Oh woe is me rant about my non-existent small business

[TheChestnutThing]

For the last 3 years I’ve been trying and failing to grown my small business as an equine and canine sports massage and myotherapist and a human sports and deep tissue massage therapist.

Literally 3 years. I’ve tried everything from freebies (they come back for more but never pay so they don’t come back when I say no more for free), to sponsorship (have barely anyone apply and those that do are teenagers again after a freebie), BOGOF, discounts, give aways etc etc.
I have horse and rider packages (take my massage bed and do horse and rider at the yard on the same day, show them that they directly affect horse and vice versa).
I have yard visit prices.
I get asked why my horses and dogs are always in top condition and never muscularly sore…so I tell them.
I have ‘friends’ that are all oh my shoulder hurts here or my leg there, so I help, they get better and not even a bottle of wine is given.

So I have decided to close doors and stop trying.

I wanted to keep on going but I just don’t have the mental strength to cope with continuous what I see as rejection and a day job that I hate (reason for starting this business).

Really just an oh woe is me rant.

But ideas are welcome…

 

[Red-1]

I guess I would do nothing for free!

In my area, someone to treat humans and horses would be sought after.

Have you advertised on all the local groups on FB? With case studies on the people you have already treated?

 

[Landcruiser]

Sounds to me like you've been underselling yourself. Why would you give freebies? Know your worth, and make sure your clients know your worth and pay you!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I think your mistake was working for free tbh. Could you offer a cut-price package of some kind, 6 treatments for the price of 5, for example?

 

[maya2008]

When I started out (different business but also service based and building from scratch), I offered a lower price, but nothing for free. The lower price was offered with the request that if they thought I'd done a good job, they recommend me to anyone they might know who would need the same service. If I'd had a Facebook page or whatever I'd have probably asked for a review also. Those initial 'friends of friends' networked for me, and the new clients paid slightly more, then the next set slightly more until I was up to market price. Even now, I have sections of clients that I can all trace back to recommendations from those original people!

 

[AmyMay]

Never give anything for free. We never do (well there’s a very few exceptions). Our client base is solid and they pay us a lot of money (different business from you though).

 

[poiuytrewq]

You could also try a package aimed at horses and riders as a partnership. I know with my horse sometimes my horses back person will comment on something and it’s a me problem too.
Id like someone specifically who knew horses, knew riding and could do us both.

 

[JBM]

I would also love the above

 

[Jambarissa]

Fair chance you're targeting the wrong people. It's not a gimmicky service so no one should need to try it to see if it works. The freebies are likely to be getting in the people who wont/can't pay for ongoing visits.

Go to local affiliated shows and leaflet or hand out business cards.

As for the friends who don't show appreciation, it's always the same with a service. The thinking goes 'it only took you 20 mins, you wouldn't charge a friend for 20 mins of your time if they'd asked you to help move a couch'. They don't value the many years training required to do what you do in that 20 mins.

 

[poiuytrewq]

You could also maybe do a special for multiples at same yards perhaps?

 

[TheChestnutThing]

I guess I would do nothing for free!

In my area, someone to treat humans and horses would be sought after.

Have you advertised on all the local groups on FB? With case studies on the people you have already treated?

Yes I have. And am “sponsoring” a friend who shares all her mares (x2) treatments on insta and FB.

 

[TheChestnutThing]

You could also maybe do a special for multiples at same yards perhaps?

This is also offered in my array.

 

[TheChestnutThing]

I think your mistake was working for free tbh. Could you offer a cut-price package of some kind, 6 treatments for the price of 5, for example?

Have tried the buy one get one free approach. The yard owner organises and gets two of her own horses for free approach.

 

[94lunagem]

Are you priced right in your market/area? As odd as it sounds, if you are too cheap or doing too much in terms of give aways, you would give me the impression you aren’t very good.

Could you try some treatment swaps with others doing similar things in your area? Then if they are full they are more likely to recommend you if they have been to you themselves and can personally recommend.

 

[TheChestnutThing]

You could also try a package aimed at horses and riders as a partnership. I know with my horse sometimes my horses back person will comment on something and it’s a me problem too.
Id like someone specifically who knew horses, knew riding and could do us both.

I have these aswell. And advertise them.

I did go to a local show venue and ask if I could leaflet/give out discounts for prizes and was told that I had to pay to do this as they had other sponsors at all shows already.

 

[HappyHorses:)]

Do you mind saying what area you are in? Sorry it’s been such a tough start for you.

 

[TheChestnutThing]

Do you mind saying what area you are in? Sorry it’s been such a tough start for you.

I’m in Essex. And thank you. I appreciate your kind words.

 

[SEL]

I had to write an advertising plan to pass my EMT diploma so took a long hard look at the successful therapists in the area. Here's what I liked about them

- educated social media presence. Short blogs on a pertinent topic which were well researched and showed the therapist was up to date
- YouTube videos showing stretches, techniques (again showing quality of therapist)
- snappy business name
- clear website with qualifications and pricing obvious
- case studies

I also worked out that I'd have zero chance of paying my bills setting up around here because there is too much competition!

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Book me in ! We’re are you based this would be a lovley gift for my friends too I was so stuck what to get them! X

 

[AutumnDays]

Oh I wish you were near me, me, my other half, the dog and the field gnomes would love someone who could sort all of us out! How about a loyalty card type thing? Get a stamp per treatment and after so many collected, get a free one? Social media presence seems to be a big thing, lots of pictures of chilled out horses/case studies, hints and tips without revealing your secrets?

 

[ycbm]

Is the market for the services you are offering in your area simply oversupplied?
.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Just checking - you are suitably qualified and insured to offer those services?

 

[Surbie]

Oh I would love a horse and rider package! The people round my way that I know of only do horses.

 

[Rowreach]

Ditto the qualifications and insurance question above.

Also, are there any small business start up training and support schemes in your area? LAs often offer them free or cheap and they give you marketing, IT, SM training and guidance plus book keeping, business planning and so on. I've two friends who do what you do. One has moved from a busy location to a quieter one and is happy to have a bit of free time or to travel out of area on a regular basis to pick up previous clients all in one or two days. The other has found she has to go out of area for almost all her clients because nobody local to her either wants to use her or wants to have that sort of service from anyone. People can be a bit odd about using local services.

 

[TheChestnutThing]

Is the market for the services you are offering in your area simply oversupplied?
.

I think that is the problem and many of them are young straight out of university, don’t have bills to pay yet and offer less than I do price wise (£35 as opposed to £50).

 

[TheChestnutThing]

Just checking - you are suitably qualified and insured to offer those services?

Would not be doing this if I wasn’t…although once insurance runs out I won’t renew it as I don’t think this is viable for me tbh.

 

[SEL]

I think that is the problem and many of them are young straight out of university, don’t have bills to pay yet and offer less than I do price wise (£35 as opposed to £50).

I found that around here too.

 

[Rowreach]

So what’s your USP? You must have something to offer that these young things don’t?

 

[MereChristmas]

This is from a customer’s point of view
would linking with a saddlers, farriers, bridle fitters, riding clubs, local tack shops etc for demo’s and recommendations be an idea

 

[Upthecreek]

I think people are generally cutting back on the use of non-essential services. There are people on my yard who were happy to pay for anything and everything 2-3 years ago and I have seen this drastically reduce as keeping horses (and cost of living generally) has increased.