very green

[The physician]

I just finish school. Where I live they ofer a 100, 300, and 500 hour. I didn't have the $3000.00 + so i did the 100 hour course for a little over $1800.00. in 3 months. I live in Ok. They don't have state boards here. I have aready done a workshop on spa treatments. Which was great. I have a full time job that has benefits and just can't give it up just yet. Im doing Saturday treatment only.  How long does it take to build a good business. And how soon should I wait until I jump into it and open up my own? Should I hire another therapist? Help :-/ :-[

 

[Sami. K]

I too had the option of taking a shorter--100 hour program. I went right to work in a spa after I graduated. It was really slow there when I started, very few massage appointments. After about two years there, I felt like I had enough regular clients that I could open my own office. I worked there part time mostly...full time for a few months before I left--business had significantly grown. Part of the growth is because massage is becoming a popular and acceptible thing in this small, conservative town. Now that I'm on my own, I've done no advertising, don't even have a sign outside my door, and I'm doing okay. I'm not rolling in the money but I'm also not paying out 50% to the spa so I don't have to work as much. I wouldn't consider hiring anyone until I felt like I couldn't keep up with the demand. Most of my massage buddies don't have a receptionist, many just return calls between appointments. I'm sure I've lost a couple of appointments but I would have lost a lot more money paying someone to answer my phone for me.  I've heard it takes anywhere from 2 to 3 years to build up a solid massage practice. If you put more time, money or footwork into it, you can do it in a shorter time frame. There's a book called "Massage: A career at your fingertips" it was really good about going through the different options of starting a massage business. (starting out slowly, dive right in) I recommend it. It also has some good advice on finances, laws, insurance, etc. Enjoy your new hobby!

 

[Ruby.fuse]

very green

From what I've read, I think I am one of the very few in this discussion group who is located in New York City. Our story here is VERY different. Therapists in less populated areas (and less stressed) parts of the country are more of a commodity than the norm. There are over 15,000 therapists in New York, so the important thing is to be GOOD...really good, and to put in your time working at spas and gyms to make a name for yourself and give yourself as much experience as possible. When I started, I worked at spas and Dr.s offices 6 days a week, sometimes doing 6 or 7 hours a day. Successful therapists have experience along with the education. Schooling gives knowledge, Experience gives you an edge. I've been a therapist for 9 years and I still love it. I have a "micro-dayspa" in Midtown Manhattan. I still do massage 6 days a week, I have 3 or 4 LMT's who work on a per diem basis, a facialist, and an acupuncurist....but it was ALOT of hard work, alot of hours and I still don't roll in bucks. But like I said...I LOVE IT! I'll be more comfortable some day, but I'm still putting alot of myself into it, and I probably always will. Do as much as you can YOURSELF at the beginning. Get YOURSELF known...or else you are just starting a business and your passion for healing won't get through to your clients.

 

[hollee w]

very green

I guess Im crazy but Iam tring to get in as much as I can as far as workshops and continuing ed as I can now. and as many saturdays on the side. Or is that crazy? :-/

 

[AdvicePlease]

Congratulations!If there are a lot of therapsits in your area try to find a niche-something special about you or a unique treatment you offer and market that.  I have been a full time massage therapist for two years and opened my own practice in Maine 8 months ago.  What has worked best for me is just getting my name out there.  Put flyers up, give demonstrations and hand out business cards.  A great reference book is "Business Mastery" by Cherie Sohnen-Moe. It has great ideas and can help you write a business plan.Good Luck.

 

[hassan]

Hi folks, I'm from the state of Connecticut, I'm still in school but I'm slowly building up my clientele thru friends, family, co-workers and church members. I'd like to hear from more of the old pros out there, those who've been in the business/industry for 5 years or more. What has given you that staying power and what has worked for you?  Do you ever get bored?  Do you try to incorporate other techniques?  PLEASE SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCEs.

 

[Leslie J]

Yes!!! Please tell us as much as possible!!!! Ive got childern. A bad choice will cost us money that we don't have.  And I don't want to make tooo many mistakes. Really I don't want to make any mistakes. But, I also know with experince come mistake. Please tell us all the do's and the DON'TS!!!!!!

 

[jason s]

very green

One of the best marketing strategies I've done is to give 3 or 4 gift certificates each, to current clients. These GC's were for a free 1/2 hour with the option to upgrade to a full hour for $39. I understand these prices won't be as high everywhere else. In NYC, 1 hour can be as high as $125, so people were grateful to have the opportunity to get a massage for such a reduced price. They had a disclaimer on them, in small print at the bottom, "Valid for intial visit" - they were good for 1st timers only. This way you won't have people taking advaneforum.xxxe. I also gave them a 3 or 4 month expiration date. You don't want phone calls 5 years from now, asking for a deal you forgot you made! Giving these GC's to good clients is a great way to cheaply advertise yourself, and the new people it brings in are direct refferals from current customers. If they like you, they want you to succeed. Be honest with them. Tell them you need more business to stay in business, so you can be available for them. And the client can give this Gift Certificate to a few select friends and co-workers as a gift...and they got it for free. Very few people only take the 1/2 hour...trust me! Biz went up about 30% for me!P.S.-Keep track of each GC with a number on the certificate and write down in your records-the GC#, who you gave it to, the date you gave it to them and the expiration date!

 

[Merie]

This is a great idea but one word of warning, don't discount it too much.  If you give your services away, people will not want to pay for it after the initial visit.  Too deep of a discount diminishes the industry and your work and can only lead to bargain-hunters.  I often reward current clients who make referrals of this nature with a good discount on volume purchases.  I never give a free massage to clients who make referrals, instead I thank them with a special volume purchase at a discounted price (a little better than my published series deal).  So they get a discount on something they would have bought anyway and I guarantee a series of 6, 8 or 10 massages.  And series are always paid for in advance - it's a must!  Otherwise, they'll agree to the discounted price for 6 massages and you'll only see them 2 times.  It happens.  Good luck, Joe E. Joe E.

 

[d3midway]

Joe, I think that brings up a great point.  I am working at a salon, and they want me to offer a $25 dollar special for 1 week.  that is, for 1 week only charge $25 for a one hour massage.  We usually split 60/40, and she says in that week I can keep all the $, which adds up to 1 dollar more than my usual perceneforum.xxxe.  I told her I was hesitant about starting an always-on-sale syndrome, and she's upset with me now.  I have been at the salon a month, and have no regular clientele as of yet.Argh!  What to do??

 

[bcbole92]

very green

I also don't agree with giving services away but occasional discounts might not be a bad thing. Almost all of my regulars came to me by way of gift certificates...meaning, they didn't pay for their first massage so they didn't have anything invested in it. The thing that kept them coming...I like what I do and I'm good at it. That might sound arrogant but according to my clients, that's what they think. Everyone has their own touch and people need to find the kind of touch they like. An occasional discount will get people through your doors. If you are good, people will keep coming back. My opinion, if you are sitting around doing nothing and you want to be doing something, offer a discount and keep yourself busy. Don't do it all the time, don't make a habit out of it. Get people to test it out. People who have never had a massage are typically nervous about it. A discount might get them to overlook the fear and try something new. I do like the idea of giving extra time instead of taking less money OR allowing new clients a discount on the first massage.

 

[Spicey Meatball]

very green

When I offered the free 1/2 hour with the option to upgrade, almost ALL upgraded. Some thought they would just take the 1/2 hour and decided 1/2 way through to extend for $39 for the full hour. You have to give people a "taste" of your work. If people are hesitant for bodywork, reflexology or just plain foot massage or scalp treatments can be a modest introduction to your hands. I, too, have confidence in my work, I am good! And it comes across in a massage. As soon as they lay on the table, they know they are in "good hands" (pardon the pun), they relax, and money isn't an issue anymore. They need the work. Good luck.

 

[Brigitte H]

The bigger question is how many of those people became regular clients.  Personally, I am not a proponent of discounting down.  I tend to discount them up to try more services.  Check with the esthetician and see if you can offer a massage and facial at a discount.  If you split the difference, you won't feel the discount as much and a new client has tried another of the spa's services.  We offer 10% off a massage but $25 off a spa package - always in conjuction with each other.  At $75 for a massage, they figure, hey, I'll save more if I get the facial too!  It's perception not the actual dollars and cents.  I have found very few clients who came in off a deep discount, ever return regularly.  Just my take on it.  Joe E.

 

[black keys x]

Hey Calico Comfort,     Your gift cert. idea sounds good! I like the idea that the first timers will be direct referrals from regular clients who will have already told them about your work, half the sales job has been done for you.     I also agree with Joe, it brings the industry down to do too much discounting and that's not the caliber of clients you want anyway.      I'm still too new to have much advice, but I sure enjoy everyone else's.  Thanks guys!                            newkidontheblk