Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/135515
Have you ever watched a movie just because a friend recommended it? Or gone to a restaurant someone raved about? We rely on word-ofmouth advice so frequently that it is easy to forget the powerful effect it has on our purchasing decisions. According to The Word of Mouth Marketing Association, 72 percent of people say reviews from family or friends exert a "great deal" or "fair amount" of influence on the decision to use a brand, company, or product1—and lucky for you, people who get a massage love to talk about it. In 2012, two out of three people who had a massage recommended it to someone else.2 That means about 67 percent of your clients are so appreciative of your work that they're out telling friends and family about it—let's call them "ambassadors." And while these ambassadors spread the good word about your practice, you've either given them the tools they need to make a sale for you, or you haven't. Let's say one of these ambassadors, Shannon, just got a massage from you, then met some friends for dinner. Shannon is talking about how the pain she had in her hip is gone, and that you have magical hands. One of her friends then mentions he could really use a massage for his tennis elbow. How can Shannon tell him to get in touch with your practice? Do you have a memorable website name? Do you have a website at all? Is there an incentive for Shannon to close the sale and earn a referral discount? Thinking about your clients as part of your marketing plan can help you make them more effective ambassadors for your practice. Here are a few ways to get started. www.abmp.com. See what benefits await you. 91