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In Practice: How to Create a Successful Holistic Practice from Start to Success!
Getting Started
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by Shaun Brown |
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Dear Ones:
Howdy! At the end of the last column I stated that I would talk about the StarGate in this one, but as I started pontificating about the importance of your ability to acquire clients I ran out of space! In order to give the StarGate discussion it's fair due, it will be discussed in the next issue. In this column I will teach you how to literally acquire your first clients, discuss the people in your life chat and my opinion of healing centers.
Getting started, getting your foot in the door, or getting a clients foot in your door, can be really scary at first. Remember we talked about taking acting classes? Well this is where you will act "as if" you are successful until that attitude becomes so natural you can't help but be successful. So let's jump into the art of acquisition!
Ac*quire
To gain, usually by one's own exertions; to get as one's own; as, to acquire a title, riches, knowledge, skill, good or bad habits. Dictionary.com
As well as developing your private practice you can also place yourself in a public setting, I am not talking about working for others. What I see out there are tons of businesses that would love your services as a private contractor. They just need you to teach them why. To get your holistic practice into unknown zones such as corporate offices, metaphysical stores or health clubs make first contact by phone.
Pull out the phone book or any material with a list of the usual suspects. Sit down and begin going over the list and check all that apply. If you want a practice in a health club, add the ones around where you live. If you are an astrologer and want to open a space in a bookstore or metaphysical shop make it easy on yourself so you don't need to travel. It is possible to have Buddha in your backyard. Schedule some time each week to go through this time consuming process until you have reached the desired sum of phone numbers. If you are obsessive like myself I do this kind of activity in a few hours, and then go to the next step.
Once you have a pretty good list, at least 5-20, you must have a rehearsed agenda stating who you are and what you can offer them and their people. If it's bodywork in a corporate site, your service could reduce sick days and facilitate healthier happier attitudes of their employees. In a health club environment, you can offer them the key to less stress and accident/injuries for their members. You can also suggest that by offering your services it is another way to bring new members into their business …you create the agenda here. Counselor, hypnotherapist, astrologer, promote your service as an enhancement, a benefit that is not being offered at the targeted facility; your service must fill a need for the business you are approaching. You are the first element that must be sure of this need before others can be convinced.
If just talking about this concept of conversation is scary to you this is an indication that you need to go do something fun and then come back and grab a friend and/or phone play about 100 more times. Being great on the phone is just a skill. I am teaching you the art of success!
All roads to getting your foot in the doors start with a phone call. That even includes teaching workshops and/or putting yourself in large Mind, Spirit, and Body Expositions. Practice with a friend on the phone or in person. For instance when I wanted to teach acupressure chronic pain relief to the public, I got out the phone book and started calling clubs and bookstores. I had a practiced agenda all ready. I "play" interviewed with a friend many times before I made the calls. It went something like this:
"Hi, my name is Shaun Brown, I am a certified massage therapist and teacher in the Sacramento area. I have visited your "whatever" and am interested in teaching (or creating a practice) at your establishment. Could I possibly schedule some time to talk with you so that I can share what my service can offer?" Like that.
When I put myself in the health club I belonged to, I didn't want to take the time to move to the facility, but be the out reach therapist, because they had none. I called the manager and suggested that they had a wonderful facility with many things to offer, but had noticed that massage therapy was not available. I went on to say that I had a practice just 3 minutes from their club, and would be happy to have him come and receive a complimentary (NEVER use the word free) session. This way he could see my facility and licensing and possibly use me as a resource for his members. That was on a Monday. He came for his complimentary session on Wednesday, loved the massage, and by Friday I had my brochures and cards at the front desk as the guests walk in.
As a payment for that advertising I give the club one massage certificate per month to be raffled off to their employees. How cool is that? My brochures and cards are present for all to see at the entry door. Not only do many guests see my material but also the employees talk me up. This endeavor gives me about one new client every month and two permanently scheduled through the year, on average.
Getting going in this manner is called a scatter pattern. One in about 20 calls will really want you, and be amazed at how you found them! But, as you make the calls, confidence must slide off of your tongue, as if you are offering them a service that will change their lives. Practice, practice, practice before you call. All you need is to get your foot in one "house" and then you can say I am currently established at "…." And because you are now already established it makes a wonderful lead in for the next "house" you want to be in, if this is your wish.
The main problem I see, when teaching workshops to students that want to become successful, is they haven't practiced their lines. I will ask the student, "What do you do?" There is usually a pause, a shifting of their eyes and a few unrehearsed words blurted out. Hmmm, is this someone I am going to pay for their services?
As far as advertising, spend money in small reputable holistic health magazines or catalogues. This has been my best experience regarding in print advertising. Forget the yellow pages, it generally attracts the "public" and you get the freaks, people who don't show up or they want your services yesterday. In other words if you are going to put yourself out there in an ad, target yourself in a place where like-minded people will have a tendency to look. If your talents do not lie in graphic design, for an ad I suggest that you trade or pay for someone that has the talent. Also, selectively put your cards on reputable bulletin boards of health food and holistic bookstores, word of mouth is always best though.
As far as bringing people into your private practice it is always about: 1. Getting yourself out there and volunteering your time, not in your profession but for instance show up at a fundraiser for your favorite animal organization, just as a worker bee. Trust me what you do for a living will come up. 2. Give the first check you cut every month to a spiritual path. God doesn't need the money but this is a symbolic gesture for you to give to Spirit, as you want to receive. 3. Pray, meditate and ask for guidance daily. 4. Talk yourself up big time to all who are interested. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and workmates about your practice, it's good practice. Join as many appropriate organizations, as your time will allow.
I suggest that you keep your day job and segue into your practice instead of scurrying off to work for someone else in the field that is new to you. That can be a vicious loop. You haven't honed your skills so you don't get paid much. You've given up your day job so now you need the money; you aren't paid well enough to get out. You are not valued and working for others now takes all of your time and energy that should be devoted to YOUR practice.
You already know your day job. Yes, you will be working two jobs. There is a possibility that you can let the day job go by two years. That means day job and then holistic practice nights and weekends. This estimate is for the self-sufficient individual, not one with others incomes combined. That can take less time because you have a "net." But for those working without a "net" you will do the dance of 1% inspiration 99% perspiration for about two years.
Following your bliss, your passion, being of Service and trusting the Universe will be the most rewarding "job" you will ever work your buns off to achieve. But with this hard work and intentional effort comes Peace, Abundance and Serenity….promise.
Investment in your practice costs money but consider it an expensive hobby. It's only money, and there is plenty more where that came from. Showing up to each day, and doing what you can do in that day to better yourself and your practice, will bring you to success! As a new author, I spent $5000+ in the first few years getting my books, webmaster, print on demand company, speaking engagements etc, etc, etc. in place, ran a full practice, taught seminars, wrote columns and volunteered my time. This is where the passion kicks in.
I have since paid my debts and am glad I listened to the Universe and took one risk after another because I knew it would better the world! Besides being connected through meditation and Trusting the Universe, I know I won't starve. Consider this? Have you ever gone without a meal?
Healing Centers
It is easy to get swept up by the collective consciousness of the moment, when hanging out with your friends, and say yes to the possibility of opening a healing center together. Let's change the world as it were. However, before you start working out plans with a group check to see what work needs to be done inside yourself first. Of course this inner work is a lifelong process.
Are you already successful in your holistic practice? If not what are some of the initial glaring things that come to you as you sit still and think about what inner work you need to do before connecting with a group dynamic? AND what does the group dynamic look like? Are they in and of themselves accomplished successful people?
