As a business owner for over 15 years (not tarot or metaphysical related), I've always been a huge proponent and supporter of pre qualifying clients. Making sure they're someone that I want to work with, as I firmly believe in a business relationship being a two way street, and the old adage about the customer always being right to be utter bullshit. I've had complete assholes, total psychos, and flat out liars. And it has been my immense pleasure to tell them that I started and own my own company for the very pleasure of telling people like them, to go pound sand, and other colorful terms, which I sadly never use, out of professional courtesy 😏😏
Like you really wanna hear any more from me, lol. I was once working with a man who claimed to be stuck emotionally due to his fiancé dying in an accident 5 years prior. He was pouring out his soul to me, in tears, when the word LIAR LIAR LIAR was just screaming through my head. It felt like being slapped in the soul. I had to physically distance myself from him and excuse myself, it was that jarring. Within minutes, he came into the house, and began to back pedal his tale; admitting that he hadn't been fully honest about the relationship, even though I had not said a word to him. That was the worst experience I had as of late. He did later accuse me of being abusive because I told him he had to stop deceiving people into giving him sympathy. It takes all kinds I tell ya.
That's why I only do readings for friends, family, and friends of friends, and some acquaintances. I really don't have time to put up with bullshit, and the way I look at it, they came to me, so they really have no excuse for being rude!! I can see why some people label it, 'For entertainment purposes only!'
Oh I'm SO GLAD to hear that, I hope your day went amazing :) I have a whole playlist on starting your own tarot business if you haven't watched those yet!
Thank you so much this was so very helpful. I am just getting started with Tarot, although I have been reading with a regular deck for years. I was pleased to hear you talking about the right way to kindly stop a reading. It reminded me of the years I worked as a customer service person on the phones. So it made me realize that the techniques that I learned to deescalate a client is the same . Thank you again Lovingly Lynne
Another piece of really exceptional advice I got from a genius in this field; prior to taking on a client with severe or highly problematic issues, not necessarily in crisis, but complex; to make sure and rule out any possible mental health or medical diagnoses, or the possibility of needing to seek legal counsel, rather than a reading or protection. I think this is fabulous and practical advice that really lends you a lot of professional credibility. Not one of the spiritual workers I've encountered approached these questions with me, or any of their potential querents, which I think is possibly negligent.
lol that's hilarious, I've had most of those weird experiences with clients also! both as a tarot reader and similar ones as a hairstylist lol I especially love the stone-faced ones, I think that some people at some point have been told that when u get a "psychic" reading u shouldn't give away all ur details or something, like they want to wait for u tell them everything about themselves! im working on my website (& channel) at the moment and im Def gonna follow ur advice by being very clear about how I read and what I do and don't do, so there will hopefully be less of those types of clients! thanks for the advice. I do always start with a new querant by explaining how I work and that this can be a dialog. I'd luv to hear more about ur journey transitioning to a professional reader. thanks for all the amazing videos, I luv ur channel xoxo
Thank you so much for this, will definitely take the line "I feel like this reading isn't resonating with you/sorry it isn't what you expected, shall we wrap it up here?"
I had a client who was having an affair with a married man and the cards indicated that he needed to leave his wife and baby and they needed to be together! I told her what the cards said without expressing my opinion of the situation. It happened that way and they have been together and happily married for 10 years now! Who woulda thunk it?
I had a similar reading, luckily no children involved, the cards said that this man was waiting for this women to make the decision to leave her marriage, that neither of them were happy in the relationships they were in, and that she needed to take action to be happy.
I read online and my 1st week experience was both crazy and a ripoff. I had a rather less than bright person come into my chatroom and basically wanted a card for every question they had. Mind you this was the first day and before I enforced my rules. It was so overwhelming. Anyway, this client went on and on about a person they had no business being with basically seeking nothing but a justification/validation reading and "will I be with him? Am I the one for him? So he is into me correct? Etc." This went on for ages! Trying to persuade them for a private was a headache let alone they kept evading it. And I wasn't happy that I missed out on other clients. Could you or do you have a video on how to deal with clients who try to take advantage of you? Thanks! Xoxoxo!
Really good advice on how to deal with the difficult client. I've had people who as soon as they sat down I felt an aggressive energy around them and no matter what you say they won't be happy.
