poolside chair massages

[Chigirl]

3 new LMT's approached my apartment complex about during chair massages in the clubhouse to get their name out there.  I inquired about them and when the bldg. people found out that I'm a LMT they said they wished they had known that before.  She said after this event let her know if i wanted to do chair massages and they would set something up, distribute flyer around the complex for me.  They rather have a resident doing this than having outsiders.  My husband mentioned maybe doing poolside chair massages in the summer and the lady's eye's got really big and said that would be a great idea.  I was thinking for poolside massages I would do $1/min 10-15mins, have water for each person, and I want them to be dry before they get on the chair.  Usually in chair massages clients are clothed, so you don't have to worry about oil, however poolside people will be in bathing suits and trunks.  Should I just do the regular chair massage routine w/o oil or i was thinking i can get a sunblock lotion, so i can do some friction techniques.  What do you guys think or suggest?Also for the inside the clubhouse chair massages, i having a little menu of treats:  15min chair massage (normal), 10 mins face/scalp/neck massage, 10 min hands/arm massage, 10min feet/lower leg massage and 10min just back and neck chair massage.  Again i would have water for each client, charge $1/min and for a goodie bag i would have my business card, brochure, calendar magnet, i was also thinking about getting pens so i would put that in as well.  Ok enough of that!any suggestions, advice etc....

 

[samAnThA]

This sounds like a great opportunity!

Usually in chair massages clients are clothed, so you don't have to worry about oil, however poolside people will be in bathing suits and trunks.  Should I just do the regular chair massage routine w/o oil or i was thinking i can get a sunblock lotion, so i can do some friction techniques.  What do you guys think or suggest?

Personally, I would just do the massage as normal.  If you add in a lubricant you might get caught doing more than usual and in this case you should charge way more than $1 per minute.I would also make sure you are set up in the shade.  If no shade is available you may want to purchase a small canopy to protect yourself and your clients from the sun and heat.

Also for the inside the clubhouse chair massages, i having a little menu of treats:  15min chair massage (normal), 10 mins face/scalp/neck massage, 10 min hands/arm massage, 10min feet/lower leg massage and 10min just back and neck chair massage.  Again i would have water for each client, charge $1/min and for a goodie bag i would have my business card, brochure, calendar magnet, i was also thinking about getting pens so i would put that in as well.  

This all sounds good.  But, by charging a $1 per minute will you be able to recoop some of your costs for the water and goodie bags?  A lot of time and money go into putting them together.

 

[dickydaddydynamite]

poolside chair massages

I agree. Although the 'historical' cost of chair has been $1/min, I think it's best set at $10/5-min and $1/m thereafter. Everything else has gone up in prices why not the cost of a chair massage?

 

[faiskeoadave]

poolside chair massages

Please don't charge $1/min.$5 to sit down, $1/min for there on...even if you were not giving them water, etc.Make sure they have an umbrella or other shady place for you.

 

[bluemoonmemory]

There's a gazebo at the pool that I was planning on taking over.  I have a problem with the sun myself, its like I'm a vampire, it burns me.   :-[

 

[Declan]

Do the regular chair massage, better for you and better for them.  You don't want to worry about sunscreens for them only for yourself.  DO NOT USE OIL!!!  You don't want to get sued because they then stepped back into the pool area and got fried!  You also don't want to put sunscreen on someone without their knowlege for those who want to tan will have strange lines. ( My uncle doesn't put on sunscreen, and my mother puts the highest on that she can find, she had just finished putting it on herself and put her hand on his bare back... he couldn't figure out why he had an odd mark on his back... it was my mothers hand print!!! )  And you never know who has allergies so I would stay away from it. ( I get a chemical burn from anything over 15!!! and can't figure out what I am allergic to that is in it!!! )I would also not do the goodie bag, just have your stuff out on display, and see if there is something that you can put up somewhere letting people know when you will be available.  I would definitley have the water there as it is a nice courtesy.  And we know how important drinking water is!Also, try and have the chair in a cool place, since it does tend to heat up in warmer weather and if it is in direct sun, we don't want the chance of burning someone on our chair either!!!

 

[OwlTotem]

What a lot of great ideas from this thread. I had discussed coming out to an apartment complex some months ago and providing some on-site massage but never actually went there to start it. All my fault as it was hard to find the time. Now that I'm really aggressively marketing my services once again, I need to force myself to target that apartment complex again and hope they have a pool so I can suggest doing this there. I hope I'm not too late and someone else hasn't "moved in" and set up shop there.   :-/Be well,Jen

 

[susudio]

Thanks for all the insight.  I was trying to get a little creative, but I think I will just stick to the normal chair massage and have my cards, brochures and coupons for $10 off an hour massage available for their taking.  What about having a boombox to play massage music for chair massages?  Does anyone play music when doing chair massages, I don't think I've seen it, but then again I haven't seen very many chair massages.  

