How to Run a Successful Deal Campaign: Part One

By Hillary Arrieta LMT

Crowd deals like Groupon seem to be a great way to introduce your massage to a whole bunch of new, prospective clients, but are you prepared? This blog will explore the positive aspects of running a deal and also the pitfalls.

Read on to find out if group deals are for you.

To Groupon, or not to Groupon…

Here’s the deal, if you are not on board with deeply discounting your services, possibly running in to some unpleasant clients, or working your tail off for very little money in the short term, daily deals are not for you.

The main idea behind running a deal is to retain the clients that come in with vouchers.

It’s a marathon, not a race.

What you make money wise from doing the initial deal is not the focus of a successful campaign. The real focus is retention.

You can't retain clients if you have a bad attitude. You must offer the BEST you have in order to keep the clientele, so giving a bad service because you're in a mood about "working for free" won't make this deal a success. Don't even go there because it will do more harm than good to your practice.

Clients can pick up on this very easily and your ratings online will reflect this.

So why SHOULD you do deals? 

I can’t tell you why you should but personally, I chose to run a few deals to start up my private practice because of a few reasons:

1. I had no clients (zero) and needed to build up my clientele FAST.

2. I had no advertising budget. I needed something that would get me a bunch of clients as quickly as possible and I only had to pay for results.

3. I needed to stay busy. Taking the leap into self employment was scary for me and I knew that if I sat around, I would run out and get another job, which would take me away from focusing on my practice.

If you’re like me, running a deal might make sense. The best thing that I can suggest is to look in to all your options and assess your unique goals and needs as a business owner.

Something else to consider:

Did you know that there are several deal platforms out there?

Research and see what options you have in your city. I was lucky to find a smaller, higher end deal site that was perfect for my private practice. I really enjoyed working on their more exclusive clientele.

Search for local sites like amazon local or guilt city (my favorite). Avoid sites that highlight the “savings”. I typically steer clear of sites with “deal” or “save” in the name.

Don’ts:

Do NOT get into a long term deal contract where they can run your deal over and over. Scarcity is the key.

Do NOT run massage packages as deals.

Do NOT run offers for services that use expensive product.

Do NOT give up control or be bullied by overbearing salespeople.

Do NOT run a deal without a plan of action.

Do NOT run a deal if you are not ready to WORK IT.

Do’s:

Do work with a company that will give you control over your deal.

Do only run your deal ONCE. Consider using another company if you decide that you want to run another deal.

Do work with a company that will negotiate terms with you.

Do read your contract!

Do create unique services that would appeal to higher end clients.

Do make a detailed plan for retention and prepare for your deal BEFORE running one.

Hopefully I’ve helped you decide if group deals are a good fit for your practice. Part two will help you develop your plan of action to run a successful deal.

Questions:

Do you run deals?

What has been your personal experience?

Hi! I’m Hillary Arrieta and I help people improve their lives by offering holistic solutions to eliminate stress. I own Gaia Bodywork in Richardson, TX. and specialize in unique and effective massage and meditation techniques such as Barefoot Bar Therapy and iRest® Yoga Nidra.

Overcoming Trolls

I have my fair share of stories to tell of dealing with trolls on social media. I think what made it difficult for me was to have it coming from people I considered to be colleagues - other massage therapists. While this blog and our social media accounts are for the massage software company I co-own with my husband, I am a massage therapist and felt that this was my tribe.

Unfortunately, I don't think there really is a "right" way to deal with trolls. But Michelle of New Yew has some great tips on how to step back, breathe, and simply put: don't feed the trolls. Thanks for the post, Michelle! I love that you shared and walked us through all the emotions you felt in dealing with this.

I did a quick google search on this topic to get some varying opinions on how to best deal with trolls. I love this excerpt from a blog post written by 99u.com quoting James Altucher. (I happen to adore James Altucher!)

An interesting thing to consider: that 30% will love it, 30% will hate it, and 30% won't care.

