Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/694071
BUSINESS SIDE 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 . 29 16. BALANCE YOUR CHECKBOOK AND YOUR PRACTICE—AT THE SAME TIME LS: If you're in private practice, have you thought about working at a facility as well? There has never been a greater employment demand for massage therapists. Adding some work at a spa or franchise facility may provide an interesting balance in your practice. Regardless of where you currently practice, if you are seeking a little more green in your wallet, you may consider a part-time job in a different setting. Therapists have told us over the years that working in an entirely different setting—retail, or an offi ce environment, for example—provides them with a good alternative to massage and bodywork and keeps them fresher in their practice. 17. FORM A NEW RELATIONSHIP KC: I'm not referring to online dating, but good luck if you're out there. Find one new business or group with which to partner. It could be a company that buys gift certifi cates for their employees or a real estate agent who buys gift certifi cates as closing gifts for clients. Agree to put an esthetician's business cards in your offi ce and vice versa. Arrange to speak to a local mom's group or give massage at a bicycle club's season kickoff event. Get out there and connect with your community in a new way. 18. CREATE A "WEEK" OF YOUR CHOOSING, JUST BECAUSE LS: Did you know this week is Bring My Dog to Massage Week? It's not, but if you have an awesome dog, maybe your clients will like having him around. Or make it "Client Appreciation Week," because your clients will love it. Or have a music theme week, and play that type of music in your session. Massage and bodywork is not loud or raucous, but we can make it fun. Make it fun. 19. PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK KC: In the midst of all of this self- and business-improvement, don't forget to celebrate your successes—big and small. Have you built your client list from 10 to 50? Celebrate! Did you launch your fi rst successful Bring My Dog to Massage Week? Acknowledge it! Create a visual timeline tracking your practice from launch date to today with successes marked along the way. Start a "smile fi le" with positive client feedback and reminders of your achievements to re-energize you when you're having a challenging day. Rewarding yourself along the way gives you the motivation you need to inspire future triumphs! 20. GO FOR A HIKE LS: Whoever said after a hike, "Well, that was a waste of my time"? Answer: no one. You'll feel better, and it's a great place to clear your mind and think about important and nonimportant stuff. Now that you've read this, take a break and go! 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 creates resources and teaches workshops for therapists across the country. Both are massage therapists with business degrees who care about you and your practice. 15. FRESHEN YOUR FORMS KC: How often do you have clients fi ll out new health history forms? I suggest you do it every year. I know that sounds tedious, but here's why it's useful: clients are much more likely to write down a new injury, medication, or emergency contact on a form than they are to remember to tell you in person. This also gives you the opportunity to update your forms and add items like a checkbox that gives you permission to send them emails.