 

[TomTom]

poolside chair massages

Yes, I use music when providing chair massage. Most clients truly appreciate the relaxing sounds and allows them to truly take that much needed break.Be well,Jen

 

[thesongfairy]

I also use music when doing chair massage.  I use a walkman and small computer speakers.  This works well in a small room.Since you will be outside, you will probably want an actual stereo system. IMO, music adds to the experience.

 

[Stealth_Assasination]

Thanks again everyone.  I just spoke with my apartment complex about the poolside chair massages and I will ready to go once the weather warms up, (probably next month).  I will have the gazebo/cabana all to myself on Saturdays to do the massages.  They said the event when the LMTs offered massages in the clubhouse didn't go well at all.  there was only 1 walkin (staff member) and 1 person scheduled to have a table massage at their apt.  The office thinks it might be better outside, because everyone will see me, they're at the pool so why not.  Hope it works out well.  I'll update you once I start.  

 

[javier]

I remember reading somewhere in a different chair massage post where someone suggested having a friend that could be there to work on. People might be more interested/willing to try if someone is in the chair and they can watch first.  I would think that this would bring extra attention also.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Our friends love coming to the pool in the summer, so I won't have a problem with one of them get a chair massage to get people interested.  The pool is now open, just can't wait till the weather gets nice, for Cleveland you never know when that's going to be.  Just wiped slushy snow off my car yesterday morning.  :-/

 

[Clampinon]

I will be starting the poolside chair massage next weekend and was wondering about consent forms.  Does any one use consent or intake forms?  

 

[Pompal 09.]

poolside chair massages

In all honesty, I usually don't use intake forms for chair massage. I ask them about contraindications ahead of time, and go by their word. Most intake forms I see for chair massage ask "Is there anything that would hinder you from receiving a massage today?" and don't give the client a CLUE about what is and what isn't contraindicated. To me, it's sort of a stupid question. If they had something that would hinder them from getting a massage, and they knew about it, would they really go sit on your chair and pay you to harm them?

 

[Paula]

A chiropractor I used to "work for" suggested using an intake form so that you can get their contact information...for later marketing promos.  I kind of like that idea better than just a drawing, because you can make a note as whether or not you would want them to be your client. You could still enter them into the drawing, of course. Lately, I've had a bunch of people not filling out the form completly, in office, so they are thwarting my marketing efforts!  just kidding  

 

[Renee P]

Well I am going to start the chair massages, poolside tomorrow.  I was going over things I want to have in the gazebo with me, when I thought of market material.  I decided instead of just having things out for people to take, I would have an envelope already stuffed with:  a thank you note on my letterhead, business card, brochure, coupon for $10 off a 1hr. massage and a page each of benefits of massage and FAQs.   I figured if they're at the pool they don't want to carry around loose papers or cards etc... so after the massage I will hand them an envelope and bottled water.   I'm not great at writing letters or putting my thoughts down on paper correctly.  Any suggestions on writing a thank you note?  thanks

 

[U R Sofa King]

jsodet, that is a great idea!  I think I will do that for seated volunteer events I do!  You may want to limit the number of things in the envelope so its not too overwhelming - you want it to be read and looked at - not tossed aside.Good luck - sounds like fun!

 

[mohamed]

poolside chair massages

You might get a brochure, I believe Information for People has one, that tells new clients what to expect from a First Massage.  There's also one on the benefits of chair massage I think.

http://www.informationforpeople.com/brochure.html

So, if you are nervous about saying the right thing in a letter to hand out, you might want to get some free samples so that you choose the most appropriate style for your clients.  They're usually pretty quick at shipping your order to you.

Anyway, I then take one of my business cards and using a glue stick affix it to the back of the brochure.  I've had several people comment that they like this, because they never loose my card that way.  It'd look great accompanying a coupon for their first visit, IMO.

In addition... if you were actually giving this out at a sporting event or where it seemed appropriate... you could staple on a biofreeze or similar sample for them to "enjoy."  However poolside that topical substance wouldn't  really be appropriate.   LOL

 

[Fighterinferno07]

Thanks.  I decided not to do the letter.  I just put my card and coupon for an hour massage ($10off) inside our brochure.  I was only at the pool for a couple hrs.  It was really hot (about ninety something degrees).  I had one person come for a massage and she wasn't even there for the pool.  She came stictly for the massage.  She said she really needed it because she had been very stressed lately and asked my my card.   I didn't bring my cd player, just because I knew I wasn't going to be out very long, but it was so nice my first massage, there wasn't a lot of people at the pool so it was quiet and you could just hear nature.  But when people started coming it got loud, so I will definitely bring the cd for when it gets busy.