Having a credible social media presence is paramount for every service provider looking to build status in their field, and this absolutely holds true for massage therapists. A strong Web presence can help create a successful business.
This article includes a list for budding and established massage therapists who understand the importance of social media but are unsure how to get started. While the vast majority of people use Facebook for personal use, it is important to create a business page for professional purposes. Here are some things to consider:
1. Don’t wait to begin using social media tools, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs and/or other online tools. Professionals should create their brand from the moment they consider practicing massage therapy. Having a solid online presence will allow massage therapists to:
- Gain access to an audience that will read and comment on your social media content.
- Begin collecting and storing hundreds of e-mail addresses for e-mail marketing purposes.
- Monitor other competitor pages, along with industry pages, to stay abreast of current trends and techniques in massage therapy.
2. Be cautious when choosing the name of a professional Facebook page. Once a page has more than 30 fans, the name cannot be changed. Use an adaptable name, like “massage pro” or “massage therapy professional,” etc. Avoid any names that are transitory in nature.
3. Keep your personal page and business page separate. A professional Facebook business page will tell a prospective client that you’re a pro and can act like one.
4. Spotlight others on your Facebook business page. Give credit to employees and clients; consider it good karma. These people will, in turn, “like” your page and share glowing reviews—a powerful resource when attracting new clients.
5. Let potential and/or new employers know you’re socially connected. By already having social media experience, you will have an advantage not only for your professional skills, but your social media skills as well. Being an integral part of any business’ social media presence will ensure a lasting place within that business and a successful career.
6. Engage your audience; make it sticky. Create an “interest list” with all the different topics that may interest your target audience. Topics a business may want to consider include:
- Talk about a massage tradeshow event you’ll be attending (before, during and after).
- Share lots of real-time photos on your Facebook business page.
- Review something (products you carry, shows you watch, your new boots, anything that might interest your target audience).
- Share videos (funny, informative, educational).
- Search for interesting topics on Twitter, like stress relief or back health, and share that with your fans.
- Share massage tips of the day or week.
- Think two months down the road and prepare massage specials based on upcoming holidays.
- Showcase your community (i.e., let a local artist hang art in your spa and take lots of photos, or offer price-reduced services to all police, fire and emergency service professionals in your town).
7. Use social media as a platform to market yourself. Use a professional Facebook page as an easy, attractive medium of communication to potential and current clients. But most importantly, make it super easy for them to schedule an appointment with you. After all, the main goal is to grow your business.
Jerry Nettuno is co-founder and chief executive officer of Schedulicity, Inc. An experienced entrepreneur, Nettuno was a co-founder of Milestone Financial Group, which was later acquired by Raymond James Inc. He then joined his three brothers to launch Nettworth Financial Group in 1995, which today manages more than $1 billion in assets nationwide. In 2003, he departed Nettworth to found Schedulicity. In the 1980s, Nettuno was the youngest vice president in history at First Investors Corporation, managing 12 offices. Early in his career, he was a professional musician with national touring bands. He recorded multiple albums, received Song of the Year honors, State Fiddle Champion twice, was selected as a Grammy voter and has played with many acclaimed musicians.
About Schedulicity
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