Working as a Reiki practitioner as your primary source of income is certainly a viable possibility. But, it does not happen only with good intentions and positive thoughts – although these are necessary components. It requires careful planning, effective marketing and community networking. A thorough understanding of what it takes to build a private practice – whether you are a marriage counselor, a massage therapist, or a Reiki practitioner – is essential. Just putting out a shingle does not work anymore.
The first question to ask yourself is if you are truly committed to developing a private practice business. Do you believe it is your life purpose? Are you committed to living the Reiki ideals? Are you willing to take a parttime job to provide some income while you build your business? Do you have the financial discipline to set aside money when you have a busy month, to help pay expenses during the slower months? Are you ready to do the constant work it takes to keep new referrals coming through your door?
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If your answer to each of these questions is “yes,” let’s look at ways to build a successful Reiki practice. What many Reiki practitioners have found is that it is difficult to build a practice by offering Reiki sessions only. Adding other modalities, such as aromatherapy, crystal healing, color therapy, or others will attract more clients. Become creative in how you can combine various modalities. Some of the other modalities, such as aromatherapy, lend themselves to selling essential oils and other products needed to practice the modality. Or, if you already offer other forms of holistic healing, educate your clients in how Reiki will make other methods more effective.
If you are not a Reiki Master already, consider becoming one. If you are trying to build a practice at the Reiki II level, remember potential clients may choose the person with the higher levels of training. As a Master, you can also offer Reiki trainings which can be a good source of income, as well as another positive way to bring Reiki into your local community.
Marketing your business can be challenging, and it requires constant attention. In today’s world, you need a presence on the Internet – a website and at least two other social media connections. Blog frequently on your own website, and be a guest writer on others. Investigate some of the Reiki organizations and place your business name on directories. Connect with other holistic therapy practitioners in your community and support each other.
Plan a few “events” every month. The type of event should match your personal talents and skills. If you are comfortable with public speaking, present a workshop in your practice space if possible, or at a local metaphysical store. If you enjoy one-to-one contact, be a vendor at a mind/ body/spirit festival. Or, offer Reiki share evenings where other practitioners can practice and the curious can receive free treatments, or give a small donation. If you love writing, write articles for local publications, e-magazines and other websites.
Community networking is another must. All private practitioners need a list of referral sources, when clients require other support. Develop your list of massage therapists, psychotherapists, acupuncturists, etc. by asking each practitioner if you can include his/her name on your list. It’s doubtful anyone will say no! If this is comfortable for you, ask if they would consider your business for client referrals, when appropriate.
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While building a business may seem daunting, remember it is always possible. Tune into your own spiritual guidance to determine if this is your Reiki path. If it is, use your spiritual guidance for every step along the way. You will be successful!
Is this your life purpose? What is your commitment?
Are you willing to put yourself out there? Giving presentations and workshops; meeting potential referral sources; social media contacts. MBS festivals – can make money and give out business information. Write articles in local media.
One of the biggest problems – and benefits – is that Reiki is so accessible, anyone can learn it. I often encourage my clients to consider learning Reiki themselves, for self-treatment. In Reiki trainings, I encourage attendees to find a Reiki friend and trade sessions. In effect, I am losing Reiki clients – but that is the true message of Reiki.
Find other ways to bring in income, that is related. Combining Reiki with aromatherapy, crystal healing, etc. may appeal to a larger audience.
Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master
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Deborah Lloyd is a Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master and certified holistic therapy practitioner, providing Distant Reiki sessions and training in Asheville, NC. Deborah is the author of two books, 22 Messages from the Archangels; and, Believe and it is True: A Story of Healing and Life Lessons. She is also one of the co-authors of Reiki 101: 101 Answers for Your Reiki Questions. Reach Deborah at deb@deblloydhealing.com and on Facebook at Deb Lloyd Healing.
Thank you Deborah! Enjoyed reading this article.
Especially liked the lines ” In Reiki trainings, I encourage attendees to find a Reiki friend and trade sessions. In effect, I am losing Reiki clients – but that is the true message of Reiki”. It’s so very true 🙂
Great article and so true! Thank you. I always thought it was funny that I am basically teaching others to not need my services… but that is the whole point of healing with Reiki! 🙂
I believe DL make real business sense as with any enterprise there must be commitment shored by realisim and knowledge of the market place.
Homeopathy and alternative medicine is big business.
