Advertising to target group

[nat]

When I go off and do my own practice I want to target my services to the GLBT community, specificly the transgendered part.
I live in minnesota where the queer population is regarded fairly openly but many people in the community still are afraid to get a massage unless they know the person or place they are visiting is openly queer freindly.
Transgendered people especially have a tough time, especially since most western massage requires the client to be unclothed and many people in this group have body issues. I personally am transgendered and during my swedish class I was feeling incredibly vulnerably lying on the table naked expect for a drapping.

Does anyone have any sharable experience in this area either being queer in the massage world, advertising towards queer or both?

 

[Pompal 09.]

Fey, I applaud you for wanting to target a pretty much neglected segment of the population.

What I would advise is looking into what GLBT resources exist in the community. Gay Chamber of Commerce, gay weekly newspapers, social/business networking groups, AIDS/other gay related non-profits etc. Any/all of these would be great avenues to reaching your target population.

Success to you!

 

[BAPS]

We have a GLBT Yellow Pages in our community. You might want to check to see if your area has one.

Angie

 

[Lost Girl]

We have one, but thats one of the reasons Im shooting for this.
When i look at that section I find many 6 massage places doing the same thing.
We also have the MNtranshealth which is a resource for trans people to go to find safe places to go for doctors and what not, there are only 4 body workers listed here.
Part of the reason Im doing this is because I know I can rake in the buissness ^_^

 

[Busiwoman]

Part of the reason Im doing this is because I know I can rake in the buissness ^_^

Yes, its important to make money, we all need it after all! I would advise not to make this seem to be your number one priority, at least not outwardly. Improving your skills, working on as many bodies as you can, and truly wanting to help people will make you more money in the long run than by targeting a group of people.

 

[somehuman]

Part of the reason Im doing this is because I know I can rake in the buissness ^_^

Yes, its important to make money, we all need it after all! I would advise not to make this seem to be your number one priority, at least not outwardly. Improving your skills, working on as many bodies as you can, and truly wanting to help people will make you more money in the long run than by targeting a group of people.

I didnt say money, I meant I can get a whole lot of people. Besides my living expeinces and a few minor luxories and dont have a terrible need to make alot of money.
I got into this profession so I can help people with out becoming a doctor or an EMC and I think it would be great if I can help the one group of people that is afraid of getting a massage.

 

[gladewalker69]

Part of the reason Im doing this is because I know I can rake in the buissness ^_^

Yes, its important to make money, we all need it after all! I would advise not to make this seem to be your number one priority, at least not outwardly. Improving your skills, working on as many bodies as you can, and truly wanting to help people will make you more money in the long run than by targeting a group of people.

I didnt say money, I meant I can get a whole lot of people. Besides my living expeinces and a few minor luxories and dont have a terrible need to make alot of money.
I got into this profession so I can help people with out becoming a doctor or an EMC and I think it would be great if I can help the one group of people that is afraid of getting a massage.

You may not have said money, but if you are doing massage and charging for it, that is a business. Without the money, its just a hobby.

 

[Kurtis B]

granted but I only really want any money to keep living in relative comfort, I dont really want to do massage to become wealthy.

 

[dantexvergil]

granted but I only really want any money to keep living in relative comfort, I dont really want to do massage to become wealthy.

: I am sure others will chime in on this one.

Spoken like a student. When you realize how much massage can take a toll on you after years of it, you may regret under charging or not charging at all. There are only so many massages any of us can give in our career. Trouble is, no one knows what that number is.

I charge the going rate, get in 20 to 25 hours of massage a week, do not have a second job, and I am far from being "wealthy." There be bills to pay associated with running a business, even running one from home! I would say I am living in relative comfort at the rate I am going right now.

My business is a store front btw.

 

[tutuy2004]

Gratelakes, I think you're being a bit unfair to fey and have gotten this thread off-track. I don't get the sense that fey's only choosing this career for the money, so I don't see the need for the money lectures. This thread began with a request for suggestions for targeting marketing to the GLBT community. It's a valid question.

PIFATOS and Moogie already gave some great suggestions. I also recommend checking in with University of Minnesota. I'm sure there are student GLBT groups on campus, and I'm guessing there's a staff/faculty group as well. Maybe offer to speak to those groups (and other groups in the city) about the benefits of massage therapy. It would be a way for people to meet you and gain comfort in coming to you for massage therapy. Bring brochures & business cards to the meetings. And maybe finish your presentation either offering 5 minute chair massages (if you have a massage chair) or teaching hand or foot massage.

 

[Carrie]

Gratelakes, I think you're being a bit unfair to fey and have gotten this thread off-track. I don't get the sense that fey's only choosing this career for the money, so I don't see the need for the money lectures. This thread began with a request for suggestions for targeting marketing to the GLBT community. It's a valid question.

I agree with you Blisss, Fey is not choosing this career for money. It appears she genuinely wants to help people, and I think that is great. It is the reason most of us chose this career. However, I do think she is disillusioned if she thinks most MT's are wealthy.

She wouldnt be the first student or potential student to think so. We have had many discussions on this board about how much money can actually be made in this profession.

If you are good with your hands and have good business sense, you can go pretty far and make a comfortable living with massage.

I wish Fey the best with her fledgling practice.

 

[Markie]

I agree with you Blisss, Fey is not choosing this career for money. It appears she genuinely wants to help people, and I think that is great. It is the reason most of us chose this career. However, I do think she is disillusioned if she thinks most MT's are wealthy.

I think I stated a moot point; I know MT's dont make a bunch of money but I think I was just stating that to make sure Im not doing something just for the money.

