60 or 90 minute massage

There have been a lot of discussions about whether it’s better to get a 60 or a 90 minute massage. I tend to believe a 90 minute massage is typically a better deal. Yes, it does bring the practitioner more money as many would think, but there are other reasons why I endorse a longer massage.

First, I know in my practice  I typically offer a better price for a 90 minute massage. It’s usually about $5 less than a 60 minute massage when you look at the time difference. However, there are also times when I do not provide this offer, simply because like any professional I provide a service and expect to be compensated a fair amount for that service, but I often try to keep the discount available simply because I believe that providing a 90 minute massage is important. 

Second, beyond money, clients who get a 90 minute massage get more of their body worked upon. They also get more time if they need extra attention focused toward a specific pain or ache. For instance, during a typical 90 minute massage I am able to work 30 minutes on someone’s back and shoulders (the most typical area for pain & soreness), and still have time to work the rest of the body while prone (facing down), and supine (facing up). I am able to provide stretches for my client and provide full relaxation techniques if desired.

Third, is the difference between a 60 minute massage and a 90 minute massage. As I stated above, there are many parts of the body I can really work when doing a 90 minute massage. However, with a 60 minute massage I can only do so much. I can work the entire body, but it isn’t usually as intense. Relaxing someone isn’t usually difficult during a 60 minute massage, but working on a specific area of pain can be. If I work on a person who requests that a certain area of the body be worked more than other areas, then I typically will need to skip another part of the body, which I believe throws the massage out of balance.

Now, of course, there are benefits to a 60 minute massage as well, I just feel that there are more benefits to a 90 minute massage. As for a 60 minute massage, I believe it can work well for specific areas of the body and for getting deep tissue work in specific areas. I also believe, as I said before, that a 60 minute massage is good for relaxation. In addition, there are times when someone just needs to be touched, so a 60 minute massage is great to satisfy that need.

Finally, although my position is that a 90 minute massage is better, I have to conclude that any massage is better than none. So if a 60 minute massage is all you can afford, or need, or want, then go for it. I provide both, and of course, it is utimately up to the client. 

 http://www.totalnaturalhealth.abmp.com

 

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