Podcasts about fitdegree

What We Cover In This Episode: How to apply the three core principles for a successful staff meeting [4:39] Why breaking down your meeting agenda effectively using a standing template leads to consistency [11:53] The way that rotating who leads the "wins and shout-outs" section will boost team engagement [14:45] Why using shared notes or Slack threads makes for seamless communication and easy recall of meeting outcomes [15:17] Tips for ensuring all discussion topics are clearly defined and communicated before the meeting starts [16:03]  What to consider about using anonymous forms for hard feedback [17:02] How ending your meeting by asking staff for a quick score helps gauge effectiveness and gather immediate feedback [17:36] Quotes:  “I think a really successful meeting is when everyone going into the meeting knows what is going to be talked about…the meeting is actually making sure we are all on the same page.” [Nick, 5:11] “It's not a monologue. You might introduce the topics, [but] think of yourself as more of the MC of the meeting and not necessarily the sole speaker during the meeting. This isn't just announcements, they can read announcements in an email.” [Nick, 5:57] “You definitely want to preset the agenda; this isn't something you just walk in and figure out. You want to have it set in advance, you want to inform anyone who will be speaking or needing to prepare things to be prepared, and then you can execute.” [Megan, 7:30]   LINKS:  Bloom Growth Slack   Episode 293: The Power of Feedback: Listening Without Losing Yourself Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode: What “taking a break” means and does not mean and why this is important to understand as a studio owner [4:21] Proactive things you can do during a pause or break to keep the momentum going for your business [6:41] Steps to take in the studio to get your clients excited upon your return [8:08] How taking a break could result in being a big win for you [10:26] A few of the main drawbacks in taking a seasonal break to keep in mind [15:38] Quotes:  “Having a short staff retreat, it could be somewhere local, it could be a day thing, it could be an overnight thing that is just a drive away, or you could take the time to do one-on-one check-ins. Just get aligned with your instructors and get their pulse on the studio.” [Nick, 11:29] “This time off is either a true rest because you are burnt out, or you are actually saying that you need to tackle a big item that you need all your focus on and you're not going to let yourself get distracted with small day-to-day things.” [Nick, 18:16] “Taking a seasonal break is not lazy, it is considered leadership. Done right, this pause can create space to repair, reflect and reignite your passion for the studio.” [19:48] LINKS:  Episode 293: The Power of Feedback: Listening Without Losing Yourself Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode: How to approach integrating feedback into your core process and why it's such a good idea to do this [5:53] Strategies for choosing the optimal feedback format [7:52] Why not all feedback is created equal and the importance of segmenting your audience to understand their unique perspectives [8:46] Ways you can leverage tools to streamline feedback collection [16:26] Why feedback needs a clear evaluation systems and strategies that will help  you implement a structured approach to evaluation [17:48] Final thoughts on creating quarterly review sessions for your team to identify trends and next action steps [20:30] Quotes:   “We want to do this with purpose and intentionality. We just don't want to have a suggestion box, get a bunch of feedback and then not review it. If you're going to ask it, you've got to listen for it.” [Nick, 3:14]  “I'm not going to you this is going to happen today, tomorrow, next week, next month next year, but I have documented it and upon our next update we always circle back, review our feedback and then press forward.” [Megan, 11:04]  “When people are not happen and you kind of just say we're not going to do that, they're going to start to get bitter and resentful. When people bring up a problem, they don't want to just be brushed off, they want some type of solution.” [21:44] LINKS:  LenzVU LoopSpark  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode:  How to prepare your business for a virtual assistant before you post for help [4:23] Things to keep in mind when hiring the right VA for your fitness studio [7:51] Where and how to source a VA, including the top platforms available right now [10:06] Why it's important to create quick wins for a confidence and trust boost with your new team member [11:15] The essential tools for VA communication and task management [13:57] What the key metrics are for measuring virtual assistant success [15:03] Quotes:   “There's nothing worse than when you try to delegate something and you get to the point where you go, ‘I might as well just do this myself', because sometimes you're wrong, but sometimes you're right. If you're right it's back on your plate, but if you're wrong, you have to hope that the next hire works or it's your fault that it's not working out.” [Nick, 15:24] “The whole reason we're talking about hiring a VA or delegating work is that you are getting [to do] higher value work. So you're able to focus on growth, leadership, member experience, and focus on the things that improve the quality of the studio.” [Nick, 16:25]  “A VA is for things that you wish software could do but AI isn't there yet. It's like you could explain exactly what to do and that person could do it.” [Nick, 18:35] LINKS:  Episode 291: Do, Delegate, Delete: The Studio Owner's Guide to Choosing VA, Team, or Tech Notion   Slack WhatsApp Whale ClickUp Trello Asana  Upwork Fiverr Loom Calendly Fitness Business Owners Network (on Facebook)  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree    

What We Cover In This Episode: Why energy, not just time, is your most valuable resource as a business owner [2:43] How to determine what tasks you should be doing yourself [6:28] When to delegate in-house versus to a virtual assistant [10:21]  What to consider about deleting and/or automating tasks [17:05] Tips for leveraging AI and automation [17:29] Why implementing a weekly time audit to identify and label tasks is so powerful [19:16]  Quotes:  “If you are doing something over and over again with the exact same logic, there is no nuance to it, you should not delegate to that person, you should automate it.” [Nick, 18:59] “Every time you do a task, you're going to ask yourself, does this need me? Can I trade someone to do this? Can tech do it faster? This is the ironic part, with less error.” [Nick, 19:24] “Let the team support your studio heartbeat, let your VA handle the systems you create and let technology handle whatever needed your hands in the first place.” [Nick, 22:52] LINKS:  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode: How the three main pillars of retention make up the foundational strategy for boosting client retention [6:04] The way to use tactical behavior tracking to identify at-risk clients [6:26]  Why starting a consistency club to recognize and reward members for maintaining regular attendance streaks is such an effective strategy [11:03] The importance of intentionally connecting new members with both staff and established regulars and what happens when you do this [15:50]   LINKS:  LenzVu LoopSpark  Episodes 97, 135, 153, 155, 157 & 159 with Niki Riga  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode: Pre-event planning strategies to pay attention to when creating a successful outdoor event [4:56] The necessity of clear communication with attendees regarding location, parking, weather expectations, and what to bring [6:55]  An important reminder to confirm location permits or partnership agreements before hosting outdoor fitness events in public spaces or other venues [12:09] More client communication tips that will set your event up for success [13:49] The basics of a contingency plan to have in place and other considerations to keep in mind in terms of logistics on the big day [15:10] Quotes:  “I think this is a huge blunder when people don't do this. You're going somewhere new, and that means for existing clients that are coming, it's also new to them. So, where are you going to be? Draw a map, maybe get some drone footage coverage if you can do that, make Instagram posts about it and tell them where they can park.” [7:46]  “Always treat your outdoor events like a business, not a block party. Your reputation and liability are on the line....you want to create a community gathering as best you can, you want it to feel like a party, but it is a business first.” [8:19] “Send a day before text and email with location, parking tips, weather expectations and what to bring. I think that leading up to this they should know where they're going to park, they should know where it's going to be, but weather expectations is something that you can do earlier in the week to get people prepared.” [13:54]    LINKS:  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode: Details on the FTC negative option rule coming into effect May 14th and why compliance is key when it comes to protecting your boutique fitness business [3:51] The clear and easy to use option to keep your business compliant as well enhancing the client experience [5:38] How FitDegree provides control over in-app cancellation options [8:05] The new reporting feature in FitDegree that allows studios to track membership cancellations, along with optional push notifications for real-time alerts and more [11:07] Quotes:  “This is going to be about transparency, it is about consumer protection, tha's why it is being enforced, and it's about making sure people don't feel trapped in a membership they can't get out of.” [Nick, 4:03] “It is not a ‘nice to have', it is a federal law. You need to stay compliant and it's one of those things that if you do a little bit of work upfront you are going to avoid legal headaches down the road. It's also going to build trust with your clients.” [Nick, 4:46] “We saw some softwares come out with this feature before us and they simply just threw a cancel button on there. We took our time… with our development team.” [Nick, 8:19] LINKS:  Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode:  The key financial readiness benchmarks you should be considering before transitioning to full-time [4:55] What operational systems are key for a fitness studio transitioning from part-time to full-time [9:01] Why it is so important to test if your fitness studio can function without you [11:53] What analyzing the last three months of business will tell you about the position you are in to go all-in with your business [16:11] Free tools and resources you can use, including how the "Profit First Method" and how it can help you manage your business finances like a salary [17:19] Specific questions to ask yourself weekly as you assess if now is the right time for you to make the leap to full-time in business [22:07] Quotes:  “Make sure all the systems are in place, so when you do the full-time jump you are trying to scale the business and not trying to figure out the business.” [Nick, 9:40] “It is twofold why you should be implementing software early on, because it is going to help with the scheduling, it is going to help with the billing, it is going to help with some communication and to use when onboarding new clients.” [Nick, 10:42] “Going full-time doesn't have to be reckless, it just has to be intentional. Use the data, build a plan, step into the role of the business that is waiting for you, that you want to be in.” [25:57]   LINKS:  I Will Teach You to Be Rich: No Guilt. No Excuses. Just a 6-Week Program That Works by Ramit Sethi Smart Passive Income Podcast (Pat Flynn) Clockify  Toggle Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz Profit First Nation Podcast The Wellness Business Podcast The Goal Digger Podcast (Jenna Kutcher) SBA Mentoring Program Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree

