Google My Business: Boost Visibility & Attract Customers

A calculator , money , and wooden blocks with the words `` google my business '' written on a piece of paper.

If you're a martial arts business owner, you probably know how important it is to have a strong online presence. After all, most of your potential customers are searching for martial arts classes and schools on the internet, and you want to make sure they find you and choose you over your competitors.

But how do you achieve that? How do you stand out from the crowd and attract more leads and conversions online?

One of the most effective and affordable ways to do that is by using Google My Business (GMB).

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to create and manage your business profile on Google. It helps you showcase your business information, photos, reviews, and offers across Google Search and Maps, making it easier for people to discover and contact you.

Why is Google My Business important for martial arts marketing?

Using Google My Business can help you grow your martial arts business in many ways, such as:

Increasing your online visibility

By creating and optimizing your GMB profile, you can improve your chances of ranking higher on Google for relevant keywords and phrases related to your martial arts business. This can help you reach more people who are looking for what you offer in your area.

Attracting local customers

By displaying your business name, address, phone number, website, and directions on Google, you can make it convenient for people to find and visit your location. You can also use GMB to show your hours of operation, service areas, and COVID-19 updates, so people know when and how to reach you.

Showcasing your services and reviews

By adding photos, videos, posts, and offers to your GMB profile, you can highlight your unique selling proposition and value proposition. You can also use GMB to showcase your customer reviews, which can help you build trust and credibility with your prospects. Reviews can also influence your rankings on Google, as they are a signal of your popularity and reputation.

The goal of this article is to help you set up and optimize your GMB profile to grow your martial arts business. We'll walk you through the steps and tips you need to follow to create a stunning and effective GMB profile that will help you attract more customers and conversions online.

How to Set Up Your Google My Business (GMB) Profile

The first step to using GMB for martial arts marketing is to create and verify your GMB profile. Here's how to do it:

1. Go to google.com/business and sign in with your Google account. If you don't have one, create one for free.

2. Click on "Manage now" and enter your business name. If your business already exists on Google, select it from the list. If not, click on "Add your business to Google".

3. Choose the category that best describes your business. For example, you can choose "Martial Arts School", "Karate School", or "Jiu Jitsu School". You can also add more categories later if needed.

4. Enter your business address and mark it on the map. If you don't have a physical location or serve customers at their locations, check the box that says "I deliver goods and services to my customers". You can then specify your service areas by city, postal code, or radius.

5. Enter your phone number and website URL. If you don't have a website, you can create one for free with Google.

6. Choose a verification option. You can verify your business by phone, email, postcard, or instant verification. Follow the instructions provided by Google to complete the verification process.

7. Add more information and photos to your profile. You can add details such as your hours of operation, business description, attributes (such as wheelchair accessible or women-led), products, services, and more. You can also upload photos of your location, staff, classes, events, and logo.

When choosing the categories, keywords, and service areas for your martial arts business, make sure they are relevant and specific to what you offer. For example, if you specialize in Brazilian jiu jitsu for kids in Rocklin CA, use those terms in your profile. This will help you rank better for those terms on Google and attract more qualified leads.

When writing your business description, make sure it is clear, concise, and compelling. Highlight what makes your martial arts business unique and different from others. What are the benefits of choosing you over others? What are the values and mission of your business? What are the credentials and achievements of your instructors? Use these questions as a guide to craft a powerful description that will persuade people to contact you.

How to Optimize Your Google My Business Profile

Once you have created and verified your GMB profile, the next step is to optimize it for better rankings and conversions. Here are some ways to do that:

Update your information regularly

Make sure your information is accurate and up-to-date at all times. If you change your address, phone number, website, hours, or services, update them on your GMB profile as soon as possible. This will help you avoid confusing or losing customers and maintain your credibility on Google.

Add posts and offers

Posts are short updates that you can add to your GMB profile to share news, events, promotions, tips, and more. Offers are special deals or discounts that you can create and display on your GMB profile to attract more customers. You can use posts and offers to keep your profile fresh and engaging, and to drive more traffic and calls to your business. You can also add a call to action button to your posts and offers, such as "Book now", "Call now", or "Learn more".

Respond to questions and messages

Questions are queries that people can ask about your business on your GMB profile. Messages are direct messages that people can send to you through your GMB profile. You can use questions and messages to interact with your prospects and customers, answer their inquiries, address their concerns, and provide them with more information. You can also use questions and messages to showcase your expertise, professionalism, and customer service.

