Author: Lisa S

Text, Email, or Push Notification? Choosing the Right Communication Channel for Fitness Clients

Posted on by Lisa S

Regular communication is the key to boosting customer engagement and retaining them. This applies to every business including fitness studios. As the attention span of customers is constantly dwindling, it becomes imperative to reach out to them through channels like texts, emails, or push notifications. All these are owned communication channels and used for permission-based marketing unlike generic social media posts. 

Through this article, we shall discuss the pros and cons of all these communication channels and how you can choose the best of the lot with the help of the key performance indicators. 

Let’s start.

1. Open Rate  

    According to a report by Omnisend, the average open rate for email is 22.94% while that for push notifications is 52.86%. The highest open rate is that of text messages. It is around 98%. So, the clear winner is SMS. It has a 97% read rate within 15 minutes of delivery as people are more likely to see texts instantly. 

    2. Click-through Rate

      The average CTR for email is only around 1-2% while that of push notifications is approximately 2.25%. Text messages boast of a click through rate of 5-10%. SMS emerges as a powerful channel with respect to CTR too. 

      3. Affordability

        Every platform charges differently when it comes to emails, notifications, and texts. The good news is that My Best Studio offers you an all-in-one software that helps you manage your business communications needs through a single platform. You get 120+ automated emails, notifications and reminders to clients, instructors, and studio owners. You can send text messages with the purchase of an SMS package. 

        The Final Verdict

        Of course, SMS seems to be a winner when it comes to the metrics. However, if you want your communication to be most effective, you must always use a combination of all these channels. While texts and push notifications let you send short reminders or offers on the go, emails are perfect for long-form content that offers more details to the customers. You can also use email marketing to send visually rich communications with GIFs or videos. Automated emails generate 320% more revenue and 82% of marketers are already using these emails to generate more revenue. So, the next time you are wondering which channel to use, you have statistics-backed answers now.

        From Bookings to Billing: Why Yoga Studios Are Switching to All-in-One Software

        Posted on by Lisa S

        Yoga studios have multiple operations going on simultaneously. Studio owners have to manage class schedules, payments, memberships, client communications, and staff coordination. With the right yoga studio software, you can grow your business while maintaining smooth frontend and backend operations.

        Here’s why investing in a specialized software is an essential aspect of running a profitable yoga studio.

        1. It makes your services more accessible

          With the help of a booking software, clients can view the class schedule and book the classes at their convenience. It ensures a pleasant experience by streamlining the operations. 

          2. It automates the redundant processes

            The right software can automate the tasks like updating the class times and adding or removing the classes so that you can focus on driving your business forward. It allows you to concentrate on teaching yoga as the software takes care of all the clerical tasks.     

            3. It helps in personalizing the studio settings

              Software like My Best Studio offers different configuration settings so that you can manage the fitness studio just the way you want to. It gives you micro level control with studio scheduling settings, class and workshop settings, and client configuration settings.   

              4. It facilitates the client’s fitness journey

                All-in-one software lets you set up clients and track their journey from a unified dashboard. For example, by using My Best Studio, you can set up unlimited clients and manage their confidential information. Also, you can share client notes and alerts for instructors to view the client details and monitor progress. It helps you keep a tab on instructor performance by getting live feedback from the clients.   

                5. It gives you accurate performance insights

                  You get reports on sales summary, revenue generated, and instructor-based income reports through yoga studio software. My Best Studio provides access to 80+ different reports about the studio functioning. It also shares insights into classes and workshops booked or cancelled with the outstanding payment details. All these reports will help you optimize your business strategy. 

                  Wrapping Up

                  The right fitness studio software serves as a powerful platform to manage business communications, revenue details, clients, and class bookings. This centralized interface plays a pivotal role in converting leads into customers and retaining them. After all, you cannot manage hundreds of clients manually. That’s where such software programs have your back and spare you of the possibility of human error.

                  Boost Student Retention in Your Martial Arts School with Smart Software Tools

                  Posted on by Lisa S

                  Running a profitable martial arts school involves many intricate processes and strategies. An important aspect of these businesses is student retention. Once you acquire a customer, keeping them engaged and hooked on martial arts training helps in sustaining business growth. The first step to retaining students is creating personal connections and building a community. Strive to create a conducive environment that encourages the students to keep coming to your studio. 

                  Let’s take a look at the top retention strategies that would leave no stone unturned in keeping the students committed to the learning process. 

