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Home » Blog » Martial Arts Instructors | Are You Ready to Go Pro?

Martial Arts Instructors | Are You Ready to Go Pro?

October 20, 2012 By Sensei Matt Klein

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A martial arts instructor in action

An instructor must be passionate about martial arts and love working with their students

I have been asked many times in my career, how did you build a successful business as a martial arts instructor? They see the results, our many kids martial arts locations in Sydney, but they do not see all the years of work and sacrifice that went into it. Many have asked me how to get into the martial arts business full-time. The person who is considering going professional and doing martial arts as a full-time career should ask themselves some important questions.

Passion for the Martial Arts

Are you truly passionate about the martial arts? In your spare time do you spend hours looking at martial arts videos on YouTube trying to better your game? Do you spend a good percentage of your budget on martial arts DVD’s and gear? Do you absolutely love coaching martial arts and passing on your knowledge to the next generation? Passion will carry you through the inevitable tough times, and will attract people to your club.

Organizational Skills and Work Ethic

Are you organized? Running a martial arts club takes superb organizational skills, as there is an incredible amount of preparation involved in running the classes. Are you able to schedule your day and prioritize your tasks? If you are not organized, you will make mistakes, lose credibility, and finally, lose students.

Are you willing to work harder than your competitors to make your business a success? I wore out a lot of shoe leather to build our organization in Sydney, particularly in the areas of marketing, student retention, and instructor development. There are times when I wake up and face a difficult day of something I’m not particularly fond of doing, while my friends are at the beach. But I relish hard work because I know my competitors are not going to keep up the pace.

Are you motivated to stay healthy and fit? Will you continue to train hard in order to inspire your students? Will you eat right and get plenty of rest, so you can give your students your best?

Martial Arts are About Relationships

Are you able to build relationships and sell yourself? You will need to get out there and hustle, particularly when building your name in the community. You will need to attract people who will be keen to help you.

Are you willing to admit that you do not have the skills in every area, and get the appropriate help? You will have strengths and weaknesses, and must know yourself well enough to find help in areas in which you are lacking.

Drive to Be the Best Instructor Around

Most important, are you willing to put in the time to ensure your service is the best out there? Are you enough of a perfectionist to challenge the status quo and keep pushing it, but not so much of one that nothing gets done? Are you always in pursuit of knowledge about the martial arts? Are you continually trying to improve as an instructor? Do you have an open mind when it comes to new ways of doing things?

If you answered yes to these questions, perhaps you should think about going pro in the martial arts business. For me, it has been the most rewarding of all careers. Martial arts instructors out there, do you have anything to add?

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Filed Under: For the Martial Arts Instructor

Comments

  1. Zoltan says

    December 6, 2012 at 10:24 am

    Hi Sensei Matt,

    I think there are a lot of variables in making the decision to “Go Pro”. To be a Martial arts instructor full time you really need to dedicate almost every work hour a week (38-48) to either keeping up your admin, social media, teaching and keeping your own skill base up and learning new things. Otherwise your business or martial arts will not be very successful.

    I really feel that this, like many things in life will never be something you can enter into without a burning passion to drive you. You will just not last or make a good name for yourself without the drive to be the best and provide the best service with uncompromising morality.

  2. Sensei Matt Klein says

    December 7, 2012 at 7:13 am

    Hi Zoltan! Yes, it really is a commitment to a full-time martial arts lifestyle. Many try to do it as a hobby, but the most successful view it as an occupation/lifestyle. Keeping up your own skill base is a necessity as you say, and it presents the biggest challenge for many. To go outside your comfort zone to learn something new is necessary for growth!

    Passion is probably the biggest factor influencing one’s chance of success in the martial arts business. Your passion–students feed off it, and it sustains you during those inevitable “plateau” periods when you feel you are not getting anywhere. Thanks for commenting Zoltan.

Testimonials

Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Friendly yet disciplined approach towards karate at Australia’s Youth has helped enormously. It enabled Mihir to build a sense of belonging and improved his motivation to excel. It’s amazing how learning the Martial Arts helps build confidence and improve overall personality.
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I like Karate because it is really fun and I love going on the weekend to see all my friends and Senseis. Karate makes me feel safe because I don’t worry about bullies at school because I know they can’t really hurt me.Tyvian-Macfarlne-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Tyvian Macfarlane

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Tyvian's story.
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
The confidence karate has given Tyvian is amazing. He is takes pride in himself and he has matured. The focus, confidence and discipline he has gained through karate has transferred to other areas of his life such as educational tasks, looking after younger children both in and out of his family and demonstrating empathy for others.Robert-Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlane, father of Tyvian Macfarlane
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I owe my confidence, strength, fitness and leadership skills to Karate. It has taught me to persist with everything and that the only way to improve is to try harder.Adam-Loader-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Adam Loader

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Adam's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Look at what you have achieved Matt, we can’t thank you enough for your contribution to shaping these two young men. We are often complimented about the maturity of the boys and we know their Karate has played an important part in developing that maturity. Brings a tear to my eye!
loadersRobert Loader, father of Adam and Jacob Loader
09/01/2014

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