How can I massage more clients in the daytime?

[LaurShark]

Hi.I enjoy massaging the most in the daytime and don't like it very much at night. I like to work daytime hours 9AM to 7PM finishing up at the latest.Could you please help me with ideas on how to attract more people to receive massages during the daytime? Like before 5PM.Also, as for idea feedback, I'd rather Not offer a discounted daytime rate as my rates are quite low already.Also, I prefer to massage men at least 99% of the time, so I would like to gear my marketing for daytime massages to men.Thanks.

 

[xxlisa3andrewxx]

Monday morning maddess $5.00 off or lunchtime special 30min massage.  Sorry but thats the only think i can think of.

 

[Pompal 09.]

How can I massage more clients in the daytime?

I would look at the big businesses in the area and contact their wellness department or their employee relations and see if you can donate a few massages in exchange for promoting your business. We had the local hospitals and the county do this for us and we offered a discount to their employees. It worked out well for us.The larger companies have shift workers that have schedules other than Monday through Friday and can come in at the off hours. Talk to your current clients for leads. They are your best way into the business as they know who to contact.

 

[annmic]

How can I massage more clients in the daytime?

Thank all for your replies.I am still working out my question to get clearer answers.I just added to the original post question that I would like to gear my marketing to daytime massages for men as the majority of my clients as I prefer to massage men 99% of the time.It is my preference. Some ideas of I can think of besides the last posts suggestion of retired people (who I like very much) are business people.Also, I am going to start asking the clients I see during the daytime why they make it a priority to see me?What helps them decide to see me during the daytime instead of only feeling like they can only see me at night or weekends?What kinds of local newspapers do they read? Etceteras.Also, I think I will try again to list in at the top of my advertising something like, "Daytime Massage for Men".Or, something like that.I already list on my web site my hours and that I'm more likely to work in the daytime, etceteras.I'm wondering if I should start to advertise more in the "Spiritual" type of papers.I'm wondering if people like that, besides the ones mentioned, are more likely to have a flexible schedule that could be massaged in the daytime more often.What other kind of people and publications would be more likely to attract the types of clients I am looking for? (daytime male clients). Etcetera.Please keep the suggestions coming though.Thank you very much.

 

[David]

One possible target would be male hairstylists, barbers, who are off on Mondays. آ In my area traditionally all salons/barbershops close Mondays because they work most Saturdays. آ Another idea: آ firemen, paramedics, and E.R. physicians mostly work shift work or "on call" آ and are likely to be available for appointments some weekdays. آ Oh, and bartenders, too. آ  آ Male nurses. آ Perhaps you could target male MT's. آ  آ I worked night shift for a few years and I'm always conscious of others who do. آ Are there any casinos in your area?  They have a lot of night workers.  Theater groups and musicians are mostly off on days.Good Luck.

 

[The Naysayer]

You may want to network with area coffe shops. They may have a bulletin board for you to advertise or be willing to have you do chair massage one morning.  

 

[Roshelle K]

How can I massage more clients in the daytime?

An MT in my area advertises "lunch break" massages of shortened length. If you advertise these to male oriented groups, they may be the ones who fill your days.Jill/sagetherapist

 

[Boba Fett]

My hours are 9am-2pm, and quite honestly I rarely see men before noon on weekdays.  Unless they're shift workers as mentioned above, they're all working.  Even though much of my male clientele have home offices, they won't take time off during the day.  Weekends are a different story!Maybe you can rearrange your work week.  Fridays seem to be a good day for male clients as well as Saturday and Sunday, and then there are the previously mentioned service industry people that take Mondays and Tuesdays off...Police officers and firefighters love massage and usually work odd hours.How about networking with a sports medicine clinic or pain management center?  Maybe even doing some contract work for a place like that...  They're definately daytime!What about offering chair massage outside a school or community sporting event?Marketing to such a specific market seems rather limiting.  I understand it is your preference to work on men, but doesn't that contradict some of your other postings about overcoming discrimination?  Doesn't it work both ways?  A client is a client, right?Katykangaroo

 

[B H]

Heheh.. I work the same hours as KatyKangaroo!  I had just started back with working a few months ago, and during this time I have had only 2 male clients in those hours.  I agree with everyone else for target clientele.  Civil service workers work all kinds of shifts and would probably be more inclined to have "free time" during the day.