                  1. Build trust among your students

                    At the basis of every student-instructor relationship is trust. Trainers should have keen interest in their students’ wellbeing that would keep them engaged and eager to learn more. Something as simple as remembering their names and birth dates goes a long way in strengthening the relationship. My Best Studio has client relationship management capability that shares client notes and alerts for instructors to view client information and track their progress. Through Class and Appointment Rating and Review feature, customers can add their live feedback and class reviews. It will help the business owners keep track of the instructor performance. 

                    2. Focus on high-quality instruction

                      Make sure your classes are engaging enough to retain the students. Chart out the course structure in such a way that it addresses the different levels of learning, be it an amateur or a mid-level student. Pay attention to every student and provide personalized suggestions to enhance their learning. It will also help them manage the learning curve and make the progress feel more rewarding. 

                      3. Follow the principles of honesty and transparency

                        Set the right expectations and be transparent about your offerings. It will help in building long-term association with the clients. Communicate properly with the students and their parents. Let them know about the progress of every student and try to accommodate their needs. With My Best Studio’s inbuilt features, fitness studio owners can manage the business communication needs, all in one place.

                        4. Recognize the students’ achievements

                          Acknowledge the students’ efforts and encourage them to get better. Highlight every small and big achievement to uplift their spirits and also set an example for their peers. 

                          5. Offer gift cards and coupons

                            A robust software like My Best Studio goes a step ahead and extends your studio offering by entering into gifting solutions. It boosts customer retention by letting them buy gift cards and increase your business visibility. 

                            Wrapping Up

                            Teaching martial arts is not just about making money. It is about building someone’s future and earning a long-term collaboration. These strategies would surely help you build a profitable business while fostering a fulfilling culture and retaining the students.

                            5 Salient Features for Every Pilates Studio Software

                            Posted on by Lisa S

                            If you are the owner of a pilates studio, you certainly know all the tasks involved in managing it well. Be it the marketing aspect, scheduling the classes, checking the availability of the trainers, or payment tracking, there’s so much to do. Pilates studio software has emerged as a breakthrough solution as it helps in sharing the responsibility. As a result, you can focus on business growth.

                            Once you decide to invest in pilates studio software for your business, check for the features discussed below:

                            1. Online scheduling and booking

                              While choosing the pilates studio software, check the ease with which it allows the customers to book their slot. They should be able to check the available slots and book them through your website or mobile app at any time of the day. Also, make sure that the booking tool sends out appointment confirmation messages or emails and periodic reminders relevant to their plan.

                              2. Maintaining the membership history

                              Keeping an accurate record of all the members is an important aspect of running a pilates studio. The software should automatically update all the client details as soon as they sign up with your studio. This data covers contact details, attendance history, medical notes, special requests, chosen package, and payment specifications. Besides, it should also record birthday alerts, payment delays, and package expiry details. The only thing you should keep in mind is privacy and compliance. The software should adhere to the standard policies related to collecting information and sharing data.

                              3. Processing the payment

                              It can be tedious to maintain the payments history in manual records. It can make the operations inefficient and lead to blunders. Hence, you must choose a pilates studio software offering powerful payment processing capabilities. It should integrate automated recurring billing system so that you get a steady flow of income.

                              4. Analyzing the studio performance

                              Your pilates studio software should help you evaluate the overall performance of your studio. It will let you recognize how the customers interact with your studio, including their attendance, payment methods, and preferred time slots. It will give you insights into every customer’s performance and understand whether they are happy with your service. According to these insights, you can make necessary changes in the operations.

                              5. Checking the staff schedule and related information

                              The pilates studio software should allow you to manage staff scheduling and related tasks. It should let you see the trainer’s working hours and attendance history. Apart from this, it should allow you to approve time-off requests and manage payroll without any hassles.

                              Wrap up:

                              With the right pilates studio software, you can enhance your customer acquisition, retention, and overall experience. My Best Studio comes with flexible and customizable features that would accommodate all your requirements.

                              How to Ensure Big Success for your Small Fitness Studio: 7 Actionable Points

                              Posted on by Lisa S

                              It is an exhausting task to run a small fitness studio. With all the small and big operations involved, it would create an issue for an individual to take care of the processes. Be it a yoga, pilates, or dance studio, there are some tips that can take your studio to the next level.

                              So, if you are looking forward to building a successful fitness studio, read on to delve deeper into these actionable insights.

