Hi all,
When I bump into people in town or I say hello to someone I know working in a shop or I use a service like a hairdresser, I get alot of
'oh, I've hurt my back I must come see you'
I often wonder if they are saying that cos thats what people do when you're a massage practitioner. People tend to just say stuff and never follow through. Even someone who asked me once to call her to arrange a treatment has never called me back. I'm really battling with this stuff and wonder if its best practice to just leave people to contact you when they are ready (as per Reiki principles) or politely egg them on.
For example:
I was at the hairdersser the other day (who'm Ive massaged before when I was tranining but since starting my practice, she has never come for a treatment) . Just before I leave she says to me
'oh, I've hurt my back I must come see you when I'm back from holiday.'
She was dashing off to her next client.
As I know this person fairly well, I'm quite sure that she will not get around to calling as this is how she is. And this is how we are mostly...oh, I must call this person, I must call that person. I do that sometimes when I have to book an appointment and months pass and I still havent called. We all do it.
So, can I call this person when they are back from holiday and say something like 'I thought I'd just check in with you and see how your back is (and holiday was) and see if you need to pop in for a treatment'.
I hate putting people on the spot so making that call would be weird and also am I crossing a boudnry. She never asked me to call her but at the same time calling shows I care...and yes of course I want the business.
Another quick example: I stopped into say hello to a lady in a shop I occasionally chat to. She mentions a sore back (and her husband too) and says the usual 'I must come see you'. I almost popped in the other day when I was working in town to ask her if she could take a half hour off for a little taster. Chickened out though cos I didnt want to put her on the spot. She probably dosent even have my number anymore. But I didnt want to put her on the spot so I didnt pop in.
Any thoughts on 'chasing business' are welcome.
'oh, I've hurt my back I must come see you when I'm back from holiday.'
She was dashing off to her next client.
by this I meant she was dashing off so I couldnt contiune to ask her if she's like me to call her when she returns or arrange an appoitnemt right away.
Typical british being polite! :p
I get it all the time. People will come when they are ready.
The best thing is to have a decent business card ready to hand over. Get to the point and maybe include an offer on it too.
Just let it go over your head, unfortunately you are working in a country that is only just beginning to look after personal health.
Good Luck, and chin up!:D
Maybe next time you could have a line ready - for instance if you have any special offers on you could mention them. Say for instance the lady in the shop mentioned her hubby needed a massage you could say something like "well next month being fathers day I'm running a special offer for men - they get £5.00 off". Or you could ask them for their email address and put them on your newsletter list - that way you're on their radar. After all they're expressing an interest in your service, albeit it genuine or not. Or maybe you could have a postcard or printed newsletter/brochure to hand which you could hand to anyone who expresses interest in your service.
I'm sure there are lots of books out there on subtle, or not so subtle selling techniques to "close the deal". Although I don't use any, so am none the wiser if they work and can't offer any pearls of wisdom.
There is an old addage "if you don't ask you don't get".
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
I know exactly what you mean - this happens to me too. So, I've started carrying my diary and business cards around with me and when anyone mentions they need to come and see me I ask if they would like to make an appointment there and then as I have my diary on me! If they really want to come and see you they do make the appointment - if they don't they usually say they haven't got their diary to hand. I also tell them they can make the appointment via email - I have a few customers who prefer this method.
After saying this it is difficult sometimes and you don't want to push people either. I think you can usually gauge a situation and back off if you think you need to.