fitSpot Guru
fitSpot Guru is your weekly guide to mastering fitDEGREE! Each week our team will take on topics related to our software provided by our clients or our internal team. The goal is to leave the episode with a greater understanding of fitDEGREE and how it can be used to optimize your business! Got a question or a suggestion? Email us at [email protected]!
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Episode 292: Delegate Like a Pro: How to Onboard, Train, and Track a Virtual Assistant
06/05/2025
Episode 292: Delegate Like a Pro: How to Onboard, Train, and Track a Virtual Assistant
What We Cover In This Episode: How to prepare your business for a virtual assistant before you post for help [4:23] Things to keep in mind when hiring the right VA for your fitness studio [7:51] Where and how to source a VA, including the top platforms available right now [10:06] Why it’s important to create quick wins for a confidence and trust boost with your new team member [11:15] The essential tools for VA communication and task management [13:57] What the key metrics are for measuring virtual assistant success [15:03] Quotes: “There's nothing worse than when you try to delegate something and you get to the point where you go, ‘I might as well just do this myself’, because sometimes you’re wrong, but sometimes you’re right. If you’re right it’s back on your plate, but if you’re wrong, you have to hope that the next hire works or it’s your fault that it’s not working out.” [Nick, 15:24] “The whole reason we’re talking about hiring a VA or delegating work is that you are getting [to do] higher value work. So you’re able to focus on growth, leadership, member experience, and focus on the things that improve the quality of the studio.” [Nick, 16:25] “A VA is for things that you wish software could do but AI isn't there yet. It’s like you could explain exactly what to do and that person could do it.” [Nick, 18:35] LINKS: (on Facebook) fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 291: Do, Delegate, Delete: The Studio Owner’s Guide to Choosing VA, Team, or Tech
05/29/2025
Episode 291: Do, Delegate, Delete: The Studio Owner’s Guide to Choosing VA, Team, or Tech
What We Cover In This Episode: Why energy, not just time, is your most valuable resource as a business owner [2:43] How to determine what tasks you should be doing yourself [6:28] When to delegate in-house versus to a virtual assistant [10:21] What to consider about deleting and/or automating tasks [17:05] Tips for leveraging AI and automation [17:29] Why implementing a weekly time audit to identify and label tasks is so powerful [19:16] Quotes: “If you are doing something over and over again with the exact same logic, there is no nuance to it, you should not delegate to that person, you should automate it.” [Nick, 18:59] “Every time you do a task, you're going to ask yourself, does this need me? Can I trade someone to do this? Can tech do it faster? This is the ironic part, with less error.” [Nick, 19:24] “Let the team support your studio heartbeat, let your VA handle the systems you create and let technology handle whatever needed your hands in the first place.” [Nick, 22:52] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 290: Cracking the Code on Client Retention: Small Tweaks, Big Impact
05/22/2025
Episode 290: Cracking the Code on Client Retention: Small Tweaks, Big Impact
What We Cover In This Episode: How the three main pillars of retention make up the foundational strategy for boosting client retention [6:04] The way to use tactical behavior tracking to identify at-risk clients [6:26] Why starting a consistency club to recognize and reward members for maintaining regular attendance streaks is such an effective strategy [11:03] The importance of intentionally connecting new members with both staff and established regulars and what happens when you do this [15:50] LINKS: Episodes , , , & with Niki Riga fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 289: What Could Go Wrong? Summer Events, Outdoor Classes & Staying Prepared
05/15/2025
Episode 289: What Could Go Wrong? Summer Events, Outdoor Classes & Staying Prepared
What We Cover In This Episode: Pre-event planning strategies to pay attention to when creating a successful outdoor event [4:56] The necessity of clear communication with attendees regarding location, parking, weather expectations, and what to bring [6:55] An important reminder to confirm location permits or partnership agreements before hosting outdoor fitness events in public spaces or other venues [12:09] More client communication tips that will set your event up for success [13:49] The basics of a contingency plan to have in place and other considerations to keep in mind in terms of logistics on the big day [15:10] Quotes: “I think this is a huge blunder when people don’t do this. You’re going somewhere new, and that means for existing clients that are coming, it’s also new to them. So, where are you going to be? Draw a map, maybe get some drone footage coverage if you can do that, make Instagram posts about it and tell them where they can park.” [7:46] “Always treat your outdoor events like a business, not a block party. Your reputation and liability are on the line....you want to create a community gathering as best you can, you want it to feel like a party, but it is a business first.” [8:19] “Send a day before text and email with location, parking tips, weather expectations and what to bring. I think that leading up to this they should know where they’re going to park, they should know where it’s going to be, but weather expectations is something that you can do earlier in the week to get people prepared.” [13:54] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/36452725
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Episode 288: Click to Cancel & FTC Compliance
05/08/2025
Episode 288: Click to Cancel & FTC Compliance
