I read a lot of trade magazines, but I thought it would be interesting to hear from people who read my blog. What is the most important thing a massage therapist should do when working with you? For example, change the routine, etc. etc. You don’t have to use the items I posted, etc.), I read a number of trade papers, provide extra time working an area of your body that you request and skip another part of your body due to time constraints, provide extras (bottles of water, really listen to what you’re saying, use the same routine, you can list anything you would like (except inappropriate things). Thank you!.
Category Archives: Business
Overcoming fear days
Both yesterday and today, I overcame three of my fears (much applause, cheering, and crowd surfing). As a massage therapist in a new neighborhood, it is essential to market (at least that’s what I believe. I have no claim into what other massage therapists believe). I have done some of this before (giving out free-30 minute spot massage gift certificates) which scared the hell out of me the first few times I did it, but let’s face it, once you walk through that door and have a person staring at you it just doesn’t seem professional to run out of the room screaming. I think I may have digressed a bit.
Anyway, my first achievement was going through a huge mall, which for some reason always seemed quite daunting to me. I kept thinking the mall police were going to come after me for soliciting – although I don’t think giving away free things is soliciting & I’m pretty sure nobody told on me (considering the majority of people took the certificates quite willingly)
Second, and very major for me, was going into Dr.’s offices. OMG they’re going to hate me and tell me to get out, or that they already have massage therapists, or that massage therapists are quacks, etc., etc., etc. (isn’t it amazing what you’re mind can do to you). In the end I had a great time talking with a number of the receptionists (dentists really love me). I even got into a conversation with a Surgeon’s receptionist that went for at least 20 minutes. Cool beans right.
Finally, I went to an apartment complex to discuss partnering…I didn’t get a meeting with the manager because he was busy, but I did get to meet him and we are scheduling a meeting for next week.
All in all, it’s a pretty great feeling when you overcome fears. Besides, I like to remind myself that you can choose to go out and succeed or sit around and fail.
Marketing my services in my new place
Hello,
I have recently moved, which I stated before, but am finally starting my marketing techniques. My first is, of course, my grand opening special: $40 for a 60 minute massage, and $70 for a 90 minute massage, which I think is reasonable since it includes repeat clients and initial clients who don’t have gift certificates, which leads me to my other special.
I have done this before, but this time I have beautiful gift certificates. They are for a free (yes, free) 30 minute spot massage, with an optional upgrade (yes, optional) of $35 for a 60 minute massage, or $60 for a 90 minute massage (which is a very good deal). I give these certificates out to the businesses that are in the area where my studio is located.
Now, the one question that has come up for me (fear, anxiety, something like that) is that I have found there are a number of other massage therapists within blocks of my location. So, I am not sure if it is okay for me to hand out my certificates in the malls/centers where they are located (since there are a number of businesses within those areas), and I am not sure to go into the massage businesses to also give them some certificates. I know when I did my Groupon special that I had quite a few massage therapists schedule appointments with me.
Anyway, what do you think?
Thanks,
Neal
New Place – Love It!!!
Wow! It feels like it has been forever since I have posted anything on my blog…or facebook…or my website for that matter. I recently completed a promotion with Groupon and was extremely busy. Now, that the promotion is over things have slowed down a bit. However, things slowed down a little more since I was closed for about a week and a half during my move to my new space.
I had most recently been renting a room in the back of a Pilates Studio, which, although having a place in one location was nice, was not particularly conducive to massage. My favorite was the one night (that I usually took off) when I booked a client, not knowing that a teenage ballet class would be in session. Imagine trying to give a massage with partial music blasting throughout the room next door, teenage girls jumping up and down and laughing, and an instructor shouting out instructions and beats to the music. (Ugghhh) – not a returning customer (although, now that I am in a new spot I do plan on calling her and offering her something to make up for it.
Anyway, I am thrilled with my new spot!!! I am in South Asheville (a great area!). I have an office, a huge backroom (where I provide my massages), a lobby, an extra room which I haven’t used yet (except for some storage), and of course a bathroom (my parents actually asked if I had one ha ha). So, it has been wonderful. The place looks absolutely beautiful thanks to the help of my wife and her friend. I Love it–from the paintings (local artists), to the Orchids, to the furniture.
Now, at the risk of making this an even longer post, I have to say that having this space that is mine (or maybe shared using the extra room) my confidence level is sooo much higher, which in turn means that the massages I provide are that much better! In addition, I am preparing a syllabus for some manifesting classes that I plan to offer.
Anyway, if you are in the area, I will have a Grand Opening Promotion for the months of June and July, so either call, e-mail, or contact me through my web page for more information. Thanks!
828-333-2067
totalnaturalhealth@massagetherapy.com
http://www.totalnaturalhealth.abmp.com
Massage on the down low…
Okay, I don’t know if anybody uses that phrase anymore, but it popped into my head. My last few blogs have been about marketing to start a massage business and this one will follow suit.
Every day I do something for my business, be it working at getting my technological aspect going, walking into numerous businesses, finding out about advertising, completing paperwork, or whatever needs or might need to be done. I have watched numerous webinars and read numerous sites about how to create a successful massage business and have followed much of the advice from giving out 1/2 price coupons (355 at current count – will go up to 800) to adding meaningful content to my website. I have to remind myself at times that my business has only been open for 21 days and that it is okay not to have 80-100 customers a week (although that is the end goal – hopefully realistic).
There are two things however that both surprise and frustrate me. The first is the surprising aspect (well, okay maybe three things total). The first is that when those times come where you really don’t want to do something (such as market by walking into business after business, once you start or force yourself to do it some days, it becomes easy and fun a lot of the time. I always find that surprising. Next, which connects to the first surprise is that I learn so much about people. They love to tell you about their work and lives…I spent 20 minutes the other day in someone’s office. I guess it is the art of building relationships – surprising but enjoyable… and hopefully marketable.
