first massage, reduced fee?

[Omer]

i am a new graduate. i will be applying for part-time work within the month. i have a very nice massage area set up in my finished basement, but i am not interested in starting a home-based business. however, having a few clients come to my home would be okay. several of my neighbors have expressed interest in receiving massages from me (they get massages from time to time). the problem i am having is the money. i am thinking of charging them $20 for the first-time, to see if what i do is what they are looking for. then, if they would like to return, i would charge them for a a regular priced massage. is this a good idea? i am having trouble charging people i know a regular massage fee (50-55$)...1.  b/cus they r neighbors and 2. b/cus they know i just finished school. thanks for your opinions.

 

[lduncan00]

first massage, reduced fee?

If you just finished school, then you are a qualified massage therapist. Have a little confidence in yourself. It won't be long before you are wondering why in the world you ever thought of discounting your work, and by then it will be even more difficult for you to charge what you are worth.I'm quite certain that your neighbors will take just as much time and energy as any other client would. There are only so many hours that you will have the energy to do massage in a week. Be careful or you will start to feel taken advaneforum.xxxe of, and that will not be good for your relationships with your neighbors.Best of luck to you,-Melody

 

[Maria O]

first massage, reduced fee?

Oh Palms down please oh please learn from us.I took my test in May of 2004 and I can tell you life is not always easy. Duriing the past year I have had my utilities turned off more than once, my car that was almost paid off got reposessed, had to borrow a neighbor's car for about 2 months. Its called a financial crisis thats all. You can live through it.On charging your neighbors, I normally charge for inhouse $65/hour so for my neighbors in my apt. complex and the one next to me alright the other two down the street. I offer $50/hourI suggest you check the area and see what everyone else is charging. When you are hungry you get over the guilt of charging friends. Believe me.Somewhere there is a site (someone help!!) about charging clients and they will respect you for it. A plumber may give a discount to his friends but he can't constantly offer free service or he would be homeless.I hope this all makes sense. Let us know how it goes.Trish

 

[Neko]

When I first began my business 3 years ago, I set my rates lower than other therapists in and around my area.  It was painfully slow builiding up.  At one point I was so desperate I gave the chiropractor I was renting space from 50% off coupons so he could give them to his most needy patients.  He causioned me not to do this but to wait, because it takes time to build a practice.  Of course I didn't listen and well, he was right in the end.  For a good while after that I would give a courtesy first time client $10.00 off any massage.  Currently I send out postcards to newcomers to the area with a coupon for $10.00 off any massage.  Other than that I rarely give discounts anymore.  I offer 10% off for prepaid massage packages and 10% off  when I send out holiday greetings to my existing clientele.  A massage referral rewards program is in the works.          If I may suggest, you could offer your neighbors $10.00 off as a first time courtesy for trying you out.  Just because they are your neighbors doesn't mean you have to treat them any differently than you would treat someone who was given your business card.  I have several neighbors who come to my office and they pay the same rate as everyone else.  Have confidence in your yourself, in your ability as a massage therapist.  Just because you are new doesn't mean you deserve any less for your services.  Best of luck to you.   C.  

 

[Eplus]

There has been so much discussion on discounted and freebie massages on this board that I have finally strengthened my stance on NOT offering discounts.  Joe_E makes a great point somewhere on a thread that people find money for what they want.  Plain and simple.  Massages are not expensive.  Massages are competely affordable.  It really is a matter of how people prioritize what they spend money on.  I have one lady who is not rich, but spends $70 every week for her massage because that's her priority.  Other people need their families to buy them gift certificates because they won't spend money on themselves.  I really think it's more important to get (wait for or find) the clients that value massage in their life rather than to TRY to get people hooked by offering first time discounts/freebies.You may be fresh out of school, but who else do these people know that will spend an entire hour massaging them?  None of my friends/family/aquaintances have ever given me a full body massage simply for me (I did have a boyfriend who was quite good at a back massage but that usually was forplay).  DO NOT UNDERVALUE YOURSELF!!  You know more than your neighbors about massage and that is your career, so set your fee and stick to it.Good Luck.

 

[Christie]

Great replies everyone!I agree with everything everyone else has written.People associate $ with value.  If you are only charging $20 they will wonder why.  Take your time and charge for your work and talents.Best of luck to you!  