Thank you so much for this awesome advice. I'm taking Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine's class now to become a Certified Angel Tarot Card Reader and I have been asking the Universe for mentors and so glad to have found you!
I went to cosmetology school and only cut one real persons hair. She scared the crap out of me. But I've worked in customer service and as a cashier for a long time and you get some good customers and bad customers. Its not fun to have a shitty customer, but the very next one can completely change the energy.
I had to laugh! This is so true and you learn to tune out most and set boundries for others. you learn to create the space and energy that makes you thrive.
Black Tournaline, oddly, is one of the precious stones I've recently found an affinity with. So many synchronicities in your videos. I've got two of them so far, one is formed with a white stone (can't recall the name) that technically shouldn't be possible, apparently, so quite rare. The other is a beauty, small, but gem quality. I've only discovered stones have force and power in the past 8 weeks, and that they speak to me in a very clear and odd way 😊🙏🏻
Thanks for this! I read online but now and again I will have a client order completely the wrong thing and then say it doesn't resonate to them. For example, they ordered a love reading for their partner, then tell me after they are single and have not been with anyone in years so I always refund them! It's just easier.
Oh my Goddess, lady! The Stars were aligned today. I'm about to rant, so bare with me. I have had a major spiritual lull for the last month or two and I just sat down with my cards for the first time in a while only a couple of hours ago for a self reading. Basically, I am super inspired from my reading to start my own small tarot business because that is what makes me happy. Low and behold, when I opened up my RUclips page your video was the first on my sub list!! Definitely not a coincidence! I am so inspired by this video and I would love to see a video from you about advice for those of us who have never been self employed in the field of spiritual counseling. If you've already made a video on the topic and I've missed it, can you send me a link? What kind of obstacles should we look out for? What are some things we should focus on getting started? Any website recommendations for small business owners, like etsy or square space? Blessings! Thank you so much for this video.
+Thatscd Did you see my getting your Tarot Business Started video series? Was there anything in there that you would like me to elaborate on? Here is my free business resource page too - ethony.com/free-biz-resources/
Ethony! This is a great video. How the heck do you deal with people who only want to know what someone ELSE is thinking, feeling, doing, or what they WILL do or how they feel about the querent. I’ve just begun working as a tarot reader at a metaphysical bookshop and I’m having a hard time knowing how to set boundaries for myself when I also represent the shop and don’t want to say anything that would get me fired for example (like cutting a reading off etc). Like, when someone comes in for a love reading and wants to know what the person they are interested in is feeling about them and if/when they’ll contact them or come around? I personally have a very hard time reading for anything that isn’t about the querent themself and their energy, and also feel we don’t have energetic permission to receive information about someone who isn’t there. Do you have an advice how to handle this?? Thank you!
God I'm such a chatty comment section hog. Just want to offer this counsel. When I find a client I don't want to work with; I just say this: I feel like this isn't a good fit, and that you should seek out a professional in (field of your choice) that works better for you, thank you, have a nice day, good luck, bye. And then most of the time you'll have to hang up, as they'll be shocked and angry. But this has been the most diplomatic and kind way I can fire a client. Hope that helps some of you.
I can totally relate to your experiences. I haven't had to many that have been off (luckily - knock on wood, lol). The ones I mainly get are stone cold in the face, they don't even acknowledge that I spoke to them, but at the very end they will either say that was bang on or the will just say thank you, get up, pay and leave. Leaving me wondering was I off or on - just completely confused.lol. Fun times. It's a good thing that the percentage of those clients are low, or I don't think I would do readings for as long as I have now :) Would love to hear more video's on tarot business - there can always be more of those put out there :) Thanks again!
+Lori Edwards I would definitely ask them if what I was giving them is resonating. I would probably not say, because you don't appear pleased. But for sure ask if you are on the right track. I also let people know right from the start of my readings that I like there to be a collaboration and a give and take of conversation as the more they can give me the more that I can see and feel for them. Does that make sense?
Even if I am reading for myself I know there are times where the cards aren't saying what I want them to say so I can understand if the news I am giving someone isn't what they want to hear.
I'm a little embarrassed to say, I don't know what oracle reading is, in juxtaposition to tarot. I'll search for a video on it, but perhaps someone could briefly tell me the difference?
