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đŸ—“ïž How to Guarantee Your Appointment Calendar Stays Empty

(Or... what NOT to do if you actually want a thriving school)

Author

Adam Kifer
March 25, 2025

Hello, kickers!

🚀 The Kick is Here! This Week is All About Going ALL IN

If you’ve been showing up halfway—on your marketing, your follow-ups, or your leadership—this week’s edition is your sign to stop playing it safe. Our feature article, How to Guarantee Your Appointment Calendar Stays Empty, breaks down the 5 habits that quietly kill growth—and what to do instead to build serious momentum.

We’re also sharing hard-hitting lessons in What’s Kickin’ on Social, with insights from Jason Wilson, Kelly Murray, Ron Sell, Matthew Brenner, and Chris Williamson, plus a dose of fun with this week’s Martial Memes. And if you’re ready to double down on your mission, don’t miss our book pick: The Power of Going All In by Brandon Bornancin—because winning in this business isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about committing fully.

Let’s get to it. đŸ‘ŠđŸ”„

đŸ—“ïž How to Guarantee Your Appointment Calendar Stays Empty

(Or
 what NOT to do if you actually want a thriving school)

Let’s be real—there’s no shortage of school owners wondering why their calendars aren’t full, why leads are ghosting, or why enrollments are falling flat. If you want to guarantee your calendar stays empty and your business plateaus, just follow these five “strategies”


If you're ready to actually grow, here’s what to stop doing—and what to do instead:

1. Sit Back and Wait for Leads to Roll In

“You’re running ads, so the leads will come, right?”
Wrong.

Relying solely on paid ads means your school’s growth is entirely in the hands of a third-party platform. That’s like trying to fill a bucket with a single leaky faucet. Ads are just a drip—not the main source.

If you want real momentum, you have to get outside and hustle. Build relationships with other local businesses, show up at community events, and get into schools. Be everywhere. Be visible.

2. Rely on Automated Emails and Texts to Convert Leads

Automation is a tool, not a strategy. If you’re avoiding the phone, you're leaving enrollments on the table.

The first 5 minutes after a lead comes in is gold. Call them immediately. Then, over the next 48 hours, call at least 3x per day. Sound aggressive? It’s not—it’s professional follow-up. They asked for info. Don’t ghost them.

Here’s proof: Two weeks ago, we enrolled a child whose parent originally reached out a year and a half ago. We never stopped following up. If they haven’t told you no, assume it’s still yes.

3. Don’t Set Daily Goals or Track Your Numbers

You say your goal is 20 enrollments this month—but how do you know if you’re on track?

If you’re not setting daily goals and tracking your KPIs, you’re flying blind. Here’s what we track every single day:

  • Outgoing Calls

  • Leads

  • Appointments

  • Enrollments

  • Revenue

When we miss a daily goal, it rolls to the next day. Simple. Focused. Accountable. If you’re not watching your numbers, you’re not running a business—you’re playing a guessing game.

4. Say Things Like “That Doesn’t Work Here”

This one’s a killer: “That doesn’t work in my town.”
It usually means one of two things:

  • You’re missing key pieces of the process

  • You’ve got the wrong person trying to implement it

If another school has proven a strategy works, chances are, you just haven’t nailed the execution yet. I’ve had school owners in my own area tell me a certain strategy “doesn’t work here”
 but I know it does, because we’re running it—and it’s crushing.

5. Stay Totally Hands-Off, No Matter What

Business freedom is earned. And too many owners chase the dream of stepping back before the business is ready.

I’ve had seasons where I was able to step out and let the team run everything. But I’ve also had seasons—like this one—where I jumped right back in. The last two weekends, I worked 20–30 hours at a booth for our school. Our calendar has been so packed that I’ve stepped in to help with first lessons, ensuring every new student still gets an amazing experience.

Freedom comes from profit, people, and systems. Until those three things are strong, stay in the fight.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing fancy here. No secret sauce. No shiny object.

Just the boring, consistent work that actually grows schools. The calls. The tracking. The discipline. The mindset.

The top school owners do these things without fail.
If you’re not where you want to be—start here.

