Posts Tagged ‘Retention’

Using Fear of Loss to Retain Members

This has to be the simplest retention strategy, ever… and one of the most effective.

It relies on the persuasion principle known as… Read the rest of this entry »

Although most of the martial arts school owners and instructors I have coached don’t want to have a huge mega-studio, many of us would like to earn a comfortable living teaching between 150 and 200 students. While for some that may seem like an easy goal, for many others reaching 150 students seems near impossible.

The biggest hurdle to most school owners in hitting their enrollment goals is that they tend to look at different aspects of their business in isolated terms. Over here we have “curriculum”, here we have “advertising”, here we have “retention”, here is “billing”, then there’s “scheduling”, “pricing”, etc.

The problem with this is that it leads to a skewed sort of thinking – that is to say, you start to think that one part of your operations won’t affect the whole. And that can be hazardous to achieving your goal of having a small, profitable studio.

Let me explain… Read the rest of this entry »

Teaching plans are something that every instructor should use to help them organize and teach better classes. By planning ahead, you can insure that your classes are more exciting and that you are covering the material your students need to progress.

I feel they are so important that I never let an assistant walk out on the floor without one. In addition, I give my instructors basic guidelines they must follow so I know they are planning their classes properly.

The following is adapted from the teaching plan guidelines I hand out to my helpers and assistants, and should give you a good idea of how to structure your classes effectively: Read the rest of this entry »

New and prospective students require special attention and care during their first visit to your school. This is when the student and their family will form their first impression of you and your studio.

If they are not given ample time to ask questions, or if they feel they were mishandled in any way, chances are good that they’ll end up at another martial arts school. Remember, if they leave your school, they will miss out on a quality martial arts experience.

It’s a real shame when someone opts for a sub-par martial arts school because they weren’t handled in a professional manner at another school. Don’t lose anyone over a lack of professionalism and courtesy!

Here are some guidelines to follow to make a new student feel at home on their first day: Read the rest of this entry »