                              1. Make the best use of the available space

                                Many people limit their dreams because they feel that their studio is not big enough. That’s a huge mistake. If you want to grow, try to optimize the space and accommodate maximum things and people. You can organize personal sessions or group classes, according to the customer’s preferences and available space. It is a great idea to use foldable or multi-purpose equipment to save space.

                                Pro-tip: Add mirrors on the walls so that your studio looks bigger and attractive to the visitors.

                                2. Utilize technology to go virtual

                                In case you are still not confident about the available studio space even after trying the tips shared above, organize virtual classes. It will allow you to reach maximum prospects. You will be able to host live classes and offer personalized coaching on video calls. Virtual sessions will allow the customers to attend the classes according to their convenience while giving you a steady flow of income.  

                                3. Build a niche audience

                                The key to building a niche audience is creating a niche offering. Develop expertise in a specific type of fitness or practice sets. Doing so will drive customer loyalty by making your studio stand apart. As an instance, you can build an exclusive studio for expecting mothers. Just make sure the niche you choose is in sync with your aptitude and interests.

                                4. Strengthen your relationship with the customers

                                Connect with the customers on a personal level and urge them to interact with each other too. This will build your community and strengthen your relationship with them. It will help you go beyond being a fitness trainer.

                                5. Give multiple membership options

                                Provide flexible membership options to bring in more customers. Every person has unique needs and therefore, it is imperative to offer different packages. It will enhance your brand reputation while yielding more revenue for the business. As an example, offer free membership for a month to regular customers. Incentivize the customers according to their membership.

                                6. Put customer experience at the top

                                Client retention depends on the kind of customer experience you offer. It is inevitable to ensure smooth interaction at every point of the customer journey, be it onboarding or availing the facilities at the studio. Also, allow them to share their feedback and work on the shortcomings, if any.  

                                7. Train your staff well

                                Pay special attention to the staff training and development. Having well-trained staff members is half job done as they would boost client satisfaction. Organize regular training sessions and workshops for the staff members. Moreover, encourage them to take up certifications to upskill themselves. Appreciate all such staff members to create a sense of warmth at the studio.

                                Wrap Up:

                                Following the 7 tips shared here would help you manage the customers well while improving the customer acquisition and retention rate. My Best Studio would be glad to help you and take your studio reputation to the next level.

                                Best Fitness Studio Software to Start Your Fitness Business

                                Posted on by Lisa S

                                Any fitness business, whether it is yoga studio or pilates, requires specialized studio management software. Every fitness studio involves a similar line of operations. A client enrolls for membership and pays the dues. On the other hand, the business owners have to take care of the studio operations like customer acquisition, designing the website, maintaining the booking process, invoicing, and other miscellaneous tasks. They also have to ensure that the current customers stay engaged and don’t bounce off to the competitors. The most robust fitness studio software is engineered to cater to all these processes and render the best customer experience.

                                Let’s discuss what makes a studio software suitable for fitness businesses. 

                                1. Attracts maximum customers

                                A powerful software is the one that manages all the redundant tasks and gives you the bandwidth to make strategic decisions to scale up your business. Tools like My Best Studio help in creating an impressive website that helps in bringing maximum customers. It amplifies the online presence of your business, thereby yielding more revenue. 

                                2. Streamlines the booking process

                                With the right fitness studio software, you can streamline the booking process. It acts as a comprehensive business management tool that supports all such operations of yoga, pilates, and other fitness centers.  

                                3. Tracks the operations meticulously

                                It is an exhausting task to track memberships and new enrollments manually. Hence, you need a software solution that takes care of these processes in addition to client communications. 

                                4. Ensures a smooth customer experience

                                Professional website design and development services can design an intuitive interface for your website and ensure a smooth customer experience. The better the customer experience, the better is the customer retention.

                                5. Handles the monetary aspects

                                Managing the invoices and payments becomes easier with software like My Best Studio. It covers payment management and all other essential functions involving monetary aspects. 

                                Wrapping Up

                                If you wish to scale up your fitness business, investing in the right studio software is the way forward. To start with, determine your challenges and requirements to zero in on the solution most suitable for your business.

                                Why My Best Studio Software is the Best Yoga Studio Software for Your Business

                                Posted on by Lisa S

                                Running a yoga studio involves multiple difficult operations. You not only have to keep bringing in new customers but also retain the existing ones. You also need to manage online booking, scheduling, payment processing, and many more processes. Of course, you cannot manage all these tasks manually. That’s where a studio management software solution comes into play.

