A little worried...

[Bobby Cowboy Man]

I'm sure all of you went through the same thing I'm going through now, but I'm really starting to worry...I was looking through my finances today, and I've got about $1000 left in my bank account. Right now I don't have many clients coming in at all, and bills are coming up soon. I live on my own and rent office space, so everything I do is on me. I've thought of getting a full-time or part-time job elsewhere, and trying to squeeze in massage, but I'm afraid this will leave me with no clientelle coming in, and that my current (yet small) clientelle will leave and find a more 'available' therapist. There are a few things I would like to get for my office, such as a computer, that I cannot afford, but find I really need it. Right now most of my clients are coming off the internet through website advertising, so I pretty much must stay home around the computer. This leaves me out of the office, not able to take walk-ins. I just ordered the Fill Your Practice e-course, in hopes that maybe soon I'll be able to get at least a couple of clients out of it. I have been told by about 90% of my clients that I am the best therapist that has ever touched them, and that I am the best therapist in the area, hands down. But it seems they're telling ME this and nobody else for referrals. I have a 'refer 3, get one free' plan where they can earn free massages, but I haven't had one referral yet. I've had my license for over a month, and am just not making the overhead I need.What do you think I should do? Should I find another job and risk losing my clientelle, thus quitting massage altogether? Should I try to stick it out and risk getting evicted from my office and my apartment? Should I off myself and never have to worry about bills again? (Kidding about that one, kind of.) I don't know, I'm just worried to death... I put all this time and effort into massage, I love doing it, and I want this to be my career, but I just don't know if I have the marketing skills and public relations to do it.

 

[Claire Dare]

I'd be there and take the walk-ins.  Maybe have the internet advertising specify a cell phone to call for appointments.  Your website says you're at a chiropractic office.  Does the doctor refer well?Lately it's been slow for me because everyone is on vacation or home with kids.  Today I came in for two half-hour appointments that were 3 hours apart.  That's hardly worth my time!  But by 10:00am I had two more hours scheduled - one call and one walk-in.  Call people that haven't been in for a while.  Tell them you're running a special, and that they were the first person you wanted to tell.  Give them a small discount.  Might get them back on track.Are you in a shopping center or high traffic area?  Set up a massage chair outside the front door and offer free 5 minute massages.  That's what I do when I get desperate.  :-XYou might want to check out a small book called "The Prayer of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkenson.  It came to me highly recommended, and I have to admit there's definately some power in that prayer...  It is Christian material though - I don't want to offend.Everyone worries about bills and money - even rich people.  It took me a year to build a good clientele.  It could be a good idea to get a second job for a while.  A short evening shift at a coffee shop or something would give you a little secure income while not taking up too much massage time.Good luck with your decisions, and with your business.  I think it's too soon to give up.  If you're truly dedicated, you will succeed.Katykangaroo

 

[alabamaman]

A little worried...

I'd be there and take the walk-ins.  Maybe have the internet advertising specify a cell phone to call for appointments.  Your website says you're at a chiropractic office.  Does the doctor refer well?

Well, I haven't had any referrals from the doctor. The building itself is only about 3 months old, and he doesn't have much traffic coming in either. I set out $10 off coupons and business cards in the front reception area, and they've all been taken (yay!), but still haven't recieved a call from them yet. I've been in this office for about a month and a half.

Lately it's been slow for me because everyone is on vacation or home with kids.  Today I came in for two half-hour appointments that were 3 hours apart.  That's hardly worth my time!  But by 10:00am I had two more hours scheduled - one call and one walk-in.

I hear summer is a really slow time. Sadly, the beginning of summer is when I graduated from massage school. So part of it is just bad timing I suppose. 

Call people that haven't been in for a while.  Tell them you're running a special, and that they were the first person you wanted to tell.  Give them a small discount.  Might get them back on track.

What I'm planning on doing tomorrow morning is sending out Thank You cards to all my clients, just so that I will stick in their minds. May be of help to attach a $5 off coupon...

Are you in a shopping center or high traffic area?  Set up a massage chair outside the front door and offer free 5 minute massages.  That's what I do when I get desperate.  :-X

Sadly no. The shopping center I'm in is new, so it's not high traffic at all. The store next door is Vacuum City, which has a lot of customers, and on the other side is Living Word. I have no massage chair yet (I plan on investing in one as soon as I get the cash), but may be able to borrow one from a friend. I'll keep that in consideration and will set up tomorrow! Great idea!

You might want to check out a small book called "The Prayer of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkenson.  It came to me highly recommended, and I have to admit there's definately some power in that prayer...  It is Christian material though - I don't want to offend.

I've seen and read the book, but as an atheist, I did / do not take it into consideration. Thank you though.

Everyone worries about bills and money - even rich people.  It took me a year to build a good clientele.  It could be a good idea to get a second job for a while.  A short evening shift at a coffee shop or something would give you a little secure income while not taking up too much massage time.

Good luck with your decisions, and with your business.  I think it's too soon to give up.  If you're truly dedicated, you will succeed.

Katykangaroo

Thank you for the inspiration and the ideas. I will start bright and early tomorrow morning (well, in about 8 hours)! A coffee shop would not be a bad idea... I could advertise there, if management allows. My friend and I were discussing over lunch today what type of second job I could get to help put my name out, and we came up with bartending at a nightclub, but perhaps a coffee shop would appeal more to the clients I want to target. Thanks again!

 

[nicepuddin]

The part time job will be a help.  If most of your clients are day time find an evening job or vise versa.  Will cut into your social life but you have to think long term.  You can't be in your office to take walk-ins or answer questions to all those people walking by because you have to be home on the computer?  Move your home computer to your office.  No need to buy a second computer and you are there for those walk-ins.  Won't have it at home but what is your priority?  Write down your goals and post it where you will see it every day.  Make a long term budgeting and business plan.  Surf the different threads on this site.  Tons of great information has been posted by some very successful MTs here.Good luck!

 

[Michael]

A little worried...

You can't be in your office to take walk-ins or answer questions to all those people walking by because you have to be home on the computer?  Move your home computer to your office.  No need to buy a second computer and you are there for those walk-ins.  Won't have it at home but what is your priority?

I should have clarified more on that. I was thinking of moving the computer to my office, but that would make me have to install internet at the office, which with my office being in the middle of the building, I'd have to run a wire through the building. My other option would be to install a wireless network, which I could do, but that's a whole other cost issue. The reason I have to be near the computer is because I get many clients through email. I've tried answering email on my phone through it's wireless internet, but half the time it doesn't send, and is just a hassle in itself. My phone also takes a few hours to let me know if an email has arrived, so it's just not a very good way of communication by email. I started looking up the latest prices for computers with generic parts, and I can probably build one that I could efficiently use for about $300. I should soon be getting that, I just need to sell a few things around the house. I've been reading the threads around here and have picked up a lot of outstanding ideas, I thank you all for posting and especially thank the staff / mods.

 

[My Answers Suck]

Seforum.xxx, I did much better with a beeper. It was less expensive, and clients could reach me a lot easier by phone. I was also able to call them back within a relatively short amount of time. Its a separate number, so it shouldn't bother your home phone. You can list it on your website?Coffee house sounds great...but could you do chair massage there? All you need is a quiet corner. I'd like to see you working in your field. I worked for a chiro for a time, but luckily that practice grew pretty fast. I was on salary, so it wasn't so much of a risk during the slow times. I know that kind of position is hard to find now, everything is private contracting. I actually got that lead from the administrator at my school.  The pay isn't as much as you might make on your own, but it doesn't hurt to have a "safety net" while you build up your clientele. And believe me, it will grow! When I left the chiro, I had  friends who'd been my patients. They actually found me work besides giving me work! I held several jobs massaging at once, at an athletic club, at a talent agency, at a wellness center, chair work in many offices in the city, and a spa. I even worked for Promotions West massaging headliners that came in to the Agora, and worked with Florida MT's at the first Warped Tour. None of the businesses I worked for complained...you actually grow a following that comes to where ever you are working...so each business benefited from that. Volunteering chair at the local fire department, or for nurses in a hospital, might bring in some grateful clients as well. Best of luck!  Don't be afraid to "spread yourself too thin" because that never happens. What does happen is that more people get to know who you are and what you do. It really lays the groundwork for freedom. Gi

 

[bitch]

How do you feel about having a partner?You would cut your costs in half while still seeing the clients you already see.  You can use the time you aren't in the office for your marketing.Just a thought.RObyn

 

