Author’s note: This article does not represent any type of professional advice or self-promotion. Consult with a professional in your area if you intend to open a business. This is only for educational and informative purposes for whoever might benefit from it.
It’s been close to a year since I started treating Witchcraft and readings as a professional business. With prices increasing, the economy being such a wild aspect of our daily lives, and people looking for alternatives, it is not a surprise that some of us have started thinking about how to make a profit doing something we care about.
A desk, showing a newspaper and the Justice tarot card [rootport, Pixabay]
However, establishing a business is a different experience for everyone. Only some advice applies – some things help, and others, not so much. There is a lot of trial and error, hit or miss, when it comes to growing something if you haven’t done it before. That’s what happened to me. Because of that, I wanted to share a few things I have learned, even if I am not an expert on business matters.
Not for the money: I won’t pretend to be modest and humble by including this at the end. Of course money is a determining factor; it has helped me financially to be a reader. However, how would I do it if money were not a problem? How would I treat my prospective clients if I didn’t need the money? Then I try to do it exactly like that. I once read in The Oracles of Apollo that ancient Greeks saw divination as a dialogue with the gods, an idea that has stayed with e ever since. Treat your business as a sacred duty; it is!
But do care about the money: We are talking about establishing a business. Treat it as such. Lori Greiner is often quoted as saying that “Entrepreneurs are willing to work 80 hours a week to avoid working 40 hours a week.” See what works for others and what works for you, tailor your prices depending on what feels right, adapt and offer deals, learn about marketing, branding, and all the things that might not be as fascinating as being a reader, but that you need regardless. It does not matter how good you are if people do not know you are, and if you don’t get the money, then you won’t be able to keep doing the work.
Keep learning: You mustn’t get too comfortable with what you know already. You do have knowledge, but you don’t have all of it. In fact, no one does! However, you owe it to yourself and your clients to know more and know better. I was able to study with Salem’s official Witch, Laurie Cabot, a long-time dream I had, because the profit allowed me to and because I desperately wanted to learn from such a legend to do what I do better. To reference Merriam-Webster, in an era where artificial intelligence abounds, offer real intelligence and authenticity.
Get creative: Similar to what I mentioned before, don’t get too comfortable with how you do things already. Each reader has their own style, tradition, method, and flavor; we know that, but to the eyes of the public, each reader looks the same. Same as you make your practice yours, make your business yours, make it different, brainstorm several ideas of what you could do that others might not be doing already, or that you could do differently.
A candle burning on altar over money [dviglojuliett, Pixabay]
Community is everything: Being a hermit will only take you so far. Regardless of whether you do it on social media, at events, by word of mouth, or by dancing on the street, connect with people in a way that feels natural to you and be genuine about it. It’s great to learn about marketing, the best days and times to post, which hashtags to include, trending audios, and so on, but keep your voice real to really connect with people.
Grow your practice: As I always say, a practice that doesn’t change with time runs the risk of getting stagnant. As you connect with others and try different things, it is normal that your practice changes with time. Keeping some structure and allowing some aspects of it to evolve before others is perfectly fine, but running away from change is a perfect recipe for mediocrity. “Tradition is the passing on of the fire, not the worship of the ashes,” a phrase usually attributed to Gustav Mahler, is the core of this point. Allow community and experience to feed and pass your fire before it consumes itself, and you only offer ashes of what you once had.
Cleanse, cleanse, cleanse! Whenever I am in contact with so many people talking about their own situations, I start feeling heavy, energetically speaking. Make sure that you cleanse yourself and your tools regularly so you are in good condition before, during, and after providing any service to anyone. We are not legal or healthcare professionals (and clarify this every time with clients,) but we can have high standards as well about our spiritual services, and self-care is a non-negotiable priority. A good shower, breath work, and using a selenite slab have worked a lot for me, so feel free to try this or something similar if you like!
Say No When You Must: Last year I did a reading for a lady who wanted to know about her failing marriage, and when I started saying “if you feel that you need to consult to know whether you should stay or call it quits…” she immediately said “I’m calling quits.” Although uncomfortable at times, some people don’t need a reading for something, like this lady. Offer alternatives, or straight up tell them you are not comfortable giving a reading because of X, Y, and Z, and explain how you can best help them.
In the end, every person’s experience is different, so focus on yours being positive and nourishing. I always say that when you enjoy what you do, the money will come. Keep your focus on what matters the most for you, what you are passionate about, be respectful towards your practice and others, and make sure they know they must ask for professional advice in the areas they as you about if they could benefit from it. We are not experts in those areas, but we can help and guide spiritually speaking.
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