1. Word of Mouth
This is typically the most effective driver of new clients for most businesses, but also the hardest for you to control. Also, it doesn’t happen overnight. (Boo 😞) It takes time to build and rarely can sustain a new business.
On the bright side, there are many things you can do to help encourage it. If one of your clients tells a friend about you, let’s think about what that process looks like. Often times it’s all verbal. The friend has to remember to look you up later. Thinking about this alone, it’s important to make it easy to find you and simple to book once they do.
Unfortunately, odds are most people won’t take action that first time, especially if they aren’t familiar with you or reflexology. So you need to have multiple ways or times for this friend to hear about you (Marketing Rule of 7 Exposures) and the easier you make it for your clients to share and talk about you the more likely that this will happen. Shareable emails and social media posts are easy ways to accomplish this (and done-for-you content from the More Feet Club makes it even easier).
Another aspect to think about is how to “stay top of mind” with those who know and can refer people to you. Helping people associate you with certain triggers, like if someone mentions having knee pain (or whatever your area of focus is), is something to plan for too.
Here are a few tidbits I, Kassy, love (because they are true) from the book Contagious by Jonah Berger (seriously this is one of my all-time favorite marketing books).
- People share things that make them look good.
- Top of mind. Tip of tongue.
- When we care. We share.
And my add-on is to make it easy. Make it easy for people to talk about you and make it easy for them to find you.
This is just the tip of the WOM (word-of-mouth) iceberg. And it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. There are lots of little steps we can take to make it work in your favor—and each step gets them closer to booking a reflexology session. Want to know more? Get marketing tips by joining the free email list.
2. Professional Referrals
While this is similar to word of mouth, I think it’s worthy of being a standalone point. Making professional connections with people such as chiropractors, personal trainers, etc. can be a great source of client referrals.
3. Your Website
Google and other search engines can drive a lot of prospective client traffic to your website. Getting your website to show up higher in search results, especially the Google Maps top 3 results will help more people learn about your services. Learn more in the post, “Do You Show Up First On Google Maps and Google Searches?”
>> Have you uploaded any new photos to your Google My Business account lately? Check out this video about the importance of using Photos for Reflexologists to Boost Listing
In addition to search engine traffic and social media you can also focus on finding other websites that can send visitors to your site, this can include directory listings, review sites, online advertising, and finding ways to connect with other website owners. Check out all the blog posts on driving more traffic to your website and converting that traffic to booked sessions (more resources coming soon, join the email list to be notified).
Once you’ve gotten them to your site, you’ll want to take make sure you’ve taken steps to help convert that traffic to actual bookings too.
If you’re looking for more support in these areas, join the More Feet Club for step-by-step guides.
4. Social Media
There are many ways to use social media from Facebook to Instagram and even LinkedIn. As a solopreneur you won’t have time to manage them all effectively so it’s important to decide which platforms you want to use the most. That said, even if you don’t use it regularly, you should have at least a presence on all of the biggest ones for your target audience. Just having a listing can help prospects using each platform find and learn about you as well as showing up in search engines. Need help getting them set up? Send us a message and we’ll create the tutorials with your needs as a reflexologist at the forefront of our recommendations.
Beyond that, getting people to share your content can help get the word out as well as your own interactions in groups, on public posts/tweets, etc. to spread awareness and information about your business. These are also great places to run affordable and targeted ads.
Don’t have a Facebook Business Page yet? Check out the article, “Do I even need a Facebook page?” to learn more >>
If you know how and what to post, but don’t have the time to come up with new ideas each month or find graphics for them, check out the the More Feet Club providing done-for-your reflexology focused social media graphics perfect for Facebook and Instagram but that also work on the others too.
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5. Events
Fun fact about Kassy (the founder of OnPoint Holistic Marketing), while in college, she dreamed of pursuing a career in event marketing which led her to the Peoria Art Guild and a job as the coordinator and marketing person for a nationally-ranked, top 100 art fair for 4 years.
Needless to say, events big and small create buzz and newsworthy opportunities to reach new audiences and get them to take action. Granted they also take work and extra marketing efforts when you’re creating the event, so keep that in mind before launching your own event. You might want to start by getting involved in an existing event or trying something small to start with.
Ways to get event-related exposures include:
- Events or displays at other businesses
- Be an event sponsor
- Create your own events
- Partner on events
- Be a speaker at an event
- Advertise in event programs or related options
- Have a vendor booth with information or offering mini sessions
- Attend an event where you can mingle and interact with new people
Event resources:
If you’re hosting something to promote World Reflexology Week, here’s a World Reflexology Week Marketing Resource Guide to help you.
