Podcast Description

Summer may be slow for some, but smart school owners know it’s no time to go silent. In this episode, Duane and Allie sit down with longtime marketing partner Gus Lopez from Lead Hunter Media to dive into why consistent marketing—especially through social media—is essential during the summer months. Discover the psychology of momentum, the real cost of going quiet, and why visibility now pays dividends in the fall. Whether you’ve got 10 students or 300, this episode is your roadmap to thriving through the summer.

https://youtu.be/osfmpM6Neok

Key Takeaways

Momentum matters: Halting marketing kills momentum—consistency builds compounding results.

Summer is a visibility opportunity: While others pause, your brand can rise above the noise.

Your competitors aren’t just other schools: Sports, camps, and screen time are all competing for your students’ attention.

Social media ROI is long-term: Stop judging performance by one month—review it across 12.

Follow-up systems make or break success: Most leads fail due to poor follow-up, not bad targeting.

Daily marketing matters: Whether it’s emails, push notifications, or SMS, consistency drives results.

Price determines growth potential: You need to charge enough to afford proper marketing.

Your job isn’t done at the click: Ads introduce you—the sale comes from your next step.

Action Steps for School Owners

Audit Your Summer StrategyAsk: Are you showing up where your prospects are? Are you sending a consistent message?

Keep Running Ads Year-RoundDon’t fall into the trap of seasonal marketing—build brand awareness constantly.

Improve Your Follow-UpSet up automated texts, emails, and personal outreach (at least 7 touches over 12 days).

Invite and Message Post EngagersOn platforms like Facebook, follow up with people who like your ads but haven’t opted in.

Start Daily EmailsUse AI or write short benefit-driven messages that go out every day to your lead list.

Evaluate Your PricingEnsure your tuition structure supports your goals and allows for a marketing budget.

Think Long-TermTrack your ROI across 12 months—not 30 days. You’re building a brand, not flipping a switch.

Additional Resources Mentioned

Book: Good to Great by Jim Collins (Flywheel Concept)

Book: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel (compound investing + long-term thinking)

Tool: Lead Hunter Media – Digital marketing agency for martial arts schools

Concepts:

The Flywheel Effect

Guerrilla marketing

Daily emails via AI automation

Facebook invite + messenger outreach