Clients gone into hibernation?

Oh squirrel I know what you mean, it's always quiet for me too at this time of year. People just don't have the money or more so, the time. Just make the most of it. It's mid January for me, hopefuly!

People are thinking about xmas by November, spending all their money for xmas so January is always a tough month, especially as many people get paid early in December, so the month of January is very long until one gets paid again.

Should pick up by end of Jan. Good luck!

The last thing that people seem to spend money on is themselves. Last year it took me ages to get going again.
Hope it gets better for you soon

that's reassuring to know as I only started working as a therapist in October and that went really well. November was ok. December totally dead.
I'm a colon hydrotherapist so was hoping January would be the big detox month but I guess people are still recovering financially. I hope February is the month things take off then after January payday..
Kat

Hi I was pretty quiet in November and then December was a little quiet too - but i did have 4 people wanting vouchers for Xmas pressies - so they will happen in the next few months i guess. So far I have had 2 clients this weekend and have 2 booked for next week and 2 for the week after - i only tend to do evenings 2 or 3 times a week so for me that is busy as I am studying too - but these are repeat clients and some new ones that are pregnant - so hopefully things will pick up for you - i do find though it can go in peaks and troughs..........some weeks are quiet and some weeks I am busy.........it will pick up though I am sure for you ..........depends what you call busy I suppose - whether you are used to 4 clients or more a day or 4 a week........it is personal choice.......but with Christmas - things may start to pick up about Feb. It is important to have a website and leaflets at your local community centres and places like that - as I have just got a phone call from a library wanting Indian Head massage doing on a 2 hour time slot - paying £5 per 10 mins - that is not until may though but nice to get the bookinds...

Try doing local libraries FREE demonstrations on the staff and local schools pamper evenings......it makes the world of difference....

Best of luck
TJ x

Good luck - don't forget in this business it is word of mouth too - so your name will get out there and friends and neighbours will pass your details around I am sure.

Hi Squirell,

Same here, have been very quiet for a good few weeks now. Trying to use the time to get more motivated with ways to gain new clients.

I have been practicing for a year now and have decided not to be quite so accomodating for clients, last year I would bend over backwards to fit anyone in, when hubby was on nights would get him up to babysit if a client wanted to come during day, would pay a babysitter and walk my little boy round to her house if hubby was working, so would end up taking me nearly 3 hours for one client time I had taken my littel boy round, pick him up and spent my usual hour to hour and half with client.

Of course I still want and need the clients but I have heard from many others that when you start setting boundaries as to when people can come to you, they still come but just at more convenient times....we shall see.....I am not strongest of characters so I am sure I will go back on this occasionally for some clients......

I sent all my clients from last year a free voucher for a treatment during 2008, so hopefully that will bring a few of them back(dont gasp, only had about 20 in all....but that was 20 more than i ever imagined i would have during my first year)

Have approached a couple of midwives to ask if i could do a talk on pg reflexology during their antenatal classes, have yet to hear back and would be no nervous at doing this but know it would be a good move.

Well done Tracey on your uni place, would love to train as a midwife but dont think I am quite ready yet, but look forward to reading all about your journey.

Jess x

Thanks for your replies so far, at least I know i'm not the only one. Jess, I must say that's a great idea giving vouchers to past clients as a sort of xmas pressie/thanks for your custom - I'm sure they appreciated that. Also I know what you mean about bending over backwards for clients, i've tended to do that too, i've been doing mobile treatments but find I do get messed around quite a lot i.e. people changing times last minute and i've even turned up at peoples houses and been kept waiting whilst they take a phone call or eat their lunch - I also need to toughen up. Sx

I have been really busy and the reasons for this are that:

I sent all clients (even those who have been once) a Xmas card with a money off voucher. About 10 out of 50 so far have been used this year.

I also sell gift vouchers and sold about 40 in the run up to Xmas which some are now redeeming already. I have already had the money but some are booking more appts and two have bought more GV for others.

You have to give a bit...half a loaf is better than nae bread.

Regards

Patchouli

Hi Squirrel,

I work on a part time basis so can't really comment on the amount of clients I would get. I usually see 2 - 3 a week, though not every week. Though since end November until now I have had 3 new clients who hopefully will return!

Patchouli, Well done, great idea. I also sold a lot of gift vouchers which are starting now to be used. I gave all my regular clients a little pamper bag of organic soap, candle, crystals etc plus a voucher for a discount come 2008. I do believe this helps a lot as you said, if you give a bit etc, it will come back to you, especially when they tell all their friends!!

It is generally a quiet time of year, people don't want to spend on themselves, busily paying off their debts after xmas. I think if you keep plugging away, tell all that you meet what you do, word of mouth gets around.

Love & blessings,

Rachel

I also sent out Christmas cards with discount voucher and gave out 'goodie bags' containing a guest soap, crystals, handmade foot cream, himalayan bath salts and a money-off voucher valid for 2 months. quite a lot of clients have used the vouchers and many have re-booked.

December and January tend to be quieter months but it picks up again in February. use the time to have some time with family........ or work on marketing...... or just pamper yourself with a treatment from a 'quiet' therapist.... lol.

blessings, Marcie