Know-How Exchange : Advertising/PR

Assume people know nothing about Reiki. Who have you helped? How? How effectively? Why? These are basic questions that every prospect will care about. If you don't have your basic introduction simplified and targeted, you're likely to lose people from the get-go.

From the people that have most benefited, can you tap into their community? For example, let's say you've helped a few martial artists heal their sprains quickly. Go to their dojo and offer a free self-help talk there (show them how to avoid injuries, and mention how you can help if it's too late).

Reaching out to people with your offering is best done face-to-face. They need to trust that your skills can help their bodies. Build the trust. Understand their needs. Be able to concretely compare/contrast your offerings with your competition (not just other Reiki practitioners).

If you really have no budget, you don't have much choice, do you? Follow Jay's advice and develop an educational talk (and hand-out materials) about Reiki. Educate the world.

If you do that well, a few folks will probably give it a try, and you'll be the logical starting point for them. Then they'll tell a few friends, and you'll begin to get some traction.

Are there any retailers/compounding pharmacies/apothecaries in your neighborhood that sell herbal and natural healing remedies? You can make a brochure with a tear-out coupon, and leave some (and/or business cards) at those establishments if they'll allow it.

Any places near you that are like the Boston Center for Adult Education, that offer a variety of classes? Can you sign up to teach a class? You can get paid and get clients/referrals from it.

Any over 55 Active Adult Communities in your area? You could give a talk, hold a Yoga class, and pass out brochures there, as well.

hth

Check into working with local hospitals, retirement communities, nursing homes, etc. Local hosptials here (Hartford, CT) contract with Reiki professionals for either providing Reiki-relief to patients and/or for part of their community training sessions (usually evening) for the general public.

jag
MarketBase

In this economy I am finding that coupon clipping in huge! If can put a coupon on an informational flyer that you are already planning on doing, that would entice people more to come in. What about a referral program. Tell a friend and if they come in and use your name you get a certain percent off of your next session. This would not only help create word of mouth, this will get your current customers to come back. It is always cheaper to keep an existing customer than to attempt to earn a new one. Really focus on your current customers and making sure they are happy. Negative comments travel fast through word of mouth than a positive one would.