[QUOTE=ngokfei;826832]For got to add:
$10 for a private session is more than reasonable. Privates today tend to run $40-$100 an hour.
I’d recommend targeting individuals who are already martial artists and would value your instruction or possible advertise to thos individuals who enjoy the outdoors or possibly link up with another outdoor group, etc.[/QUOTE]
He didn’t say they were private lessons.
Who are you targeting? How did you get your two students that you currently have?
The reality is that if you plan to make money, you have to spend money. One of the biggest expenses for a new martial arts school owner is rent.
Is there not a community center, recreational center, or a church in your vicinity that you could rent space from? I’m sure they wouldn’t charge very much. You could have your main classes there and then supplemental Fridays or something outdoors.
Unless you are an exceptional salesman and can walk up to people cold and get them to try your classes, you’re going to hit the same brick wall if you’re unwilling to change either price or location.
My advice is to avoid the brick wall, but I admit, I sometimes have to learn lessons the hard way before I change my ways, so I don’t blame you if you want to keep trying this way.
hey I charge 60 bucks a month and i got a good group of students. And we teach in golden gate park outside regardless of the weather.
The proof is in the pudding. The park is a good way for people to actually see and watch you train. one of my students happened to be in the park when he saw us.
I’m working on a jogger where i teach to get her come join us.
I don’t need an actual school to teach. and when it comes to equipment, i got a big gym bag filled with weapons, pads and such.
all is going well and in fact, in feb 08 i will be officially open and taking students for 3 years now.
This guy’s in a backyard, not a public park, so people don’t get to see what he does, unfortunately.
You also charge less than he does, which is the smart way to go, when you do outdoors classes.
How’s your CLF book coming, hsk? I got a great resource for you for self-publishing. I just published my first book here:
http://www.lulu.com/content/1559138
Lulu.com is awesome for indy publishers! Once you finish your book, if you want to use Lulu to publish and need help, feel free to ask. It doesn’t cost much at all, and if you want, you can purchase their distribution package to get an ISBN and barcode so that you can sell it in stores!
My book is coming along nicely.
I’m glad that i’ve waited this long, because i keep learning newer things that i would have wished i put in this book.
but thanks 123, i’ll book mark that.
Thanks for the feedback.
[QUOTE=ngokfei;826816]Sounds like your running a club, which is a good thing. If you like the training methods you did when coming up then there is no reason to change.
In time you’ll develop decent students that can be used for public demonstrations. Quality over quantity. Still that $80 is kind of steep, especially since you don’t have a following.
But if your in it for th $$$ to make a living, then there is alot of things you’ll have to change - the biggest one is Indoor Training Facility.[/QUOTE]
It is a group class, but since the group is so small it is like a private class. Since privates are usually over 40 I figured my pricing was ok.
I am comparing myself to what you can buy for the $6 or $7 dollars that one class actually is costing.
With that much money what can you get that is better than this?
I agree about getting the place though.
I will keep looking.
[QUOTE=Tainan Mantis;827174]It is a group class, but since the group is so small it is like a private class. Since privates are usually over 40 I figured my pricing was ok.
[/QUOTE]
I’ll say it again
Either you’re charging for group tuition or you’re charging for private tuition, you can’t have it both ways.
Also if you are teaching and accepting money you want to get a business license and liability insurance if you have not already done so.
You can lose your shirt and get into some serious hot water if a student gets hurt on the property and you do NOT have liability.
Also have you checked with the town and city where you are teaching about if you can even do this on personal property running a business. You have to be careful as a nosy neighbor could drop a dime on you and they could get you for running a business without licensure and that would suck.
just trying to make sure you bases are coveredc
Performances
Kevin
I’ve been out of the loop for awhile but if you want to put on a show for advertising give me a holler and I’ll drive down and help you out.
Been trying to get back down there anyhow but it just hasn’t worked out.
Build a small open air practice area. Just a roof, a wood floor, and two walls. And make it look culturally insync with what you’re teaching. Authentic looking Props like that will bring’m in.
Build up the yard too, with training aparati, statuary, and maybe a foutain.
You’ll get your outdoor experience and they’ll get the sense of permanence and professionalism that they want from you.
Demonstrate that you’re serious about what you do, and not just some flaky hobbyist that can just decide to stop teaching at whim. If you want them to make an investment in you, you have to make an investment for them.
Yaosing,
Thanks. You can come down for any occasion. But when we do a demo I will let you know.
SanHeChuan,
Great advice and philosophy, thanks.
Kevin
one other thing, Shibo.
You, and the rest of us Peng Lai, don’t mystify the practice of a traditional chinese martial art. A lot of people looking for ‘kung fu’ often don’t find what they think they are looking for in our practice…at least that’s been my experience. Often, the work out is more than a lot of people are looking for in ‘kung fu’. Then there is the pain 
Of course, in the end, its all about what you are teaching and the quality of it.
How well it can be used and such, if it works the word well get around.
Heck, if Rickson was giving lessons at the local garbage dump, I’d go there and arm bar a banana peel !