Questions and comments from listeners
At the beginning of each episode I’ll be answering questions and comments posted by listeners. So if you have questions or comments please feel free to post a comment on this episodes show notes and they will be answered at the beginning of the next episode.
Starting out as a self employed therapist.
When running any kind of business, keeping track of your finances can be a tedious task. However this is the most important aspect of running any business and making sure it’s successful. Aside from planning your business to succeed.
When setting up a small business we all plan to have our business work for us. So often it seems to be we work for the business.
Check your local council by-laws before setting up a Massage Clinic. Some councils have strict regulations with regards to clinics, health spas etc.
Software to make your life easier.
When it comes to keeping your financial information in one place, there are many options available. Some are free but don’t perform well, while others cost the earth and do way more than you need. Where you end up having a package that you don’t fully utilise.
We use Cashbook Complete from Acclaim Software . We chose Cashbook Complete over other such products as MYOB and SQL-Ledger due to it’s features and at $240NZD we felt Cashbook Complete to be well worth the expense. Cashbook Complete is also very user friendly. The Cashbook Complete download from Acclaim Software also enabled us to fully test and use a full version of the software for 90 days.
Keeping relevant client records.
We all know about keeping relevant tax and income records, I assume we all know about keeping relevantclient records. It scares me when I hear someone has gone to a therapist and the client has done no form of consultation sheet. So what records should we be keeping?
Do you need an accountant?
The use of an accountant can make life very easy, some even recommend which software you should be using. Just keep in mind if you’re about to spend over $500.00 on a package, be sure to check it is not going to be over kill for your needs.
Marketing your business or brand?
When we think of marketing, we generally think “Advertising” weather this be by Radio, TV, News Paper or other print forms getting our name out there.
I recently saw a tweet on twitter that stated “People do not want to be marketed to, they want to be communicated with” that statement could not be any more correct. Think about your own situations where you see, say a TV advert yelling at you to buy a product or service. I tend to switch off and think, yeah right, like I’m going to by anything from you.
Listener Links
No links at this stage, If you have links you feel are going to be of interest to other Massage or Aromatherapy Practitioners please let me know.
Show links:
Acclaim Software – Creators of Cashbook Complete – Free 90 day Trial Available
Island Software Company – Developers of Massage Office
NZROHA 2010 Conference – New Zealand Register of Holistic Aromatherapists Conference 2010
AAMT 2010 Conference – Australian Association of Massage Therapists Conference 2010
Episode Sponsors: Please support our sponsors as without them we wouldn’t be able to bring you the show.
Massage.co.nz – Providers of Massage and Aromatherapy services and products in Palmerston North
