Originally Posted by
wmuromoto
I'm usually not one to post much, but I was quite taken by the photos of your dojo. It's quite beautifully and tastefully done. I wish you well.
I'm also not the best person to ask about gaining students. I have very few of my own and nobody should follow my example of publicizing a dojo if they want to break even or get into the black. However, I do recall finding my way to a tai chi teacher because I heard her on an interview at our local Public Radio station. It was free publicity for her and if you can wrangle it (offer up a unique angle, maybe your concept of traditionalism in the face of overwhelming commercialism, the beauty and tradition of your dojo, etc.), you might get some students. I listened to the tai chi teacher and was fascinated by her laughter and her personal stories about how she started and what tai chi meant to her. Soon after, I joined up!
Also try posting flyers at the local colleges and Universities, the nearby Whole Food outlet (stressing again your traditionalism and dojo architecture...Gads, it's beautiful). All, as another poster said, "guerrilla marketing."
Accentuate what makes you different from the usual run-of-the-mill martial arts school, in a positive way. And good luck.
Wayne Muromoto