Getting into parties, etc

[Ant]

Hi all....My friend, BlissMN and I teamed up to get some chair work this Christmas season.  We made some letters and sent them off to a bunch of different businesses.  We didn't hear back from anyone, certainly no one called us to come in to get busy.  I suspect that the problem was that we didn't get to it until the second week of December.  To learn from this experience, I'd like to hear from anyone that has been successful.  I wonder if the smart thing to do would be to concentrate on businesses that I already know, businesses where I have a relationship with someone.  That said, 11 of the 13 members of my BNI group didn't have me to their offices.  How soon would we need to contact these places?Is there some way to market our service to persons to go in at Val's Day for one person and maybe get a few more?Any and all ideas appreciated, thanks, mick

 

[fabiolapistola]

Getting into parties, etc

Hi there!check out my post in the "Getting Corporate Clients" topic on this Massage Category. Maybe that will help y'all out some.Good luck,Jen

 

[?Socially Awkward?]

Hi,I saw the title "parties" and had to reply.  I've just started MT this summer and just got out of school.  I got invited to a friend's "pedicure party" & one of the ladies heading it up (one of the business partners) approached me about joining them in their parties.  They go to someone's house and they have their friends over to get their finger nails and toes done - full pedicure and manicures.  Like a tupperware-like spa party.I told her I'd think about it, and she said she'd call me for a massage/pedi trade.  A couple weeks later I saw her at a wedding and she was going on, and on about fighting with her business partner and how much she dislikes her.  She was real negative!Hmmm...I don't want to work with someone like that.  But if you think about it, yeah I would have a contract or some sort of agreement with her - so she'd get a small profit from having me work with her, but if I did 3 or 4 half hour to hour massages in one night I could make some decent coin on the side.  Just a thought on my expirences of parties.  Good idea, just the wrong lady for me.  

 

[JUSMI]

One of the tools of this trade I am now learning is knowing how to market. There are so many different things you can do w/ massage, and so many places you can take it. I am just begining to scratch the surface of all the connections and networking that can be cultivated through the corporate environment - and developing parties is one of them. The one thing I really like about corporate massage is that you have an opportunity to meet people who would have never stepped foot in a salon or spa - and never even thought about getting massage, let alone recieve one on a regular basis. Yet here, when the massage literally comes to you, it becomes an entirely different story, and people are more willing to give it a try. Then it's a matter of educating and informing, but most of all experiencing. What I love about massage and my relationship to what I do, is that I totally agree with what I'm doing. Apart from educating and informing prospective clients about the multitudes of benefits, it's not a hard sell at all. I don't have to "convince" anyone - it's simply a matter of offering the experience, and then allowing them to be the judge of whether it works for them or not.  9 out of 10 return and word of mouth spreads like WILDFIRE in the inner office environment. Of course that can work for, or against you, so it is wise to always keep that in mind.In reference to parties - I have one of the office managers now setting one up with me. If it goes successful, I believe it will lead to more - again through the inner office word of mouth marketing. She is working on inviting about a dozen friends over, prior to Valentines wknd, and is using the theme of "loving yourself." She is informing all her guests that massage is being offered at this party, and they are coming with the awareness that they will be provided with a half hour body treatment, of which they will be paying a dollar a minute for their session. I, of course will bring all my gear and supplies, as well as another therapist with me, spliitting the guests between us. She also is going to be providing healthy snacks and have the focus on wellness..and I think they might be doing some basic yoga too (videos). What a great idea! She shared that all the guests she has talked to thus far are VERY excited, and will soon be confirming the date.It's also good timing, because this time of year alot of folks are focusing on taking better care of themselves for the New Year. And not only will the opportunity present itself to spread this type of experience amongst the inner office network, but also amongst the guests within the party who might want to consdider something similar for themselves, and even possibly just to book a full body massage for themselves. So always bring business cards and appt. books. I am always aware of how you - yourself, represent what your business is about. How you conduct yourself and how you offer massage IS what sells it - bottom line. So in that respect, I would personally be very mindful about who I choose to partner up with. If someone is, who I percieve to be "negative" I do not think that is a person I would want helping to represent my work. No thanks- I'll pass on that one. I am always aware of laying precious groundwork for future possibilities, so it is vital to be at your BEST at all times, and work with whom YOU consider to be the best in order to "compliment" what it is you love to do, therebye "helping" to fascillitate future events to come...not hindering.It's a part of developing good marketing skills.

 

[wyldfyr]

Getting into parties, etc

I have been doing home spa parties for several months now and everyone loves them. I have price sheets for 2 kinds, one with another MT (foot soak, paraffin hands and feet, massage hands and feet, and 20 min chair massage), and one with a nail tech. They are catching on and because I can actually work on 3 people at a time with the footbaths and paraffin, I can make good money. I have done a family group, group of 18 friends at an open house, bridal and baby shower, and an employer/employee party.

 

[meg09]

Thanks for the great info on parties.  I wondered if we could call them "spa" parties since technically there is no "water treatments".  Three other therapists and myself are just getting started into offering massg., Belavi facials, wraps, etc.  We did a party a couple wks. ago and it was a lot of work hauling tables, linens, and everything, but this can be quite lucrative and a great adjunct to our individual massg. practices.  We are just getting organized and setting some prices, thinking of a name to call ourselves, etc.  Any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated.jp