My mom always said that I needed to be more accepting at times. She was 85 when she died, and fortunately I did get to tell her that she was right.
The past weeks were a perfect example of where I had to summons my mom’s acceptance wisdom.
Let be more specific.
Here’s what I finally accepted: We’re stuck at home. (And rightly so.)
We don’t know if we can go back to work in a few weeks, a month, 2 months or more…and if we go back, will a Covid-19 resurgence send us right back home?
That’s a lot of uncertainty to be stuck at home with, right?
You can’t run out and get a second job because you literally can’t run out. And if you could there are no jobs to run to.
You can’t get an online job unless you have an online skill-set and/or an in somewhere.
You may have had a second job, but unless that job was with an essential business you’re right back at home.
We’re stuck.
That is reality.
We have to swallow hard.
And then survive it.
First, cut costs. Renegotiate rents and payments. Ask for extensions.
If you’re in the US this is how you get your stimulus check.
Do all the things that will allow you to survive AND at the same time begin rebuilding and laying the foundation to grow your clientele like you’ve never done before.
By the way, this is the absolute best time to lay the foundation to hit the ground running when the smoke clears.
Why?
Because you have the one key ingredient to building your business that you never had when you were working: Time.
And in terms of coming out of this pandemic with your foot on the accelerator, time is on your side.
Here is a simple Survive to Thrive Plan that you can execute from your home right now. There are no advertising costs associated with this plan. You just have to invest time.
Survive to Thrive Plan
A. Maintain current client base.
If you haven’t checked in with your current clients to see how they’re doing, do it now. I texted most of my clients. The rest I called or emailed.
Connecting to see how they’re doing during this pandemic is completely natural and appropriate. You’re not asking them to come back and get a massage after the pandemic is over. You’re just connecting to see how they’re doing. Later you can update them about when you’ll be starting work again.
B. Maintain current business referral sources.
Connecting to a referral base is similar to connecting to a client but there is one difference. When you connect to Sara, the manager at the bike shop who refers clients to you, you’re checking in to see how she’s doing AND to see where’s she at with her business.
Asking her about her business is absolutely appropriate because all non-essential businesses have the same worry: How do we survive the Covid-19 pandemic?
I have a suggestion: How about together?
Yep, it’s time to double-down with your referral sources. They’re in the same boat, worried that they won’t be able to survive the shutdown and worried that business won’t return after it’s over.
If your referral source is open to brainstorming suggest events that you can partner up to do together. At the running store where I get a lot of referrals, I’m going to do a series of massage workshops for the Sat run crew once we’re allowed back to work.
C. Grow referral base
Don’t stop with your current referral base. Now is the time to expand your referral base. Remember other businesses are as concerned about the uncertainty of the future as you are.
Think chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, yoga studio owners, personal trainers, psychologists, people in the mental health field, running store owner/manager, bike store owner/manager and wellness for corporations.
I use demo massages (free 15 minute massages) as a way in with new referral sources. More about demo massages here: How to Grow Your Business for $0.
You can download my standard email template to new referral sources below:
You should add an intro about the tough times we are in now. For example: During this coronavirus pandemic we’re all worried about the future of our businesses. I have a massage business (or practice) and I’m reaching out to see if you’d be interested in partnering in efforts to mutually grow our businesses.
You can read more about how I create referral bases: How to Get Massage Clients: Referrals.
Lastly, we need to the lay the ground work for new clients.
D. Lay the ground work for new clients.
Here are two ways to lay the ground work for new clients.
(1) Finish your website and/or optimize your website.
When the dust settles you want your website bringing in customers. Now you have the time to add engaging content and move up in the Google rankings.
Go here to get your website done/refreshed/optimized.
(2) Do email campaigns with current clients.
If you have an email list start to think about how you can engage the customers on that list. Could you do a workshop on massage for neck pain? Or maybe you could offer a package deal discount for the fall.
Additionally, post your email campaigns on Facebook or other social media outlets and invite your email list to forward your email to anyone who might benefit from your offer.
This article shows you how I email in more clients.
We’re In This Together
Finally, I want to say, I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.
Email me if you have a question or direct message me– the DM box is in the lower right-hand corner.
Alright, let’s keep it rolling–at home:-)
