Author: Tegan

11:13:15 GMT • 14 November 2024

Best Hypnotherapy Techniques

14 February 2023

•

6 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

Get hypnotherapist insurance from Protectivity

You might think that hypnotherapy is all about spinning spirals and feeling very sleepy. But there’s actually much more science behind it than you might think.

Hypnotherapy has its foundations in psychotherapy and neuroscience, and it’s been practised to great success since the late 19th century. Today, it’s used by people from all walks of life to help them improve their lifestyle and mental wellbeing: this means there are plentiful opportunities for hypnotherapists to offer treatments and establish successful, profitable businesses.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the basics of hypnotherapy, including how it works, the main types of treatment, and what to remember if setting up a hypnotherapy business.

What is hypnotherapy and how does it work?

First of all, it’s important to make clear that hypnotherapy is not a kind of mind control, despite what you might have seen on TV or in films over the years. Instead, it aims to get the mind into a more relaxed state, by taking it out of consciousness, so that it’s more open to new thoughts and ideas.

A hypnotherapist uses proven techniques to move the mind into an unconscious state that is only slightly above that of sleep. As a result, the mind is controlled by theta brain waves that can receive different thoughts, and not be constrained by the conscious mind finding reasons to close off those thoughts. It’s for this reason that hypnotherapy can be so effective and fast-acting for people who want to make changes in their life, from curing themselves of a phobia to giving up smoking.

How effective can hypnotherapy be?

The effectiveness of hypnotherapy naturally varies from person to person, depending on how their individual minds work and which types of hypnotherapy are most effective for them (more on those below).

However, when it works, the results can be astonishing. When people are trying to get into a new habit, or give up a bad one, it can take weeks or months for them to bake those changes into their minds, if indeed they ever manage it. Hypnotherapy, at its most effective, can almost be like flicking a switch, helping them embrace those changes in a matter of hours.

The speed of the change makes it a highly accessible and affordable means of therapy, especially for those who might not be able to afford long and expensive courses of psychotherapy or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Which are the most popular hypnotherapy techniques?

There are many different hypnotherapy techniques in use around the world, some of which are more well-known than others. But in the main, these six are the most common that people considering treatment are most likely to be looking for:

Suggestion hypnosis: perhaps the most common type, to the point of it often being called ‘traditional’ hypnosis, this is where hypnotherapists make suggestions to patients that encourage them to make changes in their lives. These suggestions don’t have to be dictated by the therapist: they can be mutually agreed before the treatment starts
Ericksonian hypnotherapy: this is more or less the opposite of suggestion hypnosis, where clients gradually reach a state of hypnosis over the course of a conversation. Clients play a much more active role in their treatment as they reach the intended mental state with the help of their therapist
Regression hypnotherapy: this type is perhaps closest to what people would consider psychiatry. In their hypnotic state, clients are encouraged to recall any memories from their past that may be causing the problem they want to solve, and apply new information to resolve the issue
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP): these techniques don’t involve bringing the client into any sort of hypnotic state – instead, the conversational principles of Ericksonian hypnotherapy are applied to people at any time and in any place. NLP has gained particular traction among business leaders to help them succeed
Self-hypnosis: while it is possible for people to hypnotise themselves, it can be extremely difficult to achieve, even for experienced professional hypnotherapists. Those capable of doing so can apply it at any time in their lives, to help them resolve any problems that might come their way
Primers: this is the name given to hypnosis delivered through pre-recorded audio. Previously, this would have been on cassettes or CDs, but technology now makes it much easier to deliver these treatments to clients digitally. They are generally the cheapest and most accessible means of trying hypnotherapy, and so are ideal for those new to the concept

Which hypnotherapy techniques are best?

There’s no simple answer to this question, as it will vary so much for both parties. As mentioned above, some people will be far more receptive to some types of hypnotherapy than others. Additionally, from a business perspective, you may find that certain types are more popular (and therefore more profitable) with customers in your local area.

So the best way to proceed as a hypnotherapist is not to put all your eggs in one basket. Often, a combination of multiple types of hypnotherapy can generate better results, while being able to deliver many different types broadens your potential customer base as wide as possible. That’s why it’s important to get trained and qualified in as many techniques as you can, and brush up on your knowledge and expertise on a regular basis.

