! From there you can take the points and narrow down to a few words that you vibe with the most This can also be transformed into a mantra or tagline for your studio as well TIP: Another option is to do a survey and ask what others are looking for within your studio or dance programs in general What is needed? And how can you provide this to them? Get your students involved Ask them to write a few words to best describe your studio and their positive experience when attending your classes Integrate into your studios brand Add these values, overall mission statement or (manifesto) to your website Add to social media Let it be known what you and your business is about Share with the world! Add a page to your website or on the main page describing these values Integrate into social graphics and create a campaign that describes each value Use quotes Get your designer or outsource to add values in a graphic on your site /banner or logo You can also design ways to implement these values in your curriculum Each class needs to emanate these values Train your team in these values Be sure your team is on the same page, with current staff and future hires. EXTRA TIPS: Consider how to incorporate these values within your curriculum Team building exercises Yearly or quarterly evaluations Progress points Community events: movie nights, holiday parties, game night etc. Participating in community issues/charity work Reveal to the community your core values and what you stand for, whatever that may be. I hope you enjoyed this week’s live episode. Remember when it comes to creating your value system and mission within your studio to have fun and be creative! The main point is that these values are designed to create a positive experience for your students and those who attend your studio. Focus on those positive good feelings in the creation process and you will flow with ideas and be able to focus on the bigger picture within your business.   Now I want to hear from you. Write in the comments below your studio’s values if you are listening live or watching the video. Maybe this can help inspire others. Perhaps you are still in the process and looking for ideas as well. If you are listening to the podcast recording feel free to email in your values at podcast@businessofdance.net . I can’t wait to hear your answers and wish you a wonderful day wherever you are in the world. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today I have a very special guest. Today we have Vicky Andreanska. Vicky is a founder and choreographer of 'DANCE Greystones and Bray'. She is a dancer and choreographer & an owner of a dance studio in Ireland. Two years ago she created a dance group for adults, who may have little dance experience but always wanted to give it a go. At the studio, they shoot a dance video after each term & it became something very special not just for all these ladies, but Vicky too. She then created a Youtube channel, where they share those videos. Here’s a bit more about Vicky:   Bio: Vicky trained as a gymnast from a young age, becoming a champion of Slovakia in 1996. At the age of 12, she took up dancing and instantly fell in love with the art of dance. Vicky participated in many high-end theatre shows as a part of the dance group and had many stage performances throughout Europe. Vicky is a qualified PE teacher.  She started teaching her first Zumba classes in June 2011, initially in between other fitness classes. As the classes boomed and Zumba Fitness took over Ireland, she was absolutely delighted to teach Zumba and spread The Zumba fever all over her area. Vicky also runs a number of charity fundraisers for multiple clubs & organizations across Ireland, working on the dance & performance element of each event. In 2016 Vicky has set up 'DANCE Greystones' -  a group that would be open to everyone, inexperienced or experienced dancers or even those who never got a chance to learn to dance, but always wanted to give it a go. No matter what age, what gender or background. A group of people who share one thing: THE LOVE OF DANCE!   Vicky’s Social Channels:   https://www.facebook.com/zumbaanddancewithvicky   http://www.dancegreystones.ie/?fbclid=IwAR3nLb-QfhUAEifUcTRr9KA0_wxkuZqAo5AalnE8GDS-SVXxZzlIdBHxMbw   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZqKVyPLUXsGWt-XJ5FxJlg/videos For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

This bonus episode includes my top tips for creating your studio's timetable for new and returning students!  To watch the full episode where I show you my own timetable planning process, visit my Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/claireosheacoaching/videos/2136937546558702/  For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast, Facebook Live edition. Today’s episode will be another systems session, meaning I will discussing why systems make it easier for your studio or business to grow and scale. I have many episodes discussing systems, why they are important, studio system must-haves, as well as the some of the benefits of systemising. But today I want to touch how to systemise to scale! You may be thinking at this point, why do I discuss systems so much? Why are they SO important? Well, there are a few reasons why systems can take your business to the next level and skyrocket your business in a way you could never imagine. Today I will be sharing my system secrets that will make you want to start systemising now and forever! Before I dive into the show, if you are completely new to systemising or digital systems, then I also suggest you check out episode 29 for getting started with systems, as well as my free 5-day mini-course on teachable helping you start implementing the top 5 systems every studio needs. You can enrol in the free course by going to www.claireosheacoaching.com/fivetothrivemini . Now let’s dive into today’s show! Systems set a solid foundation When you create your systems for your studio, you are laying down a solid foundation for every aspect of your studio. This allows you to have everything you need in one place, organised and categorised to ensure easy access for team members or to make adjustments. When you create a foundation, then you can start to build. Systems allow you to see your business from a broader view. This perspective gives you the chance to see what is working, and what may need to be altered in order to better streamline your business. Once everything is systemised and this foundation is built, you can then begin to mark out where you want your business to go. How do you want to scale? In what area of your studio? Or business as a whole? In order to grow, you only need to add to your already successful and profitable foundation. Having systems means you don’t have to start from scratch, but adding on to what is already working. That is why systemising is proven so successful, as you are using what you already have and building upwards from there. It isn't rocket science but simply laying out everything in a streamlined fashion that encompasses how you run your business as a whole. Systemising = Automating When you have your solid foundation and are ready to grow, that means you can also start to automate aspects within your studio. Automation is a big component of all successful businesses in this day in age, including dance studios. It is basically like being given the gift of time. Although running a studio includes a lot of time spent in-person with students, parents, and staff, in order to grow and scale, having the back end of things running smoothly will give you more time and freedom. Your systems provide you with a streamlined structure for how to run each class, term, concert, workshop, event, as well as enrolment and onboarding process. That way you are not reinventing the wheel every year, or term. Automation gives you the time and freedom to focus on building the next step or level of your business. When you don’t systemise and automate, you are leaving everything to be done manually which is like taking a huge step back. The whole purpose is to put each process used in running your studio on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis into place and spreading out the tasks for team members, as well as in sequences that can be completely hands-off. When you automate, you can concentrate on the next big step for your business. Replication When you systemise one area of your business you can systemise another Along with creating a solid foundation for your business when you systemize, you can replicate systems which are already in place either to grow your business or to better streamline your studio As an example, if you have a system in place for your studio’s concert or event, you can take that system as an outline when you want to create a similar event like a workshop, drop in class or even a camp This gives you an opportunity to get more people into your studio and expand your business without having to start completely from scratch You can do the same when adding another class or style to your curriculum Since you already have your studio and class systems in place, you can simply copy and paste, then alter to suit the new class With having your systems in place, and all the general/important tasks in place the possibilities are practically endless on where you can take your business for whatever direction you are wanting to head!     Extra tips: When you systemise you are able to also see what is and isn’t working in your business. Having everything all in one place in an organised manner, you are able to see the pitfalls, as everything is marked out. If something isn’t working time and time again, you can look back to your systems to see the task which led to this, and how to fix it. This saves you a lot of time trying to find any defects and reduces mistakes made in the future. With automation also comes the ability to outsource. If all your systems are in one streamlined place then you can train someone else to take over a certain aspect of your business. You can then take the extra free time to focus on other ways to grow your business such as marketing, taking a course etc. Systems improve efficiently, consistency and overall performance of your business and team. This leads to the improvement with how your business functions which creates a positive effect on your students, staff and community members.   This concludes my tips for why systemising makes it easier to grow your business and studio! Some think it takes years to grow or scale your business, and in reality, it does take time and consistency. But with systems, you can be on your way to growing your studio, which will benefit your business now and into the future! If you are interested in learning more about adding systems to your business I offer a 1:1 coaching program as well as an evergreen version all on teachable, available at your fingertips! With these programs, you can unlock your greatest potential, build your dream business and transform your studio from stagnant to sensational! To learn more about the programs and to see if it is a good fit for you and our studio head on over to www.claireosheacoaching.com/programs     For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today we are back with another interview on the show with the fantastic and talented Karissa Pesicka! Karissa is the creator and owner of Full Out Business Solutions. Her company’s mission is to help gym and studio owners eradicate debt, become permanently profitable, and gain clarity and confidence over their numbers! Karissa’s Bio: From a young age, Karissa has been heavily involved in dance, cheerleading and gymnastics. She is very passionate about these industries and believes wholeheartedly that they can have an incredible impact on our youth. Karissa had run a successful cheerleading and gymnastics program on a military base in Japan. Upon returning to the states, she had decided to switch from cheerleading coach to business coach. She had been an accountant by day for the past 10 years and felt it was time to merge her passions for sports and business. She came to the realisation that she could combine her passions and knowledge in gymnastics, cheerleading, as well as accounting. Having similar accounting structures, and business models allowed her to develop a unique expertise to provide tremendous value to her customers. Now Karissa helps other dance business owners obtain the financial freedom, and security necessary to get them back to loving and living their passion, rather than having their bank account drive their programs.   Karissa’s Website: https://fulloutbusiness.com/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/fulloutbusiness/ For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea  

Today I will be sharing some of my best outsourcing tips for your concert. Outsourcing is a key factor in creating, running and executing a successful dance recital/concert. As I have mentioned before, although you are the CEO of your business and therefore of the show, you cannot do everything on your own, as running an event is a collaborative process. Knowing the tasks at hand that need to be accomplished from start to finish, allows you to delegate to others based on their role in the show and you can work together to have everything come together smoothly and stress-free in the lead-up and on the day. The best part of outsourcing is that everyone you outsource tasks to doesn’t need to even be a part of your current team, and some even in your country. So let’s dive into the show. Again, if you have any questions, feel free to write them in the comments as we go, and I will be sure to answer them at the end.   Know your role first...   My first point is carried from last week’s episode, and that is to know your strengths and role within your concert. Go through the tasks that are your responsibility first and foremost and go from there. Knowing the tasks at hand that need to be accomplished from start to finish for your concert as a whole, allows you to delegate to others based on their role within the show. You need to understand that you will not be doing everything on your own and that your energy will go where it is needed at the time. You can also do the same with identifying your weaknesses. This is why outsourcing is so incredible, it saves you time, and you know the job is being done correctly by another who is experienced in the task. Outsourcing is all about knowing your role and hiring others who specialise in their field of expertise, giving you more time to focus on running your amazing concert and living your best life in the process! Communication:   My next point is communication. If you do not communicate exactly what needs to be completed, and when, then it is safe to say things may not go as planned in your head. Be precise with your communication, expectations, and deadlines for all staff members or anyone you outsource to.   The obvious place to start is with your team. Have a meeting their your team and identify the theme, then categorise what each teacher will be choreographing their dances based off of. Give them a deadline for their initial choreography, and music choices to be completed by. The same goes for costume selection for their dances. Keep them up to date, on track and have a streamlined communication system so everyone is on the same page. The same goes for others you outsource, outside your studio’s team. Identify the main people you will need to outsource tasks to:   Photographers Find in your local area: online Ask parents or friends who are a photographer Be sure to have an interview first, and see their work, continue that streamline of communication TIP: wanting to reduce costs? Contact local colleges or universities and see if there are any students wanting more work or to expand their portfolio. It could be a win-win for both parties! Videographers You can set up a video camera or hire someone else with the strategies mentioned above Ensure you outline a deadline delivery in advance TIP: try and video the first performance in case there is a mishap   Graphic Designer You can hire someone online who is freelance on Fiverr or Upwork which I have mentioned in previous episodes. They can create a concert logo for your programs or t-shirts which is optional but can make you extra profit and create brand consistency within your studio (and a whole heap of excitement). Depending on how many people are in your team, the role of your admin, and your budget, hiring a temporary VA can be helpful when running your concert (can be on a contract from anywhere from 1 - 8 weeks in the lead up to your show) If you just need an extra hand sending emails to parents, getting your concert handbook together, or creating social announcements for you show, then hiring an online assistant for a couple weeks can be a great option (and a lot cheaper)   Not everyone you delegate tasks to have to be paid. Ask around and see who is willing to help, or make it mandatory to have X amount of parent volunteers each show.   Parent Volunteers   They can take turns with certain tasks so they don’t get to miss when their child is on stage This can be tasks like managing a student sign-in table at the dress rehearsal or day of the show, hair and makeup touch-ups for the younger student, stage manager, assisting or watching small groups of students or getting costumes ready for students with quick changes. This can get parents excited to be a part of the show, their child's dance experience, and community as a whole!   Online Outsource Resources:   When searching for a Virtual Assistant or Freelancer to help you with your concert, there are many options, and websites for you to choose from.   The best sites I have used/currently use to outsource and have mentioned before are: Upwork: https://www.upwork.com Fiverr:https://www.fiverr.com   Other options are to ask another colleague or friend for a recommendation, or even a past student or teacher looking for more work from home/remotely.   BONUS TIP: If they have a general understanding of dance or dance concerts it can be super helpful!   Some hiring tips are :   Communicate, and thoroughly outline the tasks at hand that need to be completed and by when Interview first before hiring Have them give examples of their work If you are unsure, you can hire more than one for a short trial period and then see who suits your business the best. Trust your gut, it is usually always right   Those are my tips today when it comes to outsourcing tasks when creating, running and executing your dance concert/recital! I know how stressful and overwhelming running a concert can be as a studio owner myself. But if you get into the mindset of successful event planning, outsource, systemise and communicate with everyone at your studio, you are bound to have an amazing show!   Now, we all know I could probably talk about this info all day, but LIVE video or podcast is probably not the best way to get it across, but am super excited because I am currently writing my own Studio Concert Guide for studio owners just like you listening. It will be jam-packed with information, step by step processes, checklists, systems and tasks when running a streamlined recital! I will be announcing the release date soon and look forward to sharing that with all of you!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance podcast, Facebook Live edition. Now some of you may have already had their dance concert in the past months depending on where you are in the world. For those also in Australia, you may have already started planning and organising your concert in the coming months. But regardless of where you are in the world, I think concert season is always somewhere in the back of our minds as studio owners. It is a big event for our studios, which takes months to plan. It can be super stressful, and very time-consuming, especially if you are new to event planning or owning a business. That being said, there is a mindset for planning events like our dance concerts, which can alter the way we organise, create and execute our concert. Today I will be going through the mindset of studio concert planning, that will make concert/recital season a whole lot easier while getting you started on being ahead of schedule and on track!   Identify your strengths (stay in your lane)   Although we as studio owners should be aware of all that is happening when creating an event like your concert at your studio, it is important to know your strengths as the studio owner, CEO and creator of the concert. There are so many tasks and people involved in running a concert, it is first crucial to know where you stand. As the studio owner, we make the final call in terms of decisions, so it is important to remain objective and flexible. Things will come flying our way, and we may not always have a solution at the top of our head for everything. The best way to remain in control is to know your strengths as a leader, but also as a person in general. Take the time to outline exactly what needs to be completed for the concert as a whole, then identify what will be your responsibility and what to outsource. This will generate more confidence as you know where your strengths lie, and not having to pretend to be an expert in everything. This creates the mindset on focus and intention. When you know what your job is and what needs to get done by YOU, a mental weight is lifted. You need to understand that you will not be doing everything on your own and that your energy will go where it is needed at the time. You can also do the same with identifying your weaknesses. This is why outsourcing is so incredible, it saves you time, and you know the job is being done correctly by another who is experienced in the task.   Remain flexible   Like anything when running a business, we must always remain flexible. We can plan to the T, but at the end of the day, some things are just not in our control. The same can go with planning and executing our concert. A good mantra to keep in mind is “Expect the best, but plan for the worst” Believe that everything will go according to plan and if anything comes up that you will be prepared to find a solution. Life can be messy at time, and we must be able to remain calm in a time of crisis. So in terms of your concert, we able to take a deep breath, and be able to switch course a little in order to make something work. We, of course, want to stick to our well thought out plan as best as possible, but being flexible and keeping an open mind can relieve a lot of pressure for us and our team. Be open to small changes along the way and don’t stress too much. Outline the points where there is little to no wiggle room, and what can have the potential to be altered in case of an emergency. This doesn’t mean that there will be big changes, but simply implementing the mindset of flexibility, so when something doesn’t go according to plan, you can save the trouble of feeling freaked out and focus your energy on finding a solution. At the end of the day, there is a solution to everything. So another mantra to keep in mind, from the amazing Marie Forleo is “Everything is figureoutable”   Visualise then compartmentalise   A great way to start planning your concert is to take a moment, either with your eyes closed in meditation or sitting quietly when you have time to yourself and visualise your concert. Walk yourself through what your streamlined and seamless concert looks like from start to finish. Imagine the dances, speeches, applause, lights, music and greeting others at the end. How does it make you feel? What does it look like in your mind? Take this moment to visualise everything positive you want your studio to experience at your concert. If everything went 100% accordingly to plan, what would that look like? This is a great place to start as you can then take the vision and start planning. You can take the end result and work backwards, breaking down the tasks along the way. How would the end result be accomplished, and what needs to be done in order to execute your vision? You can write this down, brainstorm with your team or even create a vision board. Whatever helps you remain in the mindset of your dream concert and keeping that vision alive until becoming a reality. Then, take your notes of the tasks that need to be completed and create a system, checklists and concert plan from this. You can then start to compartmentalise your vision and bring it fruition with outsourcing and planning with your team. Think big picture, then break down the nitty-gritty.   Extra tips:   Communicate Keep everyone involved in the show on the same page Listen to team members, and hear out ideas what can be helpful Communication is key and eliminates any confusion Carry this with your listening skills as well Be honest and outline expectations   Know your key components of creating a solid foundation for your event when designing your theme, objective, and goals for your concert What is your recital objective? What direction are you wanting to head with it? How can everyone benefit? Identify your concerns when creating your concert, and devise a plan to eliminate any worry, fear anxiety. Remember this is a fun children's event, not the Oscars. You can still have fun while remaining professional (relax a little) It can be stressful especially if this is your first concert/recital. As long as you stay on track, plan ahead, systemise, visualise as well as use notes and blueprints from years before (if you have any) you can stay on top of things or even be ahead of schedule!   Remember why you are creating this concert in the first place; showing your students’ friends and family all the hard work and skills they have been learning at your studio, as well as exposing to your community the incredible talent and fun that is generated from your business. This also creates more credibility for your studio, and can result in more enrollments for the years to come! I hope you all enjoyed today’s show.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of the podcast. Today I will be discussing a topic which I’m sure we all had or still may have trouble with, which is how to get more students into classes at your studio. I will be going through my tips on how to get the ball rolling and students enrolling (haha). It is so amazing when you create a curriculum for your studio you are proud of, and having your dream team/teachers on top of that is the best feeling. That being said, the whole point is to also have your dream students experience your dance programs at your studio. Not having the student numbers you desire in general or in a particular class can be stressful. Maybe you have hit a dead end on ideas, your ads aren’t converting and are starting to lose hope. There is a lot of advice on how to get more students into your classes, but are they all helpful and most importantly, effective for your studio or situation? Today I am going to be going into my tips on what has personally worked for me when attracting more students from start to sign up. This is a topic I am very passionate about helping others with since discovering what worked for me that I even wrote a whole book about it! Stay tuned to the end of the show where I discuss my Streamlined Student Sign Up Strategy Ebook and how to get your copy today! Now let’s dive into the show, and start getting more students into the classroom. 1.Identify your ‘who, why, & how many’  (who is your target?) This first point may seem simple and obvious, but if this step isn’t taken there is no point in follow through with the others. You must first and foremost identify the specifics of who you are attracting where in your studio and why. Are you just wanting more students in general across your studio? Is it to make more income in order to expand into another location or are you struggling with overhead bills etc? Whatever your ‘why’ is, be specific. Are you needing more boys at your studio, younger students or wanting to take on older students for your adult classes? Once you know your ‘why’ and ‘who’, then you can move onto numbers. How many more students in a particular class, studio as a whole or an area do you need? Really take the time to map it out, write it down or discuss with your team. If you have it all in front of you, it can ease your mind knowing where to target. This can eliminate a lot of stress because you are not so focused on the broad picture of “needing more students” and you can really zone in on your focused objective. From there your ads, distributed information and actions taken will convert much more effectively. What will be your magnet? There are many different avenues to take which attract more students. It may all depend on your current position financially as well as what converts best for your area and business. As always, Facebook ads are truly amazing as I have mentioned before and have a popular conversion rate for many businesses. This is great because you can take your specifics from the point before and apply them to how to target students or parents of potential students. Your magnet is how you will get potential clients into your studio, or at least informed on the amazing programs/classes your offer. This puts your studio on the map, so if one person isn’t interested, that isn’t a loss as they may have a friend, niece, or grandchild that will be. This tip is all about getting your name out there. You can even venture down the road of creating a free or discounted workshop. As an example, if you are wanting more boys in your studio, perhaps have an open workshop for boys who are interested in taking a dance class. From there you can get the parents information and stay up to date with classes you need to fill and when they can enrol. It is all about getting people into your studio, through those doors, and from there they can decide if your studio is right for them. Keeping up with communication One of the best and most effective ways generate more students or getting more students in a particular class is to stay up to date with the information and events at your studio. It is absolutely fine if someone attends a drop in or trial class and may decide that it is not the best time for them to commit to your studio. But if you have them on an email list and create a sequence for those who had a trial and didn’t sign up, you can still keep them informed on updates at your studio. Maybe there is another class or event they are interested down the road. Of course, we want to have long-term students but having everyone up to date with the happenings at your studio can go a long way. This can also be helpful for more permanent students. Some students may take a class or two but perhaps they want to venture into other styles as well. When everyone receives the same communication about enrollment dates, upcoming events or even a recap of your past concert, this will can get others excited to be a part of your studio as they don’t want to miss out on all the fun!   So that concludes my top tips for getting more students into classes at your studio. I know how it can feel overwhelming when trying to reach your student number goals, but if you focus on the specifics and really break it down you will get there sooner than you think. You can map it out and create a streamlined plan that you can use for the students you desire now and into the future! A great way to kickstart this process is (shameless plugin) My Ebook the Streamlined Student Signup Strategy. This strategy is a sequence which allows you to attract your dream clients into your studio from start to sign-up! By creating a systemised sign-up strategy, you can seamlessly attract more students to your studio now and into the future in a stress-free & systemised manner. If you are looking to grow your studio in a stress-free way while creating the dance business of your dreams, then this book could be right for you! You can get your own copy by going to www.claireosheacoaching.com/studentsignupebook which is available now for only $19 AUD!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another facebook live episode of the podcast. If you didn’t watch or listen to last week’s live episode, the recording is on my website www.claireosheacoaching.com/ep59 or you can head over to iTunes and search The Business of Dance Podcast. I am super excited for our second live episode today as I will be discussing the importance of team training. I think a life lesson we have all learnt over time is that we never really stop learning. We are always growing, evolving and changing and with this so does our businesses. It critical to train our team initially when onboarding, but to also educated as time goes on, and the business evolves. Keeping your team on the same page as you is so important and having a strong base can really help shape your business. If you have any questions during the show, be sure to write it in the comments and I will answer them at the end. Again, the episode will be uploaded to iTunes on Monday as well as on the website, and Stitcher for you Android users. Now let’s dive into the show. Creates consistency Consistency is such an important factor for any business as it generates a streamlined effect. The best way to achieve this is….Are you ready for this...SYSTEMISING! It is critical to systemise your onboarding sequence at your studio when taking on new team members. That way each new team member is getting the same information as others, eliminating the chance of confusion. It is also a time saver for you as you can give them a team welcome pack to review, videos to watch, as well as an in-person training protocol in place. That way they are receiving the same treatment as everyone else and getting the correct information from the beginning. Of course, you may hire many different kinds of team members; teachers, admin, VA etc. But having a system in place for all roles, and covering your bases will help save everyone time in the training process. Remember to also leave room for any questions they may have as everyone can learn at different paces, and in different ways. It is important to also reiterate your Studio’s values, story and mission in your enrollment sequence, although this should have been discussed in the initial hiring/interview process. When you educate them fully on your business and are giving the same information, this creates consistency and keeps everyone on the same page. Just the same if you update everyone on something new you are implementing in your studio. When everyone is onboard and resonates with your studio's mission, you can rest well knowing your business is running smoothly, which generates trust for you that you hired the right individuals. Improves their performance & builds confidence Training in any sense is to better further a skill or learn something new, so when this is applied to your studio, your team can always benefit from extra education. As mentioned in the previous point, you may have team members who play different roles in your studio, but further training in any role can be beneficial. With extra training, you can expand and develop the skills your team already possess and what you saw in them from the beginning. This can also apply if a team member is taking on more responsibilities. If you are happy with their work and want them to either teach another style of dance or help out in the admin department then they are more likely to improve their skills to demonstrate their ability to level up. This, in turn, builds confidence for them as they feel to be a valuable part of your business. No matter what training you want your team to participate in, growth in their abilities is inevitable and will benefit them as well as your business. Creates a better team work environment Training is a valuable part of team building as it can create a bonding experience between you and your staff. This can be from the initial onboarding process to weekly check-ins with your team. When everyone is educated, on the same page and feels a part of something special, a positive work environment is created. This can also be generated by exploring ideas and brainstorming together as a team. It is super important to take ideas on by other team members and most of the time it is fantastic ideas I never would have thought of. Within your team meetings, if someone has an idea, hear them out. If you are training them on something new for your business and they contribute a good idea, taking that into consideration can help them feel heard and valued. Teaching and training can go both ways at times and remember you can always learn something new from others no matter their role within your business. Education brings others together especially if you are on the same page with your team. This all stems from your hiring process when interviewing potential team members, so making sure that your values and vision align is crucial.   In Person Training Really important to check in on a semi-regular basis in person also. This doesn’t have to be long, but there also needs to be a focus on prof dev and not just going over issues and problems. I also suggest weekly check-in via email, facebook or trello is also a great way to keep everyone up to date.   Accountability   Setting goals for trial conversions, maintaining class numbers, or referring to your studio is a great way to keep team members motivated and a part of it. This can give them incentivise also to take action. This can be anything from monetary or even fun group activities.   Curriculum in the Classroom Create benchmarks for consistency, studio owner you know that the correct work is being done across the board. To learn more about benchmarks you can listen to episode 58 where I interview Erin Pride www.claireosheacoaching.com/ep58 Evolves & grows your business Lastly, when training your team, you are giving the opportunity to have your studio grow and evolve. When taking on new team members and training them in a particular role, you are growing your business. By growing your team (if you are financially in a place to do so) you are allowing the opportunity for new students, new opportunities which in the end will generate more income. This will also give you the time to focus your energy on other tasks knowing your studio is running smoothly in the hands of others you trust. On another hand, if you are heading in a new direction with your business, then you need to first educate your staff for that transition to be made. If a new action is required, then everyone must be on the same page and educated fully. Once in place, your business can start to shift, grow and evolve. Remember knowledge is power and with that in mind, with team training anything is possible! Thank you all for listening or watching today's live episode. I hope these tips can get you excited with your own team training or onboarding sequence. Remember learning is never over at any age, and with education, we can evolve and become our greatest version! This episode will also be posted to iTunes as well as the Facebook group on Monday in case you missed it from the beginning. I hope you have a great day wherever you are in the world and I will speak to you all next week. Bye for now! For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome to the live recording of this week’s business of dance podcast! Now I have touched on today's subject in a couple of my past episodes when referring to student attraction and email sequences, but I realised it is such an important topic on its own, especially for new studio owners and new students at your studio. That is the importance of a welcome nurture sequence! We all want our new studio members to feel warmed and welcomed when signing up. We all know that there is more to a new student sign up besides “ yay they signed up, I welcomed them to the studio, have them all the important info regarding their classes, they paid, all good...” And I’m not saying everyone does this, but what can be really helpful to spread out the important information into a welcome nurture sequence so they feel well cared for and a part of the overall studio community. Today I am going to be going into my tips for why this sequence is important and a few things to include in the sequence itself. Why is it important? Brings them into the studio family & instills trust   The whole purpose the welcome nurture sequence is in the title, for them to feel welcomed into your studio, not only as a customer but community member. You want to make them feel nurtured and have trust that their child will get the care they need and deserve. Just like when we are building our businesses we know that is more than just making money. Yes at the end of the day a business is a business, but when we focus on what our passions are and the difference we want to make in someone's life, we are far more successful as we are being true to ourselves. Same goes for the customer's perspective when they can see we genuinely care, and it isn’t just about having a student sign up or making more money, but creating a positive dance experience for them, the dynamic is shifted and there is a sense of ease instilled in them. We want them to know they made the right decision signing up to your studio, and that we are here for them if an issue arises. This comes from strong communication, being relatable and honest through your welcome sequence. This is where customer turns into community member. Welcomes them to all aspects of your studio   When you create your sequence, as you know it is important to include all the fun nitty-gritty details regarding housekeeping rules, introducing them to your team, the studio building or business background and story etc. That being said it is important to keep two things in mind. 1 is to spread out this information. Most people can feel overwhelmed by one or two really big emails with a lot of information. They will either skim read and possibly miss some important details or perhaps won’t read the email itself because of their inbox being full or being lost somehow. That’s why breaking it up into sections can be crucial as each piece of information is not only digestible but allows those who signed up or are looking to sign up a chance to really get to know you and your studio. That is where my second point comes it, which is to welcome your new students/parents to all aspects of your studio. You want to welcome them to not only the business itself, but you, your team, or values and overall goals of your studio. With this sequence, you can have others get to know the background of why you do what you do, and the morals that come along with it. In the end it all circles back to trust and nurturing the new clients, and building a community for your studio. After all your business is so much more than just dance classes, but creating a safe and creative environment dedicated to education and development. Let them feel like they are not just signing up TO something, but being a part OF something new and special for their child. Increases interaction and involvement   With this sequence, you can include little calls to action to increase engagement with new customers and gain trust from them to be able to ask questions if needed. Although your sequence is automated (and perhaps tweaked overtime) you want it to remain somewhat personal. When you have a sequence that allows adding a first name code into the email itself, it gives it a much more personal feel. Even something as simple as at the end saying, let me know any concerns you have, hit ‘reply’ and I will be sure to get back to you, and end with your signature. Now everyone in the sequence has received the same email, but it does make it feel more personal and they are more likely to write back knowing it is an option. Even the language and wording can make a world of difference. Some sequences feel so generalised it doesn’t even sound like a human wrote it. Be sure to sound like YOU and be inviting for more dialogue. This increased the interaction and involvement of those who have recently signed up their child or themselves to your studio. This creates strong communication and can build relationships with new community members, which in the end generates recurring signups or even references to their other friends & family members! Remember that people share their experiences with others, so if they have a positive one with your studio, others will know about it.   Gives them insight into other areas of the studio/Education   Having this sequence also gives them insight on the benefits of dance education. It is great to welcome them to your studio, introduce staff and your business values but to also shed a light on important information that benefits the future of their child's development. When introducing yourself and your staff, you can also expand on the experience/expertise both you and your team have obtained, giving them trust that their child is in great hands. You can also share the key points of certain blog posts on your site that they may be interested in. For example, a 3-year-olds parent that is new to dance might not understand the direct health benefits that ongoing dance training can have and educating them on that will get them to think about the continuation of their child’s dance training in the future. You can also share the benefits of implementing the importance of committing to something from the beginning. Parents are always wanting their child to progress and tend to think about their future on a regular basis, so educating them on how dance education and commitment to an art form or hobby will benefit their child, in the long run, will ease their mind. Even getting them to see how the older, more long-term students look and sharing their stories or testimonials can give them the reassurance they need for their child's growth in dance in all aspects in their life. Increase revenue potential   My last point can be a huge benefit to your business which is the potential for increased revenue. Of course they those receiving the sequence may have already signed up to your studio, paid tuition, which is great, but they always have the right to know about the other amazing things you offer at your studio that may be of interest and can benefit you both. Is there something extra special you offer as a bonus at your studio or stand-alone programs such as birthday parties, uniforms, costumes, workshops or holiday camps? This is all revenue building opportunity and it doesn’t have to be done in a sleazy or sales-y way. This is just about educating them on everything else you offer at your studio. They may be just fine enrolling their child in one dance class, but share with their friends about your birthday party package or even may want to take a workshop themselves to receive the benefits of taking up a hobby as a parent. You know you offer a quality service and you just want to sing it from the rooftops! Don’t be ashamed of sharing all the amazing services you offer. It might not be relevant to them at the time, but it could be later or they may know someone else who may benefit. This is also a great opportunity to mention any benefits you give for recommending new clients whether that be a small voucher, thank you card or simply a high five (hehe). Sharing this doesn’t mean everyone will sign up but simply gets the word out there, as word of mouth is always one of the best forms of advertisement!   Before I wrap up, I want to give you a few examples of what you could include in your sequence or how you can implement the important information.   What are some example to include in this sequence? Video welcoming them with photos and text Tour of the studio building (if it is a brick and mortar business) Information and photos of team members Links to blog posts on your site Your studio values Concert info Upcoming events Attire and dance shoe requirements /recommendations Studio Merch Studio story and background information Housekeeping rules and safety regulations Release forms   I hope you enjoyed my first live podcast episode. It is so important to give the love and attention to new studio members, so they know they are welcomed and a part of the community. Although people can come and go at times, we essentially want to create long-term signups and students at our studio. All of this comes from first instilling trust within your welcome sequence which you want to then transcend into the classroom experience. Just remember to be yourself, be true to your studio's values, and you will always attract your ideal students!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast! Today I have a very special guest, who is a fellow 'systems soulmate’, The fabulous Erin Pride! Erin is a very passionate and multi-talented entrepreneur who helps dance educators, studio owners, and arts organizations feel more confident, whether it's creating systems for classrooms, or designing benchmarks, assessments, and curriculum that fits the studio owner and students needs.   Erin's Bio:   Erin has had dance training since the age of 4. She received her BFA in Dance from Montclair State University, and her Master's in Dance Education from New York University. She also toured with Pilobolus Creative Services, owned a dance studio, and is the Director of a Performing Arts High School Dance Program, most recently she founded the Benchmark Boot Camp along with her other fabulous coaching services. Her boot camp stems from her years of knowledge and experience in running a successful dance classroom, reaching students of all facets, and transforming ideas from hopes to reality. Recently Erin created the Paterson Public Schools K-12 Dance Curriculum, helped develop the NJHS Dance Festival, and assisted in the establishment of the Inner City Ensemble Summer Dance Intensive. She says everything she has learned was from dance class. That is where she fell in love with education, inspiring others, and also systems!   Erin’s Website: https://www.erindpride.com Erin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinpride/  or more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of the Business of Dance Podcast, and the last episode of our Business of Branding series. Within the past 3 episode, I have gone into my best tips on designing and creating your studio brand, as well as how to stay consistent with your branding throughout your business. Before I dive into the show I want to let you in on the special Free giveaway I have mentioned in each episode of this series so far. This FREE giveaway is a Studio Branding Template, which helps you and your team map out your branding if you are in the processes of creating yours or even revamping your old one! This free download will help you when designing your brand, so you can have all your colours, logo, font and styles all in one place in order to move forward with your brand and business! If you would like to receive your FREE copy head on over to www.claireosheacoaching.com/bodbrand . In today’s episode, I will be discussing the difference between brand and business, as well as provide my brand growth tips. There are so many people out there thinking that businesses and brands are the same things, and the short answer is no, but in reality, the two really do overlap at times. There is a distinct difference which I will discuss in this episode and by identifying this difference we are able to see how we can grow our brand AND our business. So without further adieu, let’s dive into today’s show! What is the difference between your business and your brand?   When it comes to the difference between business and your brand, there are distinct differences between the two. Your business refers to the products or services you provide to your clients, students or consumers, and your brand is the personality or image which is used to represent your business/studio. You could even say your brand is the reputation of your business but isn’t in itself your business.   A great explanation of this comes from Chris Kocek (CEO Of Gallant) when he wrote in Entrepreneur.com :   “In my experience as a brand architect, a business becomes a brand when it transcends its category of origin. It takes an existing core equity, or a particular philosophy, and it infuses that idea into everything it does, furthering its reputation or world view one product, service or line extension at a time.”   “So the next time you find yourself wondering if you have a business or a brand, ask yourself, “What is it I’m really selling?” If the answer is something bigger than the category you’re in, then you may be on your way to building a very successful brand”.   The goal of a brand, as mentioned in our first branding series episode is to differentiate yourself from others who may run a similar business. This is important when attracting others to your studio by advertisements and marketing strategies, as you are not only building your business but allowing others to take a preference for your brand based on what you offer.   How to grow your Brand:   When it comes to growing your business it is fairly obvious what that can entail. In dance studio terms this can be a growth of students, locations, renovating your current studio by adding more rooms or even taking on more staff. And yes, as your business grows your brand can as well, but now that you know the difference between a business and a brand, let’s isolate the growth of your brand.   Target: This is similar when creating your brand and business but knowing your target clients can really help you grow your audience or customers as your are providing a specific service only you offer. Understanding your target customers helps you develop your brand around their problem and providing them with a solution. This can increase word of mouth and get your name & brand out there!   Interact & Engage: A great way to build your brand is to interact with others. This can be community members both in your location or online. Having social media consistency is great for your business and brand, but what can make your brand stand out is connecting with others such as your target customers. Having meaningful conversations, giving shout-outs and engaging with others can really help you as it can create a positive impact on others, which builds trust and strength for your brand.   Voice: Developing a voice for your brand can be anywhere from a slogan you use, to building a reputation around the matters you are passionate about. As an example, this can be building a voice in your community for important topics at hand. Perhaps you are a human rights advocate and you want to let your community know your brand and business is about inclusivity. Those who resonate will be attracted to this and associate your brand with your voice. Remember, growing your brand is about setting yourself apart in a positive way, so others can distinguish you from others, which in turn affects and benefits your business.   Shareables: Just like my point of interacting with others, creating shareable content can really help grow your brand and get your name out there. This can be as simple as creating quote graphics to share with parents and student who will resonate. Creating content that can be passed around, and spread generates growth within your brand without you doing much work. This can also work for hashtags or memes, or gifs (which let’s be honest, we all love) The biggest reason why brands grow is that they resonate with others, based on their values, voice, quality and general uniqueness. You want others to feel like “where has this been my whole life” Not everyone will feel this way, but your targeted audience should, as that is the whole point! Social Media & Consistency: This may be an obvious one, but keeping up with your social media posts which integrate your brand is important as you’re being consistent. Posting regularly increases your presence, following and gets your brand name out there! This is also in terms of branding consistency within your posts: logo, language and voice which I mentioned in last week’s episode. It is so awesome to be posting regularly, but if your content, messages and graphics are all over the place and don’t relate or focus on your brands' overall goal, it isn’t going to do you or business much good. Post on a daily basis, stay consistent and let the magic of social media do its job.   Bonus content: Another great way to build a business is creating bonus content. This all boils down and relates to your brand’s overall message and mission. Bonus content can be as simple as blog posts (which I recommend you do regardless) creating a podcast, masterclasses, or even a Youtube channel. These are just a bonus option if you are in the position to do so, as I know running a studio in itself is stressful enough. But I do highly recommend you look into what you can provide others as a great way to grow your brand. This provides that ‘something extra’ for others. There are many people who have seen great success from this in terms of both brand and business growth. As an example, if you are a studio owner whose brand represents a passion for classical ballet training and techniques, an option is to create a Youtube channel discussing the benefits of ballet training or even showing a few beginner techniques. This can be easily shared around with not only your studio family but the people all over the world. This can help grow your brand in a global sense as well as attract more students to your studio who live in your area. Remember it’s not about giving away free things all the time, but providing bonus content can really get your brand out there, as you are separating yourself from the crowd with your unique approach.   That is the end of the show today. I hope you enjoyed this episode and our Business of branding series. Again if you haven't listened to the previous 3 episodes I highly suggest you listen to them, as they provide lots of insight and tips for when creating your brand! Remember to grab your free copy of my Studio Branding Template where you can organize and manage your brand in the design revamping or even creation process. Just head to www.claireosheacoaching.com/bodbrand  I look forward to speaking with your soon and hope you all have a wonderful day wherever you are in the world. Bye for now. For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Today is the 3rd episode of our Business of Branding series all about the tips, tricks & tools for branding consistency & replication! If you haven't heard the first two episodes of the series, I highly suggest you check them out as I dive into the background of branding, and how to start the brand creation process with your business! Now, I mentioned in previous episodes a little surprise I have for you guys which will be released when our last episode of the series airs, which will be next week. Again, I am still keeping it a secret, but I want to give you a little hint. This giveaway will not only help you with branding your business but it’s also free! I feel like I have already said too much, so let’s not waste any more time and dive into today’s episode!   Tools:   Canva I have mentioned this in previous episodes for when designing and creating your brand, as it is such a great tool, and that is a program called Canva. For those of you who don’t know what Canva is, it is a business and branding website which you can create a variety of different graphics on. There is a free and paid feature, but trust me, it is worth every penny. I believe it is less than $10 every month when paid annually or $12 for individual months. What makes Canva super awesome is that you can add your logo that you, your VA or an outsourced graphic designer created into your saved photos, along with team photos, and stock photos. You can also save your team, business and branding colours so when you create your graphics for your studio, you are consistent with your brand’s colours, photos and can add your logo. Be sure when outsourcing your logo, you get the designer to create the image with a transparent background so you can add it to any image. One of my favourite features in Canva is the magic resize. So that when you create a graphic for a newsletter, or blog post and want to have the same image for a Facebook post, it basically copies that same photo and changes the dimensions. It sometimes needs a slight adjustment, but still saves you or your team a tonne of time! I could go on all day about Canva because it is so awesome, but if you want to learn more I suggest you check out the site for yourself and take a look around as it is seriously an amazing investment in your brand and business. Remember to also review Canvas terms and conditions when creating images on their site, or using their specific designs. It is good to know all the terms and conditions when creating images on any site or platform you wish to use for business and money making purposes. Review all the nitty-gritty details or like I said in the previous episode, you can always consult your lawyer if you have one. We want you to stay consistent with your brand and have your business benefit, but let’s keep it legal so there is no stress moving forward with your brand.   Stock Photos Another great tool is using stock images. I think having lots of photos of you and your team is amazing and you should always have your favourites on hand. But having access to stock photos can be super helpful for you to have access to good quality photos when creating graphics for your business. Some may feel uncomfortable using photos they didn’t personally take, but stock photos can we a win-win for both you and the artist who took the photo. These photographers have put these images out into the world for others to use to get their name out there, and you can have a wide range of photos that encapsulate your brand, whilst providing variety within your graphics. A great site that I personally use is Unsplash. You can type in a theme or word to find the perfect photo for your graphic. Another popular site is called Pexels. (like Pixels but an ‘e’) Tips For branding Consistency:   Train your team in Branding for your Business When hiring your admin, teachers, VA, website manager, social media manager, graphic designer etc. Educate them on your brand Educate on the theme, feel and objective of not only your studio but brand Language, Colours, Logo, Canva. When you outsource, make sure others know everything they need to know about your brand before creating content for you. Make sure everyone is on the same page   Make sure your social consistency and branding consistency match When creating Facebook Ads, Instagram or social campaigns make sure your brand stays consistent in your posts Keep Language consistent, adding your logo to your photos This helps others know it’s you right away, getting others excited about new content from YOU!   Have a good stock of photos of both you, your team and studio Along with having stock photos from other sources and photographers having a hand full of good quality photos of you (CEO) your staff and students is great for your social graphics This ensures those who come across your studio, find you on social media or see a poster remember you, what you look like and can leave a positive memory This makes you seem approachable, real and friendly to your community as a business owner in the area   Extra branding consistency tricks:   Language Stay consistent with your language Not only with your text, but perhaps a slogan, or sign off in videos or posts This also goes along with your language in emails, newsletters, blog post Email sign-offs should stay consistent. Have your name, role, perhaps contact info and a little something special you always say (love, regards, xx, etc)   Social Channels Stay consistent with your social channels in terms of design and name and presentation Facebook, Instagram, website, twitter etc. Same logo, colours, names @studioname @studionameofficial Stay away from numbers, _ underscores or having the same name as others   Evolve Be open and flexible with your brand If you are not trademarking your logo or designs you can change your “logo” over time if you wish, or get a new one created by a designer Otherwise having your brand evolve over time is a good thing If you look at any successful brand; they grew, changed and evolved over time It’s amazing to stay consistent when choosing and sticking to your brand, and you should do that But don’t be afraid to switch it up in the future based on new passions, clients and directions you wish to venture with your business Stay consistent in where you are wanting to head and you can always evolve over time!   So that is the end of today’s episode all about branding consistency. There are so many things to consider when not only creating but staying consistent with your studio’s brand it can seem super overwhelming! But remember to take one thing at a time, outsource to others, get your team involved and know that you are not alone! Again if you haven't checked out my website I have many coaching options, services, as well as free resources to help you get started in building, systemising or revamping your dream dance business. If this is something you would be interested in learning more about when advancing your studio, head on over to www.claireosheacoaching.com  Stay tuned for next week’s episode as it is the last one for my branding series and when I will be announcing an amazing FREE branding themed giveaway! I hope you have an amazing day wherever you are in the world, and I will speak with you real soon. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone, welcome to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast and the 2nd episode of our Business of Branding Series. Last week I discussed what branding is, and how your business can benefit from gaining trust in others. If you haven't checked out this episode yet I suggest you listen to that as well, or even before listening to this one, as it gives you some insight into branding if you are totally new to the concept. Remember, branding just isn’t all about colours and your logo, it is so much more. Now in today’s episode, we'll talk all about designing, creating your brand or even revamping your studio brand if you already have one. It is so important that we create a brand for our businesses that best represent us, what we are about, our values and the programs we provide. We created our studio or are currently creating for a reason. This gives us a chance to really get creative and outline our niche, in order to attract the very people we designed our programs to benefit. Remember to also stay tuned to the end of my branding series, as I have something very special for all of you to help you with branding your business! So let’s dive into today’s episode and get brainstorming about your brand!   When creating your brand, before we get into the designing stage, I want you to take into consideration the 5 steps to brand building. This is the behind the scenes aspects... What message are you wanting to get across? What is the main motivation within your business? What are your values? How will your brand create credibility with your business or field of interest? What is your unique qualifications or services? What will make you stand out within your industry? How will others benefit? How do you want to connect with your target/dream clientele? Will you be more in-person? or Online? How do you want to best represent yourself through your brand? What kind of connection do you want to have with others? How will your brand motivate these potential clients to sign up/learn more? What are you offering? How can you make others motivated to move forward with your business What is the hook? What is your branding language? How will you create loyalty among your customers? How can you make your brand inviting and trustworthy? What stands out from all other studios or businesses? When creating your brand you want to take into consideration the questions above as it is the skeleton of brand building, your “why” & “how” and “who”. If you don’t answer these questions answered yet then you will have a hard time developing your brand into a successful business. A brand isn’t just a pretty logo or colour scheme, it’s the beautiful wrapping paper to your business that people just can’t wait to tuck into. But it doesn’t mean much when the pretty wrapping paper doesn’t match or align with the present. This is where consistency all begins!   Once you have answered these questions and have your branding outline, you want to also outline your target audience & clientele. This should be easy as you can take this from your business outline when you started or are starting your studio. Who are your programs for, the age group, gender, location etc? What is the narrative you are creating with your ideal clients? What language (aside from the actual spoken language) do you want to use? What are your keywords? How do you want to not only speak but connect with your ideal client? This can really help you when creating your brand's logo and colours, so you can target a specific group of people, interests or even gender (without stereotyping too much)   Let’s talk about design:   What colours do you think best represent your studio or business? I suggest max 3 colours (possibly 4) as that is easy for others to identify, and you don’t want to be too overwhelming Make sure that every colour goes together in any combination Play around with colours! Go on Canva or any other graphic design app and play around. Remember to jot down the colour code to give to a web designer or graphic designer for consistency purposes. Outsource to designers for logo creation I have mentioned before in previous episodes, but I highly suggest outsourcing this task to others if designing isn’t your specialty Use sites like Fiverr and Upwork I even suggest getting them to create a couple options or even ask more than one designer to come up with options to get another perspective Just be sure to really outline to them what you want, be specific and most importantly be open to new ideas that you might love Make sure the name you are also choosing for your brand and business isn’t taken or too similar to others. Yes, there is a lot of studios out there, and having dance in the title isn’t a big deal as we want others to know you are a studio, but make sure the full name isn’t taken before you start branding. Download Canva! Canva is one of my most favourite apps for team and business It is a website where you can create any kind of graphic design, from flyers to posters, blog posts, A4 forms, Ebooks or social media posts. Some features are free but the paid version is affordable and SO worth it for business owners, as you can design and keep your brand's colours and logos in there to add to any social post, newsletter or blog posts It can take some time to get used to but it actually incredibly fun to use and easy to learn This can save you a lot of time as it keeps everything all in one place for you, in terms of branding, so you can outsource to your team when creating graphics Go to www.canva.com   My last tip is to keep it legal. When creating your logo or outsourcing to a designer, be sure to have it be completely unique when it comes to fonts, designs and colours. If you are using images or text from other sites be sure to view the terms and conditions first. A lot of sites may give you what's called “user rights” which means anyone may use it for free, or for a small price for their business, but you cannot claim it to be yours as you technically don’t own the images. Make sure your logo is created in something like photoshop or illustrator rather than Canva, as they own the images and text on the site. You can use Canva to promote your products and even make money from your products, but you cannot legally call it a logo or trademark that image. Always read terms and conditions or get a lawyer to review with you before moving forward with your brand’s designs. These are basics of what to consider in your brand design, creation and logo. The great thing about this is that there are actually branding experts out there that can help you from logo to website design. They can help you create the brand of your dreams which best represents your studio and the amazing programs you provide! Remember when it comes to running a business, you don’t have to do everything yourself. Outsourcing and asking for help is an amazing place to begin. Collaboration is why so many businesses are successful in this day and age and finding the people who will help you bring your dreams to the surface are closer than you think. I have discussed my services a couple times on the show, as well as my coaching programs. If you are needing that extra help or simply are wanting to talk branding, and business strategy, I recommend heading to my website www.claireosheacoaching.com  if that is of interest, as I also provide FREE discovery calls. Branding doesn’t have to be a challenge if anything it is the fun part about business creation! I hope you enjoyed this episode and I look forward to talking with you next week all about post-brand creation and how to stay consistent with your brand and replication. Have a great day wherever you are in the world. Bye for now. For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Welcome back to not only another episode but the 1st episode of our Business of Branding Series! In this episode, I will be covering the basics of branding; what it is, how it is beneficial for dance studio business owners and why it creates trust from customers/clients. Now, let’s dive into today's show, so you can take the first step in creating, designing or revamping your studio’s brand which is understanding what branding is, and how it can work for you!   By definition “A brand is a name, term, design, symbol, or other feature that distinguishes an organisation or product from its rivals in the eyes of the customer. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising”. The whole point of creating a brand is to not only separate your business or studio from others but to give a memorable impression on others when providing a particular service within your industry.   Whether you are aware of it or not, we all have certain brands we remember subconsciously; commercials, tv shows, sports teams and the list goes on. They are memorable for us either in a good or bad way. Those super annoying commercial theme songs you get stuck in your head while you’re trying to sleep is a perfect example of successful branding. You may hate that commercial and never want to buy their product, but you will never ever forget them. When it comes to your business, of course, we want to be memorable in a more positive light for your students and parents at your studio. Your brand in itself is your biggest marketing strategy, as you are attracting others to your business by your logo, colours and symbols that remind them of your studio. This plants a seed in others to think of you when recommending, or searching for dance programs in their area, or within a certain niche.   Branding also creates trust in others, as branding is all about consistency. We will go into how to be consistent within your brand later on the series, but essentially consistency in any business creates trust in others. When you are being consistent with your values, have integrity with your intentions and others who interact with your business, your brand is letting them know you mean what you say. Often people are sceptical when signing up for programs, classes or when it comes to spending money, as they may have had bad experiences in the past that may have tainted their trust for certain brands. But you can reinstall this trust when your brand best represents your business, programs and classes to match the values and the positive intentions behind it.   When it comes to your brand, you want it to best represent you and your business! Your brand isn’t just a logo or colour scheme, but it is integrating your studio's values, and unique programs designed to help and educate others! This will ultimately work to serve you and your business, as you can attract more students to your studio, who not only resonate with what you are about but can benefit the very people you designed your classes for! It is a win-win! Branding also produces loyalty, in your students as well as your team. When your students love their classes and their teachers they want to stay in your studio. Same goes for your staff, if they feel connected to your brand and love working there, they will stay as they enjoy the quality of your brand and stand behind what you have built!   I hope you enjoyed the first episode of our branding series, and have a clearer idea of where you are heading with your brand and business! In the next episode, the real fun begins, as I will be discussing all about creating, designing or revamping your brand! It may seem overwhelming, but I’m here to show you that branding doesn’t have to be complicated when creating or working on your business!  For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

