Displays, Events, ect.

[BitterBlue]

I just started renting an office, and for now I'm breaking even, but I'm looking to gain clients. The place I am renting from doesn't let me advertise my services, have a website, organize events at the office, or really anything they consider "aggressive". I have pretty limited options, so displays at health events and cross-promotions are really the only thing I can do, aside from word-of-mouth. I'm against "free chair massage" except in certain situations. (I am doing a cross-promo with a mattress store, and I'm doing the chair massage there free because the customers who can buy a $2,000 bed or $150 pillow to relieve their back pain could easily be regular clients for me, I already have 2 new people from one day there).
Do any of you have advice on how to make a good display, ways to work out compensation aggreements with companies for services, ways to talk to people about booking with you? Just ways to "draw people in", ect?

 

[colleen]

Displays, Events, ect.

I just started renting an office, and for now I'm breaking even, but I'm looking to gain clients. The place I am renting from doesn't let me advertise my services, have a website, organize events at the office, or really anything they consider "aggressive". I have pretty limited options, so displays at health events and cross-promotions are really the only thing I can do, aside from word-of-mouth. I'm against "free chair massage" except in certain situations. (I am doing a cross-promo with a mattress store, and I'm doing the chair massage there free because the customers who can buy a $2,000 bed or $150 pillow to relieve their back pain could easily be regular clients for me, I already have 2 new people from one day there).
Do any of you have advice on how to make a good display, ways to work out compensation aggreements with companies for services, ways to talk to people about booking with you? Just ways to "draw people in", ect?

Um, my first thought is if the place you're renting from doesn't allow you to advertise your services, how on Earth do they expect you to make enough money to continue paying your rent to them?

Do you mean they won't allow you to advertise *there*, as in put up a sign/display on their property; or do you mean no advertising whatsoever? Nobody can tell you you don't have the right to have your own web site for your own business if you're just *renting* from them. If they are that restrictive, I'd seriously be looking for a new place to rent.

Other than that, I can say that *for us* one of the best things we've done as far as generating "word of mouth" referrals has been joining a good networking group. Not all networking groups are created equal, that's for sure; but for us, this particular one has been a HUGE benefit to us.

 

[isitevil]

Displays, Events, ect.

Surely, they will let you have a website?? That's really odd and might even be a concern in the future.

Anyway, when I moved into a new office, I went around to all the local businesses and introduced myself, handing out business cards and brochures. I also gave information packets to the businesses that cater to my client base, i.e. personal trainers and gyms. So, I included a paper about my philosophy about massage and how it ties in with what they do and some business cards and holder and 2 complimentary 1/2 hour gift certificates. I know you mentioned you didn't want to hand out free work. But the folks who came in on the gc's bought more time and one of the trainers is now trading with me b/c she enjoyed the massage so much.

So, you don't have to give out free work, but at least go around and introduce yourself to the owners of the small businesses in your area. Also, you can send out related marketing packages, so for instance, to the tax folks in your area, send out a card giving them $10 off their next session to help them out during the stressful tax season.

You can also offer to sell multiple gc's to any businesses that relate to yours. So, say there's a local business that sells lotions and such, you could sell them 5 -- 1/2 hour gc's for a discounted rate that they can give to customers who spend $50 or more (or whatever). But you have to go around and push that idea and make it sound like they're the ones gaining from it. I just did that with a couple travel agents and a home designer in my building, offered to sell them so many gc's for a certain amount and they can include it in their packages. Unfortunately, all their clients are long distance, but that's how it goes....don't know until you try it! But that type of thing has worked for me in the past.

 

[i-luv-vampires]

Displays, Events, ect.

kathryn, lots of good ideas, thanks!
Er, The website and Advertising restriction has more to do with the therapist who owns the name of the rental area. She has been a therapist for 14 years and most of her clients have been with her at least 10 of those years. Her logic really is that she has never advertised, had a website, or did formal networking, so nobody in her office should do those things either. I have been able to network, go to public events, get in contact with PT's, Chiropracters, and I also partnered up with a new gym for trades and promotions, but she's unwilling do budge on anything else. So that's what's going on there.
thanks for all the ideas!

