Maybe a prospective client talks to you and says she or he is going to call you but doesn't. 

Perhaps they have booked an appointment and then right before cancels.
 
Or have you ever treated a client and thought it went well and they expressed satisfaction but did not book a second treatment and you are left wondering why?

We've all been there.

I call it the "Missing Client Phenomenon." 

It's frustrating and perplexing. It can have us doubt our abilities.

While it can be an experience all Practitioners go through, it does not have to continue. 

You wonder If this happens to your colleagues.  To comfort yourself you might think, “Oh, that is how people are… “ or “Holistic health care is not as valued as conventional method, so people will be flaky.”

Sound familiar? 

But I’m here to tell you, there are simple things you can do to implement in your Practice to prevent  clients from slipping through your fingers.

First, especially make sure you offer a free consultation. 

Next, have stay in touch vehicles such as a paper newsletter, an email newsletter a blog or a Facebook presence. This is key. Keep in touch with these potential clients and your current ones so they know you care, and you consistently communicate your expertise and services to them.
 
Lastly, offer packages of your services instead of only single sessions.  It’s been my observation that loyalty to a Practitioner builds over time. And when clients and patients are committed to a series of treatments, they get better results, the become to know, like and trust you, and become natural promoters of your Practice. 

Besides which for the Practitioner, it’s extremely satisfying to work with clients that you get to know over time. 

Implement these simple strategies, one by one and you’ll see clients will call you to talk about how you can  help them, follow through with their appointments and become raving fans for you and your Practice.

I'd love to know which of these  seem the most challenging for you to do right now? Feel free to let me know above- thanks!

(c) 2010 AnaMaria Herrera

About the author: AnaMaria Herrera, Online Marketer and Director of Practice Building Institute publishes 'Practice Building Success' teaching Holistic Practitioners how to get clients and build their practice. For a f*ree audio and resources go to: http://www.PracticeBuildingInstitute.com

Join Us Beginning June 3, 2010  for this Exciting Teleseries…

Take your Practice to the next level, whether you're just starting out or been in Practice for years.

Over the course of the 6 weeks, you'll learn proven methods that will allow you to stop spinning your wheels and start creating the Practice of Your Dreams!  Click here for more info

While it happens to all Practitioners it can be frustrating and depressing to say the least. I'm talking about the 'feast or famine' syndrome with clients booking sessions or treatments. If you've seen clients for any length of time you know what I'm talking about.
 
For a few solid weeks or months new clients are calling you, past patients are returning and it can seem like clients or patients are coming out of the woodwork. It feels exhilarating. You're excited to serve new and returning clients and observe your income increasing.
 
But then the inevitable starts to happens. Because Practitioners are more busy, they start to neglect their marketing strategies. Not giving free talks (ie: signature speech) or going to network meetings. Perhaps they forget about their newsletter or writing on their blog.

The phone stops ringing. Fewer clients seem to be booking appointments.  This is when Practitioners start to get nervous. "Where did the clients go?" "Why are they not calling?" "Oh no, are they going to "so-and-so" instead?"

Panic and doubt start to creep in. Unfortunately this is when Practitioners fall prey to buying expensive advertisement or hires the guy on the phone who promises to get them on the 1st page of Google. Or they'll make a snap decision to get marketing training, but fail to find out if the strategies are suited for the holistic healthcare field.

Rather than wait for the 'famine' to strike, I encourage you to consistently market your practice and don't stop marketing in less you don't want clients!

It's so important that it's the first step in the Practice Building System; which is the 12 steps I take clients through to build a sustainable practice that gives them time, money, fulfillment and freedom. I call it creating "Practice Building-Only Time."

If practice building is not scheduled, it will be left up to when and if it happens which leads to that famine syndrome.

Here are a few tips to carve out Practice Building time and making it a priority:

• Focus on marketing before you answer e-mails. One of the biggest distractions is emails. So resolve yourself to check emails at certain times a day and do marketing before.
• Have a designated place. Make sure it's clean and orderly. It's so important to have a pleasant environment which inspires you and doesn't distract you. Put up inspiring photos or pictures.
• Set boundaries with others. If you have a home office, let those around you know that this is your time in the privacy and space.
• If you have a Practice with other Practitioners and staff the same rule applies. I encourage you to close the door and put a sign on the door that you cannot be disturbed. Ideally set this time before your first patient or client.

Many Practitioners are afraid because they think they need a lot of time to market their business. The truth is, it's not that you need countless hours uninterrupted but to start making Practice Building a priority that can't be moved or neglected.

I promise if you begin to implement these simple tips you will notice you're more focused, you consistently attract more clients, increase your income and eliminate the feast and famine in your business.
 
I'd love to know your thoughts. Feel free to let me know above- thanks!

(c) 2010 AnaMaria Herrera

About the author: AnaMaria Herrera, Online Marketer and Director of Practice Building Institute publishes 'Practice Building Success' teaching Holistic Practitioners how to get clients and build their practice. For a f*ree audio and resources go to: http://www.PracticeBuildingInstitute.com

Want to completely eliminate the feast and famine syndrome in your Practice? I'll show you how in the Practice Building Success Circle. C^lick here for details: http://snipurl.com/lh0ly

One reason I love being in business for myself is I can do things on my terms. I have the time, the money (was able to buy my Mom a home stereo system) and energy to spend it with those I love.

Recently I had a girl's weekend celebrating my Mom's birthday. Here we are having a fabulous lunch at Arts and Letters Cafe in Santa Barbara. We had a chocolate harissa cake with a chipotle (!) sauce.
Sheer heaven. I would love that recipe for the cake.. I'll have to go back and ask!

Are you in a current profession but wanting to be in your Practice full time?

Do you wonder how to stand amongst out a sea of other Holistic Practitioners?

Not sure how to gain credibility because you are a new Practitioner?

You're not alone! Most of us come to this calling later in life, as did our Guest Expert Kirk Mann, Acupuncturist and Classical Homeopath.  Come hear how this once real estate agent become a Holistic Practitioner and how he gained clients even though he was known for years as the 'real estate guy.' You'll learn:

    * A big mistake he made when he started out and shares how Practitioners can avoid it.
    * How to pursue your passion even if you have doubts
    * Tips on how to maintain a thriving Practice even if there is a lot of 'competition.'
    * One simple way he got clients that costs nothing and that anyone can do, anytime.

This call is FR*EE for all Success Circle members. Not a member? You can get this audio, past calls, detailed notes and 1 month in the membership for a special trial rate. C^lick here for details: http://snipurl.com/lh0ly

Practitioners tell me the Open Question and Answer Calls asists them to gain confidence and simple solutions to challenges and questions that have been arising.
 
So bring your questions and dilemmas and I'll answer them on the spot and provide laser coaching to assist you.
 
This call is invaluable, as I share my years of expertise in coaching to Holistic Practitioners. Whether you're just starting out or you've been in Practice for years, you'll learn from the many great questions that are asked by other Practitioners.
 
You'll gain confidence and inspiration in what you're offering and walk away with simple, effective steps to attract more clients and build your Practice.

This call is FR*EE for all Success Circle members. Not a member? You can get this audio, past calls, detailed notes and 1 month in the membership for a special trial rate. C^lick here for details: http://snipurl.com/lh0ly