If you are a health practitioner or massage therapist just starting out or are already established therapist wanting to take your practice to the next level, the Health Practice Success blog is just what you need. Full of tips and tools to create your vision and build your practice into your dream business.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Are You Passionate About What You Do?
As 2009 approaches I'm encouraging you to think about what you REALLY want to be spending your time on in the new year. What is it you are really passionate about? If it's already clear to you, now is the time to position yourself to move forward into your vision....to make it real.
Time to get real, get passionate, get started (if you haven't already).
GOT A VISION? A PASSION? A PURPOSE?
1. Write it down - a dream or vision for something greater begins to become reality when you fully engage in it. Writing it down is a great place to begin this process.
2. Share it with others - don't be shy, share your vision with people who can inspire and encourage you. Speaking it out will help you to be accountable to others and really help to set your plan in motion. Sharing it will also help you to confirm it is really what you want, as your intuition will guage if you are on the right track.
3. Take action - all the good intent and 'putting it out there' will be fruitless if there are no associate actions to with them.
4. Devise a plan - list some actions you can take to move you toward your vision. Be realistic, and ask for help if your not sure how to do some of them from someone who does.
5. Start! Don't go another year yearning to fulfill a dream. 2009 is the year to start!
If you are a health practitioner with a vision for your practice, I encourage you to join me at a mastermind group, sign up for my online newsletter and stay tuned for my forthcoming ebook: The No Hype Guide to Marketing for Health Practitioners. Sign up for my newsletter at http://www.healthpracticesuccess.com/ and stay tuned.
I'd also really love to hear your stories on how you have already begun living your passions and turning your dreams into reality. Share them with me by adding a comment below.
To your health practice success...
Krishna
Friday, November 7, 2008
If Business is Quiet It's NOT Because of the Recession
Lately, within just a few moments of small talk, the topic inevitably turns to the current economic climate. Often, I can tell how someone is already doing before they even say so - the way they carry themselves, the tone of their voice and their energy has already given them away. Imagine how potential clients are receiving them? Not terribly well I imagine. In most cases these are the people who try to compete using a cheap price, and don't differentiate themselves from other practitioners. The truth is, if you continue to treat your business as a flourishing enterprise you are passionate about, and take active steps to build momentum - success is already yours.
Steps to ensure your ongoing success:
1. Be positive. Know that there are always people who want and need your service, regardless of circumstances.
2. Determine a niche market you love working with and focus on them. Don't try to be everything to everybody. Everyone does that! It makes you just another fish in the ocean. Discover what your best at and take it to the 'world'.
3. Don't be cheap to compete. Competing on price doesn't win clients, just short term bargain hunters.
4. Don't be complacent. Even if things are challenging at times, it is usually for a season only. Don't throw your hands in the air and give up in despair! Instead decide what needs to be done and do it.
5. Do have an action plan. Achieving what you want with your business requires more than just intent. Your intentions must be matched by actions. Have you recognised what actions need to be taken? Write them down and include a timeline. If you haven't planned for the upcoming Christmas season, do so by the end of the week, and begin to implement it step by step. Once you've done that, plan your new year approach. Don't over analyse it, just do it!
6. Consistently promote yourself and your business. Are you guilty of promoting yourself only when your have nothing to do? By constantly doing something to let others know about you, you will find that your business peaks and troughs are not so volotile. If you want to have a more consistent cash flow, keep your marketing activities ongoing. Create a simple marketing plan for the yearso it is not only done 'when you feel like it' or when you have the time. Consistent marketing builds a stronger client base and a foundation for success.
7. Check your mindset. Are you getting carried away on the wave of doom and gloom? Are you surrounded by people who continually speak negitively? Then you need some new friends. Surround yourself with positive influences and network with likemined and positive associates.
8. Do learn new things. If you know something needs to be done, but aren't quite sure how to do it, get help. The web is full of wonderful 'how to' resources.
9. Don't go it alone. Even solo businesses need others they can bounce ideas off. Buddy up with a friend and encourage one another as you explore new territory.
