Over the years, I have observed that many massage therapists list their contact phone number with the spa that they work at. Unless you own the spa or are a partner I would not recommend this method of contacting you. Many people use their cell phone or home phone for professional reasons, it is not uncommon nor do you have to have an expensive answering service. I imagine that therapists give the spa number as their point of contact to sound more professional. I can appreciate that and love when therapists are professional. I think there are better ways to create professionalism and or boundaries for your practice. I am not a fan of utilizing a spa number, whether you are an independent contractor or an employee.
When a therapist lists the spa they work in as their contact number, all potential work opportunities must filter their inquiries thru the spa. Who is the person answering the phone at the spa? You guessed it, a receptionist. What is one of the primary duties of the receptionist? That’s right screen all incoming calls. The receptionist then does his/her job by acting in a gatekeeper capacity, and only being receptive to calls regarding opportunities for the spa. So by providing the spa’s number a therapist in effect is getting exactly the opposite of their desired result, which is to be apprised of potential income opportunities. If you are looking for potential income opportunities, or better yet mutually beneficial business relationships, it is always best to list your cell phone number and e-mail. Let the person who has the opportunity contact you in the way they are most comfortable. Once you have a chance to hear or know about the opportunity being presented to you can you make a decision about whether or not the opportunity makes sense for you to pursue. At that point you can let the person know the best way to reach you if you want to take the opportunity or find out more. Some of you may be thinking, I don’t want someone I don’t know calling my cell phone, or sending me junk e-mail. I like when the receptionist screens my calls. The problem is that you may not be aware of how much they are screening your calls if they are not working for you as compared to the spa owner. I don’t think the receptionist is trying to deceive the therapists. I think most of them are just trying to do what they think is their job. Take care of people looking to utilize the spa’s services.
There are ways around this. You can have a different phone number that has a different ring forward to your phone. Give one number to your friends and family and the other for your business. Then you know which way to answer your phone when you do get a call. If someone is repeatedly calling you with whom you do not want business from then don’t take that call. If you don’t want certain types of emails, unsubscribe, just click delete and move on. In the mean time you are open and available for when real opportunities come your way. You are putting yourself back in the driver’s seat to decide which way you want to go with your own career. After all besides being fortunate to have a career where you are making people feel good wasn’t one of the greatest points of becoming a therapist about your own personal freedom? Take your freedom back for you to decide what options are best for you and the advancement of your career.
What are some ways that you create professionalism when people contact you?
How do you allow people to connect with you?
Why do you choose this way?
