The Success Blueprint for the Dance Studio Owner

By Deborah Searle.

If there’s ever been a book that will take you to the next level when running your dance studio, It’s Your Turn! The Success Blueprint for the Dance Studio Owner is it.

In It’s Your Turn the dynamic team of Steve Sirico, Angela D’Valda Sirico and Robert Landau take you on a journey of self-discovery to explore how you can achieve success both in your business and personal life. Steve and Angela are well established authorities when it comes to all things that have to do with owning and operating a dance studio. Their DanceTeacherWeb.com membership website and yearly dance teacher conference attract hundreds within the dance industry.

“After twenty one years, we wanted to share our insight, philosophies and methods that have helped us in running a successful dance studio,” said Steve Sirico. “We felt there was a need for a book that not only provided practical tips but also much needed encouragement and inspiration for the busy studio owner.  We want studio owners to feel that they are not alone but rather part of a large and successful dance teacher community,” followed Angela D’Valda Sirico.

Steve Sirico & Angela D’Valda Sirico

Some of the many topics covered within the book’s pages are: finding the motivation and balance you need to get through your day, how to deal with difficult staff and customers, how to best market your studio, and how to be organized, making every task a success.

“Speaking from personal experience, I know how important and empowering it is to have answers to many of the questions we face on a daily basis. We designed the book so that readers would have ideas from three different people, so that they can see that there isn’t always just one way to resolve issues or to move forward and be successful,” explained Angela.

And although not a studio owner himself, Robert Landu provides key insights into successful business management in It’s Your Turn. Robert is an international motivational speaker and positive results expert that has worked with countless businesses to successfully take their operations to the next level.

“It’s one thing to have a picture of how one wants things to run, but it’s another bringing that picture to life”, says Robert. “We realized that there really wasn’t a book out there that addressed all aspects of what it is to operate a studio, particularly in these challenging times. The book is a perfect balance of practical and motivational advice. It’s a quick but informative read and the facts are laid out in an easy-to-digest manner.”

Robert Landu

As studio owners, your time is already stretched, but why not spend a little time learning how to best run your studio? It could save you a lot of time and heartache in the long run, and bring you much joy in the process.

“I believe the number one mistake that studio owners make is not fully realizing that THEY are the business and that everything they do or don’t do has a direct influence on staff, faculty, parents and students. It is just then a matter of using that influence in a positive and informed way”, shares Angela.

And helpful, inspiring information is where it’s at. “Dance studio owners and teachers so often feel isolated. It’s Your Turn will not only give practical information that they constantly need, but also the motivation to expect more from their lives both in business and on the personal side”, adds Angela. “This book will help the studio owner in all areas of running the business, finding the fine balance of running a business while maintaining artistic integrity”, explains Steve. “It’s a much needed tool kit to help the studio owner achieve their ultimate success.”

It’s Your Turn! The Success Blueprint for the Dance Studio Owner is now available on www.raisethebarreconsulting.com . It can make a great tool book for yourself or a helpful Christmas gift for the studio owner in your life.

Tips for Dance Teachers
by Angela D’Valda Sirico of DanceTeacherWeb.com

As dance teachers we are faced each day with not only nurturing our students from a technical aspect, but more importantly, from a psychological one too. The majority of dance teachers do not hold degrees in psychology and yet we need to help our students, especially the teenage ones, with this incredibly important side of their dance training. Even in our discussions with dancers promoting nutritional health the psychological side is often omitted. Without adequate nurturing in this direction many of our young students will never be able to realize their true potential as dancers or as professionals in whatever field they choose to work in.

Teaching students the art of positive thinking and giving them positive reinforcement is the key to your success as a teacher. Our goal is to give our dancers the motivation to come to class, to work hard to achieve higher levels and to help them have the confidence and self-esteem to let their creativity flow freely.

Most dancers like the social aspect of coming to the studio and the feeling that they are among friends. The studio can be their second home. The more we can do to help promote a sense of belonging and the feeling of being an integral part of the school, the better the results will be in the classroom.  When the dancers feel good about themselves and the friends around them they are more willing to take risks with their dancing and to go the extra mile for their fellow students.