Many businesses that are suffering at present have had their head in the sand and are drowning now in deep water. It doesn't have to be that way. It is not too late to turn things around. In the coming posts I will look at some different marketing approaches and how you can use them confidently.
To your health practice success....
Krishna
http://www.healthpracticesuccess.com/
Saturday, September 27, 2008
What Does a Fit Business and a Fit Body Have in Common?
A fit business is commited to healthy habits
What kind of habits are apparent with your business? Do you consistently spend time working on your business or only working in it? Consistently devoting regular time each week to marketing health, managing financial health and client followup will be sure your business stays in good shape.
A fit business is lean
What are you feeding your business? Are you spending time been busy or productive. I liken this to to the fit body analogy of eating foods that are high in calorie and low in nutrition, versus eating foods that are highly nutritious that your body will love. Are you feeding your business with nourishing activities that lead to positive results, or high energy, low nutritious activities. Don't waste your energy on activities that fail to nourish.
A fit business builds it's muscle
Are you exercising your business muscle? If you have exercised, you will know that some activities will be a little tough at first, but as your muscles become stronger, so too will your ability to function at your peak. The same applies your business. Try doing a SWOT analysis - strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Once you have done this, spend some time capitalising on your strengths and buidling your weaknesses. If you have recognised areas in your business that need work, plan time to work on them. This could mean enhancing your knowledge or building your skills in a particular area. The main thing is not to ignore it, or you will be left behind in the wake of others who are more proactive.
Allocate time for business fitness
Just as in getting your body in shape, there is no point using time left over to get fit! It will never happen. It is imperaive that you set time aside in your schedule each week to work on your business. Allocate time to followup your clients, manage your database, reach new potential clients and learn new skills.
If you lack skills in effectively marketing your business, I can help. I work with health practitioners to give them the skills for do-it-yourself marketing that you can learn to do confidently. Drop me a line with your marketing question at krishna@vitalityoptions.com.au or visit my website at http://www.healthpracticesuccess.com for free tips.
To your health practice success....
Krishna
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
How Important Is a Web Presence?
Simple Web checklist:
- Use email to stay in touch with existing clients
- Submit articles to increase traffic to your website and build your profile as an expert
- Free directory listings can increase your website rankings and make you easier to find
- Use social marketing such as facebook to stay in touch with friends and associates and remind people you are there
Getting Started:
I recommend starting with one 500 word article (about half an A4 page) on a subject that would be of interest to your ideal client. Use this article to:
- Include in your newsletter (don't have one? Start now...)
- Post on your blog
- Post as a 'note' on your facebook page
- Submit to article directories (this will direct traffic to your website if you have one and increase your online prescence)
If you would like more information on how to use some of these methods, drop me a line at krishna@vitalityoptions.com.au I will be happy to direct you to the right place - in fact it would be a pleasure!!!
Related articles:
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
How to Find Time to Work on Your Business...
The simple answer is 'no!' You don't have to do all that, unless it is going to benefit your business by connecting you with either clients, or skills that will help you aquire clients or further build your business in some way.
It's important to recognise that not all marketing mediums are right for every business. It depends very much on who your clients are. I recommend asking yourself the following questions:
- Who are your ideal clients
- Where do they hang out (either socially, professionally or online)
- What do they read
- Where would they go if they were seeking out your product or services?
It is only after answering these questions that you can consider where best to spend your time reaching them. Once you have do the following:
- Build time into your week that allows you to work on your business instead of just in your business. If you ignore this you will find that heavy troughs will follow your peaks. By allowing yourself time to spend on your business, even when you are busy, you will have a steady more consistent flow of clients.
- Decide what are the best methods to reach ideal new clients.
- Determine what outcome you want from each approach. Do you want leads you can followup or add to your database or do you want someone to make an appointment.
- Focus on the approaches that will work best for you. Just because it works for someone else, doesn't mean it's your best choice.
- Spend a little time each week on your chosen marketing methods.
The aim is to make sure every activity you take on has the potential for productivity. This means a stronger business for you. We are all given 24 hours in a day. How we leverage that time will determine how effective you are. Being busy is not necessarily mean good business.
Ask yourself what it is you really want. Determine the steps to get there and pay attention to do a little each week. The more focused you are, the better your results will be.
If you struggle with focus I highly recommend the free desktop program Simpleology. It has to be seen to be believed. You can download it for free here: www.simpleology.com
"Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well." Louisa May Alcott
To your health practice success...
Krishna
Monday, July 28, 2008
Are You Getting In Your Own Way?
Why are some health practices flourishing right now, when others are floundering? Yes, there is a lot of talk of poor economy, interest rates and higher costs of living, but there are still clients out there who are ready to use your services, and a lot of them at that! So lets consider the differences between health practitioners who are thriving with ones who are just surviving:
The Floundering Therapist will:
-Wonder ‘how on earth they can compete against all the competition.’
-Hope that people will ring them when they need a treatment.
-Think they are being pushy if they phone a client
-Let a lack of know-how stop them learning how enhance their business skills such as writing a newsletter.
-Will waste time being busy instead of productive
-Knows what they need to do next but will find anything possible else to do instead
The Flourishing Therapist will:
-Identify exactly who their ideal client is and recognise that they are always looking for good services
-Consistently find ways to connect with these people in a way that engages them (talks in their terms about what they care about)
-Truly connect with their existing clients where possible outside scheduled appointments.
-Understand their personal and business strengths and weaknesses and learn what’s necessary that help them to build their business or engage the skills of someone who can do it for them
-Will spend time working on their business as well as in their business by planning time to do so, rather than only if there is time left over.
-Will ask themselves what is the best use of their time right now, and choose to do it (whether they like the task or not!).
Are you ready to embrace all that is possible? Are you ready to see your dreams come to fruition? You’ve got the vision, and you are ready for it. Now it is time to put into practice the associated actions to see your vision become reality. It’s time to get out of you way and move toward your destination.
"Whoever I am, or whatever I am doing, some kind of excellence is within my reach." John Gardner
To your health practice success….
Krishna
https://www.healthpracticesuccess.com
Friday, July 4, 2008
Is Your Branding Letting You Down?
“I don’t have a brand” you might say. Well guess what – every therapist has a brand – it is what you say to the ‘world’ in how you present yourself, your business and your service to your clients and prospective clients. The reason I wanted to post on this today is a very interesting comment was made on a great discussion board I've been visiting recently at (http://www.softtissuetherapy.com.au/). A member called 'bombers' said:
"Have you ever seen an Osteopath use a cardboard box as a sign for their clinic? Ever seen a Chiro have their sign half way down a beauty salon list? Ever seen a physio print out their own business cards on plain paper, with spelling mistakes, corners not cut properly? So why is you see this with our industry - all the time!"
Now some of you will breathe a sigh of relief and know this is not you, but those of you who have a sinking feeling, and perhaps are 'guilty' of this kind of attempt at promoting yourself can find relief in the fact that it has now been brought to your attention and needs to be remedied right now! Please - in the name of the industry and your own personal reputation don't sacrifice professionalism in the name of saving dollars or making a quick buck. It will do nothing for you in the long term and harms the reputation of the health industry. For any of you who are serious about your health career, you must present yourself professionally at all times in a way that is acceptable to your target market. For example, if you are targeting the corporate and workplace sector, the 'healer' image of thongs and sarongs are not acceptable (if at all for a serious practitioner) and a suitable work attire is a better choice. Remember even when you are down at the local shops you are a walking advertisment, so think about how you are presenting. Remember how your clinic is presented, the way your greet clients and how you answer the telephone all say something about you. And forget the handmade business cards, toss them today. If you need to be careful about spending, try http://www.vistaprint.com.au/frfau?frf=588651299534 for inexpensive cards and stationery (I recommend their premium cards in a gloss finish). I suggest you set aside at least 10% of your gross earnings toward promotion so that you are making a professional image a priority. If you'd like more tips on promoting yourself without breaking the bank, go to my website http://www.healthpracticesuccess.com/ to receive my free Health Practice Success newsletter.