The 30 percent rule 

In James Altucher’s book, Choose Yourself, he shares a story about responding to critics that wondered why he always used half-naked women for his blog post photos. The woman in the picture responded to the post, sharing her story and insight. Altucher said, “I’ve seen it in action repeatedly: no matter who you are, no matter what you do, no matter who your audience is: 30 percent will love it, 30 percent will hate it, and 30 percent won’t care. Stick with the people who love you and don’t spend a single second on the rest. Life will be better that way.” File those trolls under the proper 30 percent and move on.  

Read the full article here

In internet trolls and all things in life, I think this sums it up:

Stick with the people who love you and don’t spend a single second on the rest. 

Bodywork Buddy Spotlight: Hillary Arrieta

Today's member spotlight is Hillary Arrieta. You may recognize her name as our frequent guest blogger here at Bodywork Buddy! Hillary owns Gaia Bodywork in Richardson, Texas.

Q: What inspired you to be a massage therapist?

A: Massage therapy came to me in at a time where I really needed some nurturing care myself. It was perfect timing, really. I was just out of high school, stressed, anxious, and searching for my "thing".

I got a job at the front desk of a spa and was introduced to massage. I loved the holistic approach and knew it would be a perfect fit.

Q: How long have you been doing massage? 

A: I am working in to my 11th year as a massage therapist.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being an MT?

A: My favorite thing about being a massage therapist is always learning new things to improve. Learning new techniques and also how to build my practice.

There's always more to know.

Q: What do you feel is the most challenging issue for massage therapists?

A: The most challenging issue in my opinion is getting in to private practice. 

It's a leap that I would encourage everyone to take but it's challenging because there is additional learning that needs to happen in order to be a success. 

You can be the best massage therapist technique wise, but if you don't learn to be a business person as well, things can be overwhelming.

Q: What advice would you give to other MT’s to help build their business?

A: I would advise therapists to invest in their business training just like they invested in their massage therapy training.

There are lots of good online programs as well as in person programs out there. Check out free resources for small businesses and read books on ethics. Find a mentor and be open to receiving help.

Hillary Arrieta Gaia Bodywork PLLC 214-709-6394 gaiabodywork.com about.me/hillary.arrieta

Announcing Bodywork Buddy Referral Rewards

BODYWORK BUDDY REFERRAL PROGRAM

Earn sweet discounts for referring new members to Bodywork Buddy! Here’s the scoop.

Bodywork Buddy members have consistently been the best source for finding fantastic new members for the community. We want to continue encouraging you to make more referrals, and now we’re going to reward you for it.

HOW IT WORKS

Each time you refer a new member to Bodywork Buddy, you’ll earn 10% off your Bodywork Buddy membership, for life!

Refer 1 new member and get a 10% discount. Refer 5 members and get a 50% discount. Refer 10 members and get free Bodywork Buddy for life!

Note: each referral must reach at least $35 in billings before your discount will be applied.
See full program details.

You have a referral details section within your Bodywork Buddy account. From there, you’ll find your unique referral link and reporting on your referrals and commissions.

Participation is simple. Just copy your referral link from your referral reporting page, and share it with people you think would love to simplify their massage business with Bodywork Buddy. We've made it easy with invitations you can email to your friends, and even Bodywork Buddy badges you can add to your website that connect right to your referral link for easy tracking.

At the bottom of your referrals page within Bodywork Buddy, you can generate a report by the month to see how many friends have signed up through your link and how many BWB rewards you're earning toward a free subscription!

What Makes a Successful Massage Therapist?

Guest Blog Post by Hillary Arrieta LMT

What makes a successful massage therapist? What does success mean to you in regards to your professional life? I asked myself these questions when I began building my practice. It took me a while to come up with a good formula but I think I'm getting closer to nailing it down.

For me, success meant that I was giving the best service I could give, every time I touched a client. It also meant that I was as busy as I wanted to be and that I was also making a living wage.
All of these things have come true for me over the last four years since I started out on my self employment journey!

