5 Things Dance and Theatre School Owners Should Do Before Christmas
As dance, drama and music school owners, we can and often do just carry on doing bits over the Christmas period. But to really stop, here are five things dance and theatre school owners should do before Christmas.
1. Have a Clear End Date
Pick the date and time you’re going to close the computer down, switch off, and be done and dusted. Why? Because you deserve a break over Christmas. Down those tools, rest those legs, and try to get your brain to actually switch off if you can. Read a good book, drink an eggnog, whatever chill looks like for you.
Having that date matters, because it gives you real focus. This year, mine is the 1pm cut off. My computer closes at 1pm, and why not?
Decide when you’re closing, then work backwards. If that gives you 11 working days left, ask yourself what actually needs to get done in those 11 days. Make your list, prioritise it, get your head down, and get going. A firm end date gives you a strong focus for everything before it.
2. Let Your Customers Know Your Hours
Let your customers know your working hours over the festive period. If you’re doing a couple of mornings between Christmas and New Year, say so. Let them know when you’ll be around to take enquiries, and particularly when any enquiries that do come in are likely to get a reply.
That way, they have an expectation to work from. They’ll think, fair enough, she’s off for Christmas, but I’ll hear back within that window. If you’re off completely until New Year, tell them that too, so everyone knows exactly where they stand.
3. Don’t Forget Your Out of Office
Your out of office doesn’t have to be a flat “back in the new year.” This is actually an opportunity to add value, or even sell.
If someone’s put in an enquiry about joining your classes, use the auto reply to give them something in the meantime. Point them to your YouTube channel. Give them a taster of what your school is about. Or if they’re ready to book a trial class, send them straight to the booking link so they can do it while they’re already thinking about it.
Use that email to show people what your school stands for, or to make sure nothing gets lost while you’re away.
While we’re on the subject, don’t forget your phone. If you’ve got an answerphone message set up, update that too. It’s the one I always forget myself.
4. Schedule Your Christmas Posts
Get your Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year posts scheduled well in advance. Whatever you’re planning to share, get it queued up so you’re not sat there trying to post in the middle of your own family time when you should be enjoying it. Schedule it now, then let it go.
5. Clear Outstanding Invoices and Bills
Chase up anything outstanding before you close for the break. You don’t want an email landing in your inbox halfway through Christmas from someone chasing an unpaid bill, and you sat there thinking, oh no, I completely forgot about that.
Clear the decks. And the same goes the other way, if someone’s struggling to pay, get a payment plan sorted and locked in now, rather than leaving it hanging over the break.
You can do this. Five things, done before Christmas, and then you can properly switch off and enjoy it. Want more advice on running your school or studio, then check out The Den Business School.
