Black Friday seems to creep up faster every year and parents are already expecting to see offers pop up. For martial arts clubs, it can be a simple way to bring in a bit of extra income before Christmas, clear some space in the stock cupboard and give people an easy reason to buy. You do not need a huge campaign to make it work. A clear offer, shared in a few places, is enough.
A lot of clubs shy away from Black Friday because it sounds complicated, but it really isn’t. People are already in that ‘treat yourself’ mood, so even a small discount or a simple bundle can get attention. Think of it as giving your community something useful at the right time rather than running a big retail-style sale.
There are plenty of offers you can put together without much effort. A discount code like BLACKFRIDAY15 is an easy starting point and works well for things like gloves, uniforms or starter kits. You can create bundles that feel good value, such as a uniform plus gloves, or a family themed pack if you have lots of parents training with their children. Gift style class passes are popular too as people start thinking about Christmas presents. Whatever you choose, just keep an eye on your margins so the offer still works for you.
If you run a ProShop, setting this up is quick. Add your discount code (watch the video below to see how), pick the products or bundles, upload your images and check your stock levels. Once you’re happy with everything, set a clear finish date so people know when the offer ends. This can all be done in a few minutes and you can use the ready-made graphics from the toolkit to help.
Once your offer is live, make sure everyone knows about it. A couple of social posts, a short email and a reminder in class will go a long way. Adding Black Friday graphics to your website helps people spot the deal straight away. Keep your messaging clear and avoid giving people too many options. One or two well presented offers usually perform better than a long list.
It is always worth keeping the stress levels low. Pick an offer you can manage easily, keep your wording simple and stick with one code. Avoid changing your prices halfway through and plan roughly when you will talk about it. This time of year is already busy for most clubs, so treat Black Friday as a small add on rather than something that takes over your week.
Once Black Friday is over, take a few minutes to look at what sold best. Some of those bundles might be perfect to reuse in December or January. Keeping your ProShop updated with your most popular items will help throughout the year. If anyone bought a beginners bundle or a class pass, give them a friendly follow up so they start strong with you.
Feel free to adapt these ideas in a way that suits your club. A little preparation now can help you finish the year on a high.