What We Cover In This Episode: Effective strategies for creating recurring revenue with summer-only Memberships [3:20] The benefits of summer outdoor fitness classes and how you can leverage  the outdoors in your business [4:50] Some ways you can use seasonal promotions and loyalty rewards to maintain summer engagement [9:13] The importance of freeze options over cancellations for summer absences [10:46] Why you should be considering upgrading classes, adding classes and/or instructors during this time [14:45] How to implement referral programs for family and friends who are also on vacation to maintain traffic in your studio, along with other summer-specific programs and events you can tap into [16:09]   Quotes:  “Incentivizing people to be there when it's easier to not be there is always going to be a good idea, and it's going to be even more true during the summer when it's warm weather, longer sunsets, things like that.” [Nick, 10:33] “When it comes to decreased traffic, it is just about getting crafty with it. You have to get creative, people are leaving for the summer so say ‘hey, instead of cancelling your membership why don't you freeze it.'” [Megan, 11:39] “I think that the biggest thing is that you still want them to maintain this lifestyle to some degree, so that when things slow down with them they are ready and they are eager to get back in the studio and really bring that lifestyle back to the forefront.” [Nick, 12:13] LINKS:  Perkville Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree

What We Cover In This Episode: The difference between an LLC and an S-Corp, and how that affects liability, taxation and future growth [4:31] What the purpose of a legal entity is, and how it protects your personal assets from business lawsuits [7:04] How to negotiate commercial leases effectively, plus the strategies you can use to protect your wealth [15:45] What makes membership and staff agreements critical for a new gym business and why not having these in place isn't an option [19:33] The significant financial risks of misclassifying staff and how the true costs this type of mistake can have [25:17] What specific lease clauses gym owners should negotiate, and how to get better protection within those contracts [29:32] What you need to keep in mind as you future plan for the sale of your business [35:08]   Quotes:    “The whole purpose of the legal entity is to protect your personal assets. Think about it as we're basically putting a roof over your head so that the lawsuit comes at you, at the legal entity, and it's going to bounce off you personally, and it's going to stick to the legal entity." [Matt, 6:59]  “The lease is a contract and every contract is negotiable. So the landlord will present you with an initial copy of the lease and recommend that you hire somebody to go through and basically say, we like this language. We don't like this language." [Matt, 15:27]  "So it's not really a question of whether or not you think you should have a membership agreement. You have to. By law." [Matt & Nick, 22:26]  “We want to make sure that we are building an asset, this is an investment, this is an asset that is growing and it is nice and packaged up, because it's a nice little LLC and the more you operate in it the more you can remove yourself from the business it is going to increase its evaluation and then ultimately, we are going to try to sell it.” [Matt, 36:40]   LINKS:  Gym Lawyers Website  Gym Wealth Strategies Website  Their Gym Ventures & New Gym Owner Services Matt's Previous Episode on fitSpot Guru Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode: How to strategically carve out dedicated "CEO time" each week and why this focused time is so crucial [7:49] Why a time audit is essential for business growth [10:18] How to implement 90-day planning cycles for more agile and effective business growth [14:50] What you can do right now to shift your mindset from an instructor to a leader and why this transition is vital for a studio looking to scale [20:21] Tips for effectively delegating tasks to free up your time and how doing this can significantly improve your productivity and team empowerment [21:41] How to use journaling prompts to improve your mindset and leadership and you go on your journey to work on, not just in your business [25:17]  Quotes:  “There's always going be work to do, there's always going to be little things to do, and at some point, those little things stop moving the needle and they start to become distractions.” [Nick, 5:45] “We can't go on vibes, we need data to make informed decisions. After you are in the nitty-gritty, in the thick of it, you have developed an informed decision because you have data, both quantitative and qualitative.” [Nick, 17:47] “You should be hiring someone for things that you are either not good at or hate doing. That person is signing up knowing that this is going to be their job, so they have to be into it just a little bit to know what they are signing up for.” [Nick, 22:48]   LINKS:  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode: A look at our recent key feature updates, including schedule visibility, gift card discounts, and more [1:17] The flexible gift card redemption feature now available that will enhance user experience [6:32] Some use cases that highlight why these new features will be valuable to you [9:58[ What we've done to simplify the refund process for drop-in classes and how this will improve administrative efficiency [12:10] Why it's important to understand where these new features are coming from and next steps to submit your own feedback [19:10]  Quotes:  “Discounts for a gift card only work on the public app for users, not for guests, and the reason that we had to build that is because someone can get into an infinite loop where they are using gift card balances to buy more gift card balance.” [Nick, 5:03] “We've always had the ability of having flexibility around your billing, where you could bill within a matter of weeks, months or years, but with perks, we have only had it on a monthly basis, or a per week basis. So, now we have extended that so that membership perks can now be renewed on a four-week basis, two-week basis, three-week basis, three-month basis, whatever you want to do to get creative.” [Nick, 7:42] “One of our goals in mind was Mother's Day. We really wanted this [feature] before that next holiday, where we do see an uptick in gift cards.” [Megan, 13:15]   LINKS:  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree      

