Opened a Studio!!! (it's scary) What brought YOU into pole?

NikitaDarling started this discussion · 10/21/2014

Hi All! Been awhile since I've reached out on Veena forums. I just moved to a new city in June, and since there wasn't much here in terms of pole dancing, I decided I'd just have to show the Hudson Valley what is up... so I've spent the last couple months putting together a small, grassroots pole studio. It was never something I yearned to do, but I LOVE teaching more than words can say. So here I am. You can check out the site still under slight construction here: www.hudsonvalleypole.com I have a handful of instructors/friends ready to bounce up here from NYC to host workshops or specialty classes. Marketing, however, is not really my thing. Any advice on how to reel people in? How were you converted to pole? Tell me everything! I have not done Google adwords yet or Yelp, but they are definitely on my radar. Just wondering WHAT it was exactly that brought you in to pole!

34 replies

grayeyes · 10/21/2014
I know absolutely nothing about marketing but I can tell you I started going to a pole studio because of a Groupon.
dustbunny · 10/22/2014
A coworker invited me to come with her to a class. I was looking for a new workout at the time and it sounded like fun. I was hooked after just one class!
AllysonKendal · 10/22/2014
Well I spent 4 years at school in NYC and I had always meant to try a pole fitness class (I'm not sure how I first heard about pole... but there are plenty of places to do it in the city). I don't remember WHY I wanted to do it, just looked fun I guess. Well I never got around to it... school was demanding and time just kind of slipped away. Well being back in NJ after I graduated I hit a bit of rut. I missed the excitement of the city, I missed my friends.. I needed to get out. I set a new years resolution to just get out of my comfort zone and finally do the things I kept saying I would always do... So I looked for a pole studio... (btw I think I used Polenation.com to search). I really didn't know much about pole so I chose mainly on convenience. So I looked at location (is it far? is it in a nice area?) and times. Seems like all studios were about 45 min away. And to be honest, I knew I'd be driving solo and probably at night to class... so I made sure to look google street view and make sure it didn't look like a bad area. I was definitely deterred from one studio. It's funny how the city doesn't bother me, but sometimes the suburbs just freak me out! The times were a BIG issue for me. For some studios beginner classes were at a good time.. but if I progressed out of beginner, the intermediate would be impossible for me to get to... So those studios were out. I chose a small studio run out of the instructor's house. All classes were mixed levels so it wasn't an issue about progressing out of the class. I just like having my Wednesday night pole sessions. I didn't want to keep hoping around times! I imagine starting a studio would be really hard! Good luck! If I'm passing through upstate I'll be sure to book a class!
Stefana of Light · 10/22/2014
Sheika kelley's talk on TedX - let's get naked. Really struck deep with me in so many areas, and wow did pole wake me up, physically of course, but mostly spiritually and emotionally:)
chemgoddess1 · 10/22/2014
When I started poling there was only one option besides learning on my own. Much of what I did was off videos and the internet. I don't even remember how I even found the studio in went to because at the time she did not even have a website. Now if I am visiting an area I will check out studios. I will drop in a class or two to get a feel for a studio before signing up for classes. As with Zumba for me convenience is a factor but I have no problem driving to a farther studio if there are quality instructors.
Lustyzins · 10/22/2014
I was a studio owner for 5 years. Groupon will get your name out there, but don't expect a huge return. Many will buy the coupon, but never show up. Be very careful of Yelp. They filter your good reviews, but will broadcast any bad review you may get, and they will not take it down. Best marketing I did was my website and a heavy presence on Facebook. I also did a lot of community events, produced and directed several pole/aerial/burlesque shows, competed, and performed locally to draw people into the studio. Workshops were ok, but don't expect to make any money on them. It will all go to the guest instructor. I started at a girls' night out party. Out of 20 who attended, only 3 of us continued with pole and committed to classes. Parties are big money makers, so that is also an ideal way to market, and maybe you will get a few committed students from them. Best of luck!!!!! It's a lot of hard work, but also fulfilling and creative!!!!
