You can’t solve a systems problem with social media.
Every season, dance studio owners launch ads, post more reels, run flash discounts—and still end up with empty spots in class. According to More Than Just Great Dancing™ 2025 Studio Success Survey, nearly 60% of studios report operating below 75% capacity, with most unsure how full their classes really are.
The result? Frustration. Overwork. Stagnant revenue.
“But here’s the truth: The studios that consistently fill classes aren’t just better at marketing—they’re better at managing what happens after a student says yes.“
Full Dance Classes Start Behind the Scenes
Studios running at 90–100% capacity share a few patterns:
- They know where every class stands. High-performing studios track class capacity and use that data to make real decisions—adjusting schedules, combining low-fill groups, or opening overflow sections. Guesswork doesn’t cut it.
- They make it easy to say yes. From trial to registration to billing, every step is seamless. No PDFs. No awkward payment forms. Families can register, pay, and update info through one clear portal.
→ With Akada’s Stripe integration, families can pay by card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay—right inside your portal. There’s no switching platforms or chasing checks. Just faster payments and fewer roadblocks. - They automate, then follow through. Top dance studios don’t just collect leads, they onboard them. They don’t just send invoices, they set up recurring billing and follow up without chasing. Their systems are set up to run without constant attention.
- They keep the families they have. Retention is the multiplier no one talks about. When students stay longer and take more classes, everything else gets easier. High-capacity studios don’t just recruit, they reinforce relationships with better communication, clear feedback, and more personalized class recs.
The Dance Studios That Fill Classes Aren’t Doing More—They’re Doing It Smarter
They’re not working harder than you. They’re just not stuck re-entering credit cards or answering the same email 20 times a week.
If your studio isn’t where you want it to be this season, don’t just ask how to get more students. Ask what happens when they show up—and whether your system is built to keep them.
Because the studios that grow didn’t just get lucky.
They got organized.
For more dance studio tips on how to grow your studio dive into our FREE Growth Guide today!
Want a clearer way to run your studio? Start a free trial or schedule a demo with Akada.
