Why are tryout signups slow—even when you “posted the link”? In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down the most common reasons all-star cheer registration stalls and what to fix right now so you can increase registrations before tryouts. You’ll learn how to improve your cheer gym marketing so families actually know who you are, how to simplify your registration process so it’s easy for new families (not just current members), and how to use your all-star packet the right way to capture leads instead of giving away information for free. Dan also explains why your packet might be scaring families off, how to use email and SMS nurture to move families from “interested” to “registered,” and why urgency and scarcity (pricing tiers, deadlines, limited spots) matter if you want people to take action now—not later. If you’re a cheer gym owner trying to grow all-star tryouts, increase registrations, and build a registration system that actually converts, this episode is your playbook.

Most cheer gyms don’t realize private lessons can create massive legal, insurance, and tax exposure—fast. In this episode, Dan Cotton sits down with Matthew Becker of GymLawyers.com to break down what’s really at stake when coaches take private lesson payments directly (cash, Venmo, check) and run sessions “on the side” inside your facility. They explain why this common industry practice can blur the line between employee and independent contractor, potentially leaving both the coach and the gym owner exposed if an athlete gets injured, a parent disputes services, or an audit happens. You’ll learn the real difference between employees vs. independent contractors, why gym waivers may not protect a coach who is paid directly, how insurance carriers can deny claims, and why “small fees per lesson” can actually increase risk instead of reducing it. They also cover contract clarity (making payment terms clear and conspicuous), why hidden fees can cause major legal problems, and what a safer private lesson system can look like when everything runs through the gym. If your gym offers private lessons—or you’re considering it—this episode will help you protect your business, your staff, and your future.

Most cheer gym owners don’t have a pricing problem. They have a pricing system problem. In this technical episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton walks through how to set all star cheer tuition the right way so every team you run is financially viable and profitable. He breaks down the biggest mistakes gym owners make during tryout season, including mixing tuition with pass-through fees, setting enrollment minimums too low, and “fudging the numbers” because the true tuition number feels uncomfortable. You’ll learn how to separate tuition (what stays in the business) from assessments and fees (uniforms, choreography, music, competition fees), why you must build profit margin into every price, and how to use a per-team model so your tuition holds up even when rosters shift. Dan also shares what to do if your current rates are too low to jump all at once, plus strategies to adjust without sabotaging retention. If you want pricing that covers payroll, operating expenses, owner compensation, and profit—without guessing—this episode will show you the framework.