Frustration/worry setting in

[ComaGrorrymef]

As I previously posted, I've been in my office for 3 years, and this year has been exceptional. I credit a lot of it to being in there as much as I want (seeing as how I'm no longer sharing my space with anyone). August was an awesome month, September, well, I did $2000 less business then August. Still a decent amount made, especially being gone on vacation the first week, but here it is, October already, and after seeing 17 clients 2 weeks ago, I've only had 8 clients last week and this week, and it's frustrating. My current clients are great, habitual reschedulers, and they all love how I do things, and commend me and say "you are running your business the right way". I do newsletters, offer a discount program, have specials throughout the year, rewards for clients that refer new members, a birthday discount, but I'm just strapped for ideas on getting new clients. I receive about 80% of new business from people just looking online, Google is the best advertising I could ask for, and it costs me very little, I've put flyers up around town, etc. I have a chair massage business on the side that is going pretty good, have 2 regular accounts, so that's helpful.

I think I'm just frustrated because I had such a profitable summer and things seem to be slowing down, and I'm sure a lot of it is the crap Michigan economy, and things will pick up, I need to be patient, but I am finally in a position where I feel I'm ready to buy a house and get out on my own (I'm 29, it's past time to leave the nest and times like this have me wondering...

Just wanted to vent to those who know what I'm going through.

 

[fancy_argonaut]

If it helps, Sept & Oct have been slow for us this year.

 

[ariamna d]

Well, I think I can agree with you that it's just that time of year. Parents had to get their kids back to school or off to college and things have slowed down a bit @ my work. I've seen my paycheck @ the spa steadily decrease as well.
So, it's not just Michigan, as things are sort of "lean" in Wisconsin now too.

 

[Hope Has A Headache]

Ok well now I feel better!

My paychecks have not even been half of what they were a few months ago. I was sitting here thinking it was just us now I see its all over.

 

[Shay P]

hey rebecca! i'm glad to hear things went so well for you this summer. if you want we could get together and brain storm some ideas. i've got a binder stuffed full of marketing and advertising ideas. you could either borrow it if you like or we can meet up and flip through it together. i've got a couple of really cool books too! unique stuff to read through not boring stuff.

how do you set your goals? is it number of clients per week/month? is it dollar amount made per day/week/month? sometimes it may seem like you're seeing fewer clients but the money isn't all that much less. especially if you're running specials and so on.

let me know what you think. ps- you'll get there. it's a great time to buy a house so hopefully you can work towards saving up. i just got the keys to my first house on saturday! i've got a really, really great mortgage guy if/when you're ready.

 

[And 1]

September is generally a lean month for me, too. Like Maestra said, parents have to get the kids off to school/college. Have you noticed how incredibly expensive it is just to get a child in public GRADE school? They get a list of required supplies, and the requirements are no longer just basics, but LONG lists, with name brand and color of each notebook even a requirement. I know people who have had to get their high schooler a single $200 calculator......among many other required expenses. Many people just don't have anything left to take care of themselves - and some are still catching up on Oct. They are also refiguring how to work their time, with all the taxi-ing. It smooths back out and gets busier again.

Congratulations on your progress!

 

[zeureeka]

My September was total crap! I had 4 clients all decide to take long vacations, and things have been slowing down at the chiro office too. I hope October is better.

 

[Casey R]

Our July, August and September are extremely slow. Only a few regular clients stick around through the summer. I use this time to take vacations, classes, or do projects around the house. At the end of October, t hings start to pick up. We get a lot of seasonal people in the winter.

 

[Mommy to 3]

We have a huge fair here in October and everything shuts down in preparation for it. September and October are very slow for most businesses. I am going to do chair massage at the fair this year and sell bottled water so I hope that goes well. It should pick up again in November with Christmas Gift Certificates.

 

[jobromancer]

I am glad to hear it was not just us. My chiro's office has been trending down all summer, and my visits were WAY down July/Aug. Sept was average (not a good thing), and Oct is looking to be the worst of the lot. I was attributing most of it to my chiro's bad mood, he is seeing half the clients per week he was May - Jun, but it looks like it just might be a trend. I did get two new clients who are great last week, so I am focusing on them!

 

[Chee Hoo]

I can relate to most of everyones slow period. However, I have to honestly say that I have not really had it quite so bad. I am a firm believer that what you put out there is what you get back.

Example: Over the last few weeks I have continually thought of how many things I have to do at my office and my home. Subconsciously I have been craving time to get this stuff done. Well, it has happened. I found myself slow, was able to get this stuff done, and realized I was focusing (again) on being busy and gues what? I AM BUSY AGAIN!!!

I know I probably sound like a nut case but I cannot emphasize enough, the importance of thinking proactive. This happens over and over again in all situations.

Ever read the book "The Secret"? Well, it's true. The basic principal is true. Try it!!!!

Okay, enough now. I wil shut up for a while.

 

[satty jr]

LOL Scalenes

Y'all aren't alone. Add me to the "late summer is slower" list August and Sept are pretty lean, though we did manage to beat out last year by just a hair. Things start to pick up during the last half of Oct or possibly the first half of Nov, which is just around the corner, and hopefully this'll be true for everyone else, too. Just hang in there! It's a dry spell and it WILL pick back up.

Sending warm happy thoughts all around.
Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[Pringle]

If it helps, Sept & Oct have been slow for us this year.

Thanks. I saw very few folks Sept compared to July/August, which were very good. Oct has been marginally better.