Hackers and Business

If you are using a PC you are subject to hacker on the internet. Make no mistake about this! I have been involved in the computer (PC) industry since it's creation back in the 70's and these hackers and virus writers are for real.

Here is a LINK to a 60 Minutes video on the current trends in hacking.

Make sure you have good AntiVirus software and that it is up to date. Also you need a good firewall to keep intruders out.

I have about 10 different website and there are hack attempts each and every night. So far my security has only been breached once.

If you want to end the problem, switch to a Mac. This will not completely eliminate the problem, but it will reduce it about 99%.

Lead Boxes

Today I am writing about something I personally never use, Lead Boxes. These are boxes you put into stores ith pen and paper hoping that someone will fill them out for you to contact.

I have head and seem many horror stories around this marketing tool, but for the most part you are not going to get very good leads.

Here is a LINK to an article on using Lead Boxes. Take a look and if it works for you then by all means go for it!

Are you still charging test fees?

The subject of test fees came up on Saturday at Keith Hafner's Marketing Bootcamp. I have not charged test fees for coloured belts in over two years. We started fazing them out before that.

Hafner says "Test fees are death to student retention". I must also agree.

I remember when I took my first belt test back in 1984 and was charged $55 for my yellow stripe. Now I wanted to be a Black Belt, and wanted the training more than I can describe so I didn't complain. MY piers however were not very happy. 99% of them quit after a few months.

If you are still charging test fees consider building these costs into your tuition. Since belt testing is mandatory is is not smart business to turn around and charge for it. This will also assure your students test in a timely manner.

Parents may be paying it, but I can tell you they resent doing it. Don't nickle and dime them. Follow this and watch your student retention increase each month!

More on Social Networks

Here is an interesting martial art social network I found a few days ago. It is called Martial Art Professional Community. It is still very small, but well worth checking into! Logon and create and account. I would be interested to hear your feedback.

Why are martial artists so resistant to change?

Yesterday I was in Ann Arbor Michigan at Keith Hafner's Martial Arts Marketing Bootcamp. Now I am a Gold Coaching Student of Professor Hafner, and have been so for 2 years.

The Bootcamp was fantastic as always, but I am always stunned by how resistant some people are to change. Everyone was there to find ways to improve their martial arts business. Keith Hafner is one of the most successful school operator/owners in the business. Yet, so many of the ideas he has are met with resistance.

Tony Robbins always says if you want to be more successful, find people who are getting the results you want and model them. Keith Hafner says, "You always get the right result".

So, how is what you are currently doing working for you? If it is working great, then I guess you don't need to change anything. If it is not getting the results you want, then it is time for change. According to Albert Einstein, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. I quite agree!

There was one lady present who when Professor said that test fees were the death of retention, was VERY resistant. But she likely does not know what her monthly dropout / quit rate is. I know mine, and test fees are the death of student retention. I have not charged test fees for colour belts in years!

Are you looking for a better result? Change your thinking! Check out our website too.

Using Social Networks to Advertise

Social Networks are all the rage today. There are so many that I can't even really begin to list them all. Facebook is of course the best know of these. Social Networks are a great way to promote your business for free or at a very low cost. You can use this networks to drive traffic to your website or your school.

Myself I have done little work in this end but am now really starting to see the value. Take a look at this artivle on Mainstreet.com. http://mainstreet.com/article/small-business/marketing/using-social-networks-small-business?page=2

I welcome your feedback

Following this Blog

For those of you who are reading this BLOG you can now follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/MaMarketing . I will be twittering frequent updates and ideas to get your school moving forward in this bad economy we are seeing.

I will return the follow as well!

The art of retaining Adult Students

One of the most important things in running a martial art school or business is being able to retain your adult population. These are the students that help you to determine your future in the arts. These members are not only potential Black Belts, but potential teachers as well.

What causes these students to quit? Simple, they get bored.

Would you like to retain your adult members as well as motivate your current Black Belt. It's easy, simply click on the picture for more information right now.

Have you noticed your mailbox?

If you are anything like me, and I love to watch other business' market your might have noticed that they amount of JUNK mail you are receiving is dropping.

For some reason when times are tough many business stop their marketing efforts.

This is great news for us!! Now is a great time to send old non active students and number one leads some postcards or letters. With so little in their mail box, you increase your change of getting read!