To Your Health Practice Success...
Krishna
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Attracting Clients You Love Through Joint Ventures
Being a health practitioner can be a lonely road at times, particularly if you are a sole operator. Quite frankly, a lot of practitioners like it that way! But if you want the abundant practice of your dreams, remaining an island just won’t cut it. Today I want to share with you a powerful way of attracting the clients you like to work with most through joint ventures.
So, what’s so great about joint ventures?
ü They leverage your business to more potential clients through valuable partnerships – building your client base at minimal cost
ü They build your credibility through the trust already held by your partners – exposing you to warm rather than cold prospects
ü You are seen as someone who is willing to work with others for a greater benefit to all concerned
ü They allow you to be surrounded by likeminded and passionate people - you will be inspired and inspire others
ü They can create free publicity
ü If carefully targeted joint ventures will help position you as an expert in your chosen field
What kind of joint venture should you consider?
Joint ventures are only limited by your imagination. Here are some suggestions:
ü Place flyers at local businesses in exchange for their ad or coupon in your newsletter
ü Offer a free treatment to the local physio or personal trainer who can speak on your behalf to their clients and refer them to you. A value adding voucher works well in conjunction with these. Offer to refer your clients to them also.
ü Offer treatments as prizes to local charities and fundraisers in exchange for promotion in their flyers and newsletters as a sponsor.
ü Sponsor a member of the month prize at the local gym.
ü Team up with the local health food store – you promote their products while they promote your service.
ü Set up a stand at the local sports club or fitness centre. It offers their members an additional service and you get exposure to new clients.
ü Participate in open days and community events – you’ve got to be in it to win it!
ü Create a health expo by teaming up with other practitioners. Charge a fair price for half hour treatments and offer free talks on different health issues. Ask a local venue to donate the space. Promote it through local newspaper articles and what’s on columns, on community noticeboards and free online community directories. A little planning goes a long way.
ü Create a local network that appeals to your target market. For example, if women 40 plus are your market, team up with a local café or restaurant and host a monthly luncheon event. It could be purely social or you could have an interesting speaker each month.
These are just a few ideas. Harness your strengths and combine them with the strengths of others. Team your organisational skills with someone else’s public speaking skills and another’s venue or customer base. Remember, joint ventures don’t have to be complicated, even simple ones pay off over time. The opportunities are endless! Great opportunities don’t come along once in a lifetime, they come along everyday – are you ready to harness them and see your practice prosper?
Top tips to joint venture success:
ü Know exactly who you want to attract to your business. Clearly define your audience. This becomes apparent when you know exactly what your strengths are and who you can help the most. You must identify this first before proceeding, if you want them to work well for you.
ü List local businesses who have the same target market as you. They may or may not be health related, it could be the local fitness club, café or playgroup.
ü Approach potential partners from a ‘what’s in it for them’ – it’s not all about you (although your aim is for you to benefit, it must benefit your partners also).
ü Remember you don’t have to go it alone. Bigger joint ventures are best when it’s a team effort. Don’t be afraid to delegate – just the fact that you initiated the idea will be worthwhile if everyone benefits.
Joint ventures are a fantastic way to leverage your business. In my own business of helping health practitioners market themselves I have teamed up with several other businesses that I know can help my clients such as web designers and graphic artists, other online health marketing gurus, natural therapies academies, practice software developers and business networking groups. It is a powerful way to get the message across to the people you can help the most and it’s a win/win situation for everyone.
“If everyone is moving forward together – the success takes care of itself” Henry Ford.
I welcome your ideas and would love to hear them – feel free to email me if you’d like feedback at krishna@vitalityoptions.com.au I am also interested in potential contributions of your challenges and successes to my forthcoming book The No-Hype DIY Guide to Marketing for Health Practitioners’. All contibutors will receive a free copy.
To your health practice success….
