Three Smart Business Practices

I think one of the best ways to build a practice is to really take care of the clients you already have. By that, I mean going beyond just providing excellent hands-on service.

Here are three easy ways to do just that:

One

Whenever a client talks about a friend or family member dealing with (fill in the blank) you can pretty well safely assume that s/he is looking for some help for that person. So, give it to them!

* Either inquire a little about the condition/situation and share your insight, or offer a piece of self-care advice for your client to pass on to the friend.

* Explain how you can help this person and then ask your client if s/he would like to give the friend your business card. (Give ‘em two, just in case.)

Two

Give first-time clients ‘goodie bags’. It can be an actual bag or it can be as simple as an envelope, file folder or presentation folder. Inside include a few business cards and brochures of reflexology and/or your business. Add in any of the following:

* discount coupon for a friend

* small foot chart

* toe separators or a small container of the foot scrub you used in your session

* reflexology bookmark

* hard copy of one of your key past online newsletters

* supportive/non-supportive steps for good health

* resources specific to client’s situation.

Ensure that your business name and contact information is on as many items as possible.

Three

Send a hand-written card of appreciation to clients that refer someone to you. Send it by snail-mail! It’s such a treat to receive something of value in the mail these days and so much more personal than a text or email. In order to protect confidentiality, do not name the new client.

Keep a record of clients who refer to you and how many people they have sent your way. When they reach a certain threshold (five? ten referrals?) comp their next session. I call this a WOW! experience. When they go to pay and you tell them the session is on you, they usually say Wow! And they likely will talk it up with others afterward.

These are easy ways to let your clients know you value them. Try it. It’s as simple as one, two, three.