Anyhoo..... back to the original subject.
Ive looked in Lavander (MN queer magazine) and they dont have alot. My biggest issue so far is that their arnt that many people advertising to the GLBT community so I cant get much help on how to go about this. This however does give me an advaneforum.xxxe- I did mention that less then a dozen people advertise to GLBT and even less for the trans community- I can pull in a larger audence. (sorry if Im talking in circles)
The next issue I have is what modalities I should use.
Swedish is generally out for tans folk. Speaking from personal experience being naked under a sheet is for someone who has alot of body issues can be a big problem, this also goes for loma-loma but its not like Im every gonna learn it
Shiatsu seams my best bet and so does cranial sacral and reflexology, anyone got any other ideas?

 

[dobbaaa]

The next issue I have is what modalities I should use.
Swedish is generally out for tans folk. Speaking from personal experience being naked under a sheet is for someone who has alot of body issues can be a big problem, this also goes for loma-loma but its not like Im every gonna learn it
Shiatsu seams my best bet and so does cranial sacral and reflexology, anyone got any other ideas?

hey, good luck with this.

the modalities you should use are the ones you are most comfortable with and best trained in. swedish isn't necessarily out - you'd be surprised how most people feel under a sheet and blanket. and they can always undress to their level of comfort. you can do a lot of healing with swedish. and sometimes that's the best modality for relaxation. other times, not, but definately go with what you're trained in.

 

[GNET Uk - GNETUK.CO.NR]

Here is are a couple tips.

If you are good at public speaking, go to functions where a lot of gays and lesbians go and talk about massage.

People tend to hang out with other people like them. Once you have a few long term gay and/or lesbian clients, simply ask them for referals. You just need to get your foot in the door. If you are good and people trust you, they will push the door open the rest of the way.

 

[ITS A GIRL]

Here is are a couple tips.

If you are good at public speaking, go to functions where a lot of gays and lesbians go and talk about massage.

People tend to hang out with other people like them. Once you have a few long term gay and/or lesbian clients, simply ask them for referals. You just need to get your foot in the door. If you are good and people trust you, they will push the door open the rest of the way.

Those are most awesome ideas, I actually know alot of people (ok, like three) who usually play a part in those kinda event, after I get fully certified I could set up some time to speak.

The other point about swedish is right. Honestly I think Im still going to advertise it.
I also think you stated an obvious point tho, I dont think Id advertise massage modalities I dont know.

 

[coopyey]

Try looking around for business marketing groups that revolve around your target market that are less "formal" than some of the big, better-known groups. Around here these meet say once a month and either have a speaker or just a general "each person introduces themselves and their business" time after the meal.

Since you are still in school I'd encourage you to start looking towards the circle of friends & acquaintances you already have who are friendly towards the idea of massage. Start the word circulating there and (hopefully ;-) ) watch the ripples grow.

Maybe a good way to introduce massage to this population would be chair massage. Perhaps you could down the road arrange to bring a chair to a speaking engagement or networking meeting. Chair is good for a "gentler" intro to massage. I like to say, it feels just about as good as a table massage, it doesn't take as long, and you don't have to get naked (is this word not coming thru or is it just my filtering software?? The word is n.a.k.e.d) and oily. Sometimes, said in a light-hearted way, this can break the ice and make the experience seem less threatening.

HTH

 

[colonelsanders33]

fey,

Just want to mention something which may or may not affect you.

If you heavily negotiate to the GBLT community, keep in mind it may close some of your doors to straight clients who are not comfortable with this. I don't know if there is a discreet way to put this on a website, but it may be something to consider if you are depending on the straight community to keep your doors open. I don't think you would be, but it is worth mentioning.


I'm also PM'ing you with some other info.

 

[GopBLissIgnorance]

Maybe a good way to introduce massage to this population would be chair massage.

I agree, having done chair massage on a number of transfolk. In addition to the other factors that make chair massage more comfortable for most anyone, it provides safer placement of the front of the body, against the chair.

Are there trans events you go to or know of already? Perhaps you could volunteer to do chair massage there while still in school?

 

[Slappy LaRue]

fey,

Just want to mention something which may or may not affect you.

If you heavily negotiate to the GBLT community, keep in mind it may close some of your doors to straight clients who are not comfortable with this. I don't know if there is a discreet way to put this on a website, but it may be something to consider if you are depending on the straight community to keep your doors open. I don't think you would be, but it is worth mentioning.


I'm also PM'ing you with some other info.

You do bring up a good point, but I think that kills two birds with one stone. I dont plan to exept the non-queer population from getting a massage at my place, all I want to do is market my abilities to the GLBT as a safe place, which is something that is sorely needed up here.
I dont plan to shoo away straight folk but one point is that this is a queer friendly enviorment, which does shoo people away that dont like queer people, which I dont want to work on since I am queer as well.

Maybe a good way to introduce massage to this population would be chair massage.

I agree, having done chair massage on a number of transfolk. In addition to the other factors that make chair massage more comfortable for most anyone, it provides safer placement of the front of the body, against the chair.

Are there trans events you go to or know of already? Perhaps you could volunteer to do chair massage there while still in school?

I agree with you on that, do you know what other forms are fully clothed?

 

[bleh^^]

If you heavily negotiate to the GBLT community, keep in mind it may close some of your doors to straight clients who are not comfortable with this.

I dont plan to shoo away straight folk but one point is that this is a queer friendly enviorment, which does shoo people away that dont like queer people, which I dont want to work on since I am queer as well.

Good point - advertising clearly as being GLBT-friendly will not necessarily keep straight folk away so much as keep homophobic/transphobic etc. folk away.