I just brought on a new therapist

[=0) Exotic Motorcyclist]

Back in the end of June a got a randome phone call from a new grad looking for a job. She had been on my website and wanted to work in an office just like mine. So I gave her an interview a hands on and oral thought she had some talent but needed to be pointed in the right direction.

So I gave her a hands on lesson with one of my clients. Now I have come to a cross road with getting her clients. I have made her rate $10 less than mine and I have been encouraging new clients that call to give her a try, but they would rather wait and paymore to see me. And in 2 cases I have had 2 of her clients switch over to me. I took her on as an IC bc I knew she did not have the clients base to be able to pay me rent. Is there more I can do to help her build a stronger client base?

I have her on my website and everytime I send out an email I always mention her. And I post her opening on Facebook and I have even gone as far as posting ads on Craigslist

 

[tott1]

I just brought on a new therapist

Its very nice of you to work so hard to find her clients, but maybe her books will fill up more quickly if she does that work herself? I can't recall what your office set up is, but does she have her own space where she can book clients w/o having to worry about schedule conflicts?

While its nice to be supplied with clients, there is some pride to 'catching them' yourself and its a valuable skill for any LMT. I do think its best to start her out in IC status until she starts getting busier. Maybe do some advertising with her doing chair massages and you manning a table promoting your office?

 

[Pompal 09.]

I just brought on a new therapist

I gave her all day on Monday and if she can fill that day I would be willing to give her another

 

[noitall]

I just brought on a new therapist

Quite honestly, she probably needs to be more proactive in promoting herself. Not that your efforts are good (and, I hope, appreciated by her) but I think the best way to get clients is to talk to people personally. And endlessly.

 

[aaahyeaaa]

I just brought on a new therapist

Back in the end of June a got a randome phone call from a new grad looking for a job. She had been on my website and wanted to work in an office just like mine. So I gave her an interview a hands on and oral thought she had some talent but needed to be pointed in the right direction.

So I gave her a hands on lesson with one of my clients. Now I have come to a cross road with getting her clients. I have made her rate $10 less than mine and I have been encouraging new clients that call to give her a try, but they would rather wait and paymore to see me. And in 2 cases I have had 2 of her clients switch over to me. I took her on as an IC bc I knew she did not have the clients base to be able to pay me rent. Is there more I can do to help her build a stronger client base?

I have her on my website and everytime I send out an email I always mention her. And I post her opening on Facebook and I have even gone as far as posting ads on Craigslist

Start by making a decision: How far are you willing to extend yourself to build a clientele for her? If you are willing to extend yourself further than she extends herself, you have someone that should be an employee, not an IC. And it won't work.

Perhaps this person is very nice and appreciates the opportunity and whatnot, but what is she doing to grow as a therapist and develop a clientele? The clients that she sees - are they happy? Why did some of her clients switch to you? Why did some of the people she saw not come back? Is she better now than when you brought her into your office? Is this MT thinking about any of these things?

If she wants to be a successful IC, she needs to take responsibility for her own success. Expecting you to do all the work is a recipe for disaster.

 

[brutusmom]

I just brought on a new therapist

Back in the end of June a got a randome phone call from a new grad looking for a job. She had been on my website and wanted to work in an office just like mine. So I gave her an interview a hands on and oral thought she had some talent but needed to be pointed in the right direction.

So I gave her a hands on lesson with one of my clients. Now I have come to a cross road with getting her clients. I have made her rate $10 less than mine and I have been encouraging new clients that call to give her a try, but they would rather wait and paymore to see me. And in 2 cases I have had 2 of her clients switch over to me. I took her on as an IC bc I knew she did not have the clients base to be able to pay me rent. Is there more I can do to help her build a stronger client base?

I have her on my website and everytime I send out an email I always mention her. And I post her opening on Facebook and I have even gone as far as posting ads on Craigslist

Start by making a decision: How far are you willing to extend yourself to build a clientele for her? If you are willing to extend yourself further than she extends herself, you have someone that should be an employee, not an IC. And it won't work.

