How do I get past my fear of public speaking, marketing?

[magnumgirl]

I started my job at a chiropractic office a little over a month ago and will soon need to start getting my name out there and networking. My problem is my fear of going up to a person I don't know and talking to them about what I do and how it could benefit their health.

I have always been a very quiet person but I want to do well at this job and the only way to do that is to get more people scheduled to experience massage. It's really too bad that schools don't focus all that much on this aspect of the business (marketing and networking). I'm not blaiming my school on a personality flaw but it probably would've helped to do exercises on marketing.

Does anyone have any advice? Also, the chiroractor and I have been brainstorming about how to approach different types of business. We are considering offering employee appreciation days for different businesses in the area (nursing homes, car dealerships, volunteer fire co., salons, etc) during which I'll go into the business and provide chair massage. He suggested that we somehow charge for some of the business but I don't see how that is possible. I really wasn't sure which business we would charge and which ones we wouldn't. Do you think this is a good idea? What would I put in my flyer to market this?

Sorry this was such a long post but I feel so desperate, wanting to be successful. I really want to be able to experience working on as many different people as I can and to learn all I can.

Thank you,

Tara

 

[AFR-CAM]

Hi Tara, I don't really have much advice for you as I am myself not that comfortable speaking publicly.


I just wanted to say good luck with it all. The employee appreciation thing sounds like a marvellous idea. You could provide free massage to some charities, and charge the businesses a reduced introductory rate for massageing their employees. That way you can make your hands to do most of the talking and answer questions aas they come a long.

You see, you'll do fine. I'm sure you're wonderful at what you do.

Schnuckess

 

[Truth]

Practice speaking about massage with family and friends in different places - grocery stores, in the park, walking down the street - that sort of thing. Get used to talking about massage with others and answering their questions about the benefits of massage, techniques, etc. Becoming more comfortable physically and mentally in different surroundings helps you become more comfortable about speaking in different places as well.

Have friends and office staff role play with you....... that sort of thing.

Good luck!

 

[caydelay]

Just go out there naked.

Or is it imagine yourself naked?

Or is it imagine your audience naked?

Just keep trying them until one of them works...

 

[Jimbo N]

It comes with time. I HATE public speaking, yet, people have been very surprized with how I speak. A good trick is just reading something, anything out loud... another trick is to just think about scenerios in your head regarding any possible thing that you are aware of in the field. Write them down, start reading them outloud... once you get the hang of it, it will be a little rehersed, but you will have an idea of what points you want to get across. Eventually you can graduate to points on an index card and just go with the flow. This is how I have become, I would just rather have a way to stear myself, look at the people I am talking to, take my time, smile, and slow down the pace in which I talk, so that they can absorb what I am talking about. I hope this helps!

 

[Persephone]

Hi Tara,

I have some ideas for you...

First, what I'm hearing you say is:

What you want MOST is:
I really want to be able to experience working on as many different people as I can and to learn all I can.

and that you are currently seeing networking and public speaking as the means to get it.

So.. first, is the chiropractor's office busy with massage clients? Is this a job or an independent contractor arrangement? If it's not busy and you're an IC expected to generate your own business, then you may want to seriously consider seeking employment elsewhere.

Have you already considered working in a local day spa? That could be a good strategy for getting to work on as many different people as you can.

Second, bartering and trades can be a good way to access bodies that you wouldn't otherwise. You can look for barter opportunities online--is there a craigslist for new jersey? and avoid that whole networking issue. You can also look for trade partners this way, and on social networking sites like tribe.net.

I learned a LOT my first year trading with other bodyworkers & healer-types.

Third, as to the public speaking and networking... in your current situation, this is really a continuing education thing. If you *want* to be able to do it, take it seriously by reading some books, joining a group, taking some classes, etc.

This guy is great: http://www.speakingcircles.com/

A local BNI group could be useful to you on several fronts.

Toastmasters is an obvious resource.

The book Open Mind by Dawna Markova is tangentially related... auditory stimulus might trigger theta brainwaves for you, making speaking and listening slower and deeper for you. My partner has an auditory theta placement and is a great speaker and networker, so it IS possible. Understanding more about it might help you.

Working with another professional, such as a hypnotherapist, EFT practitioner, or even just plain counselor might also help. Depending on the type of professional, you may be able to barter.

C'mon folks, any other recommendations?

 

[Wyett]

How do I get past my fear of public speaking, marketing?

My problem is my fear of going up to a person I don't know and talking to them about what I do and how it could benefit their health.

Hi Tara,

One thing I've found to be helpful in my networking experience is to really focus on the other person. Be genuinely interested in them. Learn about their business. We, as massage therapists, specialize in relationships. How can you be of service to them? This helps to take the pressure off because you're not trying to sell them or convince them they need what you have to offer. You're there to listen and to answer questions.

And just remember, people respond a lot more enthusiastically to a massage therapist than say an accountant (nothing against accountants, glad someone likes that job!).

Also, the chiroractor and I have been brainstorming about how to approach different types of business. We are considering offering employee appreciation days for different businesses in the area (nursing homes, car dealerships, volunteer fire co., salons, etc) during which I'll go into the business and provide chair massage. He suggested that we somehow charge for some of the business but I don't see how that is possible. I really wasn't sure which business we would charge and which ones we wouldn't. Do you think this is a good idea? What would I put in my flyer to market this?

