
Watch This Months Video Intro - Click To Play

Watch This Months Video Intro - Click To Play


Watch This Months Video Intro - Click To Play


Inside the Budo Marketeer Group

December is always an interesting month.
On the surface, it looks quieter. Fewer campaigns. More distractions.
A lot of “we’ll sort that in January”.
But behind the scenes, this is where the smart schools do their most important thinking.
Over the past few months inside the Budo group, we’ve been doing less random marketing and far more system building.
We’ve focused on why disconnected software is becoming a liability, why speed-to-lead is now a survival skill, and how automation and AI, used properly, protect your time and standards rather than replace people.
What’s stood out most this year isn’t who ran the biggest campaign.
It’s those who got their foundations organised, built simple repeatable systems, and stopped relying on memory, motivation, or “when I’ve got time”.
That’s why this December issue isn’t about hype or predictions. It’s about clarity, what to keep, what to fix, and what not to drag into 2026.
This issue is also about using December properly, so January and the months that follow are planned- not reactive.
You can start that process right here.
In this issue, my Content Creation Marketing column shows how one clear message can fuel your marketing into January without overwhelm.
We also wrap up Instructor Enrolment Mastery, pulling together the key lessons around systems, standards, and consistency.
In the News section, we profile two important developments inside Budo:
The new Budo Student Management App, designed to simplify day-to-day student management. And Budo Pulse LITE, a lower-entry way to step into automation and modern marketing systems
All of it ties back to one goal, helping you start 2026 organised, intentional, and ahead of the curve.
Let’s get into it.
— David



Every week, we host 2 live group Zoom calls, "Tech Tuesday" and the "Friday 1% Call"
Here are the picks from the summaries of those calls.

November has been a month of serious progress inside the Budo Marketing community.
December was the month when school owners stopped “thinking about marketing” and started building the systems that would carry them into 2026 with confidence.
Across our Tuesday Tech Calls and Friday 1% Calls, members focused on three major themes:
AI-powered marketing,
January campaign readiness, and
tightening systems to remove bottlenecks before the New Year rush.
We dove deep into ChatGPT 5.2, the new GHL AI V3 Flow Builder, smarter newsletter systems, lead magnets, early-bird funnels, A.I. friendly website content, and the launch of multiple new tools inside Budo Pulse.
Every call delivered something practical you could implement the same day - from refined messaging to fully built funnels and new automation workflows.
This month wasn’t just about ideas.
It was about execution — building the assets, the campaigns, and the systems that will make January feel planned instead of panicked.
Below is the full breakdown of each call, what we covered, and how you can apply the same strategies in your school.
LET'S GO!
Screen shot from our call.

Boost Your Lead Generation This Holiday Season with These Proven Tactics
The Tuesday Tech Call was packed with valuable insights from our marketing experts on how to maximize lead generation during the holiday season. Here are the key takeaways:
Leverage Lead Magnets David emphasized the importance of using lead magnets right now to capture leads. He's leveraging his "Magic Marketing Newsletter", webinar replays, and an AI e-book as lead magnets. Nicola, you should consider creating a downloadable guide related to your focus area (e.g. "From Shy to Strong: How Taekwondo Transforms Kids' Confidence").
Optimise Your Opt-In Forms We reviewed Nicola's opt-in form and identified a few quick fixes - removing the first/last name fields (not required), adding a phone number field, and cleaning up the layout/messaging. Darren shared that his highest converting opt-in is a simple form just asking for an email address with a compelling reason to download the guide.
Automate Your Holiday Nurture Sequence. Darren shared his approach of sending a 7-day email sequence to new leads instead of just delivering a static guide. This keeps them engaged and builds trust before presenting an offer. Consider creating a similar automated holiday nurture sequence for your leads.
Leverage Video Content. We discussed the power of video content as lead magnets. David and Darren both emphasised the effectiveness of short, value-packed videos that educate and build rapport with prospects. Nicola, you could create a series of videos giving a "sneak peek" into your martial arts classes.
Promote Across Multiple Channels Darren shared his strategy of distributing lead magnets through local schools via flyers with QR codes. This gets your content in front of a targeted audience. Nicola, consider promoting your lead magnet across your Facebook pages, website, and even physical locations.
The key is to get creative, test different approaches, and keep your lead generation efforts consistent through the holidays. Implement these tactics, and you'll be well on your way to a strong start in the new year!
Screen shot from our call.