What We Cover In This Episode: Strategies for onboarding new clients and communicating studio policies effectively so that clear expectations are set from Day One [4:24] Why enforcing policies fairly across the board is essential to prevent accusations of favoritism and to maintain member respect [9:56] How enforcing policies contributes to a better experience for both members and the business, rather than just being a “tyrant” [11:03] Tips for maintaining boundaries with members while still being friendly [11:44] What you can do to effectively communicate policy updates to members, using multiple channels [12:29] The importance of training staff to confidently enforce policies and communicate them effectively [14:45] Quotes: “We believe by enforcing all these policies based on our modality, based on our studio, based on our community, that this is going to create the overall better experience when a new member walks in the door.” [Nick, 11:20] “You don't want to be the bad person of your studio as the owner. You want to train your staff up, to not only know all the policies, but how to communicate these policies without conflict.” [Nick, 14:46]  “At the end of the day, enforcing policies does not make you a villain, it makes you a responsible business owner and the most important rule of business is to stay in business.” [Nick,19:58]   LINKS:  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree        

What We Cover In This Episode: Why quality over quantity matters when it comes to social media followers [7:29] The dangers of adding more options you to your studio, both for your business and your clients [12:17] The key reasons that a multi-modality studio should have a multi room studio [16:15] How setting boundaries and creating systems, rather than being available 24/7, leads to better business management and prevents burnout [21:26] How keeping your clients happy before you worry about getting more of them will pay dividends [26:05] Quotes:  “Perfectionism is the cancer for business owners. Done is better than perfect should be the tattoo everyone gets when they become a business owner.” [3:41] “Think about that emotional burden that you're putting on yourself when you are piling up to-do lists. What is actually worth your time and what is not?” [6:30] “Over accessibility its going to lead to burn out and clients are always going to expect more and more and more. You are going to realize that you are not charging enough for how much you are trying to offer right now.” [22:24]   LINKS:  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree      

What We Cover In This Episode:  The true cost of a bad hire and why hiring the wrong person is even worse than being short-staffed [2:18] How delegating tasks can free you to work on your business, not just in it [3:52] Which key roles are essential for your studio's success and how to structure your staffing for maximum impact [6:41] What the real secret is to having happy and loyal employees [8:43] Who you need to hire and how to avoid nightmare hires [15:03] The number one interview question that's going to tell if your potential new hire is a good fit [18:51] A look at the pay structures that will motivate your team to buy into your studio's vision and help you scale in the process [20:03] How to shift your mindset from micromanaging to leading, setting clear expectations, and fostering a thriving team environment [23:22]  Quotes:   “Burnout isn't a badge of honor. When you are trying to do everything, eventually you are going to start sucking at some of the things that you are doing and you realize you're just holding your business back, instead of letting go and empowering people and letting them do the things that you used to do so that you can do things that you're never getting to.” [Nick, 6:05] “The worst thing that you can do is hire in desperation. You don't want to settle for ‘good enough'. Your staff should align with the studios cultures and values. They should be proud to work at the studio. [Nick, 17:39] “The key to growth is hiring smart and training well and leading with confidence. When you build a team that aligns with your vision you create a studio that thrives without you doing everything, and let me tell you, it just feels amazing.” [Nick, 25:44] LINKS:  Episode 246: Onboarding and Maintaining a Proper Team with Katie Santos of Fitness HR The Sales Arms  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree    

What We Cover In This Episode:  Why a strategic approach, not just "vibes," is essential for client experience and retention [0:27] What recent data is showing about customer retention and the importance of first impressions [2:50] The reasons that the first five seconds a client interacts with your studio is so critical, and what can do to ensure it's a positive experience [8:16] The “30-Second Hook Formula” you can use to guide them through the space, engage in conversation, and invite them to the next step [15:08] Tactics for enhancement, including why strategically placed mirrors will help boost confidence and familiarity for your new members [18:19] How to address any awkwardness clients may feel and create a welcoming environment for everyone [23:43] Quotes: “You should be following a formula on how to make people feel comfortable, but when you are a new customer in a business, it is all vibes. You know you get that ick feeling, and once you get that ick feeling, it is really hard to shake it.” [Nick, 1:20] “I cannot stress that enough, [that] you are a VIP expense, a VIP investment to these people, so you have to create a VIP experience. This is not group classes at the YMCA, this is not Group classes at LA Fitness. You are trying to prove that you are worth that top dollar, so you need to create that VIP experience.” [Nick, 6:45] “First impressions are not just important, they are everything….your studio should feel like home within the first 30 seconds of someone walking in the door, [and] I'd argue even less.” [Nick, 25:19]   LINKS:  Customer Experience is Everything (PwC report) Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode:  Why Spring is the perfect time to review and refresh your business operations [0:23] How updating your contracts and waivers will ensure you're legally protected and aligned with industry best practices [8:39] The way that clear policies on late cancellations, no-shows, and general studio etiquette will create a smoother, more professional experience for everyone [11:25] Actionable strategies for streamlining studio operations for peak efficiency [12:48] The importance of simplifying onboarding and member communication and the benefits you'll see as a result of doing this [14:30] A reminder to use this time to check your studio supplies, inventory, and equipment to ensure everything is in top shape [16:08] Tips for assessing your studio software to ensure it is properly supporting your business growth and efficiency [21:14]  Quotes: “Liability waivers and membership contracts are not supposed to be fun, short, easy reads. You know, the more you can pull out the legalese and the more you can humanize the waiver so people can actually read it is wonderful, but it shouldn't be so short and sweet to the point that you're making yourself vulnerable.” [Nick, 5:59]  “Simplify onboarding and member communication. So, are new clients getting all the information they need up front and creating an automated welcome email sequence? I think this is, you know, that drip campaign we talked about earlier, separating out of those, what's an email, what's a text, what's fluff and what's important.” [Nick, 14:33]   “Spring is a perfect time to do a deep clean, not just for your physical space but for your business operations too. Updating contracts and waivers keeps you protected, and streamlining operations boosts efficiency and leveraging tech makes you work smarter and not harder.” [Nick, 23:38] LINKS:  Lisa Fraley  Matthew Becker (Gym Lawyers) Learn More About All of Our Partners Mentioned in this Episode Episode 143: Industry Tea with Connie Holen  Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree

On this episode of The Boutique Fitness Marketing Podcast, we're diving into what's trending in the studio scheduling software space, the decision-making process and how to make a smooth transition when it's time for a change. Today's guest is Nick Hale, CEO and co-founder of fitDEGREE, a scheduling platform designed for class-based fitness businesses.  If you've ever felt overwhelmed by choosing the right studio scheduling software – which I think every studio owner can relate to – this episode is for you.  A little bit about Nick:  As the CEO and co-founder of fitDEGREE, Nick leads a platform that simplifies scheduling and payments for class-based fitness businesses. His day-to-day focus is on making customer interactions seamless and stress-free, ensuring that fitDEGREE is the easiest part of a client's day. In addition to optimizing the customer experience, Nick oversees the company's financial operations, always working to keep the business running smoothly in the background. Here's a quick rundown of what we covered on studio scheduling software: How did Nick end up in the fitness industry, specifically the software side of it? What trends is Nick seeing in scheduling software for fitness studios?  Are there features or innovations that are becoming must-haves? How can studio owners assess whether their current software is still the right fit or if it's time to make a change? When evaluating scheduling software, what key factors should studio owners consider to ensure it aligns with their business goals? Regarding functionality, are there any specific features Nick believes every scheduling software should have for class-based fitness businesses? What common mistakes do studio owners make when selecting scheduling software, and how can they avoid them? What are Nick's top tips for ensuring a smooth and stress-free transition for studio owners switching to a new platform? Since Nick owns scheduling software, what's the status of the FTC's Negative Option Rule? Connect with Nick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_fitdegree Email: nick@fitdegree.com Other resources mentioned in this episode FTC's Click to Cancel FTC's Click to Cancel

