BENEFITS OF LONG-TERM STUDENT CONTRACTS, PART 2

In the August/September 2022 issue of Black Belt, Floyd Burk began his examination of the value of student contracts for martial arts schools. Here, he concludes his interview with Marcia D. Watters, Esq., who operates Mr. Jimmy's White Tiger Martial Arts in Hagerstown, Maryland, with her husband Jimmy Smith.

- FLOYD BURK

You mentioned that retention can be affected by student contracts. Can you expound on that? 

"Many students get burned out here and there, but often if you can just get them over that burnout hurdle, you retain them for years and years. Most people who are allowed to take that one-month or two-month 'break' never come back! Once they get used to sitting on that couch, they just can't seem to get back off it.

"So don't let them sit down to begin with. Remind them that training is good for them. Remind them of the benefits, and remind them of the fun. Do everything you can to boost their confidence, helping to step up their enjoyment of training.

"In the end, however, if none of that works, you're going to have to remind them that they still have an active enrollment agreement and they have to pay regardless of attendance. This works in getting them to continue attending classes. Before you know it, they are over their burnout and are motivated to attend."

So using contracts is good for students?