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I need some help. I have worked in a chiro office since i graduated. I am now in a salon, that has steady clientel now here is the problem.... The LMT that was there before me was using WESSON COOKING OIL to massage the clients of the stylist and of course they all broke out! I have tried to convert them but they are no longer interested in massage and I can't blame them. She not only used the oil on their body but the face as well.. I know it will take time to get them back if they ever come back.. I need to know what are some good marketing ideas to help rebuild the clientel back up i am new to this part of the field.

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on October 12, 2011 at 10:08am

Two pronged approach...

First...some marketing raving about your wonderful products...include the list of ingredients if you have them (I am assuming you are using quality massage products), how it's good for the skin and safe even for sensitive skin (which I assume it is).

Second...I am sure that there are tons of potential clients out there who did not go to previous MT. Make sure that you have a facebook page and a website, see if salon will provide you with emails of their clients to do some e-marketing.

BTW - girls in salons tend to gossip and exagerate. I really doubt that this girl used wesson oil...sounds more like some nasty gossip/rumor that some one started because they didn't like her for some reason. So unless you SAW the wesson oil or spoke to one of the victims yourself, don't repeat this story and don't worry about it.

Permalink Reply by Ashley Thurman on October 13, 2011 at 7:39am

Thanks for the advice!

yes i saw the oil myself, i dont repeat anything but facts. and the victims were the ones that came and complained about the breakouts but that MT had already left the office.
Cindy Greenwood said:

Two pronged approach...

First...some marketing raving about your wonderful products...include the list of ingredients if you have them (I am assuming you are using quality massage products), how it's good for the skin and safe even for sensitive skin (which I assume it is).

Second...I am sure that there are tons of potential clients out there who did not go to previous MT. Make sure that you have a facebook page and a website, see if salon will provide you with emails of their clients to do some e-marketing.

BTW - girls in salons tend to gossip and exagerate. I really doubt that this girl used wesson oil...sounds more like some nasty gossip/rumor that some one started because they didn't like her for some reason. So unless you SAW the wesson oil or spoke to one of the victims yourself, don't repeat this story and don't worry about it.

Permalink Reply by Robin Byler Thomas on October 14, 2011 at 9:32am

Hi Ashley,

I wonder if offering them free samples of the products you use might be helpful? They could take them home and see for themselves. Maybe you could find small bottles and put your label on them with your contact information, along with the ingrediants. I know there is an initial investment but it might be worth it and you could write off the cost at tax time.

Good luck and I wish you much success,

Robin

Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on October 14, 2011 at 2:05pm

In and of itself..Wesson oil shouldn't cause breakouts any more then anything else...contamination, old rancid oil, or dirty hands may of caused that problem...Any good fresh vegetable oil would do.. Grape seed oil is good...or just get a professional Biotome product..Emphasize sanitation...get some disinfectant wipes for the headrest and so on..Before you touch your client..let them see or hear you washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap and so on...Ive never heard of such a problem. Sounds like you don't have good support in that Salon at all..They should be wanting you to be busy..It only helps their business..

Cindy Greenwood said:

Two pronged approach...

First...some marketing raving about your wonderful products...include the list of ingredients if you have them (I am assuming you are using quality massage products), how it's good for the skin and safe even for sensitive skin (which I assume it is).

Second...I am sure that there are tons of potential clients out there who did not go to previous MT. Make sure that you have a facebook page and a website, see if salon will provide you with emails of their clients to do some e-marketing.

BTW - girls in salons tend to gossip and exagerate. I really doubt that this girl used wesson oil...sounds more like some nasty gossip/rumor that some one started because they didn't like her for some reason. So unless you SAW the wesson oil or spoke to one of the victims yourself, don't repeat this story and don't worry about it.

Permalink Reply by Ashley Thurman on October 15, 2011 at 12:57am

thank you!

Robin Byler Thomas said:

Hi Ashley,

I wonder if offering them free samples of the products you use might be helpful? They could take them home and see for themselves. Maybe you could find small bottles and put your label on them with your contact information, along with the ingrediants. I know there is an initial investment but it might be worth it and you could write off the cost at tax time.