MiaMeland · 10/22/2014
Facebook ads and a good product is the best advertising :-) good luck :-)
shiodo · 10/23/2014
I've been starting pole dancing during my Erasmus. I had always wanted to try it, however in my hometown the price was way too high and the studio at the opposite side of the city... I looked on the internet to find my studio. Their website was great and everything was clear. There was even a discount on the price of classes when you buy several ones at the same time. Its location was perfect: a huge bus station nearby and a car park for those who needed it. The teachers were amazing and I knew I wanted to stay with them after the first lesson! :) Oh yes, all the classes were at night which was really cool for me as a student!
SueSnider · 10/23/2014
I started poling because I was a exotic dancer and got bored just walking around the stage. Lol. I ordered Pantera's Pole Tricks 101, then found other DVD's and Youtube. I opened my own (tiny) studio last year in Morgantown, WV. I've found that posting often on social media and flyers have been the best ways to reach people. I post pole& fitness info, motivation, and try to make a combo video at least once every couple of weeks and post it on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube with all the relevant hashtags I can think of; I'm always amazed by how many views I get! As for flyers, I hit every place that has a peg board and leave a flyer and some business cards. I've also tried to list on all the pole websites I can find: United Pole Artists, PoleNation, X-pole, Pole Dancing for Fitness, etc. Hope this helps!
RoMo · 10/23/2014
I work in Market Research and Facebook ads are NOT a good way to spend your money. Please don't waste your money on Facebook ads! You get the views that you're promised, but the demographics are not accurate and the ROI doesn't cut it. Facebook presence is good. Create a site for your studio (Wix.com or any other free site builder, or even just create a facebook page) and spread the word via friends and such.
Freddie · 10/23/2014
I wonder if you could try to find students in your area who are already doing other forms of dance? Ballroom dancers, belly dancers, dancers at the local college?
Lucca Valentine · 10/23/2014
If you have access to a stand alone/stage pole maybe you could set up in a populated area and have someone so tricks while another person can be there to hand out fliers and talk to people? I dunno what the legal parameters would be on that but I've seen people do it at festivals and stuff for pole and for aerial
Lucca Valentine · 10/23/2014
Also, leaving cards at the front desk of places like yoga or Pilates studios can help. I've done that for my massage practice and owners have been keen to help, but at the same time I wasn't advertising another fitness class. Other ideas can be fliers at juice bars or university centers near you. Yknow those fliers that have little sideways tabs on the bottom so people can take your number and info with them? I see them around at my campus and they usually have most of the tabs gone, so people are at least taking them and showing interest I dunno about the follow up but every bit helps :)
Carrington · 10/23/2014
How much is your lease? Im thinking of opening a space eventually and the going rate over here for space is $1100
NikitaDarling · 10/24/2014
@Lucca Valentine, you and I are on the same wavelength! I live near a college, so i've jogged through campus and left fliers in fun places! I'm def thinking about purchasing a stand-alone stage to host demos in festivals and art fairs, as there are many here, especially in the warmer months. I've been doing the drop-off at local studios I go to, and they don't seem to mind (probably because I give them a lot of business as a patron myself). I think it's working. The lead-up has been slow, but when I think about the fact i've been open a week and I've already have a handful of new students, I don't think thats so bad. #optimism
NikitaDarling · 10/24/2014
@Freddie, that is def good advice. I also think thats why a pole studio will hopefully work here: there isn't much in terms of adult dance classes of any sort in this area!
NikitaDarling · 10/24/2014
