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Getting Discouraged

I graduated in december and started with a chiropractor in feb. I am basically starting my own business. i've been doing it for almost two months now and it's not picking up any. i've been doing different things to try an market like going to a walgreens near by and passing out cards, going to businesses and offering to do chair massage for free just so i can pass out card but i'm not getting any clients from it. I'm starting to get really discouraged and wanting to give up and the chiro i work for telling me that i'm not bringing anyone in isn't doing anything but adding to that. i'm not sure what else to do to bring people in. any suggestions from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

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Comment by Jessica Rooks on March 29, 2011 at 9:46am: thank you to everyone who has responded i appreciate them greatly.

Comment by Nicole James on March 28, 2011 at 7:43pm: I will keep it short and sweet because you have already received such great advice thus far. Check out the book "Book Yourself Solid" by Michael Port. It was a suggested read from my marketing mentor. I think this book should be criteria for every massage school.

Comment by Robin Wiggs on March 28, 2011 at 7:30pm: Take a deep breath Jessica...it's going to be a long ride. You're right, 2 months is really nothing. It took me 3 years to build a decent business, a year longer than I expected (economy).

Marilyn is right, your empoyer should be pimping you out big time. They can even have their business cards printed with a half off coupon on the back, and some with your name on them too. Find non-profit orginazations and donate a gift certificate to their events. I look for posters in windows for silent auctions and such and I call them up. Those always work for me. Start a facebook page (for your business if you like) and offer specials and talk about massage and it's benefits. Make a flyer and take it to the local bicycle shop and offer $5.00 off if they bike to their appointment (if that's possible in your area)....make a flyer for your office and offer $5.00 off if they bring their own refillable water bottle. Look for a community board in your grocery stores, deli's, coffee shop, etc and post your cards there or a special. And by all means, expect your employeer to support you, if they don't find someone that will. While it's not the most profitable place to work, a good employeer will feed you clients and support you in building your business.

Believe in yourself and good luck

Comment by Marilyn St.John on March 25, 2011 at 6:41pm: Question--Does the chiropractor you work with promote you as his/herr massage therapist to his clients? I've been in the chiro setting since day one, beginning with complimentary 30-60 minute massages. Many of those clients are still with me regularly, six years later. Sometimes we have to "spend" money to make money! In my case, it was really, really worth it. Other things I found helpful were simple ABMP "Why Massage?" reprints and occasional copies of their little client-focused magazines (with my business cards attached) left in the waiting room. That said, if the chiro isn't interested in promoting you to his/her clients, maybe you should look elsewhere...it's a two-way street in that environment, and most of the chiros I know would gladly take an independent contractor. I do work for three offices at the moment. Another great way to get started, too, is at their "client appreciation" days, doing short complimentary chair massages--to get them to make an appointment to your table, of course! You might suggest the chiro offer gift certificates for your services too...the list goes on, but you get the idea. Good luck!

Comment by Mike Hinkle on March 22, 2011 at 1:19pm: Jessica,

Don't get discouraged yet! You are just starting your journey. It takes years usually to build clientels in most businesses. Stay the course. Keep promoting yourself and learn all you can. There is a group here for New and Almost Licensed Therapists at http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/almostandnewlylicensedthe...

Comment by Jessica Rooks on March 22, 2011 at 1:14pm: Obrien, i appreciate the references and i will look into them asap. i realize 2 months isn't long and that's why i'm trying to stay with it so baddly