Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/398416
F r e e m u s i c d o w n l o a d s f o r C e r t i f i e d m e m b e r s : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 27 visit abmp.com The person usually chuckles, but I always find it funny. Well, if you were walking by with your practice on a leash, I might ask, "Who's managing whom?" Managing your practice is important; it's the difference between "just doing bodywork" and being a professional. Managing your practice includes marketing, finance, taking care of your facility, and keeping accurate and confidential notes, among other activities. One way to do this effectively is to engage a service—typically a software program. Based on our experience with ABMP members, only a relatively small percentage of practitioners use any form of practice management software. Do you keep track of clients in a notebook, or in a program? Can I check your openings online? If you haven't considered engaging with practice management software, perhaps it's time for you to look at it. Or if you've thought about it before but haven't made the commitment, maybe you should revisit the decision. The good news is there never has been a better time to shop for these resources. Lots of providers are out there: MassageBook, Full Slate, Bodywork Buddy, MindBody Online, and Genbook, to name a few. KC: Your website: We all know how important it is to have a website, as more and more clients are using online searches to find therapists. If you don't have a website for your practice yet, that's your first order of business. (Remember: ABMP members get a free website and website builder with their membership.) If you have a website, congratulations—good job, you! If you think that means you're done, think again. Nothing says "I'm not really paying attention to my practice" like having a special on your home page that expired three months ago, or text that reads "Start your New Year right" in July. If you have time- or date- sensitive material, make sure you keep it up-to-date. Create new reasons for people to visit your site and share it with their friends and followers (a.k.a. potential clients) by adding new photos, articles, links, newsletters, and videos. Consider highlighting something new each month—a benefit, a technique, a special, etc. When you have new content on your website, it becomes an integral part of your overall marketing strategy. Reference it on your social media sites and in emails to increase website visits and keep your practice fresh in clients' minds. LS: Your goals and business plan: OK, let's take an even bigger step back. Where are you going with your career? How do you plan to get there? Most of you spent some time in massage school developing a career path. Do you still have that assignment? Find it and read it. How's it working out for you? Does it still make sense, or has the reality of the "real world" changed your perspective? You should have a specific, measurable plan each year, comprised of expected/ planned practice setting, frequency of practice (how many hours a week?), income goals, and quality goals. Do you have that? Are you willing to document and invest the time to set out a plan for greater success in your chosen career? One thing I've asked students for the past 15+ years when visiting massage programs: "If you love doing massage, why not figure out a plan to allow you to do it for a living?" KC: Your space: Another area that's ripe for change from time to time is your treatment space. A lot of us are still riding the wave of inspiration from the last issue of Massage & Bodywork ("The Design Issue," September/ October 2014). There are beautiful things called table skirts that we can buy online right this second? Yes! Let