amta nevada chapter » professional

Marketing Strategies – Some Options & Some Considerations

webmaster — Thu, 03 May 2012 05:49:51 +0000

Last time we talked about ways to market yourself and improve business. This time, I want to spend a few lines discussing coupons, Groupons, and marketing strategies.
Everyone is looking for a bargain nowadays. We all shop at Walmart, or Costco, or we clip coupons to save money. Have you thought how those companies make so much money? The answer is very simple: It is called “volume.”
That’s it: volume. If, during your week, you perform an average of 20 massages at $70 each, your gross income for that week, before expenses, is $1,400. Obviously, if you want to make more money, you have to do one of two things: get more clients or charge more money.
First, more money. You raise your price to $100. Your gross income for the week goes to $2,000. But wait: we already established that people are looking for a bargain. If, by raising your price, you are discouraging people from making repeat appointments and you lose some of your clients, your profit goes down.
So, now: we need to get more clients. We have established that people are looking for a bargain so we offer a coupon or Groupon. Let us say, for the sake of argument, that we offer 25% off our regular fee of $70. Great: more clients. At the lower price we need to see 27 people to make our $1,400 a week. So let’s bump the number to 38 people to make the $2,000 at the lower price.
As you can see, numbers can be a little scary in our world. In order to make more money we need more volume, but when you can only touch one body at a time, that volume takes a personal toll on you. The greater the coupon value, the higher the toll.
I am not saying that we should all raise our prices and never give discounts. What I am saying is that you need to carefully balance between the discount and the amount of people you can draw in with the coupon. If your goal is to introduce new people to your service, a coupon is fine. But, if the idea is that you will consistently accept coupons and give discounts for your services, you may be setting your price to a new low that you cannot go back to your regular pricing. Typically coupons are a good thing in moderation, but as the old saying goes “too much of a good thing can be bad.”
Think about your overall income needs and set your prices accordingly. Then you decide if you can afford to offer discounts or to accept Groupons, or other marketing tools. As with any kind of contract, read the fine print. Groupons sound great when you are the purchaser, but not so great after you have signed the contract to accept these in your practice.
Be well and prosperous everyone.
Billie

Keeping A Sense Of Wonder

webmaster — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:40:02 +0000

As I sit and ponder all things that bring wonder to life, it occurs to me that when tasks and duties are more controlled, our time is freed up to do the things in life that bring that sense of wonder. I have met those people who always seem to have time to take a walk on the beach, spend time with family, or even just sit and be still, and, yet, they seem to juggle multiple duties and manage busy work schedules. And yet so many of us are stressed to the max, with little or no time for those important things in life.

So it begs the question, “What am I doing wrong?”, or, even better: “Those people can’t compare to the level of stress in my life…” Is this really true? Is there a class of beautiful people who always seem to wake up with their hair in place and makeup perfect? Do some people seem to have charmed lives? All valid questions, and, yes, I am convinced that some people do seem to live charmed lives. They have their act together and always seem to have a lucky charm or an angel providing all the right opportunities. But I also believe that you, too, can make those opportunities and have the ability to lead a charmed life. There is nothing stopping you (yes, You) from leading a charmed life.

These opportunities present themselves in a multitude of ways. On a daily basis, Lady Luck smiles on each one of us in a myriad of different ways. The only difference, or controlling factor, is what you choose to do with the opportunities that present themselves to you. As an example: you know you need $300 dollars to renew your automobile registration in 3 months. You generally get $10 dollars a day in tips that you use to purchase that tasty latte with your lunch. Every day you spend 3 to 5 dollars on the latte even though you know you do not have the money for the registration; you console yourself with the fact that something will happen to provide you with the $300 in the nick of time. Finally, the day comes and passes when your registration is due, now you are late and the cost spirals from 300 dollars to an additional fine for being late. You console yourself for your bad luck by having another latte…

No, I am not just talking about YOU. But, after spending much of my own life in this state of bliss, enjoying those lattes, I speak from the voice of experience. I know full well what my obligations are going to be for the foreseeable future but still I sip my beverage. So, herewith and following are some things I have learned from a lifetime of experience and missteps.