Promote healthy forms of motivation, such as emphasizing collaboration with the group and de-emphasizing rivalry. Reward effort over talent, show dancers that they have control over their improvement and work ethic and that they are ultimately responsible for their success. By giving the students these tools you will help them in the classroom, on stage, or in whatever profession they decide to embrace. Sometimes dancers who are gifted with amazing natural talent are the ones who give very little effort in class. This can be extremely frustrating to other students who are less talented and also to the teacher who knows they can be brilliant. Talent is typically viewed as something that is beyond our control. Talented dancers sometimes worry that their talent will only take them so far and that they lack the control to go beyond that point. This is where we can step in to nurture their true sense of self and ability and enable them to take the steps necessary to move higher up the ladder and realize their true potential.

Less talented dancers often beat themselves up and take every correction as a reinforcement of how bad a dancer they really are. Training dancers to truly feel that every correction is a gift and that the teacher recognizes that they have the capability to do more, is a good way to build that confidence that may be lacking. Rewarding the effort made by any dancer and letting their peers know when a fellow dancer has made an improvement goes a long way in helping them to be better achievers. Letting each dancer know what your expectations of them are and the reason why you have those expectations is important. Every dancer can improve, whether it is in a tiny or a big way, they just need to be told that they can do it.

Dance Teacher Web and Dance Informa invite you to attend a Conference & Expo unlike any other in an unparalleled setting – the Red Rock Resort, Las Vegas! Described by attendees as “the one and only conference truly for dance teachers and studio owners,” Dance Teacher Web LIVE is three full days packed with interactive sessions, expo resources and special events. This must attend conference will provide you with the very best in teaching tools and products to enhance your business, career and life.

For more information and to register visit www.danceteacherconferenceexpo.com

Published by Dance Informa dance magazine – dance news, dance auditions & events.

By Steve Sirico of Dance Teacher Web

For most studios in the United States your season comes to an end in May or June. Now is a good time to look ahead and organize your schedule up to the end of the current season. For those of you in other countries whose season is just beginning, you can start to map out your year and build in the ideas I will present in this article.

Listed below are topics that I recommend you address and have a definitive plan for at this time.

Distribution of costumes

With costumes being quite expensive it is important to have an organized way of distributing them. If you just hand your clients a bag with the costume rolled up inside, the perceived value will be less. I recommend that you get garment bags, (with your logo printed on them) and hand them out to each student’s parent with any pertinent instructions attached to the costume. If a student is in several numbers you can put them all in one bag on hangers. If you are looking for hangers go to your local large clothing stores as they are usually happy to give them to you by the box full. They will probably be throwing them out if you don’t take them.

If you can get someone to do your alterations that is always best. Parents are busy and either don’t want to or don’t know how to sew! I recommend that straps, hems and hooks are all sewed on and ready to go before you hand the costumes out. This will mean that you need to try each costume on every student and pin any adjustments that need to be made once they are delivered to you. When the client opens the garment bag they should be able to take the contents out and hang them up in their closet without any additional worries.

How to get organized for your recital

Many studio owners know in their minds how they want everything done for their recitals. That can be a big mistake! It is really important for your piece of mind to write things down. Start to make a journal on how you are going to proceed. Make lists of everything, from who will be assisting you backstage and front of house, to who will be helping you on the tech side. Write down how much time you think you will need to load in and out of the theater and who will help you with that. Make a schedule for yourself and any assistants with exact times and days. Make sure you have contacted your videographer and given him or her their schedule. Set your dress rehearsal times and make a note to firm up the people to help on that day. Make time to meet with your program designer and know the exact dates that you need to have choreography completed and the running order for the show ready. I recommend that you create a definite time line of when you want everything ready to go. Then get help to get organized. Remember, the way that you run your events will leave a lasting impression on your clients. Every year we try to find a better way to do things. We document each event and build each one into our year end planner with the necessary changes.

Marketing to your current customers

What you start to put in place now will be a determining factor as to who will register for next season. If you do not have a system in place to get your clients to register in the coming months for your upcoming season, I recommend that you do so today! Keep in mind that if your clients sign up for dance classes before they sign up for any other activity they will build their child’s after school schedule around their dance classes. Best of all you will have a good idea of which classes are full and which ones you need to market over the summer.

When a current customer does not re-register it also gives you time to find out why. You may find that just taking the time to call them personally will make the difference as to whether or not they sign up again. There is nothing like the personal touch to keep your customers around. While most of our marketing dollars are spent on getting new clients, I recommend that you spend a fair amount on keeping the clients you currently have and ensuring that they will return time and time again. If you want to build your school, this will be a huge contributing factor.

