How To Start Your Own Martial Arts Studio

Last Updated on 29 August, 2022

So, you want to start your own martial arts studio? Congratulations on pursuing your passion and following your dreams! With tools like a martial arts software program and a winning marketing plan, get ready to build an amazing business.

In the crowded world of martial arts, competition can be fierce, so you need to be intentional with your strategy. Good news, the martial arts business is booming, so filling your classes should be a breeze! According to research, over the past five years, the martial arts industry has grown annually by 3.7%, recording $5 billion in industry revenue in 2019. This shows that there’s money to be made and clients to attract, so you’re on the right track.

Building a business can seem overwhelming, but save yourself the stress and go all in! We’ll help you find your way in choosing your martial arts management software, getting the word out and starting a successful martial arts studio:

1. Create a Business Plan

You can’t reach your destination without a map! Think of your business plan as a strategy for success, a tool to entice possible investors and a way to hold yourself accountable in reaching for your goals. Here’s how you need to approach your business plan to make it work for your studio:

Define your martial arts studio business

Start by defining what your company looks like. What will you focus on? What ages do you want to attract? What will your martial arts studio stand for? Get an idea of what your studio looks like to establish a clear direction, set specific goals, and put together a plan to get where you’re going.

Once you’ve created a specific plan, it’s time to think about what you’ll need to make that dream a reality.

Identify the needs of your martial arts studio

Take a look at what’s required to make your martial arts studio a success. What equipment will you need to acquire? Which martial arts academy school management system is the best for you? Start to give some thought to a team and a space, too. Do you want to hire full-time or part-time staff? What certification will your team require? How far are you willing to commute? What type of space are you looking for?

This is the stage where you identify your needs in all areas so you can put together a plan to best address those needs.

Once you’ve listed all the essential tools, from dojo software to studio equipment, you’re all set to get to the most formal part of your business plan.

Do the math

The last step is to get practical! Here’s where you deal with the nitty-gritty of your strategy. In order to put numbers to paper, you need to be able to accurately estimate business costs, employee wages, real estate market trends, legal costs, your martial arts management software, and anything else where you’ll have to invest.

The key to a successful business plan is research! Consult an expert, reach out to other businesses, and search the Internet to get the inside track on the finer details of opening your martial arts studio.

Whether you’re looking for investors, a loan or you’ve got it covered, you need to be clear on your costs before you start spending money to be able to plan and budget to achieve your goals.

Once you’ve put together your plan, it’s full steam ahead! Stay on track with your roadmap to keep your studio on the path to success.

2. Get Qualified

Whether this is your first business or you’re a seasoned veteran, think about the formal training you’ll need to get where you want to go. Are you certified in martial arts at the level you’d like to be? How about your business knowledge? Could you take some management courses to level up?

Those are a few options, but it doesn’t have to be so formal, there are a ton of resources that are readily available and full of info! Look for podcasts about building a business that could help. Or if there’s someone who’s already doing what you’re planning, follow them on social media for tips and tricks. Even better, reach out and learn from them directly! With a little research, you can access everything you need.

And don’t stop there! Keep upping your game and bettering your knowledge to be the best, stand out from your competition, and impress your students.

3. Build a Brand for Your Martial Arts Studio

Next up is your brand! You’ve defined your business, and now it’s time to design your logo, build your website, and start to work on brand recognition. Let’s start with what you need to know about a logo:

Your logo

Your logo is an important part of your brand; it’s a visual representation of your company and likely the first thing your students will remember when they think of you.

As part of your branding strategy, you need a logo that addresses the message your martial arts studio is looking to convey.

How do you decide on a logo? Make sure it’s easy on the eyes! Choose colors that go well together and a concept that represents your business and your objectives. You might also check out your competition here too, to make sure that your logo stands out as something new and original.

Keep it simple. Think about whether people will ‘get’ your logo, and what it means. Your message should be clear and easy to recognize.

Don’t forget to think about your logo’s future! If you’re planning to sell branded merchandise, be sure to choose a logo that translates well onto products and can be easily identified. If it’s too complicated, it could hurt your business rather than helping to build your brand.

Consistency is paramount here. Your logo should be included in your letterhead, in your karate dojo software, in your invoicing, and anywhere else you can stay top of mind with your students.

Choose a logo that’s nice to look at, that represents your brand, and that’s easily recognizable to see results from this element of your marketing.

Website

Next, think about your website. Consistency is key here too! You want to keep the look and feel of your website in line with your logo and messaging. The more you reinforce your brand, the more traction you’ll get.

Also, be sure to make your website easy to navigate. Too much work will turn people off. The more accessible you make your site, the more accessible your studio will seem.

Remember, brand is essentially the lasting impression you leave on your clientele, so although we’ve focused on logo and website, there’s a lot more than that to your brand.

Before you start marketing your martial arts studio, you need to fully develop your brand and what your company stands for to be able to commit to a consistent message.

4. Get the Best Martial Arts Studio Software

How can the best software make a difference in your martial arts studio? Call it a martial arts studio manager, karate studio software or dojo manager – any way you look at it, you need the best martial arts software to offer the best experience for your students and your staff!

For your clients

Strive to provide the best experience you can for your clientele with your martial arts software to encourage loyalty, stand out and build your community. How can you do that?

WellnessLiving’s martial arts software includes our Achieve Client App to impress your clients and help build your business. It offers online booking and payment, client profiles available on the go, online shopping, easy-to-add reviews, and more.

The simpler you make your customer experience, the more repeat business you’ll see, and that’s where you’ll see higher profits!

For your team

How do you get your team excited, informed, and on the same page? With an amazing martial arts studio software! WellnessLiving’s Elevate Staff App has everything you need to build your business from the inside out.

Features like managing schedules, booking or canceling classes, shifting staff availability, accessing client profiles, and managing class attendance are just the start! Imagine maximum efficiency, consistent processes and easy-to-use technology, accessible on any mobile device.

Build your business with a productive team, consistency and organization, which is all made possible with a killer martial arts studio management software.

5. Make a Martial Arts Studio Marketing Plan

How do you get people interested in your studio, through your doors and into your classes? Spread the word with a winning marketing plan! From automated marketing to community presence, here are two ways to reach the most people you can to let them know about your new martial arts studio.

Automated marketing

Here’s where your martial arts software once again saves the day. Martial arts management software can automate your marketing so you can shout the news about your studio from the rooftops!

From SMS and text campaigns to email marketing and Google integration, reach your audience in minutes and leave your marketing to our expert martial arts management software.

Community involvement

Build your community by getting out into the community! Introduce your neighbors to your studio by participating in local events, doing demos at wellness conferences, and offering workshops to local businesses to generate interest.

Want to get even more attention? Host a grand opening event to get people to check out your studio and meet you in person.

Spread the word and reach your community with your martial arts studio management software to reach as many people as you can.

Let’s Get Started!

From a business plan to your martial arts studio software to marketing to community outreach, you’re on the road to a successful martial arts studio. We can help you get the best martial arts studio software out there!

With WellnessLiving’s martial arts management software to get attention, reach your community and watch your business grow! Book a free, no-commitment demo with WellnessLiving today.