how to market w/out getting perverts????????

[Proud Army Wife]

I was wondering if it would be safe cause I'm female, to put signs up that advertise massage and my number at corners where people pickupthe newspaper? Should I put in parenthesis women only? or is it even a good idea to do this? I need help!!!!

 

[Pompal 09.]

This is a joke, right?  

 

[LANE (D)]

how to market w/out getting perverts????????

maggy,  I think you should trust your instincts that it may not be the safest way to advertise and look at the replies on your other recent thread http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1222

 

[blank]

how to market w/out getting perverts????????

This is a joke, right?  

What part of it is a joke?

 

[Allen]

how to market w/out getting perverts????????

I think I should reword corners, I mean areas that people pick up the paper like @ starbucks or @ a store or massageplanete!

 

[jay h]

how to market w/out getting perverts????????

Streetcorners, Maggie. Those are usually the territory of girls who show up in person to advertise.I don't know what the policies are for advertising in Starbucks or a massageplanete, maybe someone could help you with that. But I would keep my ads off the street. Especially if you are serious about avoiding pervs.

 

[icevixen17]

how to market w/out getting perverts????????

Well what is the difference really I see businesses put up banners out on the main road where all kinds of people see it and passing out flyers house to house is the same situation you don't know who lives there perverts have homes too.... so I honestly don't see the difference and don't understand your replies! but mahalo anyhow

 

[Sheena Li]

maggy, most businesses that put banners on the main road and house to house flyers are not in the massage business, most flyers I get seem to be about pest control and pizzas.  Some businesses attract a large perceneforum.xxxe of the population - every house will get a bit of an ant problem where I am in summer.  Hardly any house will have someone that wants a massage.  As you said last week, you didn't get a response from your earlier flyer drop - if you were advertising pest control you may have - that is the difference.   Only a small part of the population is interested in massage, you can't advertise it like a pizza

 

[alf the gardener]

how to market w/out getting perverts????????

I was wondering if it would be safe cause I'm female, to put signs up that advertise massage and my number at corners where people pickup the newspaper? Should I put in parenthesis women only? or is it even a good idea to do this? I need help!!!!

as a female, this is not safe, and will not bring you the clientele you want.

where are other massage therapist/day spas/salons advertising in your area?

more specifically, your ads, no matter where you put them or what you say will not deter the class of men who think that anything is negotiable behind closed doors.

 

[MassEauTerra]

It is true that you will always have the risk of getting a perv. regardless of where you advertise or how professional looking the ad is.  You are likely to attract MORE of them by advertising with flyers to homes and signs in places where people are generally NOT massage minded.  While I believe that EVERY house that has people living in it, has potential for a client......the truth of the matter is, that the majority of them will not be interested.  It's best to concentrate your efforts in places where your ideal client will be.  If your target client is the elderly.....then senior centers and assisted living places would be where you might concentrate.  If you will be targeting clients with back problems, then you might want to schmooze with some doctors and physical therapy clinics.  If athletes are your focus, then running clubs, health clubs, bicycling groups will be where you want to get your foot in.  By thinking this way and marketing to the people you want, you are likely to draw a better quality of clients.

 

[Sean :)]

I see what everyone is saying! I never understood it before but its true, advertising massage is not like anything else, you really have to put yourself outthere but in appropriet places, cause how you advertise determines the type of clientel you will recieve if any at all.                                                                           Mahalo To Everyone  

 

[alicia m]

Print advertising is a tough way to go for a massage business, in my opinion. Since you want to focus on women clients, why not seek advertising media that caters to them? In addition to what KneadedMassage said, you might want to try setting up something at a women-only gym or perhaps a local parenting magazine. Keep in mind that no matter what safety measures you take (putting "professional, therapeutic" in your print information, screening calls, etc), there is a chance that you still might get a few not so pleasant people. You just need to be prepared.  

 

[Jennifer Babyyy]

oh tiamouse i like the idea with the parenting magazine.  i'm going to call them tomorrow to find out how much $$ they charge.yep, i agree with everyone else here.  you've got to think about what you're going to get putting your ad out there on the corner.  what is your first reaction when you see that stuff?  you know, the ads on pay phones, in bathroom stalls, cards left in stupid random places that make no sense....you don't want to advertise "Massage Therapy" in any place like that.  

 

[LilyEll?]

Like everyone else here, I agree that a streetcorner is NOT the way to advertise what we do...LOL!For that matter, rule out bars and laundramats, too.  Flyers and mailers are a dud for most people I know in the business, unless you send them to your existing clients, but I have heard one person here say that sending out/canvassing them out into neighborhoods had met with great success for them.Some very good regular clients of mine have come from my posting cards on bulletin boards in places like Starbucks, and some of the MANY coffee houses in the city.  Still others have taken my card and come in to purchase a gift certificate for someone else.  it was worth the little effort I put out to get that business.

 

[Nick Nuemann]

the territory of girls who show up in person to advertise

Wow, gutehands, you never fail to amaze me at your control of the English language!  Hehe, that was an "excellent" way to put it.   OK, maggy, I put a nice link on that other thread you wrote.  Hope it helps.Another thought, could you link up with another massage therpaist in HI, who would not be confrontational, but maybe take you under their wing and help give you support in the form of mentorship?  When I speak of mentorship, I am not suggesting they offer you a job, just that they help steer you in a more guided path.I know we have a few therpaists from HI here on the boards.  Maybe one would be willing to talk with you on the phone or in person and give you an idea as to how long it took them to build their practice and share a few pointers with you.  I know business is business, but even so, business in HI may have a different ring to it, since it is an island setting.  Just a few rambling thoughts.  Hope they help.

 

[banjaran]

Maggy,  I think from your original post, you just want to be careful what kind of people respond and feel safer saying "women only", using that type of advertising.I take precautions with "new men."    I suggest you practice your phone dialog. Try to find out the goals of their massage. If you're still unsure, maybe say something like "I am a healthcare provider. I just want to be sure we're on the same page. "   or   "We don't offer sexual services here. If that's what you're looking for, you've called the wrong place." (matter-of-factly, not judging). I have said that and the person thanked me and said they'd call someplace else.I may lose a client who feels insulted; but, I'll feel safer with the ones I do work on.  If anyone has suggestions how to tweak this a little to not be offensive, comments welcome.

 

[Rapid Fire]

jdcan,  my main phone safety catch all to new males when they call up is to say I don't have any thing available for 48hrs (phrased as "I haven't got anything available until Thursday" or whenever)  seems if they are ringing up about more than a massage, they usually want it the day they ring up.  I'm sure I've missed a few genuine possible clients with my 48hr rule, but I'm sure I've weeded out many many more dubious calls.  As I've become busier, I'm having to say "next week" anyway, so I don't have to think about the 48hrs that much anymore. Also phone calls at 3am in the morning wanting a massage then, the 48hr gets rid of them easily Other suspect topic is if they bring up draping.