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Massage Business or.........?

I'm curious…with massage clients, how big a percentage is the physical massage in relation to your massage session, or, to the bigger picture of your massage business?

I can say 100%. Everything I do leads to the end result; a massage that is specific to what the client wants and providing an excellent massage.

I can also say about 10%. As an ‘in-home massage specialist’, I have the time to communicate a great deal with my clients. Assessments take time. Getting to the core of what the clients REALLY wants takes time. Communicating with the client after the massage takes time. Follow-up with the client so they re-schedule takes time. Asking for referrals takes time. Marketing to clients takes time. Etc., etc., etc.

Are we looking at our business as ‘one massage at a time’, or are we looking at the bigger picture of our business and how to truly grow our business? Both?

What says you? How well have you done putting this all together?

Kris

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Comment by Linda E Bardin on August 4, 2010 at 3:50pm: Taking time to be with our clients is really looking at the big picture overall. The client will feel the warmness of the relationship and begin to feel a lot of trust. There will be many more bookings when the time has been taken to be with the client before the session, during the session and after the session. Following up and all.

Comment by Caitlin Lemoine on August 3, 2010 at 8:38am: Being new i guess i don't have as good a picture of how i work but at the spa I work at its generally 65- min with the client, 60 for hands on the rest on intake. The spa functions on a quicker pace and doesn't allow for a long intake and followup. Since its not my business i can't work the way I want which would be spending greater lengths of time with my clients and dealing with the business aspects in a totally different way (it is very disorganized).
Since I do so little private practice, I have to take it in a one massage at a time out look. The massages i do do outside of the spa usually take 70-90 min with 60 for hands on and then time before and after spent discussing the clients needs, arranging the next session, and if its a house call setting up and breaking down the table.
I hope more people post. It would be helpful to know how different therapists handle their business as I try to settle into my own!

Comment by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on July 24, 2010 at 10:36am: ~

Will do, Mr. Prilutsky.

I'm also looking forward to any and all courses you teach if you ever stop by Las Vegas again ;)

Kris

Comment by Boris Prilutsky on July 24, 2010 at 9:50am: Hi Kris.
It was my pleasure to comment.I hope that provided information is helpful.using the opportunity would like to invite you to join my new Medical and Sports Massage group as well to participate in discussions.also will appreciate if you will recommend my group to others members.
Best wishes.
Boris.

Comment by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on July 24, 2010 at 9:30am: ~

Thanks Mr. Prilutsky for your explanation.

Kris

Comment by Boris Prilutsky on July 23, 2010 at 10:23am: Hi Chris.
in my opinion you brought up very important professional discussion.
I'm not a real business expert, and cannot tell how much time taking to call clients for new appointment arrangements est but would like to share with you my personal clients/ therapist time arrangements.
First treatment and initial evolution(history, assessments est.) is 75 minutes. and of course I am charging more money for this session. Following treatments, including briefing by clients on conditions improvement,dress/undress:
full body medical stress management massage in total 60 minutes.my hands-on 50 minutes.
Post event sports massage including stretching 75 minutes. My hands-on time is approximately 65 minutes.
full body lymphatic drainage techniques for detoxification 60 minutes. My hands on 50 minutes
orthopedic regional massage, including, lymphatic drainage for lymphedema size reductions, trigger point therapy, fascia/ muscles mobilizations. 40 minutes. My hands-on is 30 minutes.
after each 6-7orthopedic massage treatments I do REevolutionin and treatment . Also 75 minutes.
Best wishes.
Boris