If you already have a website or are about to get one, there are some ideas that we have used and have had a lot of success with.
First of all, if you do not have one I would highly recommend you get one. Today so many parents go on line to get information. If you do not have an online presence you are missing out. What your website should be doing for you is selling your studio 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Someone can go online at 12:00 pm and read all about your business. I don't think any of us want to talk to anyone at that time of night! This way, when the morning comes they are already pretty much sold on your studio, if it is set up right, and they will gladly sign up. It does not have to be expensive or overly elaborate. Just get your online presence up and running. There are many places on the internet where you can go and build your own website for as little as $19.00. Don't think you have to be a real computer wiz to pull it off. They have templates for you to choose, you can also add your logo, photos and a link to send people looking for directions to "mapquest".
Whether you do it yourself or have someone do it for you, you will need to have a firm idea on what you want it to look like and most importantly what the content of the text will be. Here are a few guidelines that we recommend when building your site or altering an existing one.
1. Have an opening paragraph that will introduce your studio. Talk about your studio mission statement and what the students will get out of the programs you offer. It is important on this cover page to show a few photos of all ages and levels. Make the customer who is new to dance feel welcome. Stay away from any dance jargon that the average person may not know.
2. Next talk about the benefits that they will receive. Remember that it is not about you, it is all about them. If they think that their child will benefit from taking class with you, then you have won them over. Focus not just on the obvious ones like learning to dance and having fun. Show them how by taking class their children will benefit by learning life skills that will enhance their lives.
3. Your website is a great place to add some testimonials. If you can add some pictures of the people giving them that would be even better. If you do not have any, then just go to your best customers and ask them if they would mind giving you one. As your way of saying "thank you", you could give them a gift card to Starbucks or some other place.
4. Have a "Why choose us? page. If you know what makes your best customers tick, then use that information as to why you are the right choice. List every thing that you are and what makes you different.
5. Contact information needs to be placed on each page in a position that is easy to find. On the whole, people are a bit lazy and if they have to search for your contact info they may click off. Have a link to it on every page of your web-site.
6. Here is where you can and should try a lot of different things. You will want to have a page about the director, the facility and of course a class schedule. Some may say not to include your faculty in case of changes but I think people like to know who is teaching!
7. Once you set this up you can now experiment. We have added an online video brochure with testimonials. A scroll with upcoming events. An awards page showing what the competition groups have won. None of this is mandatory but fun to try out once you are up and running.
The single biggest marketing idea that has worked for us is the video brochure. The key is to have an online presence even if the design is simple. It should inform people about your studio so that they feel they know all about you before they call. Let them know about your program and what it will do for them. We get anywhere between twenty five to fifty calls a month after people have viewed the website. If they are intrigued by what you have to say they will be very receptive over the phone and there will be no selling on your part.
If you are interested in seeing our website you can go to www.dsdance.com to see our layout. If you need help in finding someone to design one for you drop us an e-mail.
