19 Apr 2024 · 3 min
Amanda Barr and Bec talk studio owners through asking clients for referrals without apology. They stress direct communication and leaning on your community to fill new student spots.
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Amanda and Bec here with no bullshit business tips. And we are so excited to talk to you today about not being afraid to tell your clients that you want new students.
It sounds super simple, right? But it's something that probably a lot of you have never actually done before. We all get a little bit scared. We overthink it, and it's not something we can actually take action. But today, if you take action on this, I know that it can help you grow your stud.
Now, Amanda, I know a lot of our studio owners out there are thinking, like, how. How could I possibly say this to someone? So what would your suggestion be on that?
So for me, I would think about. Okay, so you've got a small preschool class that runs on a Wednesday. You know, there's not a lot of clients in it or, you know, whatever it is, there's only a couple of kids in it. So on Wednesday, you jump in and you're like, hey, so. And so's mom. Yeah, look how she's enjoying the class. Oh, I'm so glad she's having a really good time. Hey, we're actually hoping to grow this class. It's actually quite a small class. We usually have so many more kids in the classes than this. So if there's anyone that, you know, little Suzy knows, if she has any other friends that she'd like to bring along, please feel free to, like, tell their mums and, you know, bring them along next week. It can be that simple.
So simple. Yeah. I think we forget the power of building those relationships. We get scared to talk to people in our waiting area, talk to clients, and put those things out there. But that is so, so powerful. And it doesn't feel salesy.
It doesn't at all. And people want to help.
Yes.
I think it's that thing that we always forget that people actually want to help people. Right. So, you know, putting it out like that, just saying it in a conversation is really great. You know, you can also drop an email saying, hey, we're at small business and we're trying to grow a new program. If you know anyone that would like to come along, we'd love to offer them this free class pass or, you know, whatever it is, and being honest, saying, hey, we need more students. Can you help?
Yeah. Even getting them to share a post that's maybe talking about that, like it's okay to say to your families, hey, you know, we're really trying to enroll some new people into this at the moment. Can you share the post on social media? I don't know about you, but my families love sharing that stuff on social media. They're all about it.
Absolutely. And I think it comes back to that thing, right? People want to help. Yes, people, but they also don't know how to help. Have you seen that meme? Is it a meme that kind of goes around, that's like, ways to help a small business, you know, that kind of thing? And it's like, you know, share their stuff, blah, blah, blah. People need to be told what to do. People want to help, but they don't know how. So tell them. Ask them for it. Tell them exactly what you want them to do. Hey, if you've got any friends that might like to come along, here's my number. Tell them to give me a call. That's all it has to be, Right.
And remember that most of these people are your biggest fans, and you know, they're going to happily put it out there that they're having an amazing experience at your school. So let them.
Absolutely. So we want you to take action on this today. You know, is there a group of parents? Is it a whole studio thing? It doesn't matter. It could just be one class. But put it out there that you're trying to grow this program, trying to grow this class and actually take action by asking some of those parents and telling them that you need more kids.
Yes. And I think the key there is asking the parents, not sending an email, not sending, you know, invitation or something like that, but actually going up to them and speaking to them. I think we avoid this way too much in our community, and we need to start getting a lot better at it.
Absolutely. It's that power of connection, right?
It totally is. All right, make sure you guys take some action on this. Let's do this shit.
