Student Engagement during the summer

How to keep dancers engaged during the summer

Summer is just around the corner. And depending on where your studio is located, you may already be feeling the summer heat.

While summer is typically a joyous time for students and families to enjoy less rigorous schedules and take much-needed vacations, dance studio owners are busy planning for fall registration and thinking of ways to keep dancers engaged during the summer.

Between wrapping up recitals and pushing play on summer camps, you’ve likely got a lot on your plate. That’s why we’ve come up with these five tips for keeping students engaged and excited about returning to your studio following the summer break!

5 ways to keep dancers engaged during the summer

Connect on social media

Tik Tok and Facebook and Insta, oh my!

When it comes to social media, the platform options are endless. For the purposes of making meaningful connections with students and families during the summer, choose one social media platform to build on.

After you’ve selected your platform of choice, then the fun can begin!

While there’s no need to overthink your social media posts, they should be thought out. Consider creating a calendar where you can map out posts and identify any themes in your content.

Here’s a little inspiration to help get you started:
Milestone Monday – Feature a dancer who celebrated their fifth year of dance, took their first ballet/tap I class or a rising senior at your studio.

Technique Tuesday – What skills are your students working on at home? Post a snippet of an instructor demonstrating proper technique for dancers to work on during their time away from the studio.

Wear it Wednesday – Do you have an on-site store for dancewear and shoes? Keep students excited about another year of dance by previewing new merch in your studio store!

Throwback Thursday – Have staff submit throwback pictures of themselves to post from your studio account then let followers guess who is who!

Freestyle Friday – Improve, freestyle, werkin’ it-whatever you call it, feature a member of your dance studio family feeling their own beat.

Create a giveaway

Generate a little fun competition by creating a participation contest for students at your studio. Then let the winner select a collector’s item from your studio, such as t-shirt, warm-up jacket, water bottle or anything else you students love.

Make sure to communicate giveaway details to families on your social media channels, through email and even your Parent Portal.

Volunteer in the community

As a dance studio owner, chances are you’ve worked very hard to build a relationship and engage with the community that supports you. What better way to pass that experience on to your students than by creating opportunities for them to engage with their community?

Whether you volunteer at a local food pantry, adopt a low-income family to provide meals for during the summer or collectively donate unused clothes and household items to a local shelter, coming together as a group will generate a sense of community that will keep families returning season after season!

Host an end-of-summer bash

Did someone say pool party?

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Whether you have a backyard oasis or rent the pool at your local park, get the gang together for a little fun in the sun before returning to the studio.

Make the event free to students, and if space is available, give students the option to bring a friend. Requiring a sign-in upon arrival, including name and email address, will allow you to connect with any newcomers to market classes for your fall season.

Offer registration incentives

This is an oldie, but a goodie, as offering registration incentives to students during the summer is a great way to ensure their foot stays in the door through the fall.

Early registration, or priority enrollment, makes students feel appreciated and is an easy way to pre-fill classes at your studio. If families know which classes are the most popular at your studio, this early access opportunity will likely give them the push to claim their spot, quickly.

Easy access for them. Easy engagement for you. Talk about a win-win!

Bottom line: Students will stay engaged with your dance studio through the summer if you give them the opportunity!

Are you ready to take control of the operations at your dance studio, including student and parent engagement? Start your 30-day trial of Jackrabbit Dance today so you can be prepared for registration this fall!

Start your 30-day Free Trial!

 

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