Dance Studio Software Tip: Use Pinned Spotlight Posts for Shows and Big Announcements
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3 Min Read
Every dance studio has news to share. A show is coming up, term dates have moved, a new class is launching, or the studio is closed for half term.
The trouble is, important updates get buried. A message sent on Monday is out of sight by Wednesday, and by Friday you're answering the same question for the third time.
Pinned posts in Spotlight fix that. Here's how to use this feature of Class Manager's dance studio software to keep families informed, from show season to everyday studio news.
What is a pinned Spotlight post?
Spotlight is Class Manager's in-app feed, where you share updates, photos, and news with your studio community. Think of it as a noticeboard families carry in their pocket.
When you pin a post, it stays at the top of the feed. Newer posts still appear underneath, but the information families keep coming back to never slides out of view.
What to pin
Shows and performances
Treat your pinned post as a show hub and add details as they're confirmed:
Show details: date, venue, timings, and parking or travel tips
Tickets: when they go on sale, prices and a link to buy
Rehearsals: class times plus dress rehearsal details
Costumes, hair and make-up: what each class needs and when
On the day: drop-off, where dancers go, what to bring and collection times
FAQs: the questions that come up every time, answered once
Studio announcements
New term dates and timetable changes
Closures, holidays and make-up classes
Exam or grading days
Uniform and kit requirements
Fee changes or new class launches
Policy updates
A good rule of thumb: if families will check it more than once, pin it.
Example pinned posts you can copy
Not sure where to start? Here's a simple show post you can adapt. Swap in your own details and fill in the gaps as plans are confirmed.
Summer Show: everything you need to know Last updated: [date]
When and where: Saturday [date] at [venue]. Doors open at [time], the show starts at [time] and finishes around [time].
Tickets: On sale from [date] at [link]. Adults [price], children [price].
Rehearsals: Classes run as normal until the show. The dress rehearsal is on [date] at [venue], from [time] to [time].
Costumes: Handed out in class from [date]. Please label everything and keep costumes clean and on hangers.
Hair and make-up: [Class] need a high bun. Simple stage make-up for dancers aged [age] and over.
On the day: Please drop dancers at the stage door by [time] and collect them from [location] after the finale.
Questions? Message us in Chats and we'll get back to you.
The "last updated" line is worth keeping. Parents can see at a glance whether anything has changed since they last checked, without rereading the whole post.
For a studio announcement, keep it shorter still:
New term dates and timetable
Spring term runs from [date] to [date], with a break from [date] to [date]. Our updated timetable is below, including two new classes: [class] on [day] and [class] on [day]. Fees for the term will be collected automatically on [date].
Use a clear title that says exactly what the post covers. When families open Spotlight, they should know in a second whether it's the post they need.
Why it works
Fewer repeat questions. Instead of typing the same answer again, you can send families straight to Spotlight. Your teachers can do the same, so everyone gives a consistent answer.
Easy to update. Plans change. A rehearsal moves or an exam date shifts. Edit the pinned post, and families see the latest version, rather than piecing it together from a string of corrections.
Less stress for parents. Busy parents miss messages, especially with more than one child at the studio or a first show on the horizon. Knowing exactly where to look takes the worry out of it, and because Class Manager works on any device, the details sit right alongside everything else in the parent portal.
More excitement. Around your pinned post, regular Spotlight posts can share rehearsal sneak peeks, costume reveals, and shout-outs to hard-working classes, so dancers feel celebrated, and parents feel part of studio life.
Pair it with email and Chats
Pinned posts work best alongside your other channels:
Email for the first announcement. Schedule it in advance and point families to Spotlight for the full details.
Chats for reminders nearer the time. A quick broadcast to the classes involved keeps key dates front of mind.
Spotlight as the reference point everything else leads back to.
Keep it current
A pin only works if families trust it. Once a show has passed or an update no longer applies, unpin it and replace it with whatever matters now. After a performance, a thank-you post with photos from the night is a lovely way to celebrate your dancers, parents and volunteers before you pin what's next.
Try it at your studio
Class Manager is dance studio software with Spotlight, Chats, automated billing, skill tracking, and a parent portal built in. There's no monthly subscription, just a small payment processing fee. Selling tickets for your next show? Our sister platform Stage Stubs offers free ticketing for studios.
Book a demo or open your free account and pin your first post today.
