Down beneath all this text are three new business card designs we just produced. I’m all a-twitter because I am a paper junkie. I am; I get all goofy whenever we release new business card designs.

See, business cards are kind of a paper junkie’s … well, you know when your techno-geek friend gets a new phone app? It’s like that. Business cards are compact, say a lot about you, and feel good in your hand (and are so darn cute!). And, of course, a really basic, must-have practice marketing tool. “Three New Business Card Designs: Vote while Eileen gets goofy” continues »

I’m bringing back the Thank You/Welcome note discussion this week. Remember how I was awestruck by an amazing customer service experience? Below is the thank you note that came with it. Don’t tell me that getting a handwritten note like this wouldn’t seal the deal for you. “Seal the Deal with a New Client: Another thank you note sample” continues »

We have a Facebook page and I’m inviting you to “Like” it. (Gosh, remember the Good Old Days when you could be a Fan?). Fad or not, insidious plot to take over our minds or not, Facebook serves a real purpose in our relationship with you. Here are the four big reasons.

1. You can talk to us
Way back in The Day, our website’s shopping cart was … primitive. When you wanted to order, it was a lot easier to call us. We talked. You learned what we were thinking about creating. You learned what new products were coming out. We learned what you needed from us. It was lovely. “Another Free Massage Marketing Resource: NTM mixes it up on Facebook” continues »

I had an amazing first-time experience with a health care provider this last week. And now I want to Share. Because this could be you.

This is a fabulous example of how specializing your massage / bodywork practice can create devoted, happy clients

The Set-Up
It was time for my son’s first dental exam. Since I wanted this to be a good experience, the first person I asked for recommendations was my dentist. Without hesitation, she gave me a name.

I looked them up and realized I would have called this place anyway; they clearly specialize in pediatric dentistry. Their name says it all: “Small to Tall Pediatric Dentistry”  While their website is not the greatest, I was able to find information that resonated with me.

These two things together — the recommendation and their specialty — had me already half-trusting them.

The Hook(s)
“How Specializing Your Massage Practice Creates Starry-Eyed Clients: Eileen is awestruck” continues »

When you market specials for your massage / bodywork / energy practice, you only have one chance to get it right. Here are four ways to get it wrong. We know they’re wrong. Oh, we know.

1. Make It Complicated
A few Mothers’ Days ago, we tried a special involving gift certificates and postcards. It didn’t work. Our offer was that if you bought any number of Mothers’ Day gift certificates, we’d give you a corresponding number of matching postcards. The idea was for people to try a mailing and see how it worked for their massage practice.

Absolutely no one took us up on our offer. We mailed it out to over 7000 customers. Either no one wanted free, matching postcards or, more likely, no one could understand what we were offering.

“4 Sure-Fire Ways to Mess Up a Perfectly Good Special: Learn from common massage marketing mistakes” continues »

A hammer doesn’t build a house, the person swinging the hammer does. Massage marketing tools don’t build your practice, you do. It’s all in how you use the tools available.

Lately, there’s been a lot up on the discussion boards and Facebook about whether brochures are still relevant. Speaking for Natural Touch Marketing, which has built and kept a strong business by producing massage / bodywork brochures, I have to say: Depends.

Just handing someone a brochure isn’t going to gain you a client. A brochure is to offer support and/or validation to the conversation you’re already having with a prospective client. It’s your backup.

Some people do not find brochures useful at all. Some depend on them entirely. The best way to find out if they are good for your practice (and your clients) is to try them out.

For me, brochures are an excellent tool to support word-of-mouth marketing. Here’s a small list of ways to use brochures effectively and economically in your WOM efforts:

“6 Ways Brochures Make Massage Marketing More Effective, or A hammer doesn’t build the house” continues »

How many ways? Well, you tell me.

Your massage / bodywork clients need your help. And I have a plan. It will take about 30 seconds of your time.

We’re going to make a list. You and I. When we’re done, I’ll make it pretty and you can have it to hand out to your clients.

Let me back up a bit so you know where I’m coming from.

Things are to the point in my life* where I’m attracted to any title — any where — that is a variation of “Six Easy Ways to Reduce Your Stress.” Magazines at the supermarket, ads in Facebook, clippings from my mother. I’ll take anything I can get.

“?# Ways to Reduce Your Massage Clients’ Stress, or I don’t WAAAAANT to take a bath” continues »

In this day and age you are probably the only person outside your clients’ families who touches them. I’m sure you know how much this can mean to a person. While you cannot physically lay your hands on (or near) your clients at all times, you can continue to touch their minds and hearts.

You can thank them.

A while ago, I had a question about how to write a thank you note to a new client. When you market your massage practice, this is something you should do. Are there other reasons to remind your clients you appreciate them? Yup.

“8 Different Reasons to Say Thank You: Marketing massage while enriching your soul” continues »

What do thank you notes do for your massage marketing? How should you write one, anyway? Cindy O. Asks Eileen.

“I have a question about Thank You cards. I am trying to build my new massage practice and I would like to send Thank You cards to my new clients, but don’t know how to word it.
Thank you so much,
Cindy”

I love thank you cards. Cards, postcards, notes, whatever. They are a great way to show clients your dedication to their health and willingness to go the extra mile.

They also may be the only handwritten note your client gets all month. Don’t tell me there isn’t a good vibe pay-off there.

A simple formula to follow:

“Something Your Massage Clients Want to Hear: Thank you, thank you, thank you” continues »

“Lib” from the UK asked a good question on the Ask Eileen page:

“Hi Eileen,
In the UK, schools run pamper nights to bring the ladies in and make money for the school. The night consists of [a] retail stall as well as a range massage therapy: massage, reflexology, etc.
Having done this occasionally, the question is, why don’t we get business from the night? (I’ve tried special vouchers.) Any ideas?”

Well, Lib, without knowing any details, my first thoughts are: 1) The ladies coming to your pamper nights don’t understand the value of what you are offer and 2) whatever you’re doing for follow-up contact isn’t teaching them the value of what your school/students offer.

“Make Spa Nights Pay off: Why Make Massage Marketing Efforts if You Don’t Get Clients?” continues »