Generally speaking, there are a number of ways to promote a martial art. Things have changed in the last thirty years or so in the martial arts. There was no internet available to get the message out about your studio. That has changed dramatically.
Back then….one of the ways GGM Al Tracy pushed the system was by developing the best tournament team possible. Tournaments were important not only for the competitors, but for the spectators, whose friends and relatives came to view. If your students were exceptional, people would take notice and consider studying at your studio. Also picking the right location and signage was important, as well as the Yellow Pages and newspaper ads for drawing possible students your way.
We know the Yellow Pages is not in existence and newspaper ads are not fruitful these days. Facebook and the rest of the media sources took the place of many other forms of promoting your art/studio. U-Tube and Tik Tok are current ways of promoting.
There are other current ways of promoting your art/studio. Seminars, demonstrations and community fairs can highlight your art and skills. Working with your community by volunteering with various organizations and the local police can promote the system and show the quality of the system. This gives many opportunities with local officials to get the quality of your art out to many who might never had the chance to experience what you have to offer.
The curriculum will promote itself if demonstrated with honor and skill.
Over the years, there were a number of things we did to promote the Tracy System. The many types of competition we utilized were developing a kickboxing team, having competitors in the bare knuckles Shidokan tournaments, grapplers, modern day Lei Tai competition, and regular karate tournaments. We also competed in Synchronized kata team divisions, Musical kata divisions, Empty Hand, Weapon and Self Defense Team divisions as well as in point fighting. GGM Al Tracy approved of and encouraged our students to compete at their top level and skill.
We also worked with Girl Scout Troops as a community service and local civil defense members as a promotional opportunity for them to spread the word about the Tracy Systems and your studios. We have written numerous magazine articles about GGM Al Tracy and the benefits and strengths of the Tracy System as well as being written up in newspaper articles which highlighted the system and our studios. A few cable talk shows featured us on their programs. There were opportunities to work with local charities for troubled youth, demonstrations for many health fairs and summer fests. All of these things helped to get the word out what the benefits were and how well the system worked for men, women and children.
Another good way we promoted the studio/system, was to purchase vehicles such as vans and trucks to be used as moving billboards which advertised where we were located and how to contact us. It worked!
We need to thank all of our black belts and students who devoted their time and talents for many years to promote the system!
Below are some of the magazines Rebecca wrote articles in to promote GGM Al Tracy and his System of Kenpo Karate.
