What To Do If You’re Facing Tough Times In Your Martial Art School

Posted by Mike Massie on March 5, 2010

Facing Down Hard Times In Your School?

If you're facing hard times in your martial art school, you're not alone. Here are some tips to help you make it through until things improve.

Facing down hard times? You’re not alone. I’ve heard from more than a few school owners who are feeling the crunch during this recession.

Here are some tips for those of you who may be struggling to keep your school open in the down economy.

The Mental Side – Survival Strategies

First off, focus on the positives – it’s the only way you’ll get through. Just keep doing that – your attitude is what will bring people into your school.

People are attracted to upbeat personalities. If you’re happy and energetic, it will really make you stand out and people will be drawn to it. Remember, your energy drives your school.

The Financial Side – Making It Through

First off, cut back on everything EXCEPT your marketing budget. Anything you don’t need to operate or survive should be cut from your budget.

However, it is imperative that you step-up your marketing activities, rather than slow them down. Those school owners that I coach who are growing in this economy are not doing so because they are lucky, located in “good” areas, or because they are martial arts superstars…

They are growing because they spend 80% of their work hours outside of class on their marketing – and they do this consistently, every single month.

Even so, you still need to make sure you’re spending your marketing dollars wisely. So, go through your marketing expenditures with a fine-tooth comb. If any marketing method is costing you more than it’s bringing in, cancel it and shift those funds to something that is actually giving you a good return on your investment.

A good rule of thumb here is that every dollar you spend on marketing should return $1 in revenue during the same marketing cycle (in out industry, 30 days).

However, I like to get $2 back on every dollar I spend within a 30-day time frame. You need those fast profits and high rates of return on your marketing dollars, because a martial arts school relies on cash flow for survival. So, your every marketing promotion should bring back a return of 200% within 30 days of running it.

Focus your efforts and resources only on those promotions that meet that criteria. And if you’re broke, focus on low-cost and high-return marketing activities like online marketing and door-to-door flier distribution. They take more time to implement, but they’re cheap and effective when done properly.

Keep Your Head In The Game

Finally, be present! If you check out on your school and students because things are not going so well, guess what? They’ll sense it and you’ll only be making the situation worse.

Remain fully invested in your students, regardless of what happens. Loyalty breeds loyalty, and you’ll be surprised at how many of them will be cheering for you and will stick with you, even if things don’t work out…

The Longview – What If Things Don’t Work Out?

“A mistake is a future benefit, the full value of which is yet to be realized.”

- Edwin Land, inventor of the Polaroid camera

First off, it’s not the end of the world if you have to go back to teaching part-time. So, don’t be ashamed of finding a part-time teaching location, ending your lease, and moving your classes somewhere without all the overhead and high rent.

Also, know when to call it quits on having a full-time location. Is it worth it to force yourself into major debt or bankruptcy, just so you don’t feel like a failure?

Well, guess what? All entrepreneurs fail at some point in their careers as business owners. It’s part and parcel for the game. Don’t feel bad if things don’t work out this time around. Just roll with it, regroup, and the next time around you’ll be wiser for your experience.

Remember, there’s ALWAYS another opportunity waiting just around the corner. The past is just a memory, and come tomorrow today will be the past.

You will recover and you will be able to start over again. So, stay positive and just keep looking for those opportunities as you move forward.

Why You Should NEVER Give Up On Your Dreams

Posted by Mike Massie on January 29, 2010

Matt Stover preparing to place another one through the uprights. Photo courtesy Colts.com

And, he’ll have the distinction of being the oldest NFL player ever to play in a Super Bowl game.

To be truthful, Matt and I haven’t spoken in years.

But, in the off-seasons prior to his 1999 and 2000 seasons with the Ravens, I had the privilege of helping Matt train his off leg for greater balance and increased kicking precision.

Those two seasons were break out seasons for Matt and the Ravens.

I’d like to believe I had a small role in that. Matt thought I did, and said so. I don’t take much credit though – there are a whole slew of professionals who work with pro athletes, and each one does their share to help out.

And, Matt’s the guy who did all the hard work, and the one with the golden leg.

But the crazy thing is, I’d have never thought in a million years that I’d have *anything* to do with an NFL player going to the Super Bowl.

And it would have never happened if I’d listened to all the people who told me I was wasting my time with my dream of being a full-time martial arts instructor and school owner.

I thank God that He made me resilient (thank you, God).

And, when I’m watching the Colts play in the Super Bowl this year, I’ll be thinking to myself that I at least had a tiny little part in making that happen.

Have a great weekend, and go live your dreams.

Until next time,

Michael D. Massie

P.S.: Small Dojo Big Profits explains how I did it… in spite of all the people who said I couldn’t. Check it out if you need some guidance or inspiration.

Is It Worth It To Start A Martial Arts School?

Posted by Mike Massie on January 23, 2009

Is it worth it to open a martial arts school? Some experts are surprisingly bullish on the idea...

Is it really worth it to start a martial art school?

How profitable can it be?

What’s the industry outlook?

Can you make any money doing it?

You already know my answers to these questions (yes, very, excellent, you betcha’!)

However, I thought you’d like to know what the folks over at Entrepreneur Magazine have to say about opening a martial arts school:

Read article

It’s always nice to get an opinion from a neutral outside party who has zero skin in the game… sort of gives the information they provide a bit more credence.

(FYI, their figures are a little off – most full-time professional schools charge tuition rates that are about twice what they suggest in the piece.)

BJJ Training With Roy Harris Worth The Trip

Posted by Mike Massie on April 2, 2008

Today’s post is going to be more of a Q&A…

Here goes:

Q: I heard you trained with Roy Harris. Was it worth the time, effort, money, etc.?

A: First off, let me say that I do not hold any rank in BJJ. I’ve had it offered to me, and won’t take any rank in
jiu jitsu without earning it. I’ve trained with too many guys who are full-time mat rats that worked like crazy to earn their rank, and I don’t want to get anything given to me just because I paid a seminar fee and know some people.

That’s what I like about Mr. Harris – he doesn’t give you jack without your earning and deserving it.

Now, about the original question…

If you want to get a good introduction to grappling with the gi or without (Level 1 BJJ and Grappling/No-Gi courses) and also get a lot of information on how to actually teach grappling, then yes, do it. At $500 for the programs, you won’t find another instructor who gives as much information for that price.

And, he’s the most underestimated “name” instructor in the industry – knowledge and skill-wise, I’d put Roy’s knowledge and skill as an instructor up against anyone out there, period.

Honestly, he doesn’t take any guff (but then again who does?), but you won’t find a nicer guy to train with,
anywhere.

Take a course with him or bring him into your school if you get the chance. http://www.RoyHarris.com