A Lack of Knowledge Can Make for an Expensive Education!

[massageblog]

“How Valuable Is your Knowledge & Reputation?â€

This has been an interesting week!* I am not perfect, none of us are.* I don’t expect perfection from anyone (other than myself of course).* I realize that people don’t know what they don’t know.* In order to keep my sanity this week,* I have to believe that as business owners we operate with only good, honest intentions.* This week has been a real struggle because I have encountered 3 situations where people were taken advantage of simply because of doing business with people who don’t know what they don’t know.* And now these 3 companies are having to invest in a new education for things they thought were right but very wrong for their business.
I am an entrepreneur, a fellow business owner like your self and I’m not against people making e a living however it is frustrating when I hear of businesses being taken advantage of because the owners do not perform a due diligence to review.*** When you are researching companies, especially those in social media services, website hosting, or marketing consulting ask for references or better yet, search online for reviews! * Especially when you are dealing in areas you are lacking knowledge.* I think it is a fair statement to say that most massage business owners are not marketers.* Would you agree?* So if you are investing time with a new marketing company, who you are not familiar, spend some time reviewing what others have to say about them.
We have some very talented and brilliant coaches for our massage industry.* However as with any industry, be aware of those who just don’t know what they don’t know. ** When you are looking for help especially in areas where you know you do NOT have the best working knowledge.* Before you end up paying for an expensive education feel good about asking some questions and spend 2-3 minutes reviewing them online.
It’s like going to a doctor and just because they have the certificate on the wall, that doesn’t make them the end all to everything.* Although many people feel that they can’t possibly ask a doctor any questions and just blindly follow what they say simply because they don’t have the education that a doctor has.* Don’t get me wrong, I have respect for people’s education and experience.* What I am suggesting is a slightly different mindset.* Respect the education, but be willing to ask questions or verify the expertise.
Any respectful business owner should be able to supply you with reasonable references.* Yes, when SRB Solutions started 2 years ago, we didn’t have the 50+ testimonials, reviews and referrals that we do now.* But we did have a reputation and trusting relationships and people who believed in what we had accomplished for other businesses that took a chance and gained!* And even if you are a brand new therapist, you start by building these relationships one at time. ** That is why starting a referral program, asking for testimonials and references, getting endorsements and taking the time to document case studies of clients is so valuable to long term business building.* Social media is one way to capture referrals, reviews, and endorsements from your clients but it isn’t the only way.
A lack of knowledge doesn’t have to mean an expensive education for you.* I’m thankful for my fellow WIBB bloggers and the massage publications that offer valuable articles every month so you can educate yourself on a variety of solutions for your massage business and tools on how to build your own practice.
Nothing in life is guaranteed however, as a business owner, you should be able to supply references, personal experiences, or testimonials of past/current clients/colleagues that provide credibility.* If you want or need help setting up a reputation management, referral program or need to know how to find reviews, or even worse perhaps you have some reviews that you want to improve, SRB Solutions can help you.* Email Stephanie, at [email protected]* and put Help My Reputation in the subject line, we can get started today!