Krishna
Related articles:
Boosting Your Profile With Editorial and Articles
The Power and Promise of Networking
Low Cost Ways to Build Massage Clientele
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Boost Your Profile with Editorial and Articles
Some basic ground rules for writing your article
1. Understand what your typical clientele are reading. Are they reading the lifestyle pages, the business section or the health advice column? Would they pick up a free mag at your local health food shop, or search online for health information? The more you understand who your typical client is, the more effective you will be in writing a great editorial and submitting it to the best choice of publication.
2. What does your preferred client want to know about? It is of the greatest importance to create an editorial about what can benefit your readers, rather than what will benefit you! This is the WII-FM principle (that’s what’s in it for me). What benefits will they receive? How will they feel? Is there any credible evidence to back it up?
3. Use clear concise language that is free of jargon. Be very careful to avoid jargon that is specific to your area of expertise. Writing about the ‘energetic spectrum of quantum physics to rejuvenate your aura’ is not really suited to readers of your local newspaper!
4. Don’t cram too many ideas into the one article. Are you are jack of all trades? Please don’t be! In most instances, this is a very big mistake that many therapists make at some point. You will be much more effective when seen as an expert in a particular area. Do not try to be everything to everyone. This will water down any impact you may have. To be seen as an expert you need to specialise.
5. Be very clear on the purpose of your article before putting pen to paper. Is it to attract clients? Is it to make an announcement? Is it to educate?
6. Determine whether you are going to write as a ‘third party’ (the way a journalist might write it), or as yourself.
Writing your article – a suggested format
1. Start with a compelling headline. Many people scan headlines before choosing to read an article, so be sure your headline will capture the attention of your target market.
2. Open with a statement or question. Your opening line needs to be interesting so that your reader wants to continue. You may make a statement of a current trend or observation, or a question regarding a common problem being people may be experiencing. (You’ll notice I started this article with a question appealing to you as a reader, followed by a statement of what this article will cover).
3. Present your information clearly and concisely following a logical progression.
4. Include a quote to add credibility to your article. This could be from an expert in the field (including yourself) that you are writing about, from a client, or from a scientific journal that backs up the point of view you are presenting.
5. Include a footnote that enables the reader to contact you. Some publications may accept a brief biography here.
6. Have a few people proof read your article and provide an honest critique so that adjustments can be made prior to submission.
Submitting your article
There are hundreds of publications and website that may accept your article. The logical place to start is your local newspaper. They are always looking for interesting items to include that are of local interest. If your item is newsworthy or has a wider interest and is well written, definitely submit it to your larger regional newspaper. Once you have determined the best places to run your article that will be read by your target audience, contact the editorial department for contact name and details. Email your article clearly identifying the author and contact information. Including a relevant quality high resolution photograph (not just a cut and paste from the web or similar) will also enhance the chances your article will be published. Bear in mind that your article may be edited. You may also be contacted for interview to further expand on what you have submitted. Your article can also be submitted to relevant trade and special interest magazines and to hundreds of online article directories.
Article checklist
-Where will your article appear?
- Who will be reading it?
- What do they want to know?
- What is the one idea you wish to convey?
- Have you written from the readers perspective?
- Does the headline compel the reader to read on?
- Is it informative?
- Is it free of jargon
- Is it believable? (Use testimonials, quotes etc)
- Is your contact information or bio included at the end so you can easily be contacted?
Someone once said “it’s not what you know, but who knows what you know”. Presenting your knowledge to the world using articles is a powerful way to become known and build your health practice and reputation effectively. The best thing is it's free!
I am always available to proof read your articles. Feel free to email me at krishna@vitalityoptions.com.au and I will be happy to offer feedback.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Doing The Network Limbo!

Now I'm not suggesting you have to literally 'do the limbo' or necessarily 'bend over backwards' for those you meet, but with a consistent approach you will establish some wonderful working relationships, friends and inevitably new clients.
So what do you do at a network?
Depending on the network, people ultimately attend to meet others. They may be looking for like minded people to share ideas, looking to meet potential clients, or looking to increase their profile and joint venture with others. The important thing is that it is an environment where people are wanting to get connected, therefore you can freely approach others and they may approach you. Even if you feel shy, this is no time to be a wallflower, but you can feel free to be yourself. If you see someone standing alone, this is an ideal opportunity to say 'hi' as they are probably feeling shy too.
