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How to Start a Massage Business

dbodnariuc by dbodnariuc

Start a Private Practice

You are undeniably the best massage therapist around. Why aren't you making the money you were promised when you enrolled into the massage program? Working in a spa doesn't quite qualify as the best paid massage job, does it? Or if you are totally unlucky, your great skills and expertise are going to be wasted waiting for the best job on the market as a massage therapist.
Don't wait until the next great job comes around and don't wait until people find out about your great massage therapist skills. Take fate in your hands and change your career. It's time to be proactive and make yourself known out there.
The best way to make a good income as a massage therapist is to Start a Private Massage Practice.

Photograph by borediq, Flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Create a Business Image

Massage OfficeYou need first to clarify in your mind what makes your services unique, what sets you apart from other massage therapists. Defining what makes your practice unique is part of your marketing campaign, and it will be the basis for your business image.

Your company image also need a graphic element which contains a logo, a banner, a website, business cards, etc...

All of these elements will make up your Massage Business image.

Photograph by Mattes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Elevator Pitch

Prepare and Practice an Elevator Pitch

Using your uniqueness prepare an elevator pitch. Practice the pitch a few times if you are shy. The pitch should include one or two interesting facts that most people don't know about massage. Once the interest is raised, you can mention you have a massage business. Share a success story.
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Volunteer

Find Potential Clients through Volunteering

VolunteersVolunteering is a great way to meet people. Be prepared with brochures and business cards. Wear a shirt with your business name and what you do; that will stick into everybody's mind, and it's a great discussion starter. Offer a few minutes of free massage if given the opportunity.
Attend, workshops, meetings, fairs and make of every event you go is an occasion to network. Take business cards and give business cards. Any phone number you have is a potential client or can bring you a potential client. Use your elevator pitch when you get the chance.

Photograph by TheEgyptian, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Create Agreements and Ask for Referrals

  • Create agreements with chiropractors, acupuncturists, reflexologists or personal trainers. These kinds of referrals are a great way to get more business.
  • Register to the various organizations in your community, the chamber of commerce, local clubs, etc... Some of these organizations have Internet listings, these listings are very effective because they are targeted to your local community.
  • Ask your clients for referrals and offer incentives for them. A discount for a referral is a great way to get more business. Clients are happy to refer you anyway; giving them an incentive will just boost their energy to do it.

Traditional Marketing for Massage

Traditional Marketing still Works

Traditional Marketing - Massage SignTraditional marketing is still a great instrument in your toolbox. Distributing fliers is the cheapest solution, buying advertising in a local newspaper never fails, though it costs money.
Internet marketing plays a greater role in your massage business and you need to have a marketing plan and a budget allocated.
A massage practice is a small business in essence and it can be conducted as any other small business.

Create a Website

Everybody is on Internet

Create an Internet presence; you can start small with a free page, but the goal is to have a website with your own domain name. This is part of your business image.
Today people's first option to search for services is the Internet. Optimize your web page or your website for search results in your area.
Don't wait too much, your practice needs a website for a massage business.

Event Massage a Great Way to Promote your Business

Chair Massage InformalOrganize chair massage events, offering free 10-15 minutes sessions. Potential clients will get to test your skills and have a memorable experience. This can easily convert visitors to your stand into customers, many people don't get any massage because they don't know a practitioner.

Chair massage is very convenient and very easy to setup anywhere.

Event massage is a great way to gather phone numbers and addresses from potential clients. It is an excellent tool for marketing for massage businesses.

Photograph by Uncleweed, Flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Massage Marketing Books

For further reading on Massage Marketing I selected a few books that you can buy on Amazon.
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Conclusion

Starting your own massage business requires time, passion, ideas and imagination. If you don't have these you can always pay someone else for these services. But waiting around working for someone else for half or even the third of the money you could make is definitely not an option.

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Your Feedback is Appreciated

  • naheedahsan Feb 29, 2012 @ 6:21 am | delete
    thanks for the idea
  • SynchronicityHouse Feb 11, 2012 @ 2:07 pm | delete
    You've created a great Lens with really ideas, tips and info - thank you. I've added your Lens to - Christmas 2012 Preparations for your Massage Business as it fits it well with my Lens - hope that's ok?
  • miaponzo Nov 15, 2011 @ 1:18 pm | delete
    Just keep on adding info to help people! Great beginning! Blessed!
  • dbodnariuc Jun 28, 2011 @ 9:06 pm | delete
    Thanks Peter, I'm glad I could help.
  • Peter Jun 28, 2011 @ 4:41 pm | delete
    Nice article dude. I am looking for a job as a massage therapist. I am quite desperate because males are not welcome into this business.
    Maybe starting my own practice will help.
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This UpMarket page written by

dbodnariuc

My name is Dorian and I am a massage practitioner and a native of Eastern Europe. I have been practicing massage since 1997. I specialize in Swedish M... more »

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