MartialArts Professional Magazine

This month, I want to continue my presentation of the Conditions of Learning by focusing on goal setting as it relates to teaching. Most of us think that we have a rather good notion of how to engage in goal setting. After all, we reached Black Belt and beyond, and we run our businesses successfully.
We […]

There are several types of e-mail you can use to market your school to prospective students. Among the most common are e-zines, flyers, school newsletters and promotional pieces. An e-zine, or “electronic magazine,” is delivered to subscribers via a Web site or an e-mail newsletter.
E-zines are sometimes referred to as “opt-in” lists because everyone who […]

Part 9: The Anatomy of an Ad: Body Copy, Part 5
Strategy #2: Problem-Agitate-Solve, Part 2
Last month, I presented the “Problem” statement, and I began “Agitating” readers.
Agitate, continued:
You have a HUGE advantage in the marketplace because your “solution” solves a problem that people WANT TO SOLVE! Your “product” literally changes people’s lives and makes them better, […]

As an instructor and school owner, you are very familiar with the topic of goal setting. Often, the Black Belt is a metaphor for excellence and a worthy goal. This is a critical lesson that must translate into you and your students‘ lives.
The ability to set goals and make plans to accomplish those goals is […]

As I come to the end of my description of the business model I call the ABCs of martial arts, allow me to review the first two parts. The A stands for Attitude-as an instructor, you must develop an attitude of professionalism toward the operation of your school. The B represents Belief-instructors must believe in […]

The basis of any successful business is a series of reproducible, result-producing systems. Small and large businesses, including martial arts schools, create and implement systems for accounting, customer services, marketing, etc. You hire staff members to implement those systems and you train them to implement them correctly.
Then, you teach, which is something else entirely. Or […]

In a recent column, I introduced an important concept that deserves additional thought.
If you operate your school in a very competitive market, then you must develop a unique selling proposition (USP). Your USP describes what you offer your customers above and beyond your competitors, and will enhance prospects’ experience.
How does that concept apply to your […]

Part 8: The Anatomy of an Ad: Body Copy, Part 4
In last month’s column, I presented the acronym, A-I-D-A, or Attention-Interest-Desire-Action, as one of several direct-marketing copy formulas or strategies.
A second copy formula is P-A-S, or Problem-Agitate-Solve.
Billy Mays, who recently died, had become the most successful short-form, direct-response television personality in history, and you can […]

Is it possible to over stretch? Is it possible to over reach a technique? Is it possible to over commit resources?
Obvious answers, right? I wonder why so many of us do exactly that as business owners. We counsel our students to do appropriate stretches; we reinforce the correct form. Yet, we sometimes find ourselves trapped […]

The first three ingredients of success are Peace of Mind, Healthy and Energy and Loving Relationships. The fourth is financial freedom.
To be financially free, you must have enough money, so you don’t worry about it continually, as most people do. It is not money that lies at the root of all evil; it is lack […]

In my previous column, I presented a business seminar model I call the “ABCs of Business.” I explained the importance of the “A” in the model: Attitude. Attitude accounts for a large portion of your success or failure in any business, especially in the martial arts business.
In this issue, we’ll explore “B,” which stands for […]

As I explained in Part 1 of this multi-part column, our Black­ Belt tests are very large rank-requirement classes filled with students from Green through Black Belt. There is much hard work, fun and sweat during our Black Belt tests. The tests take an entire evening, but they are not rigid, discipline-driven events; and they […]

In my previous columns, I explained that the first ingredient of success is peace of mind. Peace of mind is achieved by creating a vision of your perfect future. You begin unlocking your potential by envisioning your life, as if it were exactly how you would want it to be. Then, you work backwards from […]