This article is written by Claire French, one of our regional tutors. Based out of beautiful Lancashire, she runs Claire’s Holistics, a mobile therapy service specialising in Swedish, Ayurvedic, Indian Head and Pregnancy Massage.
@LoveClairesHolistics
Instagram: @ClairesHolistics_Lancs
Whether you consider it a blessing or a curse, it’s true that we don’t all have access to a time machine. In the absence of being able to start over, however, consider the next best thing when setting up your sparkling new massage therapy business and take a tip or two from those who didn’t quite get it perfect the first time around.
1. The price is right
Setting your standards and your prices appropriately high for your location is the way to go. Don’t be tempted to offer slashed bargain basement rates because you’re new. You’ve done your training, you’ve practised heaps, now make a proper plan of how many treatments you believe you can ultimately realistically manage in one month, consider your expenses, yes all of them, and work backwards to set your price. Trust me, it is a lot more worthwhile in the long run, than telling clients that their favourite massage just doubled in price.
2. Moonlighting
Having said that, you are unlikely to go from zero to hero overnight. My suggestion would be to get a sideline. Try something complementary like selling brands such as Tropics or Neal’s Yard. Or something that gets you out of the house, like dog walking. Anything that stops you from dwelling on your tiny client base, but does bring you into contact with potential customers. Pick something flexible so that you remain available to accept those all-important massage bookings. For me, I found mystery shopping a good option. I got free gym memberships, and free food, and was able to pick assignments close to those massage bookings that I did have.
3. People may mistake you for a sex worker!
Let’s not beat around the bush. It is an age-old truth that massage has been a euphemism for prostitution since year dot. Thankfully now, this is changing and there are organisations out there really pushing the point that massage therapists form a distinct industry of dedicated, trained professionals who will no longer accept the correlation. Our efforts remain ongoing, however, and sadly you may well receive inappropriate messages and calls late at night or indeed in the middle of the afternoon. The first few times this occurred, I became angry, upset, and offended. If it happens to you, know you are not alone. You will quickly learn the red flags and how to deal efficiently with such enquiries.
4. Be confident on social media
If, like me, you feel super ridiculous mouthing off about your abilities and achievements on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or whatever platform you lean towards, then think again. In these days of time-lapse videos, reels, boosted posts, direct messaging, and online reviews you can be sure that your audience is out there somewhere. Even if you do score clients by offline advertising and word of mouth, it pays to have an online presence where you can direct enquiries, circulate offers and promote events. Don’t be shy. Your competition certainly isn’t.
5. Bits of you will hurt!
As your business develops you will find your body is working harder and in more ways than you ever imagined. Take good care of yourself. Think carefully about your posture while working, adjust your couch level for different clients, use a variety of techniques, and stretch after every session. Practice what you preach and book in for regular massages. My first year saw me overuse my wrist to such an extent that I needed to learn, somewhat unsuccessfully, to write with my left hand. Thankfully I was able to heal with help from physio and acupuncture, but it was a hard lesson to learn.
Over time you will for sure build up lots of tips of your own, we’d love to hear them if you’d like to share!
