How do we get new balboa dancers?
Here are some ideas for getting new balboa dancers:
- Facebook marketing. Purchase an inexpensive advertisement targeting people who might likely be interested in learning balboa. Make a promo video and post to Facebook. Create a nice info graphic to post on Facebook informing people about an upcoming event. Videos and images will get more views than a text post.
- Fliers. New dancers still look at fliers to find out about events. Dancers are much more likely to keep the flier if it includes a coupon to an upcoming class or event.
- Performances. A choreography team is a great way to build interest from those outside of the established scene. Have your team perform at various events in your community that might draw interest. If you are not a choreographer, have Matt Mitchell come to your scene to choreograph a performance for your team.
- Teach at new locations. Try teaching classes at a variety of locations to build interest. For example, we rent out studio space that is mostly used by ballroom dancers and now many ballroom dancers have become more interested in learning balboa.
- Get out and dance. Have all your best dancers get out and dance balboa. These dancers will provide inspiration for new dancers.
- Meetup. Some scenes have had success in using meetup to recruit new dancers.
- Teach a free lesson. Offer a free lesson at a local college or community center. Make sure to have fliers ready for continuing classes. Even free practice sessions every once and a while can help boost attendance.
- BOGO. Offer free admission to a dance or class when regular members bring someone new. This has been really successful in growing the scene in Chicago.
- Bal bomb or flash mob. Dance in a public place and have fliers ready for classes. Offer a coupon to attend the first class for free. The general public is not aware of balboa so building awareness is key.