What We Cover In This Episode: Details on the FTC negative option rule coming into effect May 14th and why compliance is key when it comes to protecting your boutique fitness business [3:51] The clear and easy to use option to keep your business compliant as well enhancing the client experience [5:38] How FitDegree provides control over in-app cancellation options [8:05] The new reporting feature in FitDegree that allows studios to track membership cancellations, along with optional push notifications for real-time alerts and more [11:07] Quotes: “This is going to be about transparency, it is about consumer protection, tha’s why it is being enforced, and it’s about making sure people don't feel trapped in a membership they can't get out of.” [Nick, 4:03] “It is not a ‘nice to have’, it is a federal law. You need to stay compliant and it's one of those things that if you do a little bit of work upfront you are going to avoid legal headaches down the road. It’s also going to build trust with your clients.” [Nick, 4:46] “We saw some softwares come out with this feature before us and they simply just threw a cancel button on there. We took our time… with our development team.” [Nick, 8:19] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/36393805
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Episode 287: From Side Hustle to CEO: When to Go All In
05/01/2025
Episode 287: From Side Hustle to CEO: When to Go All In
What We Cover In This Episode: The key financial readiness benchmarks you should be considering before transitioning to full-time [4:55] What operational systems are key for a fitness studio transitioning from part-time to full-time [9:01] Why it is so important to test if your fitness studio can function without you [11:53] What analyzing the last three months of business will tell you about the position you are in to go all-in with your business [16:11] Free tools and resources you can use, including how the "Profit First Method" and how it can help you manage your business finances like a salary [17:19] Specific questions to ask yourself weekly as you assess if now is the right time for you to make the leap to full-time in business [22:07] Quotes: “Make sure all the systems are in place, so when you do the full-time jump you are trying to scale the business and not trying to figure out the business.” [Nick, 9:40] “It is twofold why you should be implementing software early on, because it is going to help with the scheduling, it is going to help with the billing, it is going to help with some communication and to use when onboarding new clients.” [Nick, 10:42] “Going full-time doesn't have to be reckless, it just has to be intentional. Use the data, build a plan, step into the role of the business that is waiting for you, that you want to be in.” [25:57] LINKS: by Ramit Sethi by Mike Michalowicz fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 286: From Slower Traffic to Summer Surges: How to Stay Ahead in the Heat
04/24/2025
Episode 286: From Slower Traffic to Summer Surges: How to Stay Ahead in the Heat
What We Cover In This Episode: Effective strategies for creating recurring revenue with summer-only Memberships [3:20] The benefits of summer outdoor fitness classes and how you can leverage the outdoors in your business [4:50] Some ways you can use seasonal promotions and loyalty rewards to maintain summer engagement [9:13] The importance of freeze options over cancellations for summer absences [10:46] Why you should be considering upgrading classes, adding classes and/or instructors during this time [14:45] How to implement referral programs for family and friends who are also on vacation to maintain traffic in your studio, along with other summer-specific programs and events you can tap into [16:09] Quotes: “Incentivizing people to be there when it's easier to not be there is always going to be a good idea, and it's going to be even more true during the summer when it's warm weather, longer sunsets, things like that.” [Nick, 10:33] “When it comes to decreased traffic, it is just about getting crafty with it. You have to get creative, people are leaving for the summer so say ‘hey, instead of cancelling your membership why don't you freeze it.’” [Megan, 11:39] “I think that the biggest thing is that you still want them to maintain this lifestyle to some degree, so that when things slow down with them they are ready and they are eager to get back in the studio and really bring that lifestyle back to the forefront.” [Nick, 12:13] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 285: Gym Owners’ Legal Checklist: Avoiding Costly Mistakes and Planning for Growth
04/17/2025
Episode 285: Gym Owners’ Legal Checklist: Avoiding Costly Mistakes and Planning for Growth
What We Cover In This Episode: The difference between an LLC and an S-Corp, and how that affects liability, taxation and future growth [4:31] What the purpose of a legal entity is, and how it protects your personal assets from business lawsuits [7:04] How to negotiate commercial leases effectively, plus the strategies you can use to protect your wealth [15:45] What makes membership and staff agreements critical for a new gym business and why not having these in place isn’t an option [19:33] The significant financial risks of misclassifying staff and how the true costs this type of mistake can have [25:17] What specific lease clauses gym owners should negotiate, and how to get better protection within those contracts [29:32] What you need to keep in mind as you future plan for the sale of your business [35:08] Quotes: “The whole purpose of the legal entity is to protect your personal assets. Think about it as we're basically putting a roof over your head so that the lawsuit comes at you, at the legal entity, and it's going to bounce off you personally, and it's going to stick to the legal entity." [Matt, 6:59] “The lease is a contract and every contract is negotiable. So the landlord will present you with an initial copy of the lease and recommend that you hire somebody to go through and basically say, we like this language. We don't like this language." [Matt, 15:27] "So it's not really a question of whether or not you think you should have a membership agreement. You have to. By law." [Matt & Nick, 22:26] “We want to make sure that we are building an asset, this is an investment, this is an asset that is growing and it is nice and packaged up, because it's a nice little LLC and the more you operate in it the more you can remove yourself from the business it is going to increase its evaluation and then ultimately, we are going to try to sell it.” [Matt, 36:40] LINKS: Gym Lawyers Gym Wealth Strategies Their & Services fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 284: Zoom Out: Working ON Your Business, Not Just IN It
