It gives the answers to questions or points that have been raised time and time again, the FAQ started in newsgroups but has since spread to websites. The idea of FAQ’s caught on quickly as a convenient, standard way to answer the basic questions.  Especially, in the case of business websites, your practice is a business and there are questions that prospective clients have regarding your services.

When you answer a question you are setting the tone for your credibility, the more thorough you are with the answer the better.   It seems common among health care industries to have stock FAQs.   A file you get with membership to your respective association, however, IMAhealthpro.com would like to encourage you to break free from this.  Search engines don’t like redundant data and neither do prospective clients.    They can tell when you are presenting the “company line” and frankly it’s a turn off.    Customers respond to that genuine style that you have.   While there are stock questions out there, having stock answers is only good if they’re you’re own and you’ve crafted them with your own spin.

There are different ways to present an FAQ for your website.

List format – the very basic, these are the typical questions followed by the answer from you.  Whether this list is ordered by frequency of the question or order of importance is up to you.

Dynamic or static? Should you give clients the ability to ask questions and/or comment?   Often the answer is No. This just creates more admin for your site.   However, do be aware that it is a great idea to have your email on your FAQ page that encourages questions.  This email can be directly for FAQs (in your mailto: tag add ?subject= <a href=”mailto:jvaughn@imahealthpro.com?subject=Can you answer this please?”>Try It which can be useful for customer service and making additions to your FAQ based on these user submitted questions.   Did you get all that?  I had to read it twice myself. 

In short, clients have questions, you have answers, the proof should be on your website.

You:  Current Events?

IMA: Yes, current events.   Especially those  in  your field like new  technologies, recent study findings, new techniques, the list goes on really. Just be sure topics are in-line with your practice philosophy.

You: How often should I write a newsletter?

IMA:  How often you make connections with clients is up to you.  Some simple math though,  once a month equals twelve, once a week equals fifty two; one of these or any number between should be sufficient.

FYI:  Statistically, it takes about seven “connections” before you can consider yourself memorable to a client.

You: That seems like a lot of writing.

IMA: You don’t have to write War & Peace each time.   Here’s a few items your newsletter should have.

1. Quote someone famous (Try to tie it in with the subject of your newsletter)

2. Subject – Pick a topic.  Say it’s August, you’re a chiropractor who has these great backpacks that could save the spines of millions of children. What do you think you should write about?

3.  Study results with your take.   Take the most recent finding in the International Journal  of Massage Therapy and Bodywork and then, put it in language that even I can understand.

4. You weren’t going to forget to put your business hours, contact info, website, or any classic contact info, were you?

5. Coupon:  Free yoga class for May birthdays, 25% OFF hip alignment with shoulder rotation, surely there’s something you can put near the bottom.   Think of it as a reading test.    If you don’t think anyone is reading, put something really funny, but always make good on the offer. (That’s a note from our Legal Department.)

6.   A simple 1-2-3 or bulleted list can highlight information and grab attention.  (Bonus Points for staying on Topic).

]]> http://imahealthpro.com/main/your-newsletter-and-you/feed/ 1 http://imahealthpro.com/main/thank-you/ http://imahealthpro.com/main/thank-you/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:54:03 +0000 admin http://imahealthpro.com/main/?p=87 Thank you – can be the two most powerful words in your vocabulary.   Use them often.   Send them in a note, thank client’s for their business, thank colleagues for referrals.   Make them your two favorite words.

Defining your massage can be a difficult process, however, once you get an answer that works, it can be the best way to get potential clients to try your massage.

Let’s get some things straight.   You’re client wants you to address their issues.   This is not to say that you need to know every modality in order to work with every client, quite the contrary.  You should have a good knowledge of many modalities, not in practice but an understanding of what is out there.    Find modalities that work with your best clients and study them or take the proper CEUs.    Get to know other massage therapists in your area who specify in other areas.  Refer all “other” clients to them.

What’s an other?  An other is a client that you would rather not work with, or who is looking for modalities you don’t offer.   If you are into deep tissue and your client is looking for prenatal massage, refer them to someone else.    Focusing your energy on that one client could take a toll on your practice.  If your doing a full day of deep tissue sessions and in the midst of that a neonatal client comes in, your work with them is likely to be a little too intense and what’s more if you don’t enjoy the work it’s not doing anything for your energy.    The worst part is, this prenatal client could refer other prenatal clients, or likely have a bad experience and tell even more people.    Try to identify clients you enjoy working with and focus on getting that type of client on your massage table.

Ask clients what they like about your sessions with them.  This is a great question for their second visit.    Another good gauge is Three Words.  Ask colleagues, and others that know you professionally to describe you with 3 words.    You may be surprised by what you hear.

This is a multi-part post – There’s quite a bit to cover regarding one simple question.

1 Grow your newsletter list

An e-mail newsletter is a great way to keep clients focused on how yoga benefits them. Including  specials, and information that can help keep their lives in balance.  Your website should have a place for potential clients to sign up and receive an e-mail (a special offer is good too) from you.   Your newsletter should be brief with a targeted topic.   A related quote, a special offer, and a brief note from you, along with an article and that’s it.   The first is the hardest but there are many tools out there that can help you along.   Monthly or bi-weekly, a newsletter is a great way to keep your clients on the pulse of what is going on in your office and why your yoga class extends beyond the mat and far exceeds expectations.

