8.1 Introduction
This course is
extensive but not conclusive as aromatherapy is such a huge subject and the
more you learn, the more you'll need to know. There is so much more information
to comprehend in respect of the various oils, but, on a practical level, as you
start to increase your knowledge and confidence with mixing blends and taking
an intuitive approach to the essential oils, you'll realise just how complex
aromatherapy is. It will also become an important part of life, not just as a
career, but to improve your life personally.
This is a great time to start an
aromatherapy business and this section of the course provides you with some
tips for starting out. Although you are likely to be very keen to set up your
aromatherapy business, do make sure that you are fully confident with using a
basic set of oils and have started purchasing some high-quality grade oils,
understanding the benefits of each and, any contra-indications. This should not
be rushed as you are helping your future clients to improve their health and
well-being and to do this, you must be fully informed.
8.2 Aromatherapy products can
help
There is no doubt that
aromatherapy products can help. They effect people in every
aspect of life and are powerful for use in stress reduction, for skin care or
for any particular health condition. To be successful in this career, you must develop strong rapport with your clients and be able to discover as much as
possible about their health and well being as it currently is so that you can
choose the relevant oils. There is much to think of in respect of this. Firstly, you must consider their
health and which oils will benefit them.
You need to consider how to use i.e.
in a blend for massage, for bath oils or as an inhalant. Diffusers are very
popular for those who do not wish to inhale essential oils directly but prefer
a subtler effect. In addition, consider the base, middle and top notes and
which family of oils you are mixing.
You can start your aromatherapy
practice from your own home if you have a spare room, turning it into an office
or therapy room and begin to advertise. Do check out insurance requirements if
you are going this route. Many home aromatherapy businesses start off by
selling aromatherapy items on a commission basis, this way you are not actively
making the blends and so can learn what works. This will help you to build up a
regular clientele. In time, you will have a good idea of the type of blends
that sell and then can begin to make your own products to order or even have others selling your products.
8.3 Marketing
An important aspect of
any new business is the marketing of it. You need to consider who is likely to
be buying your products. If you are starting out initially
by selling other company's aromatherapy products, you'll get to know who is
buying from you. Generally, women tend to buy aromatherapy products more. The
age of customers will vary depending on their needs. As well as advertising in your
local area, you can market your products through your own website or look at
online forums for aromatherapy and see just what people are talking about.
This
works because the people there are already receptive to finding out more
information. Take your time to get to know the people using the forum and don't
try to oversell. Instead, provide a link to any of your aromatherapy products
i.e. your website in your signature. Once you start building up a connection
with people, they are likely to start browsing your website themselves without
any spamming.
It is very easy to set up an
aromatherapy website where you are selling products directly but this only
provides you with one income stream and so, it is also worthwhile visiting
shops in your local area and seeing whether they will be happy to sell some of
your products on a trial basis. If they sell, you share the percentage earned.
You can also put together a catalogue easily these days using a desktop
publishing program and mail this out to people either through the website or
using off-line marketing techniques.
8.4 Continue your journey of
learning
Learning Once you are qualified as
an aromatherapist, you can continue your journey of learning by adding onto
your skill set by learning other holistic therapies i.e. massage and can
utilize aromatherapy this way. This is also an excellent way to
continue selling your products because you will make the blends up yourself and
can sell directly to clients who will feel so relaxed after using your
products, it's almost a guaranteed sale. In addition to this, consider
putting together videos or creating a book – you are after all an expert in
your field.
There are numerous ways of making
your aromatherapy qualification work for you. If you're not quite ready to set
up your own therapy practice, do take time to meet other therapists in your
local area and see whether they wish to sell your products on a commission
base. This will enable you to have a variety of income streams and do a job
that you love. If you are worried about starting
out or going full-time immediately, try it on a part-time basis and build up the business slowly.
MODULE SUMMARY
This module gave you some tips on
how to set up your own business and the importance of advertising and marketing
to the right people. You now understand just how
complex aromatherapy can be, but it can also become an important part of your
life, both personally and professionally. Remember to be fully informed and
confident with using a basic set of oils first, and then build up from there.
You can then take your business further by learning other holistic therapies. Congratulations on completing the
course!
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