Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/135515
LS: OK. Shawna, you are welcome J. So, Kristin, a member Who Must Not Be Named (not Voldemort) is curious about the following: "I am interested in supplementing my income with product to sell. I have Sombra now (can't keep it on my shelf), but would love to know other things that would be applicable in a nonspa environment." What say you? "There are no shortcuts in bodywork, no ways to speed up (or slow down) the clock. So the time you devote to each client is precious and can't be wasted." Les Sweeney, ABMP President bodywork." I'm pretty sure every therapist can relate! The key is to plan ahead. One option: trade with a friend. One way to avoid the heartbreaking "My schedule's crazy, I have to postpone your session for a few weeks" scenario is to schedule the same day and time each week for you and your colleague to trade. No exceptions. One week you receive and one week you give. Another option is to pay to receive great bodywork. Be the client you want your clients to be and book several sessions at once so you have them on your calendar. 30 massage & bodywork july/august 2013 KC: Congratulations on supplementing your income with product sales—smart move! There's a long list of possible answers: aromatherapy, foam rollers, hot packs, massage tools, music, and so on. I could make a strong case for any one of them, but they need to be items that your clients want, not what I would want, or what my clients would want. What's the best way to figure out what your clients want? Ask them! Create a list of products you might carry (with room for clients' own ideas) and get their feedback; they may surprise you. The bonus is they'll be more likely to buy if they're part of the process. Here's one for you, Les. Ann writes that her challenge is "making clients understand my time is just as valuable as theirs and that they need to be on time, if not early." How would you manage that? LS: That's good. Ann, here's my two cents. When it comes down to it, you are selling your time. Yes, the service you provide is the reason a client comes to see you and hopefully returns. But your business is predicated on time. There are no shortcuts in bodywork, no ways to speed up (or slow down) the clock. So the time you devote to each client is precious and can't be wasted—by you or the client. I would tactfully explain your ground rules to all your clients: "You are paying for a block of time, and your late arrival