ARGH! :(

[Pompal 09.]

So, I gathered the courage yesterday to send out an email about my services and newly-available Gift Certificates, officially launching my business promotion... and my sister sent word around her work, a busy salon.

She called me at 6pm tonight to tell me that her boss wanted to get a massage Tonight if possible, and I was pretty floored, and scared to death since I haven't gone on any 'official' calls yet. I was originally planning to tell potential clients that I would be open for booking starting next week, which would give me this weekend to mentally prepare for business, but part of me wanted to just take the appointment, because I figure I tend to be more chicken for the sake of worrying, rather than not actually being prepared - plus, that's $50 just before Christmas... :shock:

I told my sister I'd call her back in a few, so that I could make sure I had everything together before I confirmed w/her boss. Upon gathering my stuff together, I realized that all of my oils were left at my boyfriend's house a hour away - UGH - so I checked the Internet for the closest place I could buy massage oil, which ended up being a half hour away, and in the Opposite direction of her boss' house. I figured that with the errand I needed to run, and the bit of time I needed to compose myself (I was sweating like mad), the earliest I could get to her boss' house would be 8pm. Sooo, I called my sister back and told her that I could give a 60-minute session at 8pm if that was alright, and she checked with her boss, who said that unfortunately it was too late for him. Which bummed me out a little, but I was also relieved to have a bit more time to relax before stressing out over outcalls (tonight?!).

I calmed down some and started going over my inventory of stuff I wanted to take on outcalls, since I had already piled it all in front of the door, and then I sat down to eat some dinner.

An hour later, at a quarter to 8pm, my sister's boss calls and says that he's reconsidered and he AND HIS WIFE both want massages tonight!!!?!

I apologized and said that regretfully, I couldn't take the appointments on short notice this time, but that I'd be free for evenings all next week. He understood and wants lots of my business cards.

I'm a little angry at myself for not having my ducks all in a row to take this one on short notice, because I could sure use the money ($100...). I was stressed, too, though, because my sister's boss has a long string of clients who are spa regulars, and this would have been his first impression of my work. :?

I guess I'm kinda glad that I didn't accept given my nervousness, and it's probably also good that I didn't take an appointment 15 minutes beforehand, hopefully I set a boundary for giving notice...

Anyways. My dilemma condensed into two hours of time, now condensed into a rambly post.
:roll:

 

[Milou]

I don't recall who posted this, but my current fave saying is:

We are not pizza. We do not deliver in 30 minutes or less.

Point being, live and learn. As a spa owner, he must understand that giving only 15 minutes notice for an appt. is a long shot. Get him and his wife set up for an appt. next week- you will be ready, and it makes you look busy.

 

[Mike-N-NYC]

Dont forget, you can use any edible oil they sell at a grocery store. I am sure there was one of those nearby. You could have picked up a bottle of EVO, sunflower oil, or perhaps the natural food section would have had a different variety as well.

 

[brwneyes]

I agree, it was best not to take an appointment with NO notice. But in case of emergency, such as having a scheduled appointment and realizing your oils are elsewhere, you can stop at any grocery store and buy a good oil - olive, almond, sunflower, safflower.....lots of them are wonderful for massage. Just remember to scrub your sheets good so they don't stain, afterwards.

You are going to be fine. You KNOW how to give a good massage! Your new clients will love you and be calling often!

 

[Louise H]

Backrubmonster,

Are you only charging $50/hour for house calls in Los Angeles? Are you sure you want to set prices that low? I did a quick search on Spa Emergency & I saw the average rate for a one hour massage in LA is $90/hour in-office & $100/hour for a house call. I know you weren't asking pricing advice in your post, but I'd hate to see you sell yourself short.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I actually agonized over my prices for a looong time before setting them, and part of the reason they were set low was self-esteem-related, not even really related to my work abilities... & now that I'm thinking about it more in the context of really starting up now, it does make sense to charge more given that a spa massage around here costs X amount, PLUS I'm lugging stuff to their house so that they can relax in the comfort of their own homes (=convenience factor). I'm now actually seeing what it's going to be like to haul my stuff everywhere, and I'm still happy to do it, though I'm realizing that I won't be able to book as many clients b/c of the travel & setup times, on top of the fact that I have a steady job from 1-5pm smack in the middle of my weekdays.. :shock:

However, I've already sent out an email to a ton of my friends and colleagues stating what my prices will be after Feb.; would it be tacky to amend the email saying that upon reevaluation of the current market, I've decided to change my regular rates in order to stay competitive yet not undervalue my work, or something to that extent? :?

ah, the joys of starting out!

edit: LOL, I could have sworn I replied to this thread last night with this post, but it turns out I replied with this post to my Website Feedback thread in the website subforum. I guess my rates must really be low for two threads to come down to the same point..

 

[Ivan J]

How much of a price difference will there be?? Why not just tack on a fee instead? Re-email your friends and tell them you "forgot" to mention this, and are just clarifying the fee so they wont be shocked.

Eventually just add it in to the price of the entire session and dont call it a fee any more.

 

[leftyL]

I see you're already getting some good pricing advice on your website thread. Sorry, didn't mean to hijack this one. However, one more issue you may want to think about is having a policy regarding minimum notice for doing a massage. For example, would you ever want agree to an 8pm appointment if they don't call you until 7:45? It's OK to require people to make their appointments at least a day in advance. Or, if you're willing to do same-day appointments, have a minimum notice. (Maybe 2 hours, maybe 4 hours - you decide.) But if you have a policy, you can share that with new clients, so they'll learn to respect that (and you!)

