The Secret to Growing Your BJJ School: Master the 3 R’s with Martial Arts School Software

Running a BJJ school isn’t just about teaching arm bars and sweeps—it’s about building a thriving community of students who are passionate about the art. But between managing memberships, keeping students engaged, and growing your reputation, it can sometimes feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. 

That’s where automation comes in. With the right tools, you can streamline your operations, save time, and focus on what matters most: your students. The secret lies in mastering the 3 R’s—Reactivation, Referrals, and Reviews. 

In this blog, we’ll show you how Zen Planner Engage, a leading martial arts school software, helps you leverage these 3 R’s to grow your BJJ school effortlessly. From re-engaging inactive members to boosting referrals and collecting glowing reviews, these workflows are designed to help your school thrive. Let’s dive in! 

Reactivation: Bringing Former Members Back to the Mat 

Every gym owner has experienced it: a student cancels their membership and walks away. But here’s the thing—just because someone left doesn’t mean they’re gone for good. Life changes, priorities shift, and many former members are just waiting for the right reason to come back. With Zen Planner Engage, reactivating these former students becomes a seamless process. 

Why Reactivation Matters 

Former members are already familiar with your gym, your teaching style, and your community. They’ve rolled on your mats before, and you know they’re interested in training. By reaching out with the right message at the right time, you can bring them back without starting from scratch. 

How Zen Planner Engage Helps 

Zen Planner Engage simplifies reconnecting with former members by automating personalized outreach campaigns. The system ensures your messages feel authentic and timely, helping you reestablish trust and spark their interest in returning. 

Example Workflow: A Win-Back Campaign for Cancelled Members 

Here’s how to re-engage your former students: 

1. Step 1: Zen Planner Engage identifies former members whose memberships were cancelled 3-6 months ago. 

1. Step 2: Send an automated message that’s warm and inviting, like: 

1. “Hi [First Name], we’ve been thinking about your time with us and would love to have you back! Rejoin this month and enjoy your first month free—our mats miss you!” 

1. Step 3: Follow up with a second touchpoint if there’s no response: 

1. “Hey [First Name], just a quick reminder—we’d be thrilled to see you back on the mats. Let us know if you’re ready to return!” 

The Results? Rekindled Relationships 

With automation doing the heavy lifting, you can focus on welcoming former members back into the fold. Reactivating just a fraction of your past students can have a huge impact on your gym’s growth—and it’s far more cost-effective than finding brand-new members. 

Referrals: Turn Your Members into Recruiters 

Ask any successful BJJ school owner about their best marketing tool, and they’ll likely say it’s their members. Your students already love your school—they train, bond, and grow there. So why not let them spread the word? Referrals are a powerful (and cost-effective) way to grow your school, and Zen Planner Engage makes it easy to turn members into your biggest advocates. 

Why Referrals Matter 

When someone hears about your school from a friend, they’re more likely to trust you and give it a try. Referrals not only bring in new students, but they also help build a tight-knit community that keeps everyone motivated. 

How Zen Planner Engage Helps 

Zen Planner Engage takes the guesswork out of running a referral program. It allows you to: 

• Automate referral campaigns, so members know exactly what rewards are available. 

• Track referrals, ensuring you can easily credit both the referrer and the new student. 

• Build excitement with automated messages that prompt members to invite their friends. 

Example Workflow: A Referral Campaign Made Simple 

Here’s how it works: 

1. Step 1: Set up a referral incentive in Zen Planner Engage, like “Refer a friend and both of you get 10% off next month’s membership.” 

1. Step 2: Send an automated message to members: 

1. “Know someone who’d love to train with us? Invite them to join, and you’ll both score 10% off next month! Click here to share.” 

1. Step 3: Zen Planner Engage tracks the referral process, ensuring rewards are applied seamlessly. 

The Results? More Students with Minimal Effort 

With a steady stream of referrals, your school will grow organically, bringing in people who are already primed to love what you offer. Plus, automation means you don’t have to spend hours manually tracking who referred whom. It’s a win-win for you and your community! 

Reviews: Build a Reputation That Fills Classes 

These days, your online reputation can make or break your BJJ school. Potential students almost always check reviews before stepping foot on the mat. A strong presence on platforms like Google and Facebook tells people, “This is the place to train.” But let’s be real: getting members to leave reviews can feel like pulling teeth—unless you’re using Zen Planner Engage. 

Why Reviews Matter 

Your students already love training at your school, but their glowing opinions don’t help much if they’re not shared. Positive reviews: 

• Attract new students who trust peer recommendations. 

• Boost your school’s visibility in local search results. 

• Showcase the supportive community you’ve built. 

How Zen Planner Engage Helps 

Zen Planner Engage simplifies the process of gathering reviews. It allows you to: 

• Automate review requests at just the right moment, like after a great class or event. 

• Include direct links to review platforms so members can leave feedback with just a click. 

• Send follow-up reminders, ensuring you don’t miss out on potential reviews. 

Example Workflow: A Review Campaign in Action 

Here’s how it works: 

1. Step 1: After a student completes a class or hits a milestone (like their first stripe or belt promotion), Zen Planner Engage sends an automated message: 

1. “Congrats on crushing it in class today, [First Name]! We’d love it if you could share your experience with others. Click here to leave a review on Google!” 

1. Step 2: Members click the link and leave their feedback. 

1. Step 3: If no action is taken, Zen Planner Engage sends a friendly follow-up reminder. 

The Results? A Stellar Online Presence 

With consistent, positive reviews rolling in, your school’s reputation will soar. Prospective students will see your glowing feedback, and your classes will start filling up faster than ever—all without you lifting a finger. 

Why Zen Planner Engage is the Ultimate Growth Partner 

The 3 R’s—Reactivation, Referrals, and Reviews—are powerful on their own. But when combined and automated, they become unstoppable. That’s where Zen Planner Engage shines, offering martial arts schools a simple yet effective way to drive growth without adding more to your plate. 

Save Time While Staying Organized 

As a BJJ school owner, your focus should be on building a strong community and coaching your students—not juggling spreadsheets and manually tracking emails. Zen Planner Engage handles all the heavy lifting: 

• It automates communication, so your outreach always feels personal yet effortless. 

• It tracks everything—attendance, referrals, reviews—all in one place, so nothing falls through the cracks. 

Consistency That Builds Trust 

One of the hardest parts of running a gym is staying consistent with follow-ups and campaigns. Zen Planner Engage ensures your workflows run smoothly, even on your busiest days. 

Data-Driven Results 

Zen Planner Engage doesn’t just automate; it helps you track and measure success. You’ll know exactly: 

• How many members reactivated through your campaigns. 

• Which referral incentives bring in the most new students. 

• How many glowing reviews are boosting your online presence. 

Your Secret Weapon for Growth 

By automating the 3 R’s with Zen Planner Engage, you’re not just saving time—you’re creating a scalable system for growth. 

Reactivation, Referrals, and Reviews: These 3 R’s are the secret to growing your BJJ school. With Zen Planner Engage, you’ll save time, stay organized, and build a reputation that attracts new students while retaining the ones you already have. 

Ready to see how Zen Planner Engage can transform your gym? 

Book a demo today and let’s take your BJJ school to the next level!