"Budō Friday Weekly 1% Call - Mastering AI-Powered Marketing for Martial Arts Schools"
David, Ian, and the group had an insightful discussion on leveraging AI and search engine optimization (SEO) to supercharge their martial arts school marketing. The key takeaways include:
The rise of "GEO" (Generative Engine Optimization) - As AI-powered search becomes more prevalent, schools need to optimize their websites and content for how AI scans and ranks results, not just traditional keyword-based SEO.
Crafting Benefit-Driven Content - Rather than just listing program details, schools should focus website copy on addressing parent pain points and demonstrating how their martial arts classes provide solutions.
Leveraging AI Tools - The group shared how they are using ChatGPT, Canva, and other AI tools to efficiently create high-performing website content, sales pages, and lead magnets.
Maximising Internal Marketing - Strategies discussed included offering special promotions and referral incentives for current students to drive enrollment over the holiday season.
Streamlining the Customer Journey - The importance of minimising clicks and friction in the signup process was emphasised, with the group reviewing examples of effective landing page designs.
Overall, the call provided a wealth of practical, AI-focused strategies that martial arts school owners can implement to get a jump on their competition in the new year. Reach out to David or Ian if you'd like to discuss further!
Screen shot from our call.

Here is a summary of the key points from the meeting:
David, Ian, and the group discussed the importance of blogging and creating content to improve SEO and online visibility.
Ian shared that he has created 52 blog post templates that participants can customise for their schools. The group emphasised the need to make the blog posts unique to each school rather than duplicating content.
They also covered tips for creating an engaging timetable page on participants' websites, including making it interactive with calendar links and calls-to-action.
David shared a template he created that makes the timetable more dynamic and conversion-focused.
Additionally, the group discussed strategies for pre-screening and scheduling trial students, highlighting the importance of flexibility and personalisation in the process. They advised against overly restrictive scheduling and instead recommended offering multiple options to accommodate prospective students.
Overall, the call focused on leveraging content, websites, and automation to improve lead generation and conversion for the martial arts schools. The participants shared best practices and templates to help streamline these marketing efforts.
Screen shot from our call.

The meeting began with David reviewing the sales page template he had created for the group. He walked through the different sections, including the eyebrow header, the H1 and H2 hero section, a paragraph with bullets highlighting the challenges the classes solve, a simple 3-step process for getting started, a section on why people choose the school, details on the specific "Tiny Tigers" class, an about section focused on the school's vision/mission/culture, testimonials, and FAQs.
David emphasised the importance of optimising these sales pages for the new AI-powered search engines, using the "Generative Engine Optimisation" (GEO) guide he had provided to the group. He then had the AI assistant research and summarise key information about Jamie's school, Phoenix Taekwondo, to help build out the content.
The group discussed best practices for naming and organising the different sections on the sales pages, so they could easily link to specific parts from the call-to-action buttons.
David showed how he uses ChatGPT to quickly generate and refine the sales copy for each section, rather than writing it all from scratch.
David emphasised that the group should focus on building out their sales pages first, before worrying about their main website. He walked through the process of cloning the template page and customising it for each of Jamie's class offerings, like "Tiny Tigers" and "Junior Taekwondo."
Overall, the meeting centred on efficiently building high-converting sales pages using the provided templates, AI research, and optimisation techniques.
David encouraged the group to stay engaged with the training materials and group calls to keep progressing their funnels and websites, as those who participate most actively tend to see the fastest growth.
Screen shot from our call.

The meeting began with David Lowe, the host, helping Terry Donnelly troubleshoot an issue with images not displaying properly in his blog posts. They determined the problem was likely due to a broken image link.
David walked the group through some best practices for optimising and compressing images for the web, such as using Canva to resize and reduce file sizes before uploading. He emphasised the importance of this to avoid slowing down page load times.
The conversation then shifted to discussing effective blogging strategies. David recommended posting at least monthly, if not weekly, to keep content fresh. He stressed the importance of ensuring blog topics answer questions or solve problems for the audience, rather than just being about the business.
Using numbered lists and catchy titles was also highlighted as a way to make posts more engaging. The group discussed leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to generate blog topic ideas and outlines to streamline the content creation process.
Next, David shared a new website layout and sales page template he had created that the group could use as a starting point. He walked through customising various design and layout elements, such as the hero section, pain points, class offerings, and testimonials.
The group provided feedback on best practices for structuring the content to guide visitors smoothly through the sales funnel.
The discussion then covered email deliverability best practices, with a focus on properly setting up DMARC records. Ed had some questions about managing his email domain that the group helped troubleshoot, emphasising the importance of these technical configurations to avoid delivery issues.
David shared some of the free bonuses and order bump ideas they were incorporating, such as a "4-Day Student Getting Machine" training, Quick Wins toolkit, Parent Pain Points guide, and more.
Overall, it was a productive meeting covering a range of topics critical to the group's online marketing efforts, including website design, blogging, email deliverability, and new product development. The participants seemed engaged and appreciative of the practical tips and advice shared by David and the rest of the group.
Screen shot from our call.

