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Hello to All! I'm glad I finally got on here to sign up. I am going to start marketing myself to the assisted/independent living facilities in my area. I've made up some nice folders with my credentials and published testimonials to the benefits of senior massage. Do you think I should include a price sheet in there and what are you guys charging these days for the half hour senior massage?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Angela
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Hi Angela --
I am a recent grad of massage school with the intention of working with seniors. I have already marketed myself to one local independent/assisted living community (where my mom happens to be a resident) by approaching the administration (with cover letter and resume) and offering my services to their residents.
I had a difficult decision to make regarding "pricing" as I know how much the monthly rent is ($2000 to $6000 -- depending on how much care an individual requires), and these seniors come from an era of "watching their pennies" and have a difficult time spending their precious dollars on what many may regard as a frivolous "pleasure." But, I also felt that the massage profession deserves the respect, and compensation, of a fair fee.
So, to answer your first question -- yes, include a price sheet. This demographic is both curious about massage and cautious with their spending, and I have found they want to know right up front whether or not it will fit into their budget.
I actually performed a "massage demo" for a group of about 25 seniors (at said community) to show them what massage is all about, tell them what it could do for them, and explain my services. I offered a coupon for "Get Your 1st Massage Free" (one body part, their choice). Five of the residents signed up for their "freebie" immediately after my presentation, another 3 did so in the following week. Of those, 2 have made appointments for a massage where they will actually pay for the service. (A third resident was already a regular client.)
My pricing: I felt that seniors (who are conservative with money) would be more likely to give it a try if given a "discount." My regular prices are $1 per minute, with this community receiving a 25% discount ($0.75 per minute). I am charging "by the minute" so they can choose the length of a session that fits their budget (10 minute minimum). That brings the cost of a half-hour session to $22. And since many of these massages will occur in wheelchairs or beds, I don't have the laundry expenses, etc.
I am going to stay with this pricing for the time being, but may look at lowering my prices if I feel more residents would participate. I should also tell you that I am not in this to "make money," nor am I looking for full-time work. My life situation allows me to offer massage to seniors for THEIR benefit, not for MY income. But again, I feel that the massage profession is worthy of a reasonable fee.
Please do let me know what fees you have decided on, and what kind of response you've had.
AJAylward
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