a community of practitioners

Cost for Corporate Chair Massages/My experience with EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week

Hello Everyone,

During the week of EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week, I participated by providing Free chair massages for client's at the clinic which I am currently employed, and for local businesses. I had considered charging clients $1/minute then donate all the proceeds to a charity, but then I thought since it was my first time participating in the event I should do it complementary for a few reasons. With the economy these days it is a little difficult for some people to pay for this "luxury" even when it is essential for staying happy and healthy. I also just wanted to see the results. Yes, you are donating your time, but I found that it was very beneficial for both myself and the people I came in contact with. A large percentage of clients I met with had never had a massage or, for the ones that have indulged in an occasional massage, forget how beneficial massage can be...especially during a stressful work week. It was such a great feeling when a client would tell me how much better I made their day, or that they didn't realize how much stress they were holding on to.

I performed chair massages Monday-Friday last week...It is now the following Monday and I have already received numerous calls and emails to schedule another massage. Some of which were from the business owners, interested in having me come in to their office occasionally for corporate chair massages.

My question for all of you is, Do you have any tips for doing corporate chair massages? I have never done it before so I am not sure how to charge for it. By the hour? And if so, what would be an average amount to charge for an hour? Charge for Drive time/mileage? Sign a contract?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. If you are more comfortable e-mailing me directly that is fine....my email: aprilbessette@massagetherapy.com

Thanks for all your help! Have a Great Day!!!

Sincerely,

April Bessette

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jody C. Hutchinson on July 27, 2010 at 7:53am

April,
Here are a few tips that may be helpful. I have found it is best to charge by the hour, a contract is essential, find someone in the office to help with administration, and charge a little more than in-office rates because you are coming to their location. Remember that you are providing a convenient service, so it should cost a little more.
Best of luck,
jh

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Penne Phifer on July 27, 2010 at 11:30am

Hey April,

I do chair massage at a local motor inn. They allow me to set up in the dining area in the evening where I have a little sign that reads: Chair Massage $1.00 per min. Miniumin 10 minutes. This is service to their guests and I keep the money I make. If the corporation is paying for their employees then maybe create a sign up sheet with minaminun times and maximum times per person. Decide how many hours you want to work, be sure to factor in a break for yourself and cleanup between clients. It might not hurt to call around and find out what is being charged for corporations. If the corporation is allowing you to come in, but the employees are paying then I would at least charge an arrival fee paid up front in the event the response isn't there. If the employees are pooling money to pay your arrival fee, they are interested in having a massage. Good Luck
Penne

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michelle Blake, LMT on July 27, 2010 at 12:25pm

I do chair massages in some very large offices for 5 hours every Thursday. Here's what works for me, keeps it simple, and guarantees that there are people signed up when I get there:

1. Recruit one person to be your coordinator and give them a 15-minute massage in exchange for their help. They also get to sign up first, so they choose their best massage time. They reserve a conference room for massage day.
2. Have your organizer distribute a massage schedule for people to sign up in advance. They generally do this by in-office email. I have a schedule with 15-minute blocks in it, and people can sign up for as many blocks as they want. Most take 30 minutes. One person takes an hour. First-timers often take just 15 minutes to try it out.
3. Clarify your expectations in advance. I guarantee that I will keep on schedule, so if someone scheduled a massage from 11:30 - 12:00 and has a 12:00 conference call, they know they won't miss their conference call. Clients are responsible for using the time they scheduled, and my no-show policies are the same there as in my regular office.
4. I charge $1 a minute, and they pay cash or check (written ahead of time).
5. This is a tight, tight schedule with no breaks for chatting or check-writing. If someone shows up 5 minutes late, their massage is 5 minutes shorter so the next appointment still starts on time. I find it works for me, and it works for my clients who have kept coming back for as many as 10 years. But I know it won't work for everyone. You might leave 5 minutes between each massage to allow credit-card transactions, intake and exit, or what have you.
6. You can distribute mini intake forms for people to fill out and bring with them. I've learned to do short intake interviews as the person is settling into the chair. "Have you had massage before?" (As I'm beginning gentle effleurage over the shoulders) "Just so I know how to approach your massage, are you under a doctor's care for anything? Any surgeries or injuries? This is gentle pressure now, but I'll move into some deeper pressure as your muscles feel ready, and I want you to tell me..." You get the picture.

Good luck with this! I've been doing this for 15 years, and my weekly chair massages have been the most consistent part of my practice, plus a great practice-builder.