The purpose of attending a network is to develop relationships, not 'make a sale'. Relationships develop over time and need to be nurtured.
TIPS FOR GREAT NETWORKING
- Choose networks that allow you to be face to face with your target market, or those who have a similar target market to you.
- Take an interest in the other party. Your purpose is not to tell as many people what you do. If you take an interest in others, they will inevitably ask what it is you do. If you establish a connection you can make a time to get together at a later date.
- Followup. If you have managed to exchange business cards, followup with a personal email or note within 48 hours of meeting that you enjoyed talking with them. If appropriate you can suggest getting together for coffee. It is also an opportunity to send them a referral or other beneficial information that can help with THEIR business.
- Be of service to others. If you have an area of common interest and can suggest something that could be of benefit to them, this will help to establish trust and build your credibility. It shows that it is not all about you and will enhance the chances that they will reciprocate at a later date.
- Think quality not quantity. The purpose of networks is not to hand your business cards to as many people as possible, but to build authentic relationships that can be fruitful later on. So speak to a selection of people in a meaningful way so that you can be memorable.
- Attend regularly. Regular attendence will pay off if you are actively building relationships of mutural benefit. Your commitment and consistency will be noticed, and you will get to know some wonderful people.
- Introduce others. As you become more comfortable with networking, you will see many opportunties to introduce other likeminded parties. This will significantly increase your likeablility factor and in turn reciprical referrals.
VITALITY OPTION: Research 2 local networks that you could attend on a monthly basis that members of your target market attend. Make a six month commitment to go. Follow the steps above.
I just want to add that the we were the only massage therapists that managed to attend this tourism industry network. We are located on the Sunshine Coast which is a tourism hub of Queensland. Attendees where predominately resort owners and managers, tour operators and other marketers. The appointments we obtained were 1 with a resort manager who was disatisfied with their current massage supplier, the other 2 were with triathaletes who were attending because of an upcoming event in the region. It is not rocket science! You just have to take an active part in your community. I guarantee results will follow if you follow the steps above.
I would love to hear your networking success stories or any other experiences you would care to share. Please leave a comment.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Are You Ready For Your Best Year Yet?
Hello! and welcome to a new year full of promise and expectation. By now you may have given some thought to how you plan to spend the next 12 months and what you hope to accomplish by the end of this year professionally and personally. Are you ready for your best year yet?
Take a moment to picture your ultimate life. What would it look like? Where would you like to see yourself this time next year? As consultants to the massage industry, we meet many health practitioners such as yourself who see themselves as helping people daily to lead greater quality lives, attracting more than enough ideal clients to fill their appointment book.
What would your best year look like for you? Where would you like to see yourself this time next year, and what steps are you taking to get there? In other words, where are you heading? Perhaps it is a wonderful holiday, training in a new profession, or doing your first public speaking engagement.
10 Steps Toward Your Best Year Yet
1. Clearly identify where it is you want to go
2. Operate from a place that is a heartfelt desire rather than a ‘should’. Be mindful of ‘fears’ muffling your heartfelt desire
3. Be very clear of your intention
4. Make a simple plan of steps that take you in the direction of your goal and follow it
5. Cast off habitual daily rituals that do not lead you toward your destination
6. Surround yourself with people who can support you in your personal or professional journey
7. Step out of your comfort zone even if only a little and experience new terrain
8. Recognise your unique gifts and share them generously with others
9. Value yourself, your time and others and do not squander any of these
10. Be always aware of what is the best use of my time ‘right now’
By taking these steps in your stride you will be steadily creating your best year yet as it happens. You will find it ever-evolving, challenging and purposeful. You will see meaning in all that you do which will foster enthusiasm and motivation from within, rather than something that comes from outside.
I warmly encourage you to declare this year to be your best yet.
Krishna Everson
http://www.marketyourmassage.com/
A subsidiary of Vitality Options, Coolum Beach Australia
Phone 07 5473 9559
Email krishna@vitalityoptions.com.au