Get hypnotherapist insurance with Protectivity

Hypnotherapy is not without its risks, and it’s always possible that treatment can have unintended consequences that may cause patients to get hurt, even if you’re highly trained and qualified. If you’re running a hypnotherapy business, this can leave you vulnerable to a claim that can have severe ramifications from a financial perspective. This is why, just like any other type of therapy enterprise, it’s absolutely essential to have comprehensive insurance cover in place.

Protectivity is one of the only insurers in the UK that offers specific hypnotherapy insurance cover. Our policies can include public liability cover of up to £5 million, in case your treatment or advice leads to accident or injury, as well as professional indemnity, and optional equipment cover of up to £3000. That way, you can treat people with any type of hypnotherapy with confidence, and give yourself peace of mind.

Take a more detailed look at everything our hypnotherapy insurance and counselling insurance have to offer.

Get Hypnotherapist Insurance from Protectivity

Last updated by

What to Ask for at the Barber

12 February 2023

•

5 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

Get barbers insurance from Protectivity

If you’re a man and you have hair, then you’re probably used to that sinking feeling you get at the barber when you’re looking back at yourself in the mirror. You know what you wanted your barber to do, but for one reason or another, he’s cutting and shaping your hair into something else. And short of shaving it all off, there’s not really much you can do about it.

It’s easy to blame the ability of the barber in this situation, but a lot of the time, it just comes down to miscommunication between barber and customer. Often this is because customers don’t know how to explain what they want, and barbers struggle to understand exactly what to do based on vague ideas and descriptions.

Solving this issue can be beneficial for both parties: customers who get the cut they want, and barbers who get satisfied customers and repeat business. This guide gives you five tips on what to ask for at the barber, to get the best results every time.

Research what you want in advance

If you’re reading this guide, then you’re already part of the way through step one. Research is everything in communicating to a barber what it is that a customer has in mind. And this goes much deeper than just finding the name of a particular style.

That’s because every customer and every head of hair is different. Some men have hair that’s longer than others, thicker than others or darker than others, for example. Then there’s the shape of the head to take into account, and where there might be any crowns. And on top of that, the current popularity for beards and facial hair add a new dimension to the conversation. Exploring ideas that work for personal characteristics is therefore the ideal starting point.

Know the lingo

You wouldn’t go into a garage to get your car fixed and ask them to take a look at ‘the thingy next to the engine’. So why would you go into a barber and ask them to take ‘just a bit off here and there’?

There is a surprising amount of terminology involved in barbering, but it isn’t a secret code: all the right vocabulary is out there for everyone to find if they look hard enough. Knowing the right phrases for what you want can break down many of the barriers in communication. Start by looking at guard numbers, types of fade and tapers, as these will form the foundation of most common men’s hairstyles.

Work out the best way to describe your style

Armed with research and terminology from the first two points, you’re now much better-equipped to work out a concise description of the haircut you’re looking for. If you can boil down all your preferences into a few short sentences, then you can deliver this to your barber as soon as you hit the chair, and start everything off on the front foot.

However, it’s important to be flexible to a certain extent, and not to stick too rigidly to your description. A good barber will be able to offer some advice on how your idea can be tweaked here and there to deliver an even better end result.

Back up your description with photos

During the research stage, it’s highly likely that you’ll have searched through photos of different styles, and found some that closely resemble what you’re looking for. If you’re struggling to translate that visual style into a verbal description, then there’s no reason that you can’t take the photo with you and show it to the barber.

Many barbers use design and style like Pinterest themselves, so that they can keep up-to-date with trends and be able to offer advice and suggestions. Using the same apps to find your style inspiration, and showing your findings to the barber on the day, can help make sure that nothing gets lost in translation.

Ask for advice if you need it

Don’t forget that barbers will have cut thousands of heads of hair over the years, and will have a wealth of experience and expertise that you can take full advantage of. And at the same time, they want you to get out of their chair feeling happy with the cut you’ve received.

Never feel afraid to ask for their opinion as they’ll be more than happy to help. Whether you’re not sure if your idea is right for you, or they want an expert view on a new style, remember that there’s a professional ready and waiting to assist.

Get your barber business insurance from Protectivity

If you’re a barber reading this, then you’ll already have plenty of experience of customers that struggle to get their preferences across. This guide can act as a business aid in helping them – and you – get the results you want.

Another important business aid for barbers is insurance, so that you don’t suffer financially should anything unforeseen occur. Protectivity offers specialist barber business insurance policies, including public liability, personal accident cover, equipment cover, and employers’ liability insurance (if you employ other barbers).