The group had a fun, festive call to wrap up the year. There was lots of banter and holiday cheer, with mentions of Christmas decorations, inflatable lawn displays, and Santa Claus making a surprise appearance. The main discussion topics included marketing strategies, pricing and offers, and goal-setting for the new year.
On the marketing front, Nicola shared a great analogy of running your marketing like a newspaper, with a mix of serious and fun content to keep people engaged. The group discussed the importance of consistent, valuable content over the holidays rather than just sales pitches. David emphasised the power of personal branding and using your own photos in posts to increase engagement. Darren recommended using ChatGPT to analyse your business's financials and get recommendations for improvements.
The conversation also covered pricing and offers, with the group sharing tips on running "founder's rates" or "early bird" specials when launching new programs to lock in lower prices for early adopters. They discussed the importance of understanding your average student retention when structuring discounts and offers, with several members sharing the success they've had with running paid-in-full enrollment specials at the end of the year.
Finally, David led the group through an exercise to define their key performance indicators (KPIs) and scorecards for Q1 2026. The group discussed the importance of setting realistic, actionable goals rather than just focusing on the big picture. Darren suggested using ChatGPT to create a "board of advisors" to get strategic input on your business from some of the top entrepreneurial minds.
Overall, it was a productive and fun call filled with great marketing insights and camaraderie as the group looks ahead to a successful new year. The members seemed energised and ready to implement the strategies discussed in 2026.
If you’ve been inspired by what you’ve read in this issue, from automating communication and tracking KPIs to building funnels and AI‑powered marketing campaigns - everything you need to put it into action is already waiting for you inside Budo Pulse.
It’s the all‑in‑one CRM and automation platform designed specifically for martial arts schools. With ready‑made funnels, lead workflows, WhatsApp integrations, and campaign templates, it’s the engine that powers every success story in this newsletter.

by David Lowe - Budo Founder and CEO

Before we get into this, I want to be clear about something.
This article wasn’t written in January.
This is the work we were doing in December, while most schools were switching off, slowing down, or telling themselves they’d “sort marketing later”.
And that matters.
Because the schools that start January calm and clear don’t magically feel that way on January 1st.
They planned for it.
This is Part 1 of a two-part content planning series.
Part 2 will land in next month’s issue, where we turn this structure into fast, repeatable content using AI and automation.
But first, structure.
Here’s the shift that removes most of the stress:
Stop thinking in posts.
Start thinking in quarters.
In the Q1 planning work I shared recently, everything starts with one simple folder structure:
One main folder for the year. Inside that: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
And for now, we only care about Q1.
Q1 is just:
January
February
March
That’s it.
Already, this puts you ahead of most school owners, because now your content has somewhere to live.
Inside each Q1 month, we don’t dump ideas into one messy list.
We split them into two very different types of content:
External Marketing
This speaks to:
New leads
Enquiries
People who don’t know you yet
Internal Marketing
This supports:
Retention
Upgrades
Community and culture
Same school. Very different conversations.
Most content feels messy because these get mixed together.
Once you separate them, clarity appears fast.
Before you read another article or watch another video, do this:
Create a Q1 folder
Inside it, create:
January
February
March
Inside each month, create:
External Marketing
Internal Marketing
Now add one simple layer of content, so this isn’t just theory.
For January only, choose:
ONE External focus (e.g. trial enquiries, beginners, kids, adults)
ONE Internal focus (e.g. retention, upgrades, community)
Under each of those, write down 3–5 simple talking points.
Example:
Questions parents ask
Problems you solve
Common objections
No polishing.
No posting yet.
Just get ideas out of your head and into the right place.
Because when structure is clear, content becomes simple - and actionable.
In next month’s issue, we’ll build on this.
You’ll learn how to:
Choose one focus per month
Turn that into weekly themes
Create content quickly using AI
And plug it into systems so it actually leads to conversations and bookings
But none of that works without the container you’ve just built.
Start with structure.
Everything else gets easier from there.