In this episode of The Business of Dance Podcast, I compiled my best money mindset tips and tricks. These clips are from my Master your money mindset in may series. If you would like to check out our full mindset series feel free to listen to episodes 40-43. Now let’s dive into today’s show so you can start mastering your money mindset and attract the abundance you deserve and desire!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Business of Dance Podcast. Today I want to discuss the importance of getting clarity on the direction you want to head with your business and my tips on how to achieve this clarity. When it comes to creating a studio or dance business, it can sometimes be easy to get lost when building your programs, classes or workshops. There are so many bases to cover, genres to teach as well as other dance studios to compare to & how to know where to grow and move forward. Having a clear direction, set of values and mission for your business will remove a lot of stress for you, as you understand it isn’t your job to cater to every single person who is interested in taking a dance class. When you get clear on who could benefit from your classes, how you want to run your business, where you would like it to go and grow in the future, you are headed for success! Let’s dive into today’s episode so you can get the clarity you need and move forward in the direction of success. What is special about YOU? In other words, what do you have that other studios don’t? What can you offer? What do you want to offer others? What are your passions within the giant umbrella that is dance? Are you passionate about child development? Competitive dance? Working with children with special needs or disabilities? Programs for adults? When you are clear on what excites you about dance, and how you want to impact the lives of others, you begin to reveal the unique gifts you can offer others, as you are coming from a place of genuine love and care. This is where you find success as you are able to then create a business around your passions which will always be unique and different. It doesn’t matter if others are doing something similar, as long as it is coming from an authentic place for you. The truth is as long as you are being honest with what you are truly passionate about, you will always find that is innately special about what you have to offer others. I suggest answering these questions in order to get clarity on the direction of your business, whether it is for a new business or you are wanting to change directions with your current studio. What is your business forecast? Where do you see or want to see your business going? If you are still in creation mode for your business, where would you like to be in 1, 3, 5 or even 10 years? Are you wanting to set up your business then have it be automated, and outsourced for others to manage? Do you want to teach classes on a weekly basis? Are you wanting multiple locations? Having a small studio? Do you want a brick and mortar business or travel with your business? Creating a path to pave for yourself and your team will generate clarity for the future of your business. Some call it a business plan, long-term goals or even map for your studio. It is about devising a system or plan for where you want to go. When things are left up in the air, unclear or wishy-washy like, “I want to make a lot of money and have a lot of students” it is going to be very hard for you to execute these goals as that is not specific enough. How much money? How many students? How many locations? And how would you get these students? The way you are not just foreseeing but actually predicting your business forecast by getting clear on your goals. What will it take? After you have created a clearer vision on where you want your business to go, as well as what you have to offer the world with your specific gifts, it is time to create more of an action plan. What does it actually take to get where you want to go with your business? This is time to get realistic. Do you need to invest in a coach? Start saving money or taking out a loan? Taking on X more students a month, year or term? Exactly how many students? What will the practical steps be for you to start? Take the time to get clear and then get to work! How will you actually do it? In order to create your map or action plan, we have to know where we are coming from not only financially but mentally also. To also do this in a way where you are not just dreaming big, but planning how to execute this dream and understand the path to get there. Maybe it will take a few years, perhaps 6 months depending on your goals. But knowing where you are heading and the steps to get there will help to stay on track and headed for success. What is your ‘WHY’? This may seem similar to the first tip but is actually in itself a whole other way of viewing the direction of your business, as this is your motivation. You are obviously passionate about education and the art of dance, but what is your ‘why’? Lacking a ‘why’ in any business, or goal in life is why most people give up or seem to not finish what they have started. Your 'why' is your main motivation to keep going, take risks and the critical steps to conquer your dreams. Do you want to change people's lives? Make this world a better place? Give a better dance experience than you had growing up, or pass on your positive experiences? Why do you want to have this business and why will you get up out of bed every morning to kick your goals? This will ultimately get you inspired and motivated to start your action plan in your new clear direction for your business! Writing down your ‘why’ can also be helpful, and even sticking it on your mirror so you can see it each and every day. Remind yourself why, and you will be on your way to building your dream business! Extra tips: Share with your team and partner your ‘Why’ Get them to also share their ‘why’ & discuss how to keep each other motivated! Create your own vision board and map out with pictures and words that suit your dream business and life Find an accountability partner or a coach that help you get clarity on your brand, business and goals! I hope you enjoyed my tips and have more on an idea of where you would like to head with your own business or studio. It can take some time to reflect, gain perspective and make a game plan, but it is so worth it once you do! Knowing your direction in any aspect of your life is so freeing and can relieve a lot of stress. If you are personally struggling with the direction of your studio and needing extra, I also encourage you to check out my website as I have many coaching and service packages, as well as lots of amazing free resources dedicated to studio owners and dance entrepreneurs. If you are wanting to learn more about how to take the next steps in your business or learn more about how to work with me, head on over to www.claireosheacoaching.com .  I hope you have a wonderful day wherever you are in the world, and I will talk to you real soon. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea  

Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast! Today we are back interviewing yet another talented, and inspiring woman of the dance education and entrepreneur world; the fabulous Emma Franklin Bell, creator of The Beautiful Business Academy.  Emma is a powerful leader in her industry; influencing women around the world to explore their creativity and build their dream business through her Beautiful Business Academy. Emma has spent two decades in the performing arts industry before opening her own dance studios, mentoring studio owners in business strategy and wrote a game-changing book called ‘ How to Run a Preschool Dance Studio’. I am super excited to interview Emma today, but before we dive into the show I want to let you know a bit more about Emma. Emma’s Bio: Emma is an author, artist and entrepreneur who is passionate about women living and leading courageous, creative lives! Emma comes from a strong background in dance, performing arts and writing. Emma has spend many years as a dance teacher and coached,mentored hundreds of young dancers to achieve their goals in RAD exams, concerts, eisteddfods and showcases. Emma’s passion for dance expanded as she then created preschool dance programs at her former studio Fairy footsteps. As a dancer Emma was privately coached and mentored by the top teachers in Australia including Tanya Pearson OAM, Marie Walton-Mahon, Sheila Laing and John Byrne. Emma trained full-time through to advanced levels in the RAD and Russian Vagonova methods. In 2002 alongside running her own dance school, Emma founded Whimsicality Productions – Children’s Parties and discovered a love of tiny tots, storytelling and the imagination, not realising then that nearly a decade later she would draw all those skills together to create a dynamic, interactive, imaginative dance program for children aged 3 – 5 years old. Emma has written curriculum for dance teachers at the Australian Dance Institute and holds a Certificate of Dance Teaching from Queensland University of Technology. She also holds a VET Diploma of Presentation Skills, SpeakersBank Accreditation, a VET Diploma of Business (Entertainment and Music Management), the Cert IV in Training and Assessment (TAE) and is completing a Bachelor of Communication Double Major (Screen Studies and Creative Writing). Emma is also the founder of her current business, The Beautiful Business Academy. The BBA has a focus on developing female Creative Leaders through programs that focus on training women in how to raise their influence through book writing, course creation and media and performance skills training. Emma is co-founder of The Ladies Lounge Podcast, which has had 20 ,000+  downloads. Emma discusses creativity, leadership and business and has been featured on The Mark Bouris Show, Unlimited Influence Podcast, Transform Your Studio Podcast, Life Lessons TV, Women, Leadership & Work Podcast with Megan Dalla-Camina, The Politics of Everything Podcast, Hot ‘N’ Delicious Rocks the Planet Podcast, The Theatre of U w/ Heidi Alexandra Pollard, Leadership HQ Magazine, Wellness Hubs and Business in Heels.   Learn more about Emma: The Beautiful Business Academy: http://thebeautifulbusinessacademy.com/   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

When it comes to creating a website for your studio, you may feel lost in the beginning. You may not be a tech wizard, or an expert in SEO,  let alone know which hosting site is best for your business. It can seem so overwhelming and confusing as all we want to do is create a website for our students, parents and the community to share our beautiful dance programs and services. We are not all business or website experts, but artists first, who want to bring the joy of dance to the world! That being said, there are some amazing ways to get your website up and running sooner and easier than you think. There are some incredible website creators out there who can help you, and I am here today to share my personal tips on how to create and outline the perfect studio website. Since we live in the age of technology, our website is essentially the door to our studio. We must make it inviting, accessible and clear! Let’s dive straight into the episode so you can start creating your amazing website! Be consistent & eye-catching It is obvious that your studio’s logo, font and colours should be consistent within your website, but I want you to keep this in mind with your values as well. When you are creating or outlining your pages, think about how you can incorporate the “essence” that is your studio. Expressing who you are, what your values are and being consistent in how you present your business is what draws people in. Consider creating a video on your homepage with a short introduction from you, the owner and possibly a mini tour of the studio if you have a brick and mortar style business. This can be as simple as recording on an iPhone. Adding many pictures of your team and students will help those visiting the site to see what you are about, and they can assess if your studio is right for them or their child. Being visually appealing is half the battle when creating a website, but so important when attracting others.   Be clear Be clear in the text on your site. Just like our last point in stating your values, also be clear about what you're providing at your studio, events as well as the benefits of attending YOUR business. All the information should provide should answer those common questions we all think when visiting a website. What is this about? Where is this? Do they provide what I need? Why should I sign up here opposed to other places? How will I benefit? Is this the right place for me or my child? How much are classes? Where are they located? Etc. Having the answers to all these questions in a clear manner will save the viewer a lot of time in wondering if they should sign up or not, as all the information is laid in front of them.   Stay up to date This is an obvious point, but I have seen many business owners set up a beautiful website, and then barely touch it again...Of course, you don’t need to update the layout every month or even 6 months, but it’s more about staying up to date with the information, upcoming events, change of time for any classes, phone number or even location. Just as the previous statement says, we want to make things really easy for others, not only to find your site but to navigate, find the information they need and then choose whether to sign up. Staying up to date is key as this also prevents any confusion. If you still are advertising a workshop that was 2 months ago or didn’t change that your moved Saturday morning ballet from 8 to 10 am it really isn’t going to benefit anyone, and can lead to many issues as you can imagine. It can be super easy just to go in every week or so, see how things are looking and either adjust or outsource to others to manage your website.    Have a clear call to action Every page should lead them to somewhere else. You don’t want people to get to the bottom of the page, be unsure where to go next, so they just exit out. Having a actions step for them to take next keeps them not only on your site but likely to look into other services you provide and find a program they are looking for. Creating this next action can also lead to signing up for a newsletter, going to your contact section if they have any questions or even sign up for a workshop, event or class!   Show yourself It can feel strange at first, but it is so important for business owners to show interested clients the people behind the studio, bringing a face to a name. Post photos not only of your staff and students but YOU. It is important to get out there as a studio owner, up front and centre, generating a happy and familiar feeling for those visiting your site. Even having a short video of you welcoming others to your site, introducing yourself, your studio and a bit about what to expect from your classes or programs. This can be another chance to express your values and attract those who resonate.   Video Dance is a visual medium, we need to show those visiting our website exactly what to expect at the studio. It is great to show different elements of your studio through video. You can record the interior of the studio, classrooms, routines certain classes have mastered, and the different genres you provide. This can get parents and their children excited about taking a dance class, camp or workshop as they know what to expect and how their skills can develop over time.   Outsource This is not coming from a place of laziness or that you are unable to become a website expert, but simply looking at the time available to you as a studio owner, and prioritising tasks. You may want to know how to navigate your site, and at least understand how to make minor changes is a good thing. But outsourcing others to set up your website, who are experts in their field will save you a lot of time in the long run. It may not be in your budget at the moment to hire the website developer of your dreams, but investing in someone who understands your business and brand who can work with you to set up a beautiful and functioning website will pay off 1000 fold. After all, there will be a big chunk of people who attend or sign up for your studio via finding your website. Like I said in the beginning, your website is the door to your business, and you want it to best represent you! I suggest looking into some freelance websites like Fiverr, or Upwork and see the price range to skill ratio which best suits your needs. From there you will need to use the other points I mentioned to them, in order to express how you want it to look with your brand colours, logo etc. Be clear about whoever is creating your site. Another tip is getting ideas from others sites, which can also help inspire what “look” you are after. I hope that these tips helped you have a better idea of what is needed to create a beautiful website for your studio. I am also happy to announce that we are now providing a studio website audit and overview service over at Claire O’Shea Coaching! This is a special service where we go in and view your site, make notes where we feel there should be some changes or adjustments and give you an outline of how to get most out of your website, resulting in more student signups! If this is something you are interested in, you can visit www.claireosheacoaching.com/services for more information. A reminder that Studio To Go's behind the Curtains Week (test-drive and freebies) starts this week: July 9th-13th 2018 & their Curtains Open Week (cart is open for Concierge Enrollment) starts July 13th-20th *Cart closes 11:59 pm EST on July 20th, 2018. Affiliate Program: Package valued at $250 - 1-hour consultation & Ballerina Birthday Party Package https://www.studiotogodance.com/concierge-to-go/?pa=BOD0718    For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea  

