Martial Arts World News Magazine - Volume 22 | Issue 2

MARTIAL ARTS SOFTWARE
MAWN: That was one major breakthrough. I understand
the next major breakthrough was you implemented
more ‘systems’ in your school, including the ATLAS
Martial Arts Software system.
JV: Yes, we were hovering at about 100 total
students, and only about $14,000 a month gross. We
kind of ‘stalled’ there. We knew that we needed to ramp up
more growth, so we began utilizing the ATLAS platform, and had
them run our Social Media ad campaigns to drive more traffic into
the school.
MAWN: So that was your baseline, then you jumped to the
Atlas system. Now, did the Atlas system work right away or did you
have to have a little bit of patience?
JV: Definitely a little bit of patience. It took about one month
before it really started kicking in. The Atlas program sends a message
about our promotions, and recipients send a little text to our
cell phone, which we call the opt-in. We just started getting opt-ins
daily and nightly as well. While we were finishing up work, I was
getting opt-ins at one in the morning, 2 a.m., 6 a.m. So it was a
really exciting time because the next day of business we were just
focused on getting them in and teaching a quality class.
MAWN: So, it took a little while for the ATLAS marketing team
to test and tweak your campaigns to get them optimized. After the
initial optimization was done, how were the results?
JV: After the first few weeks, we were getting at least 1 new
lead a day. Some days were really good where we would have like
five or six, but a minimum of one a day.
MAWN: Fantastic. Now, what difference does that make as far
as your income?
JV: We quickly added another $6,000.00 to the bottom line,
then, I maxed out on my after school program, so the after school
program was packed. The only stress I had now was that I had to
get another van.
MAWN: So the Atlas program literally filled your school and you
had to start looking for another place to move?
JV: Yes.
MAWN: What did you find?
JV: Well, luckily my lease was coming to an end. The landlord
wanted to up our rent, so I started looking for another location,
but because the Atlas program was working really well for us, we
didn’t really need a prime spot, so I found a secondary location just
about one mile down the road. Four thousand dollars, half the rent,
and the space was almost double the size at 3,400 square feet.
MAWN: Wow. That’s quite a difference. And now, once you got
the bigger location, you got more after school students and more
evening students?
JV: Yes. We started after school maxed out, but now we’ve
got a waiting list. That pretty much capped the space for our after
school program. We got another van. And our traditional program
started booming.
MAWN: School owners say the Atlas program brings adults
back, what’s been your experience?
JV: Yes. The biggest challenge we had was—we have a saying:
‘try not to leave the back door open, a lot come in and go.’
But because of the Atlas program, more families are coming in,
more adults
are coming in,
they get to try the program.
We have specials
where they get one month
in; by their second or
third week they love it,
and they signed up. So
we doubled our traditional
program.
MAWN: Fantastic. This must
have relieved a lot of stress from you
and your team?
JV: Oh, big time. The staff gets to really understand the Atlas
program. It’s really easy to manage; the system works really well so
now we get to concentrate on the quality and instruction of class.
We’re not hitting the pavement anymore, we’re focusing on bringing
in the new students, making sure they have a great time, that
way we keep them and that way we are making black belts.
MAWN: Wonderful. Has all this social media advertising actually
made a difference in your school’s reputation?
JV: Oh, yes. We’ve been getting calls from our little town here
from schools wanting us to come in and do teach-ins, local businesses
wanting us to come in for their events to do some exhibitions;
people that call in already know about us. We’ve gotten
really good results on Yelp and on Facebook. It’s been quite an
amazing journey.
MAWN: So, since you’ve started the Atlas program you’ve had
to move to a bigger location, you’ve increased your income six
thousand dollars, you’ve maxed out your after school program,
your staff is less stressed, your reputation has improved, and
you’re getting adults back in the classroom. If somebody out there
who has heard about the Atlas program has some doubts about it,
what would you say?
JV: I’d say give it a try. The same money that you are putting
into promotions on the pavement, into exhibitions, and setting up
booths, put that focus into the Atlas program. Learn it well so that
you can really make it work for you. Give it a month and you’re
going to start seeing results, that way you can get that mindset
change. Less stress and focus more on quality instruction so that
everybody is having a really good time while teaching martial arts.
Bring it back to old school, the way it was back then when everybody
had a blast teaching class.
MAWN: Wow. All right. Thank you, for sharing with us. We look
forward to your future success and talking to you in the future.
JV: Thank you so much. It was a pleasure and honor speaking
with you.
MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 2 29