ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Your dancers aren't the only people experiencing your end-of-year concert.
Think about the parent.
They've picked their child up from school, rushed home, done the hair and make-up, battled traffic, tried to find a park, dropped off an excited or stressed child... and now they might have two hours to wait before the concert even starts.
Then there's the show itself.
Then pick-up.
Then the tired child.
Then the drive home.
When was the last time you looked at your dance concert through **their** eyes?
In this episode of the Dance Principals United podcast, Amanda and Bec talk about creating a "fans-first" experience and why the small details surrounding your events can matter just as much as what happens on stage.
Because your concert isn't only a performance.
It's a customer experience. And for a dance studio owner, it can also play a huge role in dance studio retention.
In this episode we discuss...
- What a "fans-first" approach looks like in a dance studio
- Why parents are your clients, not just the dancers
- How small details can completely change an event experience
- Why the final interaction of the night matters
- Simple concert ideas that don't require a huge budget
- How to make the pre-concert experience better for parents
- Why you should map the entire parent journey
- How your dance concert can affect student retention
- The difference between making a concert look impressive and making it enjoyable
- One question to ask before making your next concert decision
What does "fans first" actually mean?
The conversation was sparked by Bec's experience at a recent dance competition.
There were photo booths for the dancers. A dedicated teacher area with food, drinks and somewhere to sit. A VIP viewing space for teachers. Even massages for studio owners.
Then, as the younger dancers left after awards, they were handed a lollipop.
That last one sounds incredibly simple.
But the children loved it.
They weren't walking out talking about where they'd placed. They were excited because they'd received a lollipop.
It's a great reminder that creating a memorable customer experience doesn't always require spending thousands of dollars.
Sometimes it's a 50-cent lollipop.
Your last interaction matters
Now think about the end of your dance concert.
What's the final experience your families have?
Is it standing in a huge line waiting for their child?
Is someone stressed and snapping at parents during sign-out?
Is everyone exhausted and desperate to get home?
Or could you change that final moment?
Perhaps students walk through a guard of honour while teachers congratulate them. Maybe there's a small treat on the way out. You could even schedule a message to arrive as families are driving home telling them how proud you are of the dancers.
The idea isn't that every studio needs to do the same thing.
It's to deliberately think about how you want families to **feel** when they leave.
Map the parent journey
One of the most practical exercises from this episode is to sit down and map the entire concert experience from a parent's point of view.
Start well before the curtain goes up.
What time are they collecting their child from school? How much time do they have for hair and make-up? What's parking like? What happens at drop-off? Where do they go afterwards? How long do they wait? Can they easily get something to eat or drink? What happens at pick-up?
Once you see the whole journey, you'll probably spot moments you can improve.
Some won't cost anything.
Your concert is part of your retention strategy
For a dance studio owner, concert planning can easily become focused on routines, costumes, lighting, props and making the show look incredible.
Those things matter.
But your families experience far more than what happens on stage.
A stressful, exhausting concert experience can affect how they feel about coming back next year. A thoughtful, enjoyable one can reinforce why they love being part of your dance studio.
So as you plan your next concert, ask yourself:
**Am I making this decision because I want the concert to look good, or because it's genuinely better for our clients?**
It's a simple question that can change the way you approach your entire event.
Listen to the full episode of the Dance Principals United podcast for more practical ideas around creating a fans-first concert experience. https://danceprincipalsunited.com/podcast/
And if you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to the podcast, leave us a review and send this episode to another dance studio owner who's currently deep in concert planning.