 

[Jen Davies Farts A Lot!]

Displays, Events, ect.

I think it is ridiculous that you aren't allowed to advertise, have or website or whatever you want to do in order to attract clientele. I don't see how any of these advertising practices are "aggressive", and if the owner has been in business for 14 years without it, I'd say that's pretty damn amazing lol. My main concern for you is this.. If you are only renting a space (I assume you are working as an independent contractor) so why should it matter HOW you get clients in? I understand them not wanting to do office events, but having a website, or at least a facebook or myspace can be a HUGE boost in business. It allows people to find you online, you can use websites that do scheduling, you can even make a youtube channel to show how you do sessions, or to explain techniques you use.

But even so, there are lots of other things you can do! I highly recommend canvassing the area you work in and leave business cards, flyers, brochures, etc and give them to anyone, everyone! Talk to the business owners around you and other services for them and their staff, maybe make a deal if they buy so many sessions. Find senior centers/ fitness centers/ post surgical care centers, etc and give your info to the coordinators. Possibly you can give "mini lectures" and show how massage can help them. There are tons of avenues to success!

PS. Talk to your rental owner and find out why they are opposed to you advertising. They are hindering your progress! There is a big difference in being an aggressive advertiser and being able to show people who you are and what they do!

 

[Campbell]

If you are an independent contractor, then you are operating under her name. if you are a tenant ("renting space"), then you should/could be operating under your own name/DBA. If it's the former (you're an IC), then I can see her having the "right" to not want you to do your own advertising for "her name". If it's the latter (you're your own entity simply renting space in her shop), then I still don't understand why she gets to say how/whether you get to advertise or not.

As with Jenn, I can see her not wanting you to "do your own thing" AFA office events. We have a tenant who truly does "just rent space from us", and she is not to "throw a party"/event in our office space without clearing it with us first- it could interrupt our own flow of business. On the flip side, whenever we have an event planned, we do let her know in advance so she can adjust her schedule accordingly. But in no way would we ever tell her how she may advertise- her use of the rented space is per her contract, but we don't have her "under contract" as to how she may advertise. She is allowed to tell her (potential) clients that is located in , because of course she can't put up her own sign outside, so how will folks find her otherwise?

If you are her employee or IC, she is responsible for getting you clients- you are a "paid laborer" who works for her. If you are a tenant, then she is not responsible for getting you clients; therefore, I don't see how she can legally prohibit you from advertising (yes as discussed earlier I do "get" the "not using office space for promotional events of your own"). Just because she "didn't need to advertise" to grow her business over the past 14 years, doesn't mean she gets to say that you shouldn't advertise, yourself. I am still scratching my head over that, LOL!

ETA: Thinking back on this, it sounds to me like she's afraid of having any competition from you or anyone else who might be in the same place. If that's the case, then she might need to consider renting to someone compatible, but other than actual MT's. This smells like it could get sticky in the future. What will she do if ever one of "her" clients decides to see you instead? Have y'all discussed that/laid it out in your rental agreement (in writing)?[/quote]



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Topic review - Displays, Events, ect.






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MaybeMobile?






 
Post subject: 
Re: Displays, Events, ect.
 













I agree 100% with above, and I'm guessing that is exactly why she doesn't want you to do it. Tough cookies, shes renting out the space - she needs to give you the freedom to market *yourself*.So there!

