What We Cover In This Episode:

• What some of the benefits are of being an admin who is also active on the client facing app [2:22]
• How your business can be negatively affected by not being involved with the client app [5:30]
• Our thoughts on whether you need an account on the app in order to be a successful admin [7:59]

Quotes:

"It starts in the onboarding process. As you're creating your pricing schedule, as you're creating your pricing options, you should be previewing those things on the app as you're creating them." [Nick, 2:38]

"One side of it is the client experience and knowing how to help them with certain things, and the other side of it is making sure that the digital brand that you're trying to enforce from the admin is actually coming through on the app." [Nick, 6:55]

"I think it's a relatively simple thing [to be on the client app]. There's a common term in business which is 'low hanging fruit.' This feels like a low hanging fruit activity to really improve your experience, and to make sure you're not leaving anything on the table." [Nick, 8:15]

"How can you really truly be immersed in your own business without literally being immersed in it [by] downloading the app, registering for sessions, cancelling your own registrations and really feeling the full client and business owner side of things?" [Megan, 9:01]

LINKS:

https://app.fitdegree.com/

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• Why it's so necessary as a studio owner to keep a pulse on the other local businesses that surround you that are not a part of the fitness community [1:41]
• A few of the options you have when in terms of collaborating with the businesses around you [3:22]
• Something that Cherise has been noticing the past few years, and why she believes it is a step in the right direction for our industry [3:37]
• A reminder how we don't have the full picture on how another business is doing just by its outside appearance [4:48]
• The best ways to go about keeping a pulse on the local business community as a whole [6:06]

Quotes:

"Local businesses in your community should be a part of your growth strategy, and should absolutely be at the top, because we're not necessarily having to invest in paid marketing dollars; this can really happen organically." [Cherise, 2:08]

"People trust their local businesses, so if a local business has positive things to say about your gym or studio, that is going to lead to referrals." [Cherise, 2:20]

"Reach out to that salon, reach out to that nail place and get creative with your partnerships. Make sure they're aligned with your culture and they're a good fit, but you're not limited." [Megan, 3:22]

"I think you just have to really think about what businesses you use on a regular basis as a consumer and what businesses align with your demographic, and really just start collaborating." [Cherise, 4:12]

LINKS:

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.instagram.com/whycoachingandconsulting/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• Details on the vote for the next fitDEGREE feature buildout! [2:04]
• How you can get access to a LIVE tally [3:32]
• A look at the five projects/updates you can vote for [4:58]
• The updates that could be made to our waitlist policy [7:22]
• What a tag management system is and how it could be implemented [10:19]
• Some ways we could rebuild website widgets and add new updates [13:20]
• How we could use competitions within fitDEGREE [17:45]
• What spot booking could look like [20:30]

Quotes:

"As a team, fitDEGREE commits to having something that we consider a narrative, a commitment and a task. Our narrative here at fitDEGREE is to become your clients' favorite app and your best software decision." [Megan, 6:08]

"Our tasks are just following through on those features that you request frequently and you want us to move forward with. So, our tasks are creating and adjusting and maintaining an ecosystem where you can have a positive culture and community in your business." [Megan [6:57]

"We want to digitally support you. We are not building a software with our own agenda, we want to digitally support what you are doing at the studio." [Nick, 8:44]

"To be frank, our [website widgets] are better than most of the competition out there, but if you were to ask Daniel, our CTO, they are absolutely not up to the standards that we want to have at fitDEGREE." [Nick, 13:59]

"How cool would it be if you could share your milestone to social off of fitDEGREE for other people to see, and hopefully that brings you more clients too. I think there is a lot to do here; I'm now making this go from a 3-month buildout to a 6-month buildout, but I think by the end of it it could be really, really cool." [Nick, 20:10]

LINKS:

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• Why an app for your business is a key tool to take advantage of, and how it can help aid your sales process [0:46]
• Pricing menu standards that people should be leveraging with their app [3:26]
• Why it is important have a membership contract available to users [3:54]
• The importance of implementing imagery and video where possible within your app [6:19]
• How you can approach leveraging and customizing app home buttons [11:19]

Quotes:

"To be completely honest, your app and your website are your core storefronts, and many studio spaces do not have their staff implementing sales as their core strategy. Because of this, your app can speak volumes about your business and assist in the sales process." [Megan, 0:46]

"I feel like there is nothing more of a turn-off for working with a business than finding their website either doesn't exist, or is poorly maintained, and I feel like the same goes for their app." [Megan, 1:36]

"A lot of apps will allow you to add your own flair, and it is surprising how many people are not leveraging it." [Megan, 11:19]

LINKS:

Episode 94: Industry Tea with Connie Holen

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• What we are really talking about when we say that studios need to keep a pulse on the local fitness community [2:07]
• Cherise's advice on reaching out and connecting with other businesses in your community, and what you can learn by doing this [2:32]
• How the fact that no two studios are completely the same can play into your favor [4:30]
• Ways to stay informed on consumer behaviors and what Cherise would like to see more of from studio owners [6:59]
• Action steps to take if you are the one that is ahead of the curve [9:09]

Quotes:

"I'm a firm believer that local market research is such an important responsibility for either the business owner or the studio manager, and you can even get your team involved as long as we are really clear about expectations." [Cherise, 2:40]

"I really do think that if you approach this from a collaborative perspective, it could open a lot of opportunities for learning, cross-marketing and growth for all the studios involved." [Cherise, 7:38]

"Consumers want to know that they're getting quality products and services, that's just reality. Everyone wants quality products and services, and they want to have a voice, but I think that this is super important in our industry. I think sometimes business owners are so focused on growth and what they need to be doing that they're not including their clients in the conversation." [Cherise, 9:18]

LINKS:

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.instagram.com/whycoachingandconsulting/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• The rise of virtual reality and the integration efforts studio owners are implementing, plus what Niki is seeing in the studios and where she thinks the owners' efforts should lay [5:44]
• Megan talks about an article from Fitt Insider regarding trainers are becoming certified or licensed in different areas to provide their clients a one-stop shop, including holistic wellness [12:56]
• The theme of Niki's business model and how she made her studio "limitless" [17:51]
• A few common owner pain points in the industry that she has heard from her clients [20:05]
• How Niki has discovered through experience that what clients are asking for isn't necessarily what they need [25:05]
• Why you can't afford to not have a coach if you're in a business [32:37]

Quotes:

"Unfortunately, if your business isn't doing really well in retention, conversion and those spreadsheets, you don't really have a business. You've got a really expensive hobby." [Niki, 3:00]

"A lot of times, we start yoga studios because we love yoga. Unfortunately, owning a business is like two percent yoga and ninety-eight percent all of the other stuff. Then the business owner gets frustrated because now they're not doing what they love, and they're also not doing the business side well." [Niki, 3:42]

"I think that virtual often dilutes your focus. I think it has a place, but if it's taking too much of your effort or your time and your focus away from your paying customers who are willing to go in, I think it could be splitting your focus too much." [Niki, 8:59]

"What you're saying is you need more leads; what I'm hearing is you need a better process of asking that client to stay, because if you don't ask, the next studio will." [Niki, 21:34]

LINKS:

Niki's Website & Instagram

Her Blog Post, Stop Doing it All: 4 Partners to Help Your Fitness Business Grow

Fitt Insider

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• Why retention is one of the key metrics you should be tracking for any business with a service [2:29]
• Nicks shares three jaw dropping stats on retention to be aware of [3:57]
• The ways that reports within fitDEGREE on new clients and returning clients can help with your retention [6:42]
• Utilizing the check-ins reports in fitDEGREE [8:25]
• A look at the routine breakers report and what it can tell you [9:00]
• Creative ways to get your staff to assist with retention [11:02]

Quotes:

"If you don't have good retention, you are not going to have a sustainable business, so you must be tracking this to ensure that you remain on a positive trend." [Megan, 0:47]

"We count a client as alive as long as they're coming within 20 days of each visit. Once they don't come to your studio within 21 days, we count that as a death within fitDEGREE." [Nick, 7:33]