What We Cover In This Episode: The importance of establishing systems, setting boundaries, and building support structures to prevent burnout, both personally and professionally [0:54] How to recognize the early warning signs of burnout and what you can do to address them before they escalate [4:26] The critical role of rest and recovery in preventing burnout and how to schedule non-negotiable downtime into your schedule [10:18] The way you can use specific work lists to minimize the micromanaging that so often leads to burnout [12:38] Practical tips for setting work-life boundaries, including managing client communication and creating an emergency plan for your studio [18:47] How leveraging community support and connecting with other studio owners to share solutions is key in breaking free from this dangerous cycle [20:03] A reminder that burnout sneaks up, and how self-awareness can combat it [20:43] LINKS:  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree    

What We Cover In This Episode:  Proactive strategies like waivers and automated reminders to set expectations and prevent misunderstandings [3:27] How to master the art of de-escalation by using neutral language and effective communication techniques during tense client interactions [8:12] How offering solutions and demonstrating goodwill can lead to positive outcomes even in challenging conversations [11:44] What you can do to establish and maintain healthy boundaries with clients in your studio [14:17] Why protecting your mental health is crucial when navigating difficult client situations, and how to do it effectively [15:55] Tips for managing refund requests and membership cancellations smoothly to minimize potential issues and maintain client relationships[16:40] Useful strategies like staff role-playing with staff, using templates, leveraging automation and more to improve client communication and conflict resolution [21:18]   Quotes:  “Essentially the more well outlined your business is in terms of your policies, your waivers, your standard business operating practices, the fewer conflicts you are going to encounter or the more easily you can navigate those conflicts because you have something in place to guide you through them.” [Megan, 3:36] “If you have a conversation with one of your clients on your policies and it is starting to turn into a tougher conversation, remember that we are all humans, nobody is perfect. We've got a lot on our plate and you've got a lot on your plate.” [8:35] “A great way to prepare for navigating difficult client conversations when it comes to enforcing your policies or your boundaries or anything like that is role-playing. You should have regular staff meetings where maybe you implement role-playing scenarios.” [21:40] LINKS:  Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode:  What to understand about payment processing and the key differences between ACH and credit card transactions [4:58] How you can use proactive communication to avoid payment disputes that may arise with members [9:26] Options you have within your studio to avoid overwhelming clients and to simplify membership management [10:39] Ways to use fitDEGREE's automated features to handle failed payments, notify clients and to establish clear messaging and policies to address disputes quickly [12:38] Why it's important to be auditing current membership options to align with your client behavior [24:50] What happens when you clearly communicate the benefits of each membership tier during the signup process with the new member [25:59]   LINKS:  LoopSpark LenzVu Learn More About All of Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree  

What We Cover In This Episode:  Why a thorough analysis of your existing income streams is the foundational step towards maximizing your studio's profitability [4:21] How surveying your clients to understand their needs and preferences can reveal untapped opportunities for new services and offerings [5:23] Effective strategies to leverage your current revenue streams to achieve significant growth within your fitness studio [6:50] The importance of recognizing when a particular revenue stream idea is no longer viable and requires redirection of your efforts [7:52] Innovative ideas to increase your studio's profitability through the sale of high-margin retail products [9:54] The potential that exists for hosting engaging workshops and special events to attract new clients and generate additional income streams [12:46] How to successfully introduce one-on-one training and small group classes as valuable and profitable offerings for your clients [13:45] What you can do to leverage the popularity of your signature class by developing and licensing a program with it [16:24] A range of dynamic strategies you can implement within your studio to enhance client experience, increase engagement, and ultimately drive revenue growth [18:12] How leveraging technology, including fitDEGREE's payment and scheduling features to streamline processes, can bring more cash into your business [19:33]   Quotes: “When you launch a new revenue stream, it's the same thing as a new employee coming in. Have a 90-day review of it. Are things going up, are things going down, is it your fault, is it the market's fault? Is it something you should kibosh before you get too deep in [it].” [Nick, 2:48] “The idea of licensing a program or your model is pretty interesting. These are how franchises get started. If you're more of a community-based studio, then maybe just skip ahead.” [Nick, 16:31] “It always goes back to the pricing idea of really optimizing your class revenue stream. Are you offering different levels and different budgets of commitment?” [18:13]   LINKS:  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree

What We Cover In This Episode: The key benefits of keeping your referral marketing simple and easy to understand [3:31] Options you have as incentives to offer those who are bringing you business through referrals [5:07]
 How you can leveraging the community around you to generate more referrals [8:02]
 What to consider when designing and promoting a clear referral program [12:05] Tips for implementing referral tracking software and the ways that fitDEGREE can help you manage referral rewards easily [14:10] How showcasing success stories can lead to even more referrals for your studio and what you can do to incentivize social sharing by others [15:14] Strategies you can use to recognize and celebrate those who are referring new members [16:38]   Quotes:   “Remember that if your customers are not talking about your business to their friends, then your brand isn't that strong.” [Nick, 1:41] “Make your referral program easy to understand and participate in. You don't want your people thinking about what the referral program is and not getting it right away, and then also trying to explain it to a friend and them not getting it right away.” [Nick, 3:53] “Remember, the studio is always going to be better for everybody if they are bringing in like-minded individuals.” [Nick, 8:14] “Even if [a referral payment] does cost you a few bucks, this is your effort to grow, as you're rewarding the people that are bringing you new business.” [Nick 20:34] LINKS: Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree     

What We Cover In This Episode: How identifying tasks that can be automated or delegated to free up your time is the very first step in achieving work-life balance as a studio owner [4:25] The importance of setting boundaries and clearly communicating them to staff and clients [6:57] What you can do as a studio owner right now to prioritize your self-care [12:00] How you can use available automation tools to begin working smarter, not harder [14:07] The way that delegating effectively and trusting your staff to make decisions will aid in this process [16:30] Why time-blocking is such a powerful strategy to use as a business owner [19:27] What you'll be able to achieve by unplugging regularly and fully stepping away from the studio [23:19] Some things you can do to continue investing in your personal development [24:31] Quotes:   “Trust your staff to manage the day-to-day operations without micromanaging. If you are going to tell your staff how to clean, even if they don't clean exactly like how you would clean, if they get the job 97 percent of the way done, just move on.” [Nick, 16:42] “Establish phone-free zones or hours to disconnect from work, emails, notifications, and plan regular days where you fully step away from the studio.” [Nick, 23:53] “Achieving work-life balance is not about doing it all, it's about doing what matters most. Remember, done is better than perfect. So, by streamlining operations, setting clear boundaries and prioritizing self-care, you can create a business that works for you, not the other way around.” [26:09] LINKS: Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree 

