Google My Business: Boost Visibility & Attract Customers
Nick Dougherty • July 24, 2023

If you're a martial arts business owner, you probably know how important it is to have a strong online presence. After all, most of your potential customers are searching for martial arts classes and schools on the internet, and you want to make sure they find you and choose you over your competitors.


But how do you achieve that? How do you stand out from the crowd and attract more leads and conversions online?


One of the most effective and affordable ways to do that is by using Google My Business (GMB).


What is Google My Business?


Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to create and manage your business profile on Google. It helps you showcase your business information, photos, reviews, and offers across Google Search and Maps, making it easier for people to discover and contact you.


Why is Google My Business important for martial arts marketing?


Using Google My Business can help you grow your martial arts business in many ways, such as:


Increasing your online visibility

By creating and optimizing your GMB profile, you can improve your chances of ranking higher on Google for relevant keywords and phrases related to your martial arts business. This can help you reach more people who are looking for what you offer in your area.


Attracting local customers

By displaying your business name, address, phone number, website, and directions on Google, you can make it convenient for people to find and visit your location. You can also use GMB to show your hours of operation, service areas, and COVID-19 updates, so people know when and how to reach you.


Showcasing your services and reviews

By adding photos, videos, posts, and offers to your GMB profile, you can highlight your unique selling proposition and value proposition. You can also use GMB to showcase your customer reviews, which can help you build trust and credibility with your prospects. Reviews can also influence your rankings on Google, as they are a signal of your popularity and reputation.


The goal of this article is to help you set up and optimize your GMB profile to grow your martial arts business. We'll walk you through the steps and tips you need to follow to create a stunning and effective GMB profile that will help you attract more customers and conversions online.


How to Set Up Your Google My Business (GMB) Profile


The first step to using GMB for martial arts marketing is to create and verify your GMB profile. Here's how to do it:


1. Go to google.com/business and sign in with your Google account. If you don't have one, create one for free.


2. Click on "Manage now" and enter your business name. If your business already exists on Google, select it from the list. If not, click on "Add your business to Google".


3. Choose the category that best describes your business. For example, you can choose "Martial Arts School", "Karate School", or "Jiu Jitsu School". You can also add more categories later if needed.


4. Enter your business address and mark it on the map. If you don't have a physical location or serve customers at their locations, check the box that says "I deliver goods and services to my customers". You can then specify your service areas by city, postal code, or radius.


5. Enter your phone number and website URL. If you don't have a website, you can create one for free with Google.


6. Choose a verification option. You can verify your business by phone, email, postcard, or instant verification. Follow the instructions provided by Google to complete the verification process.


7. Add more information and photos to your profile. You can add details such as your hours of operation, business description, attributes (such as wheelchair accessible or women-led), products, services, and more. You can also upload photos of your location, staff, classes, events, and logo.


When choosing the categories, keywords, and service areas for your martial arts business, make sure they are relevant and specific to what you offer. For example, if you specialize in Brazilian jiu jitsu for kids in Rocklin CA, use those terms in your profile. This will help you rank better for those terms on Google and attract more qualified leads.


When writing your business description, make sure it is clear, concise, and compelling. Highlight what makes your martial arts business unique and different from others. What are the benefits of choosing you over others? What are the values and mission of your business? What are the credentials and achievements of your instructors? Use these questions as a guide to craft a powerful description that will persuade people to contact you.


How to Optimize Your Google My Business Profile


Once you have created and verified your GMB profile, the next step is to optimize it for better rankings and conversions. Here are some ways to do that:


Update your information regularly

Make sure your information is accurate and up-to-date at all times. If you change your address, phone number, website, hours, or services, update them on your GMB profile as soon as possible. This will help you avoid confusing or losing customers and maintain your credibility on Google.


Add posts and offers

Posts are short updates that you can add to your GMB profile to share news, events, promotions, tips, and more. Offers are special deals or discounts that you can create and display on your GMB profile to attract more customers. You can use posts and offers to keep your profile fresh and engaging, and to drive more traffic and calls to your business. You can also add a call to action button to your posts and offers, such as "Book now", "Call now", or "Learn more".


