Your studio's Year In Review

You've seen them all over social media - those slick year-end recaps from Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. People love sharing them. Why? Because they're a fun trip down memory lane, highly personal and totally enjoyable for friends to see each other's highlights.

The concept isn't just for individuals - it's perfect for your studio! You have been collecting stories all year. Now it's time to package them.

Why this works

A year-end recap is about celebrating the community you've built together. It's a way to remind customers that they're part of something bigger than a single pottery piece. And in a world where everyone's tightening their budgets and choosing where to spend carefully, this kind of personal touch makes you unforgettable.

What to include

Keep it simple and meaningful with authentic highlights:

Studio-wide moments:

• Total pieces painted this year (make a good estimation if unsure)

• Most popular pottery items (plates, mugs, ornaments)

• Busiest day or month

• New products or techniques you introduced

• Parties hosted (birthday parties, girls' nights, team building events)

• Community fundraisers or partnerships

• A 5/10/15/20/25 year anniversary celebration

Individual customer touches (if you have the data):

• "Sarah, you painted 12 pieces with us this year!"

• "The Johnson family has been coming to us for 3 years - thank you!"

• Highlight repeat customers or loyalty members

Behind-the-scenes favorites:

• Staff picks for favorite pieces created

• Most creative customer designs

• Funniest moments

How to put it all together

Option 1: Social media stories/posts

Create a series of Instagram or Facebook posts throughout the last week of December. One post per highlight. Use your actual studio photos—messy paint-covered tables, happy customer faces, shelves full of beautiful work. Real always beats polished.

Option 2: Email blast

Send one comprehensive email to your list with a subject line like "Our Year with You" or "2024: A Year of Creativity Together." Include photos, quick stats, and a genuine thank-you.

Option 3: Printed flyer

If you have customers who don't engage online, create a simple one-page recap to hand out during their next visit. Stick one in every bag at pickup.

Make it personal without overwhelming yourself

You don't need to create individual recaps for every customer (unless you have a small, tight-knit clientele and the time to do it). But if you have a few super-regulars or loyalty members, a quick handwritten note that says "You painted with us 8 times this year—we love seeing you!" goes a long way.

The real magic

This isn't about the recap itself - it's about what it represents. It tells your customers that you're paying attention. That they're not just transaction numbers. That their creativity and presence matter to your studio.

And when people feel seen? They come back. They bring friends. They choose you over the other studio across town.

Your action step

Pull up your POS system, appointment calendar and social media. Spend 30 minutes jotting down memorable moments from this year. You already have everything you need - you just need to package it with heart.

The studios that thrive aren't the ones with the biggest advertising budgets. They're the ones that make customers feel like family. A year-end recap is one more way to do exactly that.