Ten Tips for Creating a “Vibe” at Your Pole Dance Studio

We have all heard the term “vibe” in mainstream media. But have you thought of it in terms of pole dance studios?

According to the Collins Dictionary, the informal definition of the word vibe is “the good or bad atmosphere that you sense with a person or in a place.”

Of course a good atmosphere (aka, a good vibe) in your pole studio is the goal. But there’s a lot that goes into accomplishing a vibe. You need to instill a feeling in your clients that makes them want to return over and over again. You want your clients to tell all their friends about your studio and post it all over social media! You need to make your clients feel safe, welcome, and proud to call your studio home.

So what goes into creating a vibe? In this post, we will provide 10 items to consider when creating the vibe for your pole studio.

Mission and Vision

As a starting place, use your studio’s mission and vision statements to define your vibe. They will help you drive, create, and refine your intended vibe. If your mission is to provide an environment where people can feel sexy and express themselves, then make your studio’s vibe sexy (think dim lighting, red colors, sensual music, etc.). Whatever your mission, own it through the additional items on this list!

Online Vibes

Potential clients will scope the information on your website and social media before ever booking a class and stepping through the door. So what vibe does your online presence give? A pro tip is to have outside individuals review your website and socials. Ask them to give you feedback on the vibe.

Entrance

The entrance is the first thing clients will see when they arrive. It will set the tone of the entire studio. Ensure that it is inviting and exciting. Think about how you can portray your intended vibe in not only the outside entrance, but also the front desk and waiting area.

Front Desk Staff

Front desk staff are the face of the company! Be very intentional about the individuals you hire for the front desk. Ensure that they are warm and welcoming. They must understand and be empathetic to new students who are feeling nervous about their first pole class. Along with the entrance, the aura of the front desk staff can set the whole vibe, or at least the client’s perspective of the vibe, of your studio.

Ideal Clientele

Define the ideal clientele of your studio. And keep your ideal clientele in mind when developing and refining your vibe. Is your studio catered to women? Is it solely for parties and visiting tourists? Do you train competitors? Do you allow kids? These are just a few examples of different clientele. Studios in big cities tend to have more opportunity to niche their ideal clientele, but even if your studio is in a small town, consider the vibe that your ideal clientele will seek out. Also in terms of clientele, consistently ask yourself: Is my studio a diverse and inclusive space? How can my studio’s vibe also promote diversity and inclusion?

Ambiance

Ambiance describes the mood and atmosphere of a place. Again, the front entrance and waiting area will set the tone of the ambiance. What mood do you want to portray in your studio? This can be done through music, lighting, instructor personalities, pictures/posters on the walls, and messaging inside and beyond the studio.

Music

The word “vibe” came from a musical term (“vibrations”). Music that aligns with your studio’s mission, ambiance, and aesthetic will be the icing on the cake in setting the vibe. If you are just getting started, invest in a music streaming platform (Spotify, iTunes, etc.) that has lots of already loaded playlist options.

Lighting

Lighting in and of itself is a vibe! There are so many options to set the proper mood of your studio including colors, brightness, types of lights, and movement of lights. Studios that invest in good lighting can be instantly recognizable on social media!

Mirrors

Quality mirrors help contribute to a good vibe. They should not distort people’s bodies. But also consider hosting some classes where the mirrors are covered. Students working on their self-confidence tend to appreciate the mirror-less vibe. It also encourages students to feel into their movements rather than getting distracted by how they look.

Community

Consider that many people will find community through your pole studio. What kind of community do you want to foster? How can the vibe of the studio contribute to the vibe of the community and vice versa? Remember, the stronger the vibe of the community, the more likely clients will keep walking through your studio door!