a community of practitioners

Community Workshops

To generate more massage bookings I am contemplating on developing 'community workshops'. Has everyone tried this marketing approach? Do you have input? I would like to hear from you! Thanks in advance.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Catherine Roe on August 22, 2009 at 11:06am

Hi David,

I invite you and your friends to join the social network www.Ilovemassage.ning.com that I just started to let us know what you like about receiving and/or giving massage.

Catherine

Permalink Reply by Travis Alligood on August 23, 2009 at 9:11pm

My plans in the near future to try and do them at least once a month at the YMCA that I work in.

Permalink Reply by Andrea Turner on August 28, 2009 at 9:35am

Personally, I haven't tried this method of marketing (yet), but I know several people in other industries that have (estate and trust attourneys, IT consultants, insurance professionals, ect.) They have all said the same thing to me: people value what they pay for. They've had free workshops where no one showed, and then had the same workshop again but charged a small fee, and got good attendance. Those workshops ended with people who valued their opinion and were ready to become clients afterward. Since I don't know anyone who's tried this in the world of massage, it may be different, but somehow I doubt it.

Permalink Reply by Joan Cole on August 28, 2009 at 5:57pm

This is what I have been contemplating - charging $10 a head. Which is in the price range in my locality for a single yoga or taiji class. I'm hoping to roll out "restorative friday" classes each based on a common complaint and what clients can do for themselves (e.g. tennis ball massage) as well as demonstrating briefly on each person some things that would be done in a session.

Andrea Turner said:

...people value what they pay for. They've had free workshops where no one showed, and then had the same workshop again but charged a small fee, and got good attendance. Those workshops ended with people who valued their opinion and were ready to become clients afterward. Since I don't know anyone who's tried this in the world of massage, it may be different, but somehow I doubt it.

Permalink Reply by David J. Razo on August 28, 2009 at 9:56pm

Thanks for your rely. Let me know how it goes!

Travis Alligood said:

My plans in the near future to try and do them at least once a month at the YMCA that I work in.

Permalink Reply by David J. Razo on August 28, 2009 at 10:12pm

Thanks for bring this up Andrea. You raise a very good point. My fear would be attracting the freebie lovers- people looking to fill their time on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon because they have nothing else to do. Not what i'm looking for. Like you said Andrea when someone pays they tend to be more receptive.

DJR

Andrea Turner said:

Personally, I haven't tried this method of marketing (yet), but I know several people in other industries that have (estate and trust attourneys, IT consultants, insurance professionals, ect.) They have all said the same thing to me: people value what they pay for. They've had free workshops where no one showed, and then had the same workshop again but charged a small fee, and got good attendance. Those workshops ended with people who valued their opinion and were ready to become clients afterward. Since I don't know anyone who's tried this in the world of massage, it may be different, but somehow I doubt it.

Permalink Reply by David J. Razo on August 28, 2009 at 10:32pm

A fee of $10 sounds reasonable to me. In my city and surrounding cities the parks & recreation have wellness classes the for $25. In my area, the market is cornered for massage classes in park & recreation. Somebody was thinking.

DJR

Joan Cole said:

This is what I have been contemplating - charging $10 a head. Which is in the price range in my locality for a single yoga or taiji class. I'm hoping to roll out "restorative friday" classes each based on a common complaint and what clients can do for themselves (e.g. tennis ball massage) as well as demonstrating briefly on each person some things that would be done in a session.

Andrea Turner said:
...people value what they pay for. They've had free workshops where no one showed, and then had the same workshop again but charged a small fee, and got good attendance. Those workshops ended with people who valued their opinion and were ready to become clients afterward. Since I don't know anyone who's tried this in the world of massage, it may be different, but somehow I doubt it.

Permalink Reply by Gloria Coppola on October 7, 2009 at 1:21pm

Yes, I have done community workshops when I first started my business over 20 years ago. I contacted a local school actually about their community adult classes. Offered a small intro class for family and friends. 60 people registered.
I also went to local senior community centers. Spoke on various topics; ex. foot reflexology, aromatherapy etc. They loved all the free demo's, samples etc. and became regular weekly clients! I also went to community events, fairs, festivals etc. All of it was beneficial. It took time obviously, but paid off. The more I showed my face in the community, the more successful I became. I was booked out 3 months in advance all the time. Today, I must admit I resort to a very small practice and teach mostly! Good Luck!