Please help out a Newstarter

[LupBeraoii]

Hi to all,

I have recently qualified in Holistic Therapy and have just started to advertise my services, which is not going to well. I printed out 1000 flyers for £125.00 at my local printers, I really took my time on the design and layout so that it would catch peoples eye. I started posting them through doors, and giving them out in local high streets, I only received one costomer (was I gutted).
Where did I go wrong?
I am thinking of putting an advert out in the local papers but am to frighten to loose any more money as I have only earned £30. I decided to do a little research first this time before spending again, I called a few people from the Loot and other publications to find out whether they received alot of business through advertising, and apparently you do not get much business that way either.
What is one to do, you do the exam and think that you will start earning lots of money with your new found skill, but it seems it does not work like that.
I am gonna sign back up with my local gym and start making friends and letting them know that I do massage, but apart from that I am really stuck.

Please can anyone advise me on how to get started.

 

[babyphat]

Hiya It can be difficult starting out, little acorns and oak trees and all, dont be gutted about that one customer, they may come back they may refer you to other people, also i have found with leaflet drops people tuck them away, for instance i did a drop in august 03 and booked a new client from it only last week!!!
I dont think you have gone wrong it just takes time, stay positive and stay with it, does the club you are joining have a room you can rent to do your therapies as they will also help with the advertising...
T
x

 

[Emma B]

Hi and welcome.

Dont despair. Its really hard at first, and we all make the odd boo boo. Have a look on the business and advertising thread, lots of good tips there. You may also like to fill in a bit more about where you are etc.

Iceni

 

[antonio d]

Hi Newstarter .... I agree withTigerbee ... don't get disheartened ~ it takes time. I must have spent a fortune on advertising in local newspapers and Yellow Pages and I have to say that the best form of advertising is probably word of mouth, but that takes time to build up.

I now have a regular (small) ad in a local monthly mag, its delivered free to local homes and is full of useful local information and phone numbers etc. so people tend to keep it from one month to the next as a reference ~ this is actually the only one where people have said they saw my ad when they book so it must be working.

Contact your local Womens Institute they are always looking for people to give talks at their monthly meetings although be warned they usually book up a year in advance but you might get a cancellation, ask to go on their list of "speakers" they circulate this around other WI's in the area. I charge a fee to the WI for the talk (at my usual hourly massage rate) and then take the opportunity to give out as many leaflets and business cards as I can on the night. This is not immediatly successful at drawing in the clients but it is a way of getting known in your area.

I know that it is no consolation for you at the start of your career but it has taken me two and a half years (working part-time that is) to be secure enough to pay myself a "wage" ... fortunately I have a husband who has supported me in every way during the early days. This is actually my second attempt at becoming self-employed as a comp. therapist .. the first time round my rent and overheads far exceeded my income so I gave up after only six months, and took on a full-time office job ... it paid the mortgage but didn't feed my soul! Maybe the time was not right and now it is ... I managed to fulfill my "dream" eventually .. so I am sure you will too. Love Heather xxx

 

[yvette30011]

Hi Newstarter,

One client per 1000 leaflets is the norm. Leaflets can be an expensive way of advertising, unless you target your audience, eg health centres, health food shops, and clubs.

Good luck and please don't be disheartened.

 

[obrolan]

I am so grateful for your responses, I really felt down last week, but just by reading all your comments has lifted my spirits. I will carry on and won't give up at the first hurdle as this is my passion.

I live in Enfield, and my local gym does not have a spare room for massage, but I was able to leave some of my leaflets there, I am gonna follow that up, make my presents known, come 6-8pm the place is packed with wanna b's fitness guru's, some of which must need a relaxing massage to ease away all that muscle tension.

Also there is a ladies day every Monday at the local swimming baths I have been a few times and made friends, but have been really busy lately, I am gonna back back next Monday and give out my leaflets there also, maybe even offer a discounted rate for their first visit £25.00 what do you think?

Right now with your encouragement I feel on cloud nine, I will continue to use this forum as I feel you can make friends for life.

THANK YOU ALL, YOU ARE STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lccdttddmmlh]

I agree with all of the above. Newspaper ads are very expensive and rarely work. It really does take 2-3 years to build up - there is no way you can earn an income from this when you qualify. You may like to think about adding other therapies when you can as well, clients seem to expect you to do the lot![&:]

You seem very keen and if you can go and speak to people and hand out your info then I am sure you will get some work. Be glad when you get one client! That's all you need because they will then recommend you. It's getting the first one that's hard.[]

Even when you do get a good client base there are some very quiet times. There is always something, Christmas, Easter, summer holidays etc etc. Ooo sorry to sound glum, don't mean to be, but if you bear all this in mind then when you do get clients you will realise that you are doing well!

 

[Turdly B]

Keep up the work. I have been in the same position. It is slow going but you do get there.

One idea is to add to your leaflet a return slip offering a prize draw for a free treatment, do stipulate that it needs to be redeemed in a certain timescale. Ask for name, address and date of birth. Chances are if they return the slip they won't mind receiving information from you and you can build up a mailing list. I also keep a note of their birthdays and send out a discount voucher for use during their birthday month as an incentive. As an ideal I now have three regular clients whose first treatments were birthday month vouchers!!!!!

It is just a matter of trying and seeing what works and what doesn't. The problem with delivering leaflets is you just don't know what groups you are targeting.

Good luck!!!!

 

[pmhmrfkg]

Hi Newstarter.
I have just read your posting and you sound very despondent!
I don't know if you've thought of this but working in a 'Day spa' maybe be good for you!
I know you have to give them their 'cut' and you won't make as much but you will be getting the experience that you need to grow in your new profession and
you will still get a substantial wage....... this will keep you in the biz until you have your own clientele.

Its worth thinking about!

Wishing you lots and lots of luck in your new venture, whatever you choose!
Love and light
Wesley