CREATING AND MAINTAINING A CLIENTELE

One hundred years ago, if someone said that they were active in the psychic world, it would mean they read palms or tea leaves. Much has changed over the years. Today, our New Age umbrella spans many cultures and subcultures. As different as our crafts may be, our marketing is somewhat similar.

How to get started

Many people have asked me how to get started in a New Age venture. Let’s assume that you’re good at what you do in your chosen craft. I’ll share some ideas and philosophies with you and point you in the right direction.

There seems to be a notion that if you’re really good, you don’t need to advertise. This is true, if you’re a well established palmist with a client list that’s so full you don’t have time to take on any new customers. For the palmist who’s just starting out, or who doesn’t have a fully booked schedule, you need to advertise.

Direct Mail

One avenue you may wish to pursue is direct mail. Direct mail in its simplest form is sending a letter to a targeted group of people. Your letter explains what you’re doing and what you have to offer. There’s an art to developing a successful direct mail campaign, but that’s a completely different ebook. If you’re interested in using this type of promotion, I’ve found a great ebook by Claude Hopkins, the

grandfather of direct mail, that tells you exactly how to run a successful campaign. You can download the ebook from

http://www.profitablepalmistry.com/claude.html Alternatively, you can listen to business and marketing success stories at The Business Professional.

In a nutshell, if you don’t have a targeted list of people to send your letter to, you can buy a list. The average price of a mailing list is US$ 100 per 1,000 names. Choose a mailing list of people who are interested in New Age. These lists can be purchased through most New Age publications.

The material that you send to these lists should include your

credentials, your specialities, your rates, and a brief explanation of what you attempt to achieve for your clients.

Press Coverage

If you can set up an interview with a New Age newspaper, they’ll often allow you to run an ad at no charge.

I would advise you to be selective and discriminating in your press exposure. Be somewhat cautious in writing for the scandal sheets, as making outlandish predictions may destroy your credibility.

Whenever I read about psychics, hypnotists or palm readers, there always seems to be a caption stating that they’re the best you could ever hope to find. Unfortunately, many practitioners are not as good as their claims. So in your advertising material, be honest about your abilities and the way you present yourself.

Client Relationships

When dealing with your clients, do not fall into the trap of offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee. There will always be clients you can’t read properly, no matter how good you are!!

Enclose a photograph of yourself in any initial correspondence with your clients. This allows the potential client to get his own impression and feeling about you. Remember, a picture is worth a thousands words.

Approximately 50% of your business will be repeat business. Once you’ve established an interested clientele you must then work hard to maintain that clientele! Proper record keeping is very important. After each reading, record the client’s name, contact information, questions they asked and advice you gave them. You can do this on paper or record your results on a tape recorder.

Someone who spends one or two sessions with you, probably

remembers each and every thing you say and do! From this person’s point of view, you should remember their name, their problems, and your past advice. But this is clearly impossible, with so many readings each month. So, decent record keeping is a must. Regardless of how good you are at your chosen craft, it is very easy to lose credibility with your client.

In general, present yourself as an open, knowledgeable person, not a wizard who goes skulking around with a crystal ball under your arm. Always keep your client’s interest at heart. Do not always tell your clients what they want to hear. They’ll see through the façade and feel you’re patronizing them.

The time spent with your client should be spent planting positive seeds because many of your predictions will become self fulfilling! Always give credit to your client for having above average

intelligence. Many professionals are quick to rate their intelligence far superior to that of their clients.

Have a deep belief in any predictions or do not predict at all. Always ask yourself the question, “Will my prediction offer this client hope or the possibility of improvement?” “Is my prediction realistic?” “Are my predictions based on sound thought?” Always keep your client’s best interest at heart.

When a prospective client consults you, they’ve already put a great deal of faith in you. The golden rule is, “Become part of your client’s solution, not part of their problem.”

MONEY MAKING IDEAS