Social media can feel overwhelming (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and on and on). In 2020, however, social media is a necessity for any business, including martial arts gyms. Social media not only helps you gain new members, but it can help increase membership retention and satisfaction by increasing the sense of community. If you’re opening a gym or just beginning your social media journey for your facility, we have five simple steps to get you started.
#1: Create a Facebook Page
Facebook is one of the tried and true social media platforms, and a solid one for businesses. You’ll need to have a personal Facebook page to create a business one. There are tutorials online to walk you through setting up your page; HERE is one of the many available. Even the most simple Facebook business page should have your business’s name, address, phone number, and schedule, as well as a link to your website.
#2: Create an Instagram Profile
Instagram is another social media platform that can help you showcase your gym, coaches, and students. HERE is a simple tutorial for setting up an Instagram business profile. Again, the profile should contain your contact information and a link to your website. Once you’ve created your profile, be sure to let your students know so that they can tag your facility in photos they post at the gym. You’ll gain more exposure as your students tag your Instagram and Facebook profiles, and you’ll be able to repost their photos as well.
#3: Familiarize Yourself with The Basics
There are several terms that will help you learn more about social media. A hashtag is a way to bring your post more views from interested users. For example, posting a photo of your jiu jitsu students and using #jiujitsu will allow users who are interested in jiu jitsu to find you. A tag allows someone to post a photo and add other Instagram or Facebook profile to their post. For example, your students can tag you in their photos at the gym. A repost (on Instagram) or a share (on Facebook) is just what it sounds like, a way for someone to post your photo/post on their profile. Go HERE for more social media terms.
#4: Learn about Stories
As if profiles weren’t enough to figure out, now you need to do stories? Stories are mini posts that can be shared on Instagram or Facebook (as well as Snapchat and other apps). These are often more casual, spontaneous photos or videos of things the user is doing at the moment. Stories are a great place to post about a class going on at the gym at the moment, or when you’re at an event with your students. Learn more HERE.
#5: Commit To A Number
Many websites will advise you to set up a content calendar and plan out your social media posts. That can seem incredibly intimidating at first, so, instead, try committing only to a number. Maybe you want to start out with two posts a week. Great! Once you feel more comfortable, commit to three a week, and go from there. When you’re starting out in social media, anything you post is one more post than you were doing before!
Social media can seem intimidating, but it’s a great way to increase your gym’s visibility, attract new students, and retain the ones you have. Start slow, go easy, and take it from there!