04/10/2025
Episode 284: Zoom Out: Working ON Your Business, Not Just IN It
What We Cover In This Episode: How to strategically carve out dedicated "CEO time" each week and why this focused time is so crucial [7:49] Why a time audit is essential for business growth [10:18] How to implement 90-day planning cycles for more agile and effective business growth [14:50] What you can do right now to shift your mindset from an instructor to a leader and why this transition is vital for a studio looking to scale [20:21] Tips for effectively delegating tasks to free up your time and how doing this can significantly improve your productivity and team empowerment [21:41] How to use journaling prompts to improve your mindset and leadership and you go on your journey to work on, not just in your business [25:17] Quotes: “There's always going be work to do, there's always going to be little things to do, and at some point, those little things stop moving the needle and they start to become distractions.” [Nick, 5:45] “We can't go on vibes, we need data to make informed decisions. After you are in the nitty-gritty, in the thick of it, you have developed an informed decision because you have data, both quantitative and qualitative.” [Nick, 17:47] “You should be hiring someone for things that you are either not good at or hate doing. That person is signing up knowing that this is going to be their job, so they have to be into it just a little bit to know what they are signing up for.” [Nick, 22:48] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 283: Unlocking New Features: What’s New in fitDEGREE & How to Use Them
04/03/2025
Episode 283: Unlocking New Features: What’s New in fitDEGREE & How to Use Them
What We Cover In This Episode: A look at our recent key feature updates, including schedule visibility, gift card discounts, and more [1:17] The flexible gift card redemption feature now available that will enhance user experience [6:32] Some use cases that highlight why these new features will be valuable to you [9:58[ What we’ve done to simplify the refund process for drop-in classes and how this will improve administrative efficiency [12:10] Why it’s important to understand where these new features are coming from and next steps to submit your own feedback [19:10] Quotes: “Discounts for a gift card only work on the public app for users, not for guests, and the reason that we had to build that is because someone can get into an infinite loop where they are using gift card balances to buy more gift card balance.” [Nick, 5:03] “We've always had the ability of having flexibility around your billing, where you could bill within a matter of weeks, months or years, but with perks, we have only had it on a monthly basis, or a per week basis. So, now we have extended that so that membership perks can now be renewed on a four-week basis, two-week basis, three-week basis, three-month basis, whatever you want to do to get creative.” [Nick, 7:42] “One of our goals in mind was Mother's Day. We really wanted this [feature] before that next holiday, where we do see an uptick in gift cards.” [Megan, 13:15] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/35875605
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Episode 282: Rules, Relationships, and Respect: Enforcing Policies Without Losing Members
03/27/2025
Episode 282: Rules, Relationships, and Respect: Enforcing Policies Without Losing Members
What We Cover In This Episode: Strategies for onboarding new clients and communicating studio policies effectively so that clear expectations are set from Day One [4:24] Why enforcing policies fairly across the board is essential to prevent accusations of favoritism and to maintain member respect [9:56] How enforcing policies contributes to a better experience for both members and the business, rather than just being a “tyrant” [11:03] Tips for maintaining boundaries with members while still being friendly [11:44] What you can do to effectively communicate policy updates to members, using multiple channels [12:29] The importance of training staff to confidently enforce policies and communicate them effectively [14:45] Quotes: “We believe by enforcing all these policies based on our modality, based on our studio, based on our community, that this is going to create the overall better experience when a new member walks in the door.” [Nick, 11:20] “You don’t want to be the bad person of your studio as the owner. You want to train your staff up, to not only know all the policies, but how to communicate these policies without conflict.” [Nick, 14:46] “At the end of the day, enforcing policies does not make you a villain, it makes you a responsible business owner and the most important rule of business is to stay in business.” [Nick,19:58] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 281: What You’re Overthinking (And What Actually Matters)
03/20/2025
Episode 281: What You’re Overthinking (And What Actually Matters)
What We Cover In This Episode: Why quality over quantity matters when it comes to social media followers [7:29] The dangers of adding more options you to your studio, both for your business and your clients [12:17] The key reasons that a multi-modality studio should have a multi room studio [16:15] How setting boundaries and creating systems, rather than being available 24/7, leads to better business management and prevents burnout [21:26] How keeping your clients happy before you worry about getting more of them will pay dividends [26:05] Quotes: “Perfectionism is the cancer for business owners. Done is better than perfect should be the tattoo everyone gets when they become a business owner.” [3:41] “Think about that emotional burden that you're putting on yourself when you are piling up to-do lists. What is actually worth your time and what is not?” [6:30] “Over accessibility its going to lead to burn out and clients are always going to expect more and more and more. You are going to realize that you are not charging enough for how much you are trying to offer right now.” [22:24] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/35673340
