AMTA has been busy coming up with some great new affinity programs to help support your practice! We sat down to talk with Peter Brennan, program manager, product development and management, to learn about all the new products and services available to amta members!

Q: What are the new products members need to know about?

A: Intuit Small Business including QuickBooks, GoPayment and Payroll
TurboTax
Massage Office Professional V2
iContact

Q: For those who are not familiar, can you give us a quick description of each and how they can benefit a member’s business?

A:  Intuit Small Business – Quickbooks, GoPayment, Payroll
Intuit has a variety of software programs to help massage therapists run their business. QuickBooks is the top rated small business accounting software. GoPayment allows you to process credit cards on your mobile phone and payroll allows you to easily pay your employees anywhere anytime. Learn more here: www.amtamassage.org/intuit

Intuit has everything you need to start and run a successful business, with products that save you time as you grow.

TurboTax
Turbotax is the top rated tax software programs. Members are eligible for FREE One-on-One consultations to insure they get their best tax return guaranteed.  Learn more here: www.amtamassage.org/turbotax

Massage Office Professional V2
Massage Office Professional V2 is a client database software members can use to manage and grow their client list. Massage Office Professional V2 was created specifically for massage therapists by a massage therapist, so the features are intuitive and the program include tools such as SOAP notes, a scheduler and financial reporting. Learn more here: www.amtamassage.org/mop

iContact—Email and social media made easy
iContact allows AMTA members to easily create, send and track mass email communications to all their clients. It’s a great way for members to stay in touch and strengthen their relationship with their clients. There’s also social media integration that allows members to maximize their reach. Learn more here: www.amtamassage.org/icontact

Q: What are the important aspects to know about them individually?

A: Intuit Small Business
Members save 20% on QuickBooks Software Programs plus access to the free online edition.  Members can get free card reader from GoPayment. GoPayments credit card processing fees are only 2.7% per swipe. AMTA members save 20% on Payroll software.

TurboTax
There’s a free federal edition and members receive free One-on-One tax advice.

iContact
AMTA members can try a free 30-day trial. The free trial includes support of 500 clients and all the features of the paid iContact service including iContact’s award winning phone support. There’s also a free edition which supports up to 100 clients but with limited templates and support. This is a good choice for members new to email marketing.

Q: How easy are they to use?

A: Easy. We know members are busy, so when we decide to offer an affinity program, we strive to offer the most professional programs that are also intuitive to all users.

Q: Do all members have access to each of the products?

A: All members have access to each and every one of these products. Simply sign in to the AMTA website with your member id and go to the discounted products section of the website. A reminder to members, to receive your AMTA member discount, you must access these programs through the weblinks on our site, not directly from the vendor’s website.

Q: Does GoPayment offer the same customized support that Square does? What is the difference between the two products?

A: GoPayment does not offer customized support to AMTA members at this time. GoPayment’s card swipe rate is 2.7% compared to 2.75% for Square.

Q: Anything else members need to know?

A: In conclusion, I just want to say that we are excited to offer AMTA members these new products and services. By offering these programs, we hope we can assist members to better build, grow and manage their businesses so they have more time to do massages and do laundry!

Recently we sat down with Mentor of the Year Charlotte Phillips. Charlotte is a practicing LMT in Chicago and the receipient of our inaugural Mentor of the Year Award.  She specializes in working with people who are recovering from surgery or injury as well as pregnant women. Certified in Dr. Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage, she also uses myofascial release, breathing education and other techniques to address these populations.  Charlotte was nominated by mentee Nancy Paul who writes, “Charlotte Phillips has modeled professionalism in and dedication to our profession in many ways.  One of the ways is by being an excellent mentor!”

How long have you been practicing Massage Therapy?
Since June of 2005.