If you suggest ending or cutting short a reading do you refund or partially refund their money? I know you mentioned suggesting booking for another day and no charge for that day but what about those clients you really don’t want to read again because they are that toxic?
I have partially refunded readings that I cut short or let them know that I can answer a question for them another day. If I don't want to work with someone again I let them know that I am not the right fit for them so I don't have to work with them again.
Ethony, how do you handle alcohol and Tarot.. as in.. you're reading for a group of people or even just a single person but you notice (or simply know) that they had a few beforehand. I'm not talking drunk off their butts but, you know, tipsy maybe. Thank you.
+Tarot Stellaria (Angie Ray) that is a really good question and one that is situational but I am not really into reading for people who are tipsy. If I am reading for an event or bachelorette party I will only stay for the first little bit before everyone gets out of control. I also usually have these readings as a lot more of entertainment and less of my deeper counselling sessions if that makes sense.
Excellent advice. I love the line about "observe, don't absorb." That is exceptional.
+Jess Johnson thank you, that advice has saved me a lot over the years.
As a business owner for over 15 years (not tarot or metaphysical related), I've always been a huge proponent and supporter of pre qualifying clients. Making sure they're someone that I want to work with, as I firmly believe in a business relationship being a two way street, and the old adage about the customer always being right to be utter bullshit. I've had complete assholes, total psychos, and flat out liars. And it has been my immense pleasure to tell them that I started and own my own company for the very pleasure of telling people like them, to go pound sand, and other colorful terms, which I sadly never use, out of professional courtesy 😏😏
Like you really wanna hear any more from me, lol. I was once working with a man who claimed to be stuck emotionally due to his fiancé dying in an accident 5 years prior. He was pouring out his soul to me, in tears, when the word LIAR LIAR LIAR was just screaming through my head. It felt like being slapped in the soul. I had to physically distance myself from him and excuse myself, it was that jarring. Within minutes, he came into the house, and began to back pedal his tale; admitting that he hadn't been fully honest about the relationship, even though I had not said a word to him. That was the worst experience I had as of late. He did later accuse me of being abusive because I told him he had to stop deceiving people into giving him sympathy. It takes all kinds I tell ya.
Wow. Intense.
That's why I only do readings for friends, family, and friends of friends, and some acquaintances. I really don't have time to put up with bullshit, and the way I look at it, they came to me, so they really have no excuse for being rude!! I can see why some people label it, 'For entertainment purposes only!'
I so needed this video today. Lol
I had a client yesterday that was drinking during the reading. I’ll leave it at that. Lol
I had my first day of professional tarot reading yesterday!!! and I really needed this! thank you so much.
Oh I'm SO GLAD to hear that, I hope your day went amazing :) I have a whole playlist on starting your own tarot business if you haven't watched those yet!
Thank you so much this was so very helpful. I am just getting started with Tarot, although I have been reading with a regular deck for years. I was pleased to hear you talking about the right way to kindly stop a reading. It reminded me of the years I worked as a customer service person on the phones. So it made me realize that the techniques that I learned to deescalate a client is the same . Thank you again Lovingly Lynne
Thank you so much for the lovely comment. Glad it was a helpful video.
Another piece of really exceptional advice I got from a genius in this field; prior to taking on a client with severe or highly problematic issues, not necessarily in crisis, but complex; to make sure and rule out any possible mental health or medical diagnoses, or the possibility of needing to seek legal counsel, rather than a reading or protection. I think this is fabulous and practical advice that really lends you a lot of professional credibility. Not one of the spiritual workers I've encountered approached these questions with me, or any of their potential querents, which I think is possibly negligent.
lol that's hilarious, I've had most of those weird experiences with clients also! both as a tarot reader and similar ones as a hairstylist lol I especially love the stone-faced ones, I think that some people at some point have been told that when u get a "psychic" reading u shouldn't give away all ur details or something, like they want to wait for u tell them everything about themselves! im working on my website (& channel) at the moment and im Def gonna follow ur advice by being very clear about how I read and what I do and don't do, so there will hopefully be less of those types of clients! thanks for the advice. I do always start with a new querant by explaining how I work and that this can be a dialog. I'd luv to hear more about ur journey transitioning to a professional reader. thanks for all the amazing videos, I luv ur channel xoxo
Thank you so much for this, will definitely take the line "I feel like this reading isn't resonating with you/sorry it isn't what you expected, shall we wrap it up here?"
