The Career Astrologer 3 2014 | Page 10

Enhancing Your Astrology Practice

Column by Moon Zlotnick

Welcome to my ongoing column on the ins and outs of being a practicing professional astrologer . I ’ ve been reading charts and teaching classes for 40 years . Through the years my practice has changed , and I ’ ve gleaned valuable insights about many aspects of improving the practical side of being a professional astrologer . I can ’ t wait to share my thoughts with you and I ’ m happy to answer your questions .

Today , I want to write about a few ideas relating to building your practice , but first , let me tell you a bit about myself . In college I became friends with a woman who was an astrologer . As I listened to her talk about charts I felt compelled to learn more . I went to the public library where I found the A-Z Horoscope Delineator and began teaching myself astrology . Four years later , after formally training with Zipporah Dobyns , I started charging to read horoscopes .

Currently I rent a sunny one room office in a quiet building about one mile from my home in St . Paul , Minnesota . There ’ s a shared waiting room with chairs and magazines and I hold classes in the conference room down the hall . I ’ ve always had an office because I need the separation between work and family . It adds about $ 500 a month to my overhead , but for me , the quiet space devoted to work makes it worthwhile . I also like that the building is full of lawyers and psychotherapists ; it gives me a sense of being part of a larger service-oriented community .

There is no one right way to build an astrological practice . Some of us work strictly by personal referral ; others are more public and attract customers through websites , Facebook accounts and lectures . When I first started doing readings in 1975 , I would read for anyone , because I needed the money and I didn ’ t realize that I could say no to someone or make a referral . For the most part

I was fortunate and didn ’ t experience much negative feedback , although there were people who saw me once and never returned . That got me thinking about how I might better serve my client base .

Until 2005 I ran advertising in the Edge , Lavender Magazine , The Women ’ s ’ Press and I wrote Sun Sign columns in a couple of local “ New Age ” newsletters and magazines . This attracted new customers but some of them were interested in talking to their spiritual guides , or getting past life regressions , none of which fall within my area of expertise . Other people would contact me and after a conversation I would recognize that they needed legal counsel , longterm therapy , or medical advice . As practicing astrologers when we make referrals to other well-established professionals , this can benefit our work . People feel that we are trustworthy , and , if they have a good experience that will reflect back on us . I ’ ve found great value in keeping a file of other astrologers with specific areas of expertise , along with professionals in the self-help and healing fields , and giving out their cards or phone numbers .

I begin each new client relationship , whether by phone or email , with a prompt reply and then a conversation about what the person hopes to accomplish during our time together . I try to return calls and emails within two days , and set up an appointment time within two to three weeks of the call . People can become very anxious about their first meeting with an astrologer so getting back to them in a timely fashion shows your concern and professionalism . When I travel both my voicemail and email is set to notify people that I ’ m away and inform them of the date I return . Beginning a new client relationship also includes showing up for the appointment on time , keeping the consulting space clean and fresh , and making sure there are no interruptions during the session . I make a digital recording of each session , which I then email to the client within the next 24 hours . This gives them a way to review what was said .

Once you ’ ve determined that an astrology reading will benefit the person , I recommend you start your interview or find a convenient time to speak . Each interview is a bit different , but I begin by asking two things : What motivated them to reach out to an astrologer , and how did they find me ? Once I know their motivation ( I was curious , my therapist suggested it , I ’ ve wanted to get a reading since forever ) I ask them to describe what they would like to accomplish in our session . This helps me define the type of service fits best with their questions .

I break my work with people into distinct categories : Natal work and Forecasting . For people who are interested in self-discovery I recommend Natal Chart readings . If they are doing depth work in therapy or looking for more intensive self-discovery I offer “ packages ” of three to five sessions on the Natal Chart .

Some people will have very specific issues like timing for a job change , how to deal with problems in a relationship , thinking about retirement , starting a business , while some prefer to look at the bigger picture . In the Forecasting area of my work I offer Yearly Forecasts along with Three year and Five year views . By listening carefully I can determine which type of reading will suit each client , and how to best prepare for the session .

There will always be people who don ’ t know why they are coming , or what they hope to accomplish even after our conversation and looking at my website . In that case I always start with a Natal Chart and delineating the basics of their horoscope .

At the start of each session I always ask the client to review what they hope to achieve during our time together . I write down what they say , using their language , and during the consultation refer to their list . I incorporate what the planetary aspects are telling me , while staying close to the client ’ s goals for session . At the end , I check with them to see if any they have any new questions and to make sure I covered everything .

After the session I give them a two-week period to contact me by email with one or two quick questions for no extra charge . There are times that we can ’ t address all the issues a client brings to the session , or the email questions are too involved . I ’ ve learned that recommending a follow-up session , at a slightly reduced fee , is a good way to resolve this .

Using the resources of other professionals , screening clients to make sure you are a good fit , staying focused on what they came to discuss and follow-up are just a few ways you can build goodwill with your already existing clients .

I hope this gives you some new ideas for enhancing your practice , and please feel free to let me know if you have any questions or subjects you ’ d like me discuss . You can reach me at moon @ opaastrology . com . R

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The Career

Astrologer OPA ’ s Newsletter for Professional Astrology 2014 page 10