                                My Best Studio is one of the best solutions that streamlines all day to day work activities. It can manage all the needs of your yoga studio, starting from client management to invoicing, all from a single platform.

                                Here’s why it is the best yoga studio software for your business:

                                1. Better website development

                                My Best Studio has website design and development professionals who can build an attractive yoga studio website. It is secure and easily accessible through different devices, irrespective of the screen size. We help in creating a fully search optimized website to ensure maximum visibility for your studio. It will increase footfalls to your studio. We also help you with revamping your existing yoga studio website and optimizing its performance. 

                                1. Simplify Online Booking

                                Through My Best Studio, you can facilitate the client’s booking process. The schedule page serves as the booking platform from where clients can directly book the classes. They can also use the custom branded app to complete the booking. 

                                1. Enable Calendar Scheduling

                                Calendar widget can be used to easily schedule and modify appointments.  

                                1. Streamline Client Tracking

                                My Best Studio allows you to access all details of client payments. So, you can quickly track revenue generation and optimize the processes, as required. It also lets you retrieve other important information.

                                Wrapping Up

                                My Best Studio is one of the most affordable software solutions for yoga studio. It handles the minutest of your operations so that you can focus on business growth opportunities and ROI generation. Our price transparency is a remarkable feature that makes us so popular. If you are looking for creating tailormade, intuitive online experiences and driving your customer growth, My Best Studio is the perfect solution.

                                How Yoga Studios Can Make More Money: Strategies and Ideas

                                Posted on by Lisa S

                                Yoga has become increasingly popular over the years, and with that, the demand for yoga studios has also grown. While operating a yoga studio can be fulfilling, it is essential to have strategies in place to increase revenue and sustain profitability. In this article, we will explore effective strategies and ideas to help yoga studios make more money.

                                Offer a Variety of Classes

                                To attract a broader range of clients and maximize revenue, yoga studios should consider offering a variety of classes. In addition to traditional yoga styles such as Hatha or Vinyasa, studios can incorporate specialized classes like prenatal yoga, kids’ yoga, or yoga for seniors. By diversifying the class offerings, studios can cater to different demographics and capitalize on the interests and needs of potential clients.

                                Membership and Class Packages

                                Implementing membership plans and class packages can help yoga studios generate consistent revenue. Offering unlimited monthly memberships, class passes, or discounted bundles encourages clients to commit to more frequent visits and reduces the financial barrier for new students. Furthermore, it fosters a sense of community among members, increasing retention rates and fostering brand loyalty. To sweeten the deal, offer exclusive perks to members such as discounts on workshops, retail items, or access to online yoga content.

                                Workshops and Retreats

                                Another avenue for yoga studios to increase their revenue is by organizing workshops and retreats. Workshops focused on specific topics like arm balances, meditation, or yoga for stress relief can attract dedicated practitioners seeking to deepen their practice. Retreats, whether local or destination-based, provide an opportunity to create unique and immersive experiences for yogis. These events typically have higher price points, and though they may require more planning, they offer the potential for substantial financial returns while fostering stronger relationships within the yoga community.

                                Yoga Studio Management Software

                                As your yoga studio grows, consider investing in a holistic software solution to manage your business offerings. For instance, the yoga studio software offered by My Best Studio is a leading software product, and the product-of-choice for many entrepreneurs in the fitness industry. And for good reason! The yoga studio management software has functions to help you manage all the operational aspects of your studio, end-to-end. This includes class booking and scheduling, attendance management, instructor and payment management, reporting features and more. With all of those responsibilities handled by the software, it frees up your time to focus on your core offering and attract new clients.

                                By incorporating a range of strategies, such as diversifying class offerings, implementing membership plans, organizing workshops or retreats, yoga studios can solidify their financial standing. These strategies not only provide additional revenue streams but also promote community engagement and client loyalty, ensuring long-term success for the studio.

                                10 Tips for Creating a Pilates Website that Converts

                                Posted on by Lisa S

                                Creating a pilates website that is effective in converting visitors into clients requires a blend of clear communication, appealing design, and strategic elements that guide potential customers through the journey from interest to action. Here are 10 practical tips to help you design a pilates studio website that not only attracts visitors but also converts them into loyal clients.

                                Craft a compelling headline

                                Your homepage should feature a clear, compelling headline that communicates the core benefits of your pilates classes. It should capture attention and make a promise that your service can fulfill, such as enhancing physical wellness or improving flexibility and strength.

