Social media

If you are starting a club you should get a Facebook page first, before you have a website. It only take a few minutes to get started and straight away to can begin to generate a following and use the news feed as a kind of blog to post and update your followers as you develop.

People will want to see you succeed. Don't be nervous about that.

Facebook first, but there are others

You should also claim the names of your club under other social media platforms to ensure that no one else does. Some platforms have apps that enable cross posting, ie 1 post that you place on Facebook also drops in to Twitter and instagram, this will reduce your workload. An important note it that you endeavour to keep the branding the same, the same name, the same logo, be consistent in that.

Top tip: A social media plan

Most clubs post extremely boring content. Example is a typical photo or series of photos from a class with a few sentences that already read like "Fantastic class tonight, great to see so many people enjoying my training", and you might get 20-30-40-50 likes? But so what? These are usually people who are already following you and probably attend your classes. This type of self promotion doesn't provide value or portray a unique and engaging experience.

How about this instead... A single photo of a smiling woman in the club, the text saying "Today it all came together for Lucy (tag her in). The last few weeks we've been working on increasing her power in the push kick and today she sent David (tag him in) a man twice her size flying! Of course he was holding a kick shield, but even he was stunned, Well done Lucy! We're all proud of you!" Much better, right? Think about why it's better and use that in your social media planning.

Need more?... read on...

Effectively utilising social media is a valuable skill for martial arts instructors. It allows you to connect with your current students, attract new ones, and establish yourself as an authority in your field. Here are some tips for martial arts instructors posting on social media:

1. Consistent Branding:

• Maintain a consistent brand across all social media platforms. Use the same profile picture, banner image, and bio to create a cohesive and recognizable online presence.

2. Content Variety:

• Diversify your content to keep your audience engaged. Share technique videos, training tips, motivational quotes, student successes, and even glimpses into your personal martial arts journey. Mix in some fun or behind-the-scenes content to humanize your brand.

3. Educational Content:

• Share educational content that provides value to your audience. Break down techniques, explain the philosophy behind certain movements, or share insights about the history of martial arts. This positions you as an expert and enhances your credibility.

4. Interactive Posts:

• Encourage interaction by asking questions, running polls, or creating quizzes related to martial arts. Engaging posts foster a sense of community and make your social media page more dynamic.

5. Event Announcements:

• Promote upcoming events, seminars, workshops, or belt tests. Social media is an excellent platform for announcing and building anticipation for special occasions in your martial arts school.

6. Highlight Student Achievements:

• Showcase your students' achievements, whether it's earning a new belt, winning a competition, or mastering a challenging technique. Celebrating their successes not only motivates them but also reflects positively on your teaching.

7. Behind-the-Scenes:

• Give followers a glimpse behind the scenes of your martial arts school. Share photos or short videos of your training sessions, preparation for events, or day-to-day activities. This humanizes your brand and makes your school more relatable.

8. Promotional Offers:

• Use social media to announce special promotions, discounts, or limited-time offers. This can attract new students and incentivize existing ones to participate in events or sign up for additional classes.

9. Engage with Your Audience:

• Respond promptly to comments, direct messages, and mentions. Engaging with your audience fosters a sense of community and shows that you value their input.

10. Use Hashtags Wisely:

• Incorporate relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your posts. Research popular martial arts hashtags, as well as location-specific ones, to reach a broader audience.

11. Quality Visuals:

• Invest in high-quality visuals. Whether it's photos or videos, crisp and clear visuals are more likely to grab attention and make your content shareable.

12. Schedule Posts:

• Use scheduling tools to plan and automate your posts. Consistency is key on social media, and scheduling ensures that you maintain a regular posting frequency.

13. Cross-Promote with Partners:

• Collaborate with other martial arts schools, instructors, or related businesses for cross-promotion. This can broaden your reach and introduce your content to new audiences.

14. Stay Positive and Professional:

• -Maintain a positive and professional tone in your posts. Social media is a public platform, and your content reflects your brand. Avoid controversial topics and focus on promoting a positive martial arts community.

15. Monitor Analytics:

• Use analytics tools provided by social media platforms to track the performance of your posts. Understand which content resonates most with your audience and adjust your strategy accordingly.

16. Adapt to Platform Changes:

• Stay informed about changes to social media algorithms and features. Adapt your posting strategy to take advantage of new features and ensure that your content remains visible to your audience.

By implementing these tips, martial arts instructors can create a compelling and engaging social media presence that attracts and retains students while establishing themselves as authorities in the martial arts community.