Tips for Therapists:

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.

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.

Find a therapist uniform or appropriate work-wear that suits your body shape and makes you feel comfortabe.

Why ? : If you feel good about yourself and your appearance you'll also look and feel more confident. That in turn will reassure your clients and inspire their confience in you.

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.

Is there something you can give away?
Businesses use "giveaways" as a form of advertising. That is, they give items to their clients and prospects - usually items that are useful and include their company logo and contact details. It is a useful way to remind customers and prospects who you are, where you are, and what you do.

Why ? : People usually appreciate having something to take away. It may also serve as a 'talking point' if they show it to anyone else such as friends, family, or colleagues.

Do you use Consultation Sheets for pre-treatment consultations ?
If so, print enough of them for about 3 months of treatments each time you need to refresh your stock.

Why ? : Printing simple A4 pages is generally inexpensive and printing several months-worth at a time can save your time spent on such administrative tasks.

Have you considered being listed on any of the many 'Therapist Listings' on the internet? If so, bear in mind that providing holistic therapies is a local business. An online directory of therapists would need to have an audience of many potential clients of your particular treatments, in your local area, in order for it to be of much use to you. Even then, people who only see your name phone number and list of therapies might not have sufficient information to decide to call you.

If possible, ensure that you have at least a whole page on the internet that is just about you and your services. Better still, have a stand-alone website at your own unique domain name. If you do consider being listed on other websites such as directories, first ask yourself if the costs are reasonable and check that such listings about you and your business would include a link to your own website.

Why ? : Having your own website means that you have control over the way you present and promote your business online.

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.

If you do some or all of your treatments at a clinic or health centre find out if you can leave some of your equipment there.

Why ? : The less you have to carry with you to each appointment the less you can forget and the calmer you are likely to look and feel when you arrive to greet your client. If you can keep some items there you might save time too.

Make sure it is easy for clients to contact you:

• Provide a phone number at which there is an answering service if the call cannot be taken immediately.
• Provide a mobile phone number so that those people who prefer to send text messages can do so.
• Provide an email address so that those people who prefer to send an email can do so.

Why ? : Making your services known to potential clients involves much effort and expense. It therefore makes sense to ensure that when people do try to reach you they can do so easily.