 

[all i need is an answer]

first massage, reduced fee?

many thanks to all of you...i did know this...i've been reading the marketing boards and websites for awhile...our business teacher said the same thing too...be wary of too much discounting, which can cheapen your work.i dont know why this is so difficult for me, i had the same problem when i made desserts for a living...i charged 1/2 of what the bakeries did, and i had professional schooling too!again, thanks for your supporting words..i will only charge full price.....this is something i need to face and overcome, this time for sure...i love this work! i'll let you know how it goes--c.

 

[Leigh B]

first massage, reduced fee?

I do give, and always will, a family and friends discount.I do not see a problem with it.In any mailer you will see a freebie given by a Chiro or Podiatrist, even a Dentist.Surgeons I work with will give me a professional discount on their fee should I ever need them.Robyn

 

[kazi]

palms down, you'll get used to the whole money thing.  one thing that you don't want to start is too big of a discount.  it's ok to give $10 off here and there if it will get people to come in but as everyone else here has stated, people WILL pay what you charge.  after a while of discounting you'll realize the only person you're cheating is yourself.  and yes, many mailers have freebie's in them for those chiro's etc. but remember how expensive it is to continue to see these professions and remember how much time they spend with you as opposed to how much time your massage therapist spends working together with their clients.  i'm for giving discounts...just make sure you give them for the right reasons to the right people that's all.

 

[Meagan]

I am also a newer graduate and also having issue with charging.  We were told by our teacher to not start out cheap.  It will be hard to raise your rates with your existing customers and your worth what you do.  If you feel compelled to discount because your new do it in a way as a special... "$5-10 off the month of August" type of thing, but don't set your rates low.  It seems the going rate in my town is $25-35 for 1/2 hour $45-75 hour.  So I set my rates at $25-50.  The school I went to teaches "medical" massage and strongly suggests 1/2 hr treatments is all we should do. You treat a certain problem area, not the whole body.  But I am looking into learning more theraputic massage to further my knowledge and services.  So prices after that will change.   Anyway, I made these post card tpe things to hand out all over offering first massage free and $5 off next 4 massages!!  Guess that wasn't the greatest idea huh?  I know I didn't want to do more than $5 off for a 1/2 hour, well basically because I do have rent to pay!!  Thought if I did first one free then that people would be more apt to come in.  But I do not want people coming in for the freebies.  So guess I will scrap the rest of the cards I have and reprint new ones with just $5 off.  One student from our school did a big advertising when he first started out "free massages the month of June" (the month he opened) I guess he was very busy and did get quite a few regular customers out of it!!  But I didn't think this was the greatest idea, at least for me.  But then I think of what I'm promoting on my post cards and basically it's the same thing only it might not be for just 1 month but could carry on for months!!!     DUH!  Gotta love this board!!!! ;D

 

[SDgO1]

Since I am in "student phase" still I will approach this from my current small business stand point. I have a espresso business. Lots of espresso shops have a  afternoon happy hour, buy one get one free, punch cards and that sort of thing. I figured out a long time ago that those sort of tactics really don't pay in the long run. It makes you look kinda desperate. I truly believe you need to appear in demand, busy and and like you are doing well (even if you have moments of self doubt!!) I am confidant in what I do and that I do it well. If something is to good of a buy in comparison to everyone else I think people tend to think, ok whats wrong with the quality of what I am getting? I have no reason to offer huge discounts. I am really hoping that this school of thought will carry over into my massage carreer. I say believe in yourself and ask what you are worth.Best of luck

 

[shell_vac]

You know I think a lot of the issues around discounts and feeling like you need business badly has a lot to do with how badly you need money for living.In other businesses owners often don't expect to get into profits until the 5th year.  They are prepared to have to work hard for a long time to build the business up.  And they often take out big loans, or work another job during that period.But I think a lot of therapists believe you can just jump right in and make a living immediately.  Which, sometimes you can, because a massage business can have very low overhead expenses.If you treat your business like a business though, you know it is going to take some time.  So having some form of income or money put aside for that purpose is important.  Because otherwise you have a lot of pressure on you daily to meet the bills, which greatly reduces your ability to make long term healthy business choices.So I think that unless you have a bit of capitol to invest into your business, have another job and take it slow and easy.  The stress of trying to run a business with no money is no fun.  It will lead to short term decisions.Galen