The Business of Healing (part 2)

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Good Morning!

 

The Business of Healing (part 2)

 

You have spent countless years, months and hours learning your

practice. Now you need to get people in the door to experience it.

Getting new clients to your door is the other half of your art, which

needs to be addressed as a healing practitioner.

 

The value of your services, what you should charge, is the number one

question that is constantly asked.

 

First and foremost, you should always charge what you feel your time

and effort is worth per session.

Do not be concerned if people could afford it or not. If someone

really wants to experience this service, they will be willing to pay

your price. It is not about other people, it is about you. If you are

not happy with what you are being paid for your services, in the end

you will be unhappy and upset every time you have to treat someone

and ultimately not only you will suffer, but your client will suffer

as well.

 

Secondly, look at other related services and what is being charged

for them. If you work in a spa or fitness center, what are they

charging for their unique services? You can certainly think about

charging according to these prices. You can perhaps consider charging

a little more because it is a unique service or a little less in

order to introduce people to you. But again, I stress that you comply

with the first paragraph.

 

Advertising

 

What works and what doesn't. I think this question changes with the

times. 10 years ago, placing an ad in the local weekly magazine was

the way to go. It would bring in much business and be a great source

for advertising.

 

Within the last 2-3 years, I have noticed a large shift from paper

advertising to Internet advertising. Now advertising in that local

weekly paper pulls only one-third of the clients that the Internet

ads bring in.

 

It pays to play. If you do not advertise, you do not get business.

Running flyers around the neighborhood and putting your sign outside

may reach your local neighbors but you will be hard pressed to

increase your business to capacity.

 

Reaching your market (whether targeted or not) can only be achieved

by advertising in broader strokes such as a publication that reaches

thousands or the Internet, which reaches millions more than any flyer

can get to.

 

Test your advertising, by trying many different sources. Advertise in

a few papers or web sites. Learn which resource is bringing you

business and which is not. Ask every client that walks in your door

where they found you. Ask them to be specific. Have the question on

your sign in information or intake form.

 

Advertising to a target market is important. If you are an

acupuncturist, massage therapist, color therapist or what ever

alternative health practice you have, advertising in the local

Alternative Health magazine is important. People who are interested

in alternative medicine are going to look in this magazine. To some

extent, these people who are looking for your service are already

sold on it. It usually is an easier sell than someone who is not in

tune to alternative medicine.

 

On the other hand, it is really those who are not yet savvy to

alternative medicine, that another portion of your advertising dollar

should be spent on. There is more of an untapped market that should

be addressed.

So advertising in a publication or Internet community that does not

address alternative medicine can be a real standout, when someone

comes across your ad. I have seen this work countless time, over and

over again.

 

Tap into your feeder markets. You need a reliable source who can feed

you new clients all the time. Be it your local doctor, spa or fellow

alternative health practitioner, feeder markets are an important part

of getting clients in your office.

 

Write letters to any one you think would be happy to recommend your

service to their clients. Experience the healing from those you are

writing to. Ask your local chiropractor, acupuncturist, massage

therapist if they would like to exchange a treatment. If you are both

happy with each others treatments, ask them to refer you to their

patients if they are looking for someone who does your kind of work.

 

Spread the word. A business is built on little seeds dropped along

the way! Some people are really good at referring others, some are

not. Learn who they are and what works for you!

 

Build your practice with a strong and sure footing. Building a

practice takes a long time. Keep consistent. Keep working on new

advertising angles. Keep a positive attitude. Remember, slow and

steady wins the race.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk,MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit