BUSINESS
Remote services
MAKING REMOTE SERVICES WORK FOR YOU
I
Holistic therapy is one of the most hands-on of professions, but now’s the time to think about how best to deliver services remotely…
T’S tempting to behave as if COVID-19 has just disappeared from the face of the earth and that this pandemic is a thing of the past. The current variant is mild, but there’s nothing to suggest that future mutations will remain so. Nor is this likely to be the last pandemic we witness, so it makes good sense to plan ahead so we can design and deliver some of our services remotely. There are three main reasons for doing so. The first is that it allows us to keep in touch with existing clients in the event of not being able to offer in-person services. The second is that working remotely offers a secure revenue stream in adverse circumstances. The third is the additional flexibility and opportunities that hybrid working offers. Many holistic therapists find it brings in a wider clientele, suits their lifestyle and offers a more balanced approach. Obviously, not all the benefits of every modalities can be delivered online and touch
32
HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2022
deprivation is a very real problem that technology can do little to ameliorate. Yet, with a little creativity, certainly, the mind and spiritual benefits of holistic therapy can be delivered at a distance, as can some aspects of physical treatment. Hybrid working can be particularly useful for those who practice talking therapies, or those which are less well known, as a much wider audience can be reached. This is not only true in the geographic sense, in that you can attract clients from across the globe, but it also means you could reach people who don’t feel able to come to your practice room. Many of your clients who previously worked in offices will still be working from home. Indications are that people are now choosing to switch jobs in favour of remote working, rather than returning to the corporate environment. This also offers more opportunity for remote working for holistic therapists as more flexible working hours means that people are now available
during the day when they may not have been previously. This is likely to fuel a rise in the remote delivery of online holistic therapy.
Hybrid working can be particularly useful for those who practice talking therapies Remember that working remotely is something you will have to actively market, both to existing and potential clients. You can’t just sit back and wait for the universe to send you some customers. Blogging, social media posts, YouTube videos and above all, online ad campaigns can all support your marketing efforts when shifting to remote service delivery.
holistictherapistmagazine.com