Home: Message List - Marketing Ideas???

Re: Marketing Ideas???

wayonda — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:43:00 GMT

You can provide free video advertising to your local community with www.wayonda.com

Re: Marketing Ideas???

cbdesign — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:51:56 GMT

One of the most powerful tools in your markting arsenal would be free trial demo classes or seminars. These can be promoted in your local area through other vendors that you partner with. For example, to promote women's self defense: Connect with one or several fitness spas or beauty salons in your area and be sure to provide them with high quality gift certificates that they can give to their paid customers as a reward. Don't just hand them a bunch of flyers. Search the web for custom printed gift certificates on fine paper and choose the kind with gold trimmed edges (you get the idea) and be sure they have their own envelopes with a seal.

You can have the salon or spa add a custom message on the certificate that say's something like, "At [Their spa or salon name goes here], we care about how you look and feel. Take a complimentary Martial Arts or Fitness Kickboxing Class or Seminar At: [Your business name and address goes here]"

Be sure to modify to reflect the type of class you offer. Also note... not everyone is looking for self defense. Some hate boring redundant exercise and just want to feel good and push themselves to new physical highs and don't forget many (men and women) just want to look good. Martial Arts can fill these needs. Keep this in mind as you seek out vendors in your area to help promote each other's business.

Remember: It's a win-win for you and the other vendor. They get to give away something of value that tells their own customer's, "You're important to us" and it helps you connect with more students and training prospects.

On a side note, please check out the FirstClass Booking System ( www.FirstClassBookingSystem.com ), it allows your web site visitors the opportunity to schedule (book) their own trial classes from your web site and it helps to facilitate follow-up. The system was developed by Client By Design, LLC as one of our Martial Launch! Services ( www.MartialLaunch.com ).

Please visit Martial Launch! for more martial arts marketing tips, training, insight, products, services and ideas.

Thanks,

Richard Bailey

Re: Marketing Ideas???

MyrtleBchMama — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:24:39 GMT

Host a children's health & safety awareness day. Invite families to an open house where you can provide safety tips for the children (from stranger danger talks to simple martial arts moves to help them if someone grabs them), child ID kits w/fingerprint & photo, physical fitness tips, kid size equipment, face painting,smoothies, nutrition information, etc. If the kids want to come the parents will come and maybe the family will sign up. Do you have family pricing? I would run with this idea and build on it. Also network with local schools, child care centers and afterschool programs. Good Luck!

Re: Marketing Ideas???

scubajared — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:47:07 GMT

How about giving out calendar magnets with your schedule on them. You could also add a coupon for a Free class or some other promotion.

Hope this helps.

http://www.farfromboring.com/Promotional-
Products/Calendars-and-Planners/Stick-on-a
nd-Magnetic-Calendars/sc-520.html

Re: Marketing Ideas???

Philip F — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 02:10:52 GMT

Master Whitebrow -

I am a member of your gym and I never could understand why such an AMAZING space didn't have a website. Even something small and simple to tease people's curiosity.

If you are curious about constructing a site - I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I haven't come by in a month or so because work has been crazy. I'm the guy that always asks for a timer at lunch. (I only have an hour!) I'll come by. I didn't know you were looking for this!

Re: Marketing Ideas???

aallc01 — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:31:26 GMT

Depending on how aggressive you want to be and the age groups you want to go after, I will advertise in schools and offer discounts.Some schools have monthly newsletters that go home to parents and you can add a flier. Work with small shops in the area and advertise on the counter and / or window. Offer something to the store owner as an incentive. Work with small business HR departments to promote your service.Most companies have community awareness programs.
You can also go as far as a direct mail program. Use a direct mail company that will offer statistical analysis on how reaching the program you use works. Alot of people shy away from direct mail bit you would be surprised how successful it is. Peolpe keep direct mailings if they have a need now or in the future.
Let me know if I can be of service.

Re: Marketing Ideas???

LUCKIEST — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 21:39:39 GMT

I really like puzzleman suggestion of Business Cards. Great Marketing tool.
Hope the following helps, LUCKIEST

h3. 6 Steps to Small Business Success

1. Start Smart
2. Plan Ahead
3. Set up Systems
4. Seek out Sales
5. Aim for Growth
6. Leverage Opportunities

1. Start Smart.
Identify a niche. Don't compete to be the lowest cost provider. Look
for what makes your product or service unique and adds a special value
for the client and charge for that value. Every business has many
facets. Start with what you know and like; start a business that has
meaning to you. Keep in mind that we don't know what the future holds,
many of the jobs and businesses of tomorrow don't exist today. You can
create your own success.

