Mentors of Massage Therapy

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Comment by Darcy Neibaur on March 12, 2011 at 5:22am

At Massage Envy Pensacola we are implimenting a mentor program for therapists just out of school pairing them up with a more seasoned therapist. I do not know if this is the same nationwide at other clinics.

Comment by Travis Alligood on March 11, 2011 at 11:56pm

Hello everyone ! As this groups grows I hope that you will share your thoughts. Participation is important, so that ideas can be brought out and discussed. what we talk about today may help someone tomorrow.

Comment by Travis Alligood on March 7, 2011 at 6:30am

Kris,
Top Ten Requirements, I do not think that I would find this anywhere else. Your top ten should be published somewhere if it is not already, other than your site, this was very well put and I hope that when I mentor someone else in the future that the student does feel that I show all these traits.

Comment by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on March 6, 2011 at 7:04pm

~

 

I’m often asked, "What makes a quality massage therapist mentor/teacher/instructor?" Here are a few thoughts on this topic, my 'top ten' so to speak.

 

Please note that I'm not going to start splitting hairs here, as in the difference between: mentors, teachers, instructors, consultants, etc., etc. Pick what works for you.

 

Massage Mentors - Top Ten Requirements

Kris

 

Comment by Travis Alligood on March 4, 2011 at 6:14am

Kris,

Go for another tangent, as I was reading your closing words about solutions, that is so true. We are here to help them and it is important that ALL students remember that. This should be passed on to the all so we will not lose sight of the fact if we want to produce results then GIVE them a reason to come back to you.

Comment by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on February 26, 2011 at 3:36pm

Argh...just noticed my post was cut off  ;)  My long ramblings won't fit!  ;)

 

Can't really recall my final thoughts on the previous post, but I think what I was concluding with was to look at everything from the clients perspective.  Look at your message, whatever it may be, such as, "What solution am I providing for this target market?" 

 

Also, be careful of 'following other massage therapists in what they are doing.  If you receive a mailer or see a flyer of your competition, use it to spur you on, as in, get something going, but don't just copy it.  Most I see are very bland and don't work.  I know this when I 'spy' on my competition.  ;)  I'll swing in for their 'special,' and comment about how I got their flyer and how busy they must be.  90% of therapists and receptionists always reply that they are still not busy.  You see, most advertising is about the therapist, a needy wanting of, "I need clients."  Or, the advertising is laced with features in technical medical or eastern philosophy terms, not loaded with benefits.  'People' don't care about you, they are looking for the solution to their problem. 

 

Eh, that's enough for now, before I get off on another tangent  ;)

 

K

 

Comment by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on February 25, 2011 at 10:29am

Hello Darcy and Heide!

 

Darcy, yes, it is give and take!  In working with a mentor, I've found that I need to first be completely honest with myself and what I'm currently doing.  Then, listen closely and understand what the mentor communicates to me.  I use a mentor to look into what I'm doing (or not doing) and provoke me to further understanding.  The mentor provides they way, the idea, then it's up to me to understand this and then put it into action.  What I've found most often are a couple of things:  First, what I think I know and understand I really don't, or, I'm not really using it in the most efficient and effective manner.  Also, based on my own personal bias, I only choose things I 'like' to do.  Again, the mentor points this out, as well as ways or 'whys' I need to do this or that. 

 

Heide, I'm far from being a king of marketing  ;)  In regards to social media, what I've learned is this.  Well, first let me say that I'm also a face-to-face person.  My motto always is, "If I can get in front of you, you're mine!"  :)  With that said, social media is a great 'tool' for getting people in front of us  ;)

 

Ok, back to social media.  I've found this formula, or answering these questions, is key to social media or just about anything.  They are:

 

Who?  What?  When?  Where?  Why?  How?

 

A couple quick examples:  Who am I?  Or, who am I portraying to this social media outlet?  A massage professional attracting new clients, providing for existing clients, or is it a personal venue?  Both?  Also, Who am I addressing my message to, my target market or audience?  What is my message?  Also, what is my target market?  When is a timing question.  When will I provide this information or that information?  There are many studies out that reveals when people or target markets are most receptive to our message.  Where could be the location or placement of our message.  Where IS your audience?  Facebook?  Twitter?  Face-to-face meet-up groups?  Why, as in, why are you doing what you're doing?  Looking to attract new clients or provide additional information to existing clients?  Be very specific in your Why.  There are different levels of 'Why'.  An example would be lead-generation marketing or advertising.  The first message, the 'why' of the first message has ONLY one purpose:  A response back to you via E-mail or a phone call.  That's it!  We don't provide a ton of information, we only provide an emotional 'want' provoking headline.  We're not 'selling' them or 'educating' them on anything.  One single purpose:  Get them the respond.  'How' is pretty self explanitory.  How do I do this or that?  It's the process. 

 

This 'process' mentioned above is what I use with excellent results.  It's like a big circle.  If you spend any time at all answering these questions, they all relate to one another, back around and around.  Keep digging!  Keep asking yourself, "So what?" to every question you have.  Then of course, answer  ;)

 

A couple more key points to the example of social media.  First, find the social networking sites that your clients or prospective clients are using, then spend the time to become familiar with it!  Next of course is that you have to participate!  Facebook is an easy one as almost everyone has an account.  You also must mix in personal comments, not all business.  I learned this one the hard way.  In the beginning I just wanted to blast my message out to everyone!  Ugh, that didn't work.  If the weathers beautiful and you are out working in the yard and you sprain your knee, post about it.  This is what people can relate to, as a human, not just as a 'prospective massage client.'

 

I call this, raising our awareness level.  Learn to be aware of what you do during the day, then share a personal story about it.  In regards to 'business,' here's a huge pointer:  Look at everything, and I mean e

Comment by Darcy Neibaur on February 24, 2011 at 11:25pm

Hi Kris Glad you are here. The nice thing about mentoring is we are always being mentored by someone all the time and sometimes we are doing the mentoring. It is a give and take kind of thing. I love it.

Comment by Heide Metzger on February 24, 2011 at 1:44pm

Hi Kris!

Looks like you are the "king of marketing" mentor! I may have to pick your brain on some of the nuances for social media. I am such an "in person" kind of gal that I have to have my 12 year old nephew teach me about Facebook! HA!

Heide

Comment by Travis Alligood on February 23, 2011 at 10:15am

Hi Kris,

Welcome, glad you are here . Please feel free to MENTOR  US as MT students.

Always glad to receive input and feedback. Thanks !

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