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Advertising is the biggest issue I’ve run across in my short experience in Massage. We have tried the local newspaper, phonebooks, Fliers, gift certificates and various signs. I know word of mouth is the Best of all but how do you get to that point? Any advice ?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Harry Banek on
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I moved into a studio location in December 2008 after a year providing seated massage and reflexology at Vitamin Cottage. I had very few people become regular clients either as house calls or at my home studio.
I offered specials in the local newspaper for Evergreen Colorado and that's how I got started. I ran ad for January and February and tapered off in March. I ran another offer for reflexology in April and May. I tried running ads again from October 2009 through March 2010 with very little success. I put out my A-frame at the road side and garnered at least a dozen clients who saw it in the past year. Give out business cards with specials for other businesses in my neighborhood has been helpful. Certificates in December were a big hit with my active clients and has brought in many new clients in the past three months. I have my website. No ad in yellow pages, Leafletting cars was a bust (1 client from 300 leaflets). Though I initially used massage therapist locator websites, I only had one response in two years. I have done free 10-minute reflexology sessions at evening events with local businesses and initially that worked; may have been saturation factor that diminished return on time invested (attending an event for first time in 3 months on March 19). Over the past 15 months, