Retention focal points to pay attention to as a business owner, and what is the biggest report to focus on when doing this, why expiring memberships need to be watched closely, and so much more...
What to consider on reporting of intro offers, purchased and expiring, tips for if you’re looking to adjust your intro offer or pivoting your business model and so much more...
Automatic refunds from the admins and client experience, and what happens if you don’t automatically refund the client, how to mark as compensated, without using auto-refund, and so much more...
What the main registrables are within fitDEGREE, the pricing options available for the different registrables within fitDEGREE and how this will impact your business mode, and so much more...
The studio owners experience with cancellations and refunds, what to realize about refunds, auto refund and/or compensation with a non-auto refund, and so much more...
Where to find the cancellation policies within the fitDEGREE admin, why it’s important to know your business model before setting cancellation policies, and so much more...
The four registrables in fitDEGREE, what to understand when utilizing locations in the system, how to choose the same instructor for both online and in-studio and so much more...
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What registration competitions are all about and how they work within the studio setting, how to get people involved with more than just intrinsic motivation, and more...
The differences between the three check in screens on fitDEGREE, what are memos and starred memos, and what they can do for you to help manage important information and so much more...
The two types of methods we see studio owners leveraging to create parties within their system, a look at how clients use the system to schedule one-on-one parties, ways to add a party to a membership and so much more...
Navigating the gifting options in fitDEGREE during the holiday season, for both admins and clients alike
What “in-app purchases” are, and what changes are coming soon with Apple’s guidelines around them
What a fitDEGREE launch looks like and why properly training your staff to use the software is key for them, and your clients.
The pivots and the struggles fitDEGREE experienced from changing markets since beginning
Dan’s journey from the first version of fitDEGREE to what fitDEGREE is today
Where Nick got the idea to connect fitness partners with an app, and the lessons he learned about launching a startup from a previous venture
News with Nick and thoughts on the new Crunch Fitness marketing strategy. What ChatGPT is saying about: controversial things fitness studios might say about New Year’s resolution pressure.
The way that Perkville qualifies their leads to ensure that they are a good fit for their potential clients. A success story of loyalty and community. An inside look at some of the innovative features Perkville offers.
News with Nick and a look at the predicted 2024 trend of empowerment of instructors as brand ambassadors. Various ways that spot booking can be utilized and implemented in different modalities. The role that comfort and getting a good spot in class can play in the overall enjoyment had by the client. Diving deeper into spot booking accessibility with fitDEGREE.
How the point system is a tried-and-true method to use for a rewards program. Some examples of how businesses currently run their referral programs. What the concept of “earning velocity” is all about. The best reward or the top tickets that studios offer. How businesses are restructuring their rewards to maximize both client interest and business benefit
News with Nick and a quality over quantity shift in lead generation. Low impact training coupled with resistance training and its importance to flexibility, joint health and the most underrated benefit, balance. High intensity versus low intensity workouts plus how it relates to longevity and overall health.
What business identity is really all about. The role that understanding your product and how it relates to your demographic will play in solidifying your business identity. Why determining what you don’t want your business to be is so important in this process
How Chris became a fractional integrator for companies running on EOS. Defining “integrator” and “visionary” and what their roles look like within a business. What the “Delegate or Elevate” process is and how it can be used in your workflow
What a mission statement is and the 3 key components that are found in one. A few tools and exercises you can use to help define your own mission, vision and values. Why you need to define your mission statement, and how doing this will help you business
The integration partners that we work with at fitDEGEE, some of the services that each can provide, plus the pros and cons that we’ve seen by using them. What the perks are of utilizing integrations instead of trying to do everything manually. How the integration partners we use help our clients’ business and identify.
A bit about what Michael does and the help he offers his clients. Why the very first step in your retention sequence for intro offers should be an email. The second part of the retention sequence and how you are not yet selling at this point
The main things to consider when implementing childcare into your software, how to set up unique accounts for parent and child, and so much more...
Helpful tips to protect yourself from disputes, Ali’s process of handling disputes within fitDEGREE, and so much more...