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Episode 280: Your Studio’s Blind Spots: What You’re Ignoring That’s Costing You
03/13/2025
Episode 280: Your Studio’s Blind Spots: What You’re Ignoring That’s Costing You
What We Cover In This Episode: What you can do to maximize profit through regular, not once-a-year, audits of your numbers [3:33] How to stop membership leaks and strategies for handling expired cards and follow-ups [4:49] Ways to reduce overall studio expenses by focusing on your software and payment fees [11:20] Why your pricing matters and what you can do to avoid undervaluing memberships [13:28] How to free up your time using delegation and simple loyalty programs [23:31] Quotes: “If you’re doing big audits or a big analysis once a year, sometimes it’s already too late. So, really focus on monthly and quarterly improvements and audits and don’t just focus on once a year, because who knows if you’ll be around by that time next year.” [Nick, 3:31] “At some point, you have to build a process and trust them to be capable people. If they are not capable people maybe either you have to spend more time on development and training, or maybe they're just not the right fit.” [16:57] “I think there is such an obsession with new leads, but how many people are coming through the door that you are not converting and are people cancelling their memberships after 6 months, 12 months, things like that.” [19:00] LINKS: & fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/35574205
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Episode 279: From Solo to Scalable: Building a Team That Has Your Back
03/06/2025
Episode 279: From Solo to Scalable: Building a Team That Has Your Back
What We Cover In This Episode: The true cost of a bad hire and why hiring the wrong person is even worse than being short-staffed [2:18] How delegating tasks can free you to work on your business, not just in it [3:52] Which key roles are essential for your studio's success and how to structure your staffing for maximum impact [6:41] What the real secret is to having happy and loyal employees [8:43] Who you need to hire and how to avoid nightmare hires [15:03] The number one interview question that's going to tell if your potential new hire is a good fit [18:51] A look at the pay structures that will motivate your team to buy into your studio’s vision and help you scale in the process [20:03] How to shift your mindset from micromanaging to leading, setting clear expectations, and fostering a thriving team environment [23:22] Quotes: “Burnout isn't a badge of honor. When you are trying to do everything, eventually you are going to start sucking at some of the things that you are doing and you realize you're just holding your business back, instead of letting go and empowering people and letting them do the things that you used to do so that you can do things that you're never getting to.” [Nick, 6:05] “The worst thing that you can do is hire in desperation. You don't want to settle for ‘good enough’. Your staff should align with the studios cultures and values. They should be proud to work at the studio. [Nick, 17:39] “The key to growth is hiring smart and training well and leading with confidence. When you build a team that aligns with your vision you create a studio that thrives without you doing everything, and let me tell you, it just feels amazing.” [Nick, 25:44] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/35485010
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Episode 278: The Art of the First Impression: How to Hook New Members in 30 Seconds
02/27/2025
Episode 278: The Art of the First Impression: How to Hook New Members in 30 Seconds
What We Cover In This Episode: Why a strategic approach, not just "vibes," is essential for client experience and retention [0:27] What recent data is showing about customer retention and the importance of first impressions [2:50] The reasons that the first five seconds a client interacts with your studio is so critical, and what can do to ensure it’s a positive experience [8:16] The “30-Second Hook Formula” you can use to guide them through the space, engage in conversation, and invite them to the next step [15:08] Tactics for enhancement, including why strategically placed mirrors will help boost confidence and familiarity for your new members [18:19] How to address any awkwardness clients may feel and create a welcoming environment for everyone [23:43] Quotes: “You should be following a formula on how to make people feel comfortable, but when you are a new customer in a business, it is all vibes. You know you get that ick feeling, and once you get that ick feeling, it is really hard to shake it.” [Nick, 1:20] “I cannot stress that enough, [that] you are a VIP expense, a VIP investment to these people, so you have to create a VIP experience. This is not group classes at the YMCA, this is not Group classes at LA Fitness. You are trying to prove that you are worth that top dollar, so you need to create that VIP experience.” [Nick, 6:45] “First impressions are not just important, they are everything….your studio should feel like home within the first 30 seconds of someone walking in the door, [and] I’d argue even less.” [Nick, 25:19] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/35350260
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Episode 277: Spring Cleaning for Your Fitness Business: Refreshing Policies & Procedures
02/20/2025
Episode 277: Spring Cleaning for Your Fitness Business: Refreshing Policies & Procedures
