| Sensei Richard Kim said, "It's not a case of if your | | | | - They don't feel a connection with the other |
| students will leave you but when they will leave | | | | students |
| you." | | | | Students often leave at the end of their first |
| In today's world people are constantly moving, | | | | year because many schools have 1 year |
| changing jobs, looking for short term satisfaction. | | | | contracts. But the reasons behind their leaving are |
| As a martial arts school owner you have to find | | | | more complex. |
| ways to retain your students for as long as | | | | - They see themselves using that monthly tuition |
| possible. | | | | for something else |
| Give Them Goals | | | | - The student is a child and the parents have |
| Having long term contracts will not keep a | | | | decided not to continue the program |
| student at your school if they truly do not want | | | | - They have not been giving a big enough |
| to continue. They will pay the penalty rather than | | | | incentive to continue |
| stick it out. You have to set attainable goals for | | | | Surprisingly, many students leave just before |
| your students. This includes both short term and | | | | getting their first Black Belt. You would think that |
| long term goals. | | | | because they are so close they would want to |
| This is why most schools have stripes or tips on | | | | continue and "complete" their training. But the |
| the belts - they allow short term goals to | | | | truth of the matter is just the opposite. |
| constantly reward students for making progress. | | | | - People often fear being successful |
| Identify Problem Areas | | | | - Some people feel they are not worthy of |
| Giving students goals is not the only thing needed. | | | | success |
| You have to be more than just a good teacher | | | | - They think they can not live up to the |
| to run a dojo. You have to be good at martial | | | | standards set by those who are Black Belts |
| arts business as well. In this case, that means | | | | above them |
| knowing certain numbers. | | | | - They are unwilling to do the work needed |
| Most goals have many tasks as well. Let's say | | | | - They fear the "big test" |
| you want to create a new martial arts marketing | | | | You must properly educate your students long |
| program for your summer camp. That's a big job. | | | | before they are ready to test for Black Belt to |
| You have to break it up into small tasks that are | | | | help them get to that level. |
| manageable and can be done within a certain | | | | The last time on our list, just after getting their |
| amount of time. | | | | Black Belt is obvious. They have achieved the goal |
| Track how long students stay at your school. | | | | and feel they are done. Again, you must educate |
| Evaluate when they leave and figure out why. | | | | them along the way that Black Belt is not the goal |
| Here are 4 times when many students may | | | | - learning is the goal. |
| leave martial arts schools. | | | | You must also have programs in place that give |
| | | | them incentives to stay and learn. These could be |
| 1. Within 3 months of beginning a program | | | | things like |
| 2. Around the end of the first year | | | | - Black Belt only classes |
| 3. Just before getting their Black Belt | | | | - Teacher training programs |
| 4. Just after getting their Black Belt | | | | - Social events for Black Belts |
| Each of these 4 times have different typical | | | | - Special seminars |
| reasons for students to leave. To be good at | | | | - Discounts on tuition or retail items you sell |
| martial arts management you must understand | | | | Being good at martial arts management requires |
| the reasons and work towards over-coming them | | | | you to be able to bring in new students, retain |
| for your school and students. | | | | those students as long as possible and obtain |
| Why Students Leave | | | | maximum value from those students. |
| Students leave within the first 3 months of joining | | | | At IMAMS we have dozens of modules to help |
| for a variety of reasons. | | | | you achieve each of these goals. |
| - They find it too hard | | | | To learn about the first and only No Membership |
| - They can't get into the habit of attending class | | | | Membership program in the Martial Arts Business |
| on a regular basis | | | | Industry Click Here. PS It's FREE! |