What We Cover In This Episode: How finding the right team really starts by defining your studio needs [4:07] Why focusing on fostering growth for your individual team members will be key when building and maintaining a strong team [11:28] Strategies for navigating termination in a professional way [12:12] The benefits that building a positive work culture will have not only on your team members, but also for your clients [16:48] Ways to revamp your hiring process to ensure you're bringing on the right people for your boutique studio [17:29] Essential tips for developing a solid onboarding process [18:09] How to recognize your team for their efforts and an effective way to implement an “Employee of the Month” reward [18:41] Things to consider when using performance reviews [22:27] Thoughts on hosting team events to build a strong culture in your studio and what to do first if your team is experiencing any friction [24:21]   Quotes:   “Finding the right team starts with defining what your studio needs. Look beyond resumes and hire people who share your passion and values.” [Nick, 4:14] “You can write down a bunch of bullet points of what you're looking for, you can match up those bullet points with a resume, but I think it is really important when you get into that interview process to look for the soft skills. [Ask yourself] is this person really going to fill that position I need?” [Nick, 5:20] “You want to avoid overloading your team with responsibilities, you want to make sure you celebrate these small and big wins, and you want to encourage open communication to get feedback on how things can improve.” [Nick, 16:57] LINKS: Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want from Your Business by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree 

What We Cover In This Episode:  How to pinpoint your studio's biggest achievements and challenges through a year-end review [4:06] The key metrics and trends to analyze in order to gain valuable insights for your studio's future [5:07] The power of a mission-driven approach in building a strong brand and fostering a loyal community [6:22] What you do to gather and implement member feedback to enhance your studio's offerings and services in the new year [9:48] Tips for setting specific goals that are both ambitious and achievable based on your reflections [11:20] How to host a productive team meeting to identify and address challenges, and set the stage for a successful 2025 [12:56] Quotes: “This reflection is going to help you refocus on the values that define your studio and ensure every aspect of the business aligns with your core purpose.” [Nick, 6:38] “Every single time you are making a decision for your studio, whether it is your pricing, your schedule, your hiring, everything you do it should all reconnect to your brand mission, vision and values.” [Megan, 7:55] “Smart goals are meant to be achieved because it feels good to get wins. You just stack those wins on top of each other and they become big wins over time.” [12:17]   LINKS: Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree 

What We Cover In This Episode:  Tips for uncovering and understanding your potential clients “why” [4:59] How identify past challenges that your potential clients have had can be a big help in identifying their expectations [5:53] The way that highlighting your studio's unique benefits can boost your sales success [7:13] Why active listening is crucial for discovering nuggets of information and past experiences [9:53] The key reasons you need to confirm you and your potential clients are on the same page [10:24] How you can incorporate testimonials in this process [10:55] A reminder to make sure your follow up is personalized [12:42]   Quotes:  “I want you to re-frame your sales conversations as if you're a doctor trying to help someone with a diagnosis or you are a consultant trying to help somebody with their problems, and that is going to lead to a more meaningful conversation.” [Nick, 4:11] “It is really important to uncover this person's journey and why they are in there, because you want to make sure it is a good fit for you, and assuming it's a good fit for you, you want to identify how your studio can overcome these past challenges.” [Nick, 6:40] “When you really humanize the situation and show that you were listening to them, they are more likely to give you an answer and I can't iterate enough that yes's are great, but sometimes I would rather have a fast no then having to pull their teeth to get a yes.” [Nick, 13:46] LINKS: Episode 159: Industry Tea with Partner Niki Riga - How to Close Sales Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree 

What We Cover In This Episode:  Recommendations for keeping your service menu simple and finite [4:05] Flexible service menu options you can use when creating your pricing structure [5:18] Why setting low prices to attract volume isn't an effective long-term pricing strategy for your business [12:11] The benefits of including tiered membership options and examples of what this could look like [13:30] A bundling strategy that can enhance the member experience and justify a higher price point [13:50] A way you can reward long-term members for their commitment to your studio and what you will see as a result of using this strategy [19:24]    Quotes:  “I think it really helps when you offer flexible membership options because then a membership is for each client persona, for your casuals, your committed, and your flexible people.” [Nick, 7:14 “If you offer them that specialized attention, it is part of their membership and they might as well take advantage of it, they're only going to get more hooked into the modality, they are going to be a bigger advocate for the studio. They are going to have more fun during class and I really see it as a retention tool.” [15:29] “Rewarding long-term members with special pricing like a loyalty discount or exclusive offers recognizes their commitment and turns them into advocates for your studio.” [19:29]   LINKS: Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree   

What We Cover In This Episode: How to streamline your member interactions with efficient automation techniques [3:08] Why personalized communication for significant milestones can significantly impact client retention and satisfaction [3:50] Effective strategies to implement automated subscription payment reminders [4:41] What to understand about the delicate balance between automated and personalized communication, considering factors like sensitivity and urgency [6:26] Time-saving templates that allow for quick and effective personalization of your member communications [18:30] How to implement a system for regular check-ins to foster stronger member relationships [20:01] Ways you can use AI tools like ChatGPT to assist in creating personalized member outreach messages [20:57] Quotes:   “[With] big renewals, I think it is worth reaching out and finding out if they're happy, because you're just going to deal with a mess if they are not happy and you have to reverse those charges.” [6:17] “If you can diagnose that it's a pivotal point in a person's client journey, whether they are first coming to the studio, it's time for renewal…any time that it is a pivotal point to that client continuing or not, I feel that is a good time to reach out personally.” [10:35]   “By automating routine tasks and reserving personal messages for key milestones, sensitive topics and unique members' journeys, you can streamline operations while also building a meaningful community connection.” [23:33] LINKS: Due App Trustpilot Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree       

What We Cover In This Episode: Why showcasing member success stories can significantly boost engagement within your boutique fitness studio community [3:06] Effective strategies for choosing members to feature in your spotlights [3:39] Various achievements that can be celebrated in your member spotlights [4:56] How to utilize different formats to showcase these stories [5:41] Tips for motivating members to share their own spotlight stories and why this can be a powerful engagement tool [6:24] Practical advice on creating a plan to approach members and gather their stories [7:48] The optimal frequency for publishing member spotlights to maintain interest and engagement [12:06] How to design effective questionnaires to capture member stories and how to engage with spotlight subjects within your studio [16:02] Quotes: “When you share a member spotlight, it should rally the people. Everyone should be excited for that member and that member should be proud of their story….it should really rally the troops behind it. ” [Nick, 3:25] “Beginner gains are inspiring because it gets someone off the couch to a starting point. Also, an advanced member should get a shoutout too. They get these incremental progressions throughout the later years when you reach an advanced stage, and it's still a big deal for them to achieve something.” [Nick, 4:20] “It can be self-kudos, or it can be about your instructors that work for you as well; they do a lot of stuff for you, your internal community and your external community.” [Megan, 14:59]   LINKS: Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree     

What We Cover In This Episode: A look at how Merchynt automated Google My Business [2:28] Some of the most effective marketing tools that are available to you right now [4:25] What to be aware of with sponsored Google listings [8:05] The specific components that make up a Google Business Profile [8:45] What “automating your Google Business Profile” means [12:40] Meet Paige and learn how this powerful tool can combine automation platforms capabilities [17:12] Best practices for local business website SEO [22:14]   Quotes:    “Website SEO is pretty irrelevant now for a local business, so that leaves the Google Business Profile, which is where 85 percent of people are going to click on that local search.” [Justin, 6:01] “There is no better way to get a highly motivated buyer in your door than showing up on the top three of Google maps.” [6:33] “Being Google-friendly is the most important [thing for SEO]. Landing pages are just as good as a 12-page website, and we have seen profiles rank on Google maps that don't even have a website. [25:50]   LINKS: Merchynt's Website, Blog & Meet Paige!  Stand Out on Google with a Free Profile Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree   