 

[princess]

Hi Backrub Monster,

I think if you are just starting out $50 for a housecall could get you a lot of initial business. But perhaps, if it is not too late, that $50 rate could only be good within a certain mile radius and for anything outside that radius an additional travel charge could apply. This idea can do a couple things for you, it can make your day more efficient by attracting business close by and when clients are not close by, compensate your time (we both KNOW how LA traffic can be) and additional gas costs.

Also, please, please, please be discriminating and picky about whose house you go to for your safety and sanity... I am guessing that you will be able to do that once word gets around about your talents and rates.

 

[sanju]

I would send out an email stating that the $50 is a promotion for 1st time clients on the first massage or $50 for a limitied time (like 4-6 weeks) to give your confidence a chance to grow and to create a booking frenzy ( don't say that in your email, though). It will fill your books, and once people experiance your skill, they will know you are worth more. Just be sure to mention that the $50 is a special rate when they pay for the 1st appointment and advise them what the new rate will be.

 

[Lara]

Sooo I've been pondering, and at first I Really liked the idea of having a travel fee and using that to market discounts, and then rolling it into my normal fee after a year.. but part of me is wondering whether that would look a bit nickel-and-dime-y? I already note on the Services/Fees page that I work within a 15-mile radius, and anything beyond that would incur an extra travel fee based on mileage (haven't figured that rate out yet..)..

I was thinking that I could instead say that the regular rates after 2/28 will be $75 and $100 or $80 and $105 (not sure yet), for 60 and 90 min respectively, and give discounts to clients who book with friends on the same day consecutively at the same location:

--$10 off each person's massage if two people book together (i.e. two 60 or 90-min massages back-to-back)
--$15 off each massage if three people book together (three 60-minute massages back-to-back only)

I would set the limit at 4 consecutive massages, but I think I'll wait on that until I'm sure I'd be in shape for it.

I think this sort of discount would encourage families and friends to book together, bundling business and making my travel time easier in those instances..

I was also thinking that bumping my regular rates now before they initially apply would be a bit more painless than rolling a travel fee into my normal rates at the end of one year, which would look like a $15 price jump.. :shock:

also, I'm still pondering how the group discount would affect my referral program (I haven't put that info on the website yet b/c I'm still figuring it out).

whatcha guys think? TIA!!

P.S.: As for my own safety and sanity, I think I'll be okay following the screening tips I've found on here, and I'm going to stipulate that all appts must be booked 48 hours in advance. I have a fairly good gut instinct, and lots of family and friends around that I can call and check-in with once I arrive at a client's home..

 

[Philippine Carabao]

bump!

 

[Jimmy Jazz]

I already note on the Services/Fees page that I work within a 15-mile radius, and anything beyond that would incur an extra travel fee based on mileage (haven't figured that rate out yet..)

I think it may be helpful to just decide what your travel fee is going to be, bump that by $5.00 (because you will probably charge less than you really should ) and then leave it as one cost, instead of charging each session outside of a 15 mile radius different fees.

I was also thinking that bumping my regular rates now before they initially apply would be a bit more painless than rolling a travel fee into my normal rates at the end of one year, which would look like a $15 price jump.. :shock:

I also think it makes a lot of sense to do this, as your website does not look like the average "I am new to business and trying to make it" type of website. It is very professional and though you may be new, it gives the feeling of an established business. Might as well jump in with both feet.

I was thinking that I could instead say that the regular rates after 2/28 will be $75 and $100 or $80 and $105 (not sure yet), for 60 and 90 min respectively, and give discounts to clients who book with friends on the same day consecutively at the same location:

--$10 off each person's massage if two people book together (i.e. two 60 or 90-min massages back-to-back)
--$15 off each massage if three people book together (three 60-minute massages back-to-back only)

Nice idea to provide a discount for people who book together. If you are comfortable with it, it may make a huge difference in your business. Hard to say. I'd think mush could give some good pointers on that.

 

[Love Me or Hate Me PM]

Beautiful website BackrubMonster!

Don't feel bad about not taking last minute appointments. I have had the same issues, being frustrated at "missing out" on the money I would have made, but it is a boundary issue.

Someone once said here that there is no such thing as "massage emergency."

 

[blueskywoo819]

I must second the previous post: Beautiful website !

When or if you decide to change anything, you may not even want to mention how recently you took your training up front. I only say this as someone looking at your site
with other than "good intentions" could consider you so
new in the field that they would use your inexperience in the
business to manipulate you.

Doing outcalls will place you in unfamiliar environments with people you do not know, so do be careful. Mention that you have another appointment you are expected at within
a given period of time following the one you are doing your outcall at...This will make it appear that you are going to be watching your time and that other people will be looking for your arrival elsewhere. Plus it makes you look like you have a full schedule.

Also, I know this was pointed out before, but your fees are extremely low, especially for outcalls, anywhere...So I'm glad to see you are shifting to the $50.00 rate being for a first time client only. (I haven't charged a rate that low since I started 17 years ago and that was in the office, outside of the Phila. region). You may want to do a survey of general rates for both in office & outcalls in your region.
I'd be willing to bet they are at least double what you're charging. Remember you put in a major amount of time & effort into your training, and that you are worth every penny of your time !

Best Wishes for a properous & joyful career.