What We Cover In This Episode: Why Spring is the perfect time to review and refresh your business operations [0:23] How updating your contracts and waivers will ensure you're legally protected and aligned with industry best practices [8:39] The way that clear policies on late cancellations, no-shows, and general studio etiquette will create a smoother, more professional experience for everyone [11:25] Actionable strategies for streamlining studio operations for peak efficiency [12:48] The importance of simplifying onboarding and member communication and the benefits you’ll see as a result of doing this [14:30] A reminder to use this time to check your studio supplies, inventory, and equipment to ensure everything is in top shape [16:08] Tips for assessing your studio software to ensure it is properly supporting your business growth and efficiency [21:14] Quotes: “Liability waivers and membership contracts are not supposed to be fun, short, easy reads. You know, the more you can pull out the legalese and the more you can humanize the waiver so people can actually read it is wonderful, but it shouldn't be so short and sweet to the point that you're making yourself vulnerable.” [Nick, 5:59] “Simplify onboarding and member communication. So, are new clients getting all the information they need up front and creating an automated welcome email sequence? I think this is, you know, that drip campaign we talked about earlier, separating out of those, what's an email, what's a text, what's fluff and what's important.” [Nick, 14:33] “Spring is a perfect time to do a deep clean, not just for your physical space but for your business operations too. Updating contracts and waivers keeps you protected, and streamlining operations boosts efficiency and leveraging tech makes you work smarter and not harder.” [Nick, 23:38] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/35336740
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Episode 276: Breaking Free from the Studio Owner Burnout Cycle
02/13/2025
Episode 276: Breaking Free from the Studio Owner Burnout Cycle
What We Cover In This Episode: The importance of establishing systems, setting boundaries, and building support structures to prevent burnout, both personally and professionally [0:54] How to recognize the early warning signs of burnout and what you can do to address them before they escalate [4:26] The critical role of rest and recovery in preventing burnout and how to schedule non-negotiable downtime into your schedule [10:18] The way you can use specific work lists to minimize the micromanaging that so often leads to burnout [12:38] Practical tips for setting work-life boundaries, including managing client communication and creating an emergency plan for your studio [18:47] How leveraging community support and connecting with other studio owners to share solutions is key in breaking free from this dangerous cycle [20:03] A reminder that burnout sneaks up, and how self-awareness can combat it [20:43] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/35240200
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Episode 275: Navigating Tough Client Conversations: Policies, Boundaries, and Difficult Situations
02/06/2025
Episode 275: Navigating Tough Client Conversations: Policies, Boundaries, and Difficult Situations
What We Cover In This Episode: Proactive strategies like waivers and automated reminders to set expectations and prevent misunderstandings [3:27] How to master the art of de-escalation by using neutral language and effective communication techniques during tense client interactions [8:12] How offering solutions and demonstrating goodwill can lead to positive outcomes even in challenging conversations [11:44] What you can do to establish and maintain healthy boundaries with clients in your studio [14:17] Why protecting your mental health is crucial when navigating difficult client situations, and how to do it effectively [15:55] Tips for managing refund requests and membership cancellations smoothly to minimize potential issues and maintain client relationships[16:40] Useful strategies like staff role-playing with staff, using templates, leveraging automation and more to improve client communication and conflict resolution [21:18] Quotes: “Essentially the more well outlined your business is in terms of your policies, your waivers, your standard business operating practices, the fewer conflicts you are going to encounter or the more easily you can navigate those conflicts because you have something in place to guide you through them.” [Megan, 3:36] “If you have a conversation with one of your clients on your policies and it is starting to turn into a tougher conversation, remember that we are all humans, nobody is perfect. We’ve got a lot on our plate and you’ve got a lot on your plate.” [8:35] “A great way to prepare for navigating difficult client conversations when it comes to enforcing your policies or your boundaries or anything like that is role-playing. You should have regular staff meetings where maybe you implement role-playing scenarios.” [21:40] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/35160900
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Episode 274: Simplifying Payments and Memberships: The Secret to Studio Success
01/30/2025
Episode 274: Simplifying Payments and Memberships: The Secret to Studio Success
What We Cover In This Episode: What to understand about payment processing and the key differences between ACH and credit card transactions [4:58] How you can use proactive communication to avoid payment disputes that may arise with members [9:26] Options you have within your studio to avoid overwhelming clients and to simplify membership management [10:39] Ways to use fitDEGREE’s automated features to handle failed payments, notify clients and to establish clear messaging and policies to address disputes quickly [12:38] Why it’s important to be auditing current membership options to align with your client behavior [24:50] What happens when you clearly communicate the benefits of each membership tier during the signup process with the new member [25:59] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/35051060
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Episode 273: Maximizing Revenue Streams in Your Fitness Studio
01/23/2025
Episode 273: Maximizing Revenue Streams in Your Fitness Studio