What We Cover In This Episode: How to choose a challenge theme that aligns with your members' goals and sparks interest [2:53] The power of fostering community and accountability to motivate participants and increase success rates [3:56] Some of the ways in which offering meaningful rewards can boost engagement and amplify the impact of your challenges [5:00] How to build anticipation and excitement for your next challenge through strategic promotion [8:10] Tips for creating a simple yet effective tracking system to help participants stay on track [9:11] The importance of recognizing and celebrating both small wins and significant achievements [10:09]   Quotes:  “It is easy to get excited for the challenge to get started. It is easy for the challenge to be exciting for a week or two, but if you make it a month, you better make sure you're pounding through the finish line so it's not to be forgotten or like it's an obligation towards the end.” [Nick, 4:46] “First of all, it's [about the] promotion, because you want to get people excited for it. You want to get people excited to join it, excited to be a part of it and excited to win the prize. Promote your challenge early and often using social media, newsletters, fitDEGREE announcements and never discount in studio signage.” [Nick, 8:11] “Competition is a good thing. You know, it is one of those words where it can get to be a nasty thing but if you have the right culture and you have the right community it just keeps people accountable.” [Nick, 9:46]   LINKS: Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree   

What We Cover In This Episode: Common hurdles faced by gym owners when first examining a lease agreement [2:51] A breakdown of the most crucial sections within a lease contract[6:06] Understanding ADA compliance and its specific implications for boutique fitness businesses [9:50] The potential financial consequences of not involving legal professionals from the outset of the lease process [13:27] Strategies for mitigating noise issues and safeguarding your business when signing a lease [16:56] Key factors to consider when assessing parking needs for your gym [22:36] Identifying and addressing potential permit or code violations outlined in a lease agreement [25:07] Tips for navigating early lease termination if necessary [28:27] Understanding personal guarantees and their implications for business owners [31:33] How the FTC's new rule will affect gym owners and their membership agreements [34:08] Quotes:  “Almost everybody who calls now and says they have a problem with their lease, it is evident they didn't have anybody helping them.” [Matt, 5:42] “It's too late once there is a problem. We have to try to prevent problems from ever popping up and prepare ourselves so that we have a fighting chance if there is a problem.” [Matt, 16:21] “You are a unique snowflake in the sense of being a gym owner because it is different requirements than any other common business that is going to go in this space.” [19:29]   LINKS: Matt's Website & Email  Contact by Phone: 1-412-443-1396 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) FTC Passes ‘Click-to-Cancel' Rule for Gyms; HFA Points to Key Concessions Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree   

What We Cover In This Episode: What to understand about the “Winning Zone” and focusing on where you are better than your larger competitors [3:02] How you can leverage your unique value proposition to compete with larger brands [4:09] A reminder how your community is your superpower [6:14] Tips for using technology for convenience - and to your advantage [8:47] The ways in which collaborating locally with similar businesses can help you succeed BIG [11:26] What happens when you put an emphasis on each client interaction you have within your business [12:14] How caring about your clients' goals will allow you to retain members and enhance the overall experience for everyone [12:36] How to approach creating “chaos” with guerilla marketing in order to drive publicity for your business [13:26] Quotes:  “What are your winning zones? Stick to those winning zones. For fitDEGREE, we're a small business that helps small businesses. If you don't want to work with a small business, we're probably not a good fit for you. You're just acting like a consultant [who shows] this is why they would like around here.” [Nick, 3:49]  “Basically think about where your clients are going to be in other spots, and maybe when you're a member there you'll get 10 percent off or maybe you'll be able to put up some QR codes in those businesses so you get some free marketing out of them, and just figure out how to help each other.” [Nick, 11:41]  “This is the sweat equity where you don't have the marketing budget to constantly be hitting their faces. You don't have the brand recognition of the national enterprise, so you are going to have to put in the sweat equity to get to know each and every one of your members.” [13:01]   LINKS: Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree   

What We Cover In This Episode: Effective keyword strategies for identifying what potential clients are searching for in their first fitness class[2:01] How SEO's “sweat equity” can help you drive traffic without paying for costly leads [4:15] The best free resources for tracking trending search terms and optimizing your content  [7:01] The first steps to take for improving your website's on-site SEO  [9:39] Best practices for strengthening your local SEO and ensuring your studio is easily found in local searches [14:07] How to leverage Chat GPT to boost your studio's SEO [16:28] Tips for optimizing your studio's website for mobile users to improve rankings and user experience [16:46] What to be aware of with internal links and how they can enhance your on-site SEO [17:30] Why producing consistent, fresh content is crucial for staying in Google's good graces [18:21] How to leverage customer reviews you've received to improve your SEO right now [20:21]   LINKS: Google Keyword Planner Ubersuggest ChatGPT Social Share Preview Yelp Better Business Bureau Squarespace GoDaddy  Apple Business Connect Episodes 189, 191, 193 & 195 with Connie of Pixality Design Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree 

What We Cover In This Episode: How clearly defining roles and responsibilities for every position is crucial for a studio's success [7:50] Why hiring for a cultural fit is key [9:29] Consistent, transparent communication will set you on the path to mastering employee management every time [11:04] The damaging impact that micromanagement has on your employees and culture in the studio [16:54] The magic that happens when you invest in the development of your people, regardless of their position [18:34] Final thoughts on recognizing and rewarding the efforts of your team [19:24]   Quotes:  “Hiring just isn't about skills, it is about bringing people in who align with your studio's values. Focus on finding candidates that contribute to your community and culture.” [9:32] “Micromanagement is the worst. Nobody ever said, ‘I really enjoy my manager micromanaging me, it makes me feel like I am on top of my game'. So, you do not want to be breathing down their throat, and this all comes down to that first 60 to 90 day onboarding.” [16:55] “If you have a studio manager, invest in them actually managing their people. If you have your instructors, help them out with new certifications coming up. Supporting their professional growth is going to keep employees motivated and prepared to contribute more. It feels like you care about them.” [Nick, 18:57] LINKS: Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree 

What We Cover In This Episode: How exceptional services involves creating a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through your doors [1:30] The critical role that consistency plays in having a positive experience [2:20] What active listening will allow you to give your members [3:10] Some of the ways in which delivering an exceptional experience will help the studio convert and retain members [7:01] A reminder that first impressions really do matter [8:15] A look at personalization and the process of discovering your client's goal [9:55] How to be proactive and anticipating your clients' needs before they even ask [14:07] Utilizing ChatGPT in the process of improving the service you deliver [15:58] Tips for creating opportunities for members to make connections outside of the classroom [17:27] Thoughts on soliciting feedback and adding value in this process [32:02] Quotes: “We're not saying these things are easy, but it's pretty simple. Someone comes through the door, you have the same process every single time, and you're tweaking that process to make it better and better.” [Nick, 2:46]   “If it didn't correlate to added revenue to the studio, I would say move onto something more important, but delivering an exceptional experience is going to lead to more conversions off of your intro offers and retain those members long-term.” [Nick, 7:19] “This idea that the instructor gets to do what they feel like? No, they're representing your brand and there should be a consistent process every time.” [Nick,  “Your instructor should be delivering a very similar experience before and after class and making sure that the things that happen in class are on Brand whether they have their nuances or tweaks that people love about them, that is great, there are a few key moments in the class to be really their authentic selves.” [13:01] LINKS: The Sales Arms The Fitness Prescription  Michael Jay Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree   