Our cover can give you peace of mind, help you grow your business with confidence, and starts at less than £4 a month. Take a closer look at all our options for barbers insurance.

Get Barbers Insurance from Protectivity

Last updated by

How to Organise a Charity Event

10 February 2023

•

6 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

Get event insurance from Protectivity

If you run or are involved in a charity that needs to raise more money, then organising an event can deliver a real boost. It can give a focal point to your overall fundraising strategy, bring your community together, and help you give the public enjoyable experiences that makes them feel that they’re getting something in return for their donation.

However, putting on any event with success can be much easier said than done. There are plenty of things to take care of to ensure everything runs without a hitch, and that any problems don’t impact your ability to raise money. In this guide, we’ll look at seven vital steps around how to organise a charity event, covering all the big tasks before and after the big day, so that you can maximise the potential of your fundraising.

Work out your objective

It’s very easy for event organisers to lose focus of what they’re trying to do as their event plans get increasingly complex. So before you make any other plans, start by working out what your ultimate goal for the event would be. This could be a particular target figure for fundraising, a more general aim to increase awareness, or to sell a certain number of tickets and reach a desired level of attendance. Whatever the objective is, setting it out at the start and keeping it front-of-mind throughout can ensure you always stay on the right track.

Decide your theme and budget

With this objective set out, you can start to address some of the specifics of event organisation. Working out an appropriate budget is critical: after all, there’s no point spending £20,000 on putting together an event that’s only going to raise £10,000. If you have a theme in mind, then now is the time to commit to it, so that you can put your budget considerations into that context. But when it comes to money, the next two points are especially important:

Find a suitable venue

Location, location, location: it might be a well-worn phrase, but when it comes to a charity event, it’s absolutely critical. There’s a delicate balance to be struck between the accessibility of a venue and how much it might cost to hire. If looking at an indoor event, then church halls or school halls (if at weekends or during the holidays) are normally good, cost-effective options. For outdoor occasions, consider football, rugby and cricket clubs, many of which have associated bar and parking facilities, and are generally more than happy to earn extra funds for their own means.

Search for sponsors

Depending on the type of event, attracting event sponsorship from local businesses can be a major revenue generator. Many businesses may well be interested because being involved with a charity event can help them raise their community profile. However, they will naturally expect a return on their investment: this could be signage at the event, featuring in the programme, mentions on the website or social media, for example. And don’t necessarily think of sponsorship purely in cash terms: doing a deal in exchange for exposure (for example, venue hire or extra assistance with the event) can help you make substantial budgetary savings.

Market the event to your audience

Once you’ve got everything in place, you can then fire up your marketing operation, so that as many people as possible know what you’re doing, where you’re doing it, when it’s happening and what you’re raising money for. You have many different media and advertising channels open to you, but which ones to prioritise depends on your target audience. For example, for younger demographics, then a greater emphasis on social media is preferable; for older people, local papers and newsletters may have a better effect; and for families, try and get your event mentioned in communications from local schools.

Put management and volunteers in place

As the big day approaches, attention will turn to the nuts and bolts of the event, and making sure all the necessary arrangements are in place. You’ll need to cover every possible eventuality of who is doing, what, where and when, from the arrival of anyone taking part, through the public-facing core of the event, to tidying up at the end. You may also need to recruit some volunteers to help with all the jobs that often go overlooked, like admission, parking and refreshments. Along the way, you’ll also need to put the right insurance cover in place, especially Public Liability Insurance in case an attendee suffers an accident or injury.

Maximise fundraising post-event

Just because your event has finished doesn’t mean that your opportunities for fundraising are finished, too. There will be plenty of opportunities for follow-up activity that can help generate more donations from the public, especially in the first few days immediately afterwards. Consider getting in touch with local media, and hitting the social media channels, with info about the success of your event and how you’re still accepting donations. In the longer-term, a story about how the funds you’ve raised have been spent to good effect can also be good PR.

Get event insurance with Protectivity

Even if it’s for charity, an event is still a financial enterprise. As a result, there is always the risk of something going wrong that can leave you out of pocket, or vulnerable to a claim from an attendee or fellow stakeholder. The damage of these financial impacts can easily wipe out all the funds that you manage to raise from the event – or even worse, lead to you making a sizable loss.

That’s why it’s so important to have comprehensive event insurance in place, and that’s exactly where Protectivity can help. Our tailored policies for events encompass Public Liability Insurance, cancellation cover, equipment protection, and even Employer’s Liability if you hire any staff for the event. The cover is competitively priced, but gives you peace of mind that you can raise vital money for your cause with minimal levels of risk.

Take a closer look at our event insurance policy and events cancellation insurance in more detail.

Get Event Insurance from Protectivity

Last updated by

Six Key Benefits of Massage Therapy

9 February 2023

•

5 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

Get massage therapist insurance from Protectivity

Massage is often thought of as a way to improve the condition of specific areas of the body, or to achieve an overall feeling of relaxation. But that’s only scratching the surface of what it can do to the human body.

Good massage therapy, administered correctly and in the right environment, can transform a person’s wellbeing, both physically and mentally. In this guide, we’ll explore six of the biggest benefits that massage therapists like you can deliver to your clients, all of which can act as strong selling points for your business.

What kinds of massage can be beneficial?

As long as they’re done properly, any type of massage can help a person improve their physical and mental condition. This applies whether it’s a sports massage that targets the muscles and joints, a relaxing Swedish massage aimed at reducing tension, or even a shiatsu massage that relieves the body of any specific stresses and knots.

The key is to match the right massage approach to the right client, depending on their needs and preferences. For example, somebody who is wanting to relax and destress will be far more suited to aromatherapy or hot stone massages than a more intensive sports massage.

For more detailed information on different types of massage, have a look at our special guide.

The physical benefits

The most obvious benefits of a massage are to the body of the person being treated. This will vary from person to person, and across different types of massage, but there are many different positives that a client can take, including:

Muscles and circulation

Massages can help reduce any tightness or stiffness in muscles that can hamper the ability of people to move freely and without any pain. Related to this, a massage can also improve the circulation of blood through the body for a better body condition overall, and reduce any inflammation that may occur in joints over time.

Sleep and energy

When a massage removes any pain or stress from the body, the person being treated will find it much easier to get a good night’s sleep. This can have huge knock-on benefits to a person’s overall health, as they will have more energy and focus during the day, whether they’re at work, at home or exercising. Those who regularly work out will also find their bodies recover from exertion much faster.

Comfort and immune system

Being in regular or constant pain can be extremely draining, both physically and mentally, so a massage that relieves that pain (even if only temporarily) can make a huge difference to a person. With a better condition inside and out, people may also find themselves with a stronger immune response and more able to fend off illnesses and bugs. For older people in particular, this can be especially valuable.

The mental benefits

The difference that massage therapy can make to a person’s mental wellbeing is often overlooked, but it can’t be underestimated. While the mental benefits aren’t always obvious, they can be long-lasting and transformative to a person’s life:

Stress and relaxation levels

Perhaps the clearest mental benefit is that people generally feel more relaxed after a massage, and certainly less stressed than they were before it started. This can help people relax more at home and not get overly wound up by things and people around them, which can make a huge difference in day-to-day life.

Mood and relationships

Connected to the previous point, a more relaxed and less stressed person is far more likely to be in a better mood more of the time. This can improve the relationships a person has in their lives, from their partner or family through to their professional relationships at work. It can also help decrease anxiety levels and minimise the risk of people worrying about things in life unnecessarily.

Sense of wellbeing

A massage can help promote a more general sense of wellness within a person: they can feel more balanced and comfortable with the world around them. Even if there is no specific reason that a person comes for a massage, it can still be beneficial for their general wellbeing, acting as a time and space to unwind.

Get massage therapy insurance with Protectivity

Every type of massage comes with a certain element of risk, whether it’s unintentional injury caused to a client or equipment being lost, damaged or stolen. When these unforeseen incidents occur, having good insurance cover in place is vital, so that you don’t end up out of pocket.

Protectivity offers comprehensive massage therapy insurance to masseurs and masseuses just like you. Including public liability, professional indemnity, equipment cover and more, you can give yourself peace of mind from just a few pounds a month. Take a closer look at our specialist massage therapist insurance here.

Get Massage Therapist Insurance from Protectivity

Last updated by

What is the Most Profitable Pet Business?

2 February 2023

•

6 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

Get pet business insurance from Protectivity

If you love animals and you have an entrepreneurial spirit, then it’s natural that you’ll explore ways to forge a business out of people’s pets.

Not only does it allow you to enjoy some time with some furry friends, there’s plenty to get excited about from a business perspective as well. According to Pet Keen, the UK’s pet owners now collectively spend around £8 billion on their animal companions every single year, from feeding them and keeping them healthy to pampering them and taking them on holiday.

