| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | massage? Network with family planning centers and |
| Venturing out on your own with a new massage | | | | local health clinics. Sports massage? Partner with local |
| business, or hoping to breathe new life into your | | | | gyms, yoga centers, and sports chiropractors. |
| established massage business? Whether you have a | | | | Massage for the elderly? Connect with home health |
| faithful client base or are still waiting for your first client, | | | | care workers, senior centers, and nursing homes. |
| these tips will help you form a solid massage | | | | On the flip side, word of mouth can also work against |
| marketing plan for your business. | | | | you if your massage practice offers less than clients |
| Of all the massage marketing ideas you may hear | | | | expect. The foundation of any massage business plan |
| about, word of mouth is by far a massage therapist's | | | | must include a professional atmosphere and relaxing |
| strongest asset. Clients who have personally benefited | | | | environment. If you try to scrape by with threadbare |
| from your healing touch are a natural advocate for | | | | sheets and oil-dotted walls or neglect to clean the |
| your massage therapy practice. | | | | restrooms, your clients will notice and tell their friends. |
| People tend to accept opinions based on personal | | | | Clients are more likely to become regulars if they |
| experience, particularly when those opinions are | | | | perceive that you care about their health, their time, |
| offered freely, with no underlying motives. Personal | | | | and their comfort. |
| referrals from friends or family members—or even | | | | While word of mouth is your core strategy for |
| casual acquaintances—are more likely to generate a | | | | long-term clients, there are plenty of other massage |
| response than traditional advertising venues such as | | | | marketing ideas that can give your appointment |
| newspaper ads or flyers. | | | | schedule a boost. Chair massage is one of the most |
| Loyal clients raving about your massage skills to their | | | | effective. It's also an excellent introduction to massage |
| friends and family, resulting in an endless chain of | | | | therapy for potential clients. Chair massage allows |
| referrals and new clients, is an inspiring vision, but in the | | | | clients to sample the power of healing touch before |
| meantime, what can you do to light the spark? | | | | experimenting with the deeper benefits of full body |
| One way to spark referrals is to offer a special deal | | | | massage. |
| for clients who refer your massage services to a | | | | Offer chair massage sessions at community and |
| friend or family member. How does this work? Here's | | | | social events, health fairs, business expos, farmers |
| an example. If a new client books (and keeps) an | | | | markets, athletic events, country clubs, coffee houses, |
| appointment as the result of a referral, the client who | | | | bookstores, or universities. Bring your appointment |
| made the referral receives a free massage session. If | | | | book to schedule office sessions on the spot for |
| the new client rebooks at the end of their first | | | | interested clients. |
| appointment, your regular client gets another incentive, | | | | Some therapists offer chair massage for free as a |
| such as hot stone massage. | | | | marketing promotion, but clients looking for a handout |
| Other rewards for referrals could include free add-on | | | | are less likely to become regular clients. Most |
| treatments such as foot massage, spa treatments, or | | | | massage therapists charge one dollar per minute for |
| aromatherapy. These add-ons encourage the client to | | | | seated massage. Individuals who are willing to pay for |
| sample other services you have to offer. If they enjoy | | | | seated massage will be more willing to invest in your |
| it, they may even consider adding it to their regular | | | | services for full body massage. |
| massage sessions. | | | | Business cards should also be an important part of |
| Another source of potential referrals is community | | | | your massage therapy business plan. Give extra |
| involvement. Network with community members and | | | | business cards to friends and family members who |
| local business owners, especially those who work with | | | | are willing to refer your services. Keep a stack of |
| clients and customers that would benefit from | | | | business cards at the appointment desk, where clients |
| therapeutic massage. Individuals who are prominent in | | | | can pick up a few on their way out if they know of |
| the community can effectively market your business | | | | people who may be interested in your services. Don't |
| through word of mouth. | | | | hesitate to pass out business cards on your own as |
| Chiropractors, fitness trainers, and physical therapists | | | | well. |
| are key individuals to include in your network, but don't | | | | Building up your massage business takes planning and |
| limit yourself to the obvious. Be creative. Include health | | | | hard work, but the results are worth the effort. Your |
| food stores, specialty gift shops, bridal shops, and | | | | business and your clients will benefit from your efforts |
| counseling centers. Focus on the type of clients you | | | | to reach individuals who can find hope and healing |
| hope to attract. Do you specialize in pregnancy | | | | through massage therapy. |