The week before last, I worked on someone that had really bad neck problems, so bad in fact that when she left, she still had some pain. I was unhappy that I couldn't help her more, but I had done all I could do. But then the realization hit me of how few times this happens.
Now my business comes and goes on a daily basis. Most of the people that come in the door are first time visitors. In all, I probably have less than 10 repeat customers, those that keep coming back whenever they feel the need. So, it shows that I can attract customers. The big question is, what can I do to keep them coming back? For this business to be successful, I need to have a fairly large group of clients that come back for work on a regular basis.
To give you an idea, most weeks start off with little or nothing scheduled. This coming week, I have two sessions scheduled, with one tentative. Now I do what I do every week, put out intention to attract clients. Sometimes I get a none to a couple. Other times I get more.
People come in to see me all the time that are suffering from various degrees of pain. That actually seems to be the majority of my business. Now and then, I get people that are looking to massage to help them relax. Some times, I get regulars or semi-regulars that get massage because they know it helps them health-wise or because they are doing some fitness regimen and it aids their muscles, keeps them from hurting.
But most of the people I get are in some type of pain and are looking for relief. Solving their problems, relieving their pain, is what I spend most of my time doing. And most of the time, they walk out of here without any pain whatsoever. It is those rare occasions that I can't seem to make them stop hurting completely that bother me. I know I can't solve everyone's ills, and remove everyone's pain, at least intellectually I know this. There is a part of me that feels that I've failed when someone is still in pain when they leave. I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I do. Thankfully, it happens very rarely. (Not that this is really where I was heading with this entry. J)
It is the rarity of someone leaving in pain that makes me realize how many people come in here hurting, and how few are still hurting when they leave. Yet, I don't get a lot of repeat business. I understand that people come when they hurt, but don't think of getting bodywork or energy when they don't although it is very beneficial. I also realize that the cost of any healing session is not a cheap thing. (When I needed massage several years ago, I paled when I was told it was $50 for an hour session. Right now, that price is at the low end of the scale.) I understand that most people can't afford to pay that kind of money on a regular basis and with today's economic problems, the first thing that tends to go from people's budgets are what they consider luxuries. Healing sessions fall in to that category. I also understand that life happens, and that even regular clients can be pulled away by more pressing things. Yet, I need to keep people coming in here to be able to keep this business open. If I can't keep this business open, I quickly lose the ability to do healing on as many people as I have been. (I run this business because it allows me to do healing. I certainly don't do it because I like all the intricacies of running my own business. I don't. If I could do healing without having to worry about making a living, than all would be perfect. But as life goes, one must earn a living. And as many times as Kay used to tell me, I do know that there has to be an exchange of energies.)
Ok, so people come in hurting, and leave happy. (And no, they're not happy because they're leaving, they're happy because they're not hurting.) So, that means my work is good. So if my work is good, and people stop hurting and leave happy, why don't they come back? Is it because they are not hurting any more?
I know it's a stupid question, but in solving people's problems, am I eliminating any need they have to come back? In other words, am I too good for my own good? I certainly don't believe that, but maybe it could be true, at least to a point. If I didn't fix them completely the first visit, would they come back again? Or would they just think that I don't know what I'm doing and go to someone else? I have heard stories of legitimate medical professionals who never completely cured their patients because they wanted them to keep coming back, paying them more fees. That's not what I'm about.
The joke is that I have had a few clients ask me how often I felt they should come back. I usually tell them 'when you feel the need'. Some people need regular massage weekly or biweekly, or monthly. Some don't need regular massage. I tell them to judge for themselves. Of course, these seem to be people that I never hear from again. I know, I know. Whenever I'm asked that question, the answer should be 'daily'.
Well I guess I will sit here and ponder this for a while. I will continue to do my best to help people walk out of here pain free, even if that means that I won't see them again. Who knows, maybe the next time they are in pain, they will remember who helped them the last time. I can only hope.
Well here's wishing you some pain free time. Take care.