Hi, my name is Gayle and I have diligently been working on starting up a home based Reiki practice. I've put a lot of time and effort (not to mention $$) into designing a special Reiki room, buying marketing materials, setting up an office in my basement,... For some reason I thought after doing all the "hard stuff" I was just going to be able to hang out a shingle and customers would flock to my door.

Fortunately, I have not given up my day job yet but I am discouraged because I thought I was doing everything right. I only got three calls and one client after a press release two weeks ago. I also placed a classified ad with minimal response. I have since designed a couple 2 x 2 ads to be placed in the medical or health sections of the local papers to start next week. I have spent about $750 for advertising in a business which has taken in $25 so far! To family and "friends" this is a clear sign that I should keep my day job indefinitely. I however don't give up that easily. I purchased some online articles and ordered a couple books on marketing however I'd rather be reading about Reiki and other non-traditional methods of helping people.

If anyone has any advice about starting up a new Reiki (or massage, reflexology...) home based practice or would like to share their experiences as an entrepreneur I would greatly appreciate it. My education is in nursing and business but apparently something is missing between the theory and practical aspects of my education.
Thank you in advance for your advice or sharing your small business start up experiences with me.

Gayle

Quote

Hi Gayle,

I'm sorry to hear that things aren't running as smoothly as you hoped.

I'm guessing that a large part of the problem might be the effectiveness of your ads. You have to remember that in this day and age people are bombarded with thousands of adverts on a daily basis and so for an ad to be effective it has to capture peoples attention.

However, an attention grabbing ad alone is not enough for it to be effective. If your ad doesn't communicate the benefits of what you offer then few people will be interested. Always remember WIIFM (What's In It For Me?) This is ultimately what every person is either consciously or unconsiously thinking when they see an ad.

This is a huge subject, but luckily for you we're actually about to release a free ebook and also an audio interview on this subject.

We'll probably be announcing this around wednesday or thursday, but we have a short ebook (with a long title!) called "How to write effective adverts and flyers that will attract clients to your practice like a magnet"!

It's written by a great guy called Pete Dickson and we've actually recorded an interview with Pete and we'll also be making the interview available for free too.

We should be announcing this in our next newsletter. Until then, I'm sure that there must be a lot of people here who will offer some good tips and advice.

Warm regards

Andy

Last edited: 1-07-2006 09:23:45 AM

Quote

Hi again Gayle,

I'll echo what Andy has said. Also don't forget that it does take time to build up any home-based business. The majority of alternative therapists get new clients through referrals of your existing clients to their friends. So if you only get a few clients at first, don't be disheartened. But do make sure to do a good job, then ask them if they wouldn't mind referring you on to their friends who they think may be interested. Just make sure you have some business cards spare that you can give them

Jase.

Quote

Dear Gayle,
It isn't easy starting a Reiki business. Most people don't understand energy work. I have found that advertising isn't as effective as going out and meeting people. I used to work from my home but when I moved that was no longer possible. I find that being associated with several businesses works great. The more people you know the more clients you'll attract. Try Chiropracters, get associated with Massage places in your area, what about the hospitals? Are they open to Reiki? Also, what level Reiki are you? Do you do other things? I also teach Reiki and find about 70% of my income comes from teaching. As far as advertising, hang up flyers in Health Food Stores, yoga studios, etc. Anywhere like minded people hang out. Offer Free Reiki circles. Get to know other Reiki people. Don't give up. Make sure you lead a Reiki lifestyle and ask God to help you.

I moved 3 years ago and started a business in a new state where I knew no one. My business is finally going well. It takes time but the rewards are priceless.

Good luck.

Blessings, Virginia

Last edited: 2-07-2006 12:57:56 AM

Quote

Hi Gayle,

I read your email and a few things spring to mind. I once had a book called "the lazy man's way to riches" by Joe Carbu(?) which I rated very highly. It contained a lot of sound advice on how to advertise etc. For example, he says don't advertise in free papers because people do not read them. When you advertise always use the thumnail position. I've since looked for a new copy of the book and it is very expensive now - perhaps you could find a second hand copy.
The other thing that sprang to mind is that I read somewhere starting a free column in a local paper tends to attract people. Can you write about Reiki? You seem to like reading about it. Explain what it is and how it helps people. If nothing else it creates awareness.
Make friends with holistic therapists in your area and and try to advertse through them. Holistic people tend to be very helpful.


Good luck,

Nick

Quote

Hello Gayle

It's a difficult one, isn't it? I'm glad you haven't left the day job, as it takes a long time & hard work to be able to learn a living solely from Reiki, or any therapy for that matter.

I have never put ads in newspapers, as they're expensive (in the UK at least) and don't have much effect. My best advice to you is to get yourself a good website. Word it carefully to make sure that when someone in your area googles, say, "reiki connecticut" - your name will appear on the first page! That is how I get almost 100% of my enquiries.

Make yourself some really snazzy business cards, and hand them out at every opportunity. I have even given them to girls at supermarket checkouts - and got business from it! Oh, and some comprehensive leaflets and/or flyers.

I would also suggest that you write articles & submit them to sites that are looking for good content (including this one!) and in this way you get links. Have you thought of qualifying in any other therapies, to add to your portfolio? Well worth it.

Try & go to fairs & the like, and give free treatments - it's a good way to be able to hand out your information.

I wish you well in your reiki adventure.

Helen

Quote