4 Affordable Ways to Surprise and Delight Barre Studio Clients

While running a barre studio can add up, there are plenty of affordable ways to surprise and delight students and make their next studio session memorable without breaking the bank. Read on for four fun, budget-friendly ideas for bringing some unexpected magic into the studio!

1. Give studio customers an unexpected gift

Ideas for gifts

An unexpected small gift is a surefire way to surprise your barre clients. Some gift ideas include:

• Studio water bottle (free marketing!)
• Branded arre socks
• Candles with uplifting scents
• Barre hair scrunchies or headbands
• Inspirational note cards

The gift doesn't have to be expensive—even little treats demonstrate you care about your customers and want to help them feel special!

How to give the gift

Make your gift-giving fun by getting creative with the presentation! Have customers select mystery envelopes or boxes containing their surprises. Hand out gifts secretly during stretches when students have their eyes closed. Or place goodies on each mat before class starts so your barre babes arrive to a delightful treat waiting for them! The element of surprise and excitement really enhances the experience.

2. Host a Themed Barre Class

Ideas for theming the class

Don't be afraid to add a playful playlist and spirit while still delivering a high-powered workout. Some specific ideas include:

• Set the scene with tunes from a certain decade or genre and match the vibe with lighting
• Incorporate prop pieces to match the theme
• Add in dance-inspired moves
• Infuse light-hearted challenges to drive more themed-class engagement

How to go about hosting the class

Hype your class offering 1-2 weeks in advance via email, social media, and word-of-mouth. Provide a specialty sign-up list to gauge interest. Encourage participants to wear gear to match the theme for extra fun! Allow first-timers to drop in at a discount. After an energizing dose of barre magic, they'll be sure to return as loyal members!

3. Offer a special discount

Types of discounts to offer

A seasonal sale or special is the perfect way to show customer appreciation while also attracting new clients. Promotional options include:

• One week free trial
• Reduced 10 or 20-class packs
• Bundle deals on retail items like apparel
• Bring-a-friend referral credits
• Charity donations—donate $5 of each holiday package to a cause

Tailor your discount to incentivize commitment —higher % savings for larger class bundle purchases. Offer tiered deals for existing versus. new customers. Get creative with what perks you think your clients will find most valuable.

How to go about marketing the discount

Announce your special via email and social channels, and print flyers or posters 1-2 weeks before to get momentum brewing. Remind clients frequently as the start date approaches.

Sweeten the deal by gifting an extra surprise like a water bottle or discount on next month's membership to whoever takes advantage of the promo first! Leverage FOMO by noting your special won't last long! Build urgency and excitement around taking advantage of this limited-time cheerful deal.

4. Hold a giveaway

Ideas for prizes

Gifts, discounts, and free classes bundled together in a giveaway contest generate buzz while rewarding loyal barre buddies. Ideas for prizes include:

• One month of unlimited classes
• Annual studio membership
• Apparel or equipment bundles
• Guest passes so winners can share with friends
• Charity donations made in winners' honor

Consider crowd favorites like rewarding the highest referrer or minutes logged in class over the a certain time frame. This engages your community while the prizes boost morale.

How to market the giveaway

Promote giveaway contests on your website, email newsletter, social channels, and in-studio displays or flyers. Encourage shares, tags, and customer content featuring your studio.

Prompt social actions like commenting on giveaway posts to enter or submitting testimonials. Track entries based on metrics like class visits, retail purchases add-ons, or reviews.

As the giveaway wraps, announce when the last chance to win will be so no one misses out. Contact elated prize winners directly to arrange delivery or redemption of their presents.

With a dose of creativity and cheer, you can develop goodwill and excitement with customers in delightfully affordable ways.

Implementing even just one or two of these initiatives builds positive buzz for your brand. We hope these ideas inspire you to develop your surprise and delight barre studio strategy throughout the year.