A young monk approached his master. He observed the master holding some money in his hands. The master was smoothing each bill and stacking the bills in a way that implied a reverence for money. The young monk asked “Master, you have taught me that money is not something we should worship, but you seem to be treating this money as though it is special.” The monk replied “No, young student – I am not worshiping this money. I freely send it out into the world where it can do the most good. I was just telling this money to fly into the world and do the most good for all peoples, and then I asked it to come back soon.”

Sometimes the work you do marketing your business or promoting yourself seems to be a waste of time. When you invest your energy into your goals, that energy does come back to you in multiple ways. Yes, I know none of us are any good at marketing, but I am here to tell you that unless you do something to make yourself stand out, other people will and they will be the ones collecting your dollars.

Marketing is simply a matter of being cordial to people. You already have a circle of friends and family that you are comfortable with. I suggest that you start your marketing with these people and slowly expand the circle to include acquaintances and distant relatives and finally take the plunge and strike up a conversation with someone you do not know or someone that you think is above you. You will be surprised at how approachable people can be when you open up to them. Try it….

Billie Shea, Chapter President

Southern Nevada Health District proposes new, additional regulation for Massage Therapy

webmaster — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:06:14 +0000

Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) notified the public of their intent to ratify regulation of Massage Establishments, Reflexology Establishments, [Independent/Outcall] Massage Therapists, and Colon Hydrotherapists on January 10, 2012, in Southern Nevada, comprised of the county of Clark.

The AMTA Nevada Chapter has reviewed the proposed legislation and can summarize the effects of the proposed regulation on its professional members [within the jurisdiction of SNHD] – following are some main points of the regulation:

Affects Reflexologists, [Independent/Outcall] Massage Therapists, Colon Hydrotherapists, and Massage Establishments.
In addition to all Massage Establishments, requires outcall “licensed massage therapists” and “licensed reflexologists” to hold a “massage establishment Health Permit”
Attempts to regulate Massage Therapists [and Massage Establishments] in the same manner as is currently legislated through NRS.640c and NSBMT NACs (staff on-site & equipment/safety/cleanliness requirements, fees & fines, and some professional standards)
States that each day after the first 90 that the regulations are in effect and an outcall massage therapist or massage establishment is not SNHD-permitted is a separate violation.
Cites “fees” for initial assessment, renewal (every XX year), and fines associated with violations and that non-compliance will predicate a cease-and-desist and/or revocation/re-application for massage/reflexology establishment health permit.
Requires “20 foot-candles” of light in a therapy room, 300% more light than in the NSBMT NACs of “5 foot-candles” of light in a therapy room.
Section 8.1.2 makes the “Responsible Person in charge” of a Massage or Reflexology Establishment responsible for undefined “other requirements” in addition to other regulatory body’s requirements for professional and legal practice of massage & reflexology. Unresolved violations of keeping all permits, licenses, or credentials for everyone at the Establishment gives the SNHD the authority to shut down the Establishment until violations are resolved with each/every “affected agency of jurisdiction”.
New Build-outs/Construction of Establishments will have another jurisdiction (the SNHD) to apply through, propagating more [undetermined] fees and additional time frames in which initial assessments and inspections are subject to.
Does not outline a Schedule of Fees and does describe innumerable instances/conditions in which fees will be applied.

The AMTA-NV Chapter supports the current state licensure regulation of massage therapists in Nevada through the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists authorized and empowered by our State Legislature and Governor-appointed state massage board members affecting professionals throughout the state of Nevada AND local business license departments that regulate the taxation and safe practice of massage therapy through its application processes. It is understood that the nature of the proposed regulation by the additional entity of the SNHD is redundant, provincial, and a duplicate credential that will be required for massage professionals to practice.

Additionally, any verbiage in the proposed SNHD regulation regarding “Massage Therapy” may be removed to regulate Reflexology and Colon Hydrotherapy, so only one regulatory agency will have the authority to manage a profession/business category regarding massage therapy and the promotion of public health and safety.