When I looked around at other successful massage therapists and heart-centered business owners, I saw certain characteristics that they had in common. Here's my short list of a few traits that help make a massage therapist successful in my eyes.

1. They have a positive attitude.
Above all else, staying positive and centered is one of the key ways to become successful. Being in business is hard. There will be days that will test you so having a positive attitude is important. Knowing when to go with the flow and when/how to make changes for the better can help you evolve as a therapist.

2. They give five star customer service.
Your clients deserve the best customer service. This right here can make or break your practice.  I was just reading an article about how more and more Americans are feeling disenfranchised by large corporations who don't care about their customers. When you take the time to care about your clients, they really notice.

Most people need to feel heard and valued. Making a policy agreement is a really smart way to serve your clients. When you lay out a specific process on how your business is managed and you share it with your clients, it establishes clear boundaries. No one feels unsure of things because everything has been presented and agreed upon. You become more confident in following through on business matters, as well.  Also, being organized can help establish trust and allow clients to really relax into their massage, getting the full benefits for your work.

3. They add value to their services.
Just giving someone a bare bones massage is not going to cut it these days. What else can you add to your sessions that adds value? You want to make your clients feel like they are getting a one of a kind service that they can't get anywhere else.

What can you add to put a special mark on your sessions? Hot towels, a unique modality,  a cozy table - these are all suggestions but be creative. Massage is a sensory experience. Even if you're doing a clinical style, you will need to make sure your clients enjoy their time working with you. Take time to assess the environment that you work in and make some changes that are more conducive to your clients ideal experience.

4. They stay aware of the trends and changes in the profession.
The massage industry is always changing. Staying active and up to date on research and changes in the state laws as well as changes in licensing requirements helps you stay relevant. If you're still repeating the same things that you were taught 20 years ago in massage school, chances are that those things are no longer true.

5. They promote and market their practice.
Learning marketing skills is very important for any business to thrive.  Knowing who you serve, attaining new clients that fit in that demographic, and cultivating loyalty from current clients should be a top priority. In the age of information and technology, we have so much right at our fingertips!

There are online business schools and programs geared towards people who have special skills, but may not be business oriented. Pencil in time each week to look at the health of your business and make a list of things you need to do or learn in order to get your practice to where you want it to be. Then seek out that information and implement it ASAP.

6. They keep track of time, money, and set goals.
This is a big part of a successful massage practice. One of my business mentors says that if you're not getting paid, you have a hobby not a business. This is very true. Time is money for us. Don't give away your time. It sends the message that your time isn't valuable and that you also think that your clients time isn't valuable either. Going over on an appointment can make them late for other obligations, which creates more feelings of stress instead of relaxation and well-being.

Also, Knowing where the money is coming from will help you identify what works in your practice. On the flip side, seeing where money is not flowing in to your practice can help you make strategic decisions on what needs to change or be cut out. This can ultimately help you make goals that keep your practice evolving and moving forward for years to come.

What traits make a successful massage therapist in your eyes?
Share in the comments!
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Hi! I’m Hillary Arrieta and I help people improve their lives by offering holistic solutions to ease stress, eliminate pain, and inspire self care practices.

I own Gaia Bodywork in Richardson, TX. and specialize in unique and effective massage and meditation techniques such as Barefoot Bar Therapy and iRest® Yoga Nidra.


Gaia Bodywork PLLC offers the Best Massage in Richardson, Texas for pain and stress management.


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Ready to get organized? Join Bodywork Buddy now - Free trial!

*NEW FEATURE* Add Custom Text to Client Emails

We've just added a new feature to Bodywork Buddy this weekend. Based on some feedback from our members in a recent survey, one of the top rated feature requests was the ability to customize the email reminders. While we have more customizations planned in the future, we have now implemented the ability to add your own text to both the confirmation and reminder emails to clients. (It's already possible to add your own text in decline and cancel appointment emails.)

Now you can include any notes or special instructions to your clients in your emails.



