Starting Private Practice

[liveyourlife]

I am starting my own private practice.  I am a little scared and very excited.  I have been working in a health spa atmosphere for a while, and have decided to venture out on my own.  I have located rental space that included with the rent has an onsite receptionist.  I am juggling a day job in a financial environment, a part time job at the health spa, and now this.  I have a pretty small clientele at this time and am interested in getting feed back from those of you with more experience than myself.  I am not in a financial position yet to quit the full time day job... but that is my goal.  All comments are greatly appreciated.

 

[Bob J]

Starting Private Practice

Congratulations on the big step. I recently read in article in Harvard Business Review about why people aren't successful at changing careers, the reason is they spend too much time debating and too little time taking action.So you are already on the road to success taking action, opening your own place.However, your new business needs to be nurtured, are you going to be able to do that and stay at the spa?I would encourage you to make more time for investing in YOUR business as opposed to helping the spa invest in theirs.Secondly, you need a marketing plan. Look in your phonebook for doctor's offices in the area of your office and start sending letters. Offer the staff a discount.Market to teachers at local schools etc...Good luck!

 

[p055umcub3r]

I am also starting a business, it is fun and exciting! And also a big pain in the Buttttt! I Did this once before in a nother city and had more than 25 clients a week in less than 2 months. All I did was volunteer, everywhere! Government offices are great. I worked on the lt govenor of NM in the Labor Department office, the library is also a good one. Talk to your human recorses Dept about doing chair massage for the employees, you could do alot just in your lunch hour( my old boss gave me a paid day because I was volunteering and it made him look so good). Another great place is The Body Shope in a high scale mall, they let you set up your chair and give out cards,even give you a discount or free murchandise. Churches and hospitals are other good places to volunteer.  Some of these things you can even do on the weekends. Hope these Ideas help.

 

[CubanCutie]

Starting Private Practice

I too am venturing out on my own. I'm jumping in with both feet. I will have only a few clients to follow me but enough to pay my rent and will build up my clients through onsite chair massage and health fairs. You'd be surprised how many businesses have mulled over the idea of bringing someone in to do short chair massages.

 

[student]

I started my own private practice fresh out of Massage School. Marketing is the key, get your name out there ;D. I made my own brochures and business cards and put stacks of them everywhere, I run monthly specials on massages. On my client info form I asked if they would like to be on the mailing list and started a quarterly newsletter. I also send postcards to current customers offering dicounts for their birthday, Valentine's Day, Christmas etc. Anything to keep my name out there. Once in a while I will run a 1/2 page ad in a local paper, but I get more response from running cheap classified ads (under services, health care and notices) with my name, phone# and maybe the special that month. Always carry your business cards because you will never know when you will have the opportunity to gain a new client.  :-*

 

[Chris69er]

;DI have just finished my first one year of successful private practice.  Good PR foot work by getting your name everywhere is a great key.   I personally went to each of the businesses in my home town and gave the business owners (or their spouse) a free minimal massage so they could get acquainted with massage.  It worked and I have gained many referrals from the local businesses in my home town.   I am in solo practice and right now I love it.   Plan  my own time, my own schedule, have time to attend my kid's school functions etc.   The local pharmacy in my home town does nutrition presentations, etc. and asked me to speak once on benefits  of massage.   I put together a Power Point presentation with handouts and gave a 30 minute massage as a door prize.   The lady who won the door prize has been a continued monthly client all year and has also sent several referrals.   The free 30 minute massage as a door prize was well worth what I got in return.   I also gave free hand massages and paraffin dips as a "get acquainted" measure for walk-ins (I started out in a salon and then moved to Curves exercise for Women - lots of traffic).   I sell a lot of gift certificates and it is amazing  the return on those.   FOr instance, most clients who redeem theirs inturn buy one for someone else on their way out. I find that in my home town, not having an expriation date works best.   I send out birthday notices for existing clients offering a $10 off of their next massage.  The local schools have also called and asked for chair massages for teacher appreciation, etc.   One local bank asked for a special time for their bank tellers on their special day.   Unless push comes to shove,  I would not work for anyone else.   Private practice thus far is perfect for me ;D  

 

[Victoria]

I also wanted to add that I carry my appt book, business cards and 3 or 4 gift certificates everywhere I go.   It never fails that someone at a ball game or church or pharmacy will see me and ask about buying one or scheduling an appointment.   I want to get the appt and/or sale right when the are asking (point-of-sale) and not wait for them to return a call later, which they might not end up doing (get busy and forget).

 

[xOxSnowXAngelxOx]

    I just joined this forum last week and I wanted to thank everyone who has shared things that are working for them.  It's so encouraging to hear from therapists who are"out there" in massage and finding out what works and what doesn't.     I just graduated in August and am out on my own and in with another therapist.  Marketing is a little intimidating, but exciting and all your ideas are so helpful.     I guess I'm going to have to invest in a chair, sounds like it's a great tool.     Good luck to all of you and keep sharing!! ;D                   Newkidontheblk.                  

 

[Charles C]

Redrose, congrats on the business. but something to keep in the back of your mind.  If you ever sell your business, you are resonsable for all Gift Certificates that do not have an experation date.  In other words the new owner could come to you and say---You owe me for these GC's  and legally could make you pay.  I started out with no experation day and my attorney FREAKED OUT.  Just FYI.

 

[Yellowdog]

Just a thought on the expiration date thing.  I add a date, but when people call and ask, I usually say it is not a problem, and redeem them anyway, even if they are expired, but at least it gives you the right to say no.

 

[Lalala09]

Starting Private Practice

as far as the gift certificate thing, is everyone aware of laws in certain states that if a certificate which has an expiration date and is not redemed by the expiration the money must be turned over to the state.  Beware and check state laws on gift certificate expirations and acountability.

 

[[//anti * twilight//]]

For those of you in CA, as I am -- gift certificates can not legally have an expiration date.  The key with gift certificates is to know your local laws.  Joe E.

 

[LORI G]

Starting Private Practice

Man, some of the ideas I've seen in this post are good. I just started working with a chiro three days a week 18 miles away from where I live. I am starting with ZERO clientele! I gotta admit, I am wrestling with my shyness to get out there and advertise my services. It's tough but I am trying to do it. The practice is down the road from town square. Friday I asked the bridal store if I could leave coupons for $10 off a one hour massage with them, and they said yes! wheee! Can't advertise at the vistor's center because you ahve to be a member of the Chamber of Commmerce. Don't have a big advetising budget. so, what can a girl do?

 

[mo2k7us]

I recommend the book "Marketing Massage" by Monica Roseberry to anyone in private practice or who just wants to increase their client base.  I found it extremely useful.The website: http://www.marketingmassage.com/

 

[Afnan M]

I know that this is an old posting - but I thought I could still share my ideas!Does your local paper do an article on "the new business in town"?  It's a great way to get free advertising!  Don't know - call and ask!Another way to get some attention - I had to go through the CIty Council to start my home business.  Go to the meeting and be there to explain hours, location, how many clients per day.  Then our paper runs the minutes after the meeting.  I've had a lot of people come up to my husband and I to ask about the business.On a volunteer note - my husband and I are volunteer fire fighters.  I know how I feel the day after a big fire!  Just think how the whole department must feel!  I've decided to go into the departments and offer a chair massage the day of or day after the fire.  I am hoping once this gets started that they will feel the benefits and decide on a full body massage!  And yes of course, firefighters get a discount at my place!!