A look at the behind-the-scenes teams at fitDEGREE, a breakdown of the fitDEGREE partners, additional resources and content you can leverage, and so much more...
Why you need to know who your audience and clients are, and where they come from, when it comes to marketing and sales, the importance of providing value first, and so much more...
What the first and last name requirements are in the fitDEGREE system, email addresses as the starting point of all client communication, and so much more...
Where Nick got the idea to connect fitness partners with an app, and the lessons he learned about launching a startup from a previous venture
Dan’s journey from the first version of fitDEGREE to what fitDEGREE is today
The pivots and the struggles fitDEGREE experienced from changing markets since beginning
What a fitDEGREE launch looks like and why properly training your staff to use the software is key for them, and your clients.
What “in-app purchases” are, and what changes are coming soon with Apple’s guidelines around them
How we’re feeling right now and why it’s been a bit of a “love/hate relationship” with the podcast. The ways in which fitSpot Guru is going to get a little TLC while we go on a bit of a hiatus. The potential for a second podcast, what you can expect and how it’ll be different
An update on the total value of the wellness market right now and the shift that’s happening towards holistic health. The importance of having a crisis plan in place and the types of the scenarios you should be prepared for. How to properly prepare for a crisis, based on the “scale of fires”
The ways that people are searching for a financial wellness on an individual level What to consider about cash flow management and it’s role in a business’s success. Where to start with budgeting operational costs and streamlining your financial model
How to approach defining your unique selling proposition. What to understand about connecting with your target audience. Steps to take to build a strong visual and verbal brand identity.
What to consider if you’re thinking of expanding beyond your current physical space. A look at integrating retail products, and whether it is a smart move for you and your boutique fitness studio. How you can use tech-driven service expansion to facilitate new services for your customers
Examples of ways you can optimize the very first visit by your clients. What Seran says is the “low-hanging fruit” of building relationships. Why is the first visit so crucial for retention
News with Nick and the latest of group fitness builds and mental, emotional and physical well-being. The importance that having an effective onboarding process will have on your customer’s experience. Integration partners that can help you communicate with your clients - click their links below to learn more!
Seran’s journey from Wall Street to the Pilates studio - and beyond. How she curated her approach to coaching fitness studios. Why Seran believes so strongly that success does not have to equal stress.
Why you’ll want to understand, analyze and anticipate the summer drops that occur in our industry. The need to ensure great communication with everyone about your summer schedules. How you can use this time to explore flexible membership options
A look at the current activity in gyms now versus the pre-pandemic levels. What the primary goal of having a cancellation policies in your studio should be. The key components you should be considering when creating and implementing your cancellation policies
What leadership quality Katie says is the single most crucial one for running a fitness studio. One of the biggest HR pitfalls that she has seen running a fitness studio with a W2 workforce. A trend that is brewing in the fitness industry to be aware of as a studio owner
News with Nick and a look at how Capitol Hill is “getting fit”. Why you need to find and lean into your ideal clients in order to have a successful business and a strong community. The reasons that SEO is crucial for attracting organic traffic
What the transition from studio owner to HR looked like for Katie. How to convey, from a marketing perspective, the move from1099 independent contractor to W-2 employee. The top common misconceptions of HR in the fitness industry
What early access tags are and the ways you can now start implementing them. How this feature was designed to make memberships more valuable in your studio. Common use cases for these access tags in fitDEGREE.
What to realize about breaking through the “wall of trust” with clients. A rundown of the three most important documents to include in your website. How a website disclaimer specifically protects fitness studio owners.
A look at a supportive, adaptable and appealing new yoga mat. How clients can use the spot booking feature to select the equipment they want to use, where they want to sit, and more Some the ways it allows you to get detailed on how to visually represent the room to your booking clients.
Lisa’s journey to become a lawyer and also a fitness instruction, plus the way she combines these two passions. What the role of certifications will be in terms of legal protection for the studio. The important aspects of disclaimers and waivers that you need to be aware of.
News with Nick and some somber news about current happiness levels in the United States. The main purpose of sales compared to that of marketing. Specific questions you need to be asking yourself as you consider the different roles of your sales and marketing departments and personnel.
The number one benefit from a marketing perspective that a studio will gain when signing up with LenzVU. How you can enable your automation from Day One with LenzVU. What Afi says is the biggest standout feature for the platform
More expansion news in the industry related to chains delving into the food and beverage game. Who our upcoming in-person summit is targeted to and how it will help them. The themes that we chose to deep dive into while there and what you can expect at the 3-day summit.
What inspired Afi to into this space building the LenzVU platform. Some of the game changing features it has to boost your sales and retain clients. How LenzVu helps studios with noncommittal clients by gathering information to build very targeted funnels.
A first glance at the FitDEGREE Summit 2024 and what you can expect by attending. What the inspiration was to create this event coming in October 2024. How this event will be an immersive experience for all who attend
Nicole’s thoughts on why maintaining a focus on the client experience at all times is key. How finding the right mentors can be invaluable to your business. The way in which Nicole finds what works for her when it comes to a work/life balance.
What Lumin Fitness’s new smart studio concept is all about. How to approach implementing leaderboards in your studio. Some of the ways that leaderboards can build community and new connections between members
What ‘sparked’ the creation of Spark Strategies. Some of the challenges Nicole encountered growing her own yoga studio. A common misconception studio owners often have about growing their businesses.
News with Nick and a look at Pilates style concepts at F45. Why establishing a clear and shared vision to create a community-oriented team is crucial. Our thoughts on hiring for cultural fit and diversity
Hey fitFam and welcome back to another episode of fitSpot Guru! Well, not so fast. As you may have noticed by the length of today’s episode, it’s not an actual episode. I am here to make an announcement on some upcoming changes that fitSpot Guru will be undergoing starting in February.
News with Nick and a few gamification strategies to be aware of. Some of the different ways that you can diversity by selling retail products in your studio. Our thoughts on online classes and subscriptions as diversification strategies
How Terri changed course from teaching yoga to becoming a studio owner. The inspiration she received from her own coach to enter the coaching world in order to start helping others. An interesting dynamic Terri sees in the yoga world where people think you shouldn’t be making money.
News with Nick and a look at why the majority of users are going to boutique fitness classes. How a business coach can offer personalized business strategies to studio owners. The impact that increased accountability from a coach can play in the growth of a business.
Introducing Sunil and how his past experiences lead him to Perkville. His “a ha” moment to jump into Perkville. Some of the iterations and pivots that have occurred with the Perkville rewards program
News with Nick and a quality over quantity shift in lead generation. Low impact training coupled with resistance training and its importance to flexibility, joint health and the most underrated benefit, balance. High intensity versus low intensity workouts plus how it relates to longevity and overall health.
How the point system is a tried-and-true method to use for a rewards program. Some examples of how businesses currently run their referral programs. What the concept of “earning velocity” is all about. The best reward or the top tickets that studios offer. How businesses are restructuring their rewards to maximize both client interest and business benefit
News with Nick and a look at the predicted 2024 trend of empowerment of instructors as brand ambassadors. Various ways that spot booking can be utilized and implemented in different modalities. The role that comfort and getting a good spot in class can play in the overall enjoyment had by the client. Diving deeper into spot booking accessibility with fitDEGREE.
The way that Perkville qualifies their leads to ensure that they are a good fit for their potential clients. A success story of loyalty and community. An inside look at some of the innovative features Perkville offers.
News with Nick and thoughts on the new Crunch Fitness marketing strategy. What ChatGPT is saying about: controversial things fitness studios might say about New Year’s resolution pressure.
One of the single biggest things that restricts selling options as a studio owner. How to approach starting the selling process as an owner. A look at stock sale versus the asset sale.
News with Nick and what research is telling us about 2023 fitness routines. A look at the common assumption that boutique fitness studios should actively promote a “health at every size” philosophy. The counterpoint that fitness studios should also have a responsibility to also encourage traditional health and fitness goals, such as weight loss and muscle gain.
