Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1191154
76 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 0 FEBRUARY Connect Running a massage business is all about connecting. We connect with our clients and help them connect with themselves. Still, small business ownership can be a little isolating and lonely. Meeting local business owners and potential referral partners can be comforting and inspiring—and could bring you new clients too! To make solid connections: • Seek out a local networking event, and attend as a visitor. Ask around, and do an internet search for a new group to visit. Start by searching your local chamber of commerce or Business Network International group. • Schedule at least one coffee or lunch meeting (or an online visit) with a local business owner or potential referral partner. MARCH Get Seen Your website's been looking sharp and fresh since January, but is it getting enough visitors? Use these tips to help build traffic: • Take time to improve your search engine optimization (SEO) to be sure your website is prominent when potential clients search for massage. • Check out ABMP's benefit, the ThriveHive Google Grader (www.thrivehive.com/grader), to help you get more calls and bookings through your Google My Business listing. • Add a short video or blog post to your website. • Make a few posts to your social media sites now, and schedule a few future posts. 76 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 0 APRIL Bring 'Em Back It's often easier to bring a long-lost client back than it is to recruit a brand-new client. A note in the mail or an email can remind a client that they want to get on your schedule. Keep it short and simple: "It's been so long! I hope you are feeling well, and I'll see you again soon." Include a business card with the note, and/or make sure your booking link is obvious in your email signature. To reconnect with clients: • Flip through your files or scroll through your calendar. Choose 10 clients to contact via email or postal mail. • Write the notes or emails and get them sent right away. If you sell gift certificates, now is the time to plan your Mother's Day sales campaigns. In order to be ready to launch by May 1: • Prepare 1–2 emails to your list to promote gift certificate sales. • Prepare 3–5 graphics for posting on social media. MAY Spread the Word If you are looking for new clients, online reviews from current clients can help. There are a few low-pressure ways to ask a client to leave a review: • You can post on social media requesting reviews. • You can send an email to clients. • You can even post a small sign in your office with a gently worded request for a review. My favorite automated method is to put a request at the beginning of my email signature so it automatically appears as a postscript on every email. I embed a link to my Google My Business listing to make it easy for clients to quickly leave a review. (You can do this for Facebook too.) If you sell gift certificates, now is a great time to plan your Father's Day sales campaigns. In order to be ready to launch by June 1: • Prepare 1–2 emails to your list to promote gift certificate sales. • Prepare 3–5 graphics for posting on social media.