Making housecalls...

[juli]

I have recently come across a problem with marketing in my area.  Right now I am trying to look for a location to rent (have been looking for about 4 months now!!!), but have not been sucessful.  I have some privates that I make housecalls to but they were few and far between, so I picked up a spa job that I hate in the mean time.  I have been trying to branch out and pick up more private clients so that I know I will have enough clients to even make it worth renting a place and being able to pay for it.  Seems fair right?So have you ever had a problem with people wanting to refer your business to others if you are only doing housecalls at the moment?  I  have it clearly printed on my business cards, because I don't have room to do it in my house, and I really hope to find more space soon!!!But mainly I met someone that could potentially send me clients and he wants to only send them to the spa where I currently work, yet I have explained it to him that I can't get referrals or requests there, and I really don't see myself working there even till the end of the month.  So he didn't want to purchase one of my private gift certificates because I go to peoples houses, only one for my service at the spa to raffle off.  I just find this odd, because I know so many MT's that live off of housecalls and I have personally had many requests to do so while working at other locations.  But mainly, I know I won't end up getting this person, and the gift certificate is good for a year!

 

[sherazade92700]

Making housecalls...

Muriel, I had some similar problems when I was doing just outcalls for a while. It just didn't work for some people. Or actually they couldn't SEE it working, just like some people can't see themselves getting a massage at all. The main reasons seem to be that the home environment itself was too stressful-kids, telephone, way too messy for company,etc.If you want to get him as a referral source you are going to have to change his idea of what it would be like to have a massage at home. You can try to find out what he doesn't like about the idea, but it would be easier to just show the ways that in-home is better than spa. try to get some "testimonials" from your clients. Then talking him into getting one (no charge) so  he can see the benefits for himself.He sounds like he could really be a good source for you to grow your business. Also, if you can convince him you can convince anyone!Good luck!Kirsten Another thought to handle the current g.c. dilemma... offer to set up a free consultation with the person he wants to give the gift to. Then they can choose for themselves what they prefer.O.K. third edit... I missed the part about the raffle. Let him buy one from the spa and donate one for you for outcall only??