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!

Total Natural Health Massage

 

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!

Total Natural Health

 

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.

Total Natural Health

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!

Total Natural Health

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!

Gift Certificate for Massage

Well, opening my new place for my massage practice Total Natural Health was delayed a few days due to snow. However, the delay (and being homebound) allowed me to have some extra time for a couple of webinars about marketing for massage businesses. One of the practices consisted of handing out gift certificates for a free 30 minute massage….

So, the question I am asking (and I would love to hear reasons why in addition to yes/no answers) is that if you were given a coupon for a free 30 minute massage with an offer to upgrade to a full hour for only $35 would you upgrade? The regular fee for a 60 minute Swedish Massage is $65.

As always, thank you again for reading and responding!

Total Natural Health

It is now official!

Yes, it is now official. I signed the agreement papers this past weekend for my new space. I will be open in that space as of November 2nd. It would’ve been the first but snow is preventing me from having everything ready. I have to admit that I am a bit nervous. Housecall was my main basis before and of course now that I am in a new space I will be spending a lot of time marketing. I have never been the type of person who likes going door to door (cold calls), but I suppose you learn and get better as you do it. I suppose if one keeps a reminder that this will lead to success while sitting around most likely won’t then it should make it easier (especially the “no” answers).

Anyway, it is still exciting and I feel like I am ready to do what is needed to make the business grow. The address and phone number are listed below.

1070 Tunnel Road, Suite 20, Asheville, NC 28805  (it is inside the Precision Pilates Studio)

828-333-2067 

If you have any words of advice, please share. Thank you!

Please check my website for specials, rates, and hours.

Total Natural Health

The Best Massage Ever

I watched a webinar the other day through the abmp website and this question came up. “What would make it the best massage ever?” Some of the things that were talked about were materials, temperature, readiness…it could be anything. So I am posing the same question to you and I doubt many will have the same ansers. So, What could a massage therapist or place do to provide you with the best massage ever?

Thank you

Total Natural Health