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast! Today I have a very special interview lined up for you. Joining me again on the show is the fabulous Leah Matthews of Studio Go Dance, with one of her partners Lauren Nolan. The last time Leah was on the show we discussed her business Studio Go Dance, and how she was about to launch her new business Studio To-Go Dance, with her incredible Partner Lauren. I am so excited to learn about these ladies and their amazing business, but before we jump into the show I want to remind everyone to listen to the end as there will be a very special bonus at the end courtesy of Lauren & Leah. So without further adieu let’s dive into the show!   Website: https://www.studiotogodance.com/ Special Offer: Package valued at $250 - 1-hour consultation & Ballerina Birthday Party Package https://www.studiotogodance.com/concierge-to-go/?pa=BOD0718   Important Dates for Studio to-go: - Behind the Curtains Week (test-drive and freebies) July 9th-13th - Curtains Open Week (cart is open for Concierge Enrollment) July 13th-20th *Cart closes 11:59pm EST on July 20th.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. In today’s episode, I want to cover a subject I feel is not discussed enough in the entrepreneur community. We all have been or may still be in the state of “hustle” which is a necessary component of being a business owner, especially in the beginning. But in this episode, I want to cover my top tips that will help prevent what I like to call a “business owner burnout” Maybe you have bitten off a little more than you can chew or don’t have much of a team or staff at the moment for you to delegate certain tasks. But I believe that with these tips you will be able to lighten the load and feel more in control of your business and life! Let’s dive right into the show! 1.Pick a daily “turn off time” It is so easy for us business owners to constantly be on our phones or computers while at home “after-hours”. There is always going to be an email to answer, or problem that may need to be solved. We are so “on” for most of, if not all day that sometimes it can be hard to turn off our brains, and our devices. For a business owner “office hours” can feel like 24/7 as there is always something to be done.  But what has really has really helped myself along with other business owners I know is picking a “turn off time”. This is a time of day, or evening where we don’t answer anymore emails, connect with our staff, create new lesson plans, and so on. Of course, some of us may be night owls and feel more creative in the evening, or may have children, so the best time to work is evenings. The beauty is you can choose your “turn off time”. Maybe it is in the morning, and for the first hour you are up you don’t check any emails, and go about your morning routine or getting the kids to school. Or after 8pm and you are watching a movie, and simply put your phone on silent. This will help eliminate stress as you have designated a time where you are not a “business owner” or “at work” but being you. Look at your schedule, and choose your “turn off time” based on what works for you, and I promise you will see a difference in both your productivity level when at work, as well as stress level when you relax knowing “work hours are over”....phew   Prioritise We all know what it is like to plan our weekly or even monthly schedule out; all highlighted, color coded and mapped out. It looks beautiful, all we have to do now is actually start. It can seem terrifying, and sometimes we don’t know where to start. Prioritising is such an amazing tool when we implement it properly. I have discussed my thoughts before about multi-tasking and how it can take away your focus on a task and can cause even more stress as you are trying to do two or more things at once! We will save ourselves a lot of time going over and over the same tasks if we just focus on one thing at a time. If you have no idea where to start, I suggest first writing out the tasks need to be completed that week or month and work backward. If a task is going to take a couple days plan out what you need to do each day until it’s completion. Same goes for a longer task. If you know creating lesson plans for you can take a few hours and you have some spare time on a certain day, but know the next day you are jam packed, work it in so you are not stressing and scrambling to get it done when you know you don’t have time. Knowing how long things take and what is needed to be completed first will really help to manage your time, and eliminate some anxiety when planning out your schedule. 3.Outsource Now, you may not be in the position right now to hire or take on new team members, but there are many forms of outsourcing that can be affordable and save you a lot of time! As I have discussed in previous episodes, you can outsource as big or little tasks as you need, and prices can vary depending on the tasks and skill level of the freelancer. If you do have team members who you trust, trial them to take on a few more responsibilities within their current role, which will free up some time for you to focus on other tasks. Otherwise hiring a one-off or even part time freelancer or VA to help answer emails, revamp your website or simply write a blog post once a week can help you check off a few items off your list can benefit your business in the long run. I think outsourcing is such a wonderful option for business owners, especially in this age of technology, as you can delegate tasks to skillful individuals without having to be there in person with them. If you are concerned about the money aspect, I suggest to try it out for a one off task and go from there. At the end of the day, it is an investment in your business which can pay off big time, as well as steer you away from a burn out and in the direction of success long term. 4.Stay focused on your vision When we are creating or running our business, it is easy for us to lose the “big picture” at times. We work hard, long hours at times, and focus on the nitty-gritty in order to grow or build our business. Of course, we have a vision in mind and that is what keeps us on track. But it can be easy to get caught up in the hardship at times and miss out on the beauty that is our “dream business” It can be easier said than done, but it only takes a few moments to get back on track and remember why we are doing this in the first place. A few tips I have for this are: Create a vision board Meditate and visualise the ‘end result’ .Where you want your business to go, and focusing on how you want to feel. Even write down why you are doing what you do every day and read that out loud every morning. If you remind yourself why you are working so hard, you can feel more accomplished with all you do. And in time you will look back and see how far you have come. This will help you to keep going and prevent a burn out, as you are aligning with your vision and will have the energy to go after what you want! I hope that these tips help you and relieve some pressure in order to prevent a burnout. It can be tricky at times, as we want to stay in the hustle. But remember, it is okay to ask for help, and take time for yourself. Stay on track by prioritizing your tasks, keep that vision clear and you will see major changes in your business. I look forward to speaking with you soon. Take care wherever you are in the world. Bye for now! For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. In this episode, I got the pleasure of interviewing the wonderful Melissa Klassen of Acrobatique. Melissa has extensive experience creating new Acro Dance programs from the ground up, for dance studios around the world, and has helped Studio Owners and Instructors from Canada, the U.S, Mexico, China, Indonesia, the Bahamas, the U.K, and Australia. With her own business Acrobatique, she has provided dance educators who teach preschool to the advanced level material, how to fully understand how to teach and spot Acro-Dance properly. Acrobatique students have an immense advantage due to their specific strength and flexibility training; helping them become better dancers and avoid many common dance injuries.   Melissa’s Bio: For over 20 years, Melissa has mentored under several of the industry’s top players to build her career as an expert in Acro Dance, safe spotting practices, injury prevention, gymnastics, adjudication, and instructor mentorship. Several studios she has consulted and developed programs for have had students go on to have exciting and fulfilling professional careers. Before creating her business Acrobatique, Melissa served as the Director of Acro Dance at Canada's most prestigious performing arts school “The Young Canadians” in Calgary, Alberta, where she created and facilitated the Acro Dance program, and mentored young professionals for over 10 years. In addition to facilitating the worldwide Acrobatique Syllabus, which Melissa created, she is also currently the Director for, the department of Acro Dance at the renowned athletic sports school Tanbridge Academy, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Melissa is certified with the Canadian A.D.A.P.T (Jazz/Tap) Syllabus, is Level 3 certified with the N.C.C.P – Gymnastics division, Level 2 N.C.C.P Judging/Adjudicating Certification, Tumbling and Trampoline Level 2, is an advisory board member of YPAD: Youth Protection Advocates in Dance and has a diploma in Sport Management with Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. With an eye for precision, sharp technical skills, and a passion for mentorship and inspiring others, Melissa leads the way in the Acro Dance industry worldwide.   Melissa’s Website: Acrobatique: https://acrobatique.ca/ Get your Free E-book: AcroDance At Your Studio - Your complete roadmap for AcroDance at your studio: https://acrobatique.ca/acrodance-at-your-studio/   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. In this episode, I will be going over 4 pillars for a strong leader as business and studio owner. These 4 pillars benefit your team, students as well as your community. As a studio owner, we have to create a sense of credibility within our community and being to be that voice for our business is crucial. It is important to be a strong leader as we are representing both our business but also our industry. It can seem like a lot of responsibility for the service we provide greatly impacts our student's growth and development. But in this episode, I will cover my top tips in becoming a strong leader for your team which will generate the mindset shift from CEO /business owner to Community Leader! Let’s dive right in! Practice clear communication: As a leader, you need to be clear and precise with your words, actions, expectations, deadlines and communication towards your team. If you need or want anything done; be clear, and also kind with your approach. With this clear stream-lined form of communication, you are aiming to create trust both in others who work for you, as well those you work for (clients, parents, students etc.) This trust that is built especially when done in a friendly manner, giving others more reason to reciprocate with that same clear and honest communication (hopefully). This establishes your team’s respect, allowing them to be honest and come to you if they have a problem. This can also be for communicating praise or appreciation for your staff. Letting team members know they are doing a good job, as well as if there is an issue creates trust and security for both you, the business owner and a team member. The same thing goes with parents at your studio. Be kind, clear and direct with your communication about the genuine care you have for the development and well being of their child. This will not only can generate returning students, but trust for the parents to be able to discuss with you if their child is experiencing any issues. Of course, it also establishes you as a professional business owner, who takes responsibility for their words and actions. We are all emotional creatures but being able to see things from an objective perspective and being clear will save you, your team and parents a lot of time in the long run when you are able to be direct with those you interact with.   Listen: Become a professional listener as well as a communicator. Although you are the person of authority within your business, having an open ear and open mind for when your team members have suggestions, brings you to their level, establishing a comfort within them to communicate with you. When others who work for you are being valued and their voice/opinion is at least being heard (regardless if some of their suggestions are something you actually follow through with or not) you create this mutual respect and establish long-term team members. This will also subconsciously raise their work ethic and effort within your business because when they feel heard, seen and respected, they want to work harder to be a better employee which in the end benefits you and your business! This can also be for listening to your community and what is needed or missing with other dance studios or even the formal education system. Listening can also be in the form of simply paying attention. What is happening in your community and participating in issues that affect your community and those within your studio. Having this awareness gives you an edge in your business as well. Perhaps those in the community feel there is a lack of diversity or even lack of creativity within the education system. This can give you ideas to what else you could include at your studio to provide a solution with what you already have to offer. It isn’t about solving all the problems in the city or town you live in, but offering something others are not because you were listening to what is occurring around you, and the needs of others. Lead by example: A great leader shows those on their team that they would never ask others to do something that they are not able or willing to do themselves.   So if you bring in a new task, rule or protocol within your business, a great thing to do is role model it yourself and lead the way...you are the leader after all. This also gains respect with your staff and team as you are practising what you preach. This can also be related to your studio's values if you have already established them. If you have these values which you are wanting to include within your curriculum to influence the lives of your students, it should be something you practice every day with your team, parents as well as members in your community.   Have trust: For either long-term or new team members there comes a time for you to give your trust to the individual and see how they respond to the level of responsibility you have given them. Giving them tasks, assignments or even more responsibility within their role takes time, but once you give them the trust, and time to show you the amazing potential you saw in them from the beginning, they will begin to shine! (This may not happen with everyone, but this is where you able to see if this person is truly a good fit within your business in the long run) Many times people can excel when given the trust and freedom to do the job they were hired to do in the first place (or even better than your wildest dreams) Give them the space to do their job they were hired to do and watch as see what happens over time. For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another Business of Dance Podcast Interview. On today’s show, we have the brilliant Olivia Mode-Cater of Dance ED Tips. Olivia is a New Jersey-based dance educator that teaches in all teaching settings: higher education, PK-12 schools, and private studios. She is the founder of Dance ED Tips, which provides dance educators in all sectors with the tools, strategies, and tips to make every dance class more effective, more impactful, and more in line with pedagogical theory. Olivia’s Bio:   Olivia serves on the adjunct faculty of the Dance Department at Rutgers University supervising graduate student teaching interns and teaching several courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. Olivia has presented on dance education at various conferences including New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Conference, NJ Charter Schools Conference and at the National Dance Education Organization Conference. Her high-quality teaching has earned her several recognitions: 2012 Nancy Higginson Door Award, 2012 New Jersey Distinguished Student Teacher Award, and 2013 Union County Superintendent Round Table’s Teacher Excellence Award. Olivia is presently on the Board of Dance New Jersey as an advisor to the education committee. Professionally Olivia has performed in various music videos, including “Broadway for Orlando”, “Guilty” by Timeflies, and “Proof” by Giselle Bellas. She has performed the works of Mark Morris, Urban Bush Women, Doug Elkins (The Joyce Theater), Lauren Connolly (Dixon's Place), Randy James, and others.  She also has several musical theatre credits: Legally Blonde (Off-Broadway), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Singin’ in the Rain, and The Producers. Olivia is also the founder and CEO of Dance ED Tips. Olivia recognizes that dance educators tackle big issues in their classroom every day. Dance ED Tips was created to help teachers refine their methods so that they can create the most well-rounded and skilled dancers possible. It is Dance ED Tips’ mission to teach useful strategies that make your classroom a place where students can learn, grow, and move with the same enthusiasm and energy that you teach with. Within Olivia’s programs, she provides 1 on 1 curriculum consulting for studio owners, workshops for teachers who want to improve students’ dance technique, a Dance edTPA Bootcamp, and so much more!   Olivia’s Website: https://www.danceedtips.com/ For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast and our final episode of our Master Your Money Mindset in May series. If you haven't been following our May series, I highly suggest you check out the previous 3 episodes as it will help pave your way into today’s topic which is all about meeting your money making goals this year from planning and taking practical steps to reach your goals!   In this episode, I am going to ask a lot of questions to assist with self-reflection, planning, growth & implementation. If you are on the go and would like a copy of the questions to answer (as well as some helpful additional book & podcast resources), grab a copy of our free download at claireosheacoaching.com/moneygoals   1.Visualise What do you want your studio or business to look like in the future? Picture yourself in a year from now Continue to move forward to 3 years from now What does your ideal day look like? Visualise your working space, what it involves and what you are doing. In what ways do you want to grow or scale your business? What is your dream annual income look like for your business? How do you want to feel when you have reached your goals? To start planning you first need to know what it is you exactly what from your business and the direction you are wanting to head and to visualise it. Create a list, vision board or simply meditate and after takes notes on what you saw. Use your mindset techniques you have learnt from this series and get clear on your goals. Be specific and don’t fear how “big” it may be. 2.Plan Devise an action plan. One thing I teach in my programs when planning an event or tackling a task is to start at the end and work backwards. This helps you to map out everything that needs to be completed from the end to the beginning, ensuring don’t miss any important steps. Now that you are more clear about what you want from visualisation you can then start map out exactly what needs to be done in order to accomplish your goals. Maybe you want to grow and scale your studio, or add on more programs to generate more income. This is where you can map out the direction you are wanting to go, and make a plan to market and promote these new projects. Write it down, discuss with your team and create a plan in place with milestone goals along the way to know you are on track, as well as an end or “due date”   3.Implement Once your plan is in place it is time to put the action steps in. You can write down all the tasks that need to be accomplished with your due dates and implement those in your daily/weekly schedule. Ensure you are constantly working to move your big plans and goals forward. Want to have 200 students? 500? 1000? Start at your end goal and make targets to get to that point. Everything is doable! Depending if you have a team or not, you can also delegate or outsource tasks to others, giving you more free time to manage these new goals/projects Visualisation and mindset are so important, but it is when you start to take action with this new mindset that things really start to change, grow and blossom.   4.Accountability for your goals Having others keep you accountable when taking on new goals and projects can really help you stay motivated and on track. Could be a partner, friend, family member or business coach This can even be within your business in a team setting where you write down goals for that week in your meeting and each person checks off what has been done as they go, and at the end of the week, you can see what got done, what didn’t and why. This will give you that extra push to stay on track and follow through with what you set out to do   5. Get inspired by others Of course, I hope that this series was helpful to you, but it is also good to have many resources to help to stay on track and to inspire you along your journey. There are so many books and other podcasts out there it can be confusing where to start, but I will name a few for you. It is great to hear others stories and journeys, knowing your not the only one who has bigger dreams for themselves and their business. Knowing others are going through or went through the same and were successful can keep you going while staying in line with your goals.   Books: You were born rich by Bob Proctor Money, a love story by Kate Northrup Think and grow rich by Napoleon Hill You are a Badass at Making Money: by Jen Sincero   Podcasts: Entrepreneur On Fire The Lucky Bitch Podcast Words and Money Podcast Manifestation Babe   Again, if you have been on the go and didn’t have a chance to answer all the questions or would like some more time to reflect. Be sure to grab a copy of our free download at https://www.claireosheacoaching.com/moneygoals Thank you so much for listening to this episode and my Master Your Money Mindset in May series. I want you to know that you can and will receive the abundance that you and your business desires, you just have to believe it and take the critical steps to achieve the attainable. If you would like more support in reaching your goals, I welcome you to book a free discovery call to talk through any current goals that you are stuck with or if you aren’t sure how to move forward. Book a time convenient to you by going to: www.claireosheacoaching.com/discovery   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast and our 3rd episode of our Master Your Money Mindset in May series. If this is your first time listening to this our money series, I suggest you also listen to the first two episodes which are all about changing your mindset when it comes to money and eliminating limiting beliefs. Having shifted your perspective and mindset when it comes to money first, making practical steps you can implement in your life and business will flow so much more naturally as you now have a healthier relationship with money, and can come from a place of abundance rather than scarcity. In today’s episode, we are going to combine marketing meets mindset. I will give you some of my top tips to become a marketing master from a mindset perspective. So let’s dive into this episode!     Have confidence in what you are “selling” or the services you provide.   When it comes to marketing yourself and your business, having confidence is a fairly obvious concept, but the more we integrate mindset within marketing we can begin to uncover how much it may have been the missing link with converting advertisements for your business. As a business or studio owner, you know you have something to offer your students and community which is why you started in the first place. So from there, you can establish that confidence and credibility when it comes to advertising and “selling” what you have to offer. When you know your worth and the value you bring to the table with helping others via the services you provide, advertising can become more natural. This means you are coming from a place of abundance in knowing what you provide is worth more than just a price tag. You can create ads for others because you love the programs you have created and want others to experience the awesomeness that is your studio. This will then help attract others who align with your values as you are coming from a genuine place, rather than desperation for more students. Do you see the difference? It is all about that shift. If you value yourself, your business and your services, so will others. The value boomerang effect. What you give you will get back. There is a balance of giving value away for free and keeping it as a paid program or service within your studio. But something I see time and time again is business owners holding on to dear life of all their value and content, fearing if they give anything away for free that it will never come back to them. This could be classes, charity vouchers, make-up classes & more! But with the way that the laws of the universe work, it is virtually impossible to give something away without it returning in some way. Some call it karma, and some call it the push and pull or give and take. What you put out, you get back. When you fear that you are somehow losing when giving value away for free to others you are coming from a place of scarcity, rather than changing your perspective to understand that giving this value to others generates trust in potential clients interested in your business. Free samples don’t mean no one never buys the product, but simply gets them interested. If you have an abundance of ideas for projects and programs, giving a free workshop doesn’t give everything away and decrease value, but increases it as you know you have so much more to offer! Remember we are coming from a place of abundance, meaning there is no fear to give away a sprinkle of value here and there for others, as we have plenty more where that came from, which is why people sign up! There are always going to be fresh ideas as you are a creative individual, and marketing your studio with giveaways now and again doesn’t decrease, but increases your value!   This doesn’t have to be a physical product either. It could be your knowledge with your Teachers or other Studio Owners, your time spent with parents & the list goes on. I am not endorsing that you give everything away for free. But your time, a little bonus here and there is going to assist in adding value to others. People will reciprocate one day! You are never “Too much” When creating ads or having an email series from our business, we fear overwhelming clients with information with advertisements, updates & promotions. Of course, there is a limit, but I think a lot of us think that this overload of having our presence known to others will turn others away. We all have those emails that we ignore because we get them every day or even multiple times a day or hear that same annoying ad on the radio and it drives us crazy. We don’t want to be that way with our business so we tend to shy away from putting ourselves out there more, as to not annoy others but keep their interest. There is absolutely a balance for this, just like with our last point, but with the integration with your money mindset, I want to eliminate this belief/fear, as this might be holding you back from your full potential. It is not “too much” if someone sees your studios presence on a daily basis, as it will plant a seed in their mind to think of you. If others see your ad and don’t wish to learn more they will keep scrolling, simple. If someone receives an email from you every few days or even every day with updates from your studio, whether they are a member at your studio or attended a class in the past, they will either not open the message until they have free time or will simply delete it. This doesn’t mean you are annoying them or are overwhelming, because at the end of the day we all have free will. No one is forcing anyone to open an email or click on an ad. We put out our content and information because it is important and of value to others, which will trigger them respond, enquire, sign up or simply keep scrolling. Never feel you are being too much, but simply pick an advertisement schedule or campaign with Facebook Ads or Email sequences and be consistent. Know what your limits are, and have fun marketing your fantastic programs and business because you’re worth it!   Also remember, with the way that emails, social media & advertisements are structured these days - not every single person is going to see that ad or info announcement. Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself, not everyone will see every message.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast and our second show for our Master Your Money Mindset in May series. If you haven’t heard last week's episode I highly suggest you give that episode a listen first, as I start to unravel your overall mindset by breaking down and shifting your limiting beliefs towards money. In this week’s episode, I will be continuing the mindset shift by explaining the importance of mantras and how to create your own to say every day that will draw in and attract more abundance into your life! Mantras may not be something you have thought about before when it comes to making more money and may seem a little woo-woo to some, but the truth is what we think about truly dictates our reality. That is not woo-woo but actually just the laws of the universe. It isn’t necessarily about faking it till you make it either, but embodying how you want to feel once you acquire this abundance and what you would say if that was true right now. So let’s dive into this episode and start building your magnetic money mantras. What is a mantra? A "mantra" is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words which originated in Sanskrit and were believed by practitioners to have psychological and spiritual powers. Essentially it is when you create a thought or phrase to say either repetitively or once a day in the morning or evening, which embody how you wish to feel or think about a particular situation, or yourself. By saying these mantras either out loud, in your head or writing them down, it helps you to visualise how it would feel if or when these phrases were to be true. As an example, if you are having self-doubt or lack of confidence issues, to help eliminate them you can say to yourself “I love myself”, “ I am worthy” or “I am proud of who I am and all I have done” Even if at the time it may seem silly, especially if you come from a place of doubt, to begin with, repeating these mantras at least once a day will help you in forming a better relationship with whatever you are wanting.  Whether that is more confidence, self-love, or in the case of this episode, money. Of course, there are practical steps as well, but it all starts with the mindset first, so that when action is required you know how to see things from a different perspective and that getting what you desire is not as complicated as you think, because you already believe it to be true. What are some examples of mantras? There are many money mantras in which you can create, or even find online (google is awesome if you want a list to start with!) The main point is to find and use ones that not only resonate with you but line up with how you want to feel when it comes to money. Here are some examples for you that can help with desiring more money Money is always flowing into my life I generate an abundance of money from my successful business I no longer worry about making enough money Desiring a large amount of money is a good thing I love money and money loves me Money is a magnificent tool which I choose to utilise in a positive way Money is never an issue I love how I generate an income from what I love doing I am a successful business owner How to write your own mantras and implement them in your life It is not as difficult as is seems to write your own mantras but aside from either using the ones I mentioned above you can do a few things to create your own. One would be to meditate and visualise how you want to feel. How can you put that into words? How would you tell others about how you feel? Another way is to write down what your dream life, business or what your salary amount looks like. From there you can turn this visualisation or story into selected sentences that embody how you feel if this was your life right now. Once you create your mantras, I suggest saying them out loud, in the morning, after a meditation or even on your way to work in your car if that is your only time. Repeat them over and over so you start becoming more comfortable with this new thought or mantra   By creating a habit with saying these money mantras, and instilling a repetitive behaviour, you will be able to notice little shifts in your life that bring these simple yet powerful phrases to life by attracting situations that back them up. It is not about pretending but simply realising you are everything you want to be right now and that all of which you desire is possible. You can attract more money in your life and create the business you have always dreamt of, you have the power to do so right now. Hard work & implementation plays a huge role. But if we don’t have the right mindset we won’t be able to celebrate it when it comes or know the goals we are working towards.   I hope you enjoyed this episode today and start writing your money magnet mantras today! I look forward to our next episode which is all about the practical and implementation side of things while integrating all the amazing mindset shifts you have taken thus far! Have a great day wherever you are in the world and I will speak to you soon. Bye for now! For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome to our Master Your Money Mindset in May series where I discuss how to change your mindset and relationship with money in order to attract more income and abundance into your life. Whether you are a dance studio owner, entrepreneur, or even just interested in making more money. This is a 4 part series for the month of May so be sure to catch the next few episodes which will be released every Monday, and stay on track with mastering your money mindset! In today's episode I will be providing my top tips to help you change your perspective on money, whether that be wanting to make more money, any guilt or shame about having or making a lot of money or simply having a better relationship with money itself, as it does play a significant role in everyone's day to day life. With these tips we are going to shake up and eliminate any limiting beliefs around money, so you can start attracting it into your life and business effortlessly. Now for some (and in the past me), these episodes may be a little woo woo, but I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. Money mindset is something I have been heavily focussing on lately through affirmations, visualisations and journaling - and while for some it may be a new concept I encourage you to give it a go. At the end of the day, at its worst, you will see no changes and at its best a whole lot of more money flowing into your life.   I am going to be asking you some questions that I would love you to answer or write down, so if you are driving or multi tasking - never fear! You can grab a FREE guide today by heading to claireosheacoaching.com/moneymindsetmay So let’s dive right into the show! 1.Define Money: What is money to you? How do you see it, use it and need it? By Wikipedia's definition is : Money is any item or verifiable record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a particular country or socio-economic context. But when you think of money, does that sentence ring true or dictate your relationship with it? Money is something that universally we all need. Some might even say ‘money is what makes the world go around’ But is it your very idea of money itself - what shapes your limiting beliefs around it to begin with. But don’t worry this can easily be shifted in a place of abundance. So how can we change our definition of money? Well we can start with how it plays a role in our life and business. Some say money is a numbers game, some say it is just energy exchanged. The reality is that at the end of the day, we have bills to pay and work to do, but as long as we respect these ‘non-negotiables’ if we want to survive in society, our perception of money and how we live our life is completely up to us! (of course as long as it is legal and harming no one) The point is that money doesn’t have to be this big scary thing. We understand that in this day in age we all need money to survive, so that fact puts doubt and fear in our minds that if we don’t have enough money, we won't be able to survive. But that fear is simply limiting us and our potential. The more we fear, the more we close ourselves off to the idea A example of a definition that has worked for me and other business owners is that : Money is simply a tool, and I choose to utilise it in a positive way to help others with my skill set and passions to create a life where I am abundant and free to do what I love. Or: Money is an exchange of energy, which is always coming and going naturally through providing value to others and vise-versa. With this definition you can begin to change your mindset around money and start breaking down the walls that stand in your way to making more of it. Working with clients, I see a lot of guilt, awkwardness & unease about asking for money that is owed or even charging your worth.  For those in that current situation I highly encourage you to start working on your money mindset so you can ask and earn what you are worth. 2.What was your perspective around money growing up? Just like almost any belief we have/had, it always stems from our childhood. I’m not saying your parents are to blame for all your problems, but the way we were raised and the people around us the most, really do shape our perspective of the world, and of course, money. Now I am going to get a little personal (no one show my Dad this), So for example, my wonderful Dad is a tradesman and an extremely hard worker. It was always discussed in our family that working hard is the way to success, which I agree with obviously. But I am also in the process of learning there is other ways and other trains of thought around this. My lovely Dad would leave for work before I got up in the morning and would come home in the dark. I had and still have such a wonderful life because of his hardwork and dedication to our family. But it has ingrained some patterns in me that you may find interesting. For example as a child, there was always a sense of guilt or laziness around resting when there was still “things to do” around the house. So as a result as an adult, it took me ages to be able to “stop” work when it was so easy to connect at home. Also, challenging my thought process on making money being easy…. I wonder if that triggers anyone else out there? With that in mind I’m going to be going over some questions for you to ask yourself and write down the answers to really see how much these beliefs have shaped how you view money, spend it, save it or earn. How was money viewed and talked about in your home? Was there always an abundance, or did you and your family struggle? What were both your parents individual views of money and how they spoke about it? Did one parent earn more than the other? Did only one parent work or both? Did you have to start working at a young age to help out with the bills? If you grew up in a wealthy household did you ever feel guilty for being more privilege than those around you? Did you take it for granted or where you grateful? When you would ask to buy something how did your parents react? What was it like when you first moved out or started college or uni? Did you receive any help or were you left to fend for yourself? Have any of your past experiences made you feel guilty for having, earning or wanting more money? Do you feel that you are ‘good with money’ by your parents standards? Answering these questions will really help to recognize how deep these ideas about money really stem from, so that when you are creating your new set of beliefs you can eliminate these old ones knowing that they were not even yours to begin with! Again, this is not about shaming our parents or previous generations, I adore my parents as I am sure many of you do with your own parents. But this is purely about acknowledging a thought process 3.Creating new beliefs Creating these new beliefs coincide with our last point when it comes to our past limiting beliefs. With these old beliefs around money you can create these new ones by creating a counter belief. For example: If one of your limiting beliefs was that you feel guilty for wanting to make more money because you grew up in a household that may have struggled financially, you can now say: I am more than deserving of receiving an abundance of money regardless of my upbringing as I am highly skilled, and have value to give to others. By flipping it around you can begin to unfold what you are truly deserving of and start to really change your perspective on generating more income, increase value, self worth, as well as money itself as mentioned in point #1. From there you can focus on how you want to feel if you already obtained the money in which you desire and how your business would look If you had the salary, business or lifestyle you dream of how would you feel? When you feel that every single day the more that comes into your life. Our thoughts are truly magnets to getting what we desire. So when it comes to money, why think anything else besides having an abundance of it, if that is what you truly desire.   With abundance comes so many opportunities - more options. You can decide what to do with that money whether it be to finally get that studio space you have always desired, hire a studio manager, buy your own house, or donate more to charity. Whatever you decide, abundance can bring choices. So that wraps up our first episode of our Master Your Money Mindset in May series. I am so excited for you to start implementing these 3 steps, and slowly start to make that shift and allow abundance to flow into your life!   Again, to grab your free copy of this weeks download (super handy to start implementing and working through these mindset shifts) head to: You can grab a FREE guide today by heading to claireosheacoaching.com/moneymindsetmay Stay tuned for next week's episode all about The Magnetic Money Mantras that will attract money into your life like a magnet! I hope you have a wonderful day wherever you are in the world, and I will speak with you soon! Bye for now. For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hi everyone, it’s Claire O’Shea here and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast! I am proud to say that we are into our second week of our Studio Systems School and thus far the ladies are doing amazing! For those who were unable to join this round, I will remind you that we are still running our 1:1 Studio Systems CEO program, which is a more extended and personal version of the program and are still accepting applications. If that is something you are interested in but are looking for more information, feel free to head on over to www.claireosheacoaching.com/studiosystemsceo, otherwise I will keep everyone notified when we launch our second round of our Studio Systems School. But for now let's dive into today's episode all about delegating tasks and important projects with team members, or possibly freelancers, and how to create a sense of trust with them. It can take time to gain trust when hiring others, especially when giving big tasks or responsibilities, which will reflect you and your business, and ultimately, your reputation. How can you gain this trust? Well in this episode I will let you in on my top tips by following my 5 T’s rule!   1.Truth: Be truthful in exactly who you want to work with and what you need help with Create ads that will stand out to the right individual This ensures you can hire the person who fits your criteria This filters out anyone who raises “red flags” or doesn’t feel they are right for the job Make sure you feel right about choosing someone to hire Ensure your values are aligned Be honest in what you are looking for and your standards Be kind, but speak your truth and those who resonate will get back to you This also extends to the interview itself, be honest with them and make sure you vibe well and can picture yourself working with and trusting this individual This goes for delegating tasks for team members who already work for you, and you trust enough to start delegating or adding more responsibilities to their current role At the end of the day, listen to your intuition and your gut instinct!   Test In the interviewing process, you can ask them to provide examples of either previous projects or work, or ask them to write, design, or create something new This shows their skills for the tasks you are wanting to delegate to them and if they match what you are looking for Testing them can see if they can also work well on their feet so to speak and how they can handle tasks and deadlines This also again extends to a current team member by giving a test to see if they can handle more responsibility If they provide something you are impressed with or you feel you can work with then you can then proceed to the next T… Trial If you are simply unsure about someone or wanting to see more, and I suggest doing this even if you are sure about someone, and that is to set a trial period This can be anywhere from a few projects/tasks to a couple weeks or even a month This will show how they work for you and with you in a longer span of time, how they communicate with you and the others in your team as well You can have a great interview and love their work but you can never really know how they will respond in the long term, after training and so on, so this is a great way to be sure they are a right fit After this trial period if you still feel right about this individual then you can proceed and if not be sure to let them know nicely that you do not feel that they are the best fit for your business and thank them for the work they have done thus far   4.Trust You may be thinking how is a tip to trust → but it is an extremely important part of the process Once hiring someone, and you are feeling good about them and their work, then it is time for you to give your trust to this individual and see how they respond to the level of responsibility you have given them Many times people can excel when given the trust and freedom to do the job they were hired to do in the first place (or even better than your wildest dreams)   Time At the end of the day even if you feel you have hired the right person, they passed all the ‘tests’ with flying colours, it takes time to develop a good work relationship and trust Only time can truly reveal one's true character so with delegating tasks to others, you can slowly increase responsibility and work up over time-based on their consistency with their duties Be patient with those you hire, because although we are all adults and need to show professionalism in the work environment, we are human at the end of the day Trust your gut and once you find your dream team, in time you will be able to delegate even more tasks, knowing your business is in good hands → this gives you the ability to scale and grow = more time for you!   I hope these 5 tips help you and remember to take your time when onboarding new team members and delegating tasks. With systems, trust & guidance eventually you will have your dream team and will be able to turn your studio into your dream dance empire! I hope you enjoyed this episode and wish you a fantastic day wherever you are in the world, bye for now! For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to part two of my interview with Erin Nash of Erin Nash Ballet Academy and creator of “The Fairy shop” Joondalup. Last week in part one I introduced you to Erin and her two wonderful Businesses of Dance. We also had an open discussion about the importance of creating a preschool program at your studio. Id advise you to check out that episode as well, as Erin share lots of awesome tips and tricks. In today’s episode, Erin and I continue our discussion on the logistics side of things when it comes to running a preschool program. Let’s dive into the episode. Learn more about Erin: http://danceclassesjoondalup.com.au/?page_id=42 http://fairyshop.com.au/ Instagram:@fairyshopjoondalup For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O’Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today I have a very special episode as I will be interviewing the talented Erin Nash of Erin Nash Ballet Academy and owner of “The Fairy shop” Joondalup. Today's episode will actually be split up into two parts as Erin and I have a few topics we would like to cover in this interview. Part one, which is this episode I will be interviewing Erin, as well as discussing how to create the best Preschool program in your studio. Part two which will be next Monday, we will touch on the logistical side of things when it comes to running a preschool program at your studio. Before we dive into the show I want to quickly fill you in on Erin's businesses. Erin owns two businesses. Her studio: Erin Nash Ballet Academy, located in Joondalup Western Aus, is a professional dance school with a focus on Classical Ballet Tuition in a small class environment. Established in 2014, the school evolved from the need for more intimate classes in the Joondalup area, where students are not just another name on a list or a number on a spreadsheet. Erin’s second business is called The Fairy shop, which is a fun and magical place with all the pink and sparkles and delight you could imagine! It is a dream store for Pre-Schoolers up to teenagers and we sell all things girly, pretty and fun! They also host Birthday Parties at The Fairy Shop which is a custom built venue perfect for parties of up to 25 guests with a huge party room fit for dancing and party games, as well as a fairy dining room for lunch and birthday cake time. The venue also includes a Cafe that is open 7 days a week. The largest part of The Fairy Shop, however, is our Pre-School Dance program called “Fairy Ballet”. We run 5 classes per day,  6 days a week from ages 2- 5-year-olds in their beautiful custom built Fairy Ballerina Studio!   Erin’s Bio: Erin lives in Perth, Western Australia and has been a dance teacher for 11 years, 8 of which have been in my her business. Erin owns two businesses that run at two separate venues. The first is a ‘traditional’ dance school format “Erin Nash Ballet Academy” where they are a classical ballet focussed school, offering RAD exams, solos, competitions, & performance opportunities while also of course running recreational or just-for-fun classes too. Erin is very passionate about Preschool dance education & programs and the importance of nurturing and instilling that love for dance at such a young age. Not only that, but she really feels that the majority of studio owners out there are really missing out on this lucrative niche simplybecause it is not their expertise, and they don’t know how to crack into this market. Let’s dive into this episode!   Learn more about Erin: http://danceclassesjoondalup.com.au/?page_id=42 http://fairyshop.com.au/    For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O’Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to The Business of Dance Podcast! I am super excited to bring you this episode today because a big part of my coaching programs centres around today’s topic, so you know I’m passionate about it. Today I want to discuss a huge factor in successfully run businesses in this day in age which is automation. I think all of us at one time or another has thought to ourselves, when it comes to sending out emails, posting social media content, or even running a business “I wish this would just do it by itself” I think we all wish we had more free time to either spend with our friends and family, grow and scale our business, as well as create more opportunities for ourselves, our team and students. I'm sure there are aspects we love about running our business but at the end of the day, wouldn’t it be great to have all those tedious and time consuming tasks taking care of, all the while growing your business and providing more time for doing what we love most, which is providing amazing dance experiences for our students. Think it’s impossible? Well let’s dive into this episode and I’ll let you in on my top tips on how to grow your studio on autopilot! Plan ahead:   Planning ahead may seem may seem like you are taking the same amount of time to do a task in a larger chunk of time, but trust me in saying that thinking or planning ahead for the future can make a world of difference. When you are thinking about future tasks or even social media posts for your studio you can prepare for any little hiccup and gauge how something may turn out. Having a plan all sorted out for you and your team will give you more free time to adjust as you go if needed, rather then doing things one at the time all of the time. This is the first step when it comes to automation, because how can you automate something that hasn't been pre-planned?   Systemise   Don’t be surprised that this is on the list. I am a huge fan of systemisation within any business, but especially passionate for dance studios, as it has helped me run and grow my personal studio practically on autopilot, giving me the time to scale my business. With systemisation you put forth the description, and elements for when planning and completing a task within your studio that can be replicated, adjusted and delegated over time. When you have systems in place, you can have an overview of exactly what needs to be accomplished and how to do it right at your fingertips.   Delegate   Once you have put these plans into place, and created systems, you can then delegate or outsource to others within your team, admin or even freelancers who have skills outside your expertise. Now that you know how you want things done, and run at your studio, you can pass on tasks that you trust others to complete, which will give you more free time to focus on bigger things at hand, be more present with your studio family or even grow your studio! It may seem strange at first, and you may think “well, I know how to do this, so why get someone else, or even pay someone else to do it?” The simple answer is Time. Delegating is not always about getting others to complete a task or project you are not capable of doing yourself, but rather asking yourself where you want to spend your time. We all get the same 24 hours in a day, and if you want to work on expanding your studio with advertisements, getting involved with your community in order to have more of a presence in your area, or simply to spend more time at home with your family knowing things are running smoothly without you there all the time, then it is worth delegating to others. Automation tools and programs   This is my last and favourite tip which is about finding the right tools, apps, and programs for you to use which automate your social media posts, emails, enquiries and more! There is a number to choose from but when it comes to social media planning I personally use Coschedule, and with email automation we use MailChimp. Other popular social media automation tools are: Planoly, Later, Buffer, or sprout social. And automated email services which are well known are: Get Response, Constant Contact, and Madmimi. Having these programs are amazing when to comes to automation, as the tasks which can take up a good amount of time, such as answering emails, can sometimes require the same information repeated over and over again. So by creating an email sequence for your studio answering similar questions right away to the receiver, installs a sense of professionalism while still remaining personal.  The same goes for social media post on your Instagram, facebook page, and facebook groups as well. When you plan and post regularly, you create consistency, as well as credibility, attracting others to your studio who are a fan of your social posts, or values, getting them interesting in enquiring. In correlation with point 1 about pre-planning, you can schedule a time each week or even month to plan social posts, add them to your programs, schedule and boom! You have the ability to be set for a week, 2 weeks, a month or more! Same with emails. You can set up an enquiry or enrollment automated email sequence for new students, so you can take the time focus on creating a beautiful atmosphere within your studio for when those new students roll in. So those are my top 4 steps you can take to grow your studio on autopilot. Implementing automation strategies such as these have helped me to grow and scale my studio immensely, with this podcast, blogs as well as my coaching programs! I understand that everyone has a different goal or vision for their studio or business of dance, but I believe that no matter how big or small your goals are, implementing automation will save you more time while generating more income in the long run! I hope you enjoyed this episode and if you don’t know already my Studio Systems School is launching applications next Monday, the 9th of April! This is an 8-week program designed specifically for Dance Studio Owners to systemise & implement automation strategies for those who are wanting to grow their dance studios and create more impact within their community. In this program, you learn how to systemise for success without the stress so that you have more time to grow your business into your dream empire and run the show. Without having to do every little task! If you would like to learn more, please head to www.claireosheacoaching.com/programs and be sure to check out my 1:1 coaching program as well. I want to wish you all a fabulous day wherever you are in the world, and I will speak to you soon. Bye for now.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today I will be discussing an important topic and one that you may have heard me touch on before but have yet to have a full episode about. If you know me at all you know I am ALL about systemisation when it comes to implementing and organising tasks within my studio. With this world of technology, we live in and all the tools available to us at our fingertips why not take advantage of them to organising all the carefully designed tasks at our studio? We see so many businesses nowadays implementing systems, so why not for dance studios?! If big multi-billion dollar organisations have systems in place to run their businesses properly and on track, imagine what we could do with our own businesses of dance, no matter how small! Maybe you don’t have big dreams for your studio and just want to keep in small, local and running more smoothly, maybe you want to grow to several locations all across your country or state. Regardless of your personal dreams for your studio, systemisation can help you and your studio reach its goals and highest potential, so you can bring your dream business into a reality! Maybe the whole idea of systemisation seems overwhelming when you first start, especially if you feel you don’t have the time or are not tech savvy. But today I will be going through the important and practical steps you can take today to get your studio's essential tasks in order, and all in one place. This will start to give you the confidence you need to move forward with your business without the stress, giving it the ability to scale & thrive, while you have more free time, and who doesn’t want that? So let drive right into the episode!   What are the most important tasks in your studio? A great place to start is to first take note of all the important tasks for your studio, and write them down as you do them. This will help you identify what tasks need to completed when, and how you like them to be done. By determining your important tasks you can set out a plan in place and start to categorize your tasks so you can break them down into digestible tasks to show others or to remind yourself in the future.   Delegate Once you understand what tasks are fundamental in running your studio and how to complete them, you can start to automate these tasks by outsourcing to a VA, admin or another team member. The point of these systems is that they are organised and outlined in order for you to pass on these tasks to almost anyone in your team, giving you the time and freedom to focus on running your studio and the bigger projects at hand.   Choose a program to systemise with The best way to keep track of these systems, edit them and delegate to other team members is to choose a program that helps you put these systems in place. There are many programs out there but the main ones I have found to work well is Trello & Asana. Personally, I use Trello for my studio but you can find a program that works best for you which you feel comfortable with and that your team will enjoy. In these programs, you can write out tasks, create lists, boards and assign tasks to others, and even see the progression of a certain task. Repeat After choosing a program, write out your tasks and know which tasks you can delegate to your team, you can then save these tasks which you can use in the future! There will be many one-off tasks but the ones you know you will use time and time again can be saved so that all you have to do in the future is copy and paste for yourself or even a team member to complete. When repeating and reusing a task, you can always add more notes in or adjust what didn’t work as well last time, so that you are always progressing but not having to write out each and every task every time you do it. So there are my top 4 tips on how to get started with systemising your studio! If you are wanting to learn more about systemising your studio and become a Studio Systems Master, I am launching my Studio Systems School on April 9th! This small group program will go in depth in how to systemise every aspect of your studio for the years to come, which will help you grow, scale, and transform their business into an empire resulting in ultimate profitability & success! This group program is for those are wanting extra support and accountability, as it includes an online community support group with others taking the course. Alternatively, if you are wanting a solo experience I have a 1:1 coaching program which helps you become your best Studio Systems CEO! If this is something you are interested in, you can visit my website for more information www.claireosheacoaching.com/programs I hope that these tips help you to start systemising your studio and creating an idea how to run your studio in a more manageable and organised way for you and your team.   Systemise for success masterclass video: www.claireosheacoaching.com/systemiseforsuccessvideo  Masterclass signup for March 25th www.claireosheacoaching.com/systemiseforsuccess    For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O’Shea

