Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/81195
CREATE A PRACTICE THAT WORKS FOR YOU 3. Make the change gradually if your new schedule won't work for a significant number of your current clients. 4. Market to populations that are a fit for your new schedule. "A FULL-TIME PRACTICE JUST ISN'T FOR ME." Solution: Embrace Part-Time Opportunities Don't like the responsibility of running your own practice? Craving an opportunity to interact with colleagues? It's OK to admit that a full-time private practice isn't the best fit for you. Too often massage therapists graduate from school with the notion that it's best if they start their own practice and never work for anyone else. Just like anything in life, there are pros and cons to all choices. Sure, it's wonderful to be your own boss and set your own rates and schedule, but it's also a lot of work to do all of the marketing and bookkeeping yourself. It's not a failure in any way to admit that you'd like the stability of a regular paycheck and some health benefits. Allow TIP For cover letter and resume samples, visit the Career Development center in the ABMP.com Member section. room for your practice to evolve over time; what worked for you two years ago may not be the best fit for you today. Here are some alternatives for therapists who want to continue doing hands-on work, but don't want to run a full- time practice. Solution: Mix a Private Practice and Part-Time Massage Therapy Job Do you enjoy some aspects of being a sole proprietor, but a full-time private practice isn't the best fit for you? Consider cutting back on your private practice and adding a part-time massage therapy job to your business plan. There are an abundance of clinics, spas, hospitals, and other employers who are clamoring for qualified therapists to join their teams. The benefits of this choice include working with a wide variety of clientele, introducing the world of massage to first-time clients, and having the ability to just show up and have clients and supplies ready for you. Because these locations are often open seven days a week, therapists can vie for days and shift times that work with their schedule. Balancing a part-time private practice and part-time massage job gives you the opportunity to enjoy doing hands-on work full time while minimizing the time and effort you need to spend marketing and managing your practice. Things to consider • Research your opportunities carefully; different employment situations attract different types of clients and require you to use different modalities. Find the fit that's right for you. • It may take time before you have a full client schedule as an employee. • You'll need your employee position to have a fairly set schedule so you can book your private practice clients in advance. • It's not OK to lure clients into your private practice from your job; they're your employer's clients, not yours. Action steps 1. Determine which employment setting is best for you: clinic, spa, hospital, chiropractor, etc. 2. Research available jobs in desirable locations. 3. Develop a compelling resume and cover letter. 4. Prepare for verbal and hands-on interviews. 5. Plan your schedule to balance a part- time job and part-time practice. Solution: Mix a Private Practice and a Nonmassage Therapy Job Still enjoy giving massage, but you don't have the desire or physical capability for it to be your full-time gig? Take this opportunity to transition your practice to part time and look for a part-time or full-time job in another field. This will allow you to continue to do the hands-on work that you love, but you'll also have the opportunity to 84 massage & bodywork march/april 2012