                                Simplify the navigation
                                Create a straightforward and intuitive menu that guides visitors effortlessly to the information they are looking for. Limit the navigation to essential items and make sure that it’s easy to find crucial sections like class schedules, pricing, and how to sign up.

                                Use high-quality images
                                Visual content is key in the fitness industry. Utilize professional, high-resolution images that showcase your pilates studio, classes, and clients. This can also include videos of classes in action, testimonials, and before and after photos of clients who have achieved their fitness goals through your program.

                                Include strong calls to action
                                Each page should have a clear call-to-action (CTA) that prompts visitors to take a step towards becoming a client – whether it’s signing up for a trial class, subscribing to a newsletter, or scheduling a consultation. Make your CTAs stand out with vibrant colors or persuasive language, such as Sign up for pilates classes. 

                                Optimize for mobile
                                Ensure your website is responsive and looks great on all devices, especially on smartphones and tablets. Many people use their mobile devices to research and sign up for fitness classes, so a mobile-friendly design is imperative.

                                Showcase testimonials and success stories
                                Positive reviews and testimonials build trust and credibility. Feature these prominently on your site to show potential clients the benefits and results they can expect from working with you.

                                Offer valuable content

                                Provide helpful information that positions you as an expert and addresses common questions or concerns potential clients might have. This could be through a blog or a series of instructional videos that detail the advantages of pilates.

                                Use SEO best practices

                                Optimize your content with relevant keywords to ensure your website ranks well in search results. Consider the terms that potential clients might use to find pilates classes in your area and incorporate these strategically throughout your site.

                                Provide multiple contact options
                                Some visitors prefer to contact you via phone, others through email, and some might utilize a contact form. Providing multiple contact methods can cater to different preferences, making it easier for potential clients to reach out.

                                A professional pilates website design can be a useful tool for attracting and retaining clients. By implementing these tips, you can create a website that not only looks professional but also effectively converts visitors into active clients, growing your pilates business in the process. Looking for website design and development for your pilates studio? Explore My Best Studio’s services today. 

                                Key Features of Great Yoga Studio Management Software

                                Posted on by Lisa S

                                When choosing the ideal yoga studio management software, it’s essential to consider the features that will streamline operations, enhance the customer experience, and foster studio growth. In a landscape where both virtual and in-person classes are popular, finding software that adeptly manages the complexities of a modern yoga studio is crucial. Here’s a look at several key features that distinguish great yoga studio management software.

                                Intuitive Booking System

                                An intuitive booking system tops the list of must-have features. It should allow clients to easily view class schedules, book sessions, and cancel or reschedule appointments without hassle. A user-friendly interface that is accessible from both mobile and desktop devices ensures that clients can interact with your studio anytime, anywhere. This convenience increases customer satisfaction and retention rates.

                                Integrated Payment Processing

                                Seamless financial transactions are the backbone of any successful yoga studio. Look for software that includes integrated payment processing, enabling clients to make payments online for classes, memberships, workshops, and merchandise. This feature should offer various payment methods (credit cards, PayPal, etc.), automatic renewal options for memberships, and secure storage of payment information to simplify recurring transactions and reduce administrative workload.

                                Comprehensive Client Management

                                Great yoga studio software goes beyond mere booking and payment features; it offers comprehensive client management tools. These include storing detailed client profiles, tracking attendance, managing memberships and passes, and even logging progress or feedback. Such a centralized system aids in personalizing the customer experience and building stronger relationships.

                                Marketing and Communication Tools

                                Effective communication and marketing tools are essential for attracting and retaining clients. The software should enable you to send targeted email campaigns, promotional offers, and class reminders. Integration with social media platforms can further enhance your marketing efforts, enabling you to reach a wider audience. Automated communication features, such as SMS alerts and newsletters, keep your clients engaged and informed.

                                Reporting and Analytics

                                Data-driven decisions are paramount in growing your business. Therefore, the ability to generate detailed reports and analytics is invaluable. Analyze trends in attendance, revenue, membership retention, and more to inform your business strategy. Look for software that offers customizable reporting features to track the KPIs most relevant to your studio.

                                Class and Instructor Management

                                Optimize your class schedules and manage instructor assignments efficiently with features designed for class and instructor management. This includes scheduling tools, availability tracking, and substitutes management. By streamlining these processes, you can ensure a smooth operation and high-quality class offerings.

                                The best yoga studio management software integrates these key features to streamline operations, enhance the customer experience, and support business growth.