Hi Jess,
I was finding that I was having the same problem. Then I decided to do an 8 week program and everything has fallen into place. I book their 8 weeks ahead of time and they pay in full. This is an investment for them and they have no choice but to follow through. Unless they want to lose their money because I do not give refunds. I have them sign a contract so we are all on the same page. So, I hope this might help and give you some ideas. I understand your frustration.
Jonnata

Hi Jessica,

I, too, have experienced the same problem. Not only with weight loss clients but also a few who said they wanted to stop smoking. For that reason I do not focus all that much on clients who say they want to lose weight or stop smoking. I have considered making them sign a contract and prepay for the sessions as suggested in the other comment to your post here.

Wishing you all the best,

Cathrine

Hi Jess, this is a bit lengthy but well worth the read. Jonata has a part of it right... IMHO. Up until this past year when I decided to pull back in the office and only work 3 days per week with clients, due to all my other projects; speaking, internet work, product development, business consulting, writing, training, etc. I was doing over 2,000 sessions per year. I tell you this so you know I speak from a bit of experience. And just after my Dateline NBC appearances I was pulling sessions from 7 AM to 10 PM - 7 days per week... until I learned better and started changing everything. I learned to do more sessions in less time and deliver a better service. The key is not to avoid the type of client that doesn't follow through but to figure out why they're not. Clients are clients. It has to do with what's going on at the office, with you as the hypnotist, the approach / program, etc. Clients will love to come back if their experience is good and they like it there. My Basic program is a minimum of 3 sessions, 2 CDS included and instructions to self hypnosis. I do not do single session hypnosis, in my mind it's not the best service the client requires and it's a very poor business model. Over 95% of all my clients pre-pay over the phone - important to accept credit cards or a huge chunk of business is lost. They pre-pay as we give an incentive of 15% off my regular rate, which is $150 per session. A session is up to one hour, sometimes a bit less. And up front, in my handouts and explanation of the program(s), which is done by my office manager before I see the client, it is clear that they are paying for the time as well as the service. There is no refund, no guarantees for we cannot guarantee behavior. No doctor or mental health professonal guarantees anything but their time and service. So why don't most hypnotists understand that model? Peculiar to me that they don't. In this setup, (as Jonata pointed out) if the client doesn't come back, fine. You got paid. When I had my longer program of 12 sessions as an option there were times clients stopped coming but it was because they either; 1) Were doing very well and felt they got what they wanted and needed and were satisfied 2) Like many people, didn't follow the program, didn't get the results they could have, accepted it as such and chalked it up to yet another failed attempt on their part. And I believe the only failure that exists is doing nothing, other than that everything is a learning experience. I suggest looking at your program, office setting, service, etc and seeing where there could be improvement. Look at it from a client's perpsective. Also, poll the clients you have qwith a questionnaire and ask them what they like most and what they might like to see. "As we here at ABC Hypnosis are always striving to offer the best service for our clients, we'd like you to take a moment and tell us what you think as we value your input." Follow that with the questions that will get you the information you require and end with a simple thank you for their time and input. There is so much more and I share all of it in my How to Create Super Success With Weight Loss Clients at the NGH Convention on Monday August 13th - 1 day class. Actually, the techniques, strategies, business model and marketing I discuss is good for all clients. My best, Tom

Hi Jess,
I have been doing weight loss for about 2 years. I feel it is the hardest problem to solve. People have to eat.
I to have had clients making huge improvements and not come back also have had people make very small improvements and keep coming back...

I have a minimun of 4 sessions payed up front. noone minds doing that. I feel with weigh management more sessions are better. Many of my clients do the 4 and then pay per session as needed.

I have had one person who didn't come back after AR. I still got paid and I learned alot about runaways.