When a potential client visits your site, you have about 5 (five) seconds to tell them what they want to know before they go somewhere else.

In the last couple few entries I’ve focused on the importance of knowing who your ideal clients are and what they truly want.

Of course they want to know how to contact you, where you are located, that you are professional and what your fees are.

Truly the first thing they want to know is how your work is going to better their lives.

Tell them first thing.

You can be very matter-of-fact and say:

“Why You Should Book a Session with Me: Marketing massage on your website” continues »

Newsletters are the way people, your potential clients, expect to get their education about you and your work. Here are seven basic ways a newsletter will support your practice:

1. Education. It’s understood that if your clients see how your work positively impacts their lives then they will be more inclined to see you more often. They will be more inclined to value your work and encourage their friends to see you.

“7 Ways Newsletters Make You Look Good: Educating your clients, marketing your practice” continues »

This month’s eMarketing Minutes is emailing out soon.* This month we (meaning Diana) found a bunch of excellent articles about creating copy for your business cards. I’m featuring my favorite in this entry because 1) I don’t want anyone to miss it and 2) I’d like to share some specific ways these ideas can bend to meet massage / bodywork marketing needs.

How to Order, Design and Use Personal Business Cards in a New Way is an article with a nice balance between slightly out-of-the-box and reality.

“Getting Specific with Business Cards: An effective way to focus on your clients” continues »

I had a Sad Marketing Massage Moment this weekend.

Two lovely massage therapists had their chairs set up at the Fourth Annual St Martin’s Dragon Boat Races. I watched them the whole morning. They had three customers. Sad.

Here’s what was going on:

• There were 24 dragon boat teams of at least 21 people each, plus the spare rowers and all the support folks.

“Dipping in Your Oar: Notes on marketing massage at local events” continues »

I had a great question posted on the “Ask Eileen” page:

Dear Eileen, I keep seeing ads for the MMMEasy [Massage Marketing Made Easy] kit from Karen Dimmick. I can’t find anyone on the various professional groups I’m on who have used this kit; most say it sounds like a scam. I’ve noticed that she comments on your blog; do you know Karen, and either way do you have an opinion of the product?

I’ve about 70% convinced myself to try it, but any input you have would be helpful. (Schools should have a few hours on marketing, don’cha think?)

Thanks,
Beth

“Thinking about Hiring a Massage Marketing Expert?: You have questions, yes you do” continues »

This weekend I was trying to muster enthusiasm to paint the bathroom. You know how it is: your mind goes into denial and casts about for anything to distract it. My eyes lighted on a can of athlete’s foot spray on the counter (on my husband’s side). It read, “Helps prevent athlete’s foot!”

Well, of course it prevents athlete’s foot. Obviously. Why are you telling me this?

Ah. It’s because I didn’t think of the preventative benefit until they pointed it out.

“Point It Out: Lessons from a can of foot spray” continues »

Things are starting to look ugly out my way. Unless you’re a tiny business, it seems.

With all the business news in Western Washington about Boeing, Starbucks and Microsoft laying off thousands, the media has been desperate to give a little good news (that in and of itself should be a sign of the End Times).

“A Message for Your Clients: Your work makes cents” continues »

This picture is from Eagan’s, a local burger drive through.

Eagan’s has been around approximately a million and twelve years … give or take. Last Thursday was the first time I have seen any new signage of any sort outside their business.

Last week the board read: Make Your Burger Better for Only a Buck!

I liked that message. Short, sweet, to the point. I knew they sold burgers and I could make mine fancy for a dollar more.

This week their sign reads: Make Any Burger a Meal! and follows with a large “$1″ and “$2″ so a driver can quickly see how little a “meal” will cost.

“Make Your Burger Better for Only a Buck!: Simple messages keep it clear, easy” continues »

Hi Eileen -

Here’s a little info about the process I used when putting together a successful press release a few months ago. Feel free to share it with your readers.

The Finished Press Release:
Though I don’t have the edited version handy, here’s a link to the version I sent to the press [The link is to a pdf file that needs Acrobat Reader to display it. It's "safe" to download. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free. —ER].

The edited version had no pictures and the quotations were replaced by shortened factual statements or eliminated altogether. Overall text length was about 1/2-2/3 of what I sent out.

Choosing Relevant (and Likely) Publication(s)
I chose local publications that are distributed in our city

““Making the Piece Fit the Paper”: An in-depth look at writing a good press release” continues »

Matt was behind the door when they were handing out romance. No. Scratch that. He was six blocks away, locked in a vault, thinking deep thoughts.

In an effort to avoid the debacle of last Valentine’s (a card purchased at a gas station containing a piece of paper torn from a notebook reading: “Get yourself a couple of massage sessions. You deserve it.”), Matt and I brainstormed ways that would make both of us happy.

“Spell. It. Out.: Valentine’s promotional messages for the romantically handicapped” continues »