I agree 100% with above, and I'm guessing that is exactly why she doesn't want you to do it. Tough cookies, shes renting out the space - she needs to give you the freedom to market *yourself*.So there! :lol:











Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:58 pm














rmt4u






 
Post subject: 
Re: Displays, Events, ect.
 













one thing to keep in mind with your marketing is to market yourself!, not the clinic!!!!!!. With this i mean she may be using you to build clinic patiets, and when you leave they end up seeing her, when doing up marketing use your own cards, your own website, your own brochures that direct pts to wher ever you are, that way when you leave the refferial base comes with you. in your facebook page make sure it is for you and not the clinic.At a clinic i used to work at they made it mandatory that i paid for a yellow pages ad for the clinic with my name in it, when i left i was still paying for the ad but they got the pts becuse it was their number being called. Possably have another phone number that is directed to your cell phone, then it can be redirected to a new clinic you may open down the road?, if i did this i would have saved a bundle of money and had alot more pts.

one thing to keep in mind with your marketing is to market yourself!, not the clinic!!!!!!. With this i mean she may be using you to build clinic patiets, and when you leave they end up seeing her, when doing up marketing use your own cards, your own website, your own brochures that direct pts to wher ever you are, that way when you leave the refferial base comes with you. in your facebook page make sure it is for you and not the clinic.At a clinic i used to work at they made it mandatory that i paid for a yellow pages ad for the clinic with my name in it, when i left i was still paying for the ad but they got the pts becuse it was their number being called. Possably have another phone number that is directed to your cell phone, then it can be redirected to a new clinic you may open down the road?, if i did this i would have saved a bundle of money and had alot more pts.











Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:01 am














swingingdelirium






 
Post subject: 
Re: Displays, Events, ect.
 













Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I am educating myself on using facebook for marketing, even if I have to skirt under the rule and use a personal facebook, I'm still going to try it out. Plus many other ideas you guys gave me sound great, thank you!

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I am educating myself on using facebook for marketing, even if I have to skirt under the rule and use a personal facebook, I'm still going to try it out. Plus many other ideas you guys gave me sound great, thank you!











Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:48 pm














tranquilspirit2006






 
Post subject: 
Re: Displays, Events, ect.
 













Wow. I don't really have any advice that others haven't already offered but your post makes me realize how fortunate I am at the shop. I am an IC, but that is considered 'self employed' We all work under the shop's name, but are responsible for our own advertising, promotions, etc. We are *expected* to market ourselves. Of course there are people that just find our number in the phone book (and they go to us ICs on the basis of seniority), the owner runs ads in the local paper, pays for brochures etc. Once we all went in together to buy an ad with our photos in it, with a line or two about our specialties that we wrote ourselves. We're expected to find events to do onsite massage, hand out brochures, talk to people, self promote constantly, whatever it takes. We have the spa's website but another MT and I created a Facebook page for the shop, we're allowed to create our own specials or discounts to offer people. It's a lot of work but I'm glad she wants us to do it. It would be very difficult to build a clientele if we weren't.

Wow. I don't really have any advice that others haven't already offered but your post makes me realize how fortunate I am at the shop. I am an IC, but that is considered 'self employed' We all work under the shop's name, but are responsible for our own advertising, promotions, etc. We are *expected* to market ourselves. Of course there are people that just find our number in the phone book (and they go to us ICs on the basis of seniority), the owner runs ads in the local paper, pays for brochures etc. Once we all went in together to buy an ad with our photos in it, with a line or two about our specialties that we wrote ourselves. We're expected to find events to do onsite massage, hand out brochures, talk to people, self promote constantly, whatever it takes. We have the spa's website but another MT and I created a Facebook page for the shop, we're allowed to create our own specials or discounts to offer people. It's a lot of work but I'm glad she wants us to do it. It would be very difficult to build a clientele if we weren't.











Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:54 pm














Timedess






 
Post subject: 
Re: Displays, Events, ect.
 