Respond to questions and messages

Questions are queries that people can ask about your business on your GMB profile. Messages are direct messages that people can send to you through your GMB profile. You can use questions and messages to interact with your prospects and customers, answer their inquiries, address their concerns, and provide them with more information. You can also use questions and messages to showcase your expertise, professionalism, and customer service.


Encourage and manage customer reviews

Reviews are feedback that customers can leave about your business on your GMB profile. Reviews can help you build trust and credibility with your prospects, as well as influence your rankings on Google. You can encourage customers to leave reviews by asking them politely after a class or a purchase, sending them a follow-up email or text with a link to your GMB profile, or using review stickers or cards that you can print from your GMB dashboard. You can also manage customer reviews by responding to them promptly and politely, thanking them for their positive feedback, or apologizing and resolving their negative issues.


How to Monitor and Analyze Your GMB Performance


The final step to using GMB for martial arts marketing is to monitor and analyze your GMB performance. This will help you measure your online presence and customer behavior, as well as identify areas of improvement and opportunities for growth. Here are some tools you can use to monitor and analyze your GMB performance:


Use GMB insights

Insights are statistics that show how people find and interact with your business on Google. You can access insights from your GMB dashboard or app, and see metrics such as views (how many times people saw your business on Google), searches (how many times people searched for your business or category on Google), actions (how many times people visited your website, called you, or requested directions from your profile), and queries (what keywords people used to find your business on/off Google). You can use insights to track customer interactions over time, and see which keywords are driving the most traffic to your profile.


Use Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a powerful tool for tracking website performance such as visits, pageviews, bounce rate, and more. With Google Analytics connected to your GMB profile, you can get detailed information about how people are interacting with your website from your GMB profile, and use this data to optimize your marketing efforts.


Use Social Media Analytics

Social media analytics can be used to track social media performance across multiple platforms. This includes metrics such as engagement (likes, shares, comments), reach (how many people saw your post or ad), and followers (how many people follow your profile). With social media analytics, you can identify trends in customer behavior and engagement over time, as well as measure the success of promotions or campaigns that are related to your GMB profile.


Using these tools together can help you gain valuable insights into how customers interact with your business on Google, and make informed decisions about how to optimize your GMB profile for maximum visibility. With the right strategies in place, you can make sure that your business stands out from the competition on Google and get more customers to come to you.


Leverage Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Techniques

Search engine optimization (SEO) is another helpful strategy for improving the visibility of your GMB profile. By optimizing your GMB for keywords related to your business, you can increase the chances of appearing in relevant search results. This will help customers find your business more easily and increase traffic to your website or storefront. Additionally, you should keep an eye out for new SEO trends and adjust your strategies accordingly to stay ahead of the competition.


Use Paid Ads

In addition to optimizing your GMB profile and leveraging SEO techniques, you can also use paid ads to reach more customers. Google Ads is a great way to place targeted ads across multiple platforms and increase the visibility of your business quickly. With the right strategies in place, you can effectively reach potential customers and increase traffic to your GMB profile.


Make Your GMB Profile Stand Out

Finally, make sure that your GMB profile stands out from the competition. Take time to customize your profile with eye-catching visuals and accurate information about your business. You should also take advantage of other features such as Q&A and reviews to build trust with potential customers. With a well-crafted GMB profile, you'll be able to attract more customers and get them to take action.


Take Advantage of Local Events

Another great way to increase the visibility of your GMB profile is by taking advantage of local events in your area. Whether it's a networking event or a community gathering, these types of events provide an excellent opportunity for businesses to meet face-to-face with potential customers and build relationships. If you're hosting an event or participating in one, don't forget to promote it on your GMB profile so that more people can find out about it.


Utilize Social Media

Social media is a great way to connect with current and potential customers, so make sure you use it wisely. Post updates about your business, share links to your GMB profile, and engage with customers online. This will help increase the visibility of your GMB profile and attract more customers in the long run.


