You prospect searches for you in Google and is looking to sign up little Billy into martial arts lessons.

They find your website at the top of the search results.

Awesome.

They click the link and land on your site. After jumping through a couple of pages, they are ready to take action and give you a call.

But what happens next is something that’s common on so many martial arts schools websites and is a big mistake you might even be making and not even realizing it.

Do you know what it is? Read on to find out what it is.

You can have the greatest design in the world… the fastest loading website …. the best headlines and copy… and the greatest offer, ever. But, if you don’t have that one thing, it all doesn’t matter.

That one thing?

Simply put, make it easy to contact you.

Shocker, I know.

However, so many websites have their contact information buried on their site and it’s like an Easter egg hunt for your prospects to find it. Don’t make your prospect work to contact you and have to hunt around like it’s Easter Sunday.

Put your contact information on EVERY page above the fold (which refer the portions of a webpage that is visible without scrolling). Then, if you make a call to action at the bottom of your page, add it again there, too. In fact, you should also have a whole page dedicated to your contact information just to be safe.

Make it as easy as possible to find then use your contact information. I’m talking about your phone number and an email address (or contact form). You’ll also want to make your address prominent, too.

Sometimes we overlook the obvious.

And, unfortunately, something so simple can really be hurting your business if it’s not done correctly.

So take a minute and check your website.

Chances are, you might need to fix this.

Here are seven marketing ideas you might not have considered (or haven’t done yet) to help attract new prospective martial arts students this year.

1. Advertise in city publications

These are usually cheaper than your city’s newspaper and can be a good resource for prospecting. Print publications are hurting right now due to online competition now is the time to get some good deals. You might even be able to get a deal where you are both in their printed publication and their online equivalent.  Worth looking into, none the less.

2. Go door to door

While many talk about this idea, few actually do it. While dropping off flyers, door hangers or postcards in area neighborhoods is not as targeted as doing direct mail (because you don’t know who lives there and if they specifically match your demographics) it can still be a relatively decent way to stir up some interest.

3. Do direct mail

Doing direct mail can be cost effective and usually frightens off most martial arts school owners. However, you success is all in how you segment the list you buy, present your irresistible offer and the design your mailer.  Remember, sending one mailer might be enough.  It can take up to 7 times or more before someone breaks free from their comfort zone to respond. That’s not to say you want to send the same mailer seven times, it’s more about making seven points of contact.

4. Network with local businesses

Networking with businesses who are around you is a great way to get referrals. Plus, if you use their services or buy from them, they are more likely to refer people over to your martial arts school. You can even start a local business networking group where you meet once a month to talk, have speakers, introduce new businesses and exchange information.

5. Advertise on your vehicle

Wrapping your vehicle is gaining a lot of momentum and becoming more affordable. Plus, you should be able to write off the cost of your car and gas if it’s you rolling billboard. The photo above is a great example of getting people’s attention using this newer medium.

6. Local coupon mailers

I’m talking about Money Mailers or ValPak type mailers. You might even have a lower cost local option available in your area. These can be a little expensive but you have segmenting options available to help reduce waste and reduce costs so you reach your exact target market. I don’t see any martial arts schools in my area doing this and might be a great way to break through in your area.

7. Decorate your front windows
If the only thing you have on your front windows is your logo and hours it’s time to consider adding some marketing punch. Hire a window painter and advertise your current special… feature your after school program… the dates and costs of your next trial program… whatever… just make sure it’s noticeable and in vibrant colors. You should consider swapping this out quarterly to keep things fresh.

Here are the top 5 posts for Marketing Martial Arts in Novemeber 2009; according to how many times they were uniquely viewed by our visitors:

1. 50 Killer Ideas for Building a More Profitable Martial Arts School
2. 10 Types of Irresistible Offers You Can Make to Prospects
3. All Professional Martial Arts Schools are McDojos
4. 35 Direct Response Techniques that Improve Response Rates
5. Top 8 Pages Every Martial Arts School’s Website Should Have
   

Make sure to check out our martial arts marketing forum where you can get answers from fellow martial arts school owners.

As always I highly encourage you to share your thoughts in the form of a comment at the end of each post.