Hello, everyone, my name is Claire O’Shea and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. In today’s episode, I will be discussing all whether working with a coach is right for you and your studio. As well as the importance of professional development programs for business owners no matter how big or small their business may be. The truth is everyone can benefit from insight, advice or even a program which can help them on their path to reaching their highest potential and dreams for themselves or their business. No one is perfect and not every coach or professional program is right for everyone but the points I will be going over today are some that can get you thinking if you are in the position to start with a coach, program or course. If you are looking for something new to start, have used a program that didn’t work before or are new to PD in general, I really believe this podcast will be super helpful. My mum always says I am addicted to learning, so I hope my obsession can help you in some way also. Let’s dive into the show!   Assessment questions A great place to start is to ask yourself a few critical assessment questions: Are you satisfied where you and your team are at right now? Are things running as smoothly as they could? In what areas are you struggling or would like to improve? Do you feel like you just can ever “catch up” on what needs to be done - or are you always doing what needs to be done day by day? If things are running smoothly and have been for years, what’s next? Do you want to scale or grow? Take on more students, add another location? Expand your brand? Do you feel like everyone else seems to have it all figured out except for you? Do you see others doing what you want but don’t know where to start or how to get there? Asking yourself these assessment questions, and being completely honest with yourself about how things are going for your studio, team and business as a whole can help you see what areas you are struggling with. If you seem to find many trouble areas or even one major one, this might be a good time considering asking for help and looking for an outside source which the knowledge and expertise in these areas you feel you are lacking in. Remember you are not a failure for needing or asking for help. It takes strength to reflect and identify what is not working and what you are wanting to do better. This is a fantastic place to start.   While there are some amazing dance related coaches and programs out there, it doesn't mean you have to go that way. If you are interested in solely focussing on marketing, or increasing your social presence, you may be better off on finding a specific program in that area that supports a lot of different people across a variety of industries.   The fear I feel a lot of us can get stuck in our old ways. What has worked all along may no longer work, and we think to ourselves “Well I’ve always done it this way, So I’ll just keep doing it”. Maybe some of you have been in the business a long time, and some have yet to open their first location and are just starting out. No matter where we are in our journey I think it is a positive thing to keep looking forward, embrace the new and get outside our comfort zones. Let’s talk about the “fear”. Not everyone has this but I can guess that some or most do. The fear of change, the fear that new things are happening, updating, advancing and we may not be able to keep up. The fear of investing in ourselves. As technology advances so do the way people run their businesses. This also goes for dance studios as well. We need to let go of this fear and ride the wave. We don’t have to follow every trend or download every new tech tool, but if things really aren’t working for you, it may be time to consider your options. Let go of that fear and ask for help. Hiring a coach can be amazing for this because you are taking control of the situation and taking the first step in the direction that will benefit your business, team and students for the better. Let go of not knowing everything and feeling like you have to do everything yourself. The truth is you are more in control when you are purposely getting the help you need.   Even Therapists have a therapist This sentence says it all. It basically reveals that even the most educated experts in their field still have problems. We all need assistance no matter where we are on our business journey. Even the most successful people go to others for advice, a second opinion or have a coach to refer back to. No one just gets to the top of their game by themselves and stays there without any help. You have to remember the most successful people are the ones with a team behind them. Everyone looks at Oprah thinking “wow she is so amazing, how does she do it!” And yes, she is amazing, but she also has a team of 50+ people behind her that make what she does possible. Hiring a coach or taking a business development program is similar. It is looking for ideas and ways outside of yourself and having someone look at things from not only a different perspective but objectively. We get so attached to our businesses, some even say that it’s their “baby”. But at the end of a day as much as we love our studio, it’s still a business. And getting another perspective and format to better run our business can be a game changer!   Working with a Coach 1:1 is a fantastic way to get accountability, get specific support and advice. It really is the fast-tracked way. Doing small group programs are fantastic because you really do build a community of support and it is so wonderful to bounce ideas off of people who are at similar points, or even a few steps ahead. Online courses and programs are great if you are dedicated and can keep yourself accountable. Some people find the larger group programs tricky, but those that love to work individually could really thrive in this setup.   Accountability for your dreams I think a lot of us have big dreams for our business and ourselves, but how many times have you had an idea for your studio and haven't followed through? Perhaps your dream is to scale your studio, attract more students or even automate your business, giving you more time with your family or even to better run your studio. Whatever your plan or dream is, it is fantastic to have that one person or a few people to keep you accountable, knowing that you have set out a plan for your business, and you have the knowledge to follow through. Having this accountability there for when anything goes wrong helps you to have someone to refer back to, see how to move forward and gain a new solution for the future if problems arise. A great option is even a support group, or group coaching if you work better in a community setting. Having these programs can keep you get back on track and help you go after your dreams once and for all! No more putting your brilliant ideas or a plan to better organise your business on the back burner. It is about taking control and becoming your best Studio CEO!   I hope this episode helped you discover if hiring a coach or partaking in a professional development program is right for where you are at in your business. Remember you don’t have to do everything yourself. Asking for help and looking for a program that is right for you can be the first step in achieving your goals, and turning your business into a dance empire!   With this in mind - if you love the Podcasts and want to work with me further I am thrilled to announce that I am launching a small group program Our very own Studio Systems School. Our program will start in April, where you learn how to systemise for success without the stress. Lighten your load and get back in control with your business with my automation strategies so that you have more time to grow your business into your dream empire and run the show without having to do every little task! If you would you like to eliminate the stress and work less, so you can be more organised, as well as grow your student numbers and your revenue…. Or simply get your sanity back. Then this program is for you! If this is something you or someone you know would be interested in, you can visit my website for more information www.claireosheacoaching.com/programs Numbers will be limited to ensure ultimate accountability at each session as well as create a close community-like atmosphere, inspiring you to stay on track with your goals during and after the program!   I look forward to speaking with you soon and have a great day wherever you are in the world. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O’Shea

Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of The business of Dance Podcast. Today I am back with another amazing guest here on the show. Today I will be interviewing the fantastic Sharon Saunders who is the creator and owner of Sharon Saunders Dancers, which is a studio located in Bendigo Australia. Sharon commenced classes in Marong in 1992. The school expanded to Kangaroo Flat, Victoria Australia in 1994. In 1999 Sharon & her husband Damien built a fully equipped dance studio in the heart of Kangaroo Flat. Technique and the fundamentals of dance are taught through the internationally recognised Australian Teachers of Dancing syllabus. They pride ourselves in bringing some of Australia's best teachers and dancers to Bendigo each year.   Sharron’s Bio: Sharon grew up in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, she began dancing at the age of three years. Sharon studied Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Calisthenics. In later years her biggest influence in dance was studying Classical Ballet and Jazz with Peter Faux of Peter Faux Dance Ensemble in Melton. She also loved Youth Theatre and was involved in many productions as an actor and dancer. Sharon discovered her love for teaching at the age of 17 when she started assistant teaching with Peter Faux; she married and moved to Bendigo in 1988 and started a family soon after. Sharon has worked in Pharmacy and cosmetics, also as a host with Humphrey B Bear, and as a dance teacher for over 30 years! In 1992 Sharon opened her own dance school in Marong Hall. From there the school grew with a second school at Healthworks in Kangaroo Flat. The Marong and Kangaroo Flat studios grew rapidly while under her direction and soon merged in Kangaroo Flat. Sharon later built her own purpose built a studio in Kangaroo Flat where they still are today. Sharon was a member of The Australian Theatrical Dance Inc for 20 years. Sharon is now an Affiliate member of The Australian Teachers of Dancing Limited and excited to share their syllabi with her students and take advantage of their ongoing professional development opportunities.  Sharon loves all aspects of dance; it is her life! She is honoured to share her passion of dance with others – this is evident through the countless number of students who have danced until adulthood at SSD (and proudly 3 students are currently working as SSD teachers). Lifelong friendships are constantly formed by Parents and students at SSD. Sharon’s mission was always to provide quality dance education in a caring and friendly environment. Sharon continues to run SSD with great passion and enjoyment. She also keeps a close eye on all dancers often relief teaching different classes and is always working behind the scenes to ensure SSD runs smoothly and efficiently!   Sharon Saunders Dancers: http://www.sharonsaundersdancers.com/studio-2   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O’Shea  

Hello everyone and welcome to our 4th and final episode of our Fall Into February Series! If you have listened to all of our February episodes so far I want to give you a big kudos! For those who haven’t I highly suggest you listen to the others next when you have time, as they have lots of useful tips and tricks all related to falling back in love with your studio in February! But let’s get started on today’s episode which is all about sharing the love! When it comes to being the business owner we sometimes get caught up in the running of things; organising and delegating tasks, coming up with new ideas for the studio or even teaching classes ourselves. Our studios or businesses of dance at the end of the day are a business yes, but they are also a community. A community of individuals dedicated to creating a positive, safe and fun place for dance education. And in order for this atmosphere to take place, everyone must come together as a team and community to facilitate the best experience possible for both students, teachers as well as the parents of the students. Today I want to go over my top tips of how to bring together your studio family and form a community! Let’s get started. Communication Having good communication is so important when running any business but especially for a business to be shaped into a community. A great place to start is with something as easy as emails. To start with having a newsletter is really great for keeping your studio family up to date with all the latest features of your studio, class changes, announcements, as well as event information. It keeps all the parents in the loop with what is happening, giving them a sense of the experiences their child is having, providing them with a sense comfort.  Now you can also extend this those in the community who may not currently attend your studio, but have participated in a workshop, maybe took a class in the past or even just enquired but never booked a trial. It can be super beneficial to keep everyone who has ever been to your studio in the loop at all times. This is you extending your arm to a wider audience pulling the community in closer, so that your studio is not forgotten by anyone. You can set up these emails in mailchimp or any email hosting site of your choice which can be automated and send out all at once which will save you and your team a heap of time. Another great way to stay in touch is to create a private studio FB group. This ensure you can communicate directly with your families and messaged are more likely to get to those people that you need it to get to. Bring a parent or friend week It may seem simple, but having a member of your community who isn’t a member of your studio drop in for a visit can be very beneficial as it gives others a sneak peak of what it is like in your studio. Having a parent or guardian of a child watch their children not just in concert, but in a class installs a feeling within them which confirms their choice for having their child participate in your studio. They can see all the amazing work their child is doing, how far they have progressed as well as the how the values of the studio are benefiting their child and their specific needs. Over the last few years we have made a transition to “Parent participation week” where parents that come to watch are required to get up and participate with their child for a portion of the class. Not every parent attends, but we ensure all kids have a partner. We find this is a great ice breaker, a great bonding experience for the students and parents and we feel like they have a better understanding of how difficult the steps are that we are teaching their little ones. With bring a friend week, this friend can actually participate in the class which can help them to feel included in their friend’s activities and passions as well as the studio itself. This can in turn generate more enrollments and brings the community even closer together as you widen your studio family.   Host a free workshop! Now this can vary for everyone based on where they are with their studio, but hosting a workshop either for a holiday, end or beginning of a term or when first opening your studio can not only increase more signups but attract those may not even have thought about taking a dance class before. After all people hear the word “free” tend to get kind of excited. Another great option is to host a workshop in a local school, town hall or for a special event to show your community your presence in your local area. This can give others a sense of your values, why dance education is important in child development and show that you care about helping the quality of lives in others where you live. Just a little tip - if you generally only want a class of 15, “sell” (on Trybooking, Eventbrite etc) between 20 - 25 tickets as unfortunately with any free event comes a few no shows. This can also be a great opportunity to get siblings, relatives and other friends involved to experience all the wonderful things your studio has to offer!   Integrate your studio family into your social media. Being consistent with your social media posting is another great way to keep your studio family in the loop and keep them on their toes with all the amazing content you are generating. This can be as simple as posting on your studios instagram stories what happens in one of your classes that day, or a routine etc. This gets others excited about what is happening at your studio, and also gives your students a chance to share posts around as well. Another option is to integrate teacher and student features or spotlights on your website and blog, which can again be shared on instagram as well as facebook. This gives the student or teacher extra confidence within all the hard work they have done in the studio, as well as make them feel more included and valued as a studio/community member. This can even extend in posting testimonials on your website from your facebook page, or emails from parents. Having these kind words with the name of the parent on your website ensures that others who visit your website know you have personally enriched the lives of others, giving them the incentive to sign up their own child.   Host a picnic, party or parent night! Another great community building activity is hosting a picnic, party or parent night. Each term we make it a focus and priority to host at least 1 free event for our students that could include a disco, movie night, games afternoon, Halloween party and the list goes on! We also need to keep in mind that we shouldn’t forget the parents! A wine and cheese social evening, trivia night, or even a themed dress up event is a great way for parents to let their hair down, socialise with other members of the studio and fall in love with your studio and all of the experiences you have to offer!   Those were my top 5 tips on how to share the love with your dance studio community. It is so important that everyone who comes into contact, attends, or teaches at the studio feel valued, and included in the community which you have created from your business and love of dance. Even applying these easy steps you can ensure your community will generate positive feedback, more signups and referrals for your studio, which gives others a sense of trust when looking for the classes/services that your studio provides. I hope that you enjoyed my Fall into February series, and I am excited to share with you my last video for the series released this Wednesday on my Facebook page @claireosheacoaching where I will be discussing more in depth the importance of community within your studio. Remember to also sign up to receive your FREE Fall in love Freebie booklet which is now available at www.businessofdance.net/fallinlovefreebie  which includes special worksheets, templates and extra tips & tricks which will help you to fall back in love with your studio! Thank you so much for following for my february series and a look forward to talking to you all very soon. Have a great day wherever you are in the world. Bye for now   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O’Shea

