Running a martial arts school is a full-time job, and learning how to create content might feel impossible. The good news? You don’t have to be a content expert.
Your students are your best marketing asset. Their stories and experiences are powerful tools to attract new students and grow your school. People trust people—not businesses—and that’s why student testimonials can do the heavy lifting for your content strategy.
Here’s how to turn your students into walking testimonials using three simple content pillars.
The 3 Content Pillars for Martial Arts Schools
1. Student Success Stories
Highlight your students’ milestones and achievements to show the value of your training.
- Examples: Share moments like belt promotions, tournament wins, or personal growth stories.
- How to Do It: Ask students or parents to record short videos about their accomplishments.
- Where to Share: Post these videos on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok as Reels.
- Pro Tip: Use captions like “From shy beginner to confident champion” to showcase the transformation your school provides.
2. Behind-the-Scenes Content
Showcase the everyday moments that make your school unique. This type of content builds trust and makes your school feel relatable.
- Examples: Videos of instructors prepping for class, students warming up, or fun team events.
- How to Do It: Encourage students to tag your school when they post training moments.
- Where to Share: Share their posts on your social media to create a sense of community.
- Pro Tip: Host a “Day in the Life” challenge where students document their experience at your school.
3. Educational Tips
Teach your audience something new while showing off your school’s expertise.
- Examples: Have students demonstrate self-defense techniques, explain training benefits, or share quick martial arts tips.
- How to Do It: Create collaborative videos featuring your students as instructors.
- Where to Share: Post these on your social channels as Stories or Reels.
- Pro Tip: Keep videos short—30 to 60 seconds works best for engagement.
Turning Testimonials Into Campaigns
Once you’ve gathered content from your students, turn it into effective marketing campaigns. Here are a few ideas:
- Offer Incentives: Reward students who share testimonials about their experience with free swag, private lessons, or discounts.
- Run Challenges: Encourage students to create a 15-second video sharing their martial arts journey for a chance to be featured on your page.
- Collaborate on Posts: Ask students to tag your school and add you as a collaborator on their posts. This doubles your reach by making the content visible to their audience and yours.
Why This Strategy Works
By letting your students create content, you save time and amplify your marketing efforts. Their voices are authentic, relatable, and powerful tools to attract new students.
To recap:
- Celebrate student success stories.
- Share behind-the-scenes content.
- Teach through educational tips.
When you implement these strategies, your mats won’t stay empty for long.
Ready to Grow Your School?
Stop stressing over how to create content. Let your students tell their stories, and watch your martial arts school thrive.
Kui Kapu
Founder, Mat2Market
Building the #1 Channel for Scaling Martial Arts Across the world.