| One of the most important business building | | | | blog, or showing up at an networking event. It |
| techniques massage professionals need to | | | | may take months before you see the end result |
| become good at is self-promotion. In fact it's | | | | of new clients, but it gets you taking action. The |
| probably safe to say your future business | | | | reality is that clients will come to you when the |
| success depends on it. If you're like most of us | | | | time is right for them, not you, and you have to |
| you're not fond of what you feel is selling yourself | | | | be ready to serve them when that time comes. |
| and your service to strangers. If the thought of | | | | You won't build your business without taking |
| cold calling sends shivers up your spine there are | | | | action. Just a reminder, you need to make this an |
| other ways of self-promotion. Very basically | | | | on-going habit for successful marketing and |
| self-promotion is another term for marketing | | | | business building. |
| yourself. | | | | 2. You need a website. Preferably from day one. |
| The easiest way is to stop thinking of | | | | You don't need an elaborate one like mine, but |
| self-promotion as a project and start doing things | | | | you do need at least a couple of pages. A |
| that allow you to incorporate self-promotion into | | | | website creates visibility and credibility. Whatever |
| your day to day business activities. You need to | | | | your target market, people need to be able to |
| have a keep-in-touch strategy. | | | | find you. Remember the first impression a client |
| In other words get into the habit of regularly | | | | has of you is what they see when they visit your |
| sending your clients and potential clients emails, | | | | site. |
| personal notes and useful articles. It means giving | | | | 3. Be proactive. Once you've gotten a client make |
| to people, building and maintaining relationships, and | | | | sure you follow up. Keep in touch with them |
| honouring one's commitments. Ultimately | | | | tactfully. Remember to thank them for choosing |
| self-promotion is about establishing trust, | | | | you and your service. Even if they only use you |
| credibility, respect and creating a presence in the | | | | once a year make an effort to stay in contact. |
| marketplace. | | | | Keep them up-to-date of your activities, your |
| If you lack the trust and self confidence in | | | | newsletter, specials etc. Sometimes it's difficult. |
| yourself, and you feel you're no good at | | | | People change jobs, move around have different |
| marketing yourself here's three things you can | | | | needs, budgets and so forth. But the onus is on |
| start doing today. By the way if these techniques | | | | you. |
| don't resonate with you, you should really think | | | | Remember in the end marketing your service is |
| about whether being in business for yourself is for | | | | about marketing you. People are already being |
| you. | | | | sold on the benefits of chair massage. You need |
| 1. Set daily self-promotion goals. Just like you do | | | | to sell your prospective clients on you. Your |
| for your business. Choose small goals like dropping | | | | uniqueness, your brand and what you have to |
| someone a line, joining a networking group, | | | | offer your clients. |
| donating your service, writing an article, starting a | | | | |