For all of you friends on facebook, I envite you to become a fan of Massage Warehouse to get news, tips, and sneak peek looks at upcoming sales!
come join the fun!
www.facebook.com/massagewarehouse

Had a wonderful day with veterans at a local VFW hall yesterday. As a veteran myself (I4 years USAF), I appreciate all the kind thank you's and perks that were offered all of us who served. I held a man, crying as he told me the horrors he experienced in Germany,shared a beer with an elderly man in a wheelchair as he told me about his adventures in world war 2, and stood proudly with others that appreciated our boy/girlscouts who came to do the flag raising ceremony which ended with the playing of taps. All of this, I may add, on their day off from school! Last night I received a tasty death by chocolate cake, as our local Elk's lodge offered free dessert to all veterans who dined with them that night. Next year I have negotiated a chair massage booth at the VFW event. This is something you all may consider for next year....offer veterans a discount or even volunteer at a local vfw or veteran's hospital. Make sure there is someone to take photos to use for PR. Even a newspaper thank you ad can be good PR. Most of all, a compassionate ear and handshake of thankfulness is huge. Veterans..they are everywhere, and marketing this demographic with compassion and respect is a great and positive thing.

Hi David,

What you wanting is a white noise machine. If you google it, you should find places that sells those. When I worked in the corporate world on a call center floor we used them. Worked great! You might also try Amazon.com. Enter "white noise machine" in the search engine.

Hope this helps!
Tami

This seems to be an interesting site. P.R. can translate into marketing.
After all it is simply representing your skills and value to the public in a favorable light and enticing them to contact you and invest in your time and expertise.

This is in response to Martha... I know of a therapist in KC that actually go to independent living facilities/rest homes and do massage there. Besides gaining the elderly that she works on for clients she has also gotten extra clients elsewhere as they recommend her to their family and friends. Hope this helps...

A new video from my Massage Network News. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzNG_NAIKvI

Hi,
Recently I talked to a client's sister who is an opthamologist in Florida. The client is getting great results with her chronic pain issues and the opthamologist is interested in having me work in her office with her clients.

I want to know if there is anyone out there doing massage or manual therapy in an opthamologist's office. Do they have any billing and business tips for me.

I already work hands on with vision related issues so clinically I am doing well.

Hi guys! I just posted a forum titled "Uniting on Facebook". Take a look and if you're interested, it may help your business grow!

Also you may want to all join the new group from Massage Therapy Radio. They are looking to interview people. It could help advertise your business. Their new group is at http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/massagetherapyradio

FINALLY, RESEARCHING MASSAGE TABLES IS MADE EASIER!!!!

One AT-A-GLANCE resource for anyone who is trying to decide on which table to buy! There is now a downloadable chart created by Massage Warehouse which compares many features and benefits on many of the leading table manufacturers products!!! THIS IS GREAT FOR SCHOOLS!!!! Please feel free to log on and download this for yourself and your students!

http://www.massagewarehouse.com/mastertablelist/index.html

I was recently introduced to BNI (business networking...) and then was asked to join a similar group that was just forming. The new group was formed with the focus on a holistic approach to life. We have some fairly motivated and knowledgeable people in the group. Our aim is more to be recognized than to actually do the referral thing. Has anyone tried this approach before if so what happened?

I was part of a similar group in New York City few years back. It was modeled after BNI but was designated just for the healing profession. The group did not make a profit, and the referrals were pretty weak. After few months it all fell apart (the name was HNA). However your group sounds a bit different--sounds as it is more about community rather than profit

Nurit

Free listing for 6 months on FindHealthPros.com.
Go to List Practice
Click on Sign Up Today
Select Offline Payment and
enter this Coupon Code 6C635 when registering
Call us 866-450-3463 if you have any trouble

Participate or organize a fund raiser! Not only can you help raise money for any charitable cause you can get great marketing exposure for your business!

If you are hosting a "Massage for Haiti" fund raiser, I will post it for FREE on this website. Please advise

www.massageforhaiti.net

Today's Blog: Why would you work in a spa?

http://massagecareers.blogspot.com/2010/01/why-would-you-work-in-sp...

Question on chair massage events ... other than having music, what other ways are there to "beef up" the event to make it better? Any ideas would be appreciated!

