Confidence

[Squid]

Hello everyone,

I done a massage course at the Carlton Institute which was a 3 day intensive swedish massage course. I really enjoyed in and for the last 3 months have been giving lots of free massage to family, friends, and friends of friends!

The thing is, I know I need to start charging but I feel really nervous about it, and I don't really know why.
I need to start earning money and have confidence in myself . I completed the course in September, and have probably done about 40 massages since. I have also read up lots and lots on massage and have all the equipment etc.
How can I feel more confident?

Thanks, worried female 27.

 

[How would I know]

What is it that you are not confident about?

INDO

 

[Extra Crispy]

Hi Sunkiss,
I think this highlights the short sharp workshop training programmes dont fully prepare you for practitioner status. I would definitely get more training before getting out there and charging. As an assessor in this industry I see it too often where an un confident student will give a "wishy washy" massage.
I would visit the GCMT website and check that future training meets the minimum standards. I appreciate you took this training in good faith and are getting some practice but I feel you are devaluing your skills by not charging clients.
Confidence will come when your training is to such a standard that you can give a treatment that will keep the paying clients returning.
This is not meant as a negative post just a constructive route to achieving your goals
best regards
BGFL

 

[staalwart]

Glad to hear an assessor voicing up!

Swedish massage is 'wishy washy' isn't it? ( sorry, couldn't resist lol )

 

[Bug]

As I read the post by Sunkiss, I thought it sounded more like she was nervous about actually asking people to start paying up rather than her ability to carry out a good massage.

I think the same applies to anything "practical". Sadly, there are people who think it's great to get something for nothing. They don't think at all about costs/training/equipment involved and they almost think that they are doing YOU a favour.

As an example, I knit/crochet and make a lot of items, many to my own designs. Often people admire them and plead with me to make them one. I will only do that for immediate family now as gifts. I got fed up with saying to people that the yarn alone cost, say £10 that's without your time. Sometimes people take the hump and will say "oh well, I've seen similar in the shops for £3."

 

[Dreuilomers]

Ah, I have the ITEC diploma and have done half a dozen extra courses but still hate asking for money! I guess (hope!) I'll get used to it...

 

[unfottCop]

Why do you hate asking for money? My mortgage company and utility suppliers have no problem asking me for money!!

I do appreciate that some therapists do have an issue about money. My attitude is that doing massage is how I earn my living and not earning enough and being unable to pay my bills will be very stressful.

 

[thewzuhqisgitheiq]

Hey Sunkiss, my first thought was - wow trained in massage in 3 days. Although your question wasn't about training. As has already been suggested I think you should try to do some more training. I did a part time ITEC course over 9 months and even when qualified realised I needed more training.

In terms of charging why not try looking in the mirror and get practising saying what your price or even doing a role play with a friend. Unfortunately people don't always value things when they are free.

 

[Riot Maker]

Hi all,
I personally think the issue about charging is directly related to your perceived skill level, in this day and age there "is no such thing as a free luinch". Those getting free massage or treatment do so because they know that whilst you are training, you need some case studies.
However these people will seldom become paying clients, family and friends are not those who will end up paying your mortgage or utility bills.
My point was that after completing a well structured and comprehensive training course, you will be in possession of the necessary marketing and interpersonal skills to ask for money in exchange for your services. It is probably just as uncomfortasble for your "clients" who dont like to address the payment issue.
My opinion still stands that these practical training workshops are fine for continuing professional development but not for initial training. Part of my work on national councils is to map course syllabii to industry standards.
Minimum standards for massage training has risen from 60 contact teaching hours to 80 hours as part of a strategy to bring us in line with other countries standards, it will rise to 120 in the near future. these changes are being implemented to allow training providers to meet these standards over a transitional period.
with the best will in the world, a 3 day workshop will probasbly fall short of 20 hours.
regards
BGFL

 

[Strings Attached]

I don't know! I also hate asking for the money friends owe me.

I have just started practising professionally but I have received a lot of positive feedback from clients so I shouldn't worry about the quality of my massages.
Oh well, I'll get over it! I do have a rent to pay!

 

[Inselfelodo]

thank you to everyone who has replied.

I think it is just my confidence that needs building up. It is the fact that I need to start charging that is worrying me. Yes essence99, I know 3 day training is not alot, but the assessors assured me that you are allowed to start charging as long as you pass the 3 tests, which I did, I got top marks in all of them. I have given loads and loads of free massages and I know I should start charging as I am also in severe debt, I just worry about getting one of those not very nice type of clients who starts asking where I trained and having a go about not doing enough training etc.

 

[Tayt]

Do you have a second job to help support your expenses, or are you hoping that your massage treatments are going to give you a decent income? If you have a look at the Business & Marketing forum on this site, you will see lots of comments about starting up a business and how problematic it can be. Have you found out how much other therapists in your area are charging?

I did a 2 year part-time course in 1977, and it took me nearly 5 years to go full time and start making a living. I continued to doing my 'day job' to pay the bills, and even after I went full-time doing therapies, I still did temp work if I had a lean month. I have done hundreds of hours of CPD over the years, apart from advanced training.

You also really, really, really must consider further training, sooner rather than later. Did your 3 days include A&P or did you do that separately?

 

[Aussies are my ? Dogs]

hello,jabba i was made redundant from my admin job last month, I live in west London and have been out literally every day trying to find work without luck.

In your opinion which course should I do next then? I havent got the money to do anything too expensive at the moment. I did phone Carlton Institute for advice on charging clients and they were very nice and very helpful and just stressed as I have passed the exam there is not reason why I cannot charge.

What would be great is a salon that could take me on just as an apprentice, i wouldnt mind working for low wage but again, I am yet to find a salon advertising, I guess everyone is struggling in the recession. God, what a mess!

 

[angel1953]

To be honest, I don't think many employers would consider you - there are too few positions available 'out there' with very highly qualified therapists competing for them.

What about looking at a local adult further education college, and doing something like Holistic or Complementary Therapy - you would have the opportunity to study other therapies, which would broaded your business base. Courses like these tend to be more affordable than the private schools.

If you are admin trained, then what about signing up with a temp agency? When times have been lean for me over the years I have done all sorts - even cleaning in a stately home!!!