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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FitDEGREE Podcasts

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Episode 308: Holiday Marketing Campaigns That Actually Work
27:09
27:09
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27:09What We Cover In This Episode: What you can do to make gifting easy for your members [4:45] How launching campaigns by late October can help you avoid the "holiday noise" that starts around Thanksgiving [5:33] The key reasons why campaigns should be designed with tight retention dates [7:24] What to consider when doing a gift card push around the h…
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Episode 307: Why We Removed Chat (and What It Means for Your Studio)
22:32
22:32
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22:32What We Cover In This Episode: Why the chat feature was removed from the FitDegree app, and how it strayed from the original goal we had for it [3:12] The timeline and impact of the chat feature's removal, including details on what will and won't be affected by the change [11:26] How studios can find alternatives for client communication now that t…
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Episode 306: Hiring & Training Seasonal Staff
20:19
20:19
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20:19What We Cover In This Episode: How to decide between seasonal hires or a skeleton schedule during busy periods [3:44] What to consider when building a streamline training plan for your team [9:27] Why you should use reporting tools to check last year's attendance data for better planning [11:56] The way to utilize onboarding cheat sheets to get new…
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Episode 305: Surviving Instructor Time-Off Season
24:24
24:24
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24:24What We Cover In This Episode: Why standardizing the way instructors request time off is a key strategy for a smooth season [4:08] The reasons that building a reliable sub pool in advance of the season is an effective strategy to focus on [5:28] Why it's essential to over-communicate schedule changes [9:14] How to streamline communication and subst…
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Episode 304: No-Show & Late Cancel Policies That Actually Work
20:58
20:58
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20:58What We Cover In This Episode: Why your studio's demand should dictate your no-show and late-cancel policies [4:35] Tips on how to select a penalty that deters repeat offenders without alienating your best members [6:36] The key ways in which waivers can be a powerful tool for formalizing your policies [9:01] How to use automated notifications and …
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Episode 303: Bartering in Fitness: Legal Do’s, Don’ts, and Danger Zones
30:16
30:16
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30:16What We Cover In This Episode: The key difference between an independent contractor and an employee to be aware of as a studio owner [6:36] Why having contractors in your studio might not be in your best interest and the hidden "pain points" that could arise [8:29] How to choose the best practices for classifying staff as either 1099 independent co…
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Episode 302: Should You Start Fresh or Buy Existing? A Studio Owner’s First Big Decision
29:33
29:33
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29:33What We Cover In This Episode: Why your business model should match your personal strengths and tolerance for uncertainty [1:27] The “Vision Test” and why a profitable studio might not be the right choice for you [2:18] How to approach building hype for your new studio before the doors even open [7:55] The specific risks involved when you inherit a…
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Episode 301: The Power of Pause: Managing Freeze Requests Strategically
22:30
22:30
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22:30What We Cover In This Episode: How reframing the freeze request at allows studio owners to view it not as a cancellation, but as a retention opportunity [3:56] Why having a clearly defined policy is essential for consistency in managing freeze requests [4:47] The way to effectively communicate the expectations around freezes [9:42] How to keep the …
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Episode 300: Back to Routine, Back to Revenue: How to Capitalize on the Fall Rush
21:54
21:54
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21:54What We Cover In This Episode: How to adapt your studio's schedule and offerings to meet the specific needs and routines of parents and teachers returning to their structured lives [5:08] Effective strategies to help clients build lasting habits throughout September, ensuring long-term retention [6:35] Ways to craft "welcome back" emails with speci…
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Episode 299: Click-to-Cancel is Canceled? What Studio Owners Still Need to Know
19:10
19:10
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19:10What We Cover In This Episode: Why the much-anticipated FTC click-to-cancel rule was halted just days before launch, and how it impacts your fitness business [3:06] The need for continued vigilance, even after the rule was nullified [6:22] Essential federal rules for your business and what to do to get clarity on the ongoing federal requirements yo…
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Episode 298: Handling Client Complaints Without Losing Your Mind
18:59
18:59
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18:59What We Cover In This Episode: How to separate your personal feelings from client feedback to maintain a clear perspective and prevent burnout [6:20] The reasons why you should take a moment to compose yourself before addressing a complaint, whether in person or via message [9:10] Tips for using a consistent framework to acknowledge, clarify, resta…
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Episode 297: Membership Perks That Don’t Cost a Dime (But Feel Like a Fortune)
18:40
18:40
