We know it’s back-to-school time when we see students returning from their summer vacation. This is also the time when they scramble to set their schedule for all their fall activities. And we, as school owners, hope that their martial arts training is put first on that schedule each time instead of being bumped for another activity. So how can you safe-guard your spot on their fall schedule?
TEACH GREAT CLASSES! People rarely quit something that they love. Here are some tactics to help ensure they don’t choose another program over training with you.
1) Make sure all Instructors are Motivated and Enthusiastic.
First and foremost, your Instructors should always appear excited to teach and be able to transfer their enthusiasm to their students. A certain amount of motivation and enthusiasm comes naturally, but as a school owner you should be looking for ways to develop or increase the drive of your team. Remind them why we’re so lucky to get to do this! Offer opportunities to refresh and inspire them – possibly through team outings, seminar opportunities, or whatever else excites your team. Consider scheduling a special event to get them pumped up as the school year starts up.
2) Have Each Instructor Well-Trained and Prepared on the Mat.
Motivation and enthusiasm are critical, but they’re also not enough on their own. They also need skill. Your staff must be well trained in teaching methodologies, with a large arsenal of teaching tools in their toolbox. Provide regular staff training sessions and access to new learning opportunities. There are several options out there, including the Instructor Toolbox (subscribe here) that offer videos, documents and other resources to improve their teaching. Fall is a great time to refocus on training your instructors to be the best they can be.
3) Have a Well-Executed Class Plan EVERY Day!
The next step is having a well-executed class plan that is consistent and gives the student something to look forward to each time they show up. Some key elements to a well-executed class plan are:
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Keep them Smiling, Sweating, and Learning – they need to have fun, get a workout, and learning something new every class
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Be a master at disguising repetition – build repetition while keeping it fun and feeling fresh
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Always have good instructor communication – make sure your team is in sync with one another as the class progresses
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Zero Down Time during class – no one likes sitting around waiting for their turn
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Punctuality – class should always start and end on time
By having these 3 tactics already in action and preparing your staff for the best year ever, this will help guarantee that your students continue to see the importance of continuing their training throughout their fall schedule.
For more Fall season tips and tricks or to bring your martial arts school to the next level of success, make an appointment today with our services specialist and start seeing results.
