How to Start a Reiki Therapy Business - Networking and Communication

No business can survive without communication. But in a people-oriented business like Reiki it's especially important to keep in touch with others - and not just your clients, either. Here are a few networking tips for anyone who's trying to develop a Reiki practice.

The best way to market
Word of mouth may be the best way to promote any business. That's why it's important that you get to know, and keep in touch with, as many people as possible who could help you with your business. Basically, these individuals will fall into three groups - potential clients, current clients, and colleagues (other practitioners).

Getting to know potential clients
Join local business and social groups (like the chamber of commerce) to get the word out about your Reiki practice. If your local area isn't that open to alternative therapies you may have to do some explaining, so have brochures handy and develop a short "speech" (no longer than a minute) that you can memorize and recite to people whenever they ask. As they get to know you and receive some treatments they'll be able to do their own "word of mouth" marketing for you.

"Nurturing" current clients
Keep in touch with your clients with "reminder" phone calls, postcards, or email messages, and maybe even a newsletter. You should be collecting basic information, like addresses, when they come in for treatments, so it shouldn't be hard to contact them. It can take a little more of your time, but it's worth it in the long run. Keeping current clients is usually a lot easier than getting new ones - especially once they see how much good Reiki can do.

Getting to know other practitioners
Make a point to join local groups of Reiki practitioners (if there are any). When you keep in touch with your colleagues you can exchange ideas on everything from how to handle business issues to how to deal with difficult people. You can also get - and give - referrals this way (for example, if you meet someone who'd like Reiki but can't commute to where you are). And you may end up in partnerships - for example, taking Reiki to large groups of people that would be too much for one practitioner to handle, or sharing office space. Finally, you can participate in Reiki "shares," where groups of practitioners get together to do treatments on each other. Remember - you expect to be treating a lot of people, so you need to take of yourself too.

If there aren't any other practitioners in your area, at least stay in touch over the internet. It's much easier to run your Reiki practice if you know there are others out there dealing with the same issues as you are.

Final thoughts
Marketing is easier for some people than it is for others. If you're more of an introvert you may find it difficult to get out and meet new people to promote your business. But it's important that you do this, because a Reiki practice is extremely people-oriented; without people to receive your treatments you have no business.

Don't overwhelm your own energy, though. Just try making at least a small effort every day to talk to someone about the benefits of Reiki. Once you start doing treatments you'll find that this gets easier, mainly because Reiki energy has a way of connecting people. And once those connections get established it's a lot easier to keep them going - and develop your Reiki practice into what could be the most fulfilling - and profitable - "job" you've ever had.