To add custom text to your emails, from your Bodywork Buddy dashboard > account > email services > scroll to the bottom of the "email settings" section > enter text and save.









Here's how it will look in your emails to clients (colors and images will vary depending on which email template you have chosen in your settings).

Member Spotlight: Amanda Mitchell

Today's member spotlight is Amanda Mitchell, owner of Soothing Palms Massage in Wautoma, Wisconsin.

Q: What inspired you to be a massage therapist?

A: What inspired me to be a massage therapist was my passion for helping people, and after receiving my first massage in 2007. I knew I wanted to get into a career that was not stressful, something that I could use to help people, and make them feel good!

Q: How long have you been doing massage?

A: I've been a massage therapist for over 5 years.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being an MT?

A: My favorite thing is seeing physical change in a client's muscles, oftentimes after they have exhausted every other avenue to help themselves heal; and seeing a skeptical first timer turn into a regular client! :)

Q: What do you feel is the most challenging issue for massage therapists?

A: The biggest challenge is getting people to know you exist.  It has taken me years to get my name out to just the county I live in. People are finally starting to say "Oh I've heard about you, so and so told me they had a great massage from you".

Q: What advice would you give to other MT’s to help build their business?

A: My advice to help build business is don't say no to a new opportunity and get your business online if you aren't already. My number one way to get people to come to you and know you are there to help, is to get out in front of an audience - in my case vendor expo's. Give them a chair massage and offer a special to entice them to book a full appointment with you. This has been working for me for 2 years now.

Cool Tool: White Noise Machine

I relocated my massage studio about 5 months ago. (Yes, I still practice massage therapy and continue to work with my clients of 10+ years!) The new space had many draws, one of which is easily accessible, free parking. (My office was located downtown for 10 years prior and the parking situation was always a problem.)

After moving in, I noticed that the walls were a bit... thin. I could easily hear my neighbors in the building talking and laughing. Adding my music, fountain, and fan helped to muffle the sounds somewhat, but there was still more noise than I was comfortable with.

I did incorporate some of the tips from this blog post along one wall, but I was unable to do this on the main offending wall because of how I need my studio setup for Ashiatsu training. So I did some research on Amazon and decided to try this white noise machine after reading several positive reviews online.

This machine is amazing. It has tons of different levels and white noise sounds to choose from. When I have it on, I'm completely unaware that I have any neighbors.
Well worth the 60 bucks! It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's fairly small and easy to find a tucked away place to set it.

I'm not an Amazon affiliate or anything, I just found this machine helpful in my own massage practice and wanted to tell you about it in case you're looking for a way to muffle some sounds in your own massage studio.

Do you have some other tips & tricks to help with noise? I'd love to hear them.

Is YOUR Site Ready for #MobileGeddon?

Not to sound too dramatic, but Google is changing the game beginning April 21st, 2015 and is going to start ranking search results by their mobile-friendliness. The internet has dubbed this #MobileGeddon. (I can't help but hear that phrase in my head with some big, scary voiceover similar to a thriller movie trailer with an ominous "DUNDUNDUN" at the end.) But despite the overuse of hashtags and armageddon references, this is actually serious and could affect your site's google search result rankings.

Here's an article that explains what this all could mean for your small business in more detail:
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/small-business-owners-guide-googles-april-21-mobile-friendly-algorithm-update/129535/

Not only is your website going to be affected, but also your online scheduler site. Even if your online scheduler is optimized for SEO, this new change could impact it's google rankings if it isn't mobile-friendly. Your site working on mobile devices isn't enough, it needs to pass the test by Google's standards of what they consider "mobile-friendly".

Here's a great tool to test your site's mobile-friendly rating by Google.

If you use Bodywork Buddy for your practice management software, your online scheduling microsite has an "awesome" rating, so no worries!

If your regular website doesn't pass the test, here's a few options to get ready for the change.

