new to business-need some help

[Turkey Man]

I would like to know how long it takes to build up customers- I feel like throwing in the towel! I opened November 15th and have had only 5 clients. I have a home-based spa right in my own-it looks very professional. I do live in the country about 10 minutes outside of town. Also I am not an RMT. I do relaxation massage only-Japanese hot stone and aromatherapy. With RMt's being covered by most insurances these days I wonder if my business will take off. I do offer meditation and relaxation instruction as well. I have been networking and did some charity work-2 clients from that. my flyers get taken down and my word ads in the newspaper brought 0 response. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks to all those who respond.

 

[Carolyn]

new to business-need some help

You need to advertise yourself as a qualified therapist, i.e. GO TO SCHOOL! People will respond to an ad if they feel comfortable that the therapist is qualified. You CAN NOT bill yourself as an educated therapist if you are not educated. I've been licensed for 10 years and have only been successful enough to be 100% self-employed for a few years. 3 months for a full time business is a tad unrealistic. You're not selling something that people can't find anywhere else. Just because you "opened shop" doesn't mean the phone will ring. I don't mean to be condescending, but you need to establish a reputation. There is no trick to that.

 

[Anonymous]

new to business-need some help

Amen

 

[bamjo]

Perhaps you should consider working for an established business while building your own practice.  It's tough to build a clientele in less than a year (and that's conservative) to a full-time basis.  It takes a host of things, way beyond opening your doors.  There are many marketing and client-building ideas on this site.  Take some time to review them and implement the ones that you think will work for you.  Don't give up, it's worth the time and work.  Many therapists work other jobs while builiding a clientele, it's a facet of the business unfortunately.  There's no secret but hard work and determination.  Good luck and keep us posted.  Joe E.

 

[love]

Joe has a good point... it takes quite awhile to establish a good clientele.  I'm still working at it, and I've been a MT for about 6 and a half years.You also have to remember that Word of Mouth is your best advertising.  While networking is great... the same information from one of your 5 clients who you have seen previously will have more meaning to a potential new client.  Ask each of those you have seen, who they know who could benefit from your services and then give them the marketing tools to do so.  I live in a small city of less than 10,000 people and as I have said, I'm still working on it.As for being 10 minutes out of town... I would think that would be a plus, not a drawback. "Escape to the country..."  How much land do you have? Is it possible to set up a little hiking trail? Or a quiet garden nook where they can practice some meditation techniques outdoors in the proper season?  Turn your 10 minutes out of town into a  - "Whole new world..."As for being a RMT or CMT, I think that depends on what state you live in.  Do I think that being a RMT or CMT has gotten me more clients? Hard to say, since I work in a salon and many of my clients are tourists... though clients do ask me where I went to school, and how long I have been doing massage.  Clients may respect you more if you have the schooling.  *Shrugs*I do know this though... I am starting to get more and more referrals. One of my most recent referrals came in with a gift certificate from her hubby, he works for the chamber of commerce, and he told her when he asked around for who did "the best massage in town" that someone gave him my name!(She raved about the massage when she was getting it. So I gave her 5 of my business cards to hand out to her friends.)She went back to her work and said, "I just had the best massage..." (Which resulted in one of my old clients deciding to make an appointment the very next day.)Will those 5 business cards get given out? I think so, and even though I am not a chamber of commerce member, I can count members of both the Jaycees and the Chamber among my clientele.  Sometimes it's just hard to tell where those networking connections will lead!  But a happy client is your best advertising.  Give them knock your socks off service... they'll come back and bring their friends.Wishing you success... go chase that dream!  ;D

 

[b3k@]

lindylou,I've been a New York Licensed Massage Therapist for almost 18 years now.  As I recall the rule of thumb was at least two years to build a solid business by word of mouth.  A little quicker if you advertise, but the business won't be as solid.  So my advice to you is to give yourself some more time.  The other posts were great in telling you how to go about building your practice.  There's no quick way around it.  I've just opened a wellness center almost in the heart of a very busy little town.  It's been two years now, and every month I sweat it out hoping I'll have enough for the rent, utilities, and payroll.  I haven't brought home a paycheck in a year and a half!  That's my goal for this year. . . and I must add this. . .I have a great reputation as a Massage Therapist.  I know the kind of work that I do, so It's not that I'm failing in that department.  It's just darn hard to build a real business.  Keep the faith!You'll get there!

 

[Miss Laura]

Deirdre,I'm glad to know I'm not the only one.  I expanded my practice into a wellness center of sorts about a year and a half ago and it was like starting all over again.  I've been a professional massage therapist for 12 years and never had to market as hard as I do now to get new customers for my center.  I too sweat it out every month to see if all the bills will get paid.  I have managed to pay myself, but usually not in the increments that I would like.  Luckily I've been able to build on my excellent reputation as well.  And now my goal is to cultivate a prescence for my business that is not necessarily connected to my name.  I'd love to talk with you some more about this off list.  If you wish, please contact me at [email protected] wishes,Cassandra

 

[Nostromo]

I agree with Joe and everyone else, it's a good idea to have another steady job while you are building up your clientele.  I do housecalls only for my clients, and I have 2 right now and I have to work at an upscale day spa where they mainly do relaxation massage, which is not the work that I want to be doing, but until I have enough clients on my own to make a living, I'll have to stick it out.  It is difficult, but stick with it, and yes, word of mouth is not only free, but the best advertising you could ask for.  Just give your clients a few of your cards and ask them to pass them on to anyone who they feel could benefit from your services.  It takes some time, I'm learning that too, but stick with it!