If Business is Quiet It's NOT Because of the Recession

Why are some businesses flourishing and others floundering right now? Whilst we live in uncertain times, your health business has the potential to be the best it ever has.

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
www.healthpracticesuccess.com

What Does a Fit Business and a Fit Body Have in Common?

Fitness has been on my mind lately. It's spring on the Sunshine Coast where I live and it is well and truly beach weather already. But is my body ready? No! This got me wondering about whether or not our businesses are 'in shape', so I thought I'd share my thoughts about business fitness.

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

How Important Is a Web Presence?

I know this is a touchy area for some, because many health practitioners are technophobes. But if you're interested in using your healing talents to help as many as possible, you need to reach out to others. Using online tools such as email and building an active web prescence can bring you a steady stream of clients who want your services. The web offers lots of ways to really leverage what you are doing by communicating with people who are seeking you out. It allows you to effectively at little or no cost to communicate with your existing clients as well as reach new ones. If you ignore the web, you are ignoring a simple business building tool that allows you to express who you are, how you work and what you can do for others.

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:

How to write articles that build your profile

How to Find Time to Work on Your Business...

I had a nice chat with a therapist friend this morning who is frustrated at all the emails he has been getting lately as a result of persuing social networking skills. He wanted to know if he really has to do all that. "It just takes up my time" he exclaimed!

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:

1. Who are your ideal clients
2. Where do they hang out (either socially, professionally or online)
3. What do they read
4. 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:

1. 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.
2. Decide what are the best methods to reach ideal new clients.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

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

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

Attracting Clients You Love Through Joint Ventures

“Our success has really been based on partnerships from the very beginning” Bill Gates, Microsoft

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