Encourage and manage customer reviews

Reviews are feedback that customers can leave about your business on your GMB profile. Reviews can help you build trust and credibility with your prospects, as well as influence your rankings on Google. You can encourage customers to leave reviews by asking them politely after a class or a purchase, sending them a follow-up email or text with a link to your GMB profile, or using review stickers or cards that you can print from your GMB dashboard. You can also manage customer reviews by responding to them promptly and politely, thanking them for their positive feedback, or apologizing and resolving their negative issues.

How to Monitor and Analyze Your GMB Performance

The final step to using GMB for martial arts marketing is to monitor and analyze your GMB performance. This will help you measure your online presence and customer behavior, as well as identify areas of improvement and opportunities for growth. Here are some tools you can use to monitor and analyze your GMB performance:

Use GMB insights

Insights are statistics that show how people find and interact with your business on Google. You can access insights from your GMB dashboard or app, and see metrics such as views (how many times people saw your business on Google), searches (how many times people searched for your business or category on Google), actions (how many times people visited your website, called you, or requested directions from your profile), and queries (what keywords people used to find your business on/off Google). You can use insights to track customer interactions over time, and see which keywords are driving the most traffic to your profile.

Use Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a powerful tool for tracking website performance such as visits, pageviews, bounce rate, and more. With Google Analytics connected to your GMB profile, you can get detailed information about how people are interacting with your website from your GMB profile, and use this data to optimize your marketing efforts.

Use Social Media Analytics

Social media analytics can be used to track social media performance across multiple platforms. This includes metrics such as engagement (likes, shares, comments), reach (how many people saw your post or ad), and followers (how many people follow your profile). With social media analytics, you can identify trends in customer behavior and engagement over time, as well as measure the success of promotions or campaigns that are related to your GMB profile.

Using these tools together can help you gain valuable insights into how customers interact with your business on Google, and make informed decisions about how to optimize your GMB profile for maximum visibility. With the right strategies in place, you can make sure that your business stands out from the competition on Google and get more customers to come to you.

Leverage Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Techniques

Search engine optimization (SEO) is another helpful strategy for improving the visibility of your GMB profile. By optimizing your GMB for keywords related to your business, you can increase the chances of appearing in relevant search results. This will help customers find your business more easily and increase traffic to your website or storefront. Additionally, you should keep an eye out for new SEO trends and adjust your strategies accordingly to stay ahead of the competition.

Use Paid Ads

In addition to optimizing your GMB profile and leveraging SEO techniques, you can also use paid ads to reach more customers. Google Ads is a great way to place targeted ads across multiple platforms and increase the visibility of your business quickly. With the right strategies in place, you can effectively reach potential customers and increase traffic to your GMB profile.

Make Your GMB Profile Stand Out

Finally, make sure that your GMB profile stands out from the competition. Take time to customize your profile with eye-catching visuals and accurate information about your business. You should also take advantage of other features such as Q&A and reviews to build trust with potential customers. With a well-crafted GMB profile, you'll be able to attract more customers and get them to take action.

Take Advantage of Local Events

Another great way to increase the visibility of your GMB profile is by taking advantage of local events in your area. Whether it's a networking event or a community gathering, these types of events provide an excellent opportunity for businesses to meet face-to-face with potential customers and build relationships. If you're hosting an event or participating in one, don't forget to promote it on your GMB profile so that more people can find out about it.

Utilize Social Media

Social media is a great way to connect with current and potential customers, so make sure you use it wisely. Post updates about your business, share links to your GMB profile, and engage with customers online. This will help increase the visibility of your GMB profile and attract more customers in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Properly utilizing Google My Business can be a great asset for any business looking to increase their customer base. With the right strategies, you can build a strong GMB profile that attracts the right customers and drives more traffic to your website. Don't be afraid to get creative with your GMB profile and take advantage of all its features in order to stand out from the competition. Good luck!

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Why Your Social Media Still Sucks (And How to Fix It in 90 Days or Less)

