Can it be done?
Can you make a living teaching PM with out the kid classes or with out the belt ranks?
How do you make money teaching PM, or do you teach it just for the love?
Myself I dont think it can be done unless, you water it down, make it like Karate, or Judo, and have lots of kid classes, and ladies self defence, belt ranks and testing fee’s, this is something I wont do.
So do you earn a living watering down your system, or live poor and keep it true?
Thanks
What’s wrong with kids classes?
I believe that children are our future, tech them well and let them lead the way.
I can’t see watering it down myself and I find it hard to take money to teach. Although I would love to just do this and not have to work I know I don’t have the background and full knowledge of the system to make a name and living at it. But what I do know is good enough for me, I get to workout with people and they help chip in for equipment, trips, etc. For now I’m happy with that.
Do you thing the schools that teach the tan tui sets and northern set such as kung lik watered down? There must be a reason that they started teaching these sets in the first place.
My kids class has the most promise. The ones that stay around untill they are 17 have the fundamental out of the way and can begin to focus on the intricate stuff. They should be great by the time they are 25. Why would you want to start with some one who is 21? It seems harder to me to make a martial artist out of someone who starts later in life. Most of the “good” martial artists did not start at 24. I would not ignore the childrens market.
Belt ranking. Just do a price check of the other schools in the town figure in their belt testing fees and charge the same. Many Karate schools dont charge for testing anymore the just add it into the monthly fee.
I am sure that many of the “Old Masters” would agree that mantis kung fu has more to offer than just fighting. It can help people in any different aspects of thier lives.
Womens self defense. Doing something good for the comunity and making a little money doesnt sound to bad.
When you run a bussiness it is like being in a fight. You have to think out of the box. If you find yourself in a bad situation you have to adapt or change the situation to your atvantage.
Have a good day
Yes I do think you can make a living at it, that is if you are a good instructor and good with people.
With all due respects…
“Myself I dont think it can be done unless, you water it down, make it like Karate, or Judo,”
I am not sure how is a Mckwoon (not pointing fingers here) better than a McDojo? Is there any proof to that? Mckwoon can anytime sux big time aganist a real Karate or Judo Dojo or vice versa. I don’t mean to offend anyone. I just wanted to say that sweeping statements as such are not helpful to the cause. Karate, Judo, TKD, MMA, BJJ, Capeoira, etc.. are all popular for a reason. You just have to find the niche for your own to make it successful. [but then Modern Wushu will never ever be better than traditional Kung Fu - THAT IS A FACT. PERIOD]
" and have lots of kid classes, and ladies self defence,"
If Kung Fu can not give kids the discipline and confidence to protect themselves against bullies or drastic situation such as a school shooting incident when there is not enough help from adults, what good is Kung Fu? If Kung Fu can not give proper instructions and right attitude to ladies to properly defend themselves what good is Kung Fu? We might as well think of ourselve being “movie fu” living in fantasy land. I believe Kung Fu is to help people especially those who are considered weak to help themselves. Beware of elitist mindset.
" belt ranks and testing fee’s, this is something I wont do."
I agreed that ranks and testing fee’s are not good practice for Kung Fu. But then I don’t teach to make money for a living. So … May be to some it’s a necessary evil.
Mantis108
Mantis108 wrote
“I’am not sure how is a Mckwoon (not pointing fingers here) better than a McDojo? Is there any proof to that? Mckwoon can anytime sux big time aganist a real Karate or Judo Dojo or vice versa. I don’t mean to offend anyone. I just wanted to say that sweeping statements as such are not helpful to the cause. Karate, Judo, TKD, MMA, BJJ, Capeoira, etc.. are all popular for a reason. You just have to find the niche for your own to make it successful.”
“better” no one was comparing, and I’m not here to help the cause, I do Kung-Fu, not any of the arts you mentioned.
also let me show you where you contradict your self, please read below
[but then Modern Wushu will never ever be better than traditional Kung Fu - THAT IS A FACT. PERIOD]\
so much for YOU helping “the cause”
Thanks
Thank you for your clarification. I wish you all the best in your endeavours.
Regards
Mantis108
:rolleyes:
lol oso.
Originally posted by Oso
:rolleyes:
Yeah I must be a troll, was it because I didn’t agree with Mantis108?
Or because I dont care about the other arts that are not Kung Fu?
Or maybe because I pointed out when mantis108 contradicted himself?
Or because I’m new and dont have over three thousand posts like yourself?
Plaese explain oso, it’s pretty rude to jude others you dont know.
So what’s the deal?
Mike
marketing
I think you can make money without watering a system down.
If you knew the mantis you studied was watered down would you really want to continue to study. I wouldn’t . I started learning S. mantis because of the fact that it wasn’t any thing like judo, or karate, or any thingelse I’ve seen. further more it’s all a matter of marketing, supply and demand, how many kung fu schools in your area? How many mantis schools in your area. personaly I’m learning an art that isn’t easy to find in Nebraska but a lot of people seem interested in. So basicly from a marketing stand point I have a unique product
that people want and people will pay for. Do you remember tickle me Elmo around Christmas a few back. stores ran out and the few that were left were sold at an increased price.
Re: Making money teaching Praying Mantis
Originally posted by WhiteMonkey
[B]Can it be done?
Can you make a living teaching PM with out the kid classes or with out the belt ranks?
How do you make money teaching PM, or do you teach it just for the love?