by Ian Over - Budo Admin and UK School Owner (Ian runs his school from his home in Spain!)
How Great Teaching Sells Itself

🥋 The Golden Rule: The Class Is the Enrolment Conversation
In a martial arts school, the class floor is the showroom.
Parents aren’t judging your pricing.
They’re not analysing your pitch.
They’re watching how their child feels, minute by minute.
Confidence, structure, energy, and care are communicated long before a conversation ever happens.
When the class experience is right, enrolment feels natural.
When it’s not, no amount of explaining fixes it.
Great instructors don’t “sell”.
They create certainty.
1. Own the First Impression
Before a single technique is taught, the instructor has already set the tone.
Posture, voice, eye contact, and calm authority all signal the same thing to a parent:
“My child is in safe, capable hands.”
If an instructor feels rushed, disorganised, or distracted, the school feels that way too.
This is why preparation matters.
Knowing a trial student’s name.
Knowing why they’re there.
Knowing what success should look like today.
When instructors show up prepared, confidence transfers instantly.
2. Deliver a “Win Moment” Early
Every trial student needs to succeed quickly.
Within the first few minutes, the child should experience:
A clear instruction
A simple action
And a visible success
It might be a stance.
A punch.
A response to a command.
That early win creates emotional safety and triggers motivation.
Parents don’t need to understand neuroscience; they just see a child light up.
That moment anchors a positive association with your school.
Narrate the Class for Parents.
Parents don’t always know what they’re looking at.
Your job is to help them see it.
This is where great instructors stand apart.
Simple narration turns activity into meaning:
“Notice how quickly they responded - that’s focus.”
“See how they waited for their turn - that’s discipline.”
“That smile tells us confidence is already starting to build.”
This isn’t commentary.
It’s reassurance.
You’re helping parents connect what they see with what they want for their child. Font
4. Finish Strong and Personal
The end of class matters more than the middle.
A warm, confident finish creates momentum:
Praise the effort
Use the child’s name
Acknowledge improvement, not perfection
“Great focus today.”
“You didn’t give up.”
“That took courage.”
Energy sells, not explanation.
Parents remember how their child felt walking off the mat.
5. Bridge Smoothly to the Enrolment Conversation
Instructors don’t close sales - but they do create flow.
A simple, confident handover avoids awkward pauses and uncertainty:
“Coach Sam will explain how we build on what you saw today.”
This tells the parent:
There is a process.
There is a next step.
And it’s normal to continue.
No pressure.
Just direction.
6. Reflect, Record, and Reinforce
The class doesn’t end when the bow finishes.
Great schools capture what happened:
How the child responded.
What they struggled with.
What they enjoyed.
Those small details allow follow-up conversations to feel personal, not scripted.
When instructors reflect and record consistently, parents feel seen, and trust deepens.
Building Instructor Confidence Around Enrolment
Many instructors resist enrolment because they think it means “selling”.
That mindset needs reframing.
Enrolment isn’t about persuasion.
It’s about service.
You’re not pushing a programme.
You’re helping a family make a confident decision.
Instructor confidence grows when they understand:
Praise comes before correction
Parents want guidance, not pressure
Every technique should link back to a life benefit
Confidence. Focus. Discipline. Belonging.
When instructors teach with those outcomes in mind, enrolment becomes a by-product of great coaching.
🔥 Final Takeaway
Strong enrolment doesn’t come from scripts.
It comes from standards.
When instructors are prepared, present, and purposeful:
Parents feel safe
Children feel successful
Decisions feel obvious
Systems don’t replace passion.
They protect it.
They allow instructors to teach at their best, consistently, while the school grows around them.
That’s Instructor Enrolment Mastery.


Live this February 2026
Not every martial arts school requires a full marketing overhaul in one go.
But many do need things to start feeling more automated.
Over the past year, we’ve spoken to school owners who all said the same thing in different ways:
“I know my systems aren’t right…
I just don’t know where to start to automate my lead capture.”
That’s exactly why Budo LITE was created.

Budo LITE is an entry-level version of the Budo Marketing system, built for schools that want clarity before complexity.
It focuses on three essentials:
Speed-to-lead
So enquiries are handled immediately, not hours later, not forgotten.
Simple automation
Follow-ups, bookings, and next steps that run in the background without overwhelm.
Structure before scale
Helping you organise your marketing properly so growth becomes repeatable, not stressful.
This isn’t about doing everything at once.
It’s about doing the right things first.