 

[Minerva]

How can I massage more clients in the daytime?

Hi everybody.Thanks for all your suggestions.They're all really good.I have to reply to something a few posts above this one"Marketing to such a specific market seems rather limiting.  I understand it is your preference to work on men, but doesn't that contradict some of your other postings about overcoming discrimination?  Doesn't it work both ways?  A client is a client, right? Katykangaroo8"Dear Katykangaroo8,I appreciate your thoughts very much but, there is a difference between specializing in a niche or target  market and discrimination. I understand your concern, and it is a tricky line to walk but, I do not feel I am discriminating. I will still massage women but even if I decided to not ever again to massage a woman, I only see it as my preference and not discrimination. I am a Service business and I have a right to refuse service to anyone I do not want to serve. I am not an equal opportunity employer, although if I were, I would be totally open to hiring women as well as men as massage therapists.There are all kind of niche markets.Examples:If a woman doesn't want to massage men and only wants to massage women - that is her right, her choice, her preference. You could call it discrimination or you could call it her choice. How you look at it is up to you.You can have 1000 massage therapists in a metro area and they can all advertise that they do "Massage Therapy" but, unless they advertise or let people know what kind of work they enjoy doing (Swedish, Myofascial, Geriatric, etc) people will think all 1,000 do exactly the same type of work, so it important to define their niche or target market.Another woman may specialize in Pre-Natal and Post-natal massage for women, and no one (usually) would think she is discriminating if she were to never massage a man her entire career.There are many business' out there who specialize in a "Target Market".Other examples are, a dental practice who specializes in "Adult Orthodontics" (SP?)A Real estate agent who markets only property in Palm Springs or retirement communities.A Restaurant that serves only Italian food is not discrimination against Chinese food. That's their specialty.Anyway, I think you get the point.My preferred client is an adult man I can massage during the daytime.I enjoy massaging men much more than I do massaging women for many various reasons I won't go into here, that's a different topic,but I will still massage a woman, that's where the 1% comes in. I am not discriminating - I am specializing.Any way, thank you everybody for your thoughtful responses.I will try to develop the ideas.

 

[thegubmint]

How can I massage more clients in the daytime?

I am not discriminating - I am specializing.

Well said IsHisBiz. Wishing you much success with your new specialty!

 

[kpob53]

My office is close to the courthouse, I have a lot of social workers (men) and probation officers (men) who come to see me during the day (before 2).  Hope that helps.

 

[Cammie]

To get those clients you have to target them.You need people who are not working in the daytime.....waiters, waitresses, police, firemen, shift workers.Anyone in the service industry is proabbly dying for massage.Write a letter to the nicer restaurants in your area.  Try and set up a meeting with the manager.  I am sure he/she would be receptive. Good luck,Robyn

 

[unagii]

Hi!  I don't know whether you have an office in a business district or not, or, if like me, your practice is based in your home.  What has worked for me is to make my availability during specific hours known to my "regulars" and they have often times referred friends or family to me who are seeking massage during more daytime hours while their family members are at work, school, etc.  Perhaps that will help you out a bit.Living in a rural area like I do, it helps that I have learned, after 32 years, to know who is related to who, what families are intertwined socially and financially, etc.  Around here that goes a long, long way in establishing any self-employed individual, let alone massage therapist, as someone that can be trusted with one's business.  Sounds weird, but it is true.  When I used to not use that "gossipy knowledge" as on of my friends who practices in a 1 million people plus size city puts it, my practice was drek!!  Even in large population centers, knowing a lot about the neighborhoods helps you in life, and in business.  Have you explored that kind of area?  Also, try looking at areas that are not traditional for massage - gun clubs, fishing clubs, things of that nature.  Went to a gun show with my husband last weekend, the massage therapist was doing a good steady business w/ chair massage and handing out business cards and coupons for $5 off a first appointment or gift certificate....  it was unusual, but, for her, it seemed to be working.Good luck,Anastasia B

 

[Emily G]

How can I massage more clients in the daytime?