Here are some ideas for you, Tami:
Be sure lighting is soothing. If setting has flourescent lights consider finding an alternative. If you can use natural lighting that is really the best.
Check temperature in room and ensure it is a comfortable temperature for clients.
Add aromatherapy to the room through a diffuser or burn some LIGHTLY scented incense such as Aloeswood.
Create an environment of peace by being sure there is no talking during session unless absolutely necessary. This can be disruptive to others in the room. Our team does this by speaking in a very low voice to check in with client and all therapists begin and end at the same time.
Hope this is helpful.
Tracey
www.imassageinc.com

Today's Blog is about a former student of mine and becoming successful in massage! Enjoy

http://massagecareers.blogspot.com/2010/01/successful-practice.html

For flyers to be placed in offices/at expos for people to pick up, I use regular 20# paper. If I'm sending a mailing, I prefer to use heavy weight paper in the form of an oversized postcard.

I've found it most important to make the materials pleasing to the eye, catching people's attention. At expo's I've had people pick up my flyers just because of the colors/graphics on the materials.

Here's some food for thought. When you're in a pinch, take enough time to make a flyer on regular paper that is, as Serenity suggested, as nice as possible. (No matter what, check for typos, and don't put out anything that has them.)

When you have time to plan ahead, get professional-looking marketing materials. Most people will notice the look and feel of your marketing pieces and get an impression of your business from them.

Hi Samantha. I use a mixture of both professionally made and 'hand made' marketing materials. I have had my business cards and postcard size info cards professionally made. These I leave at health food shops, dr's, naturopaths etc. And I get a good response from them. I have also designed my own flyers. I use slightly thicker than normal A4 size paper, (not sure of the gsm) and I use an off white. It has a really natural look and feel to it. I have a great printer and a mac that has a lot of really good design functions. I have had lots of good feedback about my flyers being good looking and informative. I use my flyers for mail outs, in the clinic, at events and I keep them on me, every opportunity to talk to someone about what I do is good marketing and self promotion. Hope this helps

If you're looking at brochures and postcards, www.vistaprint.com makes them for you cheaper than you can create them yourself. You use their software and they keep your templates saved so you can edit or reorder when you need more. If you get on their mailing list they have sales all the time. I use their postcards for both mailings and gift certificates and only pay shipping since I always buy during a promotion when they are free. Thought you might want to check them out.

Yes Vistaprint is what I used on my last order. I was very pleased with them,and will con't. using them. great offers all the time.

First of all, full disclosure here. I'm a writer for a company that makes brochures, postcards, etc. for massage therapists. BUT, the reason that I'm participating in this forum is to see how it's going with your marketing. If you aren't in business, we aren't in business.

Samantha, it sounds like you are happy with your solutions. Yay! For anyone who hasn't checked around for brochures and other products, I really recommend you ask for free samples from some different businesses so you can compare them side by side (along with stuff from Vistaprint). These companies have massage brochures: Natural Touch Marketing (naturaltouchmarketing.com) and Hemingway Products (hemingwaymassageproducts.com). ABMP has brochures, too, if you're a member (abmp.com//members/marketing_center.php/marketing_center.php). Good luck!

Thanks for the insight, Samantha! We agree, and have really been trying to come up with more good graphics of people of all ethnic backgrounds. We buy most of our photos from stock photography companies...I hope over time they will offer more of a variety of people! I will share your request for these kinds of images with the staff here. If you want to check out what we have already, you can go to the Natural Touch Marketing website, and click on our brochure page.

Hi all, I know you guys are talking about printed material, but I just wanted to tell you guys about this great site www.wholevisit.com that actually allows you to list your practice for free. WholeVisit Health is a community for patients to find integrative medicine professionals in their area. You can actually list your practice, the conditions you treat, any blogs and articles and actually schedule appointments online with your patients if you want. And its Free! Did I mention that??? I am even on some search engines now. Just wanted you all to know about this great site and free marketing opportunity.

Follow my blog for some tips too:
http://massagecareers.blogspot.com/

Got a question? Let me know.

I found a higher quality paper for brochures that I like--I think it's by HP, "presentation" paper. They also make "brochure" paper, but it's more expensive, so I haven't tried it yet, but I do like the presentation paper.

Thanks Nancy! - www.WholeVisit.com is great, I can't believe its FREE! Finally somebody doing something for us! You should all sign up, this is one of the few free marketing sites out there, a great tip.

Comment by noreen zakrajsek 3 minutes ago Delete Comment I am thinking about making up special shaped coupons of so sort to offer someone a chance to win a 15 minute foot and lower leg massge. I will do this at the senior place that i currently visit weekly to try to build up some new clients. I am thinking about placing the blank coupon at their place setting during lunch next week,then i will be able to walk around and introduce myself to thosethat don't know me. I will then draw a name out of the bowl for the winner. what do you think? I am also thinking about writing up some sort of coupon so as the retirement place can add it to any new residents WELCOME Basket that they give out. just trying to figure out the right wording. i really need to market myself at two places..any more ideas? THis is for seniors.
Namaste,noreen

Noreen, that's just fabulous you have the opportunity to introduce yourself to individual residents! Here's another thought. Can you promote to the family members of the residents? People often want to buy a gift for Grandma or Aunt Tilly, and can't think of anything they want or need. Is there a newsletter or bulletin board, or some other way to reach family members and other visitors?

