My massage neighbor

[Cherisse]

Hi all,

October 1st, I will be getting a massage therapist moving right next door to my office. There are two floors in my office, currently I am the only massage biz in the whole building. The rest of the place is crawling with hair dressers... about 18 of them.

I know who this woman is, she started out as a client but has turned into a friend. She comes in for massage infrequently.

Out of professional courtesy, I will have to change how I do things once she moves in next door. For one thing, I have a bunch of signage on my door. When I run a special, I would put up a little sign. I think the days of doing that are over. None of the hair dressers does anything like this. Seeing that I cannot answer the door and talk to a client outside who has a question or wants info.... I think I will still leave my business cards and a pricing brochure on my door, as I think she might want to do as well.

My biggest concern are walk ins looking for gift certificates, especially around the holidays. If I am in session and she is available... someone who is wanting a gift cert FROM MY BUSINESS might buy one from her instead. My regulars wouldnt do that, but husbands (or anyone else wanting to buy a certificate for a current client) walking in probably will get the two of us confused.

FOr the most part, I really am looking forward to having another MT around. I am just very protective about my business, it iis my baby. I dont want any confussion between my business and hers.

Has anyone else one had to deal with something like this? Am I getting worried about this for nothing??

Christine

 

[Pompal 09.]

My massage neighbor

Out of professional courtesy, I will have to change how I do things once she moves in next door.



Has anyone else one had to deal with something like this? Am I getting worried about this for nothing??

Massage therpaists and chiropractors are notorius for being territorial. One thing I have learned over the years is that the clients that come through your doors are the ones you want to put priority on -- not the ones walking past, in a situation like this. I know it sounds strange, but it seems to always "work itself" out for me.

Don't worry. As a matter of fact you may get more traffic now, since people will see there are two therapists in the building. "Wow, maybe I should try this! It seems to be something special after all!"

You have a lot of hair dressers there, and they are all doing their own thing, without any worries. Strive for the same!

Good luck!

 

[akl]

I don't know why you couldn't continue to work the door. If it isn't forbidden in the lease and nobody complains, it doesn't sound like a problem to me. But then, I work in a funky old office building where lots of people put up signage and even decorations all over/around the door. I have another MT almost directly across the hall from me whose signage is far more prominent than mine -- but then there are really no walkins AT ALL in our space, so it's not the same issue. (There are 8 MT offices total in the building, but that's spread over floors 3-6.)

 

[Driver]

I just figured I would have to change the way I advertise on the door because none of the hair dressers are using their doors. It makes sense for me to advertise on the door because of all the people walking through the building who are seeing the hair dressers. The hair dressers dont advertise on the door because most of the people in the building are seeing other hair dressers. It would be tacky if they were trying to lure away business from the other hair dressers.

I have just never had to deal with another MT this close to me before!

And yeah, I am being a little territorial!! lol.... but I know it will work out. I am the one who told her about this place. It is just a fear of the unknown.

Christine

 

[Bella Cullen]

I think as long as you have a sign up on your door that says "Great Lakes"... and makes it clear that that's where they'll find You and Your business, I think that's the important thing. Having Business cards and brochures outside your office (both of which could refer them to your website for GCs) is a great idea. Do you have a door sign or other notification system for when you are "in session"... and do you have an "open door" policy when you Are available for consultation or walk in appointments? Setting a time that you'll "be back" or that you're available for them to talk to personally when you are not in session is a good point too. You might even frame a pretty GC and hang the pic outside your door...

 

[Rasberry User]

It will work itself out! I do think you should continue to advertise on your door as you have been. She KNOWS you use the door this way, since she has been your client. Do not be apologetic for your sucessful advertising, and don't quit on a single thing that works for you!

I understand how you feel. I would love to work cooperatively with another MT sometimes, yet it would make me a bit nervous. But this is your baby, so of course you are protective. That's okay.

I really don't think it would cross her mind to want you to take down any of your signs, specials or other ads. She will be competing for business from the passers-by, but there are plenty of clients for both of you.

 

[Billys]

Christine

I wouldn't worry too much about it as the others have stated. You have had your practice there, your clients know about you and I am sure are referring to you. I do know about the 'territory' thing. When I tried to reach out to other therapists in my area I was mostly met with snarls and gnashing teeth.... Some were downright hateful... I hope that energy isn't infusing into their practices! geeze....

I look at it this way, we are all different and our practices will develop and reflect our different strengths... those we can help will be drawn to our practice and those who need another modality/personality to feel comfortable will search for that. We can have EVERY person as a client.. imagine how exhausted we'd be!

I would definintely keep her as a friend. There is another MT in my area, although not right next door, that I network/brainstorm with and I am very glad to call her a friend. We help each other and in this business, as much as things change, it is great to have each other to get a different point of view. She has a little more experience in the field than I do so I have a built-in referral I can utilize should a client present to me something beyond my scope at the moment. I have some experience in marketing. We get together and share techniques and ideas we have knowledge of with each other, it's a win-win if you ask me.

Always think forward, who knows, if it is your 'thing', maybe down the road you could specialize in certain modialities and she in others and who knows, you may end up in practice together, sharing the expenses... that would definitely make a difference in both your bottom lines.

Just some food for thought! Have a great day!