Determine which faculty members and staff you will bring back

Every year things change. People change, schedules change and your business operations will change. We have had faculty and staff who were big assets to our business one year only to turn into big problems later. When this happens you have two choices, try to determine what is going on and see if the issue that is causing the problem can be resolved or move in another direction. It is as simple as that! I know change is hard, especially if someone has been with you for a long time. The key thing to remember here is that you are running a business. If someone is not helping in the growth of your business or even worse may be detrimental to your business then you need to do something about it – sooner, rather than later. You can start by assessing the overall production of each person you employ. I recommend that you have a yearend meeting with each individual working for you to review the good and the not so good. It will also give you a chance to hear what they have to say about your business and how you can do things better. I don’t recommend that you tell anyone that you are not bringing them back until classes are over. It is cleaner that way for everyone involved.

When you prepare for the coming months you can take as much guess work out of the equation as possible. This way you will have everything planned out and your stress level will definitely decrease. Now how good does that sound?

Steve Sirico
Steve studied dance initially with Mikki Williams and then in New York with Charles Kelley and Frank Hatchett. He appeared in a number of theatre productions such as “Damn Yankees”, “Guys and Dolls” and “Mame” in New York and around the country and in industrials and television shows. He was contracted to appear as the lead dancer in the “Valerie Peters Special” a television show filmed in Tampa, Florida. After meeting Angela D’Valda during the filming they formed the Adagio act of D’Valda & Sirico appearing in theatres, clubs and on television shows such as David Letterman, Star Search and the Jerry Lewis Telethon. In 1982 they were contracted to Europe and appeared in a variety of shows in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and Italy before going to London, England where they appeared as Guest Artists for Wayne Sleep (formerly of the Royal Ballet) in his show “Dash” at the Dominium Theatre.

Steve and Angela have owned and directed their dance studio in Fairfield, CT for the past twenty five years. Author of his Jazz Dance syllabus and co-author of a Partner syllabus both of which are used for teacher training by Dance Educators of America, Steve continues to adjudicate and teach for major dance organizations.

He recently has taught at the Interdanz Conference in San Jose, Costa Rica and at The International Dance Teachers Conference in London at the Royal Ballet School. He choreographs for theatres, television and conventions and D’Valda & Sirico recently choreographed the opening to the National Speaker’s Association convention on Broadway in New York City at the Marriott Marquis.

Steve is president and director of the website Dance Teacher Web, designed as an online resource and training tool for dance teachers and dance school owners worldwide. Dance Teacher Web produces a yearly conference in Las Vegas where hundreds of teachers learn from the top master teachers and business coaches in an intimate setting unlike any other dance teacher event. Next year’s conference will be held at the Red Rock Resort August 6-9 2012. For more information visit www.danceteacherweb.com

Published by Dance Informa dance magazine – dance news, dance auditions & events.

Dance Teacher Web presents a great series of exercises to develop core strength featuring Jessica Rizzo. Every month Dance Teacher Web presents new work in it’s members area. Make the move to join the number one dance resource for teachers worldwide. Providing tips, tools and tactics to gain, train and retain better students! www.danceteacherweb.com

Jessica Rizzo is a native New Yorker and grad student in NYUs dance education masters program. She is also a cum laude graduate with her BFA in dance performance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst 5 College Dance Program. Since then, Jess, a Chancellors Talent Award Scholarship alumni has been fortunate to have graced stages all over the world.

By Steve Sirico of Dance Teacher Web

In this special two part series we will explore tips to running a successful studio.  If you missed the first seven tips visit (www.danceinforma.com/the-secrets-to-running-a-successful-studio). Think about your business and how these tips apply to what you are doing. Even if you are implementing what I recommend, try to think in terms of how you might switch up your approach for even greater success. Remember that growing your business begins with self-examination. So let’s get started!

Build additional streams of income
These can include rentals or subletting space, birthdays and other parties. Think outside the box to help you generate more revenue. During down times see about subletting a studio to a yoga class or contact your local theater to see if they need space for rehearsal. Think about taking your classes to area groups and schools. This is a great way to generate additional income and to spread the word about your studio and programs.

Get out of your studio and build your network
Build relationships! Years ago we did a local performance and met a woman who was in charge of a program called ‘After the Bell’, a unique after school program where the parents’ club found outside companies to run classes like tennis, agility and dance, amongst others. By doing this outside show we had the opportunity to meet her and for her to see our work. We have since been doing her ‘After the Bell’ program at our local grade school for years! You will be the best kept secret in your town if you don’t get out and meet people.

Be proactive in the community
Lend a hand with fundraising events, help out with people when you can and work with a group you are passionate about. Join your local Chamber of Commerce and let it be known that you are a source in your town when it comes to providing entertainment and volunteers who can help with a worthy cause.

