“You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.”
How many times have you heard this statement?
However, there are a lot of first’s that happen with prospective new students. It’s not just about the first time you meet.
And, all are equally important.
Here are some of the firsts you need to consider with your prospects:
- First time they see your ad in the yellow pages
- First visit to your website
- First time they land on a “thank you” or confirmation page
- First time they call you
- First time they drive up to your martial arts school
- First time they step foot in your martial arts school
- First time they shake your hand and meet you
- Your first conversation
- First time they talk to one of your assistant instructors
- First time they talk to one of your students
- First time they use your restroom
- First email they receive from you
- First class they watch
- First lesson they take from you
- And more.
The reality is that most of these are in your direct control.
How can you make each interaction the most remarkable it can be? How can you make a lasting positive impression?
If you haven’t done this in a while, evaluate every contact point you have with prospects and see if there are ways to improve those critical first impressions.
Put yourself in their shoes and remember it’s about them, not you.
How do you address some of these opportunities to make great first impressions?
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I agree with you first impression is so important, when I speak on the phone, I always smile and talk, this automatically makes my voice sound happy on the other end.
I ask questions about them to understand about them self and why they are thinking about joining Karate, you will be surprised how many people it is hard for me to make them stop talking, when they come to my dojo, I great them with respect with out losing my posture, Humble but polite.
When I teach I push them to do their best and the best part is I make them feel they want to push them self and train hard, I give a pat on their back for training hard in front of the whole class, when they do mistakes, I call them in to my office and advice them individually.\
First impression is important, but when you teach your intention is to make a difference in your students life that is important, Like they say, ” PEOPLE DO NOT CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE”
Train Hard, put your students first always and remember that Karate is not about teaching your student to Kick or Punch, Karate is not about teaching your students to Block or defend, Karate is teaching your student how to prevent. Until next time.
In Budo,
Sensei Sriram