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 »

I wondered why it was so dark in my shower this morning. Turns out it was precisely thirty nine thousand, eight hundred and two ladybugs covering the inside of my skylight.

My first question involved swearwords. But my second question was, “How did they get in here?”

When it comes to your clients, you should know the answer to that second question … for each and every client.

“Ladybug, Ladybug: An infestation prompts questions about your massage practice advertising” 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 »

I spent Saturday with eight yoga-instructors-slash-massage-therapists who had these amazing, innovative, touching ideas to honor the moms in their care. And no one was writing the ideas down. No one was saving these universe-comforting ideas. No one was planning.

I wanted to bite through the radiator.

So here it is, the simplest and most logical way I know to plan ahead: work backwards.

Here’s the 12 Backwards Steps To Do list. You can apply it to any massage / bodywork marketing thing: mailings, presentations, grand openings, anniversaries, fund raisers, etc.

“12 Steps for Planning Ahead: Moving forward while working backward” continues »

There have been many psychiatrists and family counselors on the Talking Head Circuit of news and talk shows lately. They are all discussing the economy and its effects on us and our families.

One of them brought up an interesting point: Even people who aren’t directly affected are exhibiting signs of anxiety.

Well that got my attention so I did a little surfing. Here’s a selective list of physical signs of anxiety and depression.

“Crafting Your Massage Marketing Message: Current events guide your steps” continues »

I got a great question on website development from “Beatrix” last week:

“Hi Eileen,
I want to develop a website. Could you recommend a company specializing in websites for massage therapists or one that would provide assistance in developing a site? Thank you.”

There are more web developers in the Puget Sound area than there are baristas. Which is somewhere around 90 gazillion billion.

“Looking for a Web Designer: Check for smarts, talent and communication skills” continues »

I got to hear Sarah Vowell do a reading in Olympia this weekend. At the end she took questions. Somehow or other she got onto the topic of What it Takes to Be Successful.

In high school, Sarah really wanted to be a musician when she grew up. Her music teacher advised her to study people who were really good at what they did (musicians, bakers, cops, street sweepers) and to figure out what made these people great at their jobs. She says it was the best advice she ever got.

People who are great at their jobs are happy in what they do. Anyone can feel their joy or satisfaction. These people are also attractive. I don’t mean hair-and-makeup attractive. I mean they attract clientele who recognize their talent. I mean customers will wait in a longer lines to be served by them or will request them specifically or will prefer to do business on days they are in the office.

“Learn from the Greats: Heads up, they are everywhere” 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 »