For Concerned Individuals:

The AMTA Nevada Chapter strongly encourages its members, massage professionals, and the general public to evaluate the proposed impact of the additional regulation on the profession, practice, or patronage of massage therapy and RESPOND in an appropriate manner and timely fashion to the SNHD.

Responding to this proposed regulation is TIME-SENSITIVE – the last day that written opinions will be accepted for the record is February 2^nd, 2012.

Contact information and a sample opinion letter are below.

The Workshops, at which public opinion will be HEARD, are in Las Vegas (Jan 30 & 31), Laughlin (Feb 1), and Mesquite (Feb 2): Appear and be ready to speak your opinion according to the Workshop Agenda (below).

Resources for proposed SNHD regulation:

PDF – public workshop announcement: http://amta-nv.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AGENDA-Massage-Therapy-Workshops-01-30-2012.pdf
PDF – public notice of proposed regulation: http://amta-nv.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Public-Notice-Workshop-Massage-Regs-BOH-meeting-02-23-2012.pdf
Link to online version of proposed regulatory rules: http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/download/eh/Massage-draft-regs-1-13-12.pdf
Sample Letter of Opposition: (download)
Opinion Letter of the AMTA/Nevada Chapter (download)

Southern Nevada Health District contact:

Glenn D Savage, REHS, Environmental Health Director, PO Box 3902, Las Vegas NV 89127

If you have questions regarding this post, the proposed SNHD regulation, or the AMTA Nevada chapter, please contact Government Relations: David Otto at DavidOtto@amta-nv.org

modified Jan 25, 2012 14:21

AMTA National Officer Elections – Your Vote Counts!

david — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:39:22 +0000

Be among the professional members that shape our association. Vote for our national leaders. AMTA is the premier professional organization and needs top leadership to be a strong voice and guide us to the future. Your vote is needed to ensure that the organization, remains on top and continues to be well represented.

Get to know the candidates by linking up with them on facebook, linked-in or twitter. Ask them questions or read what someone else asked. Find out what their vision and goals are for the future of AMTA and the massage profession. If the candidate established any social media sites, you can access the information at the bottom of each candidate’s bio information page found on the AMTA official election website

Your voice counts in this organization. Make a decision to support one of our core values, ‘to be a membership driven organization’ and vote. That is what ‘member driven’ means. Join in, become a more informed voter and cast your vote by December 1.

2011 Election Timeline

November 1-5: A link to the online ballot will be sent via electronic mail to all voting members.

December 1: Completed ballots are due.

January 1: Results will be announced no later than January 1 on the AMTA website.

March 1: New officers assume office.

Please contact Gail Friedman at 877-905-2700 x168 or gfriedman@amtamassage.org if you have questions.

Your Working with the National AMTA this year…

webmaster — Sat, 14 May 2011 22:28:54 +0000

AMTA 2011 National Elections!

Have you considered participating with fellow members at the National level? You can choose to run for an elected office for the National Board of Directors or Commission on Candidacy. Serving at the national level is a great way to meet some wonderful, dedicated people in the profession.

You may find criteria for Board or Commission on Candidacy positions by visiting our National Elections website. You may also be interested in knowing that some elected positions involve less of a time commitment than other positions.

You may request a candidate application and must complete the application process by August 1. The process includes completing three online courses: About Non-Profit Associations, Responsibilities and Communications throughout AMTA and Risk Management for Association.

Once the courses are completed, you will have access to the online application packet. After the Commission on Candidacy has reviewed the application and determined that you meet the requirements of the position you are seeking, your candidate’s profile will be posted live on AMTA’s official election website and your choice of using social media as a candidate can begin.

If you are interested in serving, please contact the Commission on Candidacy via Gail Friedman, AMTA staff liaison to the Commission on Candidacy.

The Commission on Candidacy and Commissioner of Elections welcomes your questions, comments, and ideas.

Chris Rider, Commissioner of Elections

Barb Lis, Commission on Candidacy Chair

2011 Commissioners: Michael Blackmore, Christopher Deery, Jennifer C. Irving, Lucia A. Kaestner, and Shari Mirgon