What We Cover In This Episode: Why a thorough analysis of your existing income streams is the foundational step towards maximizing your studio's profitability [4:21] How surveying your clients to understand their needs and preferences can reveal untapped opportunities for new services and offerings [5:23] Effective strategies to leverage your current revenue streams to achieve significant growth within your fitness studio [6:50] The importance of recognizing when a particular revenue stream idea is no longer viable and requires redirection of your efforts [7:52] Innovative ideas to increase your studio's profitability through the sale of high-margin retail products [9:54] The potential that exists for hosting engaging workshops and special events to attract new clients and generate additional income streams [12:46] How to successfully introduce one-on-one training and small group classes as valuable and profitable offerings for your clients [13:45] What you can do to leverage the popularity of your signature class by developing and licensing a program with it [16:24] A range of dynamic strategies you can implement within your studio to enhance client experience, increase engagement, and ultimately drive revenue growth [18:12] How leveraging technology, including fitDEGREE’s payment and scheduling features to streamline processes, can bring more cash into your business [19:33] Quotes: “When you launch a new revenue stream, it’s the same thing as a new employee coming in. Have a 90-day review of it. Are things going up, are things going down, is it your fault, is it the market’s fault? Is it something you should kibosh before you get too deep in [it].” [Nick, 2:48] “The idea of licensing a program or your model is pretty interesting. These are how franchises get started. If you’re more of a community-based studio, then maybe just skip ahead.” [Nick, 16:31] “It always goes back to the pricing idea of really optimizing your class revenue stream. Are you offering different levels and different budgets of commitment?” [18:13] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/34956095
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Episode 272: Mastering Referral Marketing for Your Studio
01/16/2025
Episode 272: Mastering Referral Marketing for Your Studio
What We Cover In This Episode: The key benefits of keeping your referral marketing simple and easy to understand [3:31] Options you have as incentives to offer those who are bringing you business through referrals [5:07]
How you can leveraging the community around you to generate more referrals [8:02]
What to consider when designing and promoting a clear referral program [12:05] Tips for implementing referral tracking software and the ways that fitDEGREE can help you manage referral rewards easily [14:10] How showcasing success stories can lead to even more referrals for your studio and what you can do to incentivize social sharing by others [15:14] Strategies you can use to recognize and celebrate those who are referring new members [16:38] Quotes: “Remember that if your customers are not talking about your business to their friends, then your brand isn't that strong.” [Nick, 1:41] “Make your referral program easy to understand and participate in. You don't want your people thinking about what the referral program is and not getting it right away, and then also trying to explain it to a friend and them not getting it right away.” [Nick, 3:53] “Remember, the studio is always going to be better for everybody if they are bringing in like-minded individuals.” [Nick, 8:14] “Even if [a referral payment] does cost you a few bucks, this is your effort to grow, as you’re rewarding the people that are bringing you new business.” [Nick 20:34] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 271: Work Smarter, Not Harder: Achieving Work-Life Balance as a Studio Owner
01/09/2025
Episode 271: Work Smarter, Not Harder: Achieving Work-Life Balance as a Studio Owner
What We Cover In This Episode: How identifying tasks that can be automated or delegated to free up your time is the very first step in achieving work-life balance as a studio owner [4:25] The importance of setting boundaries and clearly communicating them to staff and clients [6:57] What you can do as a studio owner right now to prioritize your self-care [12:00] How you can use available automation tools to begin working smarter, not harder [14:07] The way that delegating effectively and trusting your staff to make decisions will aid in this process [16:30] Why time-blocking is such a powerful strategy to use as a business owner [19:27] What you’ll be able to achieve by unplugging regularly and fully stepping away from the studio [23:19] Some things you can do to continue investing in your personal development [24:31] Quotes: “Trust your staff to manage the day-to-day operations without micromanaging. If you are going to tell your staff how to clean, even if they don't clean exactly like how you would clean, if they get the job 97 percent of the way done, just move on.” [Nick, 16:42] “Establish phone-free zones or hours to disconnect from work, emails, notifications, and plan regular days where you fully step away from the studio.” [Nick, 23:53] “Achieving work-life balance is not about doing it all, it’s about doing what matters most. Remember, done is better than perfect. So, by streamlining operations, setting clear boundaries and prioritizing self-care, you can create a business that works for you, not the other way around.” [26:09] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 270: Building a Strong Team: Employee Management Best Practices for Boutique Studios
01/02/2025
Episode 270: Building a Strong Team: Employee Management Best Practices for Boutique Studios
