Common business sense for massage therapists

Hello Fellow Colleagues!

The massage profession is growing leaps and bounds in the last 10 years! Wow, I can't believe my eyes and would never have thought 25 years ago we would have made the progress we did.

However, the one area I see a latent amount of progress in our field is educating our massage therapists about common business sense marketing and promotion.

My favorite all time book is Business Mastery by Cherie Sohnen Moe. Cherie has always been a wonderful resource for me.  When I owned my massage school I utilized many of her wonderful ideas, forms etc. She even took the time to email me when I had questions.

Today, I hear less and less emphasis is being placed on teaching massage therapists about business. They rush them in and out of 6 month programs often, barely providing them with the hands on skills necessary to be successful.

Many try to set up their own businesses and get frustrated. Others, take employment and get frustrated when their clientele isn't building.

Let's look at a few common sense things to approach your new or expanding business (these apply for any situation)

1. Customer Service!  How do you like to be treated in any business you frequent? Would you go back if someone was rude, didn't return your message or provided a bad service?

• Always serve with a smile
• Be Prompt. Never keep a client waiting.
• Be attentive to the clients needs
• The customer is expecting 'service' - remember they are paying your salary.

2. Network !

• Meet and greet people and tell them about your services
• Go to business networking meetings
• Take business cards with you all the time and hand them out
• Offer a free 30 minute massage to another local successful business owner that might refer to you
• Set up Free talks at other organizations and make it fun. People love to learn about new concepts, ideas, services and products
• Create a local support group of massage therapist. Why you say? Because it is fun, it provides encouragement, share ideas , you might need help one day and you get to know what other people offer if you need to refer out or they need to refer to you.

3. Consultants

• There are so many free services available with the internet, use them.
• Go to your local chamber of commerce. Often they have free classes or successful retired individuals very willing to share their knowledge of success
• Read books on manifesting and growing successful
• Beware of individuals claiming to help you do it all. It's easy to get enticed with the golden nugget. Buyer beware of services and products being offered. All too often individuals can easily get 'taken' by something that appeared to be enticing when it was just seduction to build their own business.
• ABMP and AMTA have websites, search them for free webinars too

4. Cheerleaders

• Everyone needs a cheerleader, especially for motivation! Friends, family and colleagues are here for this!
• Find someone or several that always encourage you - ask for more when you are feeling frustrated.
• Massage therapists in your local region are great cheerleaders too! They can share the ups and downs and support you on your way.

5. Visibility

• Got a website? There are many you can create that are easy enough and are free or minimal cost. If you are a member of an organization like ABMP, they offer a free website for their members.
• If you don't know how find a reputable person who designs and creates websites, ask someone who is pleased with their website. 
• Check references of people claiming to build websites and ask to see other websites they created.
• Make it clear, attractive and user friendly
• List your services 
• Location and hours of operation
• Place pictures that show what you do or how your customer will feel
• Have your pic and bio too. People want to know who you are!
• Social Media? This can be good if you know how to use it. Remember everything you put out there personally and professionally will be seen by clients. Use caution what you say, post and how you act on social media. Create a Professional Fan Page on FaceBook, use Twitter for specials, LinkedIn for professional/career connections . Please remember anyone could be watching you on these sites.
• Social media requires 'quick' simple posts so people can read something on the run
• Make it entertaining at times, informative at other times
• Don't bombard people with posts. They will eventually disconnect from you
• Articles? Start writing. Write about what you love. Write about a great class and what you learned. Write and submit to magazines and local newspapers. The more your name is out in the public eye, people will notice. It doesn't cost anything either. Advertising can be very expensive
• Local newspapers will even put a press release out for your new business.
• Write a little blurb about your new practice, where you went to school, what you offer and your location
• Blog - simple and easy to create through Blogger. Just start talking and writing about what you love about massage! Post at least weekly and share with your media links. Most websites have the ability to place a blog too.
• Public Speaking? YES! Although this is one of the biggest fears for people you can actually make it FUN!  If you truly LOVE what you do, then make it a 'discussion'. Let people ask you questions and respond from your place of passion. Soon, you will see how easy this is. Have your appointment book with you to set up those Introductory Specials.
• Senior Citizen Events
• Elks club etc.
• Hospitals and community centers
• Health Fairs, etc?  Any opportunity for people to meet you is a great opportunity. You never know who you will meet and what doorway might open. Take a chance.
• Set up chair massage
• Hand out business cards or brochures
• Have a raffle for a free massage and collect a mailing list

These are just some of the common sense things you should do to get your business going. It's important for the community to get to know you and Respect you.

Continue your education. The more you study, the more you can offer your clients that have a variety of symptoms.

STAY MOTIVATED! Don't give up. A career in  massage therapy is rewarding and at times frustrating. Clients come and go, whether you are employed or self employed. 

Ask a 'seasoned' and well respected massage therapist to evaluate your massage. You might be surprised at all the wonderful information and tips they will provide for you to grow. Ask them to come visit your space and provide you with feedback. Ask them to review your brochure and website and get feedback. I've done this for my colleagues all my professional career. We can exchange/barter a service and help each other!

Taking these suggestions will save you money and unnecessary expenses when getting started.

Best of luck to you! Much Success!

Gloria Coppola, LMT, Educator, Massage Therapist, Author and grandmother. I love to travel, paint and write. My Recent book is "Both Ends of the Rainbow, a healing journey" released in spring 2013. I'm passionate about massage and love inspiring new therapists.

Massage Pro C.E.