By Nick Dougherty • April 10, 2025

Let me get this out of the way… Your content doesn’t suck because you’re lazy. It sucks because no one ever gave you the damn blueprint. Until now. I’m Nick. I’m not a “guru,” and I’m not here to sell you some TikTok trend that dies in two weeks. I’m a marketing personal trainer for martial arts school owners — the real ones, the ones fighting every day to build something that matters. And I’m going to show you how to turn your broken content into a reality show that prints leads like clockwork. The Truth: You’re Not in the Martial Arts Business Anymore You’re in the attention business. And attention goes to the loudest, most consistent, most relatable brand in the room. Right now, there are little league coaches, youth pastors, and Zumba instructors outposting you… …because they’ve figured out something most martial arts schools haven’t: 🎥 Your content IS your perception. And your perception IS your business. If your social media looks like an afterthought… Your school feels like one too. The TV Show Framework That Changes Everything What if instead of random posts, you built a show ? Not fake. Not scripted. A raw, unfiltered, “this is what we stand for” kind of show. Here’s the formula I gave away in my recent training that had even Alex Hormozi , James Walker , and Boogie-Down Simpson saying: “This is the future.” Build Your Show: Daily themes. (So you’re never guessing what to post) Reels as commercials. (80/20 value-to-offer ratio) Instagram = Magazine cover. Make it clean. Stories = Behind the scenes. Make it human. Facebook = Your value vault. Email = Where you program their subconscious. AI = The assistant that never lets you down. This isn’t just strategy. This is how you create a movement around your brand . Final Thought (Read This Twice) Stop waiting for permission. There is no everybody. The schools that win from here on out will be the ones who show up bold , authentic , and relentless . You are the show. Now build it like you mean it.

THE ANTI-CANCEL PROCESS™ 2.0 "How to STOP Students from Quitting Cold… Even If They Already Said They’re Done"

By Nick Dougherty • March 31, 2025

Let me be brutally clear: People don’t cancel because they’re “busy.” They cancel because they forgot why it mattered. They lose the fire. They forget the fight. They drift — like sheep — back into the herd of mediocrity. And if you let that happen on your watch? You’re not running a martial arts school. You’re running a daycare with punching bags. But not anymore. Because today, I’m handing you the nuclear codes to flip the script on cancellation culture and install: ❌ THE UN-QUITTABLE CULTURE™ SYSTEM Not a pep talk. Not a strategy. A hardwired identity shift that makes quitting feel like betrayal. STEP 1: BECOME A MOVEMENT, NOT A MEMBERSHIP People don’t quit tribes. They quit gyms. They quit hobbies. But not tribes. 🔥 BUILD THE WALL OF THE COMEBACK. Student almost quit and stayed? Their name goes up. With pride. With a story. With proof. This wall becomes sacred. A symbol. A signal. You don’t abandon your tribe. You fight for it. STEP 2: THE INCEPTION SEED (DAY 1) Don’t say "Welcome." Say this: “Most students hit a wall around 30–60 days in. That’s normal. Life gets busy. Doubts creep in. But that’s the moment where everything changes — if you push through.” You’ve just future-proofed their commitment. You gave the pain meaning. They’ll remember this when the quitting voice shows up. STEP 3: THE MONTHLY LOOP Subject: "Do You Remember Why You Started?" "We do. And it’s working. Here’s what we’ve noticed: [Insert specific progress]." Attach a win. A photo. A quote from class. This triggers the original emotional WHY. Motivation fades. Vision sticks. STEP 4: THE DDS™ — DISAPPEARANCE DETECTION SYSTEM Two absences in a row? That’s DEFCON 1. Send this: "Hey [Name], I’m worried. Two missed classes usually means a slump is starting. Can I call you for 2 minutes today to help get you back on track?" You noticed. That alone may save them. STEP 5: THE "IF YOU QUIT NOW" LETTER They say they want to quit? You don’t process it. You print this and hand it to them: IF YOU QUIT NOW… You’ll miss the moment you were about to break through. You’ll teach your kid quitting is acceptable when life gets hard. You’ll walk away from the version of you that was finally showing up. This isn’t meant to be easy. It’s meant to change you. Then say: "Read this. If you still feel the same way, I’ll respect it." Most never go through with the cancel. STEP 6: THE COMEBACK CONTRACT Offer this: "Come back for 30 days. No pressure. If you still want out after that, I’ll process it and even give you a shirt for giving it one last shot." You look like the hero. And 95% of the time? They don’t quit again. STEP 7: PSYCHOLOGICAL PAYOFF SYSTEM Belts don’t keep students. Progress does. Ask: "What does success look like to you in 90 days?" Then: Track it. Measure it. Show them the finish line. Progress = Retention. Visible progress = Loyalty. STEP 8: THE WALL OF THE COMEBACK This is the heartbeat of the entire Anti-Cancel Culture. You want retention? Don’t post cheesy slogans. Post proof that real people felt weak and stayed anyway. 🔥 THE WALL OF THE COMEBACK 🔥 Names. Dates. Photos. Quotes. "I almost quit. I didn’t. Now I’m proud." This wall becomes part of your culture. A student walks by it and knows: "I’m not alone in this fight." This wall makes them believe staying is possible. Because others already did. 🔪 TWO REVOLUTIONARY IDEAS TO SEAL THE DEAL 🔋 IDEA #1: THE BLACK BELT BURNDOWN CEREMONY Once per quarter, do this: Burn a white belt in a fire pit Have black belts share their "I almost quit" story Recognize every comeback student in front of families 🌟 This makes perseverance public and powerful . 💥 It turns your school into a tribe of warriors. 🔋 IDEA #2: FUTURE SELF MIRROR METHOD Day 1: Record a video of the student saying why they joined and what they want in 6 months. Day 60: Show it to them. Let them see the fire in their own eyes. Remind them who they said they’d become. 💥 FINAL WORD FROM NICK D: If you let people quit without a fight, you’re not just losing students. You’re letting families lose the very thing they came to you for: strength, discipline, belief. Fight for them. Challenge them. Show them what they’re really made of. Because most of the world lets people quit. Be the one who doesn’t. 🔫 Want the full Anti-Cancel Swipe File with messages, scripts, posters, and email templates? Lock it in. Light it up. Let’s go to war on quitting. 💣 ANTI-CANCEL SWIPE FILE Messages, Letters, Comeback Offers & Posters By Nick D 1. ✅ Comeback Message (Text/SMS) Message: “Hey [Name], I noticed you’ve missed a few classes. That’s when most people lose momentum — and I’m not letting that happen to you. Can I give you a quick 2-minute call today to get you back on track?” 2. 📞 Parent Intercept Message Message: “Hey [Parent], quick note: when students miss two or more classes, it usually turns into quitting. But that doesn't happen on my watch. Can I give you a quick call today or tomorrow? I’ve got a plan.” 3. 📄 “If You Quit Now” Letter (Print or Email) Subject/Headline: IF YOU QUIT NOW… You’ll miss the moment you were about to break through. You’ll never know the potential sitting just beyond the struggle. You’ll teach your child that quitting is normal when things get tough. This program wasn’t meant to be easy. It was meant to change you . We’re fighting for your growth. Are you? 4. 🎯 Recommitment Bonus Offer Offer: 30-Day Recommitment Challenge Message: “What if you gave it just 30 more days? If you're still not feeling it, I’ll process the cancel — and even give you a free shirt just for the effort. But if you’re like most… you’ll be glad you stayed.” 5. 🧱 “No Quit Zone” Wall Poster (Print-Ready Text) 🔥 THE WALL OF THE COMEBACK 🔥 These are the names of warriors who were tempted to quit… but didn’t. They pushed through. They fought back. They stayed the course. This wall is proof: You’re always one choice away from a comeback. (Add names/photos monthly) 6. 🧠 Day 1 Inception Script “Just so you know — most students hit a wall in the first 30–60 days. They get busy, tired, overwhelmed. Some want to quit. That’s when the magic happens. Push through that wall — and life changes.” 7. 🔁 Monthly “Why You Started” Message Subject: Do You Remember Why You Started? Body: Because we do. And it’s working. Here’s what we’ve noticed: [Insert specific progress] [Attach photo or milestone] This isn’t about where you are. It’s about how far you’ve come .