Why did you become a Massage Therapist?
In college I had a health scare that got me started thinking about health care. Everything about my experience seemed so fast and impersonal, I spent a lot of time trying to reconnect to myself physically and emotionally. By the time I finished college with a degree in Technical Theater, I knew I wanted to participate in helping people who were in health crises and be a personalizing part of the healing process. I looked into both massage schools and nutrition schools, but I wasn’t ready for another four years of school right after finishing my B.A. I decided to go to massage school first to get the anatomy and physiology background and then go on to nutrition, but instead I fell in love with massage.

When did you become an AMTA Member? Why was this important to you?
AMTA was recommended by a teacher at massage school, and I joined just after graduation. It is so important to me to be a member and a participant in my profession, and I value the liability insurance. Joining the AMTA made sense to begin my professional career.

Why did you sign up to participate in the mentoring program?
I realized that I have been so lucky to recruit mentors throughout my massage practice, people who have been patient with my many questions and unfailingly generous. I stayed in contact with many of my instructors at massage school and have gathered other mentors along the way from my advanced education and my experience on the exam committee for the FSMTB. I believe that there is something we can learn from everyone we meet if we choose to look at the interaction as a learning experience. I’m so grateful for the people I have met along the way! It seemed only fair to try to repay the experiences I have had by signing up to be available for other new therapists.

What have you learned most from participating in the amta mentoring program?
One of my favorite things about the massage profession is the variety of personalities, modalities, and benefits. I am realizing I can be much more helpful as a mentor as well as a therapist by honoring that variety with my communication and listening skills. I also appreciate that every time I meet with my mentee, I find myself clarifying my beliefs and goals about the massage profession.

What’s the most important piece of advice you think you can give MT’s starting out today?
Find a way to serve and honor each individual client while maintaining your boundaries. Focus on your responsibility to your clients’ safety and education, and communicate with them your passion for what you do. Keep learning, there’s an opportunity in every situation.

Sign up today to participate in AMTA’s Mentoring program! www.amtamassage.org/mentoring

Are you using Square yet?

Square is a FREE credit card reader that allows you to process credit card payments on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Android device. So far it’s been a huge hit with AMTA members! Over 1,500 AMTA members have started using square since May of this year. 

We sat down with Peter Brennan, AMTA’s Product Development Program Manager, to find out the latest updates and developments with this appealing little device.

• For those that haven’t used it yet, what is Square?
  Square is a credit card reader roughly the size of your thumbnail that plugs into the headphone jack of your phone. It allows you to process credit card payments on your iPhone, iPad, iPad Touch or Android device. Watch a one minute video on how to use Square here: https://www.amtamassage.org/membership/Benefits/detail/63

• How long has this benefit been around?
   We began promoting Square to our members in May of this year and already over 1,500 members are using it!
• What is the benefit to AMTA members?
   Since the card reader and app are FREE and there are no monthly fees, we were unable to negotiate a reduced transaction rate at this time. However, we did negotiate customized email support for AMTA members. Square only has email support. At the end of the day, we feel Square is too beneficial to our member’s practices to not let them know about it.
• What are the benefit’s strengths?
   -Its simplicity and ease of use!
  -The card reader is FREE. The application is FREE.
  -You pay one simple fee per swipe – 2.75%.
  -There’s no contract, no monthly fees and no compliance fees.
  -You can use it anywhere in the United States at anytime.
  -You can accept all major credit cards including American Express.
• Is there anything new with this benefit?
   Yes! Licensed Health Care Providers can now use Square to accept Health Savings Account (HSA) cards! If you are a healthcare provider and not categorized as such, write in here to accept HSA cards. Also, I wanted to update members on what phones or devices are compatible with Square. Square is compatible with: Apple iOS devices over 4.0 and Google Android devices with 2.1 and up. Big names continue to invest in Square, most recently Sir Richard Branson of Virgin. Square is now sold for $10 at Best Buy, Target and The Shack but free for amta members!
  And on a fun note, we recently found out that Square founder Jack Dorsey was studying to become a massage therapist before co-founding Twitter!
• How do I get my FREE Square?
   Sign up for your FREE Square today at: www.squareup.com/c/amta/amta

AMTA Member Benefit: Online Continuing Education

Finding the time to complete your required continuing education hours can be challenging.  AMTA’s Online Continuing Education is a great solution to that problem! AMTA’s online courses are a convenient way to earn your CEs and enhance your knowledge in the areas of business, ethics, various massage modalities, client populations and self-care. AMTA’s online courses have been upgraded to better suit the continuing education needs of today’s massage therapists. Over 30+ courses are available now with more to come this winter! Each course is worth between 2-4 CE Hours

We sat down with Monica Love, Professional Development Manager to find out the answers to some of your online CE questions!

