tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 2008-07-10T09:25:32-07:00 Maximizing productivity and office management. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14165 2010-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

If you are anything like me, you have a to-do list of projects you are never quite able to finish -- or even start. Perhaps some of these items have been on your list for years, but a lack of time or other circumstance prevents you from moving on them. This article will review the SMARTER way to organize and complete those items on your to-do list.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB If you are anything like me, you have a to-do list of projects you are never quite able to finish -- or even start. Perhaps some of these items have been on your list for years, but a lack of time or other circumstance prevents you from moving on them. This article will review the SMARTER way to organize and complete those items on your to-do list. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14167 2010-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

Office-based space and travel businesses each have pros and cons. As a massage therapist, it is common to have more than one job or work at more than one location. I know many therapists who choose to have office space, work for someone else part time and do some outcalls as well. Here is the good news: there is no right answer.

By Jenn Sommermann, LCMT Office-based space and travel businesses each have pros and cons. As a massage therapist, it is common to have more than one job or work at more than one location. I know many therapists who choose to have office space, work for someone else part time and do some outcalls as well. Here is the good news: there is no right answer. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14169 2010-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

In this article, I challenge some commonly held beliefs massage practitioners might have about the difficulty of earning a living in their chosen profession. Moreover, I challenge the sacred cow working model of the one hour massage, and present 12 profitable, complementary models for generating income in a massage therapy practice, many of which require little or no hands-on effort. Before I go into these 12 opportunities, I need to provide some context so these opportunities become more relevant.

By Don Dillon, RMT In this article, I challenge some commonly held beliefs massage practitioners might have about the difficulty of earning a living in their chosen profession. Moreover, I challenge the sacred cow working model of the one hour massage, and present 12 profitable, complementary models for generating income in a massage therapy practice, many of which require little or no hands-on effort. Before I go into these 12 opportunities, I need to provide some context so these opportunities become more relevant. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14154 2010-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

In this season of celebration, a new year begins. To keep the celebration going and improve our overall health and increase our energy, good nutritional choices and a commitment to a more active lifestyle are key. It's all about choices, after all. Last month, we talked about self-care resolutions. Now we get to put them into action. It's easy and fun to do.

By Teresa M. Matthews, LMT, CPT In this season of celebration, a new year begins. To keep the celebration going and improve our overall health and increase our energy, good nutritional choices and a commitment to a more active lifestyle are key. It's all about choices, after all. Last month, we talked about self-care resolutions. Now we get to put them into action. It's easy and fun to do. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14155 2010-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

The use of social media tools is exploding in our profession. One of the interesting by-products of our online connectivity is the continued blurring of the lines between professional and personal identities. Discovering and growing your personal brand online and off is more important today than ever for your successful practice. By putting thought and intention into defining your personal brand sooner than later, you will not only reap many benefits, but also perhaps prevent a faux pas along the way that may stay around in the ether for a long time! If you are online at all, there is no hiding anymore and transparency and authenticity are keys to thriving in our digital world. In this article, I hope to inspire you to draw your lines, and then maybe color outside of them a bit.

By Lisa Curran Parenteau, LMT, NCTMB The use of social media tools is exploding in our profession. One of the interesting by-products of our online connectivity is the continued blurring of the lines between professional and personal identities. Discovering and growing your personal brand online and off is more important today than ever for your successful practice. By putting thought and intention into defining your personal brand sooner than later, you will not only reap many benefits, but also perhaps prevent a faux pas along the way that may stay around in the ether for a long time! If you are online at all, there is no hiding anymore and transparency and authenticity are keys to thriving in our digital world. In this article, I hope to inspire you to draw your lines, and then maybe color outside of them a bit. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14136 2009-12-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-12-01T12:00:07-07:00

It's hard to believe that the season for gift giving is upon us once again, and if your year has been anything like mine, you've weathered a ride on an economic roller coaster that would give Mr. Toad a run for his money. Fortunately, many economists predict brighter times in the near future; however, it's likely that you may be reeling from the recent ups and downs, and gift giving may be the last thing on your mind. At the same time, your loved ones may be wondering how to best choose a gift for you that fits within their budget.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB It's hard to believe that the season for gift giving is upon us once again, and if your year has been anything like mine, you've weathered a ride on an economic roller coaster that would give Mr. Toad a run for his money. Fortunately, many economists predict brighter times in the near future; however, it's likely that you may be reeling from the recent ups and downs, and gift giving may be the last thing on your mind. At the same time, your loved ones may be wondering how to best choose a gift for you that fits within their budget. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14140 2009-12-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-12-01T12:00:07-07:00

The end of each year brings about a feeling of excitement and change. Our fiscal year ends with the requirement of accounting for ourselves financially, and the idea of a New Year's resolution will ask that we take action on something we have been neglecting. To sum up the essence of this time is to ask ourselves "What did I do" and "What am I going to do?" If you plan to be successful, then honestly answering these questions is critical to your success. There are many ways to ask these same questions. They are in all forms of evaluations and goals. However, this year I'd like to offer some alternate questions to accelerate your personal and professional development, if you are agreeable. These questions will guide you all year long if you will follow through. It's a simple system. Your experiences have either made you feel good or they didn't. If they made you feel good, repeat them. If they didn't, change something.