Intro: Hello everyone and welcome to our 3rd episode of our Fall Into February Series. If you haven’t heard episodes one and two yet I suggest you given them a listen as they have lots of useful tips and tricks all related to falling back in love with your studio in February. But today’s episode is all about studio transformation! We have done a lot of inner work so far so let’s take it to the outside and see how we can shape things up in your studio and give it a little bit of a facelift. Now I understand everyone is in different stages within their business, and some of you may not have your own venue just yet, or maybe have just done a little makeover already but today I want to offer you some of my tips and tricks which you can apply to your studio, either now or in the future! Not every makeover has to be a a change to the physical building of your studio such as an entire paint job or new floors, but can be anything from giving your websites, branding, language, or even team practices a facelift! It’s the little things that others will notice which could result in attracting more students to your studio! 1.New studio colours /branding Now like I said this may not apply for everyone, if you have just started your studio it is probably too soon to change or revamp your branding, but for some of you out there this may be exactly what your studio needs. We all get stuck in old ways at times, but the truth is that times are changing and people want fresh, new and fun ideas, colours etc. Something as simple as rebranding your colour scheme for your business can make a world of difference. It may seem like a big step, but it is certainly a step in a good direction. It all depends on your “theme” your business exudes and your statement, but fun & bright seem to be good at attracting in others as it looks inviting! You can seek a branding coach or simply sit down with your team and do some brainstorming. Yes this could result in a new paint job down the line, but try to take one step at a time if you feel this is the step that could give your studio the makeover it really needs. Alternatively you could keep your colour scheme and give your logo a reboot. This is something that can be easily outsourced which won’t make a huge dip into your budget as well.   Let the students decorate with their words A really great and fairly inexpensive change you could make would be to install a chalkboard or whiteboard (you could even paint a wall as a chalkboard) and place it either in your lobby/waiting room or one of the studios. With this you can get each student to write something they love about the studio, or something they learnt that day. In the past when hosting a camp at my studio we get our camp students to decorate the wall every holidays. We also have a painted wall in our petite room where we draw some pictures relevant to our theme for the month. This is a great way to for the students to feel more included, as well as show student enquires who visit the studio the overall vibe of the studio and give them a sense of community if attending the studio long term. Website Makeover Another option is to give your online studio a little makeover, your website! I have said time and time again that having your website not only up to date and looking fab is great, but it can make a big difference with your in-studio success. If you do decide to change your branding and colours, make sure that the website matches. If not, make sure everything things is up to date with classes, events contact info etc. Another great option, as I have mentioned in previous episodes is to add a blog to your website. If you want to learn more about this, you can listen to episode 3. You can even look up the latest trends, what are people really liking in terms of website layouts etc. Even something as small as creating a better online presence can help drive more traffic to your studio, so make sure your website is just as gorgeous as your studio, and remember to stay consistent with your social posts as well.   4.Installing your own digital display case When you are shopping, most of the time what makes you want to go inside a store is the beautiful display case right? So why not do this for your studio? What I have done, and I am sure many others, is install a tv in the front window of my studio. This screen plays a few minute video on repeat showing snippets into some of the classes, upcoming events and enrolling details. If you are not tech savvy, or don’t have the time you can always outsource to a VA, or freelancer to whip you up a quick video with clips from classes, workshops and even past performances. That way, when others walk by your studio they can get an idea of what it would be like on the inside, and if they are intrigued can either do a quick walk in or gather the information off the video if they know someone who would be interested in taking classes. So those are just a few of my quick tips for a little studio facelift which can make a difference when attracting new students, as well as give you a sense a pride with your business, helping you fall back in love with your studio all over again! Make sure to check out this weeks video on my facebook page @clairosheacoaching on Wednesday where I tell you my favourite studio hacks! Remember to sign up to get your FREE Fall in Love Freebie booklet at www.businessofdance.net/fallinlovefreebie which will be released on Monday February 26th. Have a great day wherever you are in the world, and I will talk to you soon. Bye for now. For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O’Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business of Dance Podcast. Today we are continuing our Fall into February Series and touching on an important topic: self love and self care. Some may say they don’t have time for themselves or are too busy running their studio or taking care of their family to really have “me time”. And when things get really tough one may think, well If I don’t take care of these tasks at hand right now then everything will fall apart! I am by no means advising you to just forget about the important things that need to get done but want to put this all into the perspective with the “oxygen mask” analogy, where if you don’t take care of yourself FIRST there is no way you are going to be your best self, and most present with your students, team, parents & loved ones. So today I want to dive into my top tips for self care and love as a business owner, because after all, self love = studio love! 1.Schedule yourself in! If you are finding you don’t have time for yourself with your busy schedule that’s because YOU are not on there! How can you create space for yourself if you don’t schedule it in? If you are more of a time blocker like myself, then you can create a time within the week or a little bit everyday just for you within your schedule. When planning your week for all the other tasks you need to do for your studio or with your family, look at the free time you have even if it just for 10 mins to sit down and have a tea, mediate, or make yourself a healthy snack, write it in! That way you know you have your “me time” and you won’t feel guilty for putting all the others tasks on hold because you know you have the time to do so. Make a date with yourself! Example: I book 2 pilates sessions in the mornings throughout the week that are pre paid for. Ensuring I never miss! I also take time to do some things that I like for myself. I get my nails painted and my eyebrows done about once a month. I schedule those in with some other errands so I get my ‘me time’ done while also accomplishing some other tasks.   Treat yourself like a child or friend: Maybe that sounds strange but hear me out. If you were taking care of a child or a best friend who needed help, you would treat them with the best care possible yes? If they were hungry you would feed them, if they were sleepy you would put them down for a nap, If they were feeling down, you would encourage them with happy thoughts and give them a hug. Why not apply the same to yourself? The reality of being a grown up is that we are our own caretakers. We get ourselves up on time, dress ourselves, clean ourselves, feed ourselves etc. So why not treat ourselves with the utmost love and respect just as we would others? If we listen to ourselves and our needs as human beings we are bound to live a more fulfilled life, because if we love ourselves we are better at loving others, and the things we care most about. I recently listened to an episode of ‘Building a StoryBrand with Donald Miller’ where he interviewed Bryan Miles the Owner of Belay Solutions, that helps high performing executives achieve more by pairing them with top-notch virtual assistants. He spoke about how his assistant schedules in a nap every day for him so he ensures he gets that down time. Now while I could never personally nap during the day, the concept still applies you either need to carve that time out for yourself, or get someone to do it for you!   Nourish yourself Going off our last point, make sure to nourish yourself when you need it. I don’t just mean food but in all things we are consuming. Feed yourself with nourishing food, lots of fruit veggies, but nourishing thoughts, social media content, and conversations with others as well. Just like in my last point; if you thought or told yourself things you would otherwise feel to be mean or rude if said to another person, why say it to yourself? Let go of those old thought patterns. Nourish yourself with mantras and affirmations you feel benefit you, make you feel happy and worthy. When you nourish yourself you edge out toxicity from your life. This can also be applied to toxic people in your life as well, with certain relationships or even toxic families at your studio. Are these people benefiting you and pulling you up or pushing you down? Same goes with content, if you are constantly comparing yourself to another studio owner or instagrammer and it does not make you feel your greatest self, maybe it is time to unfollow this person for a while. It is not to block out anything negative per say, but to consume less or not not at all, and let go of anything that isn’t serving you, because why would you want anything less?   Gratitude attitude ( like the dance move...get it?) It is said that the key to happiness is gratitude. When you are thankful for everything and everyone in your life right now, you feel the most content as you appreciate what is happening in the present moment. I want you to write down your very own gratitude list (will be included in the download at the end of the month) This can be comprised of anything in your life no matter how big or small which you appreciate and brings you joy. I suggest even just writing as few as 3 things you’re are grateful for that day before you go to bed or when you wake up. You could even have the same 3 written out to refer to everyday. Our minds get trained based on creating habits, which then trains your minds to seek out the feeling this habit gives us. So if you practice with your gratitude list everyday, you will train your mind a more positive mindset, and you will seek out even more things to be grateful for in your life! This will install a sense of appreciation in your everyday which not only makes you feel more fulfilled and on the right track, but will attract even more wonderful things into your life! I think it is especially key to write down what you are grateful about yourself and what you love about yourself. It is key to take the time everyday and be grateful for all the things you have accomplished and how you have evolved overtime. Give yourself a big pat on the back because you have done some incredible things. One of them building your very own business of dace! Woot woot! So there are my top 4 self love/care tips which in turn creates studio love! Remember despite all the madness and stress that you may encounter in your day to day, to spread the love to yourself! Take really good care of you, make time for you and treat yourself with the love and respect you would another. That way you will have the energy to take care of your other love, which is your studio. When you take care of yourself you can then give all your wonderful students, teachers and parents your full attention, becoming the best version of yourself to run your business and grow it to its full potential! I hope these tips help and resonate with you and look I forward to sharing my other special self love tips specific to business owners on my Facebook page this Wednesday @claireosheacoaching! Remember to sign up to get your free Fall in Love Freebie booklet at www.businessofdance.net/fallinlovefreebie which will be released on Monday February 26th. Bye for now.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted By: Claire O’Shea

Hey everyone and welcome back to another episode of the Business of Dance Podcast! I am super excited to dive into our February Podcast Series: Fall into February; where I share with you my top tips and advice from the heart which will help you fall back into love with your studio, allowing your business to thrive and grow into its fullest potential! I will also be posting a mini video series on my Facebook page @ClaireO’Shea every Wednesday where I’ll share extra helpful information related to each the podcast episode released that week. There will also be an amazing free download which will be released at the end of the month on Monday February 26th which will fill you in on all topics discussed this month, plus some amazing worksheets, templates and extra tips & tricks! To sign up and recieve your FREE Fall in Love Freebie booklet automatically when it is released simply visit www.businessofdance.net/fallinlovefreebie  I cannot wait to share these love themed episodes with you as I know how it can be a challenge when getting started with your business, or if you’ve been doing this for a while, to lose track of the big picture and the reason WHY you started your studio in the first place! So let’s dive into episode 1 of the Fall Into February Series!   Today I am going to take you on a little journey...A fall in love flashback! I am going to ask you the 8 fundamental questions for you to reflect on, which will rekindle that flame you once had with your studio, in order for you to move forward with your business in a healthy, positive way! We all caught get up in all the small tedious tasks, the stressful moments or times things just aren't going our way. We sometimes lose sight on our love for dance and our studio, but it is important for us to remind ourselves why we started our businesses in the first place. That is what these reflection questions are all about. Let’s get started! 1.What was your first introduction to dance? This may seem silly, but I want you to really dig deep on who inspired you to start, what age you started, what experience you had and how it all began. You may know this at the top of your head easily or need to think a bit, but the whole point of this exercise is to connect you back to your roots and embody the experiences you had which litt that flame inside of you! On the flip side, unfortunately there are studio owners out there who started their businesses or teaching because they didn’t want other children having a bad experience like them. Were there any bad memories or experiences? Did you experience anything that you would have liked to have gone differently? How did it make you feel at the time and why do you think it has carried with you throughout the years? Why did you decide to turn this into a positive experience and result>   2.What made you want to continue dancing? With all the distractions, obstacles or hard times why did you continue to dance? What kept you going all these years? When you could of stopped, why didn’t you? This is so important because at any point in our lives when things get tough we tend to let go of or move on from certain areas in our life that are a large money or time investment. What was it about dance they kept you on track?   What is your favourite dance memory? Think back to your favourite class, dance routine, teacher, performance that was pinnacle for you. What about this experience for you was monumental? Friends Competitions Hanging out in the waiting room 4.What made you want to teach? Reflect on the time where you wanted to take your love for dance to the next level. What gave you the idea to start teaching? Who inspired you to do so and why did you feel this next step crucial for you in your journey? Can you identify the reason or motivation which gave you the incentive to educate others?   Who inspired you the most to start your studio? Was there a teacher, student or peer who inspired you to open your own Business of Dance? Were you inspired by another studio owner, workshop or the studio you grew up dancing in? What gave you the idea that the direction of business is something you wanted venture with your love of dance?   How did it make you feel when you first visualised having your own studio? Take a moment to close your eyes as visualise the memories that this question brings up for you. When first realised you wanted to open your own studio, how did that make you feel? When you day dreamed about what your studio would be like how did that make you feel? What did you hear? Feel? Smell? What did the classrooms look like, what were the colour of the walls and mostly how did this inspire you to follow through with your business plan? I want you to focus on how this made you feel.   How did it make you feel when you first opened your business and got your first students, had your first recital, hosted your first workshop etc.? Similar to the last question I want you to think back to the time where you first opened your studio. What did it feel like? What was it like to host your first event and seeing the result of all your hard work? Can you recall the reaction of the other people, students and parents? How did you feel after that?   In what way did you help another dancer or student? Either for the first time or recently. Lastly I want you to remember a time where you really helped another individual with your business. Now I know you do everyday with your regular classes or programs, but can you think of a time where a parent, student or teacher gave you feedback that really made you think “this is why I do what I do” Maybe a student got routine down they were really working hard on to master, or a parent told you how much happier their child is since coming to your studio. How did this make you feel in the moment? How does it make you feel now? These are your reminders, and I want you to got these down, and keep them somewhere you see everyday be it your bathroom mirror, fridge etc. That way when you are having a hard day, feeling overwhelmed or stressed you can take a second and meditate on the reasons why you began your Business of Dance journey in the first place, giving you some perspective on the bigger picture. This is how you want to feel everyday and will help you in knowing why it is all worth it. At the end of the day you are doing your best, and providing a happy safe, and fun experiences for your students like you once had, which inspired you to start your studio in the first place. So there are my top 8 reflection questions to help you fall back in love with your studio and remember why you started in the first place! Remember to sign up to get your FREE Fall in Love Freebie booklet at www.businessofdance.net/fallinlovefreebie which will be released on Monday February 26th. I wish you all a lovely day wherever you are in the world, be sure to stay tuned for the video coming out this Wednesday on my Facebook page @ClaireO’SheaCoaching. Bye for now.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. On the go, or don’t have time to listen?   Hosted By: Claire O’Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of The Business Of Dance Podcast. Today I am back with another amazing guest on the podcast, who I have the pleasure to be interviewing. This weeks episode we have the incredibly talented, driven and inspirational Jen Dalton. Jen is the owner of Jigsaw Dance Studio which has 5 locations situated in the Sydney’s North West, Australia. Jen and her team encourage and build self esteem and make each child feel individual and special while embracing movement, music, co-ordination and drama. Jen is also the founder and owner of Dance Teacher Central which offers several programs helping dance entrepreneurs, aspiring teachers, and studio owners. She has created several fantastic programs such as her very own ‘Dance Teacher academy’, ‘How to find, hire and train your team’, ‘Studio owner mentorships’, as well as portfolios dedicated to child safety in the studio, assistant teacher leadership & training, and so much more!!   JEN DALTON’S BIO: Jen Dalton’s life philosophy is centred around empowering & educating dance teachers to be the best and most effective leaders that they can be. As a result, giving them the tools to make a positive impact in each and every life they come into contact with. Having successfully run & owned multiple dance studios for over 24yrs with over 1000 students, managing teams of over 30 teachers & staff members at one time. Jen knows the importance of strategy, planning & continual learning. After so many years teaching dance and operating studios, Jen can show you how to streamline your dance studio operations or become the teacher that studio owners want to hire. A well as teaching and running the dance studios, Jen studied as a Police Officer for 13yrs working in the Child Protection & Sex Crimes Squad. She studied Psychology & Communications at CSU, Obtained her Cert 4 in Fitness & Training as well as Diploma of Dance Teaching & Management. It was only natural that the next step was to collate that information into dance industry language and make it easy, quick & available for dancers & teachers across the world. Jen’s programs are designed in a way that are easy to understand and most importantly implement. Most dance teachers and dance studio owners undertake training in between running their classes each week. With this in mind the Dance Teacher and Studio Owner training programs allow you to work at your own pace and pause for moments, implement some of the magic and get back to class. Dance Teacher Central: http://www.danceteachercentral.com Jigsaw Dance Studio: http://www.jigsawdance.com.au  For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode. I really hope that everyone has been enjoying the new year so far. When it comes to resolutions for your business we all have unique desires and goals for our studios, but one I have seen time and time again on people’s list is to increase enrolment. Wel l in this episode I will be discussing just that! I will be giving you my best tips on how to reach your enrolment goals, and make 2018 be the year with your best student intake yet! With these tips I want you to keep in mind your personal goals, and have your resolutions list handy (or later if you are on the go). This will allow you to assess your current enrollment goals and what steps you need to take to achieve them, no matter how big or small they may be. So let’s dive into the the episode and I’ll let you in on my top 5 Tips: Marketing & Social media: Use your social media platforms to your advantage. Post consistently on your social channels. Use hashtags that are being used regularly that align with your studio. Use stories and videos on Instagram & share live /recorded videos to facebook. We all know how much the algorithm is changing - but LIVE video is performing extremely high still. You can get the students to share these to their social media so their friends can see. Create a facebook ad. There are certain requirements for making a well rounded FB ad, but overall having these ads will be helpful, especially because it allows you to zone in on your target audience. So you can attract not only more students but the type of students you want to take on in your studio.This can range anywhere from the  age, gender, location and interests your students would have.    Adding a blog to your website will also be beneficial as it increases your SEO, driving more traffic to your website and class enrolment features on there. If you want to learn more about this, you can listen episode 3. Stay up to date: It may be time for a mini studio makeover! Make sure your website is up to date with everything you offer. Get a friend, your partner or someone on your team to sit down and make a note of any outdated links, broken links, old information or even language or photos that might need a little spruce. If someone is interested in signing up for a class, event or workshop, make sure those events are up to date, and have the option to book in. Keep up to date with contact info; phone number, address, email etc. Make it really easy to contact you! Keep your teachers page, about page, as well as testimonials up to date. You don’t want info about someone who no longer works there, or a testimonial from 5 years ago. Keep it fresh and visually appealing so people are more willing to sign up. Be up to date with all your automated emails, email blast, and newsletters. Send to current, and past students, or anyone who has ever attended an event. Keeping everyone up to date with what is happening at your studio may draw in others from the past who want to take another class or even a workshop. You don’t want anyone to miss out! 3.Student’s Friends: Bring a friend week Friends who dance together stay together Those who love to dance will attract those who also love to dance Attracting those who align with the same values Provide a ‘refer a friend’ discount to that student Use the generation of technology to your advantage by occasionally allowing students to film for facebook or Instagram to share with their friends. That way they can tag their location and let others know where the studio is. Student appreciation party and new registration open house for 2-3 hours including a cake. You could open this up to your current students and invite them to also bring a friend to party with! 4.Create your own special promotions that work within your budget You don’t have to go handing out free things left right and centre to get new students but it’s okay to offer discounts or promotions, especially when it comes to enrollment or when you are first starting out. Free or discounted registration before a given date Give away 1 spot in a workshop free when entering a prize or auction with a local fundraiser Free workshop for the holidays, beginning of a term or year, or when first opening your studio. I don’t recommend discounting classes on a regular basis - but the above will get people excited and encourage them to take action early. Priority re-enrolment for current students. They are your VIPs after all! 5.Community: Get involved with community events, make your presence know. Post ads and events on community facebook pages or newspapers for free. Give classes at a local school and bring pamphlets for students who are interested in dance classes to bring home information to their parents. Attend fundraisers or event host one! Use word of mouth and tell family members, friends who may have children and neighbours the new exciting events and classes at your studio and tell them to tell others! Try and organise a ‘dance tour’ with your performance or competition team to a few of the local schools with a couple of dances. There is themed weeks throughout the year, where you are more likely to be invited. You showcase your talents and hopefully leave a postcard or flyer with studio info for each child, or interested children to take home. Contact your local preschools or mothers group and offer to give them a free class, or open your studio up to a special ‘play date’ where they can attend. Either for a very small fee or for free. The more you can grow your Preschool program, the better! So there are by top 5 tips for increasing enrollment for the remainder of the year and years to come. I hope these tips were helpful to you when planning your enrollment goals and resolutions for your studio. Remember at the end of the day your success if not defined by the number of students you have, but rather how you are impacting your students in a positive way within your studio. I wish everyone an awesome week. Until next time, keep dancing your way to the business you have always desired. Bye for now!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Hello everyone, today I am back with another guest on the Business of Dance Podcast. In this episode I will be interviewing and leading a transformative conversation, specific to studio values, with the one and only Melanie Gard. Melanie is the Principal Director of Peninsula School of Dance in South Victoria, here in Australia. The School has serviced the Mornington Peninsula for over 55 years and produced some of Australia’s finest dancers, teachers and choreographers. Formerly Rosebud Ballet School, which was founded in 1961 by Miss Sandra Allan and stands today as one of the longest established Cecchetti schools in Victoria. The school commenced with 23 students and a Pianist at the Rosebud Memorial Hall and is now thriving in a beautiful new premises in Rosebud West. The faculty at Peninsula School of Dance believes that nothing is more joyful than watching a young child explore the world of music and movement with pure delight and carefree abandon. When this is nurtured in a loving environment by highly qualified staff, students will go on to derive many benefits from learning the art of dance. As the Director of Peninsula School of Dance, Melanie is not interested in just churning out “the best” dancers, but is very passionate in helping kids reach their full potential. She believes that dance is more than just a series of movements, but rather, dance can help us cross bridges in life. All of the students at Peninsula School of Dance have their own unique needs for expression, and have the support, guidance and encouragement from their teachers. Through their classes, students gain life skills and a solid foundation for adulthood. Melanie believes that dance kids have a strong work ethic, are committed and present themselves with confidence and humility. PSD is passionate about churning out decent, well-rounded human beings who go on to have happy, healthy and productive lives. And although it may not be the ultimate goal, but if students choose to take on dance professionally, PSD will give them the support they need, and will be the first ones to cheer them on from the wings of the stage!   Melanie can proudly trace the roots of her training directly back to Maestro Cecchetti himself. She trained for over 25 years with Miss Lorraine Blackbourn OAM. Under the guidance of Miss Blackbourn OAM (Fellow, Senior Examiner and Life Member of Cecchetti Ballet Australia) Melanie obtained her Advanced Certificate with distinction, Associate, Associate Diploma and Licentiate Status with distinction. Melanie also is holder of a Cert IV in Dance Teaching & Management and has a Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies (Deakin University) and is an affiliate member of Australian Teachers of Dance (ATOD). In July 2006 Melanie took over the direction of the Rosebud School of Ballet from its founder Miss Sandra Allan. She is committed to continuing the traditions of high quality dance tuition and instilling a love of dance in students that has been so carefully nurtured by Miss Allan over the last 55 years. Under Melanie’s direction the school has grown to cater for over 400 students each week at beautiful new premises in Rosebud West.    Peninsula School of Dance Website: http://peninsuladance.com.au/   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net Hosted By Claire O’Shea

Today will be a very special episode as I will be interviewing the owner of Studio Go & as well as one of the co founders of Studio-to-go! I am super excited for this interview, and will be asking Leah some important questions, as well as getting her to tell her story on how Studio Go & Studio-to-go came to be. So for those of you who don’t know Studio Go, it is a mobile dance studio committed to providing the best on-site dance and movement education throughout Atlanta, Athens, Charleston, Chattanooga and now in Charlotte. Studio Go is committed to being the “dance studio on the go”, which means they seek to create a studio atmosphere of quality dance, friendly relationships, and a sense of community throughout their mobile locations. Leah is also excited to be launching her new business which she co founded called Studio-to-go. Studio-to-go creates programs that cater to all things recreational dance. Leah and her partners Robyn Donaldson, and Lauren Nolan, curate creative and engaging programs for dance studio owners, and teachers. They are also consultants and curate monthly ballet and jazz programs all designed for preschool students! Studio-to-go are also working on creating a birthday party curriculum, camp syllabi, and they will soon be selling amazing dance retail that can be purchased in the near future. Leah is the founder of Studio Go and continues to teach at locations throughout Atlanta. Leah believes what sets Studio Go apart from other competitors is our passion, enthusiasm, and the desire to create a community that always seeks to put the student first. She began her dance training at the age of five at The Oak Ridge Academy of Dance in Oak Ridge, TN.  She studied Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, and Jazz.  She went on to dance and perform with the Contemporary Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Pam Reedy.  During her time with CDE she had the opportunity to work with and take classes from renowned dancers and choreographers and was selected to be a member of the CDE competition team which traveled to many competitions each year, competing both regionally and nationally. Leah had the opportunity to perform in the Macy’€™s Thanksgiving Day Parade and The FedEx Orange Bowl National Championship Halftime Show.  She also danced in productions of the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association’s The Nutcracker and Cinderella.  Leah has a BA in Communications with a Minor in Spanish from Morehead State University.  While at MSU she was on the Dance Team, serving as Captain, and choreographed several pieces for the team.  During her college years she danced professionally with the Lexington Fillies Dance Team, which performed at all Lexington Horsemen games, as well as other promotional events.  She had the privilege of being on the squad the year the team took home the AFL National Championship.  Leah resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband Todd, her son Jonah, and their two lively boxers.   Studio -to-go has been officially launched!! They now provide a Concierge program that offers monthly curriculums for preschool ballet and tap. Be sure to sign up soon, as they only offer enrolment twice a year, and their cart is currently open until January 12th.  If this is something you are interested in for your studio, please visit www.studiotogodance.com/concierge-to-go. Their A la Carte services are open year round and features choreography, classroom tools, props, retail, and more!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By Claire O’Shea

