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 . 25 BUSINESS SIDE actual net revenue is shaping up compared to what you need and want to make, but it makes tax time a whole lot easier. Looking at your monthly and quarterly net revenue figures gives you a sense of how your practice is doing over time and allows you to catch a downslide before it's catastrophic. Use general data about client visits to help you make smart choices about how you run your practice. For example, if you have historical data that shows your practice is slow the last two weeks of August every year, you can either ramp up your marketing efforts to book more clients during that time, or take a cue from your clients and schedule your own break. Individual client visit data will show you when it's time to check in with a client you haven't seen in a while. Your client retention statistics— how many clients come back for additional sessions and how often—indicates how successful your retention strategies are. Some other helpful things to start tracking: average revenue per session, average cost per session, average length of session, most popular session times, least popular session times, etc. You might learn it's time to adjust your schedule or to start promoting 75- and 90-minute sessions. Your goal this month is to create systems to start tracking data and implement strategies to stay consistent. Many therapists use programs like Excel, and others use client management software and financial software programs. All that matters is that you find a system that works for you. And that you do it. Regularly. OCTOBER LEARN A NEW SKILL LS: This is an obvious, regular refrain when discussing ways to refresh your practice: "Learn a new technique!" As mentioned, that's an obvious answer, but not my favorite. The heading on this section says, "Learn a new skill," not "Learn a new technique!" To follow this idea, you must first start with a mirror. Take a good look in it. What do you see there? Are you satisfied with your professional and personal development? There may be new skills you could acquire to make you more successful in your practice, rather than a new technique. How about a dissection class? Or learning Spanish? Or web development? Or salsa dancing? Why do people select their therapist? Interest, capabilities, trust. Are there pursuits that could make you more interesting as an individual? They might make you more interesting as a professional as well. NOVEMBER THANK YOUR BODY KC: When I really appreciate someone and something they did, I thank them with a kind word, big hug, note, or gift (or all of the above). How about you? Your body does some pretty spectacular things for you on a daily basis; when was the last time you gave it a big grateful thank-you? Massage and bodywork jobs are unique because they're so physical, which is good in many ways (you're not sitting at a desk all day), but that physicality can also take a pretty hefty toll. Thank your body by giving it the gift of self-care. First things first: are you receiving regular bodywork? This month, schedule extra time to do the activity or practice you know you love—yoga, meditation, hiking—but also try something new like a Hula-Hoop class or simply sitting quietly and drinking a new flavor of tea. Your goal this November is to embrace the Thanksgiving spirit and find a way to thank and restore your body every day. DECEMBER EMBRACE THE CRAZY LS: Life can be difficult sometimes, or at least repetitive. As I tell my staff fairly regularly, "Work isn't hard; it's just that you have to keep doing it." That could apply to life in general. Every once in a while, you have to just embrace the crazy. For me, I did this last year when I had to renew my driver's license. I had to have my picture retaken, so I decided to go for a new look. Don't be afraid to just do something different. You're special; you're you. Go for it. Embrace the crazy. Les Sweeney is ABMP's president. Contact him at les@abmp.com and read his blog Expect More, with Les on www.abmp.com. Kristin Coverly, kristin@abmp.com, is the manager of professional development at ABMP and teaches workshops for therapists and instructors across the country. Both are massage therapists with business degrees who care about you and your practice. Need some ideas or inspiration? Watch Kristin's webinar, "Yes, You Can Market Your Practice! Essential Marketing Skills Made Easy," in ABMP's Online Education Center.