Register to be notified when Budo Lite Launches, and be the first to grab our Limited Bonus Offer.
Budo Lite is your dedicated Martial Arts Marketing App.
Only $97 /m Subscription - cancel anytime - no contracts.
Budō LITE Includes:
✅ Pre-Built Automated Workflows (Lead follow-ups done for you)
✅ SMS & Email Templates (Proven martial arts messaging)
✅ 1 x Website + Core Sales Funnel Pages
✅ Lead Capture Forms (Trials, enquiries, downloads)
✅ Built-In Social Media Planner
✅ Visual Pipeline Manager (Track every lead)
✅ Class Calendar Builder (Book trials automatically)
✅ Trigger Links (Smart links that activate automations)
✅ Launchpad Dashboard & Core Reporting



The Budo Attendance App has been coded entirely using AI, allowing us to build faster, adapt quicker, and respond to real-world school needs without the limitations of traditional software development.
That matters because no two schools run the same.
✅ AI-driven development means this system can:
✅ Adapt to different class structures and programmes
✅ Evolve rapidly based on real member feedback
✅ Stay flexible as your school grows or changes
This isn’t a static attendance register. It’s a living system.

At its core, the Budo Attendance App gives school owners clarity.
From a single dashboard, you can see:
✅ Total active students and classes
✅ Monthly attendance and retention rates
✅ Students at risk before they disappear
✅ Real trends, not guesswork
Attendance stops being admin. It becomes insight.

The app goes far beyond ticking names off a list.
Schools can manage:
✅ Class schedules and capacity
✅ Student progression and belt eligibility
✅ Testing candidates and grading readiness
✅ Awards, points, and incentives
✅ Parent portal access and visibility
Everything is connected. Nothing is duplicated.

Ease of use was non-negotiable.
✅ The system has been designed so:
✅ Instructors can take attendance quickly, even mid-class
✅ Owners can see school health at a glance
✅ Parents can securely view progress without chasing staff
If it creates friction, it doesn’t belong in the system.

The Budo Attendance App is currently being beta tested by core Budo Marketing Group members.
That means:
✅ Real schools
✅ Real students
✅ Real feedback shaping the platform
This is how we ensure it works on the mat, not just on a screen.
Release timeline.
Free for all Budo members
Non-member school access planned for late February / March 2026
This will be one of the most adaptable, easy-to-program student tracking systems in the martial arts industry. And we’re only getting started.
Final thought
The future of school management isn’t more software. It’s smarter systems.
The Budo Attendance App turns attendance into action, data into decisions, and systems into stability.




What Happens Behind the Scenes (The Secret Sauce)
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All Budo Hubs Sites have built-in follow-up automation, calendar booking systems, data capture, email and sms, A.I. bot, social media planner and much more...all in one app.
Comprehensive Service Range - Budo Marketing Hubs offers a complete package from funnel building to fully custom websites.
Innovative Design Approach - At Budo Hubs, we immerse ourselves in your unique business landscape, blending deep insight with cutting-edge digital marketing innovations.
Social Media Mastery - We excel in creating optimised and engaging solutions for all your social media platforms.
Results-Driven Strategies - From increasing lead generation to boosting sign-ups and improving your overall online presence, our strategies are tailored to meet your specific goals and are driven by data to ensure success.
Forward-Thinking Innovation - At Budo Marketing Hubs, we are committed to staying at the forefront of digital marketing innovation. We continuously integrate the latest trends, research, and cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence into our strategies.
This ensures that your marketing efforts are not just current but leading the way in the digital arena.

Budo Marketing isn’t run by theorists, it’s built by real martial arts school owners in the trenches every day. Leading the charge is David Lowe, founder of Budo and the strategist behind our CRM, automations, and AI-powered campaigns.
Alongside him are three industry powerhouses: Ian Over of TR Martial Arts (the systems guy with a knack for scaling without the chaos), Darren Hunter of Solo Martial Arts (a master of community-driven growth and organic strategy), and Geoff Cielo of King Tiger Martial Arts USA (our tech-savvy coach who once booked trials from his car using a single automation).
Together, we test everything before we share it, so what you see in this newsletter isn’t theory, it’s field-tested and results-backed.





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