[Julio]

You could run an ad in the local shooping guide or neighborhood newspaper with an intro special, or state "Emergency Appointments Available/Welcome"  that will strike a cord with spur of the moment people.Personally I offer $10 off the next visit when ever someone refers a client.  That creates instant gratification...They don't have to wait for 3 of their friends to come in to receive the "fruits of their labor".  I Also asked for help from my clients.  I told them I was just starting out, and I could use all the help getting new clients I could get.  It was wonderful to hear their ideas, and some of them took it as a personal mission to pass my cards out to as many people as they could.  I believe by being at your office you create the energy to draw people in.  But I also believe you have to have income to keep a roof over your head.  I think the coffee house is the ideal situation.You will learn a lot from the "Fill Your Practice" course.  As far as worrying about money... some people worry about where the next $5 will come from, some people worry about where the next $50,000 will come from.  More money creates higher bills.  But in the end it is the same worry.

 

[Morgan Galligan]

If most of your clients are referrals from your website, why dont you send out monthly newsletter's via email and place all of your monthly specials, etc...  I send this newsletter out every month featuring something on massage and your health.  As well as any added features to my massage with any discounts Im wanting to give.  I do something different every month.  My clients always tell me they love it because it helps them remember to take care of themselves.  If you want to see one of my newsletters just email me.  I would gladly send you a sample.  It has truely helped me out in bad months.  And it is free advertising.  I also give $5.00 off for anyone who refers to me, plus the person they are referring gets $5.00 off there first massage.  In the summer months it is very slow, but come September and October things will start to pick back up. I hope this [email protected] ;D

 

[Jenna]

A little worried...

How do you feel about having a partner?You would cut your costs in half while still seeing the clients you already see.  You can use the time you aren't in the office for your marketing.Just a thought.

RObyn

Well, I can't have a partner come in due to the lease agreement I have with my chiro. He doesn't care much for strangers, and he'd never let anyone else have a key made. I'm also not sure how long business will be slow, and am too nice to be able to tell the person they can no longer work there when I have a full schedule.

Gutehands, I've seen many therapists working with beepers. Does this work out well? I don't have a house phone, only my cell, and don't mind being bothered by clients. My voicemail message is very thorough and allows the client to make a general idea as to when they want the massage, and I always call them back within the hour.

KneadfulThings, I like that title a lot better, the "Emergency Appointments Available" rather than "Walk-ins Available." I think I may use that instead, as Walk-Ins sounds too... traditional.

Sherri, I have been trying to work on a newsletter to send out monthly, I just don't really know what exactly to put on them to get the clients to actually read them. I'm going to e-mail you after this post for a sample, thank you!

Thank you all for your help, I am taking it all in and trying my best to empliment it. I'm planning on getting a massage chair as soon as possible, and in the meantime going to ask my friend if I can borrow hers. Thanks again!  ;D

 

[July]

Hi Jeff,    I started my massage practice 11 years ago on a $100 budget and have grown it into massage therapy clinic with 8 therapists.    Here's a few ideas to help get the ball rolling and generate some business for you.    One, refer 3, get 1 free is too limiting to start with.  Start with a simpler referral program that rewards your existing clients quicker (ie: $10 off any massage, free 1/2 hour) so they are referring to you quicker and don't have to keep in mind how many referrals they've made.  Also, if you use some type of referral system, it will produce consistent results.    Two, send an email to your Internet clients with a weekly special for massage with you.    Three, if you're worrying about missing calls, have them forwarded to the office phone number of the chiropractor when you are there.  They can always take a message for you and you'll call the client back.  Or, make it a point to check your cell phone every 90 minutes and return calls promptly.  That way you can be there for walk-ins and not miss calls.    Jeff, I don't want to type too long of a post here, but if you would like to discuss your situation with me further, drop me an email at [email protected] or use the "Submit A Question" button on our website.                              Best of luck,                                     Michael

 

[justme123]

Something I used to do on really slow days was print up a list of openings for the next day.I'd make up a pretty sign with "Massage Openings for Tuesay, July 28th" in big letters, and then color it with highlighter markers.  Under that I'd put down a list of a few of the open appointment times I had.  The sign would be taped to the counter by the chiropractor's sign-in sheet, and the open times would be crossed off the list as they were filled.  It gave people a sort of a sense of urgency  to book or something.It worked really well.Katykangaroo

 

[John Victor]

Seforum.xxx,First off, I am amazed that you are getting so much attention via the internet!  That is great.... I hope I have the same kind of results when I get my website uploaded.I have instructed on my website that it is neccessary to CALL for an appointment, and I specified, "SAME DAY appointments are available".   I also only have one computer currently, and everyone has to use it, so bringing it to work isn't optional.   Surely people won't have a problem calling for an appointment.  The beeper is also an excellent idea.When it is slow, what gets me a lot of clients FAST is sending out postcards and/or emails to my clients with a savings included... usually $10 off an hour, and $15 off 90 minutes.  This does not work as well on strangers, just existing clients.  I make my own postcards on the computer, and for just $23 per 100 postcards, even if you get only 1 response (you will get more... trust me!), you will have gotten back your investment PLUS some.  Start getting your clients' email addresses so you can notify them of seasonal specials AND in case you need to send them material pertainent to their condition (NOT for spamming or cute chain letters).  You can put room for it on your intake form, or put a notebook out and have them leave their email address and name.  I will usually get about 6 or so clients for every 25 or so emails I send out.  I usually give about 3 weeks for them to redeem their internet or postcard savings.  It really works!Being licensed for only a month, it is amazing that you are already even establishing clients at this point.  You are doing very well... don't be hard on yourself.  Yes, we all have sacrificed and gone through some lean times to get to where we are comfortable.  I could sustain myself on the clients I have now if I didn't advertise for new clients for a while, but advertising will always be neccessary.When you get to a point where it is feasable, getting an ad in a local FREE weekly or monthly paper is another good way to attract more clients.  I get much better results with a weekly paper.  Whatever FREE papers they have at the local coffee shops and groceries that seem to go quickly are the ones you will want to place an ad with.  You will be fine.... in the meantime, sending out the discount postcards/emails should pull you up out of the red and into the black quickly, for the time being.  

 

[Karo]

A little worried...

Well, money was getting too tight, so I went and put in my resume at my old job, working for Dell. I told them that I can work mornings, and need to be off by 4pm tops. Most of my clients schedule at 4pm or after already, so it will only push back a few clients per month to schedule after 4. Working this job I will be able to pay rent at my apartment and office, along with covering all other bills. Any money I make doing massage will just be extra money I can use to put a computer at my office and pay off bills until I get a full schedule. When my practice builds to where I no longer am physically able to work at Dell, I will leave, and have my full practice. I go in for my interview tomorrow morning, so here's hoping they'll let me join back on working the morning shifts. Thank you all for your advice, I am still learning and am putting most of not all of your ideas into play, so hopefully I won't have to work at Dell long. Wish me luck at my interview tomorrow!

 

[nipples kostalakis]

A little worried...

Sorry I haven't been able to post in a while, but I thought i'd keep you all updated. I just got back from Austin taking my state boards, and am extremely confident that i passed both the written and practical examinations. Dell kept playing games with me and changing agreements that we had made; they're wanting me to go in for work on Oct 3, and take training for 3 weeks from 12 noon - 9pm. When I first went in, we agreed that I would have 4 days of training from 8am - 5pm, so that my business wouldn't suffer very badly. Now they're wanting me to do the full training, so I won't be able to go. Since we had made the agreement, 2 other great companies called me to work and I turned them down; they are both now not hiring.However, my practice is building quite well. I'm getting enough clients scheduled to barely make it out of the red, and my bills are at least being paid. I'm starting to see about 8-10 clients per week, but so far 2 weeks ago I had 2 no-shows, and today I had one no-show. *sigh* At least it's building though!

 

[hermafrodite]

A little worried...

Jeff,Hang in there. You are a success in my book, with a nice steady stream so early on in your biz. I know you feel like you are struggling. Go back & read those ideas people threw out to you. Maybe tweak them to fit you & give one or two a try! It can only help...even those one shot betties put a little money towards rent, and you never know what might turn into a great referral or repeat source.If Dell didn't want you on the terms you agreed upon, you probably would have gotten hives (or worse) working there, trying to conform to their changing demands.Sorry about the 'no show' today. I just had one 2 weeks ago. It stinks.I hope your exams went great!!!Sincerely supportin' ya!Jill/Sagetherapist