Final Thoughts

Properly utilizing Google My Business can be a great asset for any business looking to increase their customer base. With the right strategies, you can build a strong GMB profile that attracts the right customers and drives more traffic to your website. Don't be afraid to get creative with your GMB profile and take advantage of all its features in order to stand out from the competition. Good luck!

By Nick Dougherty August 21, 2023
Step into the captivating world of martial arts, where it's more than just honing skills and staying fit. Martial arts is a close-knit community that champions causes and spreads the values and wonders of this art form. One exciting avenue to achieve these aspirations is through martial arts fundraising events. These events go beyond ordinary gatherings. They are extraordinary occasions that unite us to raise funds for various martial arts-related purposes. From acquiring new equipment to granting scholarships to talented students, from supporting charities to helping community members in need, these events make a significant impact. They also provide a valuable opportunity to showcase our martial arts school or service, highlighting the incredible talents of our participants and engaging potential customers. In this blog post, we will delve deep into the realm of martial arts fundraising events. We will guide you through planning and organizing a successful event, inspire you with unique and effective fundraising ideas, and show you how to promote your event in ways that resonate with your community. Moreover, we will explore the power of online media in amplifying exposure, provide insights on measuring and enhancing your fundraising results and marketing impact. By implementing these strategies, you will create an impactful martial arts fundraising event that not only generates funds but also strengthens your brand and fosters a sense of community. Let's make a difference together, fueled by the extraordinary power of martial arts! How to Plan and Organize a Successful Martial Arts Fundraising Event Pulling off a kick-ass martial arts fundraising event takes careful planning, smart decision-making, and nailing the execution. Check out these steps and tips to guide you through the process like a boss! Setting Goals and Budget for Your Event When it comes to organizing a successful event, the first step is to define your goal. What do you want to achieve with this event? Are you aiming to raise funds for new equipment, offer scholarships, or support a local charity? Having a clear objective will not only guide your planning but also help you assess your success. Next up, it's crucial to determine your budget. How much money do you need to raise, and how will you allocate these funds? It's important to keep track of all your expenses and income, including venue costs, materials, ticket sales, and donations. Having a detailed budget will help you effectively manage your finances and ensure the profitability of your event. By setting clear goals and having a well-defined budget, you can optimize your event planning process and improve its overall success. Selecting Your Target Audience and Ideal Venue Your target audience refers to the specific group of people you want to engage and attract to your event. This could include your students and their families, other martial arts schools, potential customers, or even the local community. Knowing your audience helps you customize your event to match their interests and needs. Another important aspect is choosing the right venue. You need a place that's big enough for your guests and activities, and easy to get to. Make sure it fits the style and theme of your event. Don't forget about practical stuff like parking, restrooms, and setting up equipment. It's all about making sure everything goes smoothly! Recruiting Participants and Volunteers for Your Event The success of your event heavily depends on the active participation of your students, staff, and incredible volunteers. Encourage their involvement through captivating demonstrations, performances, and competitions that showcase the talents and values of your school. Recruiting volunteers from your school, family, friends, and local community is crucial. Provide clear instructions and adequate training to ensure their seamless execution of every aspect, from setup to cleanup. By actively engaging everyone, your event will undoubtedly create a remarkable experience, leaving a positive and lasting impression on all attendees. Join us for an unforgettable event that celebrates our school's talents and values! Promote Your Event Promoting your event effectively is crucial for attracting supporters and attendees. Utilize various channels and strategies to spread the word. You can distribute flyers, create engaging social media posts, send informative email newsletters, issue press releases, and generate buzz! Emphasize the unique benefits and fun aspects of your event, such as martial arts demonstrations, incredible performances, charitable causes, and delicious food and games. By following these practical steps and helpful tips, you can plan and organize a successful martial arts fundraising event. Achieve your goals, engage your target audience, showcase your school, and connect with the community. Let's make it happen! How to Choose and Implement Creative and Effective Fundraising Ideas Selecting and implementing creative and impactful fundraising ideas is crucial for the success of your event. Consider these key criteria and