So if you’re looking at setting up a profitable pet business, there are plenty of avenues to explore. This guide highlights some of the stand-out choices.

The most profitable pet businesses

There are plenty of variables to consider and questions to answer when looking at setting up a pet-related business. For example: will you be coming into physical contact with the pets? Will you specialise in one particular animal (e.g. dogs or cats)? Are you targeting essential or discretionary pet spending? What types of insurance, registrations and qualifications do you need to operate legally and successfully?

How you address those questions will differ substantially depending on which business type you pursue. But to give you some initial inspiration, here are our choices of the most profitable pet business ideas:

Dog walking

Every dog needs regular exercise, but many busy working people just struggle to find the time to do it, especially in the winter when it’s dark when they get home from work. Professional dog walking is a simple way to lighten their load, and with minimal overheads and the ability to walk multiple dogs at the same time, can be extremely profitable.

Pet grooming

Keeping a stylish, clean, well-turned-out pet is more popular than ever before, and the public is willing to spend big on quality pet care. Setting yourself up as a groomer is full of business options, whether you specialise in one animal, work as a mobile groomer at people’s homes, or deliver perfect finishes ready for competitions

Pet sitting

Similar to the dog walking idea, many people are willing to pay to relieve themselves of the inconvenience of pet ownership, including if they want to go out for an evening or a weekend. Pet sitting can give them the peace of mind that their treasured animal is well cared for, either in their home or yours.

Clothing design

Whether it’s making them look fabulous or simply keeping them warm in the winter, there’s a sizeable market for pet clothing. If you have some design skills and you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can develop some original garments or even create one-off commissions, many of which can come with a premium price tag.

Treats

The world of treats has come on in leaps and bounds (no pun intended) in recent years, especially for dogs. There’s also a growing trend for people to apply their own dietary preferences to their pets, such as eating organic food as much as possible. Therefore, there’s big demand for pet treats that are both ethical and delicious.

Photography

Any proud pet owner will have lots of photos of their pet, whether on their desk, on the walls of their home or simply on their phone. But using a professional pet photographer can help them bring their animal’s image to life, either through portraits or out in the countryside. You could even take photos for marketing materials for other pet businesses.

Dog training

Whether it’s a puppy who needs to learn the basics, or an older dog or rescue that needs some corrective help, there is always demand for quality dog training. If you can help make dogs more obedient with better temperaments, then you can not only enrich yourself, but also enrich owner’s relationships with their dogs.

Boarding and daycare

Not every holiday destination is pet-friendly, not to mention the difficulty and expense of taking animals on flights. The normal option is to put animals in kennels, but this can be extremely expensive. Setting yourself as a boarding house for individual pets can be cheaper, while making you good money from the comfort of your own home.

Pet-friendly travel agent

Connected to the previous point, there are some places that are ideal for holidays with pets, and you can be the person to help owners find them. Putting together holiday packages that are perfect for both pets and people can stand you out in the travel agency market, and is a service owners may well pay a premium for.

Pet shop

It’s perhaps one of the most old-fashioned ideas on the list, but you can’t beat a good pet shop. Even in the age of internet retail, many owners still want to check goods out in person before they buy, and get multiple items in one place. If you have some expertise, you can also give owners valuable advice on the best buys for them.

Pet-friendly cafe

There are several different ways to approach a cafe with pets front-and-centre. One is to create a stopping point for dog owners on walks, with dog treats and food on sale alongside refreshment for humans. Another is to make pets the reason for visiting, such as a cat cafe where people can get some feline company while enjoying a coffee.

Get pet business insurance with Protectivity

As this blog demonstrates, there are many options open to you if you want to start a business involving pets. However, whichever choice you make, one thing remains a constant: the need for comprehensive insurance cover to protect your enterprise if something goes wrong.

Protectivity provides full cover for thousands of pet businesses, including dog grooming insurance, starting from as little as £75 a year. Our policies include public liability; Care, Custody and Control; equipment cover; legal expenses, and can also include employers’ liability if you hire staff. Available through flexible monthly payment plans, our policies can give you peace of mind and vital protection without putting pressure on your bottom line.

We offer insurance for all kinds of pet businesses, including dog walking insurance. Take a more detailed look at our pet business insurance policies here.

