Running out of ideas

[Spirits Alive]

I have done all the marketing ideas I can that do not cost much.  I've done the Health fairs, giving gc to local charities for auction, drawings for free massages, postcards to past and present clients.  They have all worked well in the past.  Now, I believe it is getting harder and harder to market yourself now that there are massage therapists on every corner.  Also, there are a lot of discount day spas opening up in my area too.   So far, I have not wanted to spend the money to advertise.  I have been told not to waste my money.  I always get new clients by referral.  But I know when you are in business for yourself you need to market yourself constantly.  I am running out of ideas.  Anyone?

 

[waffles]

I just got licensed in July and was lucky enough to find a place to work right away.  I was busy for the 1st 2weeks then business slowed down.  I bought stationary and matching envelopes from Officemax (stationary is of the sunset at a beach, very serene) and I decided to type up a introduction letter.  I found the city's chamber of commerce website and got a list of names & businesses in the area and sent this letter w/my business card.  There are alot of massage therapist in Ohio and I wanted to stand out a bit from the rest.  I mentioned in the letter that there are many therapist and its hard to know who to go to.  So I'm hoping this helps.  I just sent the letters out last week (50 letters so far).  I'll see how the next couple weeks go and let you know how it worked out.  The stationary and envelopes were about $11 and then the cost of stamps.  Not expensive.  Hope this helps.  

 

[wilson]

Running out of ideas

I think most therapist would benefit from reading some of the Guerrilla Marketing line of books.  They tell you how to market for little or no money out of pocket.  I read them years ago and I still go back and re-read them on occasion.  Most business owners stop advertising when they start to get busy, that is when you need to really hit hard.  It keeps you from having that next downturn.  You can go to the Guerrilla Marketing website to get some ideas.    

http://www.gmarketing.com  

I believe is the site.  Good luck and remember to always promote your business.

 

[Amandalee (rawr.betch)]

Running out of ideas

Dale, thanks for the advice/info/link. you are a great role model here.Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Brown eyed girl]

Running out of ideas

Personally, I think marketing kind of sucks. Is it possible to run a vibrant business without it, relying on referrals? I think your true answer that question will create the reality around your business, not the other way around.You expressed the belief that "when you are in business for yourself you need to market yourself constantly." Do you want to continue empowering that belief? Do you want to shift it? I see those as the important questions.My belief: it's 100% possible to run a vibrant private practice without advertising. I've seen it, and I'm working on aligning myself properly in order to do it msyelf when I graduate.

 

[feax2002]

Running out of ideas

Just a few words of advice someone gave me about ads: If you end up choosing to run an ad in the local paper or holistic magazine or something just make sure you are consistant with it. Readers need to see the same ad, all the time. Consistancy in advertisement=clients. People will automatically begin to trust your name when they start to recognize seeing it. If that makes sense. Hope that helps a little. In light and love,Cassandra/Lotusgirl

 

[supachick31554]

Running out of ideas

I would think that if you advertise it would be a very good idea to advertise where the other massage therapists like you advertise.Don't advertise where other massage therapists do not advertise, because that's a waste of money.  I've tried it.The advertising market for massage has already been tested by people before you, Unless it's a new publication.Advertise only where other massage therapists advertise. They've been there. They wouldn't still be advertising there if they weren't getting some kind of return.My local papers have brought in 3 to 10 times the amount of business I have paid for in advertising on a somewhat regular ongoing basis.Advertise what you do. Not just what you think sells. Your niche. A logo and words is best if it's a display and not a classified ad. Or, if you are more outgoing -- a photograph of you.  An ad with a picture of some type related to your practice seems more memorable than just words when that is possible.Advertising is less expensive in the long run if you agree to long term contracts with your advertisor, Usually.But, always test a publication before agreeing to any contracts a year or under.Phone books are different -- it's a one year contract or nothing, Usually.It can be worth it, as even the most well paid massage therapists known mostly by word of mouth I know even has a name listing in massage therapists in the Yellow Pages.My experience has been that the yellow pages -- when advertised best and etcetera, it pays for itself and return clients and referrals really make it well paying in the long run.I invest in the phone book, the investment of one average client session worth in money each month.It's a small risk but, a profitable one (in my area).Advertising can be a calculated risk to improve your business. Calculate very carefully. Start small and build and "hone in" advertising, condense as needed, if so desired. Only spend your money on what pays.I also invest in two local papers, and a few paid and free internet web site directories. Look for them if you'd like. There are many free massage directories on the web. And, also, an inexpesive web site you can build yourself is available through, http://www.startlogic.comI only paid $90.00 for the first year, 10 months ago.There are paid and unpaid sites on the web to advertise too. Look up directories, massage therapists,etcetera to find them in search engines.It is best to always ask where your clients were referred by to know what advertising is paying the most return.Calculate your return on investments monthly in advertising specifically to each publication, so you know better how to tenure your advertising dollars in venues that pay a fair or better return.

 

[Barbie]

Running out of ideas

Another thought, riding on the tails of local newspapers.You could consider advertising in topic or specific newsletters.Something like the Parkinson's newsletter for your commmunity.  Insert other newsletters here: Local Business women, MADD chapter, Dressage and Riding chapter, etc. etc.  -- I don't know if those have chapters or not, but you get the general idea.

 

[Jock]

Running out of ideas

Some good books:

Marketing Without Advertising, by Michael Phillips & Salli Rasberry

Guerrilla Marketing, by Jay Conrad Levinson

The Publicity Handbook, by David R. Yale