Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:10 — 56.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Podcast Index | RSS
Podcast Purpose
Discuss end of summer ideas and marketing strategies for martial arts schools
Key Takeaways
- Many schools experienced slower summer camps/enrollments this year
- Implement grassroots marketing tactics like buddy nights, picnics, kickball tournaments to build camaraderie
- Explore guerrilla marketing – fairs, parades, libraries, movie theaters
- Leverage parents as ambassadors for social media promotion
- Send targeted promotions to prospects for end-of-summer specials
- Stephen Oliver’s new book has good reminders on multi-channel marketing
Topics
Buddy Nights/Events
- Hosting a “Buddy Bash” – students bring non-member friends for games/activities
- Follows up with offer to join
- Helps drive end-of-summer enrollment
Picnics & Tournaments
- End-of-summer picnics build stickiness through camaraderie
- Run kickball/wiffleball tournaments leading up to picnic championship
- Gets students/families engaged and excited
Guerrilla Marketing
- Booths at fairs, parades, libraries for demos/lead collection
- Movie theater presence for relevant kid movies
- Direct mail/handout postcards in neighborhoods
Parent Ambassadors
- Empower top parents to share social posts with referral links
- Provide sample captions highlighting student experiences
End-of-Summer Promotions
- Email/text prospects with limited-time free trial offers
- Capitalize on back-to-school timing
Stephen Oliver’s Book
- “6 Steps to 100 Students in 100 Days”
- Emphasizes multi-channel, high-volume marketing
- Good reminders of grassroots tactics
Next Steps
- Plan National Martial Arts Appreciation Month activities for September
- Communicate importance of year-round training to parents
- Explore targeted automations (e.g. for students turning 13)
Action Items
- Read Stephen Oliver’s new book ‘6 Steps to Getting 100 Students in 100 Days’ and incorporate relevant strategies into the National Martial Arts Appreciation Month podcast and PDF materials.
