Why are people so shocked?

[audilky]

Recently I revealed to a close friend that business has been off for several months. Off, as in several regulars are MIA, and I'm not drawing the number of new clients that I had been on a montlhy basis. She was incredulous because apparently I put up a pretty good/positive front, mostly because I believe positive will bring more positive, and nobody wants to patronize a failing business.

The reality is, I am worried. Several of my other MT friends are saying the same thing, but others are doing fine, (or claim to be, as I was).

And then, instead of her support, she was upset with me because I had "mislead" her and she was offended that I didn't confide in her from the beginning. The problem is, is that when i do tell her things that may not be the most cheerful, she's always telling me I need to be more positive and not to worry so much.

I'm so frustrated. With my business and with my friend. :irked:

 

[Roberta]

Why are people so shocked?

Sorry to hear that your friend is not being very supportive about your situation. I am in a similar situation like you in that I'm not as busy as I need to be but I do try to put on a brave front for the same reasons as you. I was saying to some colleagues in the same situation that it is hard to stay positive and upbeat when in my case I know that it's a struggle to cover my bills. Is your friend offering you any constructive advice or help? I take it that your friend is not a therapist. I'd be tempted to stay away from her for a while. I'm sending you positive vibes and best wishes from across the pond.

 

[emilly]

Why are people so shocked?

What is she going to do for you? Come in more often herself? Start handing out your business cards and talking you up all over town? And why wasn't she doing that already?

What good would come from sharing that information with her... other than to worry someone else too?

Hopefully it is a seasonal thing and will pick back up... but in the meantime maybe there is some ideas around here that could make you a bit more "visible" to your old clients AND maybe bring in some new ones?

National MT Awareness Week Oct 25-31 (AMTA)

Offer a special promotion via e-mail or mailing address? Have a guest speaker come give a presentation at your office?

Perhaps now is a good time to donate to charity? If they bring in a ____ you will add 15 extra minutes to their massage?

I am sure there are better marketing brains than mine around here... hopefully someone else has other ideas.

 

[Dewi]

Why are people so shocked?

I had a "friend" like that for awhile. No matter what I did or said, even if it had absolutely no effect on her at all, I was wrong. :roll: She'd ask for advice and as soon as I spoke, I was wrong.

I have friends, now who support and can be supported. It's so much nicer!

 

[legenddael]

Why are people so shocked?

It can be quite disconcerting when a "friend" reacts just the opposite of what we are hoping they will - nonsupportive instead of supportive, etc. When that happens, I generally try not to scream and yell at them "What is wrong with you!" [what I am generally feeling about then] and just take a deep, deep breath and walk away as soon as I can so I don't strangle them... just kidding....

In this area, many LMTs are having the "slumps" in spite of all the broadcast and print news telling us that the economy is picking up. The back-to-school costs are waaaay up for families this year for all types of school, many employers are requiring a bigger contribution by employees for insurances, etc. so clientele are cutting back where they can [massage being one place] and stretching appointments out, etc. Does it concern me, yes, but, then knowing that I am not the only LMT in this boat does offer some minor degree of solace.

I put coupons on my Google ad, tell clients to refer 3 get a massage free, etc trying to "whip up" more business. The best thing that is working for me is to stay positive that my services are necessary and that my business is moving forward albeit at a slower pace. That seems to do more good for me than anything else has......

 

[Nan Hawthorne]

Why are people so shocked?

Just a thought of some thing you can try to get things moving.

Take a blank check from your check book

write todays date

put your name in the order of line

in the amount line write "Paid in Full"

In the signature line write "Over Abudance from the Universe"

Then you burn the check. Thought being it will clear up the space in your bank account for more money

I have also found that any time I spend money on my biz the phone rings more

 

[agatha_snape]

Why are people so shocked?

Thank you everybody for your thoughts and encouragement! There are quite a few really helpful suggestions that I am going to make into a list of things to do, and then I'm going to get on them.

This is an amazing community--How lucky we are to have each other!