Comments on: What is Your Prospects First Experience Like at your Martial Arts School? http://www.marketingmartialarts.com/first-experience-at-your-martial-arts-school/ Marketing Martial Arts - Free Martial Arts Marketing Tips Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:03:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Jim White http://www.marketingmartialarts.com/first-experience-at-your-martial-arts-school/comment-page-1/#comment-1230 Jim White Sun, 31 May 2009 18:19:04 +0000 http://www.marketingmartialarts.com/?p=1041#comment-1230 I think Lane's approach is pretty sound. I always attempt to personally greet anyone walking into my dojo. I open myself up for their questions on the history of my art and any history they might like on my martial arts experience. I have a three fold brochure and a welcome packet. Each of these is offered to them on their way out and not hoved in their face as they come in. If they seem interested, and they already are they walked in didn't they, I will offer them three free lessons which I personally teach. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Keep the dojo clean and neat, maintain a positive and upbeat attitude. Most people won't have a clue what kind of martial art you teach or how it's different from others. You're selling yourself as much, if not more, than anything else. Good luck! I think Lane’s approach is pretty sound. I always attempt to personally greet anyone walking into my dojo. I open myself up for their questions on the history of my art and any history they might like on my martial arts experience. I have a three fold brochure and a welcome packet. Each of these is offered to them on their way out and not hoved in their face as they come in. If they seem interested, and they already are they walked in didn’t they, I will offer them three free lessons which I personally teach. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Keep the dojo clean and neat, maintain a positive and upbeat attitude. Most people won’t have a clue what kind of martial art you teach or how it’s different from others. You’re selling yourself as much, if not more, than anything else. Good luck!

]]> By: Ryan Wheaton http://www.marketingmartialarts.com/first-experience-at-your-martial-arts-school/comment-page-1/#comment-1163 Ryan Wheaton Fri, 22 May 2009 20:13:54 +0000 http://www.marketingmartialarts.com/?p=1041#comment-1163 Lane, Thanks for commenting and welcome! Enthusiasm, appreciation and passion are definitely keys to attracting new students. I've read that people decide their impression of you within 45 seconds. Not a lot of time to make a good impression but it is so true. The first impression has to be solid. Also, I do the same thing with the raffle and that seems to break down any resistance to giving you personal info. I intend to write more about that idea soon. Sounds like you've got a plan for yourself... it just sounds like its a consistency issue. Let us know how it goes. Anyone agree or disagree with Lane's approach? Ryan Lane,

Thanks for commenting and welcome! Enthusiasm, appreciation and passion are definitely keys to attracting new students. I’ve read that people decide their impression of you within 45 seconds. Not a lot of time to make a good impression but it is so true. The first impression has to be solid. Also, I do the same thing with the raffle and that seems to break down any resistance to giving you personal info. I intend to write more about that idea soon. Sounds like you’ve got a plan for yourself… it just sounds like its a consistency issue. Let us know how it goes. Anyone agree or disagree with Lane’s approach?

Ryan

]]> By: Lane Cox http://www.marketingmartialarts.com/first-experience-at-your-martial-arts-school/comment-page-1/#comment-1160 Lane Cox Fri, 22 May 2009 16:23:50 +0000 http://www.marketingmartialarts.com/?p=1041#comment-1160 Unfortunately, what should happen when a new prospect enters our school and what does happen is usually two different things. Ideally, the new prospect should be greeted by a smiling face and a friendly handshake or bow upon entering the school. Followed by a "welcome to (fill in the blank) martial arts school. How can I help you?" Any informational materials, brochures, flyers, etc should be displayed at the front of the school and be within arms reach so that you can provide them without having to walk away from the prospective client. Offer a quick tour of your facility. As a promotional, we invite visitors to the school to enter into our drawing for FREE lessons and a FREE uniform by filling out an info card which is then dropped into a raffle box. This gets us the prospect's contact info before they leave and also adds a little more value to our deal. As they leave, they should be sent out the door with a smile, a handshake or bow, and an invitation to return. Again, sad to say that it rarely happens exactly like that, but we're still working on it. Unfortunately, what should happen when a new prospect enters our school and what does happen is usually two different things. Ideally, the new prospect should be greeted by a smiling face and a friendly handshake or bow upon entering the school. Followed by a “welcome to (fill in the blank) martial arts school. How can I help you?” Any informational materials, brochures, flyers, etc should be displayed at the front of the school and be within arms reach so that you can provide them without having to walk away from the prospective client. Offer a quick tour of your facility. As a promotional, we invite visitors to the school to enter into our drawing for FREE lessons and a FREE uniform by filling out an info card which is then dropped into a raffle box. This gets us the prospect’s contact info before they leave and also adds a little more value to our deal. As they leave, they should be sent out the door with a smile, a handshake or bow, and an invitation to return.

Again, sad to say that it rarely happens exactly like that, but we’re still working on it.

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