Tips for Therapists:

Send Birthday Cards to repeat clients

Do you ask clients for their date of birth ? If so, why ? If you would just like to know their age, then you could simply ask for that.

Why ? : As part of your personal service. Everyone loves to be remembered and as well as the pleasure of an unexpected Birthday Card, they'll also be reminded of you and your services.

If you do more than just occasional treatments buy yourself a spare uniform.

Why ? : Your focus should be on your treatments and your clients, not on your clothes. By having a spare uniform you can eliminate crises and last minute anxiety if you didn't have time to prepare by washing or ironing and in case of last minute accidents.

When preparing and updating your consultation sheet or questionnaire, ensure that you can explain your reasons for asking each of questions in no more than 1 or 2 sentences per question.

Why ? : Some day, someone is likely to ask. When faced with an uncomfortable question, many people would prefer to "question the need for the question" than to answer it. You will be more likely to get an honest answer and will certainly look far more professional if you can confidently offer a positive yet concise response in all cases.

Investigate any FREE help that might be available to you as a small business.

The value and nature of help available for small businesses varies from time to time and from place to place. Sometimes there are government funded initiatives to help small businesses. If there is free advice available it might prove useful, especially when you are setting-up your business and in the first few years.

When was the last time you sent a mailing (paper or email) to your client base ?

Why ? : Keeping in touch with clients is a standard business activity.
It may be especially appropriate for therapists who are not just treating people who have medical issues but are facilitating relaxation with, for example, massage, reflexology, or aromatherapy. Perhaps previous clients would appreciate a friendly reminder of the advantages of taking some time out for themselves and their wellbeing ...

Do you use Consultation Sheets for pre-treatment consultations ?
If so, and if you have a website, make your consultation sheets available for download by clients and people who are considering booking arranging a treatment.

Why ? : Perhaps some people would like to have a treatment but are concerned about the questions you might ask them first. It is reassuring for such clients to be able to see your questions in advance. It might also help by resulting in more people bringing the information you require with them. However, if you would like clients to complete your form in advance then do remember to say so.

Concerning music or other sound during your treatments ...
If you visit clients at their homes do you mention in advance that they might wish to have their sound system or speakers ready near the treatment area and perhaps select some appropriate music ?

Why ? : Preparation and anticipation of all aspects of your time with the client helps to enable everyone to be more relaxed, facilitating effective treatment.

Always have some of your smart, professional, business cards with you.

Why ? : Business cards can provide much useful information. If you have a box or stand of business cards available for clients to take one, you must be serious about your business and expect people to want your contact details.

Many therapy consumables such as carrier oils, wipes, talc, and so on are sold with clearly stated 'use by' dates printed on the packaging. However, this is not always the case - some products state similar advice in a slightly different way, such as use within a stated time period after opening. In that case it can be useful to keep plain white stickers or labels with your therapy kit and label each new pack or bottle with the date on which it was opened.

Why ? : To be 100% confident of the freshness of all items used.

If you make your email address available to clients

• Choose a professional looking email address that is easy to remember.
  Use an email address at your website domain. That way people can be more confident that they are contacting someone associated with that domain and your email address alone will automatically let people know where to find out more about you - at your website.
• Check email to the address known to your clients daily.

Why ? : This is part of your business image.