The thing that is frustrating me (as I mentioned on my facebook page) is trying to get a top spot using Google. I’m not sure how to get there when keywords such as Massage and Asheville are like trying to get someone to look at a red balloon within a mix of 10,000 other red balloons.
Any ideas would be welcome!
Thank you!
Marketing for Massage Pays Off
Well, I’m not actually sure how much it pays, but it is definitely bringing in clients who are willing to come give my massages a try, hopefully resulting in repeat clients and word of mouth to bring in others. I officially opened November 6th, and after starting my marketing (hitting the pavement) and offering free thirty minute massage trials I have had six new customers. A number of them will be repeat clients and I have already been told by some that they will be sending others.
So, although I have only earned a small amount at this point – through upgrades and tips….I guess in the long run, at least for massage, marketing really does pay off.
Thank you for reading!
First Rings
As I have mentioned in my earlier posts I was giving out gift certificates for a free 30 minute massage with an upgrade for $35. I have given out 175 certficates at this point and my phone has started to ring. I have now scheduled three massages, which I feel is pretty good for a week and a half of marketing.
I have also learned that I am quite capable of walking into businesses, talking with people, and handing them the certificates, something I didn’t even think I could do two weeks before. It is strange to find what you are really capable of when it comes down to it.
Anyway, I wanted to share this bit of marketing…which seems to work well for massage.
1070 Tunnel Rd., Suite 20
Asheville, NC 28805
828-333-2067
Free Massage
Well, today I finished giving out my 100 massage certificates/coupons for the week. I overcame a personal hurdle as well. I had already succeeded overcoming my fears once this week, when putting flyers on peoples’ doors, or under screen doors, etc. That was scary for me as well. I kept hoping that no one was going to come out with a shotgun or loose their dogs at me. It was difficult when as soon as I stepped next to the door the dogs would start barking…but that was my earlier hurdle this week.
Today, I went into businesses…I have been tremendously frightened of doing this, to the point where enough anxiety would kick in that I would start shaking. However, this time I was armed with a free 30 minute massage. It is interesting to note how much our culture loves free things. I kept the mantra in my head that if I wanted to succeed I needed to go into these businesses and give them my materials…something in me finally snapped and said let’s just go do it.
It was interesting…I would walk into a business and they would greet me and (of course) I would greet them back. I stood holding my pile of envelopes (with five massage certificates in each one). I would introduce myself and the name of my business/practice and let them know that I had just opened in the area. It was at that point when they would start to look at me funny (I could almost hear it…uh oh, what does he want from us). Then I would tell them that since I have just opened I was coming around and giving out free 30 minute massages while showing the envelope.
As soon as the words “free and massage” came out I was welcomed and in some cases even introduced to others while they told them about what I was doing. It was a fantastic feeling…and of course after the first success it became easier and easier…believe me, no one said no to the free massage.
Now, to start booking clients. 🙂
What a wonderful, liberating day!
1070 Tunnel Rd., Suite 20, Asheville, NC 28805 (828)-333-2067
Massage marketing – election day
Well, I have to say that I am definitely not sure (ha ha) of whether or not making the official opening of my business Total Natural Health the same time as election day was a good choice or not. I sent out press notices yesterday, figuring that it might be something a little different from the run of the mill politics, but I’m not sure if they were sent out or not. I’m also pretty sure they weren’t the best releases, since I have never written them before. I sent them out to one free magazine/paper, one local paper, and a local radio station.
The snow this morning (and today) did not seem to help matters. I am hoping that it is not a foretelling of how my business is going to do. It doesn’t look like it has stuck to the streets though, so maybe that’s a good sign. I’m not sure if all business owners (or owners of massage practices) go through these worries at the starting of their businesses or not, although I suspect they do.
As for marketing, I have been giving out coupons for free 30 minutes massages with the opportunity to upgrade to an hour massage for $35, with an expiration date of two weeks from the time of distribution. My goal is to give out 100 a week, but for at the most eight weeks. Obviously I want clients who are willing to take action. So, I am slowly learning how to go into businesses and talk to owners and managers as well as putting up flyers & certificates door to door. When I started I put some in mailboxes, but then was told that it was illegal and a federal crime. It seems a bit picky to covet the mailboxes that much, but I learned to put things on peoples’ doors – an interesting although scary aspect. It seems good to have a mantra about succeeding while pounding the pavement.
I also sent out my first newsletter today (along with coupons) called Total Natural Health Fall 2012 newsletter (creative huh? 😉 So far, I have only had two returned addresses. I’m hoping the others will stay on my list…my wife made me change her address though – too funny.
Anyway, as I usually try to end with a question, please let me know what types of marketing ideas you may have or use. It doesn’t matter if you own a business or not, just let me know (creative is great). I tend to love and use many marketing ideas. My goal is to have 60 or more regular clients by the end of December. I appreciate your thoughts!!
Thank you!
Total Natural Health, 1070 Tunnel Rd., Suite 20, Asheville, NC 28805 (just inside the Precision Pilates Studio) 828-333-2067
Square Massage
Well, I can’t really say anything about having a square massage…or what that truly means. But, my reason for putting it is that I just bought the square and am now able to take credit cards. I find it odd, yet exciting, that a massage business that is relatively new can take credit cards these days.
Beyond that I spent part of the day marketing and giving out gift certificates for 30 minutes massages (see previous post) and setting up my floor plan for my space.
Thanks for reading!
totalnaturalhealth 