How Accessible Is Your Martial Arts School?

“Choosing the next location really comes down to a lot of things.?

But the major thing I found is accessibility.?

In our Sydney location, we had a choice of a better venue, but it was buried.?

It was so far away from public transport, whereas this one is, people just step off the train and walk across the road.?

So, it's probably not the best venue, but it's been the greatest venue.?

You need to look at, if people have to come off a main thoroughfare and turn more than three times, they usually just don't bother with it.?

What I mean by that is, from going on a main thoroughfare through a city or regional area and you just turn left, right, left, there it is, it's been a little formula I've used.?

And as people know, around here, being involved in setting up a martial arts school, you can spend a lot more on advertising, if you've got a place that's pretty much not known about.?

So, sometimes I see the rent as an investment in my marketing, and I balance that.?

If you've got a big signage, it's easily accessible, and it's in an area that may have other activities similar to yours, like a gym, massage therapist, indoor center of some activity.?

When people come, it really is a factor in making the decision.?

You don't really want to be next to a trucking company on one side, a diesel mechanic on the other, or a noisy sort of industrial area.?

It just might be cheaper, but you'll be punished in the long run, because people just don't want to bring their kids there.?

So, it really comes down to thinking like a parent bringing a child or a person who's finished their day at the office or even a tradesperson.?

They try to come somewhere where it's nice, it's clean, it's easy to get to, good parking, well lit.?

Lighting is a key thing, especially when I try to visit other martial arts schools, and you need a torch to get in through the carpark.?

Just little things like that make a massive difference.

To further assess the location, I actually go there during the key times.?

At this point, I would have a ghost timetable, written out roughly what days and nights we'd run classes based on other locations and what works already.?

And then I go to the area, and sort of drive around and just see, because there's always going to be schools nearby, or businesses closing or whatever.?

You just need to get a feel as a parent, dropping your child off, getting there after work, you know, how hard is it to get there??

You know, some locations are gridlocked at 3:30 pm, so you might have to review your timetable.?

Nighttime is always important.?

The safety of your students as they come and go, and the parents' parking accessibility, walking distance from public transport.?

You know, is it a safe walk??

You just want to think about all those things, and whilst you may not be able to tick every single box of that list of things I mentioned, if you can get close, it'll work much better for you.”

Inspired by 129 – Success By Design – Foundations Required To Setup Your Next Profitable Location

George

PS: We’re getting our Partner members together in March for a 3-day workshop on Zoom.?

We have 20 guest tickets available for school owners who 1) run a full-time center and 2) are looking to scale and open a second location.?

In this live setting, we'll work together through a proven blueprint to take your next location to 100 students in 100 days (+/- $15k per month).?

The school owner who is co-hosting this runs one of the most successful, multi-million dollar organizations in the world and has perfected this blueprint formula across 25 locations.??

Would you like to join us?

Send me a private message on LinkedIn and I’ll get you all the details.?

PLUS...

Whenever you're ready, here are 4 ways we can help scale your school right now.

1. Get free training on the Martial Arts Media? Business Podcast. Access over 40 hours of interviews with top martial arts school owners, professional martial artists, world leaders, and top marketing tips to grow your martial arts business. To watch or listen - Click Here.?

2. Download the Martial Arts Media? Mobile App.? It's our new private community app exclusive for martial arts school owners, with top courses, online events, and free resources to help grow your business.? Click here to download for iPhone or Android (another device).

3. Join the Martial Arts Media? Academy and become a Case Study. I'm working closely with a group of martial arts school owners this month. If you'd like to work with me to help you grow your martial arts school, just send me a message HERE with 'Case Study' as subject.

4. Work with me and my team privately. If you would like to work with me and my team to scale your school to the next level, just send me a message HERE with 'Private' as subject... Tell me a little about your business and what you would like to work on together and I'll get you all the details.