Ask a Black Belt - Jiu Jitsu Podcast
Ask a Black Belt - Jiu Jitsu Podcast
132. Maximizing ROI on Your Jiu-Jitsu Instructional Videos: A Practical Guide
Are you getting your money's worth? Are you truly maximizing the return on your investment when you purchase a Jiu-Jitsu instructional video? We recognize that these videos don't come cheap, sometimes costing up to $500, and we want to ensure you're not just pouring money down the drain. So, let's talk about the real value - not the price tag - and how you can make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck.
In this episode, we don’t tiptoe around the subject. We get down to the nitty-gritty of what to look for when buying an instructional video. From analyzing the quality and structure of the content, to evaluating the size of the instructional, to discerning if the instructor's style matches yours, we've got you covered. Yet, maximizing your return is about more than just choosing the right video, it's also about the time and effort you invest. We'll inspire you to hit the mat, fully equipped with knowledge from the very best instructionals, and ready to elevate your Jiu-Jitsu game. Let's roll and make your Jiu-Jitsu better, together.
Ask me questions on IG @rozdzynskibjj, I will personally respond to you and record the episode with an official answer.
Links you need to check out:
www.rolacademy.tv
www.therolradio.com
I just got the message I pay $500 for the instruction and I don't know where to start. First thing first, i'm going to tell you $500 is a lot of money. I'll be very, very honest with you here. I'm not sure if I would pay $500 for the instructions. However, it is important for us to acknowledge that each instructor has the ability and an opportunity to design an instructional that would cater towards a specific demographic with a specific content, with the hope of it being purchased, and that instructor would be making money for what they offer. If you choose to purchase such item, i hope that you are getting what you pay for in return. Let's talk about that for a moment, because this is the interesting part, i think.
Speaker 1:In my perspective at least, it's not how much we pay for the instruction, but what we're getting in return. This is not much different than us buying a car, buying a house or maybe a sunglasses. Some people will pay $5 for sunglasses and they are perfectly happy with it. Others will pay $400 for it and they still wish they would be better. So it's not how much you pay, it's what you get in return. What is the return on the investment you just made? Because ultimately, all the instruction is on investment. That's how I look at them. They are investment into your GD2, investment into your future on the mat. If you take things away from them, if you purchase that instructional and you love it, you embrace it, you studied it, you used it, you have some things that you learned from it maybe it's worth it. That is up to you. I am not the one to judge you here. I'm not the one to tell you whether it is expensive or not expensive. This is really very personal item. In my opinion, this is something that will vary from student to student, from person to person.
Speaker 1:Here are a few things that I would look out for when I'm purchasing an instruction. One quality of the content. What I mean by this How is the instruction built? Does it have a specific focus? And a focus could be a specific position, specific concept or maybe perhaps something catering towards a larger demographic of what it might be. Let's just say, a blue belt level techniques. See, the focus doesn't necessarily have to be a half guard or a triangle or submission. It could be also a topic that's generally overseeing a specific thing. But what is important that the instruction is structured in some way. It is organized for you to have access.
Speaker 1:Okay, typically instructional, with very between I don't know. I'm guessing right now 40 to 100 videos, depending on the size of it. And there's another item that I will really, really pay attention to How big is the instructional? Some are very small. Some are 20 techniques, 10 techniques. I've seen some very small instructional for very small costs And that's great because the return is worth when you invest it into it. Now, others, as I mentioned, there are some expensive ones. I've seen some for 500 dollars. I actually, matter of fact, recently ran into some instructions that were over $1000. And that's all great As long as you are getting back what you invested and that exchange is worth it for you. It's worth it for you.
Speaker 1:So, one quality content. Two, quality of material, and what I mean by this how instruction is shot, where the angles. Can you see everything? How is the explanation of the content itself? How is the sound? Can you hear the instructor? All that truly matters.
Speaker 1:Think about this. I'll give you some drastic examples here. You have a best guy in the world teaching the best content, but you can't hear it. That instruction probably is not worth much, and the vice versa. You could have a no-name, a black belt who's been around but nobody really knows him, but his content is phenomenal. You can hear it. He has multiple angles. Now that instruction could bring more value to you than the first one I just mentioned a moment ago.
Speaker 1:So, one, quality content. Two, quality of the material, quality of the media that this was prepared. And three, i would really really truly look into if the instructor style matches yours. And this one, i think, is the most important out of them all And what I mean by this. Perhaps you're on a smaller side and I am not trying to push any big guys away here, but I'm trying to paint a picture. Let's just say you're on a smaller side, buck 30. Let's just say that And you're purchasing an instruction, you're investing a lot of money on instruction from a super heavyweight. Can you learn something from them? I'm sure you can. However, majority of the things will be applicable towards the guys who are their sides, and I think this is where a lot of mistakes are being made, oftentimes by the students.
Speaker 1:They purchase an instruction simply because of the brand. They purchase instruction simply because of the perspective that the instructor created on social media or online. They really don't look at if that instructor is playing similar game as you would like to learn. Okay, if you are a smaller guy, perhaps a big guy game is not your thing. Or vice versa Maybe, if you are on a bigger side, you don't want to learn how to invert. Maybe you don't want to learn a big, dynamic or quick dynamic, a small guy game? That's really important to understand. What does their instructor do? How do they teach? What happens they have? What kind of Jiu-Jitsu they teach, in addition to the quality of content and quality of the media that they provide for you? Now listen, if all this was taken under consideration and you still love to purchase and invest into your future, i highly encourage you to do it.
Speaker 1:When I was starting Jiu-Jitsu, none of that existed. We had paper books. That's all we had. We had six pictures on a page. We flipped through pages and we kept scratching our head How did he get from point A to point B? Because there was nothing, nothing elaborate, there was nothing dynamic or active to explain or help. Should have us asking their instructor And we always hoped that instructor was available. Today, you guys are well, i often say somewhat spoiled. You have access to instructors online. You have instructional available almost everywhere And BJJ Fanaris has done some phenomenal job making that available for everybody everywhere, but they are not the only ones. Be open minded to look elsewhere. Selfless plug. If you like to dig into some of the stuff that I've been recording for us two years, check out Roll TV. Rollacademytv Contents available there over a thousand videos, so I mean all of it is really accessible. The matter is are you willing to invest? Are you willing to study? Are you willing to really make your Jiu-Jitsu better? Continue training, peace.