Student Counts

[thatguy]

Fellow Instructors,

I have noticed a significant drop in student counts over the last 4-6 weeks. I realize that it is tax time and gas prices are right at 4 dollars a gallon but that should not have the impact that I am seeing. My counts are down about 50 percent and my last 5 Sunday classes are cancelled. Ironically my private Basic Handgun Handling classes are up about 30 percent. Is it the time of year? What are your thoughts and do yawl have any ideas on "drumming up" business.

Brian Mobley
Director Firearms Training
The Arms Room

remember...the perfect carry gun is the one you have on you when it is needed...

[Charles L. Cotton]

I'm hearing this from many instructors. Obama's election had the same impact on CHL applications as it did on demand for guns and ammo and I have no idea why. It seems the Obama factor is weakening and class sizes are dropping back to pre-election numbers. I know there are more instructors now, so the student population is being spread among more folks, so this too is a factor.

Chas.

[WildBill]

Brian -
I noticed that your location is League City. As you probably know NASA business is very slow and many companies in the area have laid off people and many more are to come. This may be the biggest reason for the slowdown in your CHL business.

[thatguy]

Good points, and gas prices are not helping either.

Have yawl done anything different as far as advertising or marketing? The consensus among some of the staff here is to do a June special which would include a price reduction. I have tried lowering prices before with limited success. Any ideas or just wait it out.

Brian Mobley

Training and practice build confidence, which leads to good judgement.

NRA Life-Patron

[Jasonw560]

Good points, and gas prices are not helping either.

Have yawl done anything different as far as advertising or marketing? The consensus among some of the staff here is to do a June special which would include a price reduction. I have tried lowering prices before with limited success. Any ideas or just wait it out.

Brian Mobley

Training and practice build confidence, which leads to good judgement.

NRA Life-Patron

Here's a site you might want to try: http://www.gmarketing.com/

[WildBill]

Good points, and gas prices are not helping either.

Have yawl done anything different as far as advertising or marketing? The consensus among some of the staff here is to do a June special which would include a price reduction. I have tried lowering prices before with limited success. Any ideas or just wait it out.

Brian Mobley

Training and practice build confidence, which leads to good judgement.

NRA Life-Patron

Here's a site you might want to try: http://www.gmarketing.com/

If the NASA downturn is the real cause, I hate to be a pessimist, but I think that it's going to be a long wait until the space program gets back on it's feet. As Jasonw560 suggested, you may want to develop some kind of new marketing strategy.

[Crossfire]

I think it is just cyclical. We have noticed a slowdown every year in the spring. It picks back up as soon as school is out. I think people are just doing other things.

Same thing happens in December. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, it is hard to fill a class. But come January, it is all good again. Just hang in there. It will get better.

[speedsix]

...a lot of folks are hesitant to talk to others about it...have you tried giving your students an offer like: The tenth student who completes class after you have, that says you sent them...you get your fee back...or 6 free range visits, or something like that...???

[DoubleActionCHL]

It's unfortunate, but guns, shooting, CHL fees, etc., are luxuries for most people. When the economy is dragging, these are some of the first things to go.

[WildBill]

It's unfortunate, but guns, shooting, CHL fees, etc., are luxuries for most people. When the economy dragging, these are some of the first things to go.

Very true statement. I hope that Crossfire is right about this being a normal down cycle and that things pick up in the summer.

[Seabear]

Last year I only had one class in May and I cancelled it due to the small number. My class next weekend is looking good, however the one after that is a little small right now.

I think it is just a normal cycle. Heck Last weekend I had to spend a fortune going to my stepdaughter's wedding, this weekend we went to stepson's graduation in College Station. If I needed a CHL this would NOT be the month for mweto take it. LOL

I have tried reduced prices etc, and I don't think it matters a whole lot unless you are going to give it away. I am against playing the "I have a special price" game. I put a lot into my classes and I don't think I would be as motivated if I was loosing money doing it.

Hang in there, and be glad you are not a fishing guide. I have been for 17 years, and we are in for a bad year dueto the economy and gas prices . It cycles as well. My figures on that business show a 5 year cycle.

[MasterOfNone]

I guess startling people in parking garages then handing them your card isn't what is meant by "scaring up" business.

[DoubleActionCHL]

I guess startling people in parking garages then handing them your card isn't what is meant by "scaring up" business.

Well, there are those who go to gun shows and lie about upcoming changes in the laws, literally scaring folks into signing up for their CHL. It's a deceitful business practice, but seems to work.

I'm not one of them.

[Domineaux]

I guess startling people in parking garages then handing them your card isn't what is meant by "scaring up" business.

May not be the best idea..but I bet that would get some folks thinking!

[longtooth]

I have seen the same thing & thought it was the depressed economy where I am & the small county population here.
My private instruction is what is really keeping things going too.
Even if I have a small class I will NEVER cancel one. If one is there we will have a class.