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If I knew then what I know now...
What would that be? What one or two things do you wish you knew as a beginner that you know now, several years down the line? I spent the first couple of years of my career feeling like everyone else had that secret key to the executive washroom, or massage room as the case may be.
I wish I'd have known I was going to get basically zero response from newspaper advertising. I wish I'd have known more about choosing quality continuing education. I wish I'd have known more about self care and injury prevention.
How about you? I look forward to your replies. : ) Melissa
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Melanie Amyot on
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Respect your limits. Yes the work environment must match your personality. Always have fun and stay curious. Trust yourself.
I still feel like I just started to work even if it has been 4 years. And just like you were I sometimes feel everyone else have a key that I don't. I guess that with experience, it will wash away.
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Permalink Reply by Melissa Murphy on
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Hi Melanie,
Yes, setting limits was a big one for me and on some days it still is. Actually, setting them isn't the hard part but as you've said, Respecting them can be a challenge. Thanks so much for your response.
:) Melissa
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Permalink Reply by Travis Alligood on
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Melissa,
Great question ! Here I am as a beginner (1 1/2 yr. ), made a career change .You know, lets dont call it a career change, lets call it, "Doing what I love". 1.I wish I had made the transition 20 yrs ago, so that I could have touched the lives of many more people. 2. I would have had the knowledge several times fold than I do now. So far as newspaper advertising , it has been kind to me in the past. I will continue to do my best to take care of myself so that I can continue for another 18 1/2 yrs. and beyond if good health allows. Peace Travis
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on
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I think everything has come at the right time. With bodywork it seems I find the right teachers as needed. I am very satisfied with how it has worked out. No changes thank you.
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Permalink Reply by rebecca harris on
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Respect your own judgement. Listen to your inner thoughts. And if you love something its a hbby not a job. Rebecca
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Hi Travis,
I'm happy to hear you're doing what you love. I feel the same way and also came to this work later after doing other things. So, you've had a different newspaper advertising experience than I have. I ran 2 ads and included coupons but only got a single response after 2 weeks. Each market is different, though, so I've just moved onto other methods. Self care is a biggie for me. I injured myself early on and wondered whether I'd be able to continue. After making a lot of changes, finding a good chiropractor, and putting myself first more often I've been able to avoid further injury. Learned my limits the hard way, unfortunately.
Thanks so much for your response.
: ) Melissa
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Hi Daniel,
Wow, no changes. That's encouraging to hear. Life does have a way of working when we can relax into the flow.
Thanks,
: ) Melissa
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Hi Rebecca,
Wonderful tips, thanks! In the beginning I had a really hard time trusting my own judgement but the inner guidance is so often right on, it's worth trusting even when you're not sure. So true, it rarely feels like work when you love it so much.
Cheers!
: ) Melissa
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Permalink Reply by Lanakila Iesu on
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Newspaper advertising, as you said, is costly and frequently offers less return than what you put in. Do not commit to more than a handful of ads in a publication to test the waters (no matter what anyone tells you about repetition being necessary for effectiveness). Ads in telephone books are worse.
If you are going to try for a print ad of any kind, haggle like mad; if this is not your comfort zone, insist on email communication so that you can think and consult someone else who's a better haggler. The company you're prospectively buying ads from needs to treat you like an honored customer, and they can cut a deal if they want to...and don't let anybody pressure you by giving you an urgent deadline to take advantage of a special offer - they made up the offer, so if they want your business they can extend it. What is good next Monday is good next Thursday. Don't even ask or forewarn them - assume that this is the case, and respond later. Take 3 more days than they offer in order to weigh your options...and to demonstrate that you are the boss in this working relationship, and you don't bow to their fictitious deadlines.
Offering 2 for 1 deals - something like "bring a friend with you for a complimentary session!" - is said by some people to increase the number of people who are familiar with your work, but in practice it doesn't work. You'll go out of your way to serve people who want something cheap rather than something good, which means that it will not generate repeat business, which is your bread and butter.
Intuition is your best friend. *Always* listen to it. If you're talking to someone on the phone and get a bad feeling that they're looking for a sex worker, they probably are, so emphasize that this is a strictly non-sexual therapeutic technique - find a way to mention this multiple times (say it's non-sexual, say that you exercise proper draping, which means that you will only uncover the parts of the body you're working on at any given time and will never allow their genitals to be exposed, etc.). But intuition does more than keep you safe - it also guides you to what to do to help a client during a session.
If you are utterly baffled as to what to do, first of course follow the general precautions you always do in order to avoid causing harm or unnecessary discomfort...but then take a deep breath and follow your intuition. What does this body want you to do in order to release this tense spot, this tight muscle, etc.? The greatest moments of my career as a healer have come of listening to my intuition in this way.
And the top of the list: be yourself, because you are enough. You would not be called to this profession unless you had a great deal to offer, and you will only be able to offer it in full if you are yourself in full. Speak tactfully but plainly. Act judiciously but boldly. Be fully present for this one precious life, and this one blessed calling as a healer.
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Hey thank you for this post. I just started my busniess and is having a hard time getting clients. the spa i work for is mostly made up of hair cuts and i do about 3-9 a week. I can't seem to get the girls up there to understand that i can't do 10-15 a DAY so they turn them away. and they only adver in one thing and i got 2 people the last 2 months from that ad so i'm tring it one more time. but i have heard that the newspaper does not work so what eles can i do to get people in there and what can i do or say to get people back to see me couse there not i have maybe 5 people that do monthly. I love what i do and i'm also thinking about getting another job as a massage but how do i work both out at the same time? any help for me
Thank you all for this web site its been good wish i knew about this along time but i am passing this on with my other firends. Sabrina Collins LMT
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It is only fair to let you know that with the economy this bad, you are stepping into unusually rough waters to start your practice. I'm not saying this to discourage you, but actually just to keep you from unduly blaming yourself if things grow more slowly than you might anticipate, as they have for me. That being said, some things that have helped me are...
-having a website. It can be pretty basic, but a web presence is a big advantage.
-having a creative, expressive business card - one with subtle but different graphics that express something about who you are - I have my picture superimposed in a frame over a beach scene since I live in a coastal town and really love this area; that's part of my bond with people - the local edge, shared respect and love for nature and the ocean, etc. It's actually fun to hand out and starts a lot of nice conversations.
-doing chair massage, like at a natural grocery store or similar health-oriented place that's supportive of having you there. (Offering free or low-cost chair sessions to staff while you're there can be a non-monetary thing to offer as "rent" without spending any money)
-just getting out there and living. This may sound a little strange, but getting out there, relaxing, doing the things you love, and meeting people you enjoy helps you find like-minded people who might feel more comfortable with you as a therapist. Spiritual meeting places - churches, zendos, Sufi gatherings, whatever calls you - are especially nice this way; they nurture who you are and introduce you to new friends and clients at the same time. Same with recreational classes, volunteer projects...getting out there and living a good life is also a good business move.
Blessings on your new practice!
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