The most valuable lesson Michael has learned while working inside a business. What motivated him to start coaching and mentoring other yoga instructors and studio owners. How Michael’s experience as a yoga teacher and studio owner helped shaped his approach to coaching.
New With Nick and a look at how non-alcoholic beverages are getting a rebrand. A recent TikTok trend that we want to have fun with. Megan’s thoughts on an instructor’s playlist is key.
Mitch’s unique insights for individuals wanting to buy, own or sell fitness businesses. One of the biggest issues or disconnects he sees when people are looking to buy a studio. The key financing information to consider when buying a fitness business
News with Nick and a look at a major gym chain is entering the medical market. Our thoughts on whether boutique fitness studios should incorporate mental health aspects into their business. A few examples of the practical elements of mental health
What Michael considers his specialty is as a consultant and how he helps others right now. His journey of being an instructor and studio owner to being a consultant to assist others in the industry become successful. Why Michael says that everything needs to start with your mission, vision and value.
News with Nick and research showing the link between yoga and longevity. Why customization can be hard for boutique fitness studios and some areas where it can come into play. Using the idea of a “fitness prescription” to offer come customization within your standardized model.
Why there is an overemphasis on how to avoid holiday weight gain. Our thoughts on New Year’s resolutions in the industry, and the impact they have on physical and mental health during the holiday season. Whether there is too much pressure being put on people to maintain their routines throughout the holiday season, rather than enjoying friends and family
News with Nick and 5 lifestyle changes that can improve your health and happiness by up to 57 percent. How Nick defines “specialization” as it pertains to the boutique fitness industry. What Megan sees trending in the industry as far as specialization goes
Epifany’s integration with fitDEGREE and how it works to get you the best info to build your surveys. The way it works with clients who understand the importance of opening lines of communication with their customers. What types of questions and information can be leveraged by using Epifany.
News with Nick and a look at Amazon’s healthcare journey. Our hot take of the week - does next-level technology in the boutique fitness space impede on the experience of in-class clients and members? Thoughts on whether recording in the classroom causes uncomfortable clients and uncurated content
A look at Danny’s personal journey and what’s led him to where he is today. What sets NetGym apart from other fitness platforms and the benefits you’ll see by using it alongside fitDEGREE. The direct and indirect nuances that exist when a studio uses NetGym besides their communications.
News with Nick and a snack movement that is on the rise. Whether your price point should be earned or be determined by other factors. If the cost of instructor education will impact the cost per class.
How online reviews really impact the digital presence and credibility of fitness studios. A better way for studios to get reviews organically. Effective strategies studio owners can be using right now to bump up their Google reviews
News with Nick and a look at “rucking”. Why front desk staff is such a vital piece for your business to thrive. What type of employee you should be looking for when hiring front desk staff
A look at what Merchynt does and the services that the platform offers. Some of the benefits local fitness studios will see from having a solid understanding of SEO. Strategies that local studios can use for keyword research
Some big news regarding F45’s financials. The tools in fitDEGREE you can use to help maintain a successful community at your studio. How to personalize the frequency and targeting of your announcements.
How feedback ties into the client journey as a support tool. The point in the client journey where you start using client feedback to gauge your client avatar. Why you need to ensure you have a proper tracking system for client outreach
A look at big moves Nike is making in the strength training equipment space What client segmentation is and why it is so useful for studio owners looking to create personalized journeys for their members The benefits segmentation provides when it comes to member preferences
What is a recommended follow-up cadence and the relationship this has to sales data. Tips and tricks to modernize and automate client follow-up. How to approach using tasking automation inside your studio for your instructors and employees
A look at what’s new in the sports and energy drinks market. Rapid fire questions with our CTO Daniel so you can get to know him a bit better. What is happening with the exciting new spot booking feature in fitDEGREE
What the transfer of trust is all about in the sales process. Ways to ensure you are able to relay customer information to the instructor. Thoughts on perfecting “prescriptions” in the studio
Introducing Lenzvu and our exciting partnership with them. Megan busts a common myth around today’s topic. Defining customer lifetime value, or “CLV”
Strategies for making initial connections with a prospect as the leads start coming in. Why asking question that help you understand the prospects “Why” is key. How to set clients up for success once they step through your doors by offering the right information
Nick shares some exciting news on upcoming integrations we will have available soon. What is class utilization and why it is something a studio owner needs to be focusing on in order to generate more revenue. A few tools in fitDEGREE that can help studio owners learn more about this key metric
Why it shouldn’t be all about the aesthetics when it comes to website design. The reasons that it is crucial for new fitness businesses to create an online presence before even opening. Connie’s thoughts on using “Coming Soon” signage and a landing page to create buzz before opening
A speaking event that Nick participated in and some updates on a payment processor that integrates with fitDEGREE. Megan debunks a common myth around how to organize your tags. The filtering capabilities that come with tags now that the new suite is live.