• Weebly, Wix, GoDaddy, and Squarespace all have inexpensive and easy website builders and their sites are mobile-friendly.
• You can easily use your Bodywork Buddy microsite as your entire website, as it includes customizations to allow you to add your own images (or choices from our extensive image library of professional bodywork-related images), client reviews, map, etc as well as your online scheduler.
  
  Wondering what the Bodywork Buddy scheduler looks like? Check out Affinity Massage Studio in Cincinnati, Ohio.
  
  We can even help you point your domain name to your microsite, just contact us and we'd be happy to help! 

Member Spotlight: Mary Hardin

Today's member spotlight is Mary Hardin, advanced craniosacral practitioner and board certified polarity therapist. Mary's business is Ultrasonic Core Body Therapy in Culver City, California.

Q: What inspired you to be a bodyworker?

A: There's a concept in polarity therapy about "holding space." It's creating a space for you and the client that's in alignment for the highest good of both. It's like that feeling you get when everything is right in the world and you feel like your true self. It's something I loved about receiving the work and so I thought by doing the work I'd have an opportunity to be in that space more often.

Q: How long have you been doing bodywork?

A: I started studying Polarity and Craniosacral work 17 years ago and worked part-time at first and then started to this work full-time in 2010.

A; What is your favorite thing about being a bodyworker?

Q: My favorite thing about my work is seeing how the lives of the people I work with change for the better. Sometimes that's not something I see right away but months or years later they'll tell me what a profound effect a session had on their life.

Q: What do you feel is the most challenging issue for bodyworkers?

A: The most challenging issues is getting people to put their health and well-being at the top of their to-do list and to understand that bodywork will help improve the quality of their lives.

Advice:

Try to imagine things from your client's perspective and offer what they're needing. I think it's important to make the whole experience as easy as possible for the client. Make it easy for them to find you, easy for them to schedule with you, easy for them to pay you.

My single most effective marketing tool…and it’s FREE

by Hillary Arrieta LMT, Richardson Texas

This weekend I was working as a vendor at the AMTA Texas chapter convention. I was approached by many of my fellow local massage therapists about marketing.

"How do you market your practice?" They asked.

“What's working for you?”

This is a topic that I have come to love. When I first started out, I would say that marketing made me a little bit crazy. When I thought of it, I had the impression that I would have to spend a ton of money on print, radio, or TV ads. I didn’t want to become a sales person. Now I know that marketing is so much more than sales and I find it fun and challenging!

As I discussed my current marketing process, many therapists were surprised to learn that one of my top marketing tools was my email list.

Maybe you’ve heard that saying  “email is dead.” Well my friends, It’s very much alive and well.

My email list is one of the most successful marketing tools I’ve encountered, if not THE most successful.

My clients love my weekly emails. Yep, that’s right, I email my clients at least once a week. When I was trying to come up with my email marketing plan, I thought weekly emails were a bit much and that maybe it was going to come off too pushy. I didn’t want to annoy my clients.

Funny enough, I began receiving great feed back about them.

My clients LOVED that I sent out my availability so that they could hop on to my online booking site (thank you Bodywork Buddy!) and schedule right then and there. Everyone is so busy these days and having my openings delivered to their inbox every Monday morning was just another way to support my clients in keeping up with their self care.

Many of them told me to keep it coming! That they actually looked forward to my Monday email.

I also have a handy sign up form on my website that allows prospective clients to sign up if they are interested in hearing from me.

In addition to my weekly availability email, I’ve used my list to run successful semi annual massage package sales ( take that, Groupon!!) as well as sending out important information about changes in my practice. I love emailing reminders for my meditation class, and adding a link to my blog so that my clients can read about self care suggestions and current events within my practice.

I always keep the information valuable and relevant to my clients, because who is going to read boring newsletters?

If you don’t have an email list, here are some resources to get you started!

And they are free!

www.mailchimp.com

www.tinyletter.com

www.hellobar.com

How do you use your email list?

Hillary Arrieta Gaia Bodywork PLLC 214-709-6394 gaiabodywork.com about.me/hillary.arrieta