Looks fantastic Kris! Keep the Faith!

Checked out the website Kris - it looks great.
Question - how many clients do YOU see each week? My reason for asking is simple, I have NEVER had to market massage and yet I see 39 - 43 people per week and have for over ten years! What's my secret? When I tell massage therapists what they need to do they look at me like I just asked an addict to "give up making bad choices"!

Rudy,
So what do you tell them that they need to do?... I have never really done much to market myself either and have lasted 20 years. I never see that many people and wonder how you do that physically but I have heard of others doing that many. I am usually booked solid though for my limits.

I think they just need to stop waiting for people to come and magically get on their table! In my coaching of massage therapists it isn't so much what they do it is just building the self confidence they need to learn to talk about themselves and massage.

Julie
www.massage-career-guides.com

Hey Rudy!

I see 20-25 clients per week, tops!

I've tapered my business to exactly what I want: Work 4-5 days per week, 4-5 hours per day, and make six figures annually.

For me, everything develops out of building relationships. Once this 'relationship' is in full swing, my clients do as they please, I do as I please, etc., etc.

I can take a month vacation, clients don't mind. We've developed our relationship.

Clients are out of work and can't pay for a massage? No problem. I massage them for free. I did this last year and 4 clients found new jobs and even paid me for the previous massage sessions.

Why? We developed relationships.

I'm most likely the highest priced outcall therapist in town. The minimum I make per hour is eighty bucks for a sixty minute massage, for first time clients without tips.

How? I build and develop relationships.

Prospective clients wait in line for an opening to have a massage with me.

Why?

I build and develop relationships with people regardless if they are going to become a massage client or not...

...and that's the key.

Listen to people without an agenda. It's not about me, it's about them.

All people want is someone to listen to them.

Listen to people, make a couple of comments, show compassion, you've a friend for Life, regardless if they EVER become a client.

I'm rambling now, but did I answer your question? LOL!

What's your secret?

I love discovering different methods that massage therapists use to expand their practice!

Kris

What a great answer! It is absolutely about relationships!
Establish a positive relationship, remember it is about them not you and you have a client for life!

Hi Julie,
The numbers of people is always the same - one at a time - :} physically doing that much massage is a matter of conditioning and the lmt body type. I believe you are very right about the need for self confidence and being able to sell yourself via talking about massage.

Hello,
At the moment I am a student but I should be licensed by the end of March this year. I have been talking with a chiropractor in town and he wants me to set up in his clinic when I'm licensed. I'm looking for ways to market to the community without breaking the bank. I have some ideas but I feel privileged to be able to hear from the professionals out there. Dayna

Hi Dayna,

May I ask you a question, first?

What is your relationship with this D.C.? Is he going to refer his patients to you for massage, or is this just a business relationship with him in that you are only renting space and have to find your own clients?

Of course I highly recommend this e-book to begin your journey in attracting new clients :) What I describe is quick and easy with strong results in acquiring new clients.

http://www.massage-marketing-solutions.com/massage-marketing-facebo...

I'm excited for you!

Kris

Most likely he will refer clients to me. We have not discussed the specifics of our relationship however I may be a independent contractor. I'm sure he will get a percentage because he will most likely take care of the insurance paperwork and pay the receptionist. We will discuss all this in February. I'll definitely check out your book. Thanks Dayna

Dayna -

It would be good to get clarity on your professional relationship and the expectations of both parties (you and the chiropractor) prior to working together. It is important that you get the agreement in writing. If it were me, I would ask for specifics in as much detail as possible. Make sure you are in compliance with all state and local laws, rules and regulations. Draw up a contract, have an attorney review it, and have the chiropractor sign it.

Read Kris' e-book, Marketing on Facebook. Read Laura Allen's One Year to A Successful Massage Therapy Practice. Contact Julie Onofrio regarding marketing suggestions. Get on Cherie Sohnen-Moe's e-mail list. Take Ariana Institute's Practice Building online CE course. Find several successful mentors to work with to help you grow your practice.

Wishing you the very best.

Ariana Vincent, Ariana Institute, www.arianainstitute.com

The biggest thing is to clarify your relationship with him - are you an independent contractor -(self employed) or an employee. I think it is important to pay a flat rate as an ind. contractor and not a percentage because it just isn't fair to take a percentage and it is a kickback really. I actually think that you need to be an employee when you are paid a percentage of the fee. It also depends on who collects the money and how you are paid.

The other question is would you yourself go to this chiro or send your mother there?

You won't have to spend hardly anything to market yourself. Ask to use his mailing list and send out cards to patients and offer then intro consultations. If you are getting into insurance billing you should really learn about how it is done and what they will charge ins. companies and what will you get from each session. Many chiros are known for charging exorbitant prices and then only paying the massage therapist $20 or less an hour or something like that.

Julie Onofrio
www.massage-career-guides.com

Today's Blog - Success in a private practice for a former male student of mine! Enjoy

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

Thank you Kris for the invite.
Kelly Sanders

I hope all members will address the great discussions Kris has sat abouve for us to discuss! What are your thoughts? Thanks, Guys!

Thanks Kris for the invite. I have been checking out your web. It is filled with interesting ,(MANY) topics. very useful info I will get back to it so I I can gain some new insight on my business. I am really enjoying this whole place of massage info and all the interesting subjects. Just wishing to connect now with someone(new) local to exchange sessions with,. LOVE MASSAGE THERAPY!!
thanks for providing us with your wonderful web.

Hey Samantha!

Yes, a digital camera that shoots video should do the trick. You then upload it from the camera to your computer, then create a YouTube account and upload it there. (Or wherever you want to upload it to.)

Now, for the tricky part. I don't know if the method described above is very efficient. I do know that I used my small Cannon PowerShot (an old camera, but still shoots video) and shot a 1 minute video. All was swell until I attempted to upload it to Youtube, witch took about half an hour!

So, I'm sure there's some file compression software one needs to use or something, due to the fact that videos files are large (even with my one minute test run.)

I'd highly suggest you find an expert in this field such as Ryan Hoyme (Massagenerd) here or on his site or Facebook, etc., etc., and ask him.

Here's a link to his site:

http://www.massagenerd.com/_massage_videos.html

You can ask him live, as well, on Massage Therapy Blog TV, here:

http://www.blogtv.com/People/massagenerd

He's an expert in just about anything massage-related!

Kris