If you are an independent contractor, then you are operating under her name. if you are a tenant ("renting space"), then you should/could be operating under your own name/DBA. If it's the former (you're an IC), then I can see her having the "right" to not want you to do your own advertising for "her name". If it's the latter (you're your own entity simply renting space in her shop), then I still don't understand why she gets to say how/whether you get to advertise or not.As with Jenn, I can see her not wanting you to "do your own thing" AFA office events. We have a tenant who truly does "just rent space from us", and she is not to "throw a party"/event in our office space without clearing it with us first- it could interrupt our own flow of business. On the flip side, whenever we have an event planned, we do let her know in advance so she can adjust her schedule accordingly. But in no way would we ever tell her how she may advertise- her use of the rented space is per her contract, but we don't have her "under contract" as to how she may advertise. She is allowed to tell her (potential) clients that is located in , because of course she can't put up her own sign outside, so how will folks find her otherwise?If you are her employee or IC, she is responsible for getting you clients- you are a "paid laborer" who works for her. If you are a tenant, then she is not responsible for getting you clients; therefore, I don't see how she can legally prohibit you from advertising (yes as discussed earlier I do "get" the "not using office space for promotional events of your own"). Just because she "didn't need to advertise" to grow her business over the past 14 years, doesn't mean she gets to say that you shouldn't advertise, yourself. I am still scratching my head over that, LOL!ETA: Thinking back on this, it sounds to me like she's afraid of having any competition from you or anyone else who might be in the same place. If that's the case, then she might need to consider renting to someone compatible, but other than actual MT's. This smells like it could get sticky in the future. What will she do if ever one of "her" clients decides to see you instead? Have y'all discussed that/laid it out in your rental agreement (in writing)?

If you are an independent contractor, then you are operating under her name. if you are a tenant ("renting space"), then you should/could be operating under your own name/DBA. If it's the former (you're an IC), then I can see her having the "right" to not want you to do your own advertising for "her name". If it's the latter (you're your own entity simply renting space in her shop), then I still don't understand why she gets to say how/whether you get to advertise or not.As with Jenn, I can see her not wanting you to "do your own thing" AFA office events. We have a tenant who truly does "just rent space from us", and she is not to "throw a party"/event in our office space without clearing it with us first- it could interrupt our own flow of business. On the flip side, whenever we have an event planned, we do let her know in advance so she can adjust her schedule accordingly. But in no way would we ever tell her how she may advertise- her use of the rented space is per her contract, but we don't have her "under contract" as to how she may advertise. She is allowed to tell her (potential) clients that is located in , because of course she can't put up her own sign outside, so how will folks find her otherwise?If you are her employee or IC, she is responsible for getting you clients- you are a "paid laborer" who works for her. If you are a tenant, then she is not responsible for getting you clients; therefore, I don't see how she can legally prohibit you from advertising (yes as discussed earlier I do "get" the "not using office space for promotional events of your own"). Just because she "didn't need to advertise" to grow her business over the past 14 years, doesn't mean she gets to say that you shouldn't advertise, yourself. I am still scratching my head over that, LOL!ETA: Thinking back on this, it sounds to me like she's afraid of having any competition from you or anyone else who might be in the same place. If that's the case, then she might need to consider renting to someone compatible, but other than actual MT's. This smells like it could get sticky in the future. What will she do if ever one of "her" clients decides to see you instead? Have y'all discussed that/laid it out in your rental agreement (in writing)?











Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:13 pm














Jenn@AttunedMotion






 
Post subject: 
Re: Displays, Events, ect.
 













I think it is ridiculous that you aren't allowed to advertise, have or website or whatever you want to do in order to attract clientele. I don't see how any of these advertising practices are "aggressive", and if the owner has been in business for 14 years without it, I'd say that's pretty damn amazing lol. My main concern for you is this.. If you are only renting a space (I assume you are working as an independent contractor) so why should it matter HOW you get clients in? I understand them not wanting to do office events, but having a website, or at least a facebook or myspace can be a HUGE boost in business. It allows people to find you online, you can use websites that do scheduling, you can even make a youtube channel to show how you do sessions, or to explain techniques you use. But even so, there are lots of other things you can do! I highly recommend canvassing the area you work in and leave business cards, flyers, brochures, etc and give them to anyone, everyone! Talk to the business owners around you and other services for them and their staff, maybe make a deal if they buy so many sessions. Find senior centers/ fitness centers/ post surgical care centers, etc and give your info to the coordinators. Possibly you can give "mini lectures" and show how massage can help them. There are tons of avenues to success! PS. Talk to your rental owner and find out why they are opposed to you advertising. They are hindering your progress! There is a big difference in being an aggressive advertiser and being able to show people who you are and what they do!

