How to Use Twitter To Build Your Martial Arts Academy and Stay in Touch with Your Students and Parents
How to use Twitter to build your student base
You’ve heard of Twitter by now. It’s everywhere.
But I must confess: I was slow in “getting it”. And I don’t think that was entirely my fault.
You see, I think Twitter’s marketing was atrocious when I first stumbled onto it in 2007. Back then, their core message was that Twitter was a tool that answered the question: “What are you doing now?”.
To me, that’s an okay use for Twitter (updating your friends), but I see Twitter more as a micro-blog platform. A place to announce new products and services, shout out your new blog posts, post cool videos and links and keep in touch with others.
Will Twitter replace email? No. Email is still the #1 tool you can use to communicate with your student base. BUT – Twitter is still a powerful weapon you should add to your communication arsenal.
I’m an active Twitter user now. I think you should be, too. Here’s how you can use Twitter to build your martial arts school:
1.) Announce school closures
It’s a pain to call everybody and let them know class has been cancelled. If you tell your students and parents to follow you on Twitter, when you have a school closure (or other time-sensitive announcement), just post a Twitter update and – PRESTO! – all of your followers have the news instantly.
2.) Use Twitter for special “insider offers”
Encourage your students and parents to use Twitter by letting them know you’ll be posting special “insider offers” just for Twitter users. They’ll be the first to know about an upcoming seminar, event or sale.
3.) Announce your blog posts
Every time you finish a new blog post, update Twitter with the URL. Think of Twitter as a “hook” to drive people to your “home” – your blog or website. That’s where the real interaction begins – you can generate leads, differentiate yourself from other martial arts schools and list all your programs.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are tons of other ways you can use Twitter to build your school. If you have other suggestions, please post them in the comments section!