Myself I dont think it can be done unless, you water it down, make it like Karate, or Judo, and have lots of kid classes, and ladies self defence, belt ranks and testing fee’s, this is something I wont do.
So do you earn a living watering down your system, or live poor and keep it true?
Thanks [/B]
WM, this is completely a trolling post.
You know it.
I know it.
Everyone else knows it.
Robert is just perhaps the nicest person on the forum here and will always give people the benefit of the doubt and attempt to talk with them about what they are saying.
I’m a soothsayer
I percieve lockdown to be eminent.
Oh, its because you know it
And I now it,
And everyone else knows it,
so it must be true…
Thats so high school…are you a kid?
That sounds like something my 16yr old would say!
Your actions are childish.
Mike
Posts with fore-gone conclusions (“So do you earn a living watering down your system, or live poor and keep it true?”)
are usually troll posts; but I was giving this one the bennefit of the doubt.
I would say,“Guys, go back on topic or this thread is locked!”, but I’d rather just say, go to school & take some buisness courses if you are serious about your question. aka, If you really care about being a TCMA teacher & making a living at it, get buisness info from a buisness school.
O.K.,…now,
Guys, go back on topic or this thread is locked!
~BTL
Re: Making money teaching Praying Mantis
Originally posted by WhiteMonkey
Can you make a living teaching PM with out the kid classes or with out the belt ranks?
If you look in the WHF 40th anniversary book, you’ll see pictures of children in classes, and also girl’s/women’s classes. He taught thousands of students, but less than 2 dozen were considered graduates.
Originally posted by WhiteMonkey
How do you make money teaching PM, or do you teach it just for the love?
For my teacher, it was more the latter. Between his supply company and teaching, he really didn’t do all that well financially.
For some long time students, he charged them the same tuition that they paid 10 or 15 years earlier. For other students, he taught them for years without even taking a fee. He also declined to teach some people regardless of fees.
Originally posted by WhiteMonkey
So do you earn a living watering down your system, or live poor and keep it true?
My teacher lived poor. And I’m fortunate that I don’t have to rely on teaching to make a living.
N.
YES YOU CAN!
Yes you can make a living teaching PM.
You don’t have to water anything down. You just have to set up your curriculum in a way that is easy for beginners to learn and then you progress them into the intricacies of the art.
If you want to compete against the karate or tae kwon do schools down the street, then you will need a ranking system. The colored belt or sash system is the most popular. Face it we live in a society that ranks everything and people want to see where they stand. Ranking is another way to teach people about goal setting. Short term goals, mid-term goals and long-term goals. This will allow for great retention. I have been attending annual martial arts business conventions (EASYPAY, ANDREW WOOD, NAPMA, & MAIA) since the mid 90’s. We were about the only kung fu schools to attend. It was mostly other styles. In the last few years, I have seen more and more kung fu schools going to these conventions.
Can you make money money teaching PM? YES YOU CAN! But you will need to adapt. You do not need to water anything down, just organize it.
For those of you that just don’t want to change anything and just do it for the sake of teaching it to a select few. Great. Do it and have fun at it.
Right now, I work a full-time job with the government and teach part-time in the evening at a friend’s school (program director & chief instructor). And I have fun at it.
But if you want help organizing or advice on martial arts business practices, just pm me. I am currently helping out 2 pm school owners.
Well gotta run.
oved:D
-N-
Reading between the lines… your teacher sounds like a very good Man, nice story.
Like I have mentioned here before, I teach part-time. I`ve been with my day job (company) for 28 years. This day job of course pays the bills and provides insurance. I have always kept my overhead low with the KF. Less stress keeps the worries to a minimum. I do reinvest money made from teaching back into class, and this teaching gig helps my family also. I would like to run something by you guys. I give my students until the 15th of the month to come up with tuition. I still have some students that pay late. Do I penalize these students or just not worry about it? I think a student should show responsibility for himself (no females are late) and learn to pay there Shifu and pay him on time. And what do you think about students, some senior students that come up with excuse after excuse for NOT paying at all. One senior had not payed me since March. Should I not worry about this, or do as my parents taught me… be responsible and pay your bills?! I am trying to teach more than just KF here. We are trying to make these indivduals the best thay can be. One more thing, should a student be held accountable for the months they missed? FYI, I do not do contracts. As for me, I have always taken care of my Shifus, payed them well… plus! I respect what these men have done and the fact they take time out of there lives to teach me. Thank you in advance.
Re: -N-
Originally posted by yu shan
your teacher sounds like a very good Man
He was. Rest in peace.
Originally posted by yu shan
And what do you think about students, some senior students that come up with excuse after excuse for NOT paying at all. One senior had not payed me since March.
Disrespectful and irresponsible… no concept of the relationship between Sifu and student. This is a kind of culture shock to me. It’s completely outrageous. The Sifu is the kung fu father. No student should dare to take advantage this way.
If this student is the type to make excuses for his kung fu also, then he is not worth your time. The teacher should not be put in the position of constantly reminding the student to pay. You might assign some responsible student the duty of collection tuitions on your behalf. And also for teaching his/her classmates how to show proper respect.
Originally posted by yu shan
One more thing, should a student be held accountable for the months they missed?
Absolutely. Unless you have your own reasons not to take a fee.
N.
p.s. I just had to post an edit here… the more I think about this situation, the more irritated I get. In Chinese culture, the Sifu is like the father. Elsewhere, people seem to look at the Sifu as the guy behind the Burger king counter who’s supposed to serve it your way.