I think it is ridiculous that you aren't allowed to advertise, have or website or whatever you want to do in order to attract clientele. I don't see how any of these advertising practices are "aggressive", and if the owner has been in business for 14 years without it, I'd say that's pretty damn amazing lol. My main concern for you is this.. If you are only renting a space (I assume you are working as an independent contractor) so why should it matter HOW you get clients in? I understand them not wanting to do office events, but having a website, or at least a facebook or myspace can be a HUGE boost in business. It allows people to find you online, you can use websites that do scheduling, you can even make a youtube channel to show how you do sessions, or to explain techniques you use. But even so, there are lots of other things you can do! I highly recommend canvassing the area you work in and leave business cards, flyers, brochures, etc and give them to anyone, everyone! Talk to the business owners around you and other services for them and their staff, maybe make a deal if they buy so many sessions. Find senior centers/ fitness centers/ post surgical care centers, etc and give your info to the coordinators. Possibly you can give "mini lectures" and show how massage can help them. There are tons of avenues to success! PS. Talk to your rental owner and find out why they are opposed to you advertising. They are hindering your progress! There is a big difference in being an aggressive advertiser and being able to show people who you are and what they do!











Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:35 pm














swingingdelirium






 
Post subject: 
Re: Displays, Events, ect.
 













kathryn, lots of good ideas, thanks! Er, The website and Advertising restriction has more to do with the therapist who owns the name of the rental area. She has been a therapist for 14 years and most of her clients have been with her at least 10 of those years. Her logic really is that she has never advertised, had a website, or did formal networking, so nobody in her office should do those things either. I have been able to network, go to public events, get in contact with PT's, Chiropracters, and I also partnered up with a new gym for trades and promotions, but she's unwilling do budge on anything else. So that's what's going on there. thanks for all the ideas!

kathryn, lots of good ideas, thanks! Er, The website and Advertising restriction has more to do with the therapist who owns the name of the rental area. She has been a therapist for 14 years and most of her clients have been with her at least 10 of those years. Her logic really is that she has never advertised, had a website, or did formal networking, so nobody in her office should do those things either. I have been able to network, go to public events, get in contact with PT's, Chiropracters, and I also partnered up with a new gym for trades and promotions, but she's unwilling do budge on anything else. So that's what's going on there. thanks for all the ideas!











Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:56 am














kathryn






 
Post subject: 
Re: Displays, Events, ect.
 













Surely, they will let you have a website?? That's really odd and might even be a concern in the future.Anyway, when I moved into a new office, I went around to all the local businesses and introduced myself, handing out business cards and brochures. I also gave information packets to the businesses that cater to my client base, i.e. personal trainers and gyms. So, I included a paper about my philosophy about massage and how it ties in with what they do and some business cards and holder and 2 complimentary 1/2 hour gift certificates. I know you mentioned you didn't want to hand out free work. But the folks who came in on the gc's bought more time and one of the trainers is now trading with me b/c she enjoyed the massage so much. So, you don't have to give out free work, but at least go around and introduce yourself to the owners of the small businesses in your area. Also, you can send out related marketing packages, so for instance, to the tax folks in your area, send out a card giving them $10 off their next session to help them out during the stressful tax season.You can also offer to sell multiple gc's to any businesses that relate to yours. So, say there's a local business that sells lotions and such, you could sell them 5 -- 1/2 hour gc's for a discounted rate that they can give to customers who spend $50 or more (or whatever). But you have to go around and push that idea and make it sound like they're the ones gaining from it. I just did that with a couple travel agents and a home designer in my building, offered to sell them so many gc's for a certain amount and they can include it in their packages. Unfortunately, all their clients are long distance, but that's how it goes....don't know until you try it! But that type of thing has worked for me in the past.

