Whats a good way to get new clients?

[Ayrehead]

Hi everyone. Im just starting out my practice in New York City and I am looking for a bit of advice on how to build up my client base. I have already started looking around at a few internet sites, and I am aware that word of mouth is the best possible way, but in the mean time I was hoping for some suggestions. Can any one show me the way

 

[rpobsession]

Hi Healinghands. I guess I would ask you a few questions first:

Are you planning to do outcalls, or do you have a space where you'll be working out of? I think your marketing methods would differ depending on what your client base will be.

Do you specialize? Do you do primarily Swedish massage, or do you do any other modalities?

Are you looking at any particular target group? Do you belong to any social groups or interest groups that you could start with, and do some marketing toward? There are some great marketing books/websites/resources, but I think it really helps to narrow things down a bit first. After all, you won't be aiming at the entire bourough of Manhattan, but it's a great place with LOTS of great potential. (I love NY!)

Good luck!

 

[Krin]

Get something different to differentiate yourself from other therapists and get a web site.

You say you're starting your practice in NY. Is this your first or your moving there? If it's your first you're probably thinking you don't want to go study something new already, you only just finished. If you can get interested in one of the latest spa fashions that is in all the spa magazines, but hasn't filtered down to the general public yet, you might be able to jump on the wave - I'm thinking stone massage 8 years ago type thing. I'm not quite up on next big spa fashions, but there's got to be something that resonates with you. Ayurveda, crystals, pregnancy massage, lymph drainage if you can connect with a surgeon, cosmetic or otherwise. You want something that people won't get from every massage therapist so they will look on the web to find someone and be prepared to go further than just down the road.
Search engines are a wonderful tool for getting exposure to people you wouldn't normally get exposure to. Seeling gift certificate sonline you can have people on the other side of the world paying for your services - just today I sold one to someone 3000 miles away. As long as you optimise your web site for search engines, it can be a very cheap 24hr a day ad for people to find (cheap as in about $5 per month). Only problem with a website is the Google sandbox means your site may not be returned in Google results for a few months, but Yahoo, MSN, etc can kick in straight away.

 

[Prianka]

This site has a lot of great free info:

http://www.massage-marketing-tips.com

 

[Pompal 09.]

Here are some more links for you to check out:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=470

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=461

 

[Bryton]

I've had some good luck with Nationwide Massage and MassageAnywhere. Both will let you add a listing--complete with customizable details and a link to your web site--totally FREE. Also, when ppl Google massage and their state, these sites are among the top returns. Both are nation-wide listings of legit therapists only (afaik) and ppl can search by their zip code. Sure, I've gotten some dubious phone calls (they don't blatantly ask for "extras" or whatever, but they do like to talk about draping a lot, etc--simply don't book those ppl or make 'em wait for 24-48 hrs and you're fine ks that tends to filter the undesirables out). But anyway, I've gotten a few hits off those sites and most of those clients turned out to be GREAT. Btw, I've gotten more men than women, ks men tend to use the internet more, but hopefully that'll change such that it balances out.

Hope that helps
~Jyoti

 

[Wonders]

Thanks

I just want to thank everyone who was kind enough to reply to my question. You are all so willing to help and helped alot actually in such a short ammount of time. I am really grateful. Thanks!

 

[Lozz]

I found this book helpful:

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