"If you go into your reports and you go into clients, and then you go into routine breakers, this report was literally built to maintain retention. Someone shows up on this report if they come three weeks in a row, and they've come at least twice per week three weeks in a row." [Nick, 9:02]

LINKS:

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• Why you really need to be planning ahead for your retention efforts as a studio owner [1:11]
• How reviewing and gathering data from last year's rates of conversations will help with retention [1:59]
• Tips to help prepare for retention efforts in the new year [4:15]
• Some retention strategies Cherise is seeing being used right now in the industry [7:30]

Quotes:

"Unless we are testing and tracking, we are not going to know what is happening with our retention. You really have to be looking at your conversion rates to focus on what is happening with current client retention." [Cherise, 2:23]

"We've got to have relationships, if we are asking people to commit to us and stay with us and not leave us, we have got to be part of that relationship as well." [Cherise, 5:03]

"You are not going to be the cheapest studio out there, you're not. Boutique studios don't have the marketing budget like big box gyms and franchises do, that is just the reality, so you've got to go above and beyond with your value." [Cherise, 7:14]

LINKS:

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.instagram.com/whycoachingandconsulting/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• More about Connie and her connection to fitDEGREE [2:26]
• Why it is so often a struggle for business owners get their website up and running [3:56]
• Some of the top reasons businesses today absolutely need a website [8:48]
• The role social media plays with the younger generation in terms of searchability [14:19]
• A few different basic website builders that exist today [16:27]
• What led Connie to decide to design exclusively using Squarespace [19:53]
• Her thoughts on what are the most important elements of an effective website [24:43]

• Our thoughts on whether websites should list prices or price ranges for their offerings or not [29:15]

• Connie's tips to get clients started on their journey to having a better website [30:34]

Quotes

"When business owners talk about their website they think about the colors and how it is going to feel and how the photography is going to work. That is all super important and that's what builds that credibility and makes people feel like they are in the right place, but if you don't get found in the first place then that is where you need to start." [Connie, 11:33]

"The success of your business is the success of your marketing efforts. Let's start with that low hanging fruit, and those people who are looking for your services." [Connie, 12:26]

"With the fitness studio owner in mind, you need a website that can embed functionality from third-party platforms like fitDEGREE, and you need some things that you can grow and that is flexible for you." [Connie, 18:29]

"If you're sliding in stock photos that aren't [of] your real space, you're crossing a line of not building credibility, and in fact, killing any trust that you have." [Connie, 28:12]

LINKS:

Connie's Website, Instagram & YouTube

Her LinkedIn

Squarespace

Website Builder Expert

https://www.wix.com

https://www.godaddy.com

https://www.weebly.com

https://zyro.com

https://wordpress.com

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q

What We Cover In This Episode:

• A closer look at the admin sales pipeline [2:57]
• How to use the intro offer funnel report in fitDEGREE within your sales pipeline [5:18]
• Ways you can tie the intro offer report in with the check-in report [7:14]
• Integration partners and automation that will help optimize your sales pipeline [8:34]
• Tips for monitoring and re-evaluating your sales pipelines [13:38]

Quotes:

"They don't leave your sales pipeline until they say no. If they're ignoring and ghosting you, they're still in the sales pipeline because they have not told me no. That's not me hoping they're going to tell me [no], you have to find an organic natural method to get someone to tell you whether they are interested or not." [Nick, 4:14]

"The intro offer is part of your buyer's journey, and it is a significant piece because showing interest through Instagram and showing interest through a free event, [there's] not much skin in the game, but the intro offer is now skin in the game." [Nick, 6:14

"Before you just buy Loop Spark or any kind of automated communication, are you ready for it? Are you ready to put in the time? Because you think you're doing something good for your business by putting some automation in, and then you kill your business faster by not keeping up with what you put out there." [Nick, 12:39]

LINKS:

https://loopspark.com

www.pipedrive.com

fitDEGREE's Business Portal

https://calendly.com/fitdegree/support

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree/

​​https://www.instagram.com/fitspot_guru/

https://www.instagram.com/fitdegree_nick/

https://www.instagram.com/megan_fitdegree/

https://www.fitdegree.com/blog

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ5rK6zWPXjbxtUQx3ys9Q