How Martial Arts Studios Can Use the Confidence Assessment to Attract Leads & Change Lives

By Nick Dougherty • March 10, 2025

Confidence is under attack. Not just for kids. Not just for adults. For everyone. 🚨 70% of kids today struggle with confidence and avoid challenges out of fear of failure. 🚨 Over 85% of adults admit they lack self-confidence in critical areas of life. The world isn’t getting easier. It’s getting softer. Too many people avoid hard things, avoid struggle, avoid discomfort. And because of that, they never grow. At your martial arts school, you know the truth: Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build. But how do you get people to realize they need to take that first step? How do you connect with leads in a way that makes them say, "I need this. My child needs this." ? Enter: The Confidence Assessment. 🔷 What is the Confidence Assessment? It’s a simple but powerful tool that helps kids (or adults) measure their confidence level and see where they need to improve. ✅ For kids: It identifies where they struggle—self-esteem, handling failure, social confidence, standing up for themselves. ✅ For adults: It exposes where confidence is holding them back—speaking up, taking action, leadership, self-belief. It’s not just a test. It’s a wake-up call. Because when people see their confidence score, they realize it’s time to do something about it. And that’s where YOU come in. 🔷 How Martial Arts Schools Can Use the Confidence Assessment to Attract More Students 1️⃣ Use it as a lead-generation tool Offer the assessment for free on your website and social media. Parents and adults take the test, and you follow up with solutions (aka your martial arts program). 2️⃣ Run an in-school Confidence Challenge Have students take the assessment before training. Track their progress and show how martial arts is building their confidence. Share testimonials and success stories online. 3️⃣ Use it for community outreach Run a Confidence Workshop at schools, community centers, or businesses. Give the assessment before the event, then show them how martial arts can fix their confidence gaps. 🔷 The Confidence Assessment in Action: A Step-by-Step Plan 1️⃣ Create a landing page where people can take the Confidence Assessment. 2️⃣ Promote it with social media posts, Reels, and emails (templates below). 3️⃣ Follow up with everyone who takes it —invite them in for a Confidence Consultation. 4️⃣ Use the results to start powerful conversations that lead to sign-ups. Simple. Effective. A no-brainer for your martial arts school. 📌 Social Media Posts to Promote the Confidence Assessment 🔥 Post #1 – The Confidence Crisis (For Kids & Parents) 📸 Image/Video: A kid looking unsure vs. a kid in a martial arts stance. 📝 Caption: 🚨 The Confidence Crisis is Real 🚨 Did you know 70% of kids lack confidence and avoid challenges? 💭 Does your child struggle with: ❌ Fear of failure? ❌ Low self-esteem? ❌ Holding back in social situations? Confidence isn’t something kids are born with. It’s something they build. That’s why we created The Confidence Assessment —a quick, powerful tool to measure where your child stands. 💥 Take the FREE Confidence Assessment now → [Insert Link] 🔥 Post #2 – The Adult Confidence Challenge 📸 Image/Video: A hesitant adult looking in the mirror vs. an adult training hard. 📝 Caption: How Confident Are You… Really? 🤔 Over 85% of adults admit they lack confidence in key areas of life. 💭 Do you: ❌ Struggle to speak up? ❌ Avoid stepping outside your comfort zone? ❌ Feel like fear holds you back from taking action? It’s time to fix that. Take The Confidence Assessment now and find out where YOU stand. 💥 Click here to take it FREE → [Insert Link] 📌 Email Templates to Promote the Confidence Assessment 🔥 Email #1 – The Confidence Crisis (For Parents) Subject: 🚨 70% of Kids Struggle with Confidence. Does Yours? Hey [First Name], There’s a Confidence Crisis happening right now. 🚨 70% of kids lack confidence and avoid challenges. 🚨 More kids today struggle with self-doubt than ever before. And here’s the hard truth… Confidence isn’t something kids are born with. It’s something they build. That’s why we created The Confidence Assessment. 💥 It’s a quick test to measure where your child stands and how to improve. If you want to know exactly where your child’s confidence gaps are—and how to fix them— click below to take the assessment now. 🔥 Take the FREE Confidence Assessment → [Insert Link] See you on the mats, Thu Doolittle NTA Taekwondo 🔥 Email #2 – The Adult Confidence Challenge Subject: How Confident Are You… Really? Hey [First Name], Over 85% of adults admit they struggle with confidence. 💭 Do you: ❌ Hold back from speaking up? ❌ Avoid challenges that push you outside your comfort zone? ❌ Feel like self-doubt stops you from reaching your full potential? Confidence isn’t something you either "have" or "don’t have." 🔥 It’s something you train. We created The Confidence Assessment to help you measure your confidence level—and show you exactly where to improve. 💥 Click below to take the assessment now. 🔥 Take the FREE Confidence Assessment → [Insert Link] See you on the mats, Thu Doolittle NTA Taekwondo 📌 Instagram Reel Framework to Promote the Confidence Assessment 🎬 Reel Title: "Is Your Confidence Holding You Back?" 📌 Hook (First 3 Seconds - MUST Grab Attention): ❌ "Most people think confidence is something you’re born with… It’s not. " 📌 Main Content: 🎥 Split-screen: Left side: A hesitant person (kid/adult) looking unsure. Right side: A confident martial artist standing strong. 🗣 Voiceover: 💬 "Confidence is trained, just like any skill." 💬 "But first, you need to know where you stand." 📌 Call to Action (CTA): 💥 "Take our FREE Confidence Assessment now and see where you stand. Click the link in our bio! " 🎬 Text Overlay: 📍 "Take the Confidence Assessment! Link in Bio." 🔥 Final Thoughts: This Confidence Assessment strategy is a GAME-CHANGER for martial arts schools. It doesn’t just attract leads —it starts meaningful conversations and shows people exactly why they need your program. ✅ Simple. Effective. Actionable.