SyndicationJan242012
Social Media and Professional Boundaries
An online presence can be used as an valuable promotional tool for your massage business. Websites allow potential clients to view information regarding your massage business conveniently at any hour of the day. You can inform and engage clients through a massage blog. Professional websites can resolve many questions about the professional nature of massage therapy, and also unique questions about your practice, including location, hours of operation, pricing, and what happens during a session. Clients can also book appointments 24 hours a day with online scheduling.
The internet allows you to share your business with the world, but it can also make the world a smaller place. Social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter, are becoming more common tools for connecting with others personally and professionally. Users of social networking sites is in the millions, and that number is increasing every day. You take into consideration the personal privacy you are potentially surrendering, and implications your profile could have on your business by using social networking. Could there be such a thing as being too closely connected with clients?
Facebook is a social networking website. A number of people are concerned about clients gaining access to the details of their personal life. Clients may also be uneasy with viewing specifics of your personal life. Thankfully, there are a couple simple techniques to utilize this impressive promotional tool while maintaining good social boundaries.
Instead of friending your clients, I suggest setting up a business fan page on Facebook. You can direct clients towards your business fan page to establish solid boundaries. From your business page, you can submit articles about massage, take bookings through FreshBook or FullSlate, and suggest for clients to come in to get gift certificates. You also can place clients, friends, and families in “lists”. This allows you to include or exclude certain list members from information or photos you share.
Like Facebook, Twitter allows users to read and share updates in real time. This information is shared by “tweets”. You can use Twitter to share links to articles about massage therapy, announce new services at your practice, or to alert clients about a last second open appointment.
Should you decide to use these services for business purposes, use them to your advantage, not your detriment. If you own a practice, your name and face is the brand of the business. Be cautious how you represent yourself!
The internet allows you to share your business with the world, but it can also make the world a smaller place. Social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter, are becoming more common tools for connecting with others personally and professionally. Users of social networking sites is in the millions, and that number is increasing every day. You take into consideration the personal privacy you are potentially surrendering, and implications your profile could have on your business by using social networking. Could there be such a thing as being too closely connected with clients?
Facebook is a social networking website. A number of people are concerned about clients gaining access to the details of their personal life. Clients may also be uneasy with viewing specifics of your personal life. Thankfully, there are a couple simple techniques to utilize this impressive promotional tool while maintaining good social boundaries.
Instead of friending your clients, I suggest setting up a business fan page on Facebook. You can direct clients towards your business fan page to establish solid boundaries. From your business page, you can submit articles about massage, take bookings through FreshBook or FullSlate, and suggest for clients to come in to get gift certificates. You also can place clients, friends, and families in “lists”. This allows you to include or exclude certain list members from information or photos you share.
Like Facebook, Twitter allows users to read and share updates in real time. This information is shared by “tweets”. You can use Twitter to share links to articles about massage therapy, announce new services at your practice, or to alert clients about a last second open appointment.
Should you decide to use these services for business purposes, use them to your advantage, not your detriment. If you own a practice, your name and face is the brand of the business. Be cautious how you represent yourself!