I hope it comes in handy :)
Thank you so much for your advice!🤗
I had a client who was having an affair with a married man and the cards indicated that he needed to leave his wife and baby and they needed to be together! I told her what the cards said without expressing my opinion of the situation. It happened that way and they have been together and happily married for 10 years now! Who woulda thunk it?
Wow.
I had a similar reading, luckily no children involved, the cards said that this man was waiting for this women to make the decision to leave her marriage, that neither of them were happy in the relationships they were in, and that she needed to take action to be happy.
Scary but wow
I read online and my 1st week experience was both crazy and a ripoff. I had a rather less than bright person come into my chatroom and basically wanted a card for every question they had. Mind you this was the first day and before I enforced my rules. It was so overwhelming. Anyway, this client went on and on about a person they had no business being with basically seeking nothing but a justification/validation reading and "will I be with him? Am I the one for him? So he is into me correct? Etc." This went on for ages! Trying to persuade them for a private was a headache let alone they kept evading it. And I wasn't happy that I missed out on other clients. Could you or do you have a video on how to deal with clients who try to take advantage of you?
Thanks! Xoxoxo!
Really good advice on how to deal with the difficult client. I've had people who as soon as they sat down I felt an aggressive energy around them and no matter what you say they won't be happy.
This video has been so helpful thank you!
Good advice for anyone who deals with the public service. It does not matter if it is medicine or law or retail, whatever.
+clare5 one Thank you
Ethony You are very welcome!
You are an angel! Thank you for this video and being there for us! 💕
I'll definitely need this if I start my tarot side business. thanks!
Thank you so much for this awesome advice. I'm taking Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine's class now to become a Certified Angel Tarot Card Reader and I have been asking the Universe for mentors and so glad to have found you!
+lovebugshawna1 I am so glad that you found this helpful. Thank you for the lovely comment.
+Ethony You're welcome. :)
Thank you for such a informative video. I’ve subscribed 💜
Thanks so much! Great advice! Love n light to you. ❤️
Brilliant video and sound advice x
Fantastic advice!
Great advice 👍 👌 💚
Glad you think so! :) thanks for watching
@@Ethony you're welcome love 💘
I went to cosmetology school and only cut one real persons hair. She scared the crap out of me. But I've worked in customer service and as a cashier for a long time and you get some good customers and bad customers. Its not fun to have a shitty customer, but the very next one can completely change the energy.
I had to laugh! This is so true and you learn to tune out most and set boundries for others. you learn to create the space and energy that makes you thrive.
+RavenSong setting boundaries is so important :)
Black Tournaline, oddly, is one of the precious stones I've recently found an affinity with. So many synchronicities in your videos. I've got two of them so far, one is formed with a white stone (can't recall the name) that technically shouldn't be possible, apparently, so quite rare. The other is a beauty, small, but gem quality. I've only discovered stones have force and power in the past 8 weeks, and that they speak to me in a very clear and odd way 😊🙏🏻
Thank you so much! This was so helpful, love you
One amazing and informative video!
Thanks for this! I read online but now and again I will have a client order completely the wrong thing and then say it doesn't resonate to them. For example, they ordered a love reading for their partner, then tell me after they are single and have not been with anyone in years so I always refund them! It's just easier.
Oh my Goddess, lady! The Stars were aligned today. I'm about to rant, so bare with me. I have had a major spiritual lull for the last month or two and I just sat down with my cards for the first time in a while only a couple of hours ago for a self reading. Basically, I am super inspired from my reading to start my own small tarot business because that is what makes me happy. Low and behold, when I opened up my RUclips page your video was the first on my sub list!! Definitely not a coincidence! I am so inspired by this video and I would love to see a video from you about advice for those of us who have never been self employed in the field of spiritual counseling. If you've already made a video on the topic and I've missed it, can you send me a link? What kind of obstacles should we look out for? What are some things we should focus on getting started? Any website recommendations for small business owners, like etsy or square space? Blessings! Thank you so much for this video.