What true SEO is really about and some frequent misconceptions about SEO that exists. Key things to be aware of with your Google Business Profile. Why it’s important to get clear about your services, location and the keywords you use on your website
Our weekly “News With Nick” segment, including interesting stats about functional training. The initial problem we are trying to solve with the mass tagger. How you can use mass tagging to help improve your reports
Some common misconceptions that exist about website copy. Connie shares the top three things that make a good website. How to approach writing to connect while also leaving room for SEO importance
Our weekly “News With Nick” segment on making sleep a part of the conversation at your studio. “Myth busting with Megan” - why more tags doesn’t mean better structure. More details on conditional tagging in fitDEGREE and what preparation you can do now for this new feature
Some of the big misconceptions around building a website that Connie sees. The problems that come from using a dated or uneditable platform. Why she says to keep away from the "free is the price for me" mentality
Our “News with Nick” segment and some interesting research on accountability. The big reason we are introducing tag management and the main characteristic of this new feature to be aware of. How to start preparing now to use this concept of colors and categories in fitDEGREE
The new update that includes a tag system, the why behind it and how you can leverage it in your boutique fitness business. A look at the new tag management screen and the color code system that will make it easy for you to manage. An additional overlooked advantage that this new tag system brings
Our “News with Nick” segment. The importance of having a well-structured onboarding process in place and how this will help you with member retention. Megan’s recent experience with a new class type that puts things into perspective with this topic.
How to begin defining your customer journey by establishing your mission and vision. What you can do to start mapping out the touch points that move your clients through the journey. The key phases of the client journey funnel
Why offering more classes doesn’t equal higher member retention. What a recent study about the fitness habits of Gen Z tells us about the future of the industry. Both Megan and Nick’s “Quick Wins” for the week
How you are leaving money on the table right now by not utilizing email automations. The way that radically personalizing email automations drives revenue to your studio . “Must-haves” for automations and a free resource you can get from Telomere and refer to
Introducing Industry News with Nick: Is In-Person Boutique Back? How to now add home buttons to your fitSpot. What to know about fitDEGREE’s chat feature settings
What to consider when deciding on the type of email content you’ll be creating to promote your business. Why it’s so important to open up and sharing you, your studio and your values. Different ways that you can offer validity and social proof to your audience through your email content
The key role that creating a sense of community plays in member retention for your business. A look at the “buddy system program” and how it can help build community in your studio. The importance of having an actual space dedicated to the building of community at your physical location
What is the ideal email frequency to be using as a fitness studio owner. Catalina’s thoughts on whether all types of emails are created equal. How to approach segmenting audiences using scheduled emails.
