The Business Center: Retention

 
Motivating Students to Return

There will be no doubt that at some point during your operation of running a martial arts school, some student will be gone for an amount of time. This could be brief and expected, such as a week or two-week long vacation. It may not be expected, like an illness or a broken bone. It's not known why they will be gone, but that at some point they will be gone.

In order to keep them coming back, there are some things you, as the instructor, can suggest. Some of these suggestions apply to students who will be returning in a few weeks. Other suggestions apply to those who are not sure when they will return to the classroom. Others will apply to keeping those motivated who are planning to be gone. Others will apply to students wishing to return but not certain about their abilities.

  1. As a student, you need to confide in your instructor. If your instructor knows your state of mind, they can help you better.
  2. Offer a special class for the returning student or offer private lessons to review material.
  3. Offer a lower level class to review basics and previous material until the student feels competent about their abilities.
  4. If planning to leave, offer a practice regime. (Remember they probably won't do it while on vacation, but you have to offer it, and who knows, they may.)
  5. Remember past successes with the student. If you remind them of their accomplishments, they will remember these successful moments too.
  6. Make a commitment with the student to see if they can guarantee two classes a week, such as every Monday and Thursday. By doing this, you will get the student back into a pattern of coming to class at least twice.
  7. Never quit. Do something, even when you are planning time away from the school. If you are injured, do something to review material, even if it is going through it in your head. Bruce Lee dictated his philosophies while recovering from a back injury. And Mr. Planas has said a black belt is simply a white belt that never quit.
  8. Write down questions you encounter while working out or doing your mental review.