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18:40What We Cover In This Episode: How you can use priority booking access to create exclusivity, without any extra effort on your part [4:51] What you can do on members’ birthdays or anniversaries to make them feel seen, special, and appreciated [6:50] The way that offering members first dibs on events recognizes their loyalty and consistent support […
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Episode 296: No More Temperature Checks: Intro Offers Just Got Smarter
16:59
16:59
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16:59What We Cover In This Episode: The ways in which the new updates to our latest software platform release will make your intro offers more accessible to potential clients [2:36] How the new update allows for direct refunds to client account balances, streamlining the process and retaining funds for future purchases [5:33] What you can now do to dire…
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Episode 295: Life Hacks for a Successful Studio Staff Meeting
22:13
22:13
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22:13What We Cover In This Episode: How to apply the three core principles for a successful staff meeting [4:39] Why breaking down your meeting agenda effectively using a standing template leads to consistency [11:53] The way that rotating who leads the "wins and shout-outs" section will boost team engagement [14:45] Why using shared notes or Slack thre…
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Episode 294: Should Your Studio Take a Break? The Pros and Cons of Summer (or Winter) Shutdowns
20:30
20:30
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20:30What We Cover In This Episode: What “taking a break” means and does not mean and why this is important to understand as a studio owner [4:21] Proactive things you can do during a pause or break to keep the momentum going for your business [6:41] Steps to take in the studio to get your clients excited upon your return [8:08] How taking a break could…
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Episode 293: The Power of Feedback: Listening Without Losing Yourself
25:49
25:49
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25:49What We Cover In This Episode: How to approach integrating feedback into your core process and why it’s such a good idea to do this [5:53] Strategies for choosing the optimal feedback format [7:52] Why not all feedback is created equal and the importance of segmenting your audience to understand their unique perspectives [8:46] Ways you can leverag…
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Episode 292: Delegate Like a Pro: How to Onboard, Train, and Track a Virtual Assistant
19:31
19:31
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19:31What 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 bo…
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Episode 291: Do, Delegate, Delete: The Studio Owner’s Guide to Choosing VA, Team, or Tech
23:38
23:38
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23:38What 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:…
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Episode 290: Cracking the Code on Client Retention: Small Tweaks, Big Impact
21:38
21:38
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21:38What 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 str…
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Episode 289: What Could Go Wrong? Summer Events, Outdoor Classes & Staying Prepared
18:48
18:48
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18:48What 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 ou…
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Episode 288: Click to Cancel & FTC Compliance
14:23
14:23
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14:23What 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 canc…
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Episode 287: From Side Hustle to CEO: When to Go All In
26:38
26:38
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26:38What 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…
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Episode 286: From Slower Traffic to Summer Surges: How to Stay Ahead in the Heat
22:04
22:04
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22:04What 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 freez…
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Episode 285: Gym Owners’ Legal Checklist: Avoiding Costly Mistakes and Planning for Growth
44:40
44:40
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44:40What 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 we…
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Episode 284: Zoom Out: Working ON Your Business, Not Just IN It
28:24
28:24
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28:24What 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 ins…
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Episode 283: Unlocking New Features: What’s New in fitDEGREE & How to Use Them
19:57
19:57
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19:57What 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 …
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Episode 282: Rules, Relationships, and Respect: Enforcing Policies Without Losing Members
20:56
20:56
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20:56What 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 bette…
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Episode 281: What You’re Overthinking (And What Actually Matters)
28:02
28:02
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28:02What 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, rathe…
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Episode 280: Your Studio’s Blind Spots: What You’re Ignoring That’s Costing You
25:39
25:39
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25:39What 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 …
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Episode 279: From Solo to Scalable: Building a Team That Has Your Back
26:40
26:40
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26:40What 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 …
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Episode 278: The Art of the First Impression: How to Hook New Members in 30 Seconds
27:20
27:20
