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Hi Karen, as a mum with a 4 month old and a 19 month old who is also starting a business I just wanted to wish you all the best. My top tip is to find some other business mums for support - it's tough working on your own and tougher still if you're also looking after young children.

I would also stay clear. Like Myarka said they are only making money from the therapists. Someone said massage for celebs at concerts but I knew a guy who was full time for people such as RHCP, Sheryl Crow and such like and they tend to have them full time, on call. Unless it is for not so well established celebs . Although I don't agree with commission for room rental on a permanent basis this is one case where I would say commission...

I agree with Claire that a fan page is good and I have one for my business. You can put an invite on your webpage for people to join. You must make it worthwhile by giving good information, healing or inspiration. There is a good video I watched yesterday explaining Facebook - see http://www.bestwealthcreationtools.com/ Blessings Jill Miller

Cheeky - yes! Also: a) As already mentioned, how much value will they actually put on a treatment that's provided for free? b) The kind of client who looks for someone base on cheap or free treatments is the kind of client who will take the best deal rather than the best therapist the next time they book. c) I'll bet the only referrals from a booking like this end up being.... more free bookings like this. As hypnotherapy isn't...

I also never charge for the consulation time. As jabba does, i do a thorough consultation on their visit and then check in with them each time i see them. It does make things a bit longer, but i think its all part of the customer service and encourages clients to come back. I have seen places that do charge for doing the consultation time and have to say, that usually puts me off visiting them.

I have a reduced price for first visits to take into account the consultation time. I don't think it's practical to not include the consultation time when doing back to back appointments. However, a good reception will have many of the details prepared up front to minimise the consultation time. Subsequents visits only have a short consultation, so then it's not an issue. If you're doing remedial massage or similar, then...

I agree with eveything you've all said. When I first started I would give free taster sessions at events but never got any clients as a result. I do some voluntary work for a cancer charity which I am more than happy to do but apart from that I don't work for free. I have realised that people don't appreciate therapy treatments when they are given for free. The wording of the ad made it sound like they were doing the therapist a...

Hello all, Some of you may remember that I was having my garage converted to a therapy room. Well finally after a a months or so of delays due to constant rain in Northern Ireland and a few damp course and garden drainage issues we finally have a lovely space. A music studio for hubby and a therapy room for me. Yet to be decorated... Our was confident that we did not need building control or planning permission as it was a detached garage....

Ive seen a few places where the total time of the appointment is 30 mins but the treatment is only 20 mins of that. But its not clear from the examples Ive seen whether or not they are charging for the consulation and treatment time or just the treatment time. Does anyone charge for the consultation time prior to treatmemt?

Personally, I don't charge for consult time. When people are attending for the first time, I take a thorough med history, which can add 30 minutes (or more if they are complex) onto a treatment session. I just charge the session rate. Also, if, when they get to me, I am concerned about their state of health, I often send them back to their GP and don't charge a thing (in the knowledge that 99.9% of the time they are back within a...