Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/621015
C h e c k o u t A B M P 's l a t e s t n e w s a n d b l o g p o s t s . Av a i l a b l e a t w w w. a b m p . c o m . 23 visit abmp.com them happy and coming back? Providing the cornerstones of client retention—excellent bodywork and fantastic customer service at a fair price—should always be your first priority. Sometimes that's enough to keep a client coming back. But sometimes it's not. Clients often need a reminder about why it's worth their time and money to come back for another session. Or they just need a little nudge because scheduling their next appointment is just one of many things on a long to-do list. Successful client retention plans include immediate rebooking, client education, regular communication (email, text, social media), frequent-visit appreciation/rewards, birthday and holiday recognition (feel free to make up your own holidays), package plans, "It's been a while" promotions, and more. Let your creativity run wild and create strategies you and your clients will enjoy. Don't feel like you have to jump straight to a discount as your incentive or appreciation gift; clients also appreciate and respond to extra session time and complimentary add-ons! JUNE FIND A (PROFESSIONAL) PARTNER LS: Massage and bodywork is usually a solitary endeavor. During my clinic experience, the most profound thing I noticed about practicing was that you are alone in your thoughts while your client is (ideally) in dreamland. Many people are attracted to massage because they enjoy having their own environment. For others, practicing alone doesn't provide the sense of fulfillment or social support they require. Have you been flying solo for a while? Maybe it's time to consider finding a partner to work with. The nice part is that there are many ways to achieve this, and it doesn't mean you need to be locked into a binding, permanent relationship. Partnering can run the gamut from renting a room from someone else to going into business with a partner, but there are lots of differing types of relationships between those two extremes. You could also find someone who is not a massage therapist—for example, an acupuncturist, esthetician, or chiropractor. JULY TAKE THE TECH CHALLENGE KC: Whether you classify yourself as technology challenged or a tech god or goddess, technology tools can enhance the way you manage and market your practice. First, cover the basics: website and smartphone credit card payment. If you don't have both of these up and running, that's your goal this month. If you're already rocking these, your next step is to incorporate online scheduling. And, yes, you have much more control over who can book and when they can book than you think you will! Once that's checked off the list and you have clients booking online at all times of day and night without a lengthy and annoying game of voicemail/email/text tag, explore the benefits of client-management software programs and email marketing programs. Therapists often feel overwhelmed when they try to incorporate all of these tools at the same time. Integrate them one by one and you'll be tech-savvy in no time! AUGUST WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE LS: Of course, one other way to establish more of a sense of community is to join one. The demand for massage employees has never been higher. Massage therapists have their choice of employment options— primarily in the membership/franchise arena. Perhaps you've always thought, "I don't want to work at one of those places." Well, there's one way to find out. Just like when talking about finding a partner, employment isn't a binary decision—it isn't "all me or all them." Maybe picking up one day a week working somewhere else will augment your income and give you an understanding of what potential options exist for you. Your other option is to work somewhere else outside the profession. Perhaps that gives you a real sense of balance. I always remember speaking with a member of ours who was a middle school teacher. Saturdays were her massage time—a very different work environment than her Monday–Friday! SEPTEMBER BECOME A NUMBERS NERD KC: Trust me: I mean nerd in the best possible way here! Kids all across the country are heading back to school this month, cracking open thick math textbooks and struggling to master the Pythagorean theorem. By comparison, tracking your practice's data is a breeze! It's time for an honest check-in: are you on top of your tracking, or is it on your "Oh, yeah, I should probably do that someday" list? Your business will thank you if you're tracking at least these things on a regular basis: revenue, expenses, client visits, and client retention. Detailed tracking of your revenue and expenses not only helps you have a clear understanding of how your