[bizi]

I just did a numbers crunch for the year compared to last years business.
I am down 5% from last year!
I worked 15 fewer days compared to last year.
The difference is 46 fewer visits made.
I feel like I need to get more clients but am afraid...sometimes I feel like I am just getting by...trying to stay afloat.
I was feeling good about getting paper work done but now feel depressed about the reality of the situation.
sigh
bizi

[Mari]

Dear Bizi,
You did do a good job getting caught up on your paper work. That is HUGE!

You did a lot of important things this year.
You can list them here if you want:
1. Fabulous trips
2. Fabulous diet and exercise program . . . . . .
3.
4.
5.

You can bring your business back up. You grew the business in the past and can do it again.

M.

[bizi]

thank you mari.
I should look at it that way...but the numbers crunch I did it for the past 4 years.....my income stayed pretty much the same until this year.
So maybe it is the economy, I am not doing anything differently. I think that I am losing clients faster than I am getting new ones.
I am afraid to really advertise as I don't want to be overwhelmed. I look at my schedule and it seems pretty full. I just need to get more clients.
I was thinking about using an advertising company on line. It is called www.seizethedeal.com I would be the featured company for the day and would offer my services at half off. I could put a limit on the number of vouches sold. I would be paid the half off minus a commision unknown what that would be...but it would be a way to generate more potential reccurant clients. But I think I would have to work on saturdays to accomodate the extra visits.
What do you guys think?
Jeff thinks it is a bad idea.
bizi

[Dmom3005]

Bizi

I agree with Jeff. I don't think you need to exactly advertise that way.

I think maybe make some inquiries even with your present clients.
Letting them know that you are looking into taking on a couple
of new clients.

See if they know of anyone needing your service.


I personally think its the economy. I had been floating to keep my
massage therapist as part of my needs.

I can't afford her right now. And I am hoping soon to pick her back up.

Donna

[BlueMajo]

I too think it's the economy !!!

I know this woman that used to sell 15,000 $ in purses and this year she sold only $3,000 or something...

I dont think it is a bad idea to advertise.... but maybe Im missing something about that advertising method !

[Mari]

Originally Posted by bizi

...but it would be a way to generate more potential reccurant clients. But I think I would have to work on saturdays to accomodate the extra visits.
What do you guys think?
Jeff thinks it is a bad idea.
bizi

Dear Bizi

Find out how much the commission is.
Ask some more questions. Are there rules before you agree to the Internet ad?

I am afraid to really advertise as I don't want to be overwhelmed. I look at my schedule and it seems pretty full. I just need to get more clients.

With this kind of advertisement you would get people who would want your services once or twice and then stop. You need a certain number of first time clients before you get the right number of regular people you want. You would be busy in the beginning, but you might anyway -- no matter how you advertise.

I could put a limit on the number of vouches sold.

Is there a time limit? Are the vouchers good for a year?
Are you obligated to make appts immediately or do you have 6 months to accommodate the request?

Here's what might be a stupid question.
Does that ad cover a large geographical area? Would you be expected to drive far to get to a client's home?
Right now, perhaps you already have people who are within comfortable driving distance for you.

M.

[bizi]

thanks blue, the seize the deal advertising company would sell vouchers to people for my services for half price so I would make less than half of a visit for no more than 100 people if that many buy them...don't know. I would want to limit it to 50 and give them a year to use the voucher.
I would word the information to specify that I specialize in working with the elderly and that these make great mothers day fathers day gifts....baby boomers will see this and hopefully think of buying the voucher for their parents. This is how I could get new regular reoccuring clients.
bizi

[Jomar]

I think it is the economy, this year was pretty tough for many.

[bizi]

Originally Posted by Mari

Dear Bizi

Here's what might be a stupid question.
Does that ad cover a large geographical area? Would you be expected to drive far to get to a client's home?
Right now, perhaps you already have people who are within comfortable driving distance for you.

M.

This is an excellant point mari!
thank you I had not even thought of that.
the system is set up to send the "deals of the day" to thousands of emails
so that is advertising right there, something for them to think about and discover my services.
I don't know about the geographical area....I think it is jsut for my town and the surrounding small towns that are not far.
I currently drive up to 30 miles away but for only a handful of people.
I would have to give them a limit as to what cities that I service.
I am thinking about it still. great points thanks again.
bizi

[OhKay]

I'm sorry your figures for this year upset you
Don't be disappointed in yourself- there's a lot of factors at play here.

About the advertising, I'm just worried about how they will get the emails to people in your area (as already mentioned). Also, how many of your potential clients use emails?

Could you drop of cards/fliers to a senior center or elderly housing building? Could you run a small, limited ad in a local paper occasionally?

You'll come up with the solution that's right for you soon. I know it