Ways to make enough money to survive on Martial Arts?
Hi All, This is mainly a question for instructors or those close to it. I've been wanting to make my living from martial arts but in South Africa you can't charge much more than R250/month/student - the big muay thai place charges R400 but he's a self proclaimed 2 time world champion which holds some sway over people. I'd like to know if any instructors found ways of supplementing their income with other martial arts related ideas? I thought of the following: Ring fights (no problem, but not regular enough in SA), self defense courses in High Schools (anti-rape, anti-mugging etc) and maybe buying and selling (needs start up capital) - anything else? I'd need about 70 students to live comfortably and we all know how students come and go in martial arts (especially when training in MMA/Spartan Pankration - it's not easy) and 70 is a BIG number - I have about 25. Thanks, V The South African Federation of Pankration Athlima - Part of the International Federation of Pankration Athlima.
Martial Arts - 3 Answers
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1 :
Well my trainer owns his own gym and he was the worlds #1 ranked SHOOTO fighter and he had a few wins in UFC as well. He followed the same strategies that you did too, high school programs *a must if you wanna spread your name* etc. Kids nowadays love to be trained professionally whether for self defence against a bully or to be used for bad purposes which a lotta people eventually grow out of. Also, watch the way you describe your advertisement as well. Convince the public that your classes are a great workout and provides them with the best self defense system there is and make sure that your environment is friendly and respectful a.k.a keep encouraging your students to push to their limits and beyond. Remember, even if the other Muay Thai guy is a world champion, his teaching skills might not be as good as yours. You gotta focus on getting the attention first and then making sure that your students will keep coming back. My trainer has had his students attend his classes for 7+ years *the majority of them atleast*.
2 :
I have been teaching traditional martial arts on my own since 1992 full time. It is very hard to make a living unless you understand the business side which includes how to market, present and hold true the integrity of your art but not "giving it away". I am fortunate enough to have a solid reputation in my area for teaching martial arts which has helped me to increase my income by adding self defense training seminars for women and children as well as getting government contracts to instruct law enforcement officers from time to time. At my dojo was also do fundraisers twice a year to help pay for equipment and insurance costs as well as raise some money for rainy day times which do happen. I also develop websites and do photography / marketing for other martial art schools all over the US which helps me offset my income but that comes second to managing and teaching at my dojo. I have one full time dojo, two part time dojo and a YMCA program running at this time with only two other black belts helping me. We cover about 45 square miles from dojo to dojo and our total student count is around 240. This also helps as we hold special seminars once a month for our student base that are serious about their training (10% of them). These students come to our main dojo to train once a month for $20 each in specialty courses such as knife tactical fighting, vital striking, street defense tactics and much more. Occasionally I bring in a special instructor and hold a seminar open to everyone that wants to come. These typically cost about $60 each person and I get 50% and the guest instructor gets 50% plus I take them out to dinner or make dinner for them. Overall these things help with making a living at teaching what I love but I also set my life in order to do so by not using credit cards, loans or living beyond my means. I spent the first ten years living in a small room in the back of my dojo until I could afford to buy a house. I could live on less than $1000 a month comfortably here in the US because I want to teach martial arts so I don't live a life of material possessions. The biggest advice I would give to you is that you set a plan down on paper. Know your goals, your demographics and plan accordingly. If the competing school in your area charges more than you then raise your rates to same as they have theirs. Regardless of style people will train where they feel the most comfortable at and if you are simply viewed as cheaper then it is possible that people will think you are not as good as the other school. My dojo is the most expensive to train at in my area because we are the only one that teaches full time but we also have credentials and qualifications that eclipse any other school in the area. It was not easy when I began but I had goals and plans and the dedication / discipline to achieve them. Good luck and remember that as an instructor you are always the student first.
3 :
nwohioguy has given a good and believable answer. I too have taught martial arts for many years. Most of them I owned a full time Dojo/business. It is very difficult to make a living teaching martial arts. If you check around, you will likely find that many of the so called successful martial arts schools are owned/run by a person that also holds a full time job. Another thing that can't be ignored is the market demographics. in the 1970's or 1980's (I forget which) Black Belt Magazine stated that in the U.S.A. about 80% of all martial arts students were children. I'll bet my boots that the number is closer to 85% now. All you have to do is look at the yellow pages advertisements in the phone book. Almost all show pictures of children, or mention childrens classes. Unless you have a serious childrens martial arts program, it is very difficult to even cover the bills. Unfortunately it is not practical to think that children are mature enough to learn realistic self-defense. Most are just playing karate. they have no concept of what a real fight is like. BTW I have yet to see anyone make enough money from teaching womens self-defense classes to make it worth while. 70 students is a lot of students for many martial arts schools. I know of at least 10 schools that have been around for many years that teach good martial arts, yet have an average of less than 25 regular students. And my experiences have been similar to something that nwohioguy said...... It seems that only about 10% of your students are going to be really dedicated. And that is true no matter how many student you have. Hope this helps! BTW nwohioguy........ I'd love to come teach a seminar at your dojo some time. ....