Get Pet Business Insurance from Protectivity

Last updated by

09:58:24 GMT • 14 November 2024

The Most Popular Apps For Barbers

1 February 2023

•

4 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

Get barbers insurance from Protectivity

Knowledge is power for barbers. Whether you possess natural talent for bringing hairstyles to life, or you’ve gained extra expertise through specialist courses and qualifications, it’s what you know and how you apply it that can drive your business to success. That way, you can maximise your earnings in an industry where competition can be high.

However, you don’t have to look after everything on your own, especially when it comes to the business and organisation side of things. Thankfully, help is at hand through a huge number of different apps for barbers that can help make your business easier to run, more customer-friendly and ultimately more profitable.

It’s hard to know which are the best apps for barbers to use, so in this guide, we’ve picked out our favourites, which span four key areas of your operations.

Best app for design: Canva

People come to barbers to give them a hairstyle that allow them to express themselves, and as such they want to see that their barber reflects the style they want to pursue. A key part of this is creating a brand and business image that appeals to customers, but this can be expensive if relying on professional designers to create marketing materials. Canva, however, is an app that can be used for free to create eye-catching visuals. It’s easy and quick to use, meaning that even barbers with no design expertise can bring their brand to life.

Best app for payments: Square

In a world that is increasingly cashless, being able to accept card payments (including through contactless means) is now expected of every business. Barbers, whether they work from a studio or on a mobile basis, are no exception to this. That’s where Square, a payment processing system that works from your tablet or smartphone, comes in so handy for small business operations like barbers. It allows barbers to take card payments anywhere and at any time, without the need to buy card machines or pay for software that impacts profit margins.

Best app for booking and scheduling: Vagaro

There are plenty of booking and scheduling apps around, but it’s the ones that are specifically designed for barbers and salons that really stand out. We recommend Vagaro, which acts as a free marketplace for hairstyle and beauty professionals, from which customers can make bookings and payments. From your side, you can manage your schedule through the platform and see who you’re working with, where and when, and use automated tools to target them with marketing that they’re most likely to respond to.

Best app for business management: SalonIQ

If you’re growing a business that employs other barbers as well as yourself, then an all-encompassing business management platform can make administration a much simpler task. SalonIQ is designed with exactly your type of business in mind, allowing you to oversee marketing, payments, team performance, eCommerce and more, all from one place. It even gives you the capability to develop and launch your own branded app, powered by SalonIQ’s technology, to give your customers even easier booking experiences.

Best app for style inspiration: Pinterest

Pinterest can be used to get design inspiration for just about anything creative, and it’s a great place to explore different hairstyles and trends. The more you use the platform, the more its algorithm learns about the content you’re interested in, and will then deliver more focused media around styles and cuts that you can offer in your business. As a way of keeping on-trend with the styles that customers are after, it’s perhaps the easiest and most comprehensive around.

Get your barber business insurance from Protectivity

However you use apps to support your day-to-day business, one thing that always remains essential for every barber is top-quality insurance cover.

Protectivity’s barber insurance covers any unforeseen circumstances that could leave you out of pocket. Our cover includes public liability, personal accident, equipment cover, and up to £1 million of employers’ liability insurance if you’re employing other people.

Our cover is available for less than £4 a month if you use one of our flexible payment plans. Learn more about our hairdresser insurance in more detail.

Get Barbers Insurance from Protectivity

Last updated by

08:24:32 GMT • 15 November 2024

Which are the Best Gadgets for Dog Walkers?

27 January 2023

•

5 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

Get dog walking insurance from Protectivity

Dog walking seems like such a simple thing to do: grab a lead, attach it to the dog, work out your route and away you go. But when you’re running a professional dog walking business, things aren’t necessarily quite that simple.

First of all, you’re likely to be walking several dogs at the same time, all with their own characteristics and energy levels, giving you lots to manage and think about. Then you’ve got all the hazards around you to avoid: people, bikes, traffic and other dogs, to name just a few. And on top of that, then there’s the weather to consider, and how your dogs might be affected if it’s too hot or too wet, for example.

All this means that owning a few nifty bits of kit can make the whole act of professional dog walking much easier for you, and potentially much more enjoyable for the dogs, too. In this blog, we’ve picked out some of the best gadgets for dog walkers.