Know your numbers
Build a target to hit. How many students do you need to pay the bills? How many to make a profit? Do you have a formula for what each student is worth? Now set a target for what you want your studio numbers to look like. Track it each week during the first three months of your season, then once a month after that. If you have a goal, you will chip away at it and hit it eventually. When your mind is focused on growth instead of survival, it will put you in the right frame of mind.

Your front desk will make or break you
Your employees probably treat your customers about the same way you treat your employees. Let that soak in for a minute, and think about the ways your everyday behavior might be affecting your school’s ability to generate referrals.  Keep training your staff and make it fun. Happy employees, happy students and happy parents are how you need to measure your success.

Build your referral system
Get your clients talking about you. Do the unexpected. Create an environment of ‘WOW’. The best way to do this is to let your employees know that you are open to ideas that will create a ‘wow moment’ for your customers. The more you create ‘wow’, the more they will talk about you. For your best clients you could offer a $50 off referral program where if they bring in a new student who registers, you deduct $50 from both their tuitions.

Create a marketing plan, stick to it and track your results
Decide what your objectives are, what you will spend and where you will spend it.  Not all marketing efforts work—sometimes the fish just aren’t biting. Track results to know how to proceed. My recommendation is to focus your marketing dollars first online and work out from there.  Try a targeted list that you can send a postcard to. Next consider doing a mailing to past clients with a special offer to try one week for FREE! Remember, marketing is not just about getting new clients, but also cultivating your current ones. If they are taking one class, why not try to get them to take two, three or more? For more marketing tips view past article www.danceinforma.com/magazine/grow-your-enrolments

Here’s to your success!

By Steve Sirico of Dance Teacher Web.

In this special 2 part series we will explore tips to running a successful studio. Think about your business and how these tips apply to what you are doing. Even if you are doing what I recommend, try to think in terms of how you might switch up your approach for even greater success.

Keep in contact with your current customers.
This means emails, newsletters, surveys, customer events and anything else you can think of. The reality is that everyone is busy and you are low on their radar. If you lose contact, then you risk losing business. Most people stop coming to a business because they think you don’t even know they exist. And don’t worry about being a pest. Just keep giving them useful information and special offers that they will love to receive.

Keep marketing to your current customers.
Most businesses focus on attracting new clients and marketing to them. But think about this: If you are doing business with a company you like, you are more apt to buy more of the same. A lot more! When you have devoted clients, you can ask them to give you testimonials so you can then promote what they love about you.

Create WOW moments for your customers.
Make plans to have special events that are both publicised and unannounced at your school. Think of ways to surprise your students and their families. Ideas include highlighting a special student of the month, free giveaways for students who work hard, special projects where everyone wins something, and just random acts of kindness. They will make you the talk of the town.

Get your staff and faculty to buy into your philosophy…or sever the relationship.
Donald Trump likes to say “hire slowly but fire quickly”. Most people do the opposite. They hire on a gut reaction and then try to hold on when things go south. If you are having an issue with any faculty member or staff member it is best to try to resolve the issue immediately! If no solution is at hand then use that apprentice line—“You’re fired!”

Build your preschool program.
If you build it they will come. Make a special brochure or schedule exclusively for them. The more time offered the bigger your program will get. Try doing a special show that is short and informal with just these younger students—both enjoyable and easy on the families and their time.

Build programs for each niche.
Beyond preschool, offer programs for all ages and special areas that include athletes, kids who are singers and actors, recreational, competition teams, dance teams and even adults. Now the key is to find ways to market to each group exclusively. “Find a need, fill a need”—if you do, you will always have plenty of business.

Don’t let the parents run the ship.
Parents will love to give you their two cents about all kinds of things: Who should be teaching, what they should be teaching, during which hours they should be teaching. And it doesn’t stop there. Listen to your customers, but do not waiver from your company vision. Your parents will take over if you let them and then you will have a hard time regaining control. It’s your business, you are in charge. Make sure they know that and they won’t over step the boundary.

What is DanceTeacherWeb.com?
DTW is a membership website designed exclusively for dance teachers and dance studio owners. Members have access to 100′s of exciting choreography videos in all styles and levels including preschool, “how to” teaching videos, informative, educational and motivational articles, downloadable forms and so much more. Every month new and fresh material is added in all areas of the website. Check out all the membership options we have available, we’re sure to have one to meet your needs. Dance teacher training, business development and personal growth. That’s http://www.danceteacherweb.com/!