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Getting Started Checklist

New to Stratus? Start here! Complete each step of this checklist to successfully set up Stratus for your studio and then use it to train your employees.

Getting Started #

  • ☐ Subscribe to the StudioPlus Blog! It’s where you’ll find the latest support information for StudioPlus products, news about the overall direction of the company, product road maps, new product releases, plus tips and tutorials to help you maximize Stratus in your business.
  • ☐ Bookmark our Help Docs. Here is where you will find lots of documentation about each topic. Training videos are also included on big topic pages. We will be referencing the Help Docs a lot throughout this checklist.
  • ☐ Join our StudioPlus Facebook User Group to connect with other Stratus users, ask questions, and share tips. Prefer one-on-one, specialized help? Check out our Authorized Training Consultants.

1: Installing Stratus #

Let’s get started by installing Stratus. Whether you’re running Stratus on a single workstation or twenty, we’ll keep it simple!

2: Setting Up Your Preferences #

The Preferences Wizard is the easiest way to set up your basic preferences in Stratus. It’ll have you up and running in no time.

  • ☐ Set up the basics with the Preferences Wizard. Read Preferences Wizard to learn more.

3: Finding Your Way Around Stratus #

Before you jump in and start using Stratus, take a few minutes to get familiar with the workspace.

4: Working with Clients #

Your clients are key to your success, and Stratus is the perfect tool to help you build strong and dynamic client relationships.

  • ☐ Use the Clients section to learn how to work with client records.
  • ☐ We specifically recommend these pages to get you started:
    • ☐ Read the Clients Overview page to see how records are linked together.
    • ☐ Check out this section for common Client How-To’s, including how to create clients, how to create family members, and other helpful tools.
    • ☐ Read Importing Clients in the Help Docs. Video included!

5: Scheduling #

It’s time to book some sessions and appointments in Stratus!

  • ☐ Use the Sessions and Appointments sections to learn how to work with session and appointment records.
  • ☐ We specifically recommend these pages to get you started:
  • ☐ Interested in Online Booking? We have an entirely different section for that! We recommend you start with the basics of scheduling first before you dive into that part of the software.

6: Basic Communication & Marketing #

You’ll be amazed how Stratus can help you communicate with your clients and improve your marketing.

  • ☐ Use the Communication section to learn how to use all the different communication features in Stratus.
  • ☐ Use our Communication Overview to get a quick overview of the different ways to communicate in Stratus. If a section interests you, then use the link provided with that section to learn more!
  • ☐ Set up Stratus for texting! SMS Messaging is our most popular add-on. For good reason! It’s incredibly powerful in this day and age.

7: Financial Tracking #

Bringing home the bacon! It’s time to set up the financial tracking portion of Stratus so you’ll know exactly how profitable your business is.

Price List and Invoice Setup #

  • ☐ Use the Price List section to learn how to set up your price list.
  • ☐ Use the Price List Overview to learn where to start and what each field means in your price list.

Create Invoices #

  • ☐ Use the Invoicing & Payments section to find more pages on how to work with invoices.
  • ☐ Check out this section for common Invoice How-To’s, including how to create invoices, using coupons, using gift certificates, online payments, and other helpful tools.

Process Credit Cards #

Accounting Integration #

  • ☐ To learn how to use our accounting features, use the Accounting Overview page to get started.

8: Digital Workflow #

Now for the fun stuff! Stratus is an amazing tool that will help you automate your entire digital workflow.

  • ☐ The Digital Workflow Overview encompasses a large area of the software. Use this page to get you started and bring you to the correct pages that you need to start incorporating YOUR workflow into Stratus.

9: InSpiredByYou.com #

Set up the online extension of your studio, directly into the homes of your clients.

10: Dashboards #

What good is having all this data if you don’t use it! Harness the power of Stratus reporting to know your studio inside and out.

  • ☐ Just like before, the Dashboard section will help you learn everything you need to know about your reporting Dashboard.
  • ☐ The Dashboard Overview will give you an overview of the Dashboard.
  • ☐ Dashboard Examples will help you brainstorm what reports you want on your Dashboard.
  • ☐ (Optional) Setting up Budgets will help you set up your budgets to go with the Dashboard.
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