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27:20What 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 i…
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Episode 277: Spring Cleaning for Your Fitness Business: Refreshing Policies & Procedures
24:11
24:11
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24:11What 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 smoot…
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Episode 276: Breaking Free from the Studio Owner Burnout Cycle
24:39
24:39
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24:39What 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 prevent…
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Episode 275: Navigating Tough Client Conversations: Policies, Boundaries, and Difficult Situations
29:36
29:36
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29:36What 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 t…
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Episode 274: Simplifying Payments and Memberships: The Secret to Studio Success
29:02
29:02
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29:02What 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 managemen…
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Episode 273: Maximizing Revenue Streams in Your Fitness Studio
21:42
21:42
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21:42What 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 curre…
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Episode 272: Mastering Referral Marketing for Your Studio
23:46
23:46
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23:46What 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…
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Episode 271: Work Smarter, Not Harder: Achieving Work-Life Balance as a Studio Owner
26:41
26:41
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26:41What 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 sel…
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Episode 270: Building a Strong Team: Employee Management Best Practices for Boutique Studios
26:01
26:01
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26:01What 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 …
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Episode 269: Elevate Your Studio with Year-End Reflections for Continued Success
16:05
16:05
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16:05What 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 d…
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Episode 268: Boost Your Gym’s Sales Success with A Few Simple Questions
18:10
18:10
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18:10What 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 cruc…
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Episode 267: Crafting a Strong Group Class Pricing Structure
23:06
23:06
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23:06What 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 optio…
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Episode 266: To Automate or To Call: Deciding When Personal Touch Matters in Your Fitness Studio
24:08
24:08
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24:08What 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 t…
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Episode 265: Member Spotlights: Showcasing Success Stories to Boost Engagement
21:15
21:15
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21:15What 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 s…
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Episode 264: Automating Your Way to More Customers with Justin Silverman of Merchynt
29:47
29:47
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29:47What 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”…
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Episode 263: Creating an Impactful Studio Challenge: Boosting Engagement and Revenue
17:08
17:08
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17:08What 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 challe…
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Episode 262: 5 Lease Traps Gym Owners Can’t Afford to Ignore with Matt Becker of Gym Lawyers PLLC
43:58
43:58
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43:58What We Cover In This Episode: Common hurdles faced by gym owners when first examining a lease agreement [2:51] A breakdown of the most crucial sections within a lease contract[6:06] Understanding ADA compliance and its specific implications for boutique fitness businesses [9:50] The potential financial consequences of not involving legal professio…
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Episode 261: Competing with Larger Brands: Strategies for Boutique Studios
19:37
19:37
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19:37What We Cover In This Episode: What to understand about the “Winning Zone” and focusing on where you are better than your larger competitors [3:02] How you can leverage your unique value proposition to compete with larger brands [4:09] A reminder how your community is your superpower [6:14] Tips for using technology for convenience - and to your ad…
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Episode 260: Boosting Your Studio’s SEO: A Beginner’s Guide
25:01
25:01
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25:01What We Cover In This Episode: Effective keyword strategies for identifying what potential clients are searching for in their first fitness class[2:01] How SEO’s “sweat equity” can help you drive traffic without paying for costly leads [4:15] The best free resources for tracking trending search terms and optimizing your content [7:01] The first ste…
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Episode 259: Mastering Employee Management for Boutique Studios
29:58
29:58
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29:58What We Cover In This Episode: How clearly defining roles and responsibilities for every position is crucial for a studio’s success [7:50] Why hiring for a cultural fit is key [9:29] Consistent, transparent communication will set you on the path to mastering employee management every time [11:04] The damaging impact that micromanagement has on your…
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