October 17, 2026
BJJ Trial Class Follow-Up Texts: 10 Copy-Paste Scripts for Every Stage
Most gyms don't lose trial students on the mats. They lose them in the text messages before and after.
Someone books a trial, gets no reminder, and forgets. Someone no-shows and never hears from you again. Someone loves their first class and goes home without anyone asking them to come back. Every one of those is a student you already paid to find.
Here are the ten texts I set up for gyms. Copy them, change the names and times, and use them today. Swap in your own voice — these work best when they sound like you, not like a robot.
A quick rule first: only text people who gave you their number and agreed to be texted (your trial form should say so), and honor "STOP" every time. It's the law, and it's also just respect.
Before the first class
1. Right after they book
Hey {first name}, this is {your name} from {gym}. You're booked for {class} on {day} at {time}. Wear a t-shirt and shorts (no zippers or pockets), bring water, and get here 10 minutes early so I can show you around. Any questions, just text back.
2. The day before
Hey {first name}, quick reminder: your first class at {gym} is tomorrow at {time}. Totally normal to be nervous — beginners start with the basics, and nobody's going to throw you into a hard roll on day one. See you tomorrow.
3. Two hours before
See you at {time}, {first name}! We're at {address}. Parking is {where}. Come to the front desk and ask for {name}.
The day-before text does the most work. It answers the fear most beginners won't say out loud: "Am I going to get hurt or embarrassed?"
If they don't show
4. 30 minutes after a no-show
Hey {first name}, missed you today! No stress at all — life happens. Want me to save you a spot on {next class day} at {time} instead?
5. Two days later (only if they didn't reply)
Hey {first name}, {your name} from {gym} again. Still want to try a class? Our beginner-friendly times are {times}. Reply with whichever works and I'll book it.
Then stop. Two texts is following up. Five is pestering.
After the first class
6. Same night
Hey {first name}, great having you on the mats today. How are you feeling? (Sore is normal — that's jiu-jitsu saying hello.) Any questions about what we covered, or about membership, just text me.
7. Next day
Hey {first name}, if you want to keep the momentum going, {next class} on {day} at {time} is a great second class. Want me to put you down?
8. Day three (if they haven't signed up)
Hey {first name}, I know signing up for something new is a big decision. Here's how our memberships work: {one-line summary or link}. Happy to answer anything, or you can come try one more class first.
After they become a member
9. Review request, about two weeks in
Hey {first name}, it's been awesome having you on the mats. If you've got two minutes, a Google review helps other people like you find us: {review link}. Thank you either way!
Ask everyone, not just the people you expect to be happy, and never offer anything in exchange — that's against Google's rules and it's not worth the risk.
Win-back
10. 30 days after a trial that didn't convert
Hey {first name}, {your name} from {gym}. Just checking in — no pressure at all. If you ever want to get back on the mats, your next class is on me. Hope you're doing well.
The part nobody tells you
Scripts are easy. Sending them on time, every time, while you're coaching four classes a day is the hard part. That's why most gyms start strong with follow-up and quietly stop a month later.
The fix is to make the texts send themselves. In the systems I build, booking a trial triggers texts 1–3 automatically, a no-show triggers 4 and 5, attendance triggers 6–8, and the review request goes out on its own. You just reply to the people who write back.
If your gym also loses leads before they ever book, start with missed-call text back — it's the single highest-leverage automation a gym can have.
Want this whole sequence running for your gym without touching it? Watch the five-minute breakdown at grapplegrowth.com/grow. No sales call.
Related: The BJJ gym automation checklist · How to automate Google reviews
