Before You Close Your Doors
I’ve had a few studio owner friends lately reach out to discuss closing their studios. In light of Covid-19 and most studios being closed for months, with reopening looking slow and quite different than studio life before, it seems the time is right for some to move on and change paths.
This is a letter I wrote to a owner friend recently that I thought I’d share that outlines some of the thoughts and options surrounding getting your data from MINDBODY before you close your studio and/or end your relationship with them.
In summary, don’t cancel your account with any software provider until you’ve thought about getting back ups of your data! Whether you use MINDBODY or another provider, the concepts are similar and you want that client info. You worked hard to connect with those people! I also would be sure to get reviews for future marketing needs. Reach out or comment if you are going through this and have questions.
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Studio Friend,
Thanks for booking a session with me to help with getting your MB data in light of your studio closure. Sending positive thoughts as you deal with such challenging times for small businesses.
I couldn't help but want to start the conversation a little early. You might want to read these articles from MB on the subject of data exports and or get a head start thinking about it all. Generally speaking, MB suggests you run a bunch of reports in your active database before you turn off the software and save them to excel and/or pdf. That's the free option and they give some good details below.
Best Practices For Exporting Reports Before MB Cancellation
The more thorough option is to get a full data export as described below. There is an extra fee associated with this and it gives you a full backup of all the data files associated with your MB system.
My two cents? Usually, exporting the excel version of your client list, outstanding series, unused gift cards, account balances, autopay details/summary is enough. If you really want all the data, including visit and purchase history, then the subscriber export might be worth it. For example, in another life I was a computer programmer. Therefore, I really wish I had all the files from before I sold my studio and that I paid for the subscriber export. Only because I am a database junkie like that and like playing with data. For most clients I talk to, the excel exports are enough.
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Another thing to consider if you are closing your doors is to think about if you want to share any client information with other local studios as part of an agreement that the other studio (that isn’t also closed / closing) can serve your clients outstanding series or gift cards.
Lastly, If you are going through a studio closure / transition, I send you my positive thoughts. Change is hard, but not always bad. There are plenty of ways to serve the wellness community you exist in. Owning a brick and mortar studio and playing the role of owner is just one way. Perhaps this change will give you space to realize the next best thing?