How to optimize your intro offer using the intro offer conversion report inside of fitDEGREE. Some ways that you can create a more personalized member experience by leverage the membership list report. The various fitDEGREE reports that will give you insights on past trends and future projections
Stephen’s pivot into the fitness industry and some of the ways that Epifany serves you as a boutique fitness owner. How to begin understanding customer segmentation and automation through survey triggers and real time information. Why surveys aren’t just nice to have, they are needed, especially in the boutique fitness industry
A look at ownership and management differences between these two business models. The main differences with instructor programming in boutique and franchise locations. What to be aware of in terms of brand consistency and flexibility
The ways that LoopSpark allows you to take all the necessary tools and combines them into one easy intuitive dashboard. How to approach leveraging trigger points and data points with LoopSpark that you cannot get in other CRM’s. Why an “all-in-one” software platform cannot promise and deliver on everything you need
Identifying the difference of focus in boutique versus commercial gyms. Why class sizes in boutique fitness are smaller and what this allows for more of. The power in community that is built by smaller class sizes, regular attendees and camaraderie
The cost efficiency that can be realized by using LoopSpark versus hiring a new team member to perform specific tasks. How to use LoopSpark to start getting your time back so that you can focus on building your business, instead of just maintaining it. The ways that their dashboard capabilities can help with scalability and error reduction at the same time
Why having a clear understanding of your niche and what your brand represents before developing your online branding is essential. How to approach defining a clear content strategy. Ways to begin thinking about using other avenues to build rapport outside of your social media presence
The idea time when clients should join the LoopSpark ecosystem platform to integrate into their business. How LoopSpark provides an enhanced customer experience, no matter the lifecycle that client has with your business. Some of the many relevant data points that LoopSpark can identify to ensure you are utilizing all the touchpoints.
An update on what is happening right now in the industry regarding online fitness influencers. Why as studios you must continue proving your value so customers won’t be lost to social media influencers that may not have any credentials. Our thoughts on using personalized experiences in studio for your clients in order to overcome the influencers
An introduction to the tag management screen inside of fitDEGREE. How we’re taking tags to the next level by using conditional tags. A look at the transitional phase of updating your tag when the new feature is released
It’s here! A look at our new feature, Chat! The importance of using clear and concise communication when chatting, plus tips on how to use the “Grandma Test”. Why you need to always be personal and empathetic in your responses.
How to avoid the pitfalls and common mistakes a lot of studio owners make with the marketing techniques they use to get new members. The biggest problem the Studio Scale team is seeing on a macro level when it comes to studios using paid marketing. A look at the type of groundwork that needs to be done prior to setting up and launching your ads
Why it’s important to realize that September often marks the return to “back to normal” for clients after the summer season. How to prepare for your clients to come back and restart with the need and desire to get back into a routine. Tips for leveraging what makes sense to you and your studio and to set up a consistency goal for your community.
What inspired Studio Scale to use and promote the “End-to-End Solution”. The elements you should be assessing to see if you’re on the right track and when to level up. Tools or software to use in order to get yourself heading in the right direction and specific strategies to then implement.
Reasons to consider offering a freeze option to your customers that travel in the summer. Ways you can give your clients a unique experience by offering vacation packages for them to take on the road and do anywhere. The importance of combating the heat and humidity in your studio by ensuring everyone stays comfortable and they aren’t being deterred by temperature, cleanliness and smell.
The opportunity that exists by following up on leads that are coming into your studio with a process or automation or special offer. How you can provide incentives to current members for referring their friends to your studio. Ways to use an on-going referral program with free guest passes.
How clients will absolutely want to know if your teachers are certified and what experience they have. Why you should clearly advertise and display the types of modalities you offer in your space and at your front desk. Ways to present your clients with descriptions of your class schedule, difficulty level and expectations for the class
Introducing Studio Scale, our partner powering this podcast for the month of June. The difference between Meta and Google audiences and best practices for best results on all corresponding platforms. What Google Local, a newer ad platform, is all about and how it can be used in your marketing efforts
How putting a focus on fostering relationships within your gym can have lifelong impacts for you clients. The ways in which creating lobby areas in your gym provides opportunity for clients to build conversation. Our thoughts on building catalysts for conversation
Niki talks about her background experience that brought the “ask for the sale sequence” into her businesses. The importance of directly asking for the sale and why we are often so afraid to do this. Connect to Convert: Tips and techniques to effectively build rapport with potential clients before asking for the sale
How to begin making plans and using strategies to really make an impact this summer at your studio. Tips for getting your members interested this summer by creating new experiences and offering themed classes or series. Ways to use social media to create buzz about events this summer that can be shared and promoted on the fitDEGREE app
