One of the hardest obstacles for me is marketing.
I’m not a natural salesperson, and I don’t want to present myself as someone who can offer all the answers.
I am especially aware that people searching for healing or psychic readings are in a place where that’s exactly what they feel they need. I see my job as helping clients to uncover those answers in themselves and to find ways to facilitate their own healing.
I started by creating my own website. I decided to steer clear of designers and used simple templates I could work around. This made it relatively easy and cost-effective for me to create something. It also meant I could update autonomously.
Perhaps where I differ from the other healers out there is I also offer email support after treatments
Along the way I sought the advice of my Reiki master on content. I also took suggestions from close friends and those I knew who already ran their own businesses to see what worked and what was not needed.
Back links
After seeking advice from Marcus, owner of a company I did part-time work for, I started the lengthy process of researching back links. I trawled the web looking for websites that had content I felt resonated with what I was offering.
I put together a standard email, outlining the mutual benefits of exchanging links. The trick has been not to overload my links page with sites. I also found that as I worked on my website and improved its content, the sites I was reaching out to were more willing to enter into an exchange.
Additionally, I started a healing blog. Through the blog I was able to link to interesting articles from fellow healers and astrologers.
Robert Wilkinson’s articles have been a great resource, and his views on twin flames and soul mates started a real flurry of debate on the blog. In turn, this led to a significant spike in traffic.
Most importantly, I wanted the holistic experience to start the moment someone landed on the site. So far I have been told by clients and visitors they find the site user friendly, welcoming and relaxing.
I mainly advertise online. As I was starting out, I wanted to get as much for as little as possible. I trawled the internet and looked for online advertising sites where one could post for free. I stayed away from sites like Gumtree and Yell because they’re just not suited to what I do.
Instead, I posted on directories with whom I felt comfortable from a branding perspective. I did not want to be seen as the healer who offered quickie healing in a lunch hour with the promise of making it all better.
I wanted to be seen as the healer who will work in partnership with my clients, to empower and build a relationship based on mutual trust and compassion. My clients stay with me for a long time.
For an initial email campaign I wrote to advertising, media and banking institutions offering workplace treatments. I tailored the treatments to be shorter and more intense, and never entertained offering discounts such as buy one get one free. I just felt it belittled what I was offering.
Healing is about an exchange of energy. For me it has been important that I have the clients and the practice where healing is respected.
It’s been vital to educate a client that taking time out for themselves or putting aside some cash for a session is a positive thing to do. To cater for those who find themselves short of cash and in need I also offer a sliding scale of fees and these are always discussed privately before I book someone in.
Perhaps where I differ from the other healers out there is I also offer email support after treatments. I always say I am on hand to answer questions. I have even had clients ring me from abroad. I try to be available as much as possible.
When I started out I was less strict with my time. Now I try and tailor the time I give to my clients in extra support to suit my other commitments.
It’s still a balancing act, but I offer something genuinely different from my competition. I feel it sets my treatments apart.