• How long has AMTA offered online courses?

AMTA has been offering online course since 2004.

• What is the benefit of taking online courses for continuing education?

Online learning provides busy professionals the opportunity to receive high quality continuing education on their own schedules. It is also very cost effective with no travel costs!

• How has the new online management system been enhanced?

Members AND non members can easily access their courses by simply logging into the AMTA website to access their courses rather than visiting a third party site. Integration with our website centralizes online course information with all of the other information in our database making it easy for users to keep track of all of their CE information.

• Is there a larger selection of courses offered?

There will be in the coming months. Currently we have 30 course titles available because our previous system couldn’t support more than that. With the new system we have the capacity to develop as many as we want.

• Do any of the courses offer video demonstrations? 

The course entitled Guerilla Marketing has video content. We are currently working with other online course creators to develop hands on demonstrations for courses. The intention is to add 3-5 minute technique demonstrations to courses as appropriate. We are also looking at offering full length courses on the system using streaming video.

• Do I have to be a Member to take an online course?

No, but members do receive a discount on courses.

• Once my course is completed does it automatically register on my AMTA member profile online?

Yes. The users’ record is immediately updated to reflect the successful completion of the course exam. This is true for members and non members since an account is created when a course is purchased.

• Do I have to report completed courses to my state?

AMTA does report all CEs completed monthly to Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi as required by their regulations. We will add more states as regulations require. In addition, we submit all courses to the necessary state boards for continuing education approval and we are an NCBTMB approved provider to ensure that we are offering high quality and relevant education to the profession. If you are unsure of your state’s CE requirements, refer to the state website: www.amtamassage.org/regulation

• How do I sign up to take AMTA online courses?

Just visit the AMTA website www.amtamassage.org/courses and browse courses. Select purchase when you are ready to begin! Have fun!

Having branded, printed materials is a great way to promote your practice!  As a benefit to our Members, AMTA offers several print services from our affinity partner Vistaprint. Business cards, posters, letterhead, brochures you name it! We sat down with Peter Brennan in our Marketing Department to talk a little more about Vistaprint.

When was the benefit created?

Peter: A little over a year. We became an affiliate partner in August 2010.

What is the benefit’s strengths?

Peter: The strength of the program is that AMTA members get a 30% discount site wide all the time.  Additionally, AMTA members get 500 business cards for $5.

How is it best utilized?

Peter:
It’s best utilized for those members that need to customize print materials for their practice. In addition to business cards, it’s a great place to get customized brochures, postcards, letterhead, pens, etc.

What is one thing you wish members knew about this benefit?

Peter:  This isn’t exclusive to AMTA members but Vistaprint offers a lot of FREE one off products.  It’s a great way to test out the look of a product before you make a large purchase

Anything else you’d like to add?

Peter: Over 500 members have used this member benefit in the past year but I suspect many more members use it as well. I’d just like to remind everyone that AMTA members always get a 30% discount at Vistaprint. So I encourage members to log-in to
Visaprint thru the AMTA website first at www.amtamassage.org/vistaprint.

Interview with Emily Hartnell, Manager of Market Research & Development

When was the idea for an AMTA Fascial Therapy continuing education program introduced?
We constantly ask members what they want from AMTA, and this was one of the ideas that came from member input.  The Fascial Therapy program was developed in 2009. We responded to requests by members for more comprehensive training programs that focus on specific modalities and techniques.
 

