Do you think there is a way to attract more adults to a martial arts school?

It all comes down to marketing.

It doesn't matter how non-commercial you are, the fact is that you are trying to sell a product.

Step one is to determine your demographic. work out your target audience.

Step two is to understand why people buy a product or service. It is usually either because they need it, or they want it. Martial arts are a want.

Most people want things because of how it will make them feel. In this case, they want to feel part of something, they want to feel empowered and they do not want to feel foolish.

That determined, put it together, for example.. how does your product make a man of 20 to 45 feel ? How does it make YOU feel ? What do you love about it ? Gather insight from your peers and students as well.

Think seriously about putting in a few testimonials*, from young athletic guys and from mature starters, about what your martial art has done for them. Edit their quotes if necessary. put their first name and age in the testimonial.

*People want to know that it's possible for them to take part in this without feeling foolish, so give them that power through example via testimonials.

This probably seems a bit abstract.

Once you get that together you are ready to put it out there.Don't forget a non-threatening photo , preferable of a group of you of different ages.People want to "see ' what they are walking into.

Newspaper advertising seems to be the best.

It all depends on your clubs mission of course.

One tip I can give is the law of martial arts or any endeavour is the harder or more realistic something is the less people want to try it.

Its why semi contact karate clubs for example outnumber full contact clubs almost 100-1.

When people see posters of tough guys busting each other up , a fire breathing dragon logo on the dojos's wall and an advert saying learn how to dsimember your opponents, you will lose most of them, along side the club that has pictures of smiling kids throwing kicks in a pristine polished floor dojo with a mum and dad sensei holding hands.

So once again this comes down to your clubs's partiuclar mission.

Most of the most full contact styles(kyokyshin, muay thai, BJJ etc) are happy with small numbers anyway, since they usually need all their senseis coaching fighters for their next bout.

are you full time?... ask if you can put up flyer's at the factories in your area... offer group discounts for union members (or whatever).... if you are full time day classes would be great for second shifters, like myself, or stay at home mom's a chance to get out of the house during school... If you aggressively use "grass roots" marketing, and go after the age group you are wanting, it will be more effective than spending a ton of money... you will get students... man I hope you don't do contracts, but if you have a product worth selling, once you get them in the door they will stay, but if they choose to leave, they should have that right.... good luck man

nicely, you do have a down turn interior the financial device it somewhat is hurting each business enterprise. yet between the main issues you have got is an after college software the place you even %. the babies up from their college. maximum mom and father artwork till around 5 or 6, and maximum young ones are out of school around 3. So mom and father stick their young ones in after college classes that are greater costly then what you will value at your dojo. you are able to capitalize in this once you promote. another techniques would be first month unfastened, and unfastened uniform.

Make sure you advertize these are separate adult classes. No adult wants to have their butt kicked by a kid thats been doing karate 5 yrs!! I like the weght loss advantage idea above. Some women haven't thought of karate for weight loss and are too clumbsy for aerobics!

Make the first two weeks free - no commitment. Im sure that its the financial attachment (direct debit to bank) that scares them. If so, offer payment in advance as an alternative.

It depends on the kind of school you have. Some and I still believe that WORD of mouth is the best form of advertising.

Next is advertising and marketing literally!! The first is still the number one way though.

good luck

advertise it as a weight loss thing. maybe give them a free lesson for every 5 lbs lost?

Have a bar set up across the room. Make the refreshments fresh. I mean FRRRRRRRRRRRESH!

Ripped dudes and chicks in skimpy outfits