@oakmama, not sure where you're looking exactly, but I had the same experience. I found a beautiful place in Poughkeepsie, on Main St, but it was 1100. The inside was PERFECT, but that was still too high for rent, especially considering some people [who've obviously never traveled to other cities], consider it a rough section of town. I don't find it that bad, but really, what will you steal from a small pole studio? Rubbing alcohol and rags? But alas, I also didn't think i needed a storefront, so paying more for that seems silly. I'd suggest driving around, and calling the numbers on buildings. I had NO luck with Craigslist.
NikitaDarling · 10/24/2014
@romo, that is good to know, because i def had a few people tell me "boosting" your FB posts was really helpful because a lot of people see them... i do see those numbers, but you're right: who are they hitting? it doesn't matter if 1200 people saw your post if 1100 of them were men over 50.
NikitaDarling · 10/24/2014
Thank you guys for all the feedback! Its all SUPER helpful. I am feeling like groupon may not be super beneficial for me yet. For timing- i hear ya on all that evening feedback! I currently have classes 4 nights during the workweek, from 6:30-7:45 and on Saturdays from 11am - 12:15, and 12:15 - 1:30. I feel like these are some of the times that are beneficial to ME when I'm looking to move, so i guess we'll just see what sticks! So far, no one has come to Friday night classes. Every other day has resulted in at least one person. Do you guys think I should nix Friday night?
Lustyzins · 10/24/2014
I'd recommend using Fridays for parties instead of classes :)
Lustyzins · 10/24/2014
And saw your post about location. I would never recommend renting in a "rough" area. Mine was in a bad section of town (great rent, high ceilings). We were broken into twice, had to dodge a lot of drug addicts, and always left in groups at night. Not worth it.
NikitaDarling · 10/24/2014
I totally agree @lustyzins! Especially if you want a storefront (which I did not). What also dissuaded me, was thinking about the clientele I want... like if you want to EMPOWER women of all ages, shapes, sizes, having them walk through a group of men smoking a blunt, and hollering at every girl they see while loitering in front of your store, would def be a deterrent for a lot of people. I know I wouldn't want to deal with it, no matter how much I enjoy the dance class.
NikitaDarling · 10/24/2014
And yes, I think i will keep Fridays free for parties and maybe just add those classes to Tuesday.
Ariabella · 10/25/2014
The thread on fitness swings and the AFrame portable stand brought me to this site. Studio Veena introduced me to the pole and aerial fitness/dance community. I suggest representing your classes correctly and following up with walk-ins especially if they never return. Sometimes large employers in the area will allow you to solicit membership from their employees if you offer group rates.
RoMo · 10/26/2014
@NikitaDarling and any other studio owners -- Just a bit more elaboration on how to use FB to your advantage. Here's a few tips and tricks that I've seen have worked for local, small business owners. 1 - Create an excellent profile / web page. This does NOT have to cost lots of money, but do put the time and effort to doing it. You can create a nice FB page or a free web page with a service like WIX. If you create a site, connect it up to your FB page. 2 - Add friends on FB. People in the demographic that interest you (ie; Women, 18-50). 3 - Join groups, especially similar stuff - other local gyms in the area, dance classes, etc. You'll really be surprised to see how many people saw your page from their local gym's FB page... 4 - List your events. Invite people. 5 - Share! to rack up followers, you need to create interesting content. Users who like your page will see your post. If they like or comment on your posts, their friends will see it, which can cause your network to grow. The most successful FB posts are the ones that drive the most people to comment, share and like. Most of the times these use a visual element (pics are better than videos!). Utilize the following tools: 1 -- Page insights - it's like Google's analytics and will tell you who's checking out your page, number of people who saw a post, etc. It clearly illustrates the specific content that engages readers. 2 -- Hashtags. 'nuff said. 3 -- Scheduled posts - FB lets you create a bunch of content and upload at predefined times. Setting certain posts to publish at certain times will give you a great boost in views. For example, if most people check their FB in the mornings, publish this week's class schedule at 7:30 am, so it'll be on top of your followers' news feeds. Pictures, quotes and inspiration should be posted in the evenings, when people need it. Wishing you all the best of luck! If you ever want any help/advice, please feel free to message me privately. :)

Load more replies (page 2 of 2)