Massage business cards are important to our massage business, regardless if we're working for ourselves or someone else.

I've updated my website page for massage business cards with more massage marketing tips to attract clients. (Thus, if you've already seen what I've written, visit again! ;))

I've added one huge tip that I'm certain many have used, yet no-one's written about.

Come take a look!

Massage Business Cards

Kris

Hi Diana
yes I have in the past sent out flyers to both the residents and their families.I also have a small flyer posted on the benifits of massage for senior along w/my cards by their mailboxes. Yes and a blog in their newsletter twice in the past. I will be posting another blog in newsletter next month as well as mailing out flyers. The introducing myself willbe a new and nice way to advertize myself. looking forwrd to that. thank you for your ideas.

Hi Noreen,
A blog, cool! Say, do you focus on the season in your blog? For instance, give the relatives an additional reason to call — because Mother's Day is right around the corner. Some message like: "Don't know what to get Mom this year? Does she have everything she needs? Massage has no calories, etc." When you do that, you're focusing your message on something they need right now...a present for Mother's Day.

Good luck with your blog!

How is your massage therapist income growing? Are YOU letting 80% of it slip through the cracks because of three simple things that you are NOT doing on a regular basis?

Read this article and keep those clients coming back for more!

Massage Therapist Income

Kris

~

The tax deadline is over (for most) and now the CPA's are relaxing.

Wow...as a massage therapist, can we find a better target market???

Send me an e-mail to: kris.kelley@yahoo.com if you'd like me to e-mail you a letter I mail out to all the CPA's in my area. This letter is in the format of MS Word. No, you won't be added to my mailing list or anything else. I'll JUST send you the letter. Now, if you'd like more in-depth information on what I'm doing, please sign up for my Ezine here: MMS Ezine

Use this template and substitute your own personal information and experience.

Perform a quick search on the Internet for CPA's in your area. (CPA=Certified Public Accountant). Get their mailing address. Or, grab a telephone book and find them.

Ensure you personalize EVERY letter with the CPA's first name.

Example: In the letter is says, Dear (name). Ensure you put each CPA's name here. Ensure you do this throughout the letter where personalization is needed.

Print these off on some good quality colored paper. Nothing to flashy, yet something to get their attention.

Next, you need to personalize your envelopes so that your mailers even get opened!

This is extremely important (how to create your mailer envelopes) and is often overlooked.

Here's how to create a proper mailer envelope: Get Your Mailers Opened!

If you send this out to fifty CPA's, what's this going to cost? Thirty bucks?? Or....

Save your postage and drive to their office! (The postage $'s will go towards gas).

Prior to this though, ensure you've personalized your letters to each CPA in the office. (Many CPA's have offices with multiple CPA's in one office). This shows a personal touch as well as you can discuss your 'Stressed Out CPA Massage Package' with the receptionist or administrative assistant. Most administrative assistants I know work just as hard (or harder) as everyone else!

If you can drum up conversation with the receptionist all the better. Some will even want to read your letter to see what it contains. Include them in your offer! Also, if you've managed to strike up a conversation, they may give you tips on how to re-create your letter to better suit each CPA and their individual wants and needs.

OK, let's get to work!

Kris
Massage Marketing Solutions

P.S. Find out when 'extensions' for sumitting taxes are due, then you can run this letter past your CPA's at that time as well!

Okay, looking for some suggestions.

I've got some brochures printed up about what I do and it's time for me to start networking--specifically, I'm interested in collaborating with surgeons and other doctors. I get the "make an appointment with them and do a presentation" bit, but it's what to say in order to make said appointment.

I know I could book an appointment like a regular patient, but I'm on a very limited budget (and don't have health insurance), so paying $100 or more a pop to just meet with a doc isn't going to work for me. I think, particularly for doctors, going in via the office manager (like Kris's suggestion below about approaching CPAs) may be my best bet.

Also, any advice on how to alter your strategy if there are a bunch of doctors working together in a group practice? Meet with them one-on-one? Try and get them all in a room together? All suggestions welcome!

Have you thought about inviting them in to receive a complimentary massage from you? That way you are only paying for your time, instead of cash. Ultimately you are selling your massage service in trying to network with the physician, so getting him/her on your table is the perfect "presentation". Perhaps they will want to have lunch/coffee to follow up in learning more about your practice once they receive an amazing massage session!

