Patrick

Welcome aboard.

No problem. Glad it helped. I agree with what NewEnglands_KyoSa just said. Ideally, I'd tailor the conversation around them and not so much around what you think they may need to know. In other words, answer their questions and don't seem like there are points that have to be made. If they have specific goals they are looking to accomplish and they want to ask you about them, they will. For example, they may ask, "I'm looking to defend myself. Can you do that?" or "I'm looking for a good art for my 8 year old - is your art good for kids?" And then that will give you an opportunity to share with them more about your school. But, when you do it without them prompting you, you risk coming across as forceful or pushy. So, I'd just let them ask the questions. If they only ask about pricing, after giving them their answer, you could simply say that if they have any questions, they are welcome to ask you. So, for example: You: Hello, this is . Them: Hi, I was wondering: what are your rates? You: Our rates are this for this, this for this and this for this. We teach and if you have any questions about it, please feel free to ask me. (I would probably have the pricing part scripted, at least casually, to ensure that it is both 100% complete (no hidden fees) and as short as it can be. If your rate system is so complicated that you have more than 5 different rates or so, I'd just say "We have a number of different programs. Could you tell me a bit about the person who would be attending?" or something like that. But, keep it as short as you can, really). And, at this point, they'll probably either thank you and say good bye or they will ask a question. But, by placing them in control of the call (or, at least, perceived control), you'll probably be more likely to put them at ease. I'd say the most important things are to speak slowly, kindly and be receptive to what they say, rather than trying to pull information out of them unprompted. Just my thoughts. Good luck. Patrick

Unless you were the only game in town/the only game in town I was interested in (i.e. if I was insistent upon a certain martial art and you were the only one offering it), I would be skeptical that approach and of coming to your location to find out what the price was. So, for better or for worse, I'd just tell them the price, even if you aren't the cheapest. If people are going to go for the cheapest, they are going to do it, anyway. They may just be asking the price to see if you fit into their budget. Most people who love the martial arts can't spend endless amounts of money on it, so everyone has a budget, big or small. But, at least if you tell them your price, you're still in the running. If you need to ask a question to get the right price, you could do that "Is this for an individual membership or a family membership?" (that sort of thing). But, like Brian alluded to, most people expect to be able to get pricing information over the phone for this sort of thing. Just like I would expect any form of teaching, instruction, education, recreation or professional service to be able to tell me what their rates were, over the phone (or, at least, for them to send me the information via regular mail or the internet), I'd expect the same of a martial arts club/school. Good luck. Patrick

Thanks for the kind words. Glad to have you.

No problem. Glad to hear it. Patrick

Welcome aboard. Glad to have you.

Welcome.

Welcome. I don't have loyalty to a particular brand, but right now, I'm using Colgate MaxFresh Spearmint Burst.

heh, yeah, that's pretty awesome, too.

Welcome.

Yeah, that's pretty cool.

That's awesome.

Good luck.

I'm glad to hear it. Thanks, Patrick

Hello, KarateForums.com recognizes one member every month as the Member of the Month for their positive contributions to this community. The February 2008 selection is... NewEnglands_KyoSa. Congratulations!

We removed a couple of posts from this thread in error. They are quoted below. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks. That is the wrong thing that you did , martial arts is for defence only and should only be used in the last case scenario. stupid move.

Welcome to KF.

Welcome aboard. Glad to have you. Patrick

Congrats.

Welcome to the site! Thanks for the kind words. Patrick

Welcome.

Congrats.

Welcome.

Welcome aboard.

Thanks all.