Perhaps this person is very nice and appreciates the opportunity and whatnot, but what is she doing to grow as a therapist and develop a clientele? The clients that she sees - are they happy? Why did some of her clients switch to you? Why did some of the people she saw not come back? Is she better now than when you brought her into your office? Is this MT thinking about any of these things?

If she wants to be a successful IC, she needs to take responsibility for her own success. Expecting you to do all the work is a recipe for disaster.

This. Don't get trapped into being "too nice" from the get-go. Bad mistake.

 

[Chihiro00]

I just brought on a new therapist

I am trying this again. A friend of mine that I use to work with about 3 years ago sent me an email asking me how to get started on her own. I am proud to say I am a busy little lady :grin: and I am always turning away new clients.

So can up with what I think is a far arragment for the both of us. And she is out there promoting herself telling people on facebook where she is now and people are booking with her. So, so far so good.

I asked my account what is the best way to bring on an IC. And this is what my account strongly suggested

1) the MT takes their own payment and the MT pays me my cut
- and she also set up to take their own credit card payments
2) seperate services and rates
3) uses their own supplies

 

[Pompal 09.]

I just brought on a new therapist

Actually I was in this similar situation and am just switching over to monthly rental.

The way that we worked it was that the center DID collect payment (I usually checked them out myself though).
We kept a therapist log to keep track of payments.
I paid a flat rate per hour - and additional time was in 15min increments.
The center processed credit card payments - if a client used a cc then I paid a small perceneforum.xxxe to cover transaction fee. We do allow clients to put a tip on the cc - I don't know why some places don't.
I kept a running total and at the end of the week the center paid me for all sessions less any fees that we had agreed on.
And yes - I did have a written contract/agreement.

If they are processing their own payments I think that they are more of a renter. And I don't think it looks good for your business.
Same with having a seperate menu and policies. So I don't really care for those suggestions unless you strictly want a renter.
Accountants know a LOT - but they don't know everything. :grin:
I know someone in construction/cement...they collect payment from the customer and pay out their subs/ic's from that at the end of the week or pay period. THEY don't have seperate pricing, policies, services and THEY don't collect from customers.
I think that is pretty standard.

 

[Diana!!!]

I just brought on a new therapist

My account is just concerened that if I ever get audited and the IRS thinks the MT is even a little bit like an employee they will fine me

 

[Pompal 09.]

I just brought on a new therapist

I hope your new 2011 experience works out well.

I never responded to this post back in 2010. So, I am adding something of a hijack to the new addition, because I feel it may be helpful to someone who stumbles over this in the future:

• If she wants to be a successful IC, she needs to take responsibility for her own success. Expecting you to do all the work is a recipe for disaster.

  
  This is very true. Many years ago I was in the situation where I tried to help someone else build their clientele and the fact is, you end up loosing your clients as well when you keep trying to push them onto the new therapist (be it nicely or not). This can easily drive them completely away.
  
  I feel terrible that I actually did that with a few of my wonderful clients at the time I mentioned in the paragraph above. And, unfortunately, I know this is the reason they left. They just wanted to come see me and enjoy the visit. Not be pushed toward soemthing else.

/hijack

 

[halifax666]

I just brought on a new therapist

My account is just concerened that if I ever get audited and the IRS thinks the MT is even a little bit like an employee they will fine me

No - you wouldn't get fined just for having her there. The trouble usually happens when the person leaves and tries to apply for unemployment comp.
The state will do an investigation to determine if she was IC or emplyee - they usually just send you and her each a questionnaire form.
IF they think that she is an employee THEN you would get the fine and have to pay back taxes and all those other things.

I think you might want to consult with someone who is knowledgeable about your state labor laws, or check their .org site to see if they cover this on the website.
Or - start a new discussion for some input from those who are in the same situation as you are - if you don't get more help on this issue in this thread that is.