Hi Erica,

You may want to try going through "the back door." For instance, start with a doctor you know, maybe your own doctor or a friend of a friend. Make it as casual as you can. If someone you know can introduce you at a social event, or set up a brief phone conversation with the doctor, that’s a comfortable way to begin. Tell them what you are trying to do with your practice, and ask if they would be comfortable helping you get the word out. Assure them you won’t need much time (important!,) and that you are doing this so that more people can get the benefits of your work. You could also ask clients, especially clients who are happy with their progress, to mention your name to the other practitioners they see. Make sure they have a few of your business cards to make this easy for them. Follow up with your clients. When the contact has been made, then try sending a letter or contacting the office manager, asking if you can bring by a brochure or letter, or both.

The thing is that doctors are usually incredibly busy. Making the personal connection can be your ticket to referrals and support.

Erica,
Familiarity is important. Calling on potential new business is like building any other relationship. The office staff is the key. If they like you, the doctors will like you. Take in your brochures with a box of Krispy Creams Or Panera bagels. It may not happen on the first visit but it will happen by the third or forth. It is imperative let the staff know why you are coming and that you intend on winning their business. Ask when is the best time to catch the doctor between visits. However your visits have to be consistent and pick the same day each time you visit. Let everyone know you will be back on that day. On the third visit, the afternoon before you go, call ahead and ask the staff which would they prefer bagels or donuts. Take their orders. Let them know this would not happen every time but you have extra time tomorrow and don't mind bring what they like. MAKE SURE someone asks the doctors what they want. You will become familiar (family) to them and they will make sure you get your time in front of the doctor.
When you get in front of the doctor, make sure you have all your supporting literature and information they need to make a decision. Again make your intentions known that your intent of this courtship is to build a working relationship between your massage practice and their medical office to insure a healthy and happy outcome for all parties involved.

~

Facebook Advertising and Facebook Marketing is much more involved than just learning how to place 'pay-per-click' ads on Facebook.

I've put together (and will continue to expand) a webpage that contains a ton of free marketing and advertising tips on how to utilize Facebook to attract clients.

Please stop by and visit, here: Facebook Advertising.

Also, please share your favorite applications on Facebook, any great articles that have assisted you, etc., etc. I will then add them to this webpage.

Thanks and have an excellent day!

Kris Kelley

P.S. You can contact me on Facebook here as well:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/EnergeticReality

Log-in to Facebook first, then you'll proceed directly to my profile.

Has anyone had a booth at a home show, RV show, gun show etc? How did you find out how to get the booth? Was it a productive venture for you? Was it fun?

Hi guys,

Great tip for you all, you need to sign up for this as soon as you can, its called WholeVisit Health www.wholevisit.com, it is the only FREE practice marketing service. This is a must, I am already showing up in Google and Yahoo. There are also some great research articles that fellow practitioners post in the 'Community' section of the site. You all can thank me later for this one!

I would like to extend an invitation to join my holistic wellness directory under massage therapists. the basic listing is free and gives you a listing by name and state. The premium listing gives you more exposure, links, etc.
http://www.synergisticcenter.com/Directory-listing-form.html

Best Days to Have Office Hours?

my office hrs are Tues/Thur right now. Do Massage Therapists out there find that Saturday is a good day to be open for business? Or how about Mondays? I'd like to add another day.

David B

~

Hey David!

What does your target market tell you? Do your clients work 9-5 during the week? Then, I'd be available during the weekends when they have time. I know noon (lunch time) is popular for those who can sneak in a massage for lunch.

Are you working on the elderly? Many I work on like massage in the early morning. If your clients work the swing shift, they may want morning massage as well. If many in your target market work until 5pm, be available after that in the evening for them.

In summary, I've found that Fri., Sat., Sun. and Monday are the best. Friday after a long week, the weekend as they have time, and Monday, well, it's just Monday and folks like a massage ;)

Kris

I am writing a series for The Massage Advancer on what day spas can learn from Starbucks. It is in the news section of this site but just in case you missed it below is a link. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback on the articles. Hope you enjoy them

I just sent out some T-shirst and key chains to some clients that havent been in a while along with a special rate for them.

~

Steve, thanks for posting your link again. Your examples and writing is excellent! (I used to read your articles but lost the link. Thanks again!)

Kris

Thanks for the great two articles. Please post a note when the next articles are ready. I'd love to read them and share them with the staff at the spa I'm working at...the business has been open for about 4 months now. The information in here will be a great help in bringing in continuing business!