If you don’t have classes at your studio on Saturdays or Sundays, hosting parties can help your teachers (and you) make a little extra money. Besides, they’re a great way to connect with potential new students and solidify your existing community. While birthday parties will probably be your most common party type, don’t limit yourself to just birthdays! Did one of your students get straight A’s and their parents want to throw them a little dance party? Have it at your studio! Do a few parents want to go in on a spring party? Why not make it a dance party!? Sound tempting? Follow the steps below to start hosting your own studio parties!
Determine What You Want to Provide
When choosing to host parties at your studio, you have to first decide what you would like to provide. You’ll definitely be providing the space to host the party and offering a dance class, so you’ll want to meet with your current teachers and see which ones would want to participate. Try to get a variety of teachers involved so you can accommodate a girl or guy who loves hip hop or one who loves contemporary!
As you know, though a party isn’t just the space and one activity, there’s a whole lot more detail that goes into it; decorations, treat bags, accessories to wear, food, etc. You basically have two options when it comes to hosting parties at your studio; provide everything (and charge more) or provide just the space and the dance class. Depending on which one you choose, your planning process will be different. If you choose to provide everything, read up on option 1 below. If you choose to provide just the space and the class, skip to option number 2 (although reading option 1 won’t hurt either!).
Option 1: Provide Everything
Determine Your Costs
If you decide that you want to provide everything for the party – your costs are going to be much higher than if you were to just provide the space and the class. However, this also means that you can charge more per party, and, depending on how good you are at decorating and planning, potentially make a much higher profit.
Cost of You Time
Be sure to include all of your prep time for planning and decorating as well as your time spent hosting the party.
Cost of Your Teacher’s Time
If you aren’t the one teaching the class, you’ll want to make sure you include your teacher’s time in your costs. Be sure to also account for the time the teacher will need to choreograph a short combination.
Cost of Decorations
Thanks to Pinterest, DIYs are becoming more and more prevalent, so the cost of decorations can really vary per studio. Depending on whether you decide to re-use some decorations, this cost can also go down over time, leading to a higher profit later on! We definitely encourage you to buy high-quality items that make your party look professional and will last over time.
Cost of any Foor or Goodie Bags
While you do have the option of providing everything for this party, you may choose to go with an in-between option (providing the more long-term decorations while letting the parents fill in the gaps). This is really the option that we recommend, as we know how fun it is for parents to plan the goodie bags, the food, and some of the more short-term decor. If you have great sources for food and goodie bags, you may choose to provide everything, but if you don’t you may choose to let the parents provide the goodie bags, food, beverages, etc, while still providing some of the long-term decorations (table cloths, backdrop, decor, etc.)
To determine how you’ll provide these parties, it’s important to consider not only your costs but also your profit. If you break even, it’s not worth all the effort you’ll go through (especially if choosing to provide everything), so you’ll want to be sure you price your parties where you’ll actually be making a profit.
It isn’t all about the money, though. Although it is important! Parties, like we said, are a great way to build a stronger community and meet potential dancers! So even if you might be making a bit more money if you spent your time in other ways, you should also weigh in less-tangible pros.
Shop for Long-Term Decorations
Backdrops
Having a backdrop behind your food table or a backdrop for picture taking can take a party to an entirely different level. Consider buying a vinyl backdrop with your logo or studio’s name on it like the one at our Showstopper Finals!) While it might seem somewhat expensive at first, your dancers will love it and those photos will make their way around your dancer’s social media – all with your studio’s name or logo on it!
Table Decor
If you have chosen to provide the food (appetizers/desserts/whatever), you may also want to look into some food display items (like some really cute cupcake holders and candy jars!) You’ll also want to look into some fun table decor items to really make your food table look fabulous. Marquee letters are super in-style right now so you could get some that spell “DANCE” or even make your own marquee food labels!
Table Linens
The easiest way to make an otherwise fabulous party feel cheap is to go with plastic tablecloths. If you spend money on anything to re-use for your studio’s parties, have it be nice tablecloths. Whether you choose to go with fun colored fabric tablecloths or even sequin tablecloths (you can find them on Etsy!), they can make or break the entire feel of the party. If you’re looking to go all out for your table decor, you could look into a table skirt as well (our favorite is a fabulous tutu table skirt!).
Party Packages
Tutu Much Fun
- Have tutus on hand for everyone (to borrow)
- A ballet, contemporary, or lyrical class
- Include a hair donut in the treat bags
- Instead of regular desserts, have Snickers, Twix, etc. and call it the Chocolate Barre!
- Crafts/Activities: Ballet coloring sheet, ballet-themed word search, tutu bun holder, etc.
Diva Dance Party
- Have fake microphones, gloves, and sunglasses for all the attendees
- Provide a tiara to the birthday girl or a pair of awesome sunglasses for the birthday guy
- Dance to all the latest pop hits
- Include a jazz or hip hop class to a popular song
- Include nail polish and lip gloss in the treat bags
- You can use your vinyl backdrop at all your parties but it will look especially good at this one!
- Craft: Have them make their own walk of fame stars!
Hip Hop Hooray
- A hip hop playlist throughout the party
- A hip hop class taught by one of your fabulous teachers
- Hip hop accessories for everyone (hat, chains, or sunglasses)
- A special hip hop outfit for the birthday girl/guy (multiple accessories)
- Play forehead detective with hip hop sensations (everyone is a famous person and through hints clues (and dance moves, of course) you have to guess what dancer they are)
Option 2: Provide Just a Class and Studio Space
Determine Your Costs
If you decide that you don’t want to provide everything for the party – your costs are going to be lower than if you were to provide everything. However, this also means that you will be charging less per party.
Cost of Your Time
Be sure to include all of your prep time for planning and decorating as well as your time spent hosting the party.
Cost of Your Teacher’s Time
If you aren’t the one teaching the class, you’ll want to make sure you include you teacher’s time in your costs. Be sure to also account for the time the teacher will need to choreograph a short combination.
Decorations, Food, and Goodie Bags
Since you chose option 2, you won’t be providing the decorations, goodie bags, or food, so you can leave those costs out of your budget! You will want to provide the host parent with a list of any allergies that your dancers may have to ensure that everyone has a fun and safe time!
To determine how you’ll price these parties, it’s important to consider not only your costs but also your profit, so be sure to add a margin of profit to whatever you determine your costs to be.
Whichever option you decide, hosting parties at your studio are a great way to connect with your students, their parents, and have potential dancers check out your studio under a stress-free atmosphere. Decorating for a party is half the fun, so if you choose option 1, be sure to check out our Pinterest page for inspiration!
We’d love to see your studio’s parties! Upload your party pics to Facebook or Instagram and tag us – or email them to us at social@goshowstopper.com!