Good luck and I wish you much success,

Robin

Permalink Reply by Ashley Thurman on October 15, 2011 at 1:01am

True. I am doing everything of the sort to insure them what I use is good for their skin, i even let them read the label if requested. the turn around for myself is picking up. but once you had a bad experience from another MT that USE to work there, its going to take time for a client to build that security back up.

Gordon J. Wallis said:

In and of itself..Wesson oil shouldn't cause breakouts any more then anything else...contamination, old rancid oil, or dirty hands may of caused that problem...Any good fresh vegetable oil would do.. Grape seed oil is good...or just get a professional Biotome product..Emphasize sanitation...get some disinfectant wipes for the headrest and so on..Before you touch your client..let them see or hear you washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap and so on...Ive never heard of such a problem. Sounds like you don't have good support in that Salon at all..They should be wanting you to be busy..It only helps their business..

Cindy Greenwood said:
Two pronged approach...

First...some marketing raving about your wonderful products...include the list of ingredients if you have them (I am assuming you are using quality massage products), how it's good for the skin and safe even for sensitive skin (which I assume it is).

Second...I am sure that there are tons of potential clients out there who did not go to previous MT. Make sure that you have a facebook page and a website, see if salon will provide you with emails of their clients to do some e-marketing.

BTW - girls in salons tend to gossip and exagerate. I really doubt that this girl used wesson oil...sounds more like some nasty gossip/rumor that some one started because they didn't like her for some reason. So unless you SAW the wesson oil or spoke to one of the victims yourself, don't repeat this story and don't worry about it.

Permalink Reply by Robin Byler Thomas on October 15, 2011 at 8:52am

BTW, there's a current discussion about the use of oils on skin at our MT research education site, Poem, you all might be interested in. It's long and in depth (a good review of our A & P days), but don't let that stop you. Raven is great about answering any questions and providing evidence to help explain what it means.

Cheers.

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on October 15, 2011 at 10:09am

For the full article go here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1317296/pdf/nihms5548.pdf.

This is interesting comparing the Nepal custom of using mustard oil on newborns. The effect is compared with the effect on newborn skin of sunflower oil.

A comparison of oils such as almond, grape seed, olive, sesame, mineral, jojoba, avocado and coconut at various stages of aging and specific conditions would be interesting to the massage community and perhaps shake up or confirm assumptions regarding use.

Robin Byler Thomas said:

BTW, there's a current discussion about the use of oils on skin at our MT research education site, Poem, you all might be interested in. It's long and in depth (a good review of our A & P days), but don't let that stop you. Raven is great about answering any questions and providing evidence to help explain what it means.

Cheers.

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on October 15, 2011 at 10:22am

Well stated Gordon. Since Wesson Oil produces several oils which was being used? Canola oil is simply rape seed oil (I think only the USA calls it canola because of sales resistance to the plant name, lol). Rape seed oil may not be desirable because of toxicity and some components of mustard oil (Poem article). So while not the best these oils including corn oil can be used. Oils should be assessed by their chemical constituents. I use Jojoba, Rice Bran, Grape Seed, Sesame, Olive, and Coconut in various blends or alone.

Rather than being chauvinistic about brands, this is an area we really should stay evidence based.

Gordon J. Wallis said:

In and of itself..Wesson oil shouldn't cause breakouts any more then anything else...contamination, old rancid oil, or dirty hands may of caused that problem...Any good fresh vegetable oil would do.. Grape seed oil is good...or just get a professional Biotome product..Emphasize sanitation...get some disinfectant wipes for the headrest and so on..Before you touch your client..let them see or hear you washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap and so on...Ive never heard of such a problem. Sounds like you don't have good support in that Salon at all..They should be wanting you to be busy..It only helps their business..

Cindy Greenwood said:

Two pronged approach...

First...some marketing raving about your wonderful products...include the list of ingredients if you have them (I am assuming you are using quality massage products), how it's good for the skin and safe even for sensitive skin (which I assume it is).

Second...I am sure that there are tons of potential clients out there who did not go to previous MT. Make sure that you have a facebook page and a website, see if salon will provide you with emails of their clients to do some e-marketing.

BTW - girls in salons tend to gossip and exagerate. I really doubt that this girl used wesson oil...sounds more like some nasty gossip/rumor that some one started because they didn't like her for some reason. So unless you SAW the wesson oil or spoke to one of the victims yourself, don't repeat this story and don't worry about it.