How to decipher the curriculum conundrum? The question remains, how do you most effectively structure your class schedule to make the best use of your time and have the best student outcomes? Obviously, I’m not advocating or suggesting that you should eliminate classes for younger students, but, in so many schools that are following [...]
As a quick re-cap: The essential keys to lock the back door for long-term student retention are: 1. Over-delivering on customers expectations of customer. 2. Clearly communicating the benefits of ongoing training at your school, to students and their families. 3. Creating a positive community in your school. 4. Exciting and productive classes that clients [...]
Key Number 3: Creating a positive community in your school to reinforce student longevity. Your goal is to move martial arts training in your school beyond just an activity, and become a lifestyle or a hub of the family. I have the amazing opportunity to speak with school owners throughout the world. I’m impressed by [...]
It’s an unfortunate reality in our business that, despite our best intentions, students quit, for good or bad reasons. It is an even more unfortunate reality that many schools do very little to prevent attrition. I remember buying a car once. At that time, I did not have a very sophisticated understanding of the sales [...]
If not, is your school DOOMED for mediocrity (or failure)? In the last 2 installments, we’ve been exploring the “Environment of Support” you are creating for yourself, and how it relates to the success of you and your business. I was thumbing through one of those silly desk calendars loaded with cute little quips, and [...]
If not, is your School DOOMED for Mediocrity (or Failure)? Last month, my column explored the influence of our environment on our performance as entrepreneurs. Picture Donald Trump making his way to the boardroom, but, in place of his regular staff of executives and experts, are a bunch of interns and mailroom employees. Now, I’m [...]
If not, is your school DOOMED for mediocrity (or failure)? The debate goes something like this: Are you simply born with “it” or are you the sum total of your experiences? Was Muhammad Ali predestined to become a championat conception, or was he compelled to greatness by his circumstances? One thing is certain; in today’s [...]
Part 5: The Anatomy of an Ad: Body Copy What Is your Sales Story? Many of the marketing pieces of martial arts school owners start with egocentric descriptions of their businesses and credentials, instead of the information that prospective students and their families need to solve their problems. This is a common copywriting error that [...]
Part 10: The Anatomy of an Ad: Body Copy, Part 6, Unique Selling Proposition (USP) Why Would They Say “No”? When someone is reading your ad or other marketing material, they are having a conversation with themselves . They are naturally skeptical of you, after all, you’re trying to “sell them something,” and they will [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
Part 7: The Anatomy of an Ad: Body Copy, Part 3 In last month’s column, I explained how to start a conversation with your prospects. Now, you want to apply one of several direct marketing formulas or strategies that can help keep your copy on the right track. A-I-D-A is one of those formulas, and [...]
Part 6: The Anatomy of an Ad: Body Copy, Part 2 The Reason Why If you read and were guided by last month’s column, then your ads’ body copy is now 100% focused on your customer (either a prospect or the parents of a prospect) and your customers’ needs. The next use of body copy [...]
Where you Use your Keyword Counts!
In my previous column, I explained how to determine the optimal key phrase for your Web site as well as some online tools to help you with this process. As I have already mentioned, Search Engine Optimization is selecting keywords (or key phrases) that rank your Web site higher in the list of search engine [...]
Why I Love Martial Arts Fitness
I’ve recently been reflecting on the impact my programming has had on people and the difference between what I hear my students say today as opposed to when I taught only a traditional martial arts program. In the past, the compliments were mostly about how a child improved in school or how much more confident [...]
Protect your Assets with the Right Business Entity, Part 1
As I wrote in my August/September column, the best way to keep what you have is not to have anything in your name. To implement that strategy, you must choose the right business entity (or entities) to limit exposure of your assets to (successful) lawsuits and separate your asset ownership. This month, I’ll explain Sole [...]
