Your Massage Business - Practical Tips for Success from The Ariana Institute

Your Massage Business - Practical Tips for Success from The Ariana Institute

By Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, NCTMB, CEO of The Ariana Institute

Register for a Practice Building and Marketing CE Course at http://www.arianainstitute.com/online.htm#practice

• Create a clear vision of what you want and need based on your values. Clarity is power.
• Appreciate what you have. Focus on what you’re grateful for in your life. 
• Networking – Let people know you offer massage
• Effective use of e-mail and direct mail 
• Newsletters – add information about massage in your newsletters
• Gift certificates – offer gift certificates for an introductory discounted session.
• Web sites – feature a variety of massage modalities on your website
• Follow up – call, write or e-mail clients who have come in for a massage
• Letters of appreciation – send a letter to customers and friends who refer people for massage 
• Publishing articles – publish articles about massage and share copies of the articles with colleagues and clients
• Referral incentives – offer a free massage for every five referrals or offer $10 off of the next session
• Brochures – add information about massage in your brochures
• Business cards – add information about massage on your business cards
• Diversify and prosper – offer a variety of services 
• Call clients that you haven't seen in awhile and let them know what times you have available that week. 
• Do market research and find out what others in your area are doing and how they are marketing. Ask them to send you their flyer, card or brochure. 
• Return all phone calls and e-mails within hours or at least the same day. Many potential clients have a list of massage therapists and they schedule with whoever is available first.
• Ask for regular feedback from your clients. 
• Focus on your goals and intentions. 
• Call your client the next day after a session to see how he or she feels. 
• Set up a regular treatment time for repeat clients. For example, schedule every Friday at 5 for them exclusively. It's easier for them to remember their appointment.
• Give free consultations. 
• Develop a one line slogan that can be associated with your practice 
• Give free lunch time seminars where people can find out about your services. 
• Ask for referrals. Ask the referring people for information about themselves.
• Have a ready made list of contacts for referrals. 
• Become a great learner. Attend conferences, workshops and CE classes. 
• Get set up to take credit cards through your business account. 
• Set up regular business hours so people know they can count on you. 
• Keep track of everyone who comes to see you and keep your mailing list up to date. 
• Focus on you. You are the root of your financial success or failure.
• Develop an information kit for new prospective clients telling them everything they need to know about receiving a service from you.
• Develop detailed educational material related to massage 
• Research rates and price structures in your area to make sure you are charging fairly. 
• Enhance your energy. Everything is energy. Money is energy. So get into shape, eat properly and get enough rest.
• Increase your value. Become an expert in your field and be the best at what you do. To get paid the best, you must be the best. 
• Keep up on techniques and methods, always improving yourself and your treatments. 
• Make copies of interesting, informative articles regarding massage to have on hand for distribution to clients and colleagues
• Believe you can be successful. Put your attention on the traits, strengths, and virtues that allow you to believe you can – and deserve to be – successful.
• Find other businesses to network with such as health clubs and gyms, beauty salons, florists, and retirement communities. 
• Find several successful mentors to work with one on one. Don’t try to do it on your own.  
• Choose your thoughts wisely. You can choose to think in ways that will support you in your happiness and success…instead of ways that don’t.
• Associate with successful people. Energy is contagious. 
• Review your business success plan often and share your review with supportive friends and mentors on a regular basis.

Blog by Ariana Vincent, CEO of the Ariana Institute, www.arianainstitute.com