414 | Referral Frenzy: How to Spark a Lead Surge

School Owner Talk

Podcast Description In this high-energy episode of School Owner Talk, Allie and Duane dive into one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools in martial arts school marketing — the referral contest. They walk you through exactly how to plan, launch, and promote a full-blown referral campaign that not only generates new leads and sign-ups but also creates excitement and unity throughout your school. Whether you’re brand new to referrals or looking to level up your system, this episode lays out everything you need to turn your students into your best promoters. Key Takeaways Referrals remain the most trusted and cost-effective form of lead generation. A referral contest creates energy, excitement, and organic growth. Success lies in the structure: timeline, visibility, reward system, and promotion. Avoid common mistakes like weak prizes, poor follow-up, or lack of urgency. Use contests to deepen your school culture and strengthen retention. Action Steps for School Owners Choose your referral contest window (2–4 weeks) and pick a fun theme. Design a clear and simple referral system — how referrals are submitted and tracked. Create a 3-tier prize system: participation, milestone, and grand prize. Promote it everywhere: in class, on your app, via email, text, and your parent group. Build a follow-up system to contact, book, and onboard referred leads quickly. Celebrate the winners publicly to build hype for next time. Additional Resources Mentioned Whiteboard or leaderboard for visual tracking Simple Google Form or referral cards for entry Push notifications and SMS to parents/students Internal contest among staff to promote the most referrals Referral of a Lifetime Program. USE Discount Code: SAVE10NOW