Tips for Therapists:

If you make your email address available to clients

• Choose a professional looking email address that is easy to remember.
  Use an email address at your website domain. That way people can be more confident that they are contacting someone associated with that domain and your email address alone will automatically let people know where to find out more about you - at your website.
• Check email to the address known to your clients daily.

Why ? : This is part of your business image.

Many therapy consumables such as carrier oils, wipes, talc, and so on are sold with clearly stated 'use by' dates printed on the packaging. However, this is not always the case - some products state similar advice in a slightly different way, such as use within a stated time period after opening. In that case it can be useful to keep plain white stickers or labels with your therapy kit and label each new pack or bottle with the date on which it was opened.

Why ? : To be 100% confident of the freshness of all items used.

When was the last time you sent a mailing (paper or email) to your client base ?

Why ? : Keeping in touch with clients is a standard business activity.
It may be especially appropriate for therapists who are not just treating people who have medical issues but are facilitating relaxation with, for example, massage, reflexology, or aromatherapy. Perhaps previous clients would appreciate a friendly reminder of the advantages of taking some time out for themselves and their wellbeing ...

Have you considered being listed on any of the many 'Therapist Listings' on the internet? If so, bear in mind that providing holistic therapies is a local business. An online directory of therapists would need to have an audience of many potential clients of your particular treatments, in your local area, in order for it to be of much use to you. Even then, people who only see your name phone number and list of therapies might not have sufficient information to decide to call you.

If possible, ensure that you have at least a whole page on the internet that is just about you and your services. Better still, have a stand-alone website at your own unique domain name. If you do consider being listed on other websites such as directories, first ask yourself if the costs are reasonable and check that such listings about you and your business would include a link to your own website.

Why ? : Having your own website means that you have control over the way you present and promote your business online.

Offer a voucher scheme

That is, make it known that you sell vouchers for treatments that may be given as gifts. Some therapists find that treatment vouchers are popular for birthdays and other special occasions and may be of interest to people who do not live near you but would like to buy a treatment for a friend or relative who does.

Why ? : If people don't know that you offer this option, they'll keep looking for someone who does !

Always have some of your smart, professional, business cards with you.

Why ? : Business cards can provide much useful information. If you have a box or stand of business cards available for clients to take one, you must be serious about your business and expect people to want your contact details.

When preparing and updating your consultation sheet or questionnaire, ensure that you can explain your reasons for asking each of questions in no more than 1 or 2 sentences per question.

Why ? : Some day, someone is likely to ask. When faced with an uncomfortable question, many people would prefer to "question the need for the question" than to answer it. You will be more likely to get an honest answer and will certainly look far more professional if you can confidently offer a positive yet concise response in all cases.

Do you use Consultation Sheets for pre-treatment consultations ?
If so, print enough of them for about 3 months of treatments each time you need to refresh your stock.

Why ? : Printing simple A4 pages is generally inexpensive and printing several months-worth at a time can save your time spent on such administrative tasks.

If you have decided to advertise your services (instead of accepting clients via personal recommendation only), make sure you have an effective internet presence. That means that the main search engines return your website or webpage for searches that specify your main treatment/s and location/s, and also for searches on your name.

Why ? : Many people work at a computer all day and the first place they look for services is no-longer print directories, but search engines.

Always make the effort to be cheerful. People visit a therapist to help themselves to feel better, not to cheer-up the therapist. Both clients and therapists feel better and gain more benefit from the treatments when the therapist acts in a confident, cheerful, and positive, manner.

Why ? : Cheerful people are pleasant to be around. Your warm friendly smile can make all the difference in such a people-focused environment.