Or the Event Marketing Timeline can help you plan out your marketing.
Even if you’re not hosting an event, you can join the Reflexology Marketing Facebook Group and get this free graphics package for WRW too.
6. Newspaper/Radio/Magazine/Media Coverage
Look for timely opportunities to make a pitch to your local newspaper, TV, magazine, radio show, or even to local bloggers. Some publications might require you to purchase a certain number of ads in exchange for an article, but most news or talk show staff are looking for interesting stories that will appeal to their readers.
Remember when pitching ideas to think about what kind of story or interview would you want to watch/read/listen to and focus on the benefits of reflexology.
Check out the, “4 Steps to Free Publicity for Your Reflexology Business” to get started >>
7. Networking
There are usually a number of different groups in each community built around networking, such as BNI, local chamber of commerce events, etc. You can also network online with sites like Alignable and on social media.
However networking is not limited to events labeled “networking.” It’s simply defined as, “interacting with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one’s career.” This means talking to people. That’s not so scary.
It’s always good to have your 30-second “elevator speech” polished, but feel free to find other ways to drop hints (subtle and not) about your passion for being a reflexologist. You don’t have to be pushy with it, but there’s no harm in letting anyone and everyone know what you do and demonstrating those skills when given the right opportunity.
Check out the post, “6 Ways to Spread the Word with Networking Activities” for more ideas >>
8. Distributing marketing materials
Hand out business cards, postcards, rack cards, brochures, etc. at events and as you meet people, put up flyers at local businesses, consider outdoor signage at your location or yard signs at nearby busy intersections, connect with relators or people distributing welcome baskets to new home buyers, or even walk neighborhoods near your business distributing door hangers.
Need templates or tips to distribute marketing materials? Join the More Feet Club and ask for them to be added to the resource library!
9. Donations
There are always charity events looking for silent auction donations. While you aren’t getting paid for your donation, you’re also not giving the session away for free, so the people bidding and purchasing your silent auction item see the value of a session. You’ll also get more awareness out there.
Those that will let you have a flyer or some information that helps people learn more about your services are going to get more traction. Don’t be afraid to ask them to do so or offer to create something that looks nice for their display. You want the bidders fighting over your gift certificate because they are excited to have a session!
10. Volunteering
Volunteering can be a great way to get out and meet people who might be interested in learning about you. Networking events have competing goals where everyone wants to promote themselves, but connecting with people in other ways can build a more solid connection. You can volunteer with any organization you’re passionate, or you can volunteer by providing your reflexology services directly either as a thank you to volunteers or other worthy populations such as veterans, homeless, teachers, foster parents, single parents, cancer patients, etc.
If you are donating your services, you can even use it as a promotional tool where the amount of time you donate is based on client bookings. For example, for every client that calls to books a session on teacher appreciation day equals an hour you’ll spend doing free mini sessions for the teachers at the local school (or on Veteran’s Day for veterans, etc.)
11. Advertising
From online to traditional media, there are plenty of ways to spend ad dollars to promote your practice. Some are more effective than others and it can be overwhelming to evaluate them all. A guide on adverting is in the works, but in the meantime, hop over to the Reflexology Marketing Facebook group and we can help you decide where to start.
12. Location, Location, Location
I wouldn’t be a good marketer if I didn’t mention one of the “4 P’s of Marketing” (price, product, promotion, and place were taught in my marketing classes as the basis of all marketing).
Now for many this might not be something you have a lot of control over (my mom for instance as a home-based business can’t have any signage in a residential area, not even on her car), but visibility to traffic passing by can be an important part of your marketing. Depending on your location and if the laws and rules allow it, make sure your signage stands out so people know you are there.
Not sure how to best take advantage of your location? Post about it in the Reflexology Marketing Facebook group and we can help you brainstorm ideas to stand out.
13. (Bonus) Make it Easy to Book
Once they find you, you’ve got to make it easy to schedule a reflexology session with you. How long does it take once visiting your website, Facebook (or other social media) profile, a google search, your email, or even looking at your business card to find out how to contact you to book a session? If we make people work too hard to take action, they likely won’t. It’s the sad truth.
Check out this post, “Make it Easy to Book a Reflexology Session” for several ideas to help make it easier to book with you.
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