Happy new year everyone! I can hardly believe we are now in 2018. I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season. It is that time of year again when we all say: “New year, New me!” We make big plans for ourselves, our business, new ways to make more money, get fit and the list goes on!  But how many times have you fallen short on your new years goals, or snuck back into old ways and habits? It can be a challenge, and feel overwhelming when you see that daunting new year's resolutions list staring back at you. You start to doubt yourself, get distracted or simply think “it’s just too hard”. But I’m here today to help you clarify your goals, and break them down into digestible tasks, so you can tackle the vision you have for your business, studio and brand in the new year! In this episode I will discussing how to define and prioritise your resolutions, in order to check them off your list once and for all! I will also mention that we have created a very special free download for this week’s episode for you, which is the Rock Your B.O.D New Years Resolution Bible! This download has everything you will need to set forth your plans for the new year, with weekly and daily time schedule templates as well as your very own resolutions map for you to print and write out your list to post on your wall, fridge, or in your studio, so you to look at everyday. So I highly suggest you get your copy of that, and you can get it by going to www.businessofdance.net/ep14. Let’s dive into the episode! Before we make plans for a New Year, I think it is vital to take the time to reflect on the year that was. While it is important to reflect on the business, and we go through that later in the episode, the following questions are a reflection on your life as a person and how you show up in the world. I recommend you try and find a quiet spot to sit down with a coffee, or a wine & answer and reflect on the following questions.   Who was I in 2017? Where did I demonstrate growth in my personal life? Where did I fall short or not show up as my authentic & best self? What am I grateful for from 2017? What did I do really well? What did this allow me to achieve? In the future, how can I take more action and better realise my true potential?   Now, I want to discuss the 4 fundamentals for creating a solid foundation before writing your resolution list, and explain why these fundamentals are important. I will then go into what steps need to be taken for each individual goal, once your list is created.   So what are the 4 fundamentals you will need to build a solid foundation for your resolutions list? Make a plan: for your planning: Set a time aside each week to plan Create a plan to take some time each morning, or once a week to plan your week /day to A: feel less overwhelmed and taking each task one at a time & B: Stay on top of your goals. Time blocking. Episode 10. Before you can start setting your goals, you need to take your planning seriously. Don’t just write down your goals once and forget. Make the time to set your weekly and daily goals (ex.10:00 am monday) This will help to see your bigger goals in a more digestible way, as all they are is just the finished product of many little tasks which you do daily anyways...   Let go of the past: New year, new you right? Let go of that which no longer serves you, your business or students. Don’t fear change; if something has worked for years no longer is working in your studio, look for new ways to improve and let go of the past. Learn a better way of doing something, be it a teaching method, part of your brand, way you communicate with your parents etc. You don’t have to throw out everything you’ve always done, but just take the time to evaluate your current situation and the changes that need to be made. What works, and will always work and what needs to be left in 2017. Welcome change! Reflect & Evaluate : piggybacking of the last point, what worked last year, what didn’t? What really worked well for you and your team last year? What feel short? What lessons did you learn? What lessons keep coming back to you, have your learnt from them yet? What changes do you want to make? What areas do you want to grow? What can stay the same? This will also show just how far you've come with your business. A year is a long time, what happened? What are you proud of?   Growth: In what ways do you want to grow your studio? What will you need to do to make this happen? How do you want to scale & grow your business? Are you wanting to generate more income? How much? What will it go towards? Do you want to add more features to your studio? Are you wanting to expand? Hire more staff? Open another location? More events, workshops? Camps etc. Why is this important to you? How will you, your team, studio family and community benefit? Set clear goals, and the reasons behind them. So those are the foundations one should keep in mind when writing resolutions for your studio and business, but let’s touch on how to actually accomplish them!   Clarify the why! Take the time to go over your resolutions and make points beside them for your ‘why’ (see in download ) You obviously know why, as you wrote it on the list, but I encourage you to dive a little deeper. This will connect you to the reasons why this goal is important to you which will motivate you when taking the steps towards that goal. Visualise! What will it feel like when this goal is accomplished? How do you want to feel? Why will it make things better? Be realistic….ish Are the goals you are setting realistic? Meaning not “easy” or “simple” but rather, do you have the resources, time and support to accomplish them? Maybe a certain goal, is a 6 month or more goal, which is fine, but is this feasible for you? Are you in the right place financially? Do you need help? Are you setting a realistic time frame? Consider all the factors and check in with yourself and team before putting the goal on your list. I’m am not trying to scare you away from writing your biggest goals and dreams on your list, but rather want to think clearly when setting your goals in order to accomplish them in a manageable way, but by all means, shoot for the moon!          Time frame Are you setting a feasible time frame? Stemming from my last point, I want you think about each goal, and from there set a time frame to complete it. I mentioned Parkinson’s law episode 10, which is “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion" meaning the more time you give as task or goal, the longer it will take to finish it. Do not rush tasks, especially if the are larger projects, but make sure not to give yourself more time than to need or it may be going on next year's resolutions list...   Prioritise: When making your list, either weekly, for the year or even daily resolutions, it will help you to break down and prioritise them. Like I said in the beginning, resolutions can seem big at first, but it is breaking them down into sections, time frames, and even creating milestones along the way that will ensure you accomplish them! Prioritize your goals individually, as well as the subgoals within each set of tasks, which will make up your bigger goal(s). Set a plan into motion: Now that you have the other things in place it is time to actually make your plan! We all know that making a plan is easier than just making a list. It is putting the list into motion by taking the tasks within your list and turning them into practical steps you physically take! First your write you list, you priotiese that list, set time frames, break down your goals into digestible tasks, and outline your why. You discuss these goals with your team, integrate their input and write tasks in a daily, weekly, and monthly calendar or schedule (see in download). From there you can ask for guidance, get coaching, and basically just take it day by day.   Included in today’s download are some great templates to help outline your projects, the action steps and who they are assigned to depending on whether you are looking to outsource at all. In the free guide today we also have some great sheets on planning projects for the different areas of your studio. Whether that be new student attraction, parent communication, fun events for current families as well as brainstorming ways for you to take your studio to the next level in 2018 and have the business you have always desired.   Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was your business. Be kind to yourself, take the necessary steps to accomplish your goals on a daily basis and be patient. You can achieve your dreams and goals. This is a new year, and you can be a new you. It is up to you and remember that you have the support you need as well. With that in mind, if you are struggling or truly need more support, I welcome you to join our free community on Facebook dedicated to help and inspire dance entrepreneurs, like yourself to grow and scale their business beyond their wildest dreams! A reminder to also get your free download with your resolutions map, project planning, weekly and daily schedule templates by going to www.businessofdance.net/ep14 I wish everyone the best of luck in the new year and look forward to speaking with those who join the Facebook group. Until next week, keep dancing your way to the business you have always desired!    Download our FREE Resolutions guide: Rock Your BOD: New years Resolution Bible! This download will outline everything discussed in this episode, printable weekly & daily timeblocked schedule templates, as well as your very own resolutions map to write and put on your wall to see everyday! Get the FREE download at businessofdance.net/ep14 For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @businessofdance. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea  

Starting your studio from scratch can feel as if you are climbing Mount Everest. It’s big, daunting, and downright scary! At the end of the day a studio is a business, and when it comes to starting a new business there are a lot of risks involved. So the real question is are you ready to put your best plan into motion, combining your passion for dance with the business world, and ready to climb your Everest? If the answer is yes, then you are listening to the right episode, as that is exactly what I will be discussing today. We all know there is more to running a studio then just creating fun dance classes, but how can you be best prepared for the journey ahead into your very own business of dance? Keep listening!   So how do you start your studio from scratch?   Why do you want to open a studio? Have a clear vision for ultimate goals, student numbers etc. What does your dream studio look like? What is your ‘theme’ or values you want to have? Part time: Do you have the time with family etc? Will you work part time and have other team members take charge when you are not there? Full time - how many students do you need to earn enough? Do you want to be there everyday? How do you see yourself spending time there?   Research What location? - easy to see, locate - not too many studios etc. Close to schools is a bonus! You can include after school programs/classes etc. Tuition prices - What are your prices for classes at your studio? (you don't want to be the cheapest! Otherwise you will attract "studio hopping" clientele…) Research based on other studios that inspire you. Listen to their podcast, or contact them directly, or talk the owner of a studio you use to dance at for further knowledge. If it fits into your budget you can also hire a business coach if you need further assistance or advice.   Dreaming Studio names, colours, motto, purpose...GET CREATIVE! What is your vision? Write it out. Take the time to dream, then make a plan!! You want to create something you can easily type about or able to speak about to potential new clients. Your name & what you are about: ‘Tagline’ Vision date to open? A practical date & one that corresponds with the school year, gearing towards a good time for signups. Contact venues and see when you would be able to start! Logistics Budget: figure out your budget: how much $ do you have, what can you afford to spend, how much can you afford to borrow and how much can you afford to lose? If you have everything else figured out but not in a place financially, start looking at your options, and start a savings plan. Create a basic document with info on classes, costs, studio values etc. Set up mailchimp or something similar that is free to make a record of all people that enquire. Get their email addresses! Questions to ask in regards to your space: are the floors safe? If your waiting room big enough? Do you have disability access? Are you walls soundproof? Do you have enough storage space? Will you have a student/team lounge? Is the space properly ventilated? aircon/heated? Is there a security system? Does the roof leak? Are there enough toilets/change rooms etc. When working with your staff: Are teachers going to be employees or contractors? Are your contracts reasonable? Is your timetable convenient for staff and students? How many teachers do you need? etc.   Legal Ensure name is able to be purchased (copyright) Secure domain name (don't search too much, someone will take it) Secure Fb & social handles - start building audience! Post regularly and consistently!! Secure abn or associated business tax numbers if required. Once you start to take enrolments - ensure your terms & conditions cover injuries and anything else you may be liable for. Build your legal team; lawyer, financial advisor, accountant etc.   Decide Select a name. Create basic design if logo or some ideas. Integrate what you dreamed up for your brands colours, themes etc. Use resource like Fiverr or Upwork to create a logo (digital) and even a branding guideline that you can then share with future uniform suppliers and web people.   Website Purchase cheap template and set up your website. Use colours & logo designs that are in line with your vision. You want continuity throughout your studio, website, and social channels. Include basic info - values, vision, class options and a link to the mailchimp automation to get more information.   Start reaching out! Ask local schools/kindys if they would be interested in free classes. Maybe host a few free workshops, or discounted ones in to get people interested and to drive traffic to your studio's location! Like an open house etc. Go to schools and host a dance class in gym classes and promote your new studio opening at the end, giving out information to the kids to take home to their parents. Something that worked EXTREMELY well for me when starting out was contacting the local newspaper as well as holding short free workshops over the holidays. A lot of media sources were happy to advertise free events for free. Connect and join your local FB groups. Start interacting with people who ask about dance studios and post in the group offering your services. Find other teachers and start building your team! Ask friends who you’ve danced/taught with before and trust, post on dance job opportunity sites, network etc. Attend community events, network and get to know community leaders. Take workshops with for studio/business owners. Learn from others, get inspired by other dance studios.   Tips & important things to remember! Take it slow, smart and keep your vision clear! Remember why you want to open a studio in the first place! Have your goals be realistic but meaningful to you! You don’t have to everything yourself! Get advice from others, and get inspired from successful dance studios, and ask for help if you need it. Technology is your friend, for when you get stuck and need answers, as well as for promoting yourself. Don’t sell yourself short, know your worth and let the world see your vision!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By Claire O’Shea

Hello, and welcome back to the Business Of Dance Podcast. If you listened to episode 002 of the BOD podcast, you would have heard me discuss how to, find, work & hire a Virtual Assistant to help you with your business. I mentioned the importance of a VA, and how their assistance can create more time for you to focus on your tasks, and the running of your studio, which in the end generates more income and success for your business. If you have yet to hear that episode, I would advise you to listen to that episode first. Today’s episode is a bit different as this will be my first interview for the BOD Podcast. I have a very special guest today, who is my very own VA , and I will be interviewing her on what it is like to work collaboratively as a VA remotely. The intention of this episode is to give you, the business owner, more insight into what it is like to work with a VA, and learn more about the process of hiring a VA from another perspective.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @clairosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net. Hosted by: Claire O'Shea

  I’ve discussed the positives of technology and the advantages it has when running a business, but on the contrary it has also become the #1 distraction, especially for those of a younger generation. It can be a challenge to achieve the full attention of students, whether at school or in a dance studio, and even after you ban phones from entering the classroom, they still may seem to have them on their drink breaks or between classes. That fact is, even if they aren’t using them at the studio the attention span these days of the generation known as “face glued to their phones” seems to be getting shorter everyday. In order to capture their attention, and keep them interested for longer periods of time, you will have to devise certain techniques within your lesson plans in order to achieve this. In today’s episode I will be giving you an idea of what these techniques look like, so you and your team members can have a stress-free, distraction-free, flowing dance class. Let’s dive into the episode!   So what are the techniques you can apply to create a distraction free dance class?   Keep students on their toes with small surprises   A great way to keep the students focused and engaged is to leave no room for distractions!   Of course you don’t want to throw too much at them at a time, but keeping them on their toes (pun intended) either musically or technically, while switching things up within the structure of a combination can allow them to focus on the steps and keep their brain active! The key to keeping them engaged is to get them excited and active so that they can focused on what is happening in the moment. This could include a special ‘surprise prop box’ for your younger students. Each lesson once they have completed a set of exercises or your focus for the day, the students are able to open the box and reveal what prop they are integrating. The prop could have direct correlation to the exercise focus for the day to assist with repetition. For older students, This can also involve changing places at the barre regularly, or between exercises. Switch things up from your normal class routine, which will allow them to be more attentive, get out of their comfort zone and more willing to pay attention. Are you always warming up in the centre, followed by corner work and finishing with a routine? Try incorporating a warm up game, obstacle course or a fitness circuit. Also ensure transitions (particularly for younger students) are quick or choreographed. For example, I have recently seen some great videos online recently where a creative teacher choreographed a dance for the transitions You can find them on Facebook at: DiscoverDance Early Childhood Dance Education https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverDance-Early-Childhood-Dance-Education-1779482815646624/   Get them involved   Allow the students to take initiative in the classroom. Getting a student/students to lead the warm up, cool down or even add to a section to the choreography, can keep them engaged by allowing them to step up and use their creativity. Even giving little assignments before the class starts, that will be discussed at the end of the class, for example; what are they struggling with at the moment, and how did they overcome their obstacles, will keep them more focused during class, as they know they will be asked to answer questions later. Just make sure you follow through and allow time for each student to answer at the end. Allowing them to play music they enjoy to dance to. For instance, each week a student could nominate the warm up song. Just make sure you create clear parameters for appropriate music that is used. This allows them to feel more in control and that they are not just a student but can teach and influence their peers, which will keep them engaged and boost their confidence as well.     Remind them why they are taking dance lessons in the first place!   Allow them to be reminded why they want to be there, and why they started to take dance lessons. Maybe they are more distracted some days than others, but when they are reminded of why they are in the class to begin with, they can have a clear focus on their goals and have more motivation to pay attention. Get them to say affirmations every time they enter the classroom, to start the class off in a positive way. For example, some teachers create a mini little chant for their studio, or for younger students you may want to incorporate a welcome song. Have them choose a move they have always wanted to do (probably something they have seen on Instagram), or sequence they are struggling with and want to get down. At the beginning of each term, allow the class a few minutes to create a term goal sheet. Hang it up on the wall and refer back to it each lesson. When they set their own goals, and understand the reasons behind them, this will also educate them on the importance of integrity.   Encourage critical thinking Instead of presenting students with answers for every problem that may arise,  allow them to offer examples, and get the students to draw their own conclusions. Asking lot’s of questions is a great way for them to show an understanding of the knowledge they have, This engages students and allows them to feel like a participant, rather than one who is being lectured. As a bonus, this encourages analysis skills. Involve a reward system within your classroom This doesn’t always have to mean they get free things, like lollies per say, but children love knowing they if they did something good, they will be rewarded. You can devise your own unique rewards system when they execute a routine, or move they have been working on, answering a question correctly, or taking initiative in the classroom. Although you want them take initiative for themselves rather than just for a prize, this is simply a conditioning exercise, and the rewards can be as simple as, choosing the music for warm-ups, or what they get to work on for the last 10 mins of class, such as their favourite exercises etc. At my studio we have introduced a ‘Student Feature Friday’ where we nominate one student from across the studio each week to be highlighted. They get their photo taken and asked a few questions about their favourite dance style, hobbies, food etc. We also ask them why they love to dance or why the love Dance Energy. This then gets scheduled each Friday on all of our social media channels, emailed to parents and added to the special Feature Friday wall at the studio. As a bonus, these posts help get the name of the studio out there as parents love sharing about how proud they are of their children! We all know the power of a simple sticker also! Allow them to appreciate technology when it is needed. This means, when the time does come, when you allow the students to grab their phone to record a routine for their friends, or take a picture of them executing a move to see their improvement, this will allow them to appreciate the power of technology and understand when it is just a one time deal. A great tool on all phones to analyse jumps and turns is the slo-mo feature. It can really allow a group to break down the fundamental elements of the step and see where they are needing to work on next. From there you can go back to a strict no phone rule, so they will differentiate the time spent in the classroom focused on their dance goals, and their down time, when technology is permitted. Create a year overview, term plan and weekly lesson plan or break down We all know each Teacher is different and not everyone requires an extremely detailed lesson plan to follow during class, but by having an understanding of the goals for the year as well as term/season - you will be able to determine the amount of work that is needed to be planned into every class as well as ensure there is a variety of technique/warm up & exercises included. Any more planning tips? As a Studio Owner, creating a term guide or plan with expected outcomes & requirements is a great way to ensure all teachers are on the same page. Studio Owners could also create their own hub or resource library on Trello that has links to videos, resources, lesson plans and ideas. You could really create a beautifully systemated & automated yearly plan to ensure every student at your studio has an exceptional experience.   At the end of the day there may be no silver bullet for keeping students engaged in the classroom at all times, there are many simple techniques educators, like yourself, can apply that will improve their chances of success. By incorporating some of these techniques I mentioned in this episode, you & your staff can achieve the shift to take place for your students to achieve progress in your studio’s classroom.   Be sure to check out next week’s episode where I discuss Starting your studio from scratch: the basics.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claieosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

In last week’s episode I provided my favourite time management hacks for maximum productivity, which will help you keep focused on the tasks at hand when growing and running your business /studio. Today I will be discussing how to use time blocking within your schedule, as a way to plan for a perfect week. You will also have access to my free detailed download for you to review what is discussed in this episode, as well as given examples of what a perfectly time blocked schedule can look like. This download is really helpful for those struggling to keep track of all their tasks and finding the time to complete them within their busy week. To access this download, simply head to businessofdance.net/ep10. I understand why creating a time blocked schedule can seem daunting at first, or even while creating it, but I promise you, once you see your week or even month all planned out before you, with wiggle room for changes along the way, this will bring about some ease for you, knowing exactly what needs to be accomplished that week while incorporating fun & down time. An important question to first ask yourself when creating your time-blocked schedule is: “what would my week look like if life went my way, and I had control over 100% of what happens to me, my life & business?” In this quick-paced society we live in, it can be challenging to buckle down and organise all your un-stimulating, and tedious tasks that need to be accomplished in your daily or weekly schedule. That being said, experts say that time blocking can increase your productivity by 150%!   So how does time blocking work? For each section of hours or period of time in your day, for example: morning, afternoon, evening & night time; you can assign a certain task to those time sections. Alternatively, once you have refined your timetable a little, you can allow only a few hours for a certain task (or even just 30 minutes). Don’t forget: Parkinson's law is the adage that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion". This ensures you “blocked off” your time from all other tasks, projects, social media etc. when focusing on what you scheduled in for that particular time block. No distractions allowed!   Here’s a couple examples: As a dance studio owner you may have a have a few hours in the morning before heading into the studio. You may block off that time for your morning routine, or self care time to do yoga, walk the dog, meditate and make yourself a healthy breakfast. In that time you don’t answer emails, worry about the maintenance of your studio, or check facebook. During studio or office hours which are blocked off in the afternoon, you focusing on the tasks at hand you wrote in your schedule for your studio time. And in the evening you block off time for your family, where you cook and eat with your them, and maybe watch a movie etc. Another example is if you are a busy stay at home parent but are working towards your own dreams, and aspirations to work online and build your own business. You  would then block off the afternoon, while the kids are attending school to work on those projects. Remember that the purpose of time blocking is to block out all other distractions, tasks or duties while focusing on the ones written into your schedule in that particular time block.   So how can you create your own perfect week?   Step 1. Record everything you do for a week (or alternatively, reflect & review on a to-do list from a previous week. Step 2. Review: what can only you do from that list? What can you delegate? What could you delete altogether? → meaning to automate or schedule. This will allow you a great time to reflect and see what you are actually spending your time on, versus what you think you are spending your time on. Step 3. Group remaining tasks into themes. It’s time to select 7 themes. 5 for each day of the week and 2 for the weekend. Themes could include relaxation, rejuvenation, organisation (more weekend themes), team, content & class planning, CEO day, Project work. Etc. As Dance Studio Owners, teaching may not fall into this particular theme, but this is a personal timetable - so that is ok!! Step 4: Allocate recurring tasks to themes. Eg. Team meetings may be on a Team or Development day, Social media scheduling may be on a Studio Advertising & marketing day. You may allocate a day for content & program creation where you write all blog posts, marketing posts, class lesson plans etc. From there, you get to play! You just need to decide how you think you are going to work best. Creation at the start of the week? Meetings at the end? At the end of the day, you know you. And making changes while you are trying to adjust to your Dream Week is 100% normal. Reminder: Each day has a theme. In addition, each day is segmented according to a specific focus area. Step 5: Each day should include scheduled times for checking emails, returning phone calls etc. If you are still in charge of your social media and required to comment and interact, ensure to allocate a time for that also. Select a time during each day where you plan out the next day. Use your diary, planner or the handy pages from our guide to then plan out your day in order and by the hour. Once you get in a pattern & practice more - this shouldn’t take you too long. Step 6: Make sure to print out your Dream week and display at your desk. Record it on your phone or save to Trello. However, make sure you take a copy with you!! For the first few weeks, take notes on any clashes or difficulties you are having and adjust accordingly. Worried about those little odd jobs? Even those would have a topic or theme. They just need to wait until the scheduled time/day or if you finish a planned task early.   Extra tips when creating your schedule: You can create your schedule in whatever form is more effective for you. You can create one on Trello, spreadsheets, google doc, whiteboard or calendar, but I will be providing a printable version of an empty time blocked schedule in the download. Prioritise your tasks, not just within your week but daily. This will create less stress, knowing you can tacking the bigger, more important issues, and tasks first.   QUICK TIP: As a business owner you will have many emails to answer, phone calls etc. These are important tasks so you can time block and assign them their own special theme or label on your schedule. A great tip from Michael Hyatt is to communicate those times as “office hours” on your voicemail message and in your email signature so clients, and parents can see when you are available. They will appreciate knowing when you will respond, thus eliminate the guessing game for when they will get their important questions answered. Lastly remember to leave some blank space in your schedule as new tasks, or plans that may arise. This is doesn’t mean you can forget about the other tasks written in and replace them with new, more fun tasks, but rather leaving some room for flexibility, as life never seems to go exactly as planned, but you can certainly do your best.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   On the go, or don’t have time to listen? Download our FREE how to guide: Rock Your BOD: Including your very own dream week template, a daily planning template, an example of my very own time blocked schedule, and so much more! Get the FREE download at businessofdance.net/ep5   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea  