By Rita Woods, LMT The end of each year brings about a feeling of excitement and change. Our fiscal year ends with the requirement of accounting for ourselves financially, and the idea of a New Year's resolution will ask that we take action on something we have been neglecting. To sum up the essence of this time is to ask ourselves "What did I do" and "What am I going to do?" If you plan to be successful, then honestly answering these questions is critical to your success. There are many ways to ask these same questions. They are in all forms of evaluations and goals. However, this year I'd like to offer some alternate questions to accelerate your personal and professional development, if you are agreeable. These questions will guide you all year long if you will follow through. It's a simple system. Your experiences have either made you feel good or they didn't. If they made you feel good, repeat them. If they didn't, change something. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14118 2009-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

"What supplies should I take with me?" I've been asked this question a lot over the years by massage therapists anticipating work in eldercare or hospice settings. This situation is far different from having an office space with all your supplies conveniently available. Anyone who has ever offered massage at an offsite location can attest to this while lugging bags of supplies, not to mention a massage table, to the site. While you won't need to lug a massage table around when working with people in nursing homes or in hospice care, you will need certain essential items to make it a success. So just what should you take?

By Ann Catlin, LMT, NCTMB, OTR "What supplies should I take with me?" I've been asked this question a lot over the years by massage therapists anticipating work in eldercare or hospice settings. This situation is far different from having an office space with all your supplies conveniently available. Anyone who has ever offered massage at an offsite location can attest to this while lugging bags of supplies, not to mention a massage table, to the site. While you won't need to lug a massage table around when working with people in nursing homes or in hospice care, you will need certain essential items to make it a success. So just what should you take? tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14121 2009-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

Many massage therapists are frustrated by how the current economic situation has affected their practice. They are having difficulty making ends meet while trying to find or maintain continuous employment. While most massage therapists love their chosen profession, many doubt their ability to sustain themselves financially in the field over the long term.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB Many massage therapists are frustrated by how the current economic situation has affected their practice. They are having difficulty making ends meet while trying to find or maintain continuous employment. While most massage therapists love their chosen profession, many doubt their ability to sustain themselves financially in the field over the long term. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14123 2009-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

Promoting your business does not need to be a huge task weighed down with labor and expense. Often, all you need is a groundswell of ideas, and then follow with a little effort. Before you know what hit, you could in the enviable position of having a plethora of customers and needing to clone yourself to keep up with demand.

By Angie Patrick Promoting your business does not need to be a huge task weighed down with labor and expense. Often, all you need is a groundswell of ideas, and then follow with a little effort. Before you know what hit, you could in the enviable position of having a plethora of customers and needing to clone yourself to keep up with demand. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14127 2009-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

The 2009 American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) national convention held September 23-26 in Orlando welcomed more than 1,800 attendees and nearly 100 vendors, making it the largest annual AMTA convention ever.

By Editorial Staff The 2009 American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) national convention held September 23-26 in Orlando welcomed more than 1,800 attendees and nearly 100 vendors, making it the largest annual AMTA convention ever. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14096 2009-10-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-10-01T12:00:07-07:00

Perfect customers - who are they; how do we find them; and why are we looking for them? In my last article, we looked at an "elevator speech" formula, the third step of which was describing some characteristics of your perfect customer. In this article, I hope to help you discover your perfect customer and expand your tribe.

By Lisa Curran Parenteau, LMT, NCTMB Perfect customers - who are they; how do we find them; and why are we looking for them? In my last article, we looked at an "elevator speech" formula, the third step of which was describing some characteristics of your perfect customer. In this article, I hope to help you discover your perfect customer and expand your tribe. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14097 2009-10-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-10-01T12:00:07-07:00

One of the first things that a journalist learns is to ask and get answers for the five key questions: who, what, when, where and how. In a previous article, you learned what to say in an ad. In another one, you learned how to say what you want to say. In this one, you’ll learn where to say what you want to say.

By Cary Bayer One of the first things that a journalist learns is to ask and get answers for the five key questions: who, what, when, where and how. In a previous article, you learned what to say in an ad. In another one, you learned how to say what you want to say. In this one, you’ll learn where to say what you want to say. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14103 2009-10-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-10-01T12:00:07-07:00

Most patients and massage therapists are not aware of the fact that "massage therapy" and/or "manual therapy techniques/myofascial release" is a covered service by most insurers, including Medicare and self-insured employer plans which fall under the Federal guidelines of ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act).

By Vivian Madison-Mahoney, LMT Most patients and massage therapists are not aware of the fact that "massage therapy" and/or "manual therapy techniques/myofascial release" is a covered service by most insurers, including Medicare and self-insured employer plans which fall under the Federal guidelines of ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act).