|
|
Post by AngelaG on Feb 1, 2006 14:27:44 GMT
If you were to set up a club (or if you already have) what would be your Unique Selling Point - the thing your club offers that no other club around does?
|
|
|
|
Post by andym on Feb 1, 2006 14:32:55 GMT
Me! ;D
No, seriously....you could work with club location, association, affiliates, access to seminars, guest instructors and/or courses/competitions.
|
|
|
|
Post by searcher2 on Feb 1, 2006 15:09:38 GMT
Interesting, except that to a new student it doesn't matter what association you are with and they don't know what your grade is worth and they hope they'll get their instruction from you and not need additional seminars.
What brings people to YOUR CLUB instead of all the others they could go to?
|
|
|
|
Post by andym on Feb 1, 2006 15:21:47 GMT
It's a difficult question....what does your club offer over any other?  I doubt it's a great deal (to a new starter)....you offer Karate instruction, just like mine would. Personally I think it's the people and quality of instruction that make a good club, but like you say, a new starter won't know that until you get them training. The initial obstacle is getting them through the door, there is nothing scarier! You can say whatever you want about your club but they aren't going to know if it's true until they step over the threshold or hear for themselves what it's like through word of mouth. Good quality advertisments, ones that scream professionalism will build up initial interest and hopefully get them knocking on said door. Once they are inside I think the most important things are a good training space and really friendly, approachable instructors. |
|
|
|
Post by Shorin Ryu Sensei on Feb 3, 2006 0:52:21 GMT
If you were to set up a club (or if you already have) what would be your Unique Selling Point - the thing your club offers that no other club around does? A unique selling point? Hmmmmm...maybe offer to pay them to come to class?  How about the best instruction you can give them at a fair price. From the many dojo's I've visited over the years, that would be a novelty in the martial arts world. |
|
|
|
Post by AngelaG on Feb 3, 2006 7:40:52 GMT
Again though, every club proclaims to teach the best syllabus - a person new to this would have no idea whether this is true or not. (which is why so many clubs have got away with teaching crap)
What about something more tangible?
|
|
|
|
Post by RigsVille on Feb 3, 2006 13:25:13 GMT
Excellent question Angela, sorry I don't have an answer.
I think the primary `Selling Point’ for most beginners is the location of the club, I know that most of the beginners that have started at my club have done so purely because they were at the sports centre for other reasons (swimming skiing etc.) and happened to notice either the posters on the wall (as Andy has already pointed out) or happened to see through into the sport hall and see a bunch of people in GI’s
|
|
|
|
Post by Andy on Feb 4, 2006 0:20:14 GMT
AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaargh!
USP, the last acronym I thought I'd see creep into MA, but then I suppose it's a business to some, and last decades sales jargon was bound to creep in at some point.
Long Term?
Be good at what you do.
Word of mouth will build a strong core of students, where all the 'flash in the pan' marketing will get you traffic, typically on it's way somewhere else.
Unselfish honesty.
You're crap, I'm crap, let's work on that together.
|
|
|
|
Post by Aefibird on Feb 4, 2006 16:50:48 GMT
We're based in a room above a pub. What more selling point do you need than the fact that there's a bar downstairs??
|
|
|
|
Post by miffersy on Feb 5, 2006 18:32:18 GMT
I think people need a reputation that preceeds them
|
|
|
|
Post by Aefibird on Feb 5, 2006 21:22:41 GMT
Or failing that a large bar. Did I mention that we have one where I train?? ;D ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by AngelaG on Feb 5, 2006 21:56:57 GMT
***Envy***
I'm not much of a drinker these days but a bar is such a nice way to socialise after training. I'd definitely like a bit more of that - especially on a Friday or Saturday.
|
|
|
|
Post by Aefibird on Feb 5, 2006 22:04:35 GMT
Yeah, I don't drink much these days either, but it's a good place for a wind-down after training, even if you only have an orange juice.
|
|
|
|
Post by pasmith on Feb 6, 2006 10:17:17 GMT
The club I train at is part of a members only Fitness and Racquets Health club (Next Generation). That means that we don't get casual interest walking in but we do have a swimming pool, Sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room and bar for after training!  After a hard Sunday session, that finishes with 5 or 6 rounds of Knockdown sparring, a nice leisurely swim and a sit in the sauna takes the edge off the lumps, bumps and aches. |
|
|
|
Post by Aefibird on Feb 7, 2006 17:25:35 GMT
PASmith, you don't happen to train at the Next Generation club in Dudley do you? I've been there, nice place - looks like it would be good to train at!
|
|
I doubt it's a great deal (to a new starter)....you offer Karate instruction, just like mine would. Personally I think it's the people and quality of instruction that make a good club, but like you say, a new starter won't know that until you get them training.