2 Answer New students Frequently Asked Questions

You have the advantage. You went to school and have studied and practiced hundreds of hours of yoga.  Potential students have many questions, from the very basic, to the specific.  A simple page dedicated to answering frequent questions as well as those that relate to your area of expertise gives you a point to direct people to where they can get answers.   Developing this page can also help you sharpen your answers.  People have questions about yoga and when they find out that you are a yoga instructor the list of questions is often the same.  The clarity of your response speaks volumes for your professionalism, this is not the place to be verbose, people want you to be concise, and they respect you a bit more when you are.

3 Give easy access to directions

Where is the class? New students always ask, and those scanning the internet for your classes want to know just how far you are and how easy it is to get to you.

Including a link to directions is key, and it should be on every page, along with your phone number.  A simple contact page just doesn’t do enough, any page related to your services should have your address and contact information.  If you teach in multiple studios you can provide links  to each class you teach.

5 Post events and updates

Inviting people to your office is a great way to get existing clients to bring their friends(read ‘new clients’) and potential clients to see your office.  Whether

it’s a workshop, a talk, or simple celebration hosting an event is a great way to bring more business to your door.    People notice when websites haven’t been updated

for a long time, even a simple note about changes or current events keeps the information on your site fresh which shows your clients that you are ‘in business’ .  Adding a feeling of professionalism and quality of service that you want your clients to see.

4 Share Testimonials

People wonder what others think of your service, whether the testimonial comes from a best friend or even a stranger, a Testimonials page is a great way to get your client’s success stories and praise for your service in front of potential clients.    Our easy system has a way for clients to enter themselves (if you ask they likely will) and you also have administrative power to enter written testimonials into the page.   Simply the first name or even initials along with where they’re  from and that’s all you need.   On my personal website I have found this page to be frequently hit and referred to by new clients.   Testimonials can really elevate your practice.

6 What style of yoga do you do?

There are many styles and even brands of yoga.   Most newbies don’t know their asana from their vinyasa.   You should put in words what class is like, if you have trouble ask your students what they think of your class, whether you ask open ended or for simply three words that describe your style of teaching, it can help not only to describe it to others, it can also provide excellent insight into just what your students receive from practice.  A simple paragraph describing what your class is like can give potential students a little primer for what class with you is like.

7 Give them other ways to receive more

Links can serve many purposes.   It can help with your websites SEO(search engine optimization) and it can also give a little boost to how you are seen as a professional.    If you are in tune with information that is perrtinent to students and your style of yoga, it shows.    Not everything can be covered on your site, posting links to great information elsewhere does not go unnoticed.

8 Design speaks

Color and structure are important.   They clearly present your message without words.  DIY is great, but there are times when professionals are well worth it.   It’s about having the right tools.   You want your message out there, we keep the message yours but give you our expertly crafted design.  We want you in control of your website and we’ll even keep you posted on trends and what works for others in your profession.   Learning HTML and css takes time and energy that you could be focussing on your practice.

IMAhealthpro.com is dedicated to getting you noticed.   For more ways to improve your web presence enter your email in the box to the left.

1 -  Grow your newsletter list

An e-mail newsletter is a great way to keep clients on point with your services, specials, and information that can help keep their lives in balance.
Your website should have a place for potential clients to sign up and receive an e-mail (a special offer is good too) from you.   Your newsletter should be brief with a targeted topic.   A related quote, a special offer, and a brief note from you, along with an article and that’s it.   The first is the hardest but there are many tools out there that can help you along.   Monthly or bi-weekly, a newsletter is a great way to keep your clients on the pulse of what is going on in your office and why your acupuncture service exceeds expectations.

2 -  Answer Clients’ Frequently Asked Questions

You have the advantage. You went to school and have studied and practiced your craft.  Potential clients have many questions, from the very basic, to the specific.  A simple page dedicated to answering frequent questions as well as those that relate to your area of expertise gives you a point to direct people to where they can get answers.   Developing this page can also help you sharpen your answers.  People have questions about acupuncture and when they find out that you are an acupuncturist the list of questions is often the same.  The clarity of your response speaks volumes for your professionalism, this is not the place to be verbose, people expect you to be concise, and they respect you a bit more when you are.

3 – Give easy access to directions

Where’s your office?  Clients always ask, and those scanning the internet for your services want to know just how far you are and how easy it is to get to you.   Including a link to directions is key, and it should be on every page, along with your phone number.  A simple contact page just doesn’t do enough, any page related to your services should have your address and contact information.

4 -  Share Testimonials

People wonder what others think of your service, whether the testimonial comes from a best friend or even a stranger, a Testimonials page is a great way to get your client’s success stories and praise for your service in front of potential clients.    Our easy system has a way for clients to enter themselves (if you ask they likely will) and you also have administrative power to enter written testimonials into the page.   Simply the first name or even initials along with what town the client is from and that’s it.   On my personal website I have found this page to be frequently hit and referred to by new clients.   Testimonials can really elevate your practice.

5  Post events and updates

Inviting people to your office is a great way to get existing clients to bring their friends(read ‘new clients’) and potential clients to see your office.  Whether it’s a workshop, a talk, or simple celebration hosting an event is a great way to bring more business to your door.    People notice when websites haven’t been updated for a long time, even a simple note about changes or current events keeps the information on your site fresh which shows your clients that you are ‘in business’  Adding a feeling of professionalism and quality of service that you want your clients to see.

IMAhealthpro.com is dedicated to getting you noticed.   For more ways to improve your web presence enter your email in the box to the left.