Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1501042
Depending on the structure of your business, you can also change your business name at the entity level. This involves more paperwork and possibly opening new bank accounts as well as updating the IRS, so it can be a bit more involved. Any time you choose a new business name, be sure to do a search on your state's business directory to make sure the name is not already in use. If you feel stuck or confused with the process, it can help to consult with a professional such as an attorney, a tax professional, or a financial advisor who specializes in small business. Along with the administrative changes, you'll probably want a new domain name for your website. This is the "something.com" that people use to find your website. It's gotten much harder to find a good domain that ends in .com, so you may consider choosing a domain with an alternate suffix, such as .co, .health, .me, or .info. TELLING THE WORLD ABOUT YOUR NEW BRAND So how do you tell the world (or at least your local community) about your reboot? It depends on how much you change. If you update your logo and website, you don't have to do anything. But if you want to make it a celebration, you can use it as an excuse to hold an open house and have a client appreciation event at your office to celebrate your new look. Or you can simply send an email announcing your new logo and website. If your changes are more extensive, such as a new business name and/or new target market, you may want to make a bigger deal about it. At the very least, you'll want to send out an email to your clients letting them know your business name changed but it's still "you" so they aren't confused next time they try to book with you. If you are starting to serve a different clientele, you'll want to decide how to handle the transition and how you plan to serve existing clients going forward. Do you want to market to a new audience but continue to serve existing clients indefinitely? Or would you prefer to transition more quickly to serving your new audience? For example, let's say you've had a generalized practice up until now. With your rebrand, you have now decided to serve marathon runners. You could focus your marketing efforts on marathon runners while still working with existing clients. In this case, it can be a good idea to send out a message explaining the change but reassuring your clients you are happy to continue working with them individually so they feel comfortable knowing they won't have to find a new massage therapist. Or, if you want to work only with marathon runners going forward, you'll want to have a backup plan for clients you will no longer treat. For example, you could send out a message letting them know you are serving a new audience but would like to refer them to 2–3 other massage therapists you trust in your area. However you decide to do it, be sure to communicate clearly and respectfully so your clients know what to expect and feel you are supporting them. CHANGE CAN BE GOOD There are many reasons why you might want to reboot and rebrand your massage practice. If you approach the change thoughtfully and carefully, a fresh start can be a great way to inject new life into your business. Allissa Haines is a practicing massage therapist and columnist for Massage & Bodywork magazine. She builds websites for massage therapists and bodyworkers at deepbreathdigital.com. L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 83 TAKEAWAY: When done thoughtfully, a rebrand can be beneficial to your business and your future potential.