factors when choosing and executing your fundraising strategies. Elevate your event's success with effective fundraising ideas. Relevance and Appeal Make sure your idea is in line with your school's mission, vision, and values. It should connect with your target audience and their interests, needs, and preferences. For instance, if your school emphasizes self-defense, organizing a fundraising event that promotes personal safety and empowerment would be highly relevant and attractive. Feasibility and Profitability When evaluating your idea, it's important to consider its feasibility in terms of time, resources, and skills. Assess whether you have the necessary support and capabilities to execute it successfully. Additionally, evaluate the potential profitability by estimating the revenue it can generate and comparing it to the expenses and effort required. Taking these factors into account will help you make informed decisions and maximize your chances of success. Innovation and Differentiation Select innovative and distinct ideas. Strive for originality, novelty, and uniqueness to captivate and engage your audience. Stand out from other fundraising initiatives by offering a compelling value proposition, highlighting competitive advantages, and delivering a one-of-a-kind experience. Optimize your event for SEO purposes by incorporating relevant keywords and phrases, ensuring readability and search engine visibility. Explore the below cutting-edge and innovative fundraising ideas specifically designed for martial arts schools. Exhibition Matches, Demonstrations, or Clinics Host special martial arts events, including matches, demos, and clinics, featuring skilled instructors and students showcasing their techniques. Invite participants and spectators to attend these exciting events, while charging reasonable admission fees. This innovative approach not only helps generate funds but also promotes your school's expertise, attracting potential students. Experience the thrill of martial arts at our engaging and educational showcases! Kick-a-thons, Board-breaking Contests, or Challenges Motivate your students and community members to take part in engaging activities like kick-a-thons and board-breaking contests. These physically demanding challenges offer an opportunity to collect pledges or donations based on their performance. By promoting physical fitness, discipline, and fundraising, this idea can make a significant impact on your cause. Get involved today! Dinners, Auctions, or Raffles Organize fundraising dinners, auctions, or raffles where guests can indulge in a delicious meal, bid on exclusive items or experiences, or buy raffle tickets for a shot at winning exciting prizes. This concept seamlessly blends food, entertainment, and the thrill of winning, making it an appealing choice for supporters. Discover how you can contribute to our cause through these captivating events! How to Promote Your Event and Reach Out to Your Community To successfully promote your martial arts fundraising event and connect with your community, it's crucial to increase awareness, attendance, and support. Here are some valuable tips to effectively promote your event and engage with your community: Utilize a variety of channels such as flyers, posters, banners, newsletters, emails, social media posts, and website announcements to spread the word about your event. Make sure your messages are clear, compelling, and visually appealing. Create a catchy slogan or hashtag that captures the purpose, value, or benefit of your event. This will help generate excitement and make it easier for people to remember and share information about your event on social media platforms. Highlight the positive impact and benefits of supporting your event by leveraging testimonials or success stories from previous events or participants. Personal stories can be incredibly powerful in inspiring others to get involved. Reach out to local businesses, organizations, media outlets, influencers, and community leaders who share your cause or target audience. Ask them to sponsor, endorse, or publicize your event through their networks. Building relationships with these stakeholders can significantly enhance your event's visibility and credibility. Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your promotional efforts. Make necessary adjustments to your strategies and leverage any feedback or insights gained to improve future events. By implementing these strategies, you can optimize the promotion of your martial arts fundraising event and ensure its success in connecting with your community. How to Leverage Online Media for Maximum Exposure By leveraging various online platforms like websites, blogs, podcasts, videos, and social media, you can effectively promote your event and reap numerous benefits. Let's explore some of the advantages that come with utilizing these digital avenues to amplify the reach of your event: Expanded Audience Reach Online media provides a platform to connect with a broader audience beyond your local area. It enables you to engage potential supporters interested in your martial arts school or cause, regardless of their geographic location. Enhance your reach and visibility through effective online strategies to attract and engage interested individuals. Join our martial arts community today! Engaging Content Creation Online media gives you a range of options to create captivating content that showcases your martial arts skills, talents, values, or stories. With blogs, videos, podcasts, and social