Thank you all for all your suggestions.I appreciate them, as do the others who are dealing with this topic.

 

[Hermione Granger]

How can I massage more clients in the daytime?

Hi everybody.Thanks for writing.I think we ought to keep this topic on How can I massage more clients in the daytime? as is, gender neutral, both women and men, etcetera.This might help more of us.How can I massage more clients in the daytime?

 

[Gigi the teeth]

How can I massage more clients in the daytime?

IsHis,Going back & reading the thread & now considering it as you've asked...I think what you're really dealing with is the 'risk' involved when you change your work perameters/hours/boundaries, etc. You have had a successful practice for quite some time. Now you want/need to change the work hours, but want to approach it in a way that won't lose you any business & may increase business, as well as focus your services offered to a specific market. Am I on or off track?I strongly feel that if working daytime hours suits and serves you well, you should simply give all current clients ample notice, setting a date (the new year??), and go for it. It is scary... what if they won't schedule during the day? If it serves you well to make these changes, your business will be more attractive to exactly who you need to be there.Everytime I have ever made a move, changed from on call & always available to 'by appt only', etc... it has always worked out absolutely fine. I say think about it very carefully, as you seem to be doing... but at one point or another (that's why I say choose a date!), you've gotta JUMP. Try to spend the time between notice & actually changing your work perameters doing things like focusing your marketing efforts to the new clients you want to attract as well as beginning to offer daytime hours for appointments to your established & regular clients. Some of them are probably in a simple habit with you. Being available 9AM-7PM is a very broad clock. What will your calendar be like? Mon-Friday? Try adding in Saturdays & taking away one of the less successful days. Depending on how you structure your scheduling, you can always tell people that your last appointment of the day is 5:30 for hour-long massages & 6:00 for half-hours, but keep in mind we are also here on saturdays from x to x. Since you are established, experienced & consider your current rates 'low', you might want to consider giving yourself a raise as well. Another scary thought! ha I get the familiar feeling that you let the posibility of negative change (some of my clients may not like the new hours or new prices, etc) outweigh the possibilities you may be creating to change your practice for the better. To work 'happier hours', to work with clients that you prefer, to work smarter/not harder - for a bit more money... doesn't that sound better than jumping through hoops? In my opinion, you can only get there if you give yourself the credit for deserving it, and taking the time & interest to make sure you focus all of your good intention on exactly that.I was just about to type "good luck", but I think I'll wish you 'good confidence' instead.Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[rdenig_male]

How can I massage more clients in the daytime?

Jill/Sagetherapist,You're so sweet.Thanks for all your feedback. To comment on your comment, "Now you want/need to change the work hours, but want to approach it in a way that won't lose you any business & may increase business, as well as focus your services offered to a specific market. Am I on or off track? "I have been gearing my hours to daytime for about the last 3 years. I have been letting people know for years now that I prefer to work in the daytime.Even though I will occasionally take a later client, it is a very rare event now-a-days.If I don't like to work later at night (or whatever my preference) I am less likely to do as good of a massage.As for work days, I am available everyday of the week if someone calls. I have random days off during the month when no one schedules for those days. So it works out.If I made it a point to Never work Sunday, for example, I would've missed out on the $140. worth of work I did yesterday, Sunday. So I don't specify days off. I just specify my hours, 9-7 and ask for people to call by 5.I have plenty of spare time, too much, that is why I am searching for ways to increase clients when I like to work - In the daytime.Anyway, thank you everybody for all your feedback.It is really appreciated.Hugs.

 

[KiwiKid [new avatar]]

I read somewhere else in a thread that instead of letting a client know you are available from "such time to such time" or that a particular day is completely open, that giving specific times helps clients make decisions.

Even if my day is completely open and the client could come either in the am or pm, I still say that I have an 11:30, 1:00, 2:30, 4:00 or 5:30 so they are not thinking of anything except which of those times is best for them. It probably doesn't even register that my whole day is open.

I think having a weekend day available if you don't want to work late evenings would be helpful for those who really can't steal away during the day.