What We Cover In This Episode: How finding the right team really starts by defining your studio needs [4:07] Why focusing on fostering growth for your individual team members will be key when building and maintaining a strong team [11:28] Strategies for navigating termination in a professional way [12:12] The benefits that building a positive work culture will have not only on your team members, but also for your clients [16:48] Ways to revamp your hiring process to ensure you’re bringing on the right people for your boutique studio [17:29] Essential tips for developing a solid onboarding process [18:09] How to recognize your team for their efforts and an effective way to implement an “Employee of the Month” reward [18:41] Things to consider when using performance reviews [22:27] Thoughts on hosting team events to build a strong culture in your studio and what to do first if your team is experiencing any friction [24:21] Quotes: “Finding the right team starts with defining what your studio needs. Look beyond resumes and hire people who share your passion and values.” [Nick, 4:14] “You can write down a bunch of bullet points of what you’re looking for, you can match up those bullet points with a resume, but I think it is really important when you get into that interview process to look for the soft skills. [Ask yourself] is this person really going to fill that position I need?” [Nick, 5:20] “You want to avoid overloading your team with responsibilities, you want to make sure you celebrate these small and big wins, and you want to encourage open communication to get feedback on how things can improve.” [Nick, 16:57] LINKS: by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 269: Elevate Your Studio with Year-End Reflections for Continued Success
12/26/2024
Episode 269: Elevate Your Studio with Year-End Reflections for Continued Success
What We Cover In This Episode: How to pinpoint your studio's biggest achievements and challenges through a year-end review [4:06] The key metrics and trends to analyze in order to gain valuable insights for your studio's future [5:07] The power of a mission-driven approach in building a strong brand and fostering a loyal community [6:22] What you do to gather and implement member feedback to enhance your studio's offerings and services in the new year [9:48] Tips for setting specific goals that are both ambitious and achievable based on your reflections [11:20] How to host a productive team meeting to identify and address challenges, and set the stage for a successful 2025 [12:56] Quotes: “This reflection is going to help you refocus on the values that define your studio and ensure every aspect of the business aligns with your core purpose.” [Nick, 6:38] “Every single time you are making a decision for your studio, whether it is your pricing, your schedule, your hiring, everything you do it should all reconnect to your brand mission, vision and values.” [Megan, 7:55] “Smart goals are meant to be achieved because it feels good to get wins. You just stack those wins on top of each other and they become big wins over time.” [12:17] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 268: Boost Your Gym’s Sales Success with A Few Simple Questions
12/19/2024
Episode 268: Boost Your Gym’s Sales Success with A Few Simple Questions
What We Cover In This Episode: Tips for uncovering and understanding your potential clients “why” [4:59] How identify past challenges that your potential clients have had can be a big help in identifying their expectations [5:53] The way that highlighting your studio’s unique benefits can boost your sales success [7:13] Why active listening is crucial for discovering nuggets of information and past experiences [9:53] The key reasons you need to confirm you and your potential clients are on the same page [10:24] How you can incorporate testimonials in this process [10:55] A reminder to make sure your follow up is personalized [12:42] Quotes: “I want you to re-frame your sales conversations as if you're a doctor trying to help someone with a diagnosis or you are a consultant trying to help somebody with their problems, and that is going to lead to a more meaningful conversation.” [Nick, 4:11] “It is really important to uncover this person’s journey and why they are in there, because you want to make sure it is a good fit for you, and assuming it's a good fit for you, you want to identify how your studio can overcome these past challenges.” [Nick, 6:40] “When you really humanize the situation and show that you were listening to them, they are more likely to give you an answer and I can't iterate enough that yes’s are great, but sometimes I would rather have a fast no then having to pull their teeth to get a yes.” [Nick, 13:46] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 267: Crafting a Strong Group Class Pricing Structure
12/12/2024
Episode 267: Crafting a Strong Group Class Pricing Structure
What We Cover In This Episode: Recommendations for keeping your service menu simple and finite [4:05] Flexible service menu options you can use when creating your pricing structure [5:18] Why setting low prices to attract volume isn’t an effective long-term pricing strategy for your business [12:11] The benefits of including tiered membership options and examples of what this could look like [13:30] A bundling strategy that can enhance the member experience and justify a higher price point [13:50] A way you can reward long-term members for their commitment to your studio and what you will see as a result of using this strategy [19:24] Quotes: “I think it really helps when you offer flexible membership options because then a membership is for each client persona, for your casuals, your committed, and your flexible people.” [Nick, 7:14 “If you offer them that specialized attention, it is part of their membership and they might as well take advantage of it, they're only going to get more hooked into the modality, they are going to be a bigger advocate for the studio. They are going to have more fun during class and I really see it as a retention tool.” [15:29] “Rewarding long-term members with special pricing like a loyalty discount or exclusive offers recognizes their commitment and turns them into advocates for your studio.” [19:29] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 266: To Automate or To Call: Deciding When Personal Touch Matters in Your Fitness Studio
12/05/2024
Episode 266: To Automate or To Call: Deciding When Personal Touch Matters in Your Fitness Studio