So this was something our Members were asking for?
Yes.  Over 75% of our members have said they wanted to participate in a continuing education program providing training in a certain specialty or modality. Continuing education in fascial therapy was one of the top requests.
 

Can you speak to how the two part program works?
Individuals may choose to complete just Part One or may complete both Parts One and Two.  Part One is a printed workbook, Fundamentals of Fascial Therapy.  Part Two is a face-to-face, hands-on workshop.
 

How is the CE program best utilized?
Part One participants read the workbook and complete the chapter quizzes and self-assessment on their own.  Once they’ve successfully completed the online final exam, they receive the Fundamentals of Fascial Therapy Part One Certificate of Completion and are eligible for Part Two.  Those completing the face-to-face workshop will receive the Fundamentals of Fascial Therapy Part Two Certificate of Completion. 
 

Do I have to attend Convention for Part Two of the program?
The initial Part Two course is scheduled on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 as a pre-convention workshop before AMTA’s 2011 National Convention inPortland,Oregon.  Participants in this workshop do not need to also attend the convention.
Regular Part Two opportunities will be offered in the future and participants have up to three years from their registration date for the printed component to complete both Parts One and Two.
 

How many continuing education units would I get for each part?
Part One is worth 10 CE credits.  You would receive 8 more CE credits in 2011 for completing Part Two.
 

How was the research and content developed for the Program?
AMTA’s Fascial Therapy Subject Matter Expert Operational Committee, made up of six massage therapists with expertise in fascial therapy, wrote the content for the Fundamentals of Fascial Therapy workbook.  Another massage therapist with editing expertise edited the book.
Pete Pfannerstill, a specialist in fascial therapy, will conduct the face-to-face portion on Wednesday October 19, 2011 inPortland,OR as a part of the pre-convention workshop.
 

How does our program compare to others out there?
This program includes a printed workbook and face-to-face hands on workshop.  It is structured to provide a fundamental overview of fascial therapy concepts in two different learning environments.  Because we had a committee develop the book as opposed to one individual, there is a variety of thoughts going into the program.

What is one thing you wish members knew about this program?
Those completing this program can add this to their list of continuing education, note it in their AMTA’s Find a Massage Therapist locator service profile, business cards and various other marketing materials.

How will this program elevate our Members’ continuing education? 
AMTA’s new Fascial Therapy CE Program provides an excellent overall understanding of fascial therapy and of numerous fascial therapy techniques, so members can better serve their clients’ needs.

We sat down with Peter to find out about a new benefit for Members—Square!

What is Square?
Square is a credit card reader that is compatible with Android, iphone or ipad.

When was this benefit announced?
We began promoting Square to our members starting May 1st, 2011

What are the benefit’s strengths?
Its simplicity and ease of use! There’s no contract, there’s no monthly fees. The card reader is free. The application is free. Once you receive your reader, you pay one simple fee per swipe – 2.75%. You can use it anywhere in the United States at anytime. All you need is an iPhone, iPad or Android. Additionally, AMTA members receive customized support if they have any questions or issues, offered on www.squareup.com/c/amta/amta

What are your plans to expand the program in the future?
We’d like to get Square in the hands of as many members as possible, so they can see it for themselves. We are going to be doing some test mailings to members in June.

How is it best utilized?
It’s perfect for our members that are on the move or don’t want to deal with the hassle and accompanying fees of a typical merchant account.

What is one thing you think members knew about this benefit?
It’s secure! Despite concerns, and false accusations, not one Square account has been hacked or compromised to date. Also, there are a lot of great people behind Square including the founder, Jack Dorsey, who’s also the founder of Twitter and most recently Visa. And even though members don’t get a traditional discount, we thought the value of this product was too great to not add as an AMTA member benefit. Sorry, I know that’s more than one thing. We are very excited about Square and how it can benefit our members.

How does the benefit help members?
It’s going to enable many of our members to process credit card transactions. And as many studies have shown, processing credit cards leads to an increased number of sales! Learn more about Square.