Ready to ramp up your social media presence? You’re in luck, because dance studios have never had more options. Today’s social media engagement revolves around short, catchy videos, with TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook driving the trends. Dance studios can make the most of these social media tools to showcase their teachers, students, and classes in more dynamic ways than ever before. Here’s what you need to know to master social media in 2022:
1. Put your moves on TikTok
TikTok is the fastest-growing social media platform, and the potential to attract a lot of followers is huge thanks to an algorithm that prioritizes new content so you can gain traction quickly. Jump right in with a short video of your teachers or students showing off their best moves, whether it’s nailing a pirouette or a viral TikTok dance challenge. And don’t be afraid to make your clips personal or even a little bit silly; TikTok is all about content that’s relatable and fun. If you haven’t tried it yet, we challenge you to post one video this week and see what happens. You may just discover a totally new way to connect with dancers near and far! (Pro tip: for help getting started, TikTok’s Creator Portal should be your #1 stop).
2. Join the fun with viral TikTok trends (and start your own)
TikTok videos can go viral fast: you’ll notice a particular song or sound heating up as more people use it in their clips, and before you know it, it’s a trend. That’s your cue to jump in and join the fun with a video of your own—you can even get all your dancers involved in the challenge! Once you’ve got that, try launching your own TikTok challenge, like this #snoozzzapalooza campaign by Simmons. The key is to be lighthearted, have fun, and try something you might not do on other social channels.
3. Use Instagram to show your studio in action
From Stories and Live to IGTV, you can make your Instagram more dynamic by adding video to your repertoire. Instagram is perfect for highlighting the best your studio has to offer: share a 15-second breakdown of a popular dance move, give a behind-the-scenes studio tour, showcase a popular class in action, or give audiences a glimpse of dancers doing their routines. These quick, personal videos can give potential dancers a good feeling for who you are before they even sign up for a class. Instagram can help them feel comfortable knowing what to expect…and excited to meet you in person! For more tips, check out Instagram’s Creator Guide.
4. Check out Facebook’s latest feature — Reels!
Facebook recently launched its short-form video feature, Reels, and it will be fun to see how people get creative with this new addition! Of course, dance studios have been sharing Facebook videos long before this, and with great success. One studio has mastered this with its dramatic recital recap and beautiful year-in-review video. We love how they took the time to edit these into powerful stories that reflect who they are as a studio. The key is making content people love to watch, and most importantly, share!
5. Create a cinematic experience on YouTube
While Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are great for snappy, fun content, YouTube is the place to showcase longer videos and encourage your community to share them more widely. For example, you could record your dance studio’s upcoming recitals and dance competition routines and put them on YouTube for everyone to enjoy. Dancers and family members love being able to relive their favorite dance moments, while those curious about your studio can get a better sense of who you are and what you offer.
6. Wherever you are, make sure your audience is there with you
Finally, remember that no matter how hot a social media platform is, it doesn’t mean anything if your core audience isn’t there. So before you try any of the tips above, find out where your dance community actually hangs out and what kind of content they love to see. For example, you may find that your teenage students already rule TikTok while their parents are partial to Facebook, which would influence what you post on each platform. Your younger audience may love seeing you being a bit goofy as you attempt a dance challenge on TikTok, whereas their parents may appreciate the info on dance scholarships and upcoming event reminders you share on Facebook. The best social media strategy always starts with the people you want to reach: once you understand what they want, everything else falls into place!