Now is the time to dream. To start smart, you should like the idea of
the business. The way to earn a good income and build wealth is by
serving clients well, making their life better in some way-it's more
than filling a need in the marketplace. To succeed you want to test the
idea to make sure your potential clients like the idea too. Test your
ideas.

2. Plan Ahead.
People often ask me why bother with a business plan? Look at the
lottery as an example. You may get lucky and get the winning ticket,
but the odds are against you when you rely on random chance. I'm a risk
taker...but not that much, minimize the risk of going into business and
maximize your potential for success. Take the time to write a plan of
how you get from point A to point B. A plan gives you a clear future
focus and increases your chances of success.

The first rule of a start-up is put some of your own money in the
business. As the owner you must be willing to capitalize the business.
The second rule is put as little of your own money as possible in the
business. Prepare your plan and look for funding for your business from
multiple sources, which can include a business loan or business line of
credit.

Don't go it alone. Plan ahead now to build your team. Your team may
include a CPA and an attorney that you work with as needed. Add a
mentor from your industry and get a SCORE mentor to help you plan for
success. No one has all the answers. You get more ideas and information
by building a success, support team that can help you plan ahead.

3. Set up Systems.
The most basic system every business should have is a good financial
system. Ask yourself how am I going to generate enough income to
support myself and my family. Begin here. Put together a personal
budget, so you know what it costs you to live. Now, you can move on to
the business budget and sales planning, so you can see how many sales
you need to break even and make a profit. The start-up expense plan,
operating budget and your accounting software are vital to your
success.

4. Seek out Sales.
The daunting question is how do you go about seeking out your first
sale. Recognize that since you don't have a big ad budget to be seen by
everyone, you need to target a niche and get connected in your market
community, be it local, regional or national. You need other people
selling for you-not employees-goodwill referrals. Get out and talk to
as many people as you can. Join organizations that would have clients
for your product or service. Become a visible part of your market, and
then ask for the sale. You begin the sales process with people that you
know. Yes, it's okay to start with friends and family as your first
customers, and then broaden from there.

5. Aim for Growth.
The basic tenant of creating a company is that you own the company. You
are not just creating a job for yourself. It's less risk and less
investment to get a job. Building a business is creating a company that
is more than the job itself. Think about the future. How large do you
want the company to be in terms of sales, net profit and employees?
Your answer to each of these questions will influence how you grow.
There are varying costs and profits associated with growth. It's
important to make a deliberate choice early about how you want to grow
your company.

6. Leverage Opportunities.
Good luck. Good fortune. Good timing. All play a part in business. As a
business owner, be very clear about your core focus for the business
and how it serves clients. Your core business is what pays the bills.
Then, as an entrepreneur you are about opportunity. When you see a
potential opportunity or stroke of luck measure it against your core
business focus. Good fortune is great, when it matches your vision for
the business. Always consider if a good opportunity is the right fit
for your business. If something looks great, but it's not in sync with
your long-term plan and budget, think carefully before committing your
company's resources.

Re: Marketing Ideas???

puzzleman — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 21:33:11 GMT

My suggestions are to get business cards made and always carry them with you. Distribute them whenever you talk anyone about your business. On the back of the card offer a discount on their first session / class or whatever.

Talk to your local newspaper for them to cover or you submit a story concerning your grand opening.

All the other ideas about demonstrating and talking to civic groups are great.

If you have any members signed up now, find out how they came to know you and sign up. Then follow that path to focus your energy as it is one that is working for you.

The other big ideas can come later once you are up and running.

Re: Marketing Ideas???

Small Biz Wiz — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:39:34 GMT

There are free marketing resources at GoSmallBiz.com. If you like the site and want to join, go to www.YourSmallBiz.org.

Re: Marketing Ideas???

LUCKIEST — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:55:20 GMT

WhiteBrow, Just checking in. How's the new martial arts fitness center doing?? How many new members??
How is the business doing?? Did any of the great suggestions help??
Any thing else we can help you with??, LUCKIEST