media posts, you can engage your audience and get them excited about your event. Interaction and Engagement Online media platforms make it easy to directly interact with your audience before, during, and after the event. You can respond to comments, answer questions, and get valuable feedback, creating a real sense of community and connection. To maximize exposure for your martial arts fundraising event using online media, consider the following examples: Create a Dedicated Website Consider creating a dedicated website or landing page specifically for your event. If you happen to have my software, "Winterbourne Engage Software," you can even make your own landing page. Don't forget to include all the important details like the date, time, and location. It's also a good idea to mention your event goals, agenda, registration, and even options for donations. Oh, and one more thing - make sure to optimize the website so it can easily be found by search engines and get more visibility. Good luck! Craft Compelling Blog Posts or Podcast Episodes Want to create captivating content that shines a spotlight on the purpose, benefits, or impact of your event? Share it on your website and spread the word through social media and email campaigns. How about featuring guest bloggers or inviting influential podcast guests in the martial arts or fundraising realm? Let's make your event buzz with excitement! Capture the Event with Videos: Hey, why not record and edit some awesome videos to showcase all the highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and testimonials from participants and attendees? Then, let's upload these videos to platforms like YouTube and share them on social media. Oh, and don't forget to encourage participants to share the videos with their networks, so we can expand the reach of your event! Maximize the Potential of Social Media Maximize the potential of popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Share regular updates, captivating photos, engaging videos, or even captivating live streams to promote your event. Enhance visibility and audience interaction by incorporating relevant hashtags and tags. Consider leveraging targeted paid ads to expand your reach even further. Let's harness the power of social media together and ensure that your martial arts fundraising event achieves remarkable success! How to Measure and Improve Your Fundraising Results and Marketing Impact How to Measure and Improve Your Fundraising Results and Marketing Impact To ensure the success of your fundraising efforts, it is crucial to measure and enhance your results and marketing impact. Here are some key metrics, tools, and suggestions to consider: Metrics for Fundraising Results: Total Funds Raised: Measure the amount of money raised from your event. Compare it to your predetermined goal and budget to evaluate performance. Revenue and Expense Sources: Identify the sources of revenue (donations, sponsorships, ticket sales) and expenses (venue, supplies, marketing). Analyze their costs to pinpoint areas for improvement. Metrics for Marketing Impact: Reach and Exposure: Determine the number of people reached through your event. Track website traffic, social media engagement, and email campaign statistics to gauge your reach. Brand Awareness and Loyalty: Assess how your event increased brand awareness, reputation, and loyalty. Monitor social media mentions, follower growth, and feedback from attendees to understand the impact on your brand. Testimonials and Referrals: Collect feedback, testimonials, or referrals from customers or prospects. Analyze their quality and quantity to evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Suggestions for Improvement: Analyzing Data and Feedback for Fundraising Events To improve the effectiveness of your fundraising events, it's crucial to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your event. This can be done by reviewing data, attendee feedback, and customer testimonials. By doing so, you'll gain valuable insights that can help you identify opportunities and threats, which can inform your future strategies. Implementing Changes and Improvements Based on your analysis, it's important to make adjustments for your next event. Consider changes in marketing channels, messaging, event structure, or fundraising tactics to enhance results and make a greater impact. By continuously improving and adapting your strategies, you'll be able to optimize the outcomes of your fundraising events. Continuously Learning and Adapting To refine your strategies, it's essential to apply best practices and lessons learned from previous events. Stay updated on industry trends, explore new marketing tools, and understand your target audience's preferences. By staying proactive and adaptive, you'll be able to stay ahead in the competitive landscape. Measuring and Analyzing Results Measuring fundraising results and marketing impact is crucial for identifying areas for improvement and making informed decisions moving forward. By analyzing data and feedback, you can optimize your fundraising efforts and make necessary adjustments to achieve better outcomes. Putting it altogether In this blog post, we learned how to measure and improve fundraising results and marketing impact for martial arts schools. We explored metrics and tools for tracking funds raised, comparing them to goals and budgets, analyzing revenue sources and expenses, as well as measuring reach, brand awareness, and testimonials. Fundraising events offer numerous benefits for martial arts schools, including raising funds for equipment, programs, and community outreach. They also help increase brand awareness, reputation, and loyalty among attendees. To enhance your fundraising efforts, take action by analyzing your data and feedback, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and implementing changes or improvements for future events. Continuously learn from best practices and lessons learned, and adapt your strategies accordingly. If you have any further questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to leave a comment below.  Let's work together to make your fundraising events a resounding success!
