frustrated!!!!!

[Sly]

I have been out of school for a year, and am getting absolutely NOWHERE!
At first, I was just apprenticing at the school I graduated from for the summer. In the fall I began taking 1 class a semister at the community college, teaching reiki at the adult ed center at the college. Fell into a salon job 2 days a week. Fell into a massage only place in another city 3 days a week. Both are relatively new, so I'm just sitting waiting for clients to come in or call! ARRRGH!!!
My hubby thinks I need to bag it and get a minimum wage job to bring in some cash. I'm willing to do that part time, but I really want to build up my client base.
I should mention that we live in Detroit area- hugh depression going on here, no matter what shrub says.
Help= any advice on how you built clientele in a dead market?
energygirl

 

[misslabeled]

frustrated!!!!!

Both are relatively new, so I'm just sitting waiting for clients to come in or call! ARRRGH!!!
My hubby thinks I need to bag it and get a minimum wage job to bring in some cash. I'm willing to do that part time, but I really want to build up my client base.
I should mention that we live in Detroit area- hugh depression going on here, no matter what shrub says.
Help= any advice on how you built clientele in a dead market?
energygirl

I live in a sort of "economically challenged" area myself. We have a high cost of living, taxes etc, but we earn 30 percent less wages in this county than if we lived in the next county. This therefore affects the willingness of clients to pay for massage. Especially in the winter! If I only had a dollar for every client who has said to me, I'd get massage if my insurance covered it. *sigh*
Don't wait for them to come in or call! Go out and Meet and Greet! Or as my MT teacher Susie said, "Work the Room!" Do you come in a lil' early to and talk to the salon patrons in the waiting area? When I practiced out of a salon I tried to think of myself as additional help in the reception area... sort of an "unofficial hostess." LOL You know, offering them coffee, tea or soda while they waited for their stylist to finish up with her previous client and come and get them.
I've found that wearing clothing with the words "massage therapy" or "Massage therapist" often draws a lot of comments from other people in my every day life. You know those, "Wow, I could use a massage, where do you work? type comments?" However, I haven't really noticed that they booked in those sort of situations, even if I DO give them my business card. *sigh*
Are you asking clients at the salon and the massage only facilities if they have friends or family who might benefit from massage? This would at least build up your business at those facilities... What modalities are you using/offering?
Have you offered massage to the staff at the salon so that they know what your massage is like and encouraged them to refer to you? Maybe you could give the stylists a few $ off coupons that they could hand out to their best customers?
How about setting up a "referral rewards" system for the stylists at the salon? Free 10 min. chair massage for referring a new client? Refer 3 new clients and get a half hour on the table? In my experience stylists love massage of their hands, forearms, neck and shoulders. Do they have staff meetings? Can you ask the salon manager if you can attend one to let the staff know about the new "Perks" you are offering to their staff? Who knows it may help them retain their best staff that way...
Are there any complimentary businesses in these areas which do not have their own MT on staff? I had a chiropractor who referred several clients to me when I worked in a salon/day spa, and he never asked for anything in return. He just wanted to help his patients by sending them to a MT he trusted. Unfortunately the chiropractor closed his practice, sort of retired to take a missionary type position with his church... but that's another story. :
I practice out of a health food store. They have a bulletin board there to which is attached the business cards of a couple MTs, however I'm the "official" MT there.
Perhaps there is a nice upscale dentist's office where you could leave a few business cards or brochures on TMJ (Information for People has a nice one.), you know sort of an alternative to a "Dental Spa?"
Is that the sort of marketing suggestions you had in mind?

 

[Nolan B]

thanks for the advice!
Yes, I work the room while I'm there, give discounts, referral freebies, work on the staff- all of that.
I've even put an ad in the local metaphysical mag! I think it's coming, just a royal pain being at hte mercy of folks who don;t understand the health benefits of massage, who put themselves last on the list.
thanks again,
energygirl

 

[vobis]

energygirl,
I'd like to suggest that you get some "testimonials" from some of your clients. You could either put them in a book which you leave at reception, quote them for a brochure, include them on your website if you have one, or frame them and put them on the walls of your treatment room.
Even if no one else pays attention to them, they'll make you feel better that you are in the right place, doing the right thing! t056 I know they have for me anyway!
Have you consider introducing a "value added" service? What makes your massage special? Make sure you point that out!
This is sort of a tough time of year in my area too, many people overspent during the holidays and aren't quite thinking about other gift giving ocassions in the future yet... let alone paying attention to their own needs!
This is the time of year that clients are concerned about losing weight and looking and feeling better... remind them of the resolutions they made just a few short days ago to take better care of themselves this year!
Massage has benefits for the body mind and spirit! It can help them beat the winter doldrums. (We've gone like 21 days without sunshine, and it's beginning to wear on people around here!)
If they can't get away for a winter vacation, make their vacation destination come to them. Turn your treatment room into a carribean get away, or other appropriate paradise by adding little decorative touches, appropriate music and tropical fragrances or essential oils...

 

[Tony L]

Eric Brown at BodyWorkBiz.com has a "Give to Get" Strategy that might work for you. Its definitely for people with more time than clients that are in need of building their practices. I did it one March when I was in the doldrums & I did 44 massages that month, most of which upgraded - got new clients & definitely was overworked, but paid reasonably for that month.

There are old threads on this, but I couldn't tell ya how to find them... I am "search challenged".

 

[Pompal 09.]

Finding Balance

I am at massage for almost two years now and find it a challenge. To accutually have money for the needs of a massage therapist to continue to grow and keep all the ceu's, office space, laundry, office expenses its a challlenge. I believe that if i work hard or smart enough to expand it will come together. I imagine that all will be well and my life will balance but right now faith is all that pays my bills and finds me peace.