Referrals Don’t Come From Gimmicks.
Nick Dougherty • March 3, 2025
Referrals Don’t Come From Gimmicks
They Come From RESULTS.
This industry is backwards.
- 2-4-6 calls.
- PlayStation giveaways.
- Black Belt Club “upgrades.”
Meanwhile, your competitors are running the same tired tactics… and wondering why they aren’t getting real growth.
Here’s the truth: Referrals aren’t the problem.
The way you’re doing them is.
If you’re just throwing out passes, bribing students with cheap incentives, and hoping for the best—you’re playing the wrong game.
Referrals come from experience.
From transformation.
From RESULTS.
People talk about things that make an impact.
They bring their friends to places that change them.
So instead of chasing gimmicks, flip the script:
- Deliver undeniable results.
- Modernize your experience.
- Build a system that makes referrals natural, not forced.
Your students want to bring people in.
But not because of a giveaway.
Because what you offer is too good to keep to themselves.
Fix that first.
And the referrals will take care of themselves.
The “experience” of where I’m staying they don’t have to bribe me for referrals -
I have shared dozen of IG stories
And my friends Ross Kellin and Kristin Kellin are messaging me
“We have to go back there with you guys”
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.
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 .
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.