What I usually see is a group of "like minded people" getting whipped up and thinking that if they were just in a group somehow someone would know some answers and they would become successful as a group. What usually happens is that on the event of some first problem all of the members of the group think that at least one member will have the answer, and if no one does they blame the other, and basically dissention starts. You can't have a bunch of unsuccessful parts trying to make a successful whole. This is how many friendships have been dissolved. If you are successful in your practice and you team up with other successful practitioners then you have a great chance to be successful. Each member will contribute a total package.
Keep clear communication in writing about each individual's job descriptions, expectations, and a code of ethics or credo all in a signed contract. If anyone feels like that's just not being in the "cosmic" moment, that's a big red flag. It's a business, and it must have an agendum structure.
The People In Your Life Chat
Once you have made the decision to jump into the pool, make sure that you spend some special time discussing your plans with the people in your life that will not be seeing you as much. If loved ones are alerted that this is what you are called to do and that you still love them, and you would like their support for the next few years, they are much more able to accept the shift. I "suggest" that you set up "date" night at least once a month for the different individuals in your life so that they have you to look forward to and you to them.
This is where good communication skills come forth. It is important that significant others in your life are informed about what you are doing, what your goals are and what your time frame is going to look like. Most people have no idea how much time, effort, and money it takes to start and maintain a practice, any practice.
Some people can be under the misconception that a holistic practice is self-starting and requires little maintenance. This concept is false. People in your life who are used to spending a certain amount of time with you need to know there is going to be a radical time change, at least for a few years. I suggest that you set up specific scheduled times with these special people so they don't think you have fallen off the face of the earth, because it will feel like that sometimes.
Any people in your life who do not respect the direction you are going in, can be excused from the table. This is no place to compromise Your Life's Calling because of fear, besides it will just come back to haunt you anyway if you turn away from what you are truly meant to do.
If the people in your life don't understand that you are about to embark on an amazing journey of Service to the Universe, you might want to re-think why you would have people in your life who don't support whatever it is you do. Hmmm. Move forward anyway. Remember, you must do this if it is a passion.
What I have seen regarding acceptance from the family group is if the holistic therapist is clear, caring and structured in their "plan" the people in their life are very supportive. Your life is being designed according to the plans of the Universe, once you accept this holistic calling, you will always be going in the best direction for your Soul AND you will ALWAYS be supported by the Universe!
Questions for your eyes-only.
Are you thinking about getting yourself in a public arena? How will you begin?
Have you informed important people in your life about your new venture? What did that look like?
Do you have any people in your life that you feel are holding you back from your calling? Are you willing to move forward with or without everyone's okay?
If not, why? If so, why?
Next time, it's all about you and what to do until the Messiah comes!
Entering the StarGate where all of your answer are and the first of the four essential food groups, the Spiritual portion, will be served. There will be questions to answer for your eyes-only. By for now.
Maybe you have some thoughts and ideas that you would like to share with me? I am always open to learning new things. Please feel free to email me at
shaun@BeWellPublications.com
Making a living; making a difference; staying on center.
BeWell
shaun
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Shaun Brown,
Holistic Therapist,
Author and Consultant
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Shaun Brown has been self employed most of her adult life. She has an AA degree in General Business and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of California, Sacramento, in Communications. Her main focus of education is in advertising, promotion and production. Ms. Brown attended the Health Awareness Academy, in Fair Oaks, California, has practiced bodywork therapy since 1993 and has taught holistic related classes since 1994.
Ms. Brown works, with a team of professionals, including physicians and other health care providers, as well as volunteering her time to work at Mercy Hospice. Her focus is the care of people working in high stress environments, and those suffering from injuries due to a variety of causes.
She is the best selling author of “How To Create A Successful Holistic Practice,” and her newest current release is titled, “Intentional Success-A Workbook For The Holistic Therapist.” Ms. Brown currently has a successful holistic practice in Orangevale, California, is an author, speaker, columnist and consultant. To read a chapter/purchase her books/schedule a workshop visit
www.BeWellPublications.
com
BeWell!
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