✅ Call leads like a pro
✅ Track your numbers daily
✅ Get into the community
✅ Roleplay like it matters (because it does)
✅ Don’t check out—lead from the front when it counts

You want a full calendar? Earn it. Every day. đŸ‘ŠđŸ”„

What’s Kickin’ on Social This WeekđŸ”„

The Kick’s pick of the hottest headlines in social this week:

This week’s social feed is filled with wisdom, perspective, and straight-up truth that every martial arts school owner needs to hear. These posts will challenge how you think, how you lead, and how you grow.

đŸ”„ Jason Wilson – Never Lower Yourself to Fit In
Powerful reminder: You weren’t made to blend in—you were built to lead. Jason speaks on maintaining character and standards, even when it’s uncomfortable.
👉 Watch Here (Facebook Reel)

đŸ”„ Kelly Murray – You Don’t Rise to the Level of Your Goals
Kelly delivers a truth bomb: You rise or fall to the level of your training and preparation. Set goals all you want—but if your habits don’t back them, you’re not going anywhere.
👉 Read Here (Facebook Post)

đŸ”„ Ron Sell – Do Stuff That Matters
Ron keeps it simple: Cut the fluff. If you’re spending time on things that don’t create impact, it’s time to refocus and do the things that actually matter.
👉 Read Here (Facebook Post)

đŸ”„ Matthew Brenner – How Much Money Should Martial Arts Schools Make?
Let’s talk numbers. Matthew breaks down the real revenue potential of martial arts schools—and how to make sure you’re not leaving money (or impact) on the table.
👉 Read Here (Facebook Post)

đŸ”„ Chris Williamson – The Painful Reality of Unteachable Lessons
Some lessons you just have to learn the hard way. Chris shares the brutal truth about failure, growth, and why some lessons only stick through experience.
👉 Watch Here (Facebook Reel)

đŸ”„ Check out these posts, apply what hits home, and bring the fire back to your team this week! đŸ’ȘđŸ”„ 

😂 Martial Memes

These memes hit home for all of us martial artists and gave us a good chuckle. Click on the image to view the original account that posted each meme. Enjoy!

Have a MEME that you want feaured? Send them to us at [email protected] or tag our instagram account @thekicknewsletter.

📖 What We’re Reading: The Power of Going All In by Brandon Bornancin

If you’ve ever felt stuck between playing it safe and going after what you really want—this book is your sign to go all in. In The Power of Going All In, Brandon Bornancin lays out what it takes to stop hesitating, commit fully, and take bold action in your business and life.

For martial arts school owners, this book is a wake-up call to stop dabbling and start showing up with full energy, purpose, and focus.

Key Takeaways for School Owners:

✅ Half-effort gets half-results – Whether it’s marketing, team development, or community outreach, if you’re holding back, your school feels it.

✅ Success comes from obsession, not balance – When you go all in on your mission, people notice. Students stay longer, your team performs better, and your brand grows stronger.

✅ Clarity + Commitment = Momentum – The clearer you are on your goals—and the more committed you are to taking action—the faster your results stack up.

This book is a must-read if you're ready to stop playing defense and start leading like the future of your school depends on it—because it does.

📚 Grab your copy here: The Power of Going All In on Amazon

What’s one area of your business you’re ready to go all in on this month? đŸ‘ŠđŸ”„ #TheKick #MartialArtsBusiness #AllInMindset

📬 Have Something That Is Kick Worthy?

We know our readers have great ideas, insights, and stories to share! If you’ve got something that’s "kick-worthy"—whether it’s a success story, a marketing tip, or something that’s helping your school thrive—submit it to us at [email protected]. Your content could be featured in an upcoming edition of The Kick and shared with martial arts school owners around the world!

đŸ”„ That’s a Wrap for This Week!

Whether it’s following up with leads, showing up in your community, or leading your team with purpose—half-effort won’t cut it. Success comes when you go all in on the boring, consistent actions that drive real results.

Keep dialing in the habits that matter, keep leveling up your mindset, and most importantly, keep showing up for your school like the future depends on it—because it does. Until next week—stay focused, stay relentless, and keep kicking it forward. đŸ‘ŠđŸ”„ #TheKick