What We Cover In This Episode:  “Nick's Nuggets” and the big reasons why it's so important to be taking breaks [0:59] Actionable tactics you can use to ensure taking your next break is a smooth operation for your clients as well as for you [6:57] The benefits of taking a “one step backwards, two step forwards” type of approach with taking breaks [9:59] A sneak peek at next week's topic and how you can get more insights from us [12:31] Quotes: “If you take breaks, you're preventing that quitting and you're avoiding that burnout on yourself, because the goal is to be in some kind of flow state where you feel optimized, you feel creative and you feel energized.” [Nick, 1:21]    “Try to get a calendar out there. Something we did for fitDEGREE, because we decided to take off federal holidays this year, is that in the beginning of the year we announced we're taking off federal holidays.” [Nick, 7:28]    “There are plenty of reasons to take breaks from the studio business of classes, just to make sure you're taking some kind of one step backwards, two steps forward approach.” [Nick, 9:59]  LINKS: Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree     

What We Cover In This Episode:  How we're feeling right now and why it's been a bit of a “love/hate relationship” with the podcast [0:56] The ways in which fitSpot Guru is going to get a little TLC while we go on a bit of a hiatus [1:38] The potential for a second podcast, what you can expect and how it'll be different  [2:39] What won't be changing with what we do [5:38] How you can stay up to date with all of our plans and provide your feedback in this process [6:33]  Quotes: “At least the podcast aspect of our weekly load shouldn't feel like work. It should be fun, the energy should come through, and it's just been feeling like a slug lately.” [Nick, 1:09]  “We're looking to not only give you education, facts, work and tasks to do, but then also break it up with a little bit of fun.” [Megan, 4:21]  “We're just trying to keep it light and keep podcasting fun, because [when you're] having conversations every week and if they're not engaging, you don't hang out with someone anymore if it's not fun.” [Nick, 5:24]    LINKS: Barstool Sports Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree       

What We Cover In This Episode:  An update on the total value of the wellness market right now and the shift that's happening towards holistic health [1:02] The importance of having a crisis plan in place and the types of the scenarios you should be prepared for [4:08] How to properly prepare for a crisis, based on the “scale of fires” [10:30] A few key considerations when building plans for the financial type of a crisis [18:02] What to be aware of when recovering from a crisis and the way in which proper documentation of incidents will aid in this process [23:19]  Quotes: “What happens if someone gets a cut? What happens if you need to call the police, or the fire [department]? What are your protocols? I think it's important because in crazy scenarios, people panic unless they have a plan.” [Megan, 5:35]  “Insurance is something you should be doing in general, but it's the things that are out of your control that you want to move into your control as much as possible.” [Megan, 7:27]  “All of these things, you want to make sure you're doing to the letter. You have to react perfectly, because you have a lot of liability in this type of business and you need to be very safe.” [Megan, 21:32]    LINKS: Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer  Pliability  Do! App (Apple Store & Google Play)  Don't Break the Chain App (Apple Store & Google Play)  Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree   

What We Cover In This Episode: The ways that people are searching for a financial wellness on an individual level [0:51] What to consider about cash flow management and it's role in a business's success  [3:57] Where to start with budgeting operational costs and streamlining your financial model [8:18] How to approach funding an expansion [14:57] Our advice for steering clear of making emotional decisions [18:53] Some ways people can optimize cost, without compromising quality [21:02] A look at Nick's journey to becoming a business owner [29:08] Our weekly “Fit Favorites” and what is in YOUR gym bag? [32:41] Quotes: “The only way the business goes out of business is if you run out of money, so be obsessed with your cash flow management. Whether you are good at it or not, whether you like it or not, it's the most critical thing to your business.” [Nick, 5:16] “Whether you're just learning, getting started, starting to track a model or forming a budget, you always need to keep profitability in mind because at the end of the day, it's a business and you're trying to make money.” [Megan, 21:05]   “Do not let additional revenue from one service or product fund a different product or service without the controlled research and development phase.” [Nick, 23:43] LINKS: Workhuman  QuickBooks Xero Wave FreshBooks Float Zoho Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here!  fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree-support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q https://www.tiktok.com/@megan_fitdegree   

What We Cover In This Episode: How to approach defining your unique selling proposition [4:46] What to understand about connecting with your target audience [9:00] Steps to take to build a strong visual and verbal brand identity [13:09] How to leverage social media and digital marketing to its full potential [18:47] What you can do to start creating memorable member experiences [24:51] What the process of measuring and adjusting looks like when building your brand [29:02] Our “Fit Favorites” and an innovative way to make sure you're drinking enough [30:58] Quotes: “Stick out in a way, and remember that it's all just fitness to them, So, what's different past that layer of fitness?” [Nick, 7:36] “When it comes to social media, I think a really important point was building your community, but also engaging with your members. I think if you're going to have social media, you need to be active on social media, especially in the realm of fitness.” [Megan, 19:50] “There are a lot of creative ways to engage your community. Make it really feel like the second or third home that people say you should make it.” [Nick, 28:45]   LINKS:  Athletictech News Wellhub Epiphany HidrateSpark Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here! fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q    

What We Cover In This Episode: What to consider if you're thinking of expanding beyond your current physical space [7:25] A look at integrating retail products, and whether it is a smart move for you and your boutique fitness studio [12:20] How you can use tech-driven service expansion to facilitate new services for your customers [17:29] Some ways to use cross-promotions and partnerships in order to scale [22:32] What a feasibility analysis is and why we recommend you do one as a studio owner wanting to scale [27:00] Things to consider when making pricing adjustments in your studio [28:06] Our brand new segment “Fit Favorites” and a cool new product for you to check out [29:32] Quotes: “If you were going to sell a product, your positioning, what you put next to each other and how it's presented is very important for your sales. There's a lot of psychology that goes into how you merchandise your space and lay it out.” [Megan, 15:01] “There's a lot of impact to be had with partnering with other local businesses or even online influencers to expand your reach in general, or maybe even the ability to cross-promote services or even create a new service together.” [Megan, 22:20]  “Just really decide what's going to be in-house, and if it's not going to be in-house, what is that partnership that you can really be valuable for? Maybe it's just a discount, maybe it's a combination of rewards, or maybe it's also a spot where you can host community events to drive leads to your facility.” [Nick, 23:20]     LINKS:  Garmin Smart Watches & HRM Fit Oura Rings The EV Shop Smart Rings Mojawa Unveils The HaptiFit Terra: A Complete Sport and Fitness Solution with Bone Conduction and AI Training (Fitt Insider)  Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here! fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q    

What We Cover In This Episode: Examples of ways you can optimize the very first visit by your clients [1:08] What Seran says is the “low-hanging fruit” of building relationships [9:03] Why is the first visit so crucial for retention [12:38] Some of the things that can be done to make the first visit so memorable for the client [17:21] How you can set the stage for optimizing retention by pairing a new client with a seasoned client [21:36] Final tips and effective follow-up techniques to increase the retention rate at your studio [23:38] Quotes: “If you really want to have a solid business, you also have to have an experience that is designed for attention. If you give anyone any excuse to not come back, they are going to take it.” [Seran, 16:58] “When they walk in the studio, they are looking for ‘is this person or is this place going to be the place that I keep coming back to?'” [21:13] “You want to make sure that your pricing aligns with your customer journey, so whatever package you are selling folks on their first visit is already in alignment with a long-term commitment.” [24:50]   LINKS:  Get Seran's Free Resource, 30 Reel Ideas! The Studio Owner's Guide To Mastering Reels Her Website, Instagram & Podcast  Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here! fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q  

