Slap of reality: Making a living teaching the martial arts is hard as hell. There is a lot you have to learn in order to be successful. Not only do you have to be a decent martial artists, you also have to be good at instructing, business, scheduling, marketing, finances, and more.
Are you up to it?
Factors of Success – Part One
If you’re planning on making a living teaching martial arts, there are a few things you have to consider before quiting your day job and opening up for business
Here are six important factors to consider first:
- Be damn good at marketing.
This is one of the most important aspects if you truly want to make money teaching the martial arts. Read up on the subject. Look at all the articles on this site. Perhaps even consider joining some martial arts marketing associations, reading some books, networking, and more. Just get good at it, fast! Be sure to read through the rest of this site for a ton of specific ideas and how to’s! - Become a closer.
If you have a ton of response from your marketing efforts and can’t close any of them, you’ve got BIG problems. Spend considerable time learning how to persuade people to sign up. Read books and blogs. Go to seminars. Listen to CD’s. Find someone to train you. Just get it done! - Master money.
You not only have to figure out what to charge but also how to track expenses, income, and profit. If you can’t balance your checkbook or save in your personal life, then you have no business starting a business. Get help if necessary and hire an accountant. Educate yourself to no end on this subject. - Promote like no tomorrow.
I don’t know of any martial arts school owners who opened their doors and had more people than they knew what to do with. Work towards becoming a local expert and building your credibility. Give back to your community and always be sure to let the press know about it. - Make things simple.
When you sign up new students or need to upgrade existing ones, make it so simple a child could do it. Take a look at your sign up process. Is it too complicated? Do you ask too much information? How can you simplify things and make it easier for people to sign up? Don’t get in your own way when it comes to this process. Cut more than Michael Jackson’s plastic surgeon until you have made it flawless. - Be trustworthy.
Treat people fairly and don’t be a schmuck. When you’re wrong, admit it. Always be willing to make a situation right when necessary. Don’t have hidden fees, say one thing and do another, or be dishonest. Without trust, you’ll have no business.
Check back soon for part two where we will discuss six additional factors of success you need to consider before ever opening up a martial arts school.
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I'm Ryan Wheaton and I work with martial arts school owners to help them attract more students. Many martial arts school owners are confused at how to best market their business and feel awkward in selling situations. I help them overcome those challenges to become confident and competent in marketing and selling their services - helping them become more profitable so they can live the lifestyle they want to live. 
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How about some direct action steps? After all I am here for a reason, whether I am not successful at what I am currently doing or I am successful but I need more ideas to double my student count. To tell someone they need to market is vague. Elaborating on the importnace doesnt help either. Everyone knows we need to do THIS thing but how. What are some ways to do it?
John, thanks for the comment.
Please feel free to dig around the site a little more as there is a ton of free content to read. I go into great detail on things you should consider and how to do them.
Unfortunately, I don’t specifically know what you need help with or where to point you as you didn’t mention anything specific that you needed help with. Direct mail? Online marketing? Search engine optimization? Please let me know and I can help point you in the right direction.
Also, I am always open to knew ideas and suggestions. Feel free to visit the contact page to offer your suggestions and I will be happy to consider answering them in future posts.
Rest assured, there are several more “how to” articles coming in the New Year. Be sure to check back often!
First off, I have been involved with the martial arts for 30 years. Most schools don’t want teach anything worth learning. All the parents I speak to say the same thing. Most kids join wrestling and really learn how to engage in combat. Most karate, kung fu, kenpo and tae kwon do students are never really taught to spar, and when they do, they freeze. Plus school programs are so inexpensive—wrestling cost $150 dollars for 5 months and they spar 2 hours a week plus tournaments where they get 5 matches. The day of the retail martial arts school may be over, unless you have famous named fighter that belongs to the school you are not going to make money. I am trying to adopt a program for mix martial arts for self defense, but a lot of people think of it as so brutal so I have a long road ahead of me. I have been in several businesses so I speak from the heart. Many schools in my area have closed and the kids most times join school
programs in soccer, wrestling, baseball, football and music. Also the gymnastics and dance program are very popular with the girls. These activities are more popular than the martial arts.
Sal Caradonna Founder, Clear Combat Fighting Method