Reiki as a treatment is well positioned to ride
the crest of the wave and move to the mainstream.
It is possible to make a living selling Reiki,a very good living,it’s no different from other products and services.
Learn to sell and market you will succeed Success is!!! “The Positive Outcome of a Worthy Ideal
Time to earn loads a money if you don’t want it give it all away to a worthy cause there are loads out there. Go!!
I’m sending gratitude to the three of you for taking the time to write supportive comments. All of us are in this together, and supporting each other in our practices is essential. Thank you!
Thanks Deborah for sharing this article. We have a growing Reiki community in a small city in Costa Rica. Your words have inspired me because I have the idea to create a new Reiki office in another area of the country which is very challenging since I am very comfortable participating in the stablished community; but It is time to expand as it is the purpose of Reiki. Thank you again and I hope soon I will be telling about this new center.
Mario, You make an excellent point – sometimes, we have to leave our comfort zone to bring Reiki to new corners of our world. Please let me know when you have established your new center – I believe it will be very successful!!
Yes I do believe we are raising the energy and awareness of Reiki and we belong with any other healing practitioners as serving the Highest good with our pure Intent to assist anyone who seeks support for their personal journey. Its a priviledge to offer Reiki and its humbling , yet we also can stand in our Profession its its fullness and Light as Servers who study and maintain a professional purpose and choose to earn our living with this commitment. I honor all of you for your service and all Reiki practitioner bot now and forthcoming as they work to keep the vibration of Love strong and radiant Light Love and Blessings Julie Reiki Master
Very timely as I have decided in the last 24 hours to market reiki! I love my FT hospice RN practice, and look forward with enthusiasm to also sharing reiki in a new healing center in Pullman, WA. Your article has fanned the flames! Thank you!
http://Www.whitneyprice.net
Iv been a rock hound all my life, creating jewelry with stones n crystals that heal, ive been tossing around Reiki in my mindfor some time now, your words inspired that next move, im going out today and getting a Reiki book to get started. Keep me posted on your classes here in Avl, ima comn! Lol Ty for your light, your torch lit mine.
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All of you have brought inspiration into my life today. Your enthusiasm is contagious. It seems all of you are being called to bring Reiki into your communities.
Whitney, I also work in hospice, as a social worker. So many opportunities for healing in this work – no matter what our professional role is.
Sending love and light to all of you and your work of healing.
I work in aged care and use Reiki every day, my only regret is I never got to finish my masters, so I only have Reiki 2. But recently I was capable of getting my mum to see her father as she was slipping away to heaven (I did this by using Reiki on her) at her request, she was desperate to leave this world
Hi Deborah, thank you for your inspirational words. As it happens I’m just about to start my Reiki practice from home, so your article spurred me on, as I’ve been procrastinating for some time. I’m also studying Holistic Counseling & Complementary Therapies, and I’m just about to start a Facebook page as a prelim to a website. Your message is a culmination of signs I’ve been getting which are telling me I’m more than ready to.begin my journey. I’m a member of Australian Reiki Connection, and we meet every 2 months, which is a great opportunity to meet other Reiki practioners, so there’s a great deal of support & encouragement, which has been a blessing. Love & light to all of those beautiful souls who are working to make this planet a more peaceful, loving place to be. Thanks again..xoxo
Thank you! I feel a calling to have Reiki become a major presence in my life. The information provided shows a path to make this happen…
How wonderful that three more people – Michelle, Deearne and Beth – have shared their journey with the rest of us! We are creating a community of support right here, on this beautiful Reiki website. I am happy to hear that each of you are on a path of bringing light, love and healing to the world.
Thank you for sharing your journey,
Deborah
Thank you for the information and help you are amazing and I’m trying to make it a business love my Reiki learning all the time ❤️❤️❤️????????
Marg,
Many blessings on your work,
Deborah
Thanks for this article. It was a definite eye opener gf or me. I have been practicing rekie for the past 21 years and did contemplate on starting my own rekie center but after I read the article I know where I was falling short. I am not very verbal and fear I will not be able to promote the center as I should. I need to rethink this whole thing . Thanks.
Thank you so much Mam for this wonderful article. Your article has answered all my questions and now I know that I have to upgrade myself everyday and learn new modalities so that I can continue with my services and earn as well. Thank you again!!
Thank you for this article…really helpful to way forward as Reiki Practicenor!!