Our choice of the best gadgets for dog walkers

There’s a huge marketplace for dog-related gadgets nowadays, but not all of them serve the needs of those walking multiple dogs simultaneously. With that specific consideration in mind, here are some of our favourites:

Pet Room Pouch Bag

There’s seemingly a million and one things that a dog walker has to carry with them: poop bags, treats, water bowls, phone, wallet/purse, keys, and so on. This can lead to some very full pockets, or the need to wear a big jacket in summer, which is where a handy pouch bag comes in handy. It’s full of space for treats and valuables, can be slung over your shoulder to free up your arms for lead control, and can even have things like water bowls clipped to the outside.

Portable Poop-Scoop

Clearing up dog mess isn’t pleasant, but it’s a necessary evil of the job when you’re a dog walker, so anything you can use to make it a bit more palatable is a worthwhile investment. A portable poop-scoop looks just like a giant Bulldog clip and works a treat: it even has an expandable chamber so it can handle even the biggest piles that the dogs you walk leave behind. The ability to clip it to a belt (or the pouch bag mentioned above) makes it especially user-friendly, too.

Biodegradable Poop Bags

No dog walker ever leaves the house without a copious supply of poop bags in their pockets, but the plastic nature of them isn’t especially kind to the environment. Instead, it’s worth looking at biodegradable poop bags made with a blend of corn starch that will eventually degrade over time. And don’t worry about leaks: they’re made from an especially thick material.

Car Seat Covers

If you’re collecting dogs from their owners, or taking them out for a walk in the countryside, then you may have to transport them in your car. Understandable, you won’t want to get your seats dirty, which is where you can benefit from car seat covers specifically designed to carry dogs. Not only do they protect your upholstery, but they can also come in the form of a basket that can give smaller dogs stability when they’re in the car.

Portable Dog Washer

If you do venture into the country, then it’s easy for dogs to get wet and muddy. However, a portable dog washer can solve the problem of getting everything dirty, or of you returning a dog to an owner much muckier than it was when it left. All you need to do is fill it with water, use the hand pump to build pressure (no electricity required) and use the brush attachment to clean the dog. It’s small enough to fit in the boot of your car, too.

Get Dog Walking Insurance with Protectivity

As useful as all these gadgets can be for dog walkers, you never know what might happen when you’re out on a walk. Whether it’s dogs jumping out in traffic, attacking other dogs, or their leads tripping people up, there are many things that can happen that could lead to a claim being made against you.

That’s why Protectivity provides comprehensive insurance specially tailored for the needs of professional dog walkers. With our competitively priced policies, you’ll be covered for injuries, accident damage, public liability, vet bills, and ‘Care, Custody and Control’, so you can grow your business with confidence. Find out more on our dog walking insurance policies here.

Get Dog Walking Insurance from Protectivity

Last updated by

What is Mediumship?

25 January 2023

•

5 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

Get mediumship insurance from Protectivity

We all live in a challenging world, and it’s perfectly understandable that many people feel they need spiritual help to guide them through their lives. This is especially the case for those who have lost someone close to them, and feel they need some guidance to help them along the way.

It’s for that reason that many people turn to mediumship for this spiritual guidance, which is helping mediumship become a viable business option. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the basics of mediumship, the different types of practice, and how to set up a mediumship business.

What’s the difference between a medium and a psychic?

Put simply, a medium is a type of psychic who specifically uses their powers in order to communicate with the spirits of the dead. By being able to make contact with deceased people on behalf of the living, mediums can help the living better deal with the loss of a loved one or gain spiritual advice to help them in the future.

A psychic, on the other hand, refers more generally to anybody who can connect with the paranormal in any way.

What types of mediums are there?

There are six different types of mediumship skills. Some mediums will focus mainly on one of them, while others will be able to spiritually connect through several. As this list demonstrates, the types are based around the five ‘traditional’ senses, plus one that’s emotional:

Clairvoyance: the ability to see people, places, colours, symbols or objects within the mind
Clairaudience: being able to hear sounds or speech from a spirit
Clairgustance: understanding a spiritual presence or substance through taste
Clairtangency: using the sense of touch to hold or touch an object or person, and garner information through it
Clairscent: the ability to smell a spirit’s odour or fragrance and derive information
Clairsentience:being able to receive feelings and emotions from a spirit

How do you become a medium?

Firstly, it’s vital to discern whether or not you have any psychic abilities. You may feel that you do, but it’s important to know for sure before you start marketing and selling your services to the public. A good starting point is to ask for some advice or assessment from a renowned industry professional. Many offer training courses on how to harness your psychic abilities to best effect as a medium, and these may be the best people to get in touch with.