+Thatscd Did you see my getting your Tarot Business Started video series? Was there anything in there that you would like me to elaborate on?
Here is my free business resource page too - ethony.com/free-biz-resources/
+Ethony my apologies! I've been off the RUclips wagon for a while and missed those vids. Thanks for the response and I'm looking into it now.
+Thatscd let me know if I missed anything that you would like covered.
Ethony! This is a great video. How the heck do you deal with people who only want to know what someone ELSE is thinking, feeling, doing, or what they WILL do or how they feel about the querent. I’ve just begun working as a tarot reader at a metaphysical bookshop and I’m having a hard time knowing how to set boundaries for myself when I also represent the shop and don’t want to say anything that would get me fired for example (like cutting a reading off etc). Like, when someone comes in for a love reading and wants to know what the person they are interested in is feeling about them and if/when they’ll contact them or come around? I personally have a very hard time reading for anything that isn’t about the querent themself and their energy, and also feel we don’t have energetic permission to receive information about someone who isn’t there. Do you have an advice how to handle this?? Thank you!
Thank you E!
Hugs & Sunshine N🎆
God I'm such a chatty comment section hog. Just want to offer this counsel. When I find a client I don't want to work with; I just say this: I feel like this isn't a good fit, and that you should seek out a professional in (field of your choice) that works better for you, thank you, have a nice day, good luck, bye. And then most of the time you'll have to hang up, as they'll be shocked and angry. But this has been the most diplomatic and kind way I can fire a client. Hope that helps some of you.
Really helpful sound advice, I will use it!
Haha I do the same thing and post a zillion comments simetimes
I can totally relate to your experiences. I haven't had to many that have been off (luckily - knock on wood, lol). The ones I mainly get are stone cold in the face, they don't even acknowledge that I spoke to them, but at the very end they will either say that was bang on or the will just say thank you, get up, pay and leave. Leaving me wondering was I off or on - just completely confused.lol. Fun times. It's a good thing that the percentage of those clients are low, or I don't think I would do readings for as long as I have now :) Would love to hear more video's on tarot business - there can always be more of those put out there :) Thanks again!
+The Artisan's Studio I think the stone face would be the most frustrating !
+The Artisan's Studio I find the stone faced Clients hard too.
is there a way to get around them, or would it be best to just ask if this is not resonating with them as you don't appear pleased?
+Lori Edwards I would definitely ask them if what I was giving them is resonating. I would probably not say, because you don't appear pleased. But for sure ask if you are on the right track. I also let people know right from the start of my readings that I like there to be a collaboration and a give and take of conversation as the more they can give me the more that I can see and feel for them. Does that make sense?
Yes, that makes total sense Ethony. I totally agree that it should be a collaboration in the reading because if they hold back, whats the point.
Even if I am reading for myself I know there are times where the cards aren't saying what I want them to say so I can understand if the news I am giving someone isn't what they want to hear.
I'm a little embarrassed to say, I don't know what oracle reading is, in juxtaposition to tarot. I'll search for a video on it, but perhaps someone could briefly tell me the difference?
I have a client constant cutting me off in the middle of a sentence.
That is extremely frustrating! Especially because you are trying to focus and channel and it really disrupts your train of thought.
If you suggest ending or cutting short a reading do you refund or partially refund their money? I know you mentioned suggesting booking for another day and no charge for that day but what about those clients you really don’t want to read again because they are that toxic?
I have partially refunded readings that I cut short or let them know that I can answer a question for them another day. If I don't want to work with someone again I let them know that I am not the right fit for them so I don't have to work with them again.
Ethony, how do you handle alcohol and Tarot.. as in.. you're reading for a group of people or even just a single person but you notice (or simply know) that they had a few beforehand. I'm not talking drunk off their butts but, you know, tipsy maybe. Thank you.
+Tarot Stellaria (Angie Ray) that is a really good question and one that is situational but I am not really into reading for people who are tipsy. If I am reading for an event or bachelorette party I will only stay for the first little bit before everyone gets out of control. I also usually have these readings as a lot more of entertainment and less of my deeper counselling sessions if that makes sense.
Ethony
That makes sense. Thank you!
may I ask how long you have been interested in the art, of tarot, ?
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