What We Cover In This Episode: News with Nick and the latest of group fitness builds and mental, emotional and physical well-being [0:36] The importance that having an effective onboarding process will have on your customer's experience  [5:04] Integration partners that can help you communicate with your clients - click their links below to learn more!  [10:03] Why you can't afford to ghost your clients that are responding to your text marketing [12:15] Impactful ways to encourage your membership renewals or purchases [15:27] What to focus on if you are not making conversions [17:07] How to start leverage the social features inside of fitDEGREE if you haven't already been doing so [19:17] An update on tag-based announcements [22:13] Our final thoughts on gathering feedback [22:59] Quotes:   “They can like your class, they can like your studio, they can like the vibe, but if they don't meet a friend, they are just a ticking time bomb until they walk away.” [Nick, 1:31] “So it has to make sense cost-wise. As much as I said it's about community, they did come to you for a physical reason. The community is kind of like a surprise.” [Nick, 16:03] “There might be some evolutions of the feed coming in the very near future, so the more we train them and get them used to the feed, seeing the feed, interacting with the feed, the feed might start working in your favor the more you start training them, preparing them and getting those interactions boosted in the here and now.” [Megan, 21:13]   LINKS:   Group Workouts Boost Physical, Mental, Emotional Well-Being (Fitt Insider) Learn More About Our Partners Mentioned in this Episode & Get Exclusive Offers Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here! fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q    

What We Cover In This Episode: Seran's journey from Wall Street to the Pilates studio - and beyond [1:15] How she curated her approach to coaching fitness studios [7:01]  Why Seran believes so strongly that success does not have to equal stress [8:36] Some of the main reasons that effective marketing messaging crucial for fitness studios to master [13:50] What the key elements are of strong marketing [16:01] Seran's advice for how to start differentiating yourself from others in your market [19:14] A final reminder to use marketing strategies that resonate with your audience for best results  [28:44]   Quotes: “Having an effective marketing message helps you to really connect with your target audience but also to deeply connect and build relationships with your existing and current clients.” [Seran, 15:01] “You want to make sure that you're not looking around you when you're trying to craft your marketing message too much, and that is another mistake that I see people making, is that they're pulling from other people.” [Seran, 20:41] “What I want for you as a studio owner is I want your studio to stand out, which means I don't want you to look like everyone else in town. I want you to represent what it is that you do and what you uniquely do, and the way that you uniquely do it.” [Seran, 21:02]    LINKS:  Get Seran's Free Resource, 30 Reel Ideas! The Studio Owner's Guide To Mastering Reels Her Website, Instagram & Podcast  Seran's Podcast episodes that are relevant to today's topic: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3FScc2Ye7toSgPeQPeOuMn https://open.spotify.com/episode/3hnCbNKyYebGDGLc4UadiX?si=7p3vr4R3SOuy9zRx3uKmTQ&nd=1&dlsi=a44c5f48905b4729    Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling by Michael Port Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here! fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q    

What We Cover In This Episode: Why you'll want to understand, analyze and anticipate the summer drops that occur in our industry [5:28] The need to ensure great communication with everyone about your summer schedules [7:12] How you can use this time to explore flexible membership options [8:51] Ideas for unique summer programs or challenges [11:27] Thoughts on leveraging technology during this slower time [15:25] Ways to engage the community and keep the momentum going in your studio [17:14] The benefits you'll see from spending less money and reviewing your expenses [19:06] Megan's recommendation around a solid summer system for vacations [19:57]   Quotes: “I also find that summer is a really great time to do low cost, low effort, community building activities.” [Megan, 13:13] “You can think of the summer as one big marketing campaign. You want people to be thinking about you when September comes around, or when the holidays pass.” [14:41] “This is a great time of year to reward and treat your staff. Especially while it is slow, you have so much time to build up those relationships and really empower your staff.” [Megan, 18:51]   LINKS:  Cardio Exercise Linked to Longer Life (Fitt Insider) FitLab Announces Acquisitions of Assault Fitness and RPM Training, Accelerating Leadership as Integrated Fitness Platform (Fitt Insider)  Oura Debuts Heart Monitoring Features  Using Heartbeat Monitors (Technogym)  Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here! fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q    

What We Cover In This Episode: A look at the current activity in gyms now versus the pre-pandemic levels [0:52] What the primary goal of having a cancellation policies in your studio should be [4:39] The key components you should be considering when creating and implementing your cancellation policies [5:12] How to approach balancing flexibility with clients with the needs of the business [7:35] Some examples of factors that may influence the timeline for early versus late cancellations [9:00] How policies can differ from limited to unlimited item holders and how this will impact client behavior [12:26] Tips for introducing and enforcing the policies in your studio [17:23] The options within fitDEGREE that can help you manage your cancellation policy [19:48] Quotes: “Someone might not make it, they might be in traffic and all of that kind of stuff, but you're trying to reduce the default behavior of people flaking [out]. It's going to be emergencies and those are going to happen less often.” [6:46] “If you make the fee so minimal, you're going to make a little bit of money off of it, but in the end you might lose a member who just continuously cancels and doesn't think twice and then eventually cancels their membership.” [16:20] “Cancellation policies, in my opinion, are not ‘set it and forget it' kinds of things. They are something that you should be continuously reviewing, resetting and adjusting in order to ensure that your business is running smoothly. So you should be monitoring your cancellation policy and its impact.” [23:36]   LINKS:  Wellness Watch Report Q1 2024 Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here! fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q      

What We Cover In This Episode: What leadership quality Katie says is the single most crucial one for running a fitness studio [4:08] One of the biggest HR pitfalls that she has seen running a fitness studio with a W2 workforce [5:36] A trend that is brewing in the fitness industry to be aware of as a studio owner [9:09] Katie's insights for beginning the hiring process with a curated email campaign [12:32] Why role clarity is absolutely crucial for all positions in the studio, those currently filled and unfilled [16:38] Effective techniques for maintaining engagement with your team [20:27] How to tell if new hires are integrating smoothly into the fitness studio culture you have created [23:30] Some frequent mistakes that studio owners are making during the onboarding process [26:44] A reminder that your staff should be treated as a revenue-generating person in your business [29:57]   Quotes: “We don't think of our staff as revenue-generating resources, and most of them are. Even your front desk [staff], they are making calls and booking in, so they are generating revenue for you. They deserve to be managed and cared for like they are revenue-generating just like our clients are.” [Katie, 4:18] “When you start to see a staff member going left when you want them to go right, it's time to be inquisitive about it.” [Kate, 6:23] “Culture is there, whether you purposely developed or articulated it or not, and it can change over time.” [Katie, 24:21]   LINKS:  Katie's Website & Instagram Email Katie Episode 244: The Downsides of Not Having Employees with Katie Santos of Fitness HR Capitol Hill Gets Fit as Myzone Congressional Activity Challenge Returns Fly-In and Advocacy Summit (Washington, D.C., May 7-8) Register Now for the fitDEGREE Owners Summit Happening October 15th, 16th & 17th in Atlanta, GA!  Learn More About Our Partners & Get Exclusive Offers Visit the fitDEGREE Knowledge Base Send Megan Your Playlist or Discuss the Podcast Here! fitDEGREE's Business Portal https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support  support@fitDEGREE.com https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/ ​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/  https://www.fitdegree.com/blog  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q