There is no official or legal requirement to possess any qualifications or licences in order to become a medium. However, taking some courses and gaining some credentials can give you some gravitas that makes you look authentic to the public. It can also help you learn new skills at the same time.

Aside from the mediumship-related areas, there are also a number of business factors and costs to consider, as is the case with any kind of therapy. For example, are you going to operate as a sole trader or as a limited company? How are you going to market your business? How will you set up your website and social media channels, and what information will they provide? Researching other mediums can give you an idea of what to do in these areas, and help you understand if there are any gaps in the market that you can exploit.

Finally, you should also work out where you are going to provide your mediumship services from. Do you want to operate from your own home, from the homes of clients, from a dedicated venue, or from a combination of all three? Working this out will help you understand the likely costs you’ll incur, how much you’ll need to charge for each session, and any insurance cover you might need to protect your interests, revenue and equipment (if any).

Get mediumship insurance with Protectivity

However you operate as a medium, it’s important not to overlook the value of good-quality insurance cover for your business. After all, some things really are impossible to predict, and you don’t want to end up out of pocket.

At Protectivity, we offer specialist insurance policies for mediums, including Public Liability cover in case of injury or damage to a third party, equipment cover and Professional Indemnity. Our cover is available from just a few pounds a month, and is available through flexible payment plans, so you can get peace of mind for minimal outlay.

Take a closer look at our options for mediumship insurance policies here.

Get Mediumship Insurance from Protectivity

Last updated by

Top 7 Apps For Event Planners

20 January 2023

•

4 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

If you’re already working as an event planner or manager, you’ll know that it’s nowhere near as easy as it looks. There are a million and one things to keep track of, and make sure they all happen in the time and place they’re supposed to happen. It only takes one mistake to derail all that hard work – and you’ll often be the person who has to take the blame.

Thankfully, tech solutions such as apps for event planners are here to minimise the risk of that happening. In this blog, we’ll highlight some of the best event planning apps around.

About us: Event Insurance from Protectivity

Our event cancellation insurance policy offers a range of benefits including public liability, employers’ liability, event cancellation cover and much more.

Why use an event planning app?

Event planning apps come into their own because they can help you bring the vast majority of your functions and to-do lists into one place. From booking catering and arranging table layouts, to coordinating audio-visual systems and organising marketing, they can put all your tasks into the palm of your hand.

Many apps integrate with other platforms and solutions, so work that you do in one will automatically update the other. For example, events you create in some apps can automatically update Facebook or other social media platforms, so that those interested in attending can start to register straight away.

Our favourite apps for event planners

There is a vast range of apps for event planning out there, all of which fill their own specific niches or target market. To help you find one that might suit your own needs, we’ve picked out seven of our favourites:

Asana

Asana is used by many businesses to coordinate work tasks and collaboration, but it can be just as useful for event planning, too. You can easily create tasks, assign them to other people, set due dates, then track progress within schedules to keep on top of everything.

Bizzabo

If planning large events that require substantial marketing duties, then Bizzabo should be your first port of call. Not only does it incorporate task management to keep everything running smoothly, but there’s also the ability to build registration websites, marketing emails and event agendas, all from one place.

Boomset

Guest registration and check-in can be a real headache, especially at larger events with lots of attendees. Boomset enables fast check-in processes, the ability to print customised badges and wristbands, and other innovations that makes check-ins easier for you and your guests.

Localist

If your top priority is getting information about your event to a wider audience, then Localist can help. It’s a relatively simple events calendar that can be made publicly accessible and interactive, so that anyone can see what’s going on, where and when. Localist also connects to Facebook so that attendees can fit your events in with their own plans.

Planning Pod

Planning Pod is the platform that does a little bit of everything. This includes (and isn’t limited to): managing attendees, scheduling and managing tasks, arranging seating, building registration websites, coordinating budgets, managing guest lists, and much, much more. If you feel that you lose a lot of time navigating different platforms day-to-day, then this might well be the app for you.

Social Tables Check-In

This free app is an excellent replacement for organising guest lists through Excel or on paper. It enables guests to be checked in within a matter of seconds, and seating layouts to be designed in either 2D or 3D, so that every attendee gets a seamless, stress-free experience when they arrive.

Decibel Ultra

One area often overlooked in event planning is sound and noise, especially if there are restrictions on volume in a particular place. This free app is ideal for measuring decibel levels in any given area, to make sure that any music, speeches or performances won’t cause any issues on the day.

Last updated by