What We Cover In This Episode: How to streamline your member interactions with efficient automation techniques [3:08] Why personalized communication for significant milestones can significantly impact client retention and satisfaction [3:50] Effective strategies to implement automated subscription payment reminders [4:41] What to understand about the delicate balance between automated and personalized communication, considering factors like sensitivity and urgency [6:26] Time-saving templates that allow for quick and effective personalization of your member communications [18:30] How to implement a system for regular check-ins to foster stronger member relationships [20:01] Ways you can use AI tools like ChatGPT to assist in creating personalized member outreach messages [20:57] Quotes: “[With] big renewals, I think it is worth reaching out and finding out if they're happy, because you're just going to deal with a mess if they are not happy and you have to reverse those charges.” [Nick, 6:17] “If you can diagnose that it's a pivotal point in a person’s client journey, whether they are first coming to the studio, it's time for renewal…any time that it is a pivotal point to that client continuing or not, I feel that is a good time to reach out personally.” [Nick, 10:35] “By automating routine tasks and reserving personal messages for key milestones, sensitive topics and unique members' journeys, you can streamline operations while also building a meaningful community connection.” [Nick, 23:33] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 265: Member Spotlights: Showcasing Success Stories to Boost Engagement
11/28/2024
Episode 265: Member Spotlights: Showcasing Success Stories to Boost Engagement
What We Cover In This Episode: Why showcasing member success stories can significantly boost engagement within your boutique fitness studio community [3:06] Effective strategies for choosing members to feature in your spotlights [3:39] Various achievements that can be celebrated in your member spotlights [4:56] How to utilize different formats to showcase these stories [5:41] Tips for motivating members to share their own spotlight stories and why this can be a powerful engagement tool [6:24] Practical advice on creating a plan to approach members and gather their stories [7:48] The optimal frequency for publishing member spotlights to maintain interest and engagement [12:06] How to design effective questionnaires to capture member stories and how to engage with spotlight subjects within your studio [16:02] Quotes: “When you share a member spotlight, it should rally the people. Everyone should be excited for that member and that member should be proud of their story….it should really rally the troops behind it. ” [Nick, 3:25] “Beginner gains are inspiring because it gets someone off the couch to a starting point. Also, an advanced member should get a shoutout too. They get these incremental progressions throughout the later years when you reach an advanced stage, and it’s still a big deal for them to achieve something.” [Nick, 4:20] “It can be self-kudos, or it can be about your instructors that work for you as well; they do a lot of stuff for you, your internal community and your external community.” [Megan, 14:59] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 264: Automating Your Way to More Customers with Justin Silverman of Merchynt
11/21/2024
Episode 264: Automating Your Way to More Customers with Justin Silverman of Merchynt
What We Cover In This Episode: A look at how Merchynt automated Google My Business [2:28] Some of the most effective marketing tools that are available to you right now [4:25] What to be aware of with sponsored Google listings [8:05] The specific components that make up a Google Business Profile [8:45] What “automating your Google Business Profile” means [12:40] Meet Paige and learn how this powerful tool can combine automation platforms capabilities [17:12] Best practices for local business website SEO [22:14] Quotes: “Website SEO is pretty irrelevant now for a local business, so that leaves the Google Business Profile, which is where 85 percent of people are going to click on that local search.” [Justin, 6:01] “There is no better way to get a highly motivated buyer in your door than showing up on the top three of Google maps.” [6:33] “Being Google-friendly is the most important [thing for SEO]. Landing pages are just as good as a 12-page website, and we have seen profiles rank on Google maps that don't even have a website. [25:50] LINKS: Merchynt’s , & ! fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 263: Creating an Impactful Studio Challenge: Boosting Engagement and Revenue
11/14/2024
Episode 263: Creating an Impactful Studio Challenge: Boosting Engagement and Revenue
What We Cover In This Episode: How to choose a challenge theme that aligns with your members' goals and sparks interest [2:53] The power of fostering community and accountability to motivate participants and increase success rates [3:56] Some of the ways in which offering meaningful rewards can boost engagement and amplify the impact of your challenges [5:00] How to build anticipation and excitement for your next challenge through strategic promotion [8:10] Tips for creating a simple yet effective tracking system to help participants stay on track [9:11] The importance of recognizing and celebrating both small wins and significant achievements [10:09] Quotes: “It is easy to get excited for the challenge to get started. It is easy for the challenge to be exciting for a week or two, but if you make it a month, you better make sure you're pounding through the finish line so it’s not to be forgotten or like it's an obligation towards the end.” [Nick, 4:46] “First of all, it’s [about the] promotion, because you want to get people excited for it. You want to get people excited to join it, excited to be a part of it and excited to win the prize. Promote your challenge early and often using social media, newsletters, fitDEGREE announcements and never discount in studio signage.” [Nick, 8:11] “Competition is a good thing. You know, it is one of those words where it can get to be a nasty thing but if you have the right culture and you have the right community it just keeps people accountable.” [Nick, 9:46] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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