Your local community is a reliable audience. They’re essentially low-hanging fruit: they live nearby and there’s a high chance they’ll recommend your dojo to others once joining. They may even drive past the facility daily without even knowing it’s there!
However, just because they’re physically close by doesn’t mean you should put less effort into targeting them.
Let’s dive into how you can promote your martial arts club locally and build a loyal base of members.
Build a Welcoming Online Hub
Kickstart your local promotions by creating an informative online space for your martial arts club. It should be somewhere people can go to find out all the information they need if they’re looking to join or want more information. Include details such as class schedules, bios for your instructors and a straightforward way for members to get in touch that can be followed up internally. This could be a website, but it could also be an online portal that’s linked directly to your booking system.
Share Your Story on Social Media
Social media is a fantastic way to start building connections online proactively. Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram or TikTok to share the story of how your dojo came to be, along with other insights as to what it’s like being a member there. By posting engaging content, class highlights and advice on getting into the sport, you’ll start to build an audience that’ll be more receptive to buying a membership. Go one step further and encourage your members to share their experiences on their profiles so that you’re building up social proof.
Nail Your Local SEO
Local SEO refers to where you appear in search engine results when your local audience searches for specific terms. Essentially, you want to be the first website that appears when people search for something along the lines of “martial arts dojo near me.” Use keywords that reflect your martial arts club and its location. Don’t forget to claim your Google My Business listing and make sure the information is up to date. This way, when someone in your area searches for a martial arts club, yours will be at the top of the list.
Simplify Sign-Ups with Online Joining
There’s no point in putting all this effort into promoting your martial arts club locally if your joining process is long and complicated and there’s no way for you to follow up on the enquiry internally. A simple sign-up process can be the difference between someone joining or looking elsewhere so put yourself in the shoes of a potential new student and think about how they might like to join. Offering online joining is a convenient way for members to register their interest; plus it helps you avoid unnecessary paperwork!
Partner with Other Community Initiatives
Bring your martial arts club to the forefront of your community by hosting events or workshops. Partner with local businesses, community centres or even schools to expand your reach. These events not only showcase your dojo but also give people a taste of what your club is all about. It’s a fantastic way to get the attention of those based in the local area and position your dojo as a community hub.
By now you should have an idea of how to start promoting your martial arts club to people in the local area. The key is to tap into people’s desire for community and show them they can find it at your dojo, along with learning a new sport or developing their existing martial arts skills. Be genuine, approachable and watch your martial arts club grow.
ClubRight is the go-to martial arts club management software for hundreds of dojos across the UK. It’ll help you take care of everything from managing memberships and billing to class bookings and online joining – plus a whole lot more. Give us a call today on +44 (0)203 884 977 or book a free online demo with one of our product experts to find out why we’re trusted by more than 800+ businesses worldwide.
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