Enough time is something we all feel we lack, from the seemingly never ending to do list to those big projects or events we want to tackle. We do our best to avoid acting like the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland yelling “i’m late! I’m late!” to every appointment, dance class, or meeting. Not everything may be on a schedule, even if we take account for the time spent in traffic. So how do you manage time within your busy schedule & business? In this episode I deep dive into my personal time blocking & time management hacks to keep your head afloat, generating a positive relationship with your day planner. Sit back, relax, and breath out any stress you have with time, because the fact is, time is really an illusion. So let’s create a perspective & plan that works for you. So how can you create better time management skills within your business?   Start your day with a clear vision & focus on the tasks at hand by writing a list   You can achieve this by clearly planning out your day the night, the day or even the week before. A great way to do this is by creating your own personal time blocking calendar. I’d advise you to make a general list for your week as well, and can be revised along the way. We all know little things pop up. Write a list of tasks that need to be done, and integrate them into your schedule. Even something as simple as writing down what needs to be accomplished that day can alleviate a load of stress by seeing the tasks right in front of you. We often over exaggerate, how many things we have to do or the time it will take to complete them, but the reality is, when we break it down on paper we can clearly visualise what needs to be completed and the time it will take to complete it. Create a system for how you like to write these lists; handwritten, typed in notes, in trello with its own checklist, recording a voice memo for yourself, in picture form on Pintrest etc. Whatever helps you get job done and keeps you on track, do that!   Prioritise!! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed even after making a list, but when you break down that tasks at hand into what is most important, and what needs to get done first then you can actually get started! From there you can estimate how long something may take, from there once you are done, you can cross it off of your list and move on to the next task.   Time can be on your side if you choose it too, as I said before It really is an illusion, so make your list, prioritize and before you know it you’ll get everything you needed to get done that day, and even have some time to spare to relax. When prioritising tasks, ask yourself these questions:What does my my team or students need most from me right now?What is the one task I can do to move my business forward?Are there any income generating tasks that are a priority?What will cause the most trouble if it doesn’t get done?What is the biggest contribution I can make right now?Which strategic tasks do I need to deal with today to help us work smarter tomorrow?   Minimise distractions The more uninterrupted time you can get in one time block, the better! You will get more tasks completed & more efficiently. What are the activities that tend to disrupt your work the most? From there you can create a solution, and always be one step ahead of the game. It is important to know your weaknesses and what distracts you, to make you stronger, and more focused, so you can be over prepare for when they come knocking on your door. Some obvious tips could be exiting out of your email so you aren’t tempted to open it every time it brings, shut down facebook and put your phone onto airplane mode.   Limit multitasking Many of us multi-task and believe that we are being more effective within our schedule, but evidence suggests that when we do not effectively focus on one thing at a time, we actually to get less done, and take more time completing multiple tasks rather than one whole task. A great tip is to plan your day in sections; just like how you prioritise your daily list and set specific times for each tasks, or meetings. This can help you assess how much you can accomplish that day within your given hours.  A list can feel daunting if it’s just a long list of todo’s with no time frame. Whenever you find yourself multitasking, stop and sit quietly for a minute, then look back to your list,   Learn to say NO It can seem challenging to turn down invitations to certain fun events, parties etc. But there are going to be times when running your business where you have to say no and politely decline. This does not mean you can never have fun, go out with friends, or have date nights for the rest of your life. But once again, when you learn to prioritise, this also means that some events will not correspond with your schedule. Learning to say no can be quite empowering. Taking the time to put you and your dreams first, is not a selfish act, but rather a practice of true integrity. Once you completed what you set out to do, it will be much more rewarding to spend the time away from your business knowing everything is running smoothly, rather than leaving it hanging with important unfinished tasks.   Review what you accomplished at the end of the day Once you have completed your day, right before you write tomorrow’s list, check off all that you accomplished that day. This will boost your confidence and give you a sense of pride knowing all that you accomplished in that day. If you feel like you didn’t get it done? Create a separate list with the ONE main thing you are going to do for tomorrow. Once completed you can move onto the remaining tasks. But NEVER until you finish the ONE THING. This is modelled off a fantastic book called: “The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results is a non-fiction, self-help book written by authors and real estate entrepreneurs” by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan. I would highly recommend you grab a copy! Reviewing how long a task took for the future is also a good idea to take note of. So when you see it again on your list for days to come, you can say “ I can fit that in my schedule between A & B because it takes X amount of time”   Some great apps to help with productivity: Pomodoro: is an app that has a timer and countdown to a short break. Clock app on your phone - set it and don’t stop until the alarm goes. Forest: you set the time you want to work and leave the app open. During the time if you try and click out of it, it will ask you if you want to break focus? Keeps you on track and you can see a little seed growing into a big tree once the time us up. Turn off notifications on your desktop. Remember not to freak out over time, and tasks. Take one thing at a time, make your lists, prioritise, focus on your goals and dreams, and slowly keep climbing that mountain of success, because time is on your side.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @businessofdance. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea 

It’s easy to feel lost amidst the sea of fellow entrepreneurs, business owners and creative individuals. Under the stress of everything your mind may begin to wonder, and you start to question “Am I even good enough?” “ Will anyone take me seriously?” It can seem challenging to feel and know your worth when there are 1000’s of other people in this world going after the same dream: owning a business. You can feel stuck and alone, but I’m here today to tell you that these feelings are completely natural. That being said, in order for your business to thrive and succeed, you need to believe it will by knowing your worth and finding the confidence that inspired you to start your business in the first place! In today’s episode I’ll dive into the mindset, every entrepreneur should have, either in the early days of their career, or as a long time business owner, for a happy life & thriving business.   What are the mindset shifts for successful business owners & entrepreneurs? Keep listening to find out!   We have all heard it before, but the truth is there is only one “you”. Sure, maybe there are 100’s of people, who have the same name as you, same eye & hair colour, who also own a studio, a business, want to be an entrepreneur, but there is only one YOU who will see what you see behind those eyes. You need to understand that each individual is uniquely different in her/his own way, and will interpret, or do things in their own distinct way. Consequently, you will attract people to your business, whether they be new clients or team members, as you are unique! Embrace it. Remember polarising is a good thing. Even if someone is also a dance studio owner, who has a podcast, like myself, they may do things completely different to me, because there is only one me, and my view on the world is completely unique to me. Certain families & team members have been attracted to my studio by the way I represent myself and the studio within the community, as well as how we conduct business. And not only is no one else like you, the very odds of YOU being born into this world is amazing. So why waste your talents, and dreams just because others are doing something similar. Everyone has something unique to offer and bring to the table, and now it’s your turn.   Being present Being in the present moment is oh so important not just when running your business but with life in general. Ensure you take to time to celebrate the small milestones as well, whether that be a new student enrolling, a team member stepping up, a student finally tackling a new skill. Living in the now & enjoying the moment can do wonders for a positive mindset. That being said, something I believe also to be helpful is to look back & reflect, even for just a moment, to see how far you’ve come. Journalling is fantastic way to download all the thoughts you have in relation to new ideas, problems, celebrations…. Everything! It is also a fantastic tool to look back on and see how far you’ve come. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut of constantly thinking and planning for the future that we forget how far we’ve come. In order to be more in the present, we have to see where we’ve come from. Maybe your business isn’t going the way you thought it would, or plans have changed along the way, but in the past you didn’t even have a business, or you were just in the creative process. What I’m getting at is, you will appreciate where you are now a lot more when you recognize that you have made progress, movement in your life, and accomplishments which will give you a sense of pride. I know personally I am always setting new goals for studio enrolment & profit etc. Sometimes if I don’t hit a milestone within a certain time frame, I can feel frustrated or disappointed. During times like these, I like to remember where I started - with 0 students, business experience, team members or a location!   Stop the comparison game Stop comparing yourself! Like I said in point one, there is only one you! It’s easy to just take a peak beside you and see what others are doing, and question yourself, thinking they are doing better than yourself but that is not true. Everyone is on their own journey and goes at difference paces. My best advice is, if you must look at others, be it only for inspiration, not comparison, otherwise just focus on you. Remember, what we see online is often the highlights reel. No one is posting a photo on Facebook of them balling their eyes out with a bottle of wine and empty chocolate packet. Life is like driving, you have to look towards where you want to go, and stay in your lane!   Clear vision Having a clear vision for your business can help you stay focused on the tasks at hand and can leave little to no room for doubt. Once you have a laser focus on your goals, you can start to feel more determined to have a clear understanding of the mini steps it will take to complete the goal. It is easy to doubt and question when your vision is unclear. So write down what it is that you want and the direction where you desire your business to go and you will see your mindset start to shift. So when doubt comes knocking on your door, you can simply say “I don’t have time for that”   Let go Let go of the little things. We all make mistakes, make the wrong move at the wrong time or take a risk that didn’t pan out. Learning to let go and not beat yourself up will save you time worrying and build your confidence to move forward. I posted a great concept on instagram the other day (*cough* follow me at claireosheacoaching) that was about the 5 x 5 rule. If it’s not going to matter in 5 years, don’t spend more than 5 minutes upset about it. Even the most successful people mess up, consider it a part of the journey rather than the end of the road. When you know that things happen sometimes beyond your control, being able to move on and learn from your mistakes will give you a sense of perspective, and acceptance, not only with your work, but in yourself.   Understand that your worth isn’t determined by your success. It’s great when your business is thriving and doing well. You feel great and everyone else sees it. But when things aren’t going your way you can begin to doubt again. But the truth is your business doesn't determine your value, YOU do! It is up to you to feel how you want to feel, and know your worth & value, that’s when the tables really start to turn. Once you know you are worth it, and believe you deserve the success in your business you desire, then things start working out in your favour. It’s a mindset game, confidence. It starts with you. You cannot allow others or your business to define you, you define you. If you choose to be that successful entrepreneur, and feel you are, then you will be.   Mindset tips & tricks Visualisation is great tool to get clear on your goals & dreams. Create a vision board on pinterest, or go old school and print and cut it all out. Taking 5 minutes every day to visualise your dream studio, dream house, dream holiday can really help distill your many business goals. Journalling: great way to reflect, work through any problems and get it out there! Sometimes we don’t feel comfortable talking or complaining about a certain studio problem - writing it all down can be very cathartic. Create a list of positive personal affirmations that you repeat to yourself each day. These can be focussed on any mental blocks you have about success, money, growth etc. Incase you haven’t heard of affirmations they are positive, brain training statements that help to shift your focus from the negative - where a lot of us spend our time - to the positive. It’s basically technique training for your mind.       Download my FREE how to guide: Rock Your BOD: Which includes my personal positive morning mantras; a list of my favourite affirmations to transform your mindset! Get the FREE download at businessofdance.net/ep8   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @claireosheacoaching. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted by: Claire O’Shea.

Welcome to the 21st century, where floating cars, live in robots, and time machines may not exist, but technology does plays a big role in our lives, and the success of businesses worldwide. I touched on this in our blog series, and I want to stress again, when it comes the traffic you receive within your online social channels, it can determine the traffic of your in studio success. In this episode I will discuss how to use technology to your advantage when promoting, advertising, and setting up your studio, to create your dream business & dance community in your area.   So how can you use technology to your advantage for your business? Set up a good base on social channels : Instagram, facebook, twitter, snapchat etc. Including consistent pictures & info  for those trying to find your studio. Posting regularly: (co:schedule) - same content across the channels is ok All of the ‘live’ features are working extremely effectively, try and incorporate in your posting schedule Be open to having multiple platforms to distribute your information ie. Starting a podcast, Fb live streams, youtube channel as well as having a blog on your website -reference ep.003-5 with blogging series and repurposing the information to increase SEO. Essentially be everywhere and consistent! If you can’t keep up - select your 2 main platforms and do those REALLY well Having Youtube channel is great option to showcase the talent in your studio, routines that have been worked on, students landing their first aerial etc. We all know there are so many copyright issues on FB - youtube is generally better for this and you can share the link across multiple channels You never know who will see these videos, or if it would go viral. This is a great way to show the world your studio, and get others interested in signing up.   Consistency with your online Branding. Having reoccurring colours & style that will help others find your studio with the online sources mentioned above. Helps others identify your distinct business/studio. (ex. DES:  turquoise, pink, black & white, circular logo, lightning bolt) etc. You can set up templates on softwares such as Canva and easily load photos once a week to ensure brand consistency. Alternatively - create a brand guideline and system to get a VA or your Admin Assistant to take over the job   Moving your studio towards becoming mostly if not all paper free. Emailing the information parents need when signing up or studio updates. If you can, use as little paper as possible. This will result in less important papers/forms getting lost, or chewed by the dog etc. Not to mention it’s much more environmentally friendly and economical.   Use student’s tech-savvy upbringing to your advantage. Now although phones may not be permitted in the dance class, having students occasionally film, take pictures, snap, Insta- story etc. a routine they have been working on, or dance move and share to social media, could be another way to help grow your business. Using studio hashtags, location markers or geo tagging is a great way to get the kids excited and share with their friends. For concerts and special occasions, you can create a custom snapchat filter for your students to use, parents & team to use. Link on details added to shownotes. You can get someone to create for a small fee or create yourself for free. https://www.snapchat.com/l/en-gb/on-demand/ Get them involved and use their skills to attract others, their friends to be future or potential clients/students. Be sure to review your social media policies if starting to encourage sharing in the classroom and of each other. You can ask students to only share footage of themselves etc.   Outsource tasks! The beauty of the internet is you can get practically whatever you desire online...which may sound strange but if you use it to your advantage to grow your business you could see a huge difference with student signups & profitability. Don’t know how to do something? Pay someone to do it for you. Hire a VA, Fiverr/Upwork etc. (refer to ep 002.) Get someone else to write that blog post, design your logo, set up your website, create your brand guideline etc. Don’t be afraid to get assistance, help or someone else to provide a service when you have SO many other things to worry about, aka running your own studio! Build a team and don’t feel guilty that you got others to help or that you didn’t do it yourself because everyone plays a role in your team, and your role is being the boss. Know your lane, and stay in it.   Learn yourself, then educate others This may contradict the previous point but bare with me: Learn how to do new things or build another skill useful for your studio or something you can teach, staff, students or assistance to do in the future. The internet is your oyster, use it to your advantage and teach yourself something new! Build a new skill, learn how to use a new social channel helpful to your business. As great & useful as it is to have others do tasks for you, it’s also great to know how to do them yourself either in a case of an emergency or just something to put into your knowledge bank. Learning is never over with your studio and in life This also helps you to stay up to date with new technology, programs, apps and studio advancements, and keeps you in the loop.   At the end of the day, technology is not to be feared, but embraced. Learning a new skill or platform can be daunting - but remember this is something we ask our students to do every day of the week. Be patient, allow yourself time to learn and get the hang of it and if it still frustrating - grab a glass of wine! And if you’re stuck…. Google it!   Be sure to check out next week’s episode where I discuss knowing your worth and building confidence as a business owner.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @businessofdance. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted by: Claire O’Shea.

Concert/recital season can seem intimidating, overwhelming, and downright hectic from an outside perspective, but in the midst of the storm where costumes are being ordered, dances being choreographed, and venues being booked, you need to find a way to keep your cool. I’m here today to discuss how to streamline your stress free recital/concert. With so many things to worry about and accomplish, why not take the time to plan in a way that executes each task without you wanting to rip your hair out. So sit back, relax, and let me guide you with my tips for a successful & stress free concert.   What do you need to accomplish in order to streamline your stress free concert?   Preparation Make notes for every task and over plan. Prepare for the worst, but expect the best.   Create a ‘Complete Concert Checklist’ In it can be your entire show planned from beginning to end. Use management boards on Trello or Asana. It can be hard outlining every task that you think/try to remember from the year before, so you can create as you go. You can then reuse the board by making changes and refining afterwards in prep for the following year: How can we make it better? Smoother? More exciting? With the help from your office manager & VA, to complete tasks each year, you can deliver information and organise earlier than the year before. Similar board for costumes as well.   Theme What is the theme/title of your show? Have fun in the creation process, involve students, staff etc.   Have parents up to date will all the information With this they can know what to expect in preparation for the concert, and on the day of. This will help reduce all of the questions that you know you have already answered before.   Creating a concert handbook & ‘GO TO GUIDE’ email series This is for parents, teachers, and students to be on the same page when diving into concert season. Including everything they need to know about the Dress Rehearsal, Photo Shoot & Recital info etc. We have a ‘go to guide’ that includes everything imaginable. Photos & links to video tutorials for hair & make-up, A costume index which outlines what is to be worn on each part of their body, rehearsal when to arrive, ticket information, cost of photos & DVD, what snacks to bring, how to clean (or not clean) costumes. Tip: put an index in the beginning. This year we put out an intro guide also.   Have backup music & technology Have Backups for the music on a USB or an extra laptop in case there are technical difficulties. Depending how you technically run your show, creating a run sheet for the tech guys is fantastic. Create a lighting document which indicates the number of students, costume colours & ‘feel’ of the dance so the lighting technician can create something spectacular.   Having good communication with your staff, students & parents Use email, facebook posts → page & group - to keep everyone excited and calm about the entire process.   A 911/emergency table Provide extra bobby pins, safety pins, hair spray etc. just in case. Bring any extra hair pieces, spare tights or random shoes at the studio. You never know!   Assigning a Marshall Someone that walks around and checks everyone is ok.   Logistics chart Assigning who is in charge of what task and who needs to report where. All students signed in & out. All team members identifiable. Have a clear outline of the day, who is needed where so rehearsals can run smoothly.   #1 Tip would be the concert board. It will change your life!   Be sure to check next week’s episode, where I discuss how to bring your studio into the 21st century by using technology to your advantage!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @businessofdance. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   Hosted by: Claire O’Shea.  

 I know you spend so much time creating, organising and releasing your blog posts for your website. So why not get the most out of them and use them in as many ways as possible! Not everyone may have time or will see your posts when first released, so distributing them in multiple ways on multiple platforms can be beneficial for everyone! Today I’m going to let you in on the 4 ways you can repurpose your blog posts, giving current and future families to see the amazing content you are creating!   So what are the 4 ways to repurpose your blog posts?   Converting a blog post into a PDF Share as a download for website, through FB page or email.   Email Sequence Blog Post Put into the body of the email or in attachment.   Converting Post to video or auto format Creating a Podcast for current families for prospective new clients. Videos to be shared on your social channels.   Scheduling posts to social media Getting the most out of your amazing blog posts. Helpful for current or potential families who want to see what you are creating.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @businessofdance. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   On the go, or don’t have time to listen? Download my FREE how to guide: Rock Your BOD: Outlining the 4 ways to repurpose your blog posts in detail, including useful tips! Get the FREE download at businessofdance.net/ep5   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

After listening to the first episode of the ‘Benefits of Blogging Series’ last week, you may have thought to yourself “How am I supposed to write consistent blog posts on my website while running my studio?” Sounds crazy and impossible, but today I’m going to tell you my 10 secrets to generate consistent posts without you even having to write them! Everyone gets busy, and finding time to sit down and write a blog post seems terrifying on top of your everyday todo list. I’ll let you in on the ways I have stayed consistent with blog posts on my website, which will alleviate stress for you, create a greater connection with your students, and staff, while you focus on the bigger task at hand, running your studio!   What are 10 ideas for blog post without writing them yourself?   Ask your team members to write a short article on a topic they are passionate about or have further education/ knowledge on. Student Spotlight series. Select students from wide variety of classes to answer questionnaire, or apply for submission. Student teachers to be put on a schedule for when to post. Creating a mini “how to guides” for students. Seek permission to republish valuable/informative articles with full credits. Outsource and hire others to write them. Asking people in the community who may also want to grow their following. Transcription services via online or computer based. Repurpose video content by either transcription or reposting the video. Getting studio parents involved. Answering common questions or sharing experience.   ***I challenge you to do one of these in the next 24 hours! Take action once posted and reach out to me so I can check it out podcast@buisnessofdance.net I look forward to seeing what post you chose! *** Be sure to check out next week’s episode which will be the 3rd and final of the ‘Benefits of blogging series’ where I discuss 4 ways to repurpose your blog posts! For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @businessofdance. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   On the go, or don’t have time to listen? Download my FREE how to guide: Rock Your BOD: Outlining the Top 10 ways you can create consistent blog posts without you having to write them, outlining each point in detail, and list of blog ideas for your first 12 blog posts! Get the FREE download at businessofdance.net/ep4    Hosted By: Claire O'Shea  

Running & Owning your own studio will have you taking on several tasks at once. We have all been there at some point; emails to answer, updating your website, communicating with your staff, creating new ideas, projects, phone calls to make, and keeping your social media up to date, so on and for forth! Just thinking about it can drive you nearly mad! I can totally relate. In today’s episode I present to you a solution for those needing some extra help, which can give you that peace of mind, knowing certain tasks are taken care of, allowing you to focus your energy on your studio running smoothly and being present with your staff, students and parents. Enter: Virtual Assistance. I dive into detail how one can find, hire and work with a VA that fits best within your business, and one you can trust!   So how do you get a Virtual Assistant to help you? Finding a Virtual Assistant: Outsourcing to sites such as: Upwork, Fiverr, specific VA only websites. Ask a colleague for friend for recommendation. Past student or teacher looking for more work from home/away?   Hiring a Virtual Assistant: Outline the areas you need help with. Training Video/phone interview + with written task. Hiring more than one for trial period. Tracking time. Wages   Working with a Virtual Assistant: Communicate - Slack, Messenger, Email, Zoom ect. Add jobs or tasks and track progress -Trello/ Asana/Google Docs. Clearly outline expected timeframe + Completed task example.   How can a Virtual Assistant help you in the long run?   When taking on any new staff members, whether that be in person or online, each team member has a set of given tasks to help the business continue to run smoothly. Hiring a Virtual Assistant can give you a sense of growth, and accomplishment as a business owner. With this in mind, knowing that certain tasks, even one as simple as replying to an email is off your plate, you can be present with your staff, students and parents within your studio - as well as focussing on important tasks such as growing your studio which sometimes get pushed aside. With this technology driven world, we can work with the resources given to us, so that when it comes to being there in person, your studio family can feel closer together, connecting & converting your business into a community.   Be sure to check next week’s Episode, where I will be starting the ‘Benefits of Blogging Series’ Discussing the benefits of adding a Blog to your website.   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @businessofdance. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   On the go, or don’t have time to listen? Download my FREE how to guide: Rock Your BOD: Outlining the how to find, hire and work with a Virtual Assistant in detail, including exclusive tips & tricks, as well as bonus tips from my own personal VA! Get the FREE download at businessofdace.net/ep2   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea

Feeling overwhelmed with starting your automated email sequences for your studio? I completely understand! Fear not my friend, as I've got you covered! In this episode of the Business of Dance Podcast, I aim to bring this confusion to an end, and outline the top 5 email sequences needed for your studio to run smoothly, while keep the communication clear with parents, students, and your staff!   So what are these 5 email sequences?      Welcome Email Series Answering the commonly asked questions when first signing up. Outlines the values, mission & vision of the studio. Introducing your team Outlining all the benefits & bonuses of attending your studio!   Connect with past/interested students/parents Promotion of your studios Blogs, Events, Special Offers etc. You want to Schedule these and invite, invite, invite!   Teachers Focus: Email (Thanks to our friends at Dance Domain) These will be scheduled email blasts (per term or year). Touch points with the team for check in, keeping everyone on track, technique focusses etc.   Concert information and preparation. Giving the parents and students a concert handbook in ‘easy to digest’ pieces rather than one large book. Outlining details and answering all the common & frequently asked questions.   Preparing for trial lesson. Have automated forms set up where they can select a trail & book in automatically Once submitted they can get an automated email confirmation + we also get a copy. Welcomes them with a video, and once enrolled we then move to the “Welcome Series”. How can these email sequences help your business?   There is a lot of hype and confusion when it comes to email sequences, but in this episode we take the time to break down the purpose of each one. At the end of the day these emails are there to save you time. Getting critical information out there to parents, students and your staff, keeping everyone on the same page. Although it may seem tricky at first to set up, and keeping in mind automated emails may not solve every single problem, in the long run, these sequences will give your business a sense of professionalism, while remaining personal to each email recipient.   Be sure to check out next week's episode where we discuss how to find, hire and work with a virtual assistant!   For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @businessofdance. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   On the go, or don’t have time to listen? Download my FREE how to guide: Rock Your BOD: Outlining the Top 5 Automated Emails discussed in detail, including email examples, and exclusive tips & tricks! Get the FREE download at businessofdance.net/ep1 Hosted By: Claire O'Shea  

Have you told yourself you don’t have time for blog posts, but you desire more students, and a greater presence in the community for your studio? If there’s one thing I have learnt, is that there is no point of having a gorgeous website if you are not posting or making updates on it! Today I speak about the 5 ways blog posts are an inexpensive way to drive traffic to your website, enhance your SEO, plus attract more of your dream clients. This altering of your perspective when it comes to blog posts on your website, will be a huge game changer, or a deal breaker with the online presence of your business, which may determine your in-studio success.   What are the 5 reasons why regular blog posts can help your business? SEO: Search Engine Optimization Google: showing up on the first page when searched Using purposeful keywords will increase your ranking.    Communicating your values & mission + goals. Attracting more clients you’ll love & turn off those you won’t. Showing the culture of the studio.       Establish yourself as an industry leader, in your niche in your community. Prospects will be reading your content and gain value. Attracting teacher who align with your vision.    Opportunities for sharing and networking. Free marketing Validates you as a credible business.    Developing & strengthen relationships with current + past families. Allows you to show your personal side. Creates more connection with your brand.   Already worrying about how or what posts to make with your busy schedule?   Fear not friends! In next week's episode of the Benefits of Blogging Series (episode 004) I discuss 10 ways to create consistent blog content without you even having to write a thing! Yes, that’s right. There are so many ways to get content written these days it’s insane! Stay tuned for next week’s episode and prepare to have your mind blown! For more Business Of Dance please, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @businessofdance. If you have any questions, topic suggestions or wish to be a guest on the podcast please contact us at podcast@businessofdance.net.   On the go, or don’t have time to listen? Download my FREE how to guide: Rock Your BOD: Outlining the Top 5 importances of creating blog posts for your website in detail, including useful tips! Get the FREE download at businessofdance.net/ep3   Hosted By: Claire O'Shea