Local partnerships in kids martial arts marketing
By Nick Dougherty August 18, 2023
Learn how to leverage local partnerships to increase the visibility, growth, and impact of your martial arts program. Discover the benefits, strategies, and best practices of building and maintaining successful relationships with local businesses and organizations.
Web design principles for kids martial arts
By Nick Dougherty August 16, 2023
Need help creating a website that engages, attracts and grows your kids martial arts school? I've put together an ultimate guide on web design principles tailored specifically for your needs. Learn the steps you need to take today!
Kids Martial Arts  Marketing
By Nick Dougherty August 14, 2023
Discover how to create a compelling unique selling proposition (USP) that sets your kids martial arts school apart and attracts more students.
sms compliance checklist
By Nick Dougherty August 11, 2023
Is your martial arts business up to date with the latest text message regulations? Find out what you need to know about SMS compliance in 2023 and get my checklist of tips, insights, and resources.
By Nick Dougherty July 24, 2023
Hey, glad you're here! Get ready to dive into the world of compelling offers in martial arts marketing with me. As a seasoned martial arts marketing guru, trust me when I say the right offer can work wonders for your studio. Whether you're aiming to attract students aged 34+, this journey will equip you with the strategies to transform your business like never before! Let's make those offers irresistible! The Power of Compelling Offers I still remember when I first discovered the magic of compelling offers. I was helping a friend market his struggling martial arts studio. We introduced a special offer, "Sign up today and get the first month free!" The result? A surge of new sign-ups that turned his business around. It was a real eye-opener for both of us. Compelling offers can do the same for your martial arts business. They're like magnets, drawing potential students to your dojo. And once they're in, they're much more likely to stick around. Understanding Your Audience Before we dive into creating an irresistible offer, it's crucial to understand who we're creating this offer for. If you're targeting folks aged 34+, they're probably not teenagers looking for after-school activities. They might be parents seeking a new hobby or professionals looking for a way to stay fit and relieve stress. To really hit the mark with your offers, you need to understand what your audience wants and needs. Take some time to chat with your existing students, or if you're just starting, talk to people in your target age group. What are their goals? What motivates them? Creating Your Offer Now, onto the fun part - crafting your offer. Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. Identify a Need From your audience research, identify a common need or desire. Let's say many of your students want to improve their fitness levels. 2. Craft Your Offer Create an offer that addresses this need. For example, "Join our martial arts class and drop a dress size in two months!" 3. Add a Sweetener To make your offer even more compelling, add a bonus. This could be a free uniform or a discount on their first month. Remember, your offer should be so good that potential students find it hard to resist. Promoting Your Offer Once you have a killer offer, it's time to get the word out. Start with offline strategies. Print some eye-catching flyers and distribute them in your local community. Attend local events and promote your offer. Don't forget online promotion. Even if you're not tech-savvy, basic social media promotion is easy and effective. Post about your offer on your Facebook page. Send an email to your mailing list. Ask your students to share your offer with their friends and family. Converting Prospects into Customers Having a compelling offer is one thing. Converting prospects into customers is another. Here's where follow-up comes in. If someone shows interest in your offer, don't just sit back and wait. Reach out, answer their questions, and encourage them to sign up. Evaluating Your Offer's Success Finally, don't forget to assess how your offer is performing. Are you seeing an increase in sign-ups? Are new students sticking around after the initial offer period? If something isn't working, don't be afraid to tweak your offer and try again. Conclusion So there you have it, my friend. The power of compelling offers in martial arts marketing. With the right offer, you can attract more students to your dojo and watch your business grow. Now it's your turn to create your own irresistible offer. I can't wait to hear about your success! This article should be around 1500 words, give or take. Remember, the key is to keep your tone casual and friendly, and always focus on providing practical, actionable advice. Good luck!