Zen Shiatsu

[Spring]

Hello everyone! I waned to get some feedback/advice for any Zen Shiatsu practitioners out there. I graduated from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy a year and a half ago. I have been working for employers that whole time and have decided to get a regular job while I build my own practice. I love doing Zen Shiatsu and and trying to figure out how to market that to the public. I know know most people expect swedish or deep tissue massage (which is great for the therapists that do that work), but how can I help people to understand the benefits of Zen Shiatsu? Thanks!!

Blessings,

Nick

 

[lowgurl]

Zen Shiatsu

I love doing Zen Shiatsu and and trying to figure out how to market that to the public. I know know most people expect swedish or deep tissue massage (which is great for the therapists that do that work), but how can I help people to understand the benefits of Zen Shiatsu?

Hi Nick, I know I responded in the male practitioner's section to that particular aspect of post but wanted to address other issues in this post.

You mention wanting to help people to understand the benefits of Zen Shiatsu. Ok, what are the benefits of Zen Shiatsu? (Could you list them here in this thread for us?)

How do you market Zen Shiatsu to the public? How does one market any modality to the public.

Yes, swedish and deep tissue are lot more well-known... but what do those that offer other modalities like CST, Myofascial Release, Orthobionomy, Polarity Therapy, Zero Balancing, Trager work, Hellerwork, Rolfing, do for marketing?

Some modalities are indeed more well-known or well-advertised. It wasn't all that long ago that the concept of warm basalt rocks being rubbed all over your body was a bit foreign you know. : Sure in some cultures it has been done for hundreds of years, but it's only been the decade or so that Hot Stone Massage has become the sensation that it is today!

But there are dozens of modalities who aren't quite as well known yet.
How does one... "Get the word out" so to speak?

Since you haven't been on the board long, you probably don't know that my current beloved modality is Myofascial Release... yes I still offer Deep Tissue and Swedish, but what I most love to do is Myofascial Release. So, I've had to figure out how to get people interested in having me do that service on them.

The easiest for thing for me to do is tell them it's NOT swedish massage, and then proceed to tell them how it can be both similar and different to things that they DO know. And sometimes, in the beginning of getting your own practice going, you have to toot your own horn. Draw attention to your own modality. Ask a few people to try it just to get their opinions... use their testimonials (with permission) for your advertising (brochures, websites, etc.). Give these satisfied clients brochures and ask them to tell their friends! Each one tell one! Little by little your practice will grow. But it has to start with you and your love for Zen Shiatsu...

Demonstration:
Me: "Oh, I'm having such a problem with my sinuses..."
Nick: "Really? Let me show you something that really helped me when I learned Zen Shiatsu, it's a tsubo point called..." (offer to demonstrate)
Me: "Thanks Nick, that really helped!"
Nick, "No problem, I'm offering Zen Shiatsu appointments @ ______, if you're interested in seeing if Shiatsu can help you with sinuses or other health concerns you have at the moment."
Me: "I've had this problem with ____ too. Do you have a business card so I can call you about an appointment later this week?"
Nick: "Oh, I really enjoy working with clients who have that issue!" (whips out appointment book)

And the rest, as they say, is Client History.

 

[Dragon]

Zen Shiatsu

Maestra,

Thank you so much for your kind advice. I really like the idea of telling the client how Shiatsu (or in your case Myofascial Release) is similar and different to what they already are used to. Have a great day!

Blessings,

Nick