I'm curious Tara, why wouldn't you charge for this service from the beginning? I can understand the volunteer fire company, but why the others?

If you do decide to work with the volunteer fire company I'd try to get mentioned in your local newspaper for this - something along the lines of "Massage therapist eases aches and pains of firefighter heroes". Call the paper and ask about doing a press release or see if you can contact one of the reporters that does human interest stories.

Also, keep in mind that going into a crowd filled with strangers isn't the only way to build a successful massage business. What would be more comfortable for you? Maybe doing an 1-2 hour intro to massage mini-workshop for your chiropractor's patients. You could have handouts, teach simple techniques. You'd get to meet a group of people all at once and they'd get to meet you. You could design it so that there would only be minimal speaking in front of the group - keep them busy practicing on each other.

Or if speaking is completely unappealing what about writing articles for your chiropractor to have in his office? Pick a benefit of massage and go into it in detail. If you feel unsure of what to write, try this trick - ask a friend to interview you on a topic, or pretend you were interviewing someone on the topic, write out your questions and record your answers. Sometimes talking it is easier than writing it. You can then transcribe the recording and voila - there's an article!

I'd really encourage you to do something you like - whatever that is.

Best of luck to you!

Lisa

 

[Charmaine]

In addition to the above great ideas, you can also join your local Chamber of Commerce, Women in Business, and your local Toastmasters Club. The Chamber of Commerce and Women in Business are made up of other business people who want to network. Toastmasters is a great way to develop your communication skills. I'm sure there are other networking opportunities in your community as well.

I've done a few events (chair massage at fairs and open houses) to assist in getting my name out there. But by far the most effective way to build my clientele has been word of mouth via networking. My pedicurist, hair stylist, yoga instructor and health care provider refer people to me as well. I make sure they are provided with business cards, and I keep a stash of their business cards so I can refer my clients to them if the subject comes up.

 

[ta-dah!!]

How do I get past my fear of public speaking, marketing?

One thing I've found to be helpful in my networking experience is to really focus on the other person. Be genuinely interested in them.

I completely agree, and I learned that from How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie many many many years ago. It is just timeless advice!!

I can definitely have a sincere conversation with a stranger. The biggest piece of advice in getting me out of my shell with strangers was to be interested in them...genuine interest, with real listening skills. I may know nothing about their experience or business or interest/talent/skill, but by asking questions and listening (and having a sincere interest) I am able to have a pretty interesting conversation about them for a pretty good amount of time! And after you listen and converse with people about themselves, they magically listen and converse with you about you pretty receptively.

This comes in handy with new clients because even if I don't see them for months and months, I'll remember some small thing about them that we had talked about before and they'll be pretty impressed/flattered that I remembered that! People tell me that I have a great memory (and I don't really, not more than average) but when I ask people questions about themselves, I really listen to their answers and I find people fascinating!

About public speaking, I find it best to have a specific subject prepared and some key points to talk about. Something you feel you understand fairly well. (And if someone asks a question you don't know the answer to you can be very appreciative that they asked, that you don't know the answer, but that you are going to make a note to find out as much as you can about it....and can you contact them to share that information..) Maybe you're uncomfortable because you don't really know how to talk about your work. I was nervous at first and then I kind of made a mental list of things I would say about my work to people I met. Once the "Oh, your a massage therapist" was out, then I'd have my list of things I'd mention. After that talking about my work became easier, especially after I had seen clients and the different body issues they all had. In the beginning when I might have only had three clients I'd say things like "Most of my clients come to me for such and such, but I am also interested in this and that and the other" and no one would be the wiser that I wasn't a fully booked therapist.

I think that businesses should pay for employee appreciation services. Maybe check into what sort of "appreciation" things are coming up. For instance teachers ending the school year, or nurses/medical workers appreciation....don't industries have certain times of the year when they appreciate their workers? That way you could market your service as a proposal of sorts "Just letting you know that chair massage is a fantastic/popular way to say thank you to your employees and I am available for $$/hr." But I have never approached businesses and I do not do chair massage, so I am guessing at that.

Good Luck!

 

[Pompal 09.]

I got over my extreme fear of public speaking by accident really. I had always been bad at it, from the time I was in school. Oral reports in school were a nightmare for me!

One day I was working an outdoor event for a farm, I started talking about the varieties of tomatoes I was selling, (heirlooms, purple, green, yellow, striped weird looking tomatoes!) I started off with one person listening to me... before I knew it I had a crowd of 20! Yikes! my stomach hit the floor... but I made myself keep talking!

This happended several times over the weekend too. I just made myself focus on one or two people at a time, move my gaze around the crowd, not focusing that there was a crowd.

I can now teach classes, hold lectures etc. Am I a prize winning speaker, not exactly. I still get very nervous, but I can still get out there in front of a crowd.

Good luck to you!

 

[Madeline]

This has been a recent issue for me as well!

For years I have done lectures and workshops. I even was an actor for a long while, studied in London, seforum.xxxe work etc.

But now, when I start to teach a class or lecture I get a panic attack that comes over me. I keep talking, but only by shear will do I get past it within a several minutes. Those who know me well can see something is wrong.
I'm wondering if it is hormones due to my long history of doing public speaking.