Surely, they will let you have a website?? That's really odd and might even be a concern in the future.Anyway, when I moved into a new office, I went around to all the local businesses and introduced myself, handing out business cards and brochures. I also gave information packets to the businesses that cater to my client base, i.e. personal trainers and gyms. So, I included a paper about my philosophy about massage and how it ties in with what they do and some business cards and holder and 2 complimentary 1/2 hour gift certificates. I know you mentioned you didn't want to hand out free work. But the folks who came in on the gc's bought more time and one of the trainers is now trading with me b/c she enjoyed the massage so much. So, you don't have to give out free work, but at least go around and introduce yourself to the owners of the small businesses in your area. Also, you can send out related marketing packages, so for instance, to the tax folks in your area, send out a card giving them $10 off their next session to help them out during the stressful tax season.You can also offer to sell multiple gc's to any businesses that relate to yours. So, say there's a local business that sells lotions and such, you could sell them 5 -- 1/2 hour gc's for a discounted rate that they can give to customers who spend $50 or more (or whatever). But you have to go around and push that idea and make it sound like they're the ones gaining from it. I just did that with a couple travel agents and a home designer in my building, offered to sell them so many gc's for a certain amount and they can include it in their packages. Unfortunately, all their clients are long distance, but that's how it goes....don't know until you try it! But that type of thing has worked for me in the past.











Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 5:35 pm














Timedess






 
Post subject: 
Re: Displays, Events, ect.
 













swingingdelirium wrote:I just started renting an office, and for now I'm breaking even, but I'm looking to gain clients. The place I am renting from doesn't let me advertise my services, have a website, organize events at the office, or really anything they consider "aggressive". I have pretty limited options, so displays at health events and cross-promotions are really the only thing I can do, aside from word-of-mouth. I'm against "free chair massage" except in certain situations. (I am doing a cross-promo with a mattress store, and I'm doing the chair massage there free because the customers who can buy a $2,000 bed or $150 pillow to relieve their back pain could easily be regular clients for me, I already have 2 new people from one day there). Do any of you have advice on how to make a good display, ways to work out compensation aggreements with companies for services, ways to talk to people about booking with you? Just ways to "draw people in", ect?Um, my first thought is if the place you're renting from doesn't allow you to advertise your services, how on Earth do they expect you to make enough money to continue paying your rent to them?Do you mean they won't allow you to advertise *there*, as in put up a sign/display on their property; or do you mean no advertising whatsoever? Nobody can tell you you don't have the right to have your own web site for your own business if you're just *renting* from them. If they are that restrictive, I'd seriously be looking for a new place to rent. Other than that, I can say that *for us* one of the best things we've done as far as generating "word of mouth" referrals has been joining a good networking group. Not all networking groups are created equal, that's for sure; but for us, this particular one has been a HUGE benefit to us.

[quote="swingingdelirium"]I just started renting an office, and for now I'm breaking even, but I'm looking to gain clients. [b]The place I am renting from doesn't let me advertise my services, have a website, organize events at the office, or really anything they consider "aggressive".[/b] I have pretty limited options, so displays at health events and cross-promotions are really the only thing I can do, aside from word-of-mouth. I'm against "free chair massage" except in certain situations. (I am doing a cross-promo with a mattress store, and I'm doing the chair massage there free because the customers who can buy a $2,000 bed or $150 pillow to relieve their back pain could easily be regular clients for me, I already have 2 new people from one day there). Do any of you have advice on how to make a good display, ways to work out compensation aggreements with companies for services, ways to talk to people about booking with you? Just ways to "draw people in", ect?Um, my first thought is if the place you're renting from doesn't allow you to advertise your services, how on Earth do they expect you to make enough money to continue paying your rent to them?Do you mean they won't allow you to advertise *there*, as in put up a sign/display on their property; or do you mean no advertising whatsoever? Nobody can tell you you don't have the right to have your own web site for your own business if you're just *renting* from them. If they are that restrictive, I'd seriously be looking for a new place to rent. Other than that, I can say that *for us* one of the best things we've done as far as generating "word of mouth" referrals has been joining a good networking group. Not all networking groups are created equal, that's for sure; but for us, this particular one has been a HUGE benefit to us.











Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:10 pm














swingingdelirium






 
Post subject: 
Displays, Events, ect.
 













I just started renting an office, and for now I'm breaking even, but I'm looking to gain clients. The place I am renting from doesn't let me advertise my services, have a website, organize events at the office, or really anything they consider "aggressive". I have pretty limited options, so displays at health events and cross-promotions are really the only thing I can do, aside from word-of-mouth. I'm against "free chair massage" except in certain situations. (I am doing a cross-promo with a mattress store, and I'm doing the chair massage there free because the customers who can buy a $2,000 bed or $150 pillow to relieve their back pain could easily be regular clients for me, I already have 2 new people from one day there). Do any of you have advice on how to make a good display, ways to work out compensation aggreements with companies for services, ways to talk to people about booking with you? Just ways to "draw people in", ect?

I just started renting an office, and for now I'm breaking even, but I'm looking to gain clients. The place I am renting from doesn't let me advertise my services, have a website, organize events at the office, or really anything they consider "aggressive". I have pretty limited options, so displays at health events and cross-promotions are really the only thing I can do, aside from word-of-mouth. I'm against "free chair massage" except in certain situations. (I am doing a cross-promo with a mattress store, and I'm doing the chair massage there free because the customers who can buy a $2,000 bed or $150 pillow to relieve their back pain could easily be regular clients for me, I already have 2 new people from one day there). Do any of you have advice on how to make a good display, ways to work out compensation aggreements with companies for services, ways to talk to people about booking with you? Just ways to "draw people in", ect?











Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:16 pm


















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[Goligoski]

Displays, Events, ect.

Wow. I don't really have any advice that others haven't already offered but your post makes me realize how fortunate I am at the shop. I am an IC, but that is considered 'self employed' We all work under the shop's name, but are responsible for our own advertising, promotions, etc. We are *expected* to market ourselves. Of course there are people that just find our number in the phone book (and they go to us ICs on the basis of seniority), the owner runs ads in the local paper, pays for brochures etc. Once we all went in together to buy an ad with our photos in it, with a line or two about our specialties that we wrote ourselves. We're expected to find events to do onsite massage, hand out brochures, talk to people, self promote constantly, whatever it takes. We have the spa's website but another MT and I created a Facebook page for the shop, we're allowed to create our own specials or discounts to offer people. It's a lot of work but I'm glad she wants us to do it. It would be very difficult to build a clientele if we weren't.

 

[Sikenflossy]

Displays, Events, ect.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I am educating myself on using facebook for marketing, even if I have to skirt under the rule and use a personal facebook, I'm still going to try it out. Plus many other ideas you guys gave me sound great, thank you!

 

[Virgin_phoenix]

Displays, Events, ect.

one thing to keep in mind with your marketing is to market yourself!, not the clinic!!!!!!. With this i mean she may be using you to build clinic patiets, and when you leave they end up seeing her, when doing up marketing use your own cards, your own website, your own brochures that direct pts to wher ever you are, that way when you leave the refferial base comes with you. in your facebook page make sure it is for you and not the clinic.
At a clinic i used to work at they made it mandatory that i paid for a yellow pages ad for the clinic with my name in it, when i left i was still paying for the ad but they got the pts becuse it was their number being called. Possably have another phone number that is directed to your cell phone, then it can be redirected to a new clinic you may open down the road?, if i did this i would have saved a bundle of money and had alot more pts.

 

[Designer~Wife]

Displays, Events, ect.

I agree 100% with above, and I'm guessing that is exactly why she doesn't want you to do it.

Tough cookies, shes renting out the space - she needs to give you the freedom to market *yourself*.

So there! :