Conventional marketing "wisdom"

[Micol]

Maybe it's just that San Francisco is its own unique market, but...

I'm finding that "nothing is true, everything is permitted" is very true here regarding the conventional marketing guidelines I've read about over the years.

Things that have built other people's practices haven't made a whit of difference in mine. Other things that I thought would be a total waste of time have panned out.

Here's one that surprised me recently:

So the marketing marketers love to say that learning a new modality won't change your practice, you need effective marketing, just pay them and they'll teach you how.

Well, my friend just got back from Belize (lucky duck) where she took the first level Mayan Abdominal Massage training...

And now that she's listed on their website, she's getting more calls than she ever has before.

Apparently MA helps women who are trying to conceive, and apparently there are a lot of women doing exactly that in SF, often wanting help, and by alternative means no less. For example, we have a whole TCM clinic dedicated to fertility here.

So yeah... don't believe anything you hear. Pick the right modality, in the right place, at the right time, and it really could build your practice.

In the meantime, set your practice goals, keep trying new things, pay attention to what works and what doesn't to move you closer to your goals, and be flexible enough to change things that aren't working.

That'll be $50 please

 

[Candice W]

People say that new modalities won't expand your practice? What are they smoking? That's been the cornerstone of every expansion I've had!

I join you in jealously stink-eyeing your friend . . . I've been trying to line up that MAM training for years now.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hehe... so continuing education really works for you, practice-building-wise. I believe that the new energy work I'm learning will have an expansion effect for me.

I've never received the Mayan work, so I'm looking forward to trading with her and feeling what it's like.

 

[gman]

Actually, I have had some amusing "marketing" moments too -- like the time I was carrying my new crockpot up the elevator in my building and had a new regular by the end of the ride! She works on the same floor I do, was looking for a massage, and when she saw the crockpot was already hoping I was a massage practitioner getting ready to heat up some stones in it . . . t081

 

[Rai rai c]

I've never received the Mayan work, so I'm looking forward to trading with her and feeling what it's like.

Be sure to let us know if you become pregnant! We'll have a party, for sure! t031 :dancingparty: :beerchug: :band: :band: :woohoo:

 

[cateaway]

deleted

 

[flingebunt]

lol, good story BJB... I've had a similar experience gaining new clients who saw me lugging my laundry around
I would have to say, adding a new modality has been a HUGE practice builder for me.

 

[nisha]

Conventional marketing "wisdom"

So yeah... don't believe anything you hear. Pick the right modality, in the right place, at the right time, and it really could build your practice.

I think you are right on this, but I still can't help learning the new modalities I'm interested in! But it seems to really work for some people...I live near downtown Phoenix, and I have no idea if this is the right place and the right time for cupping massage, but damn it I'm taking the class anyways!

Any other ideas for marketing for a newbie like me? I'm going to be pretty much relying on my business cards, website and word of mouth to get me going. I'm a little leery about doing any kind of ads in local publications because there are a lot of "unlicensed" massage parlors around here and I'm afraid of getting lumped into that. I do contract work for a chiropractor 2 days a week and I've already had at least one person a week ask for massage outside of the office, but I have a non-compete with him so I'm kinda screwed with that. :?