Look at Your Practice With the Eyes of the Client
As in all things we do, we should be ever mindful of the impact it has upon others. We should as professionals, consider how we present our practice, our level of professionalism and our personal appearance to our potential clients. After all, even though we are healers, we are in business, and in business there is competition. Not only is there competition from the varied levels of proficiency offered from Therapist to Therapist, which is largely an unknown quotient until the client can enjoy a treatment on your table, but there is also the visual perception and overall “feel” you convey to your potential clients that competes with other practices for the client’s attention.
How can you set yourself apart and above all the other choices for massage in your community? How can you make sure you are doing all you can to make the first impression a good impression for your potential clients, and make absolutely certain you have left a positive and engaging experience in the minds of your existing clients?
Making sure your build the image for your practice through providing professional marketing materials, ads and promotional collateral is a great place to begin. These do not have to cost a fortune either! Additionally, going the extra mile to make sure you are always presenting yourself as a professional Therapist, even when you are running your own errands can generate interest in your practice and net new clients. Logo a few nice polo shirts with your name or practice, place a magnetic sign with your practice name and contact information on your vehicle so even those at traffic lights can learn of your services. You do not have to drive an expensive car, just be sure your auto is immaculately clean.
For more ideas on how to position yourself above the competition, read this story, “Perception is Reality”.
Thanks Julie, and you are RIGHT ON!!! Taking a step back to recognize that although a feeling of friendship is wonderful to have with your client, it does not mean they need to chit-chat on the table about your personal life. They come to a therapist for a reason, and if a friendship comes out of it, great… But remember you are a professional, and this is why they come back.
I love encouraging therapists to seek out and follow through with different massage therapists. It gives you a rounded view of the people within your own market. You can not only get some healthy bodywork, but also get a clear picture of how your competition measures up!
Julie, thanks for your great suggestions!
This is a good beginning of getting massage therapists to really think about what they are doing and how they are perceived by clients and potential clients. When working with massage therapists in building their business I always recommend that they try to go out and find a massage therapist for themselves and really go through all of the steps of finding one and going to one regularly. Do Google searches. Get referrals from friends. Look at massage therapists websites. Call them and see how they answer the phone and how long it takes them to get back to you. Go in for an appointment and notice all of the details – the office space, the temperature of the room, the massage itself – did it meet your needs?I actually do this all the time and find very interesting things in the massage profession that people don’t even realize are unprofessional. Here are some of the things I found interesting: - A massage therapist telling me all the ‘gory’ details of their Thanksgiving with relatives- MT who don’t focus on what I ask them to. What does it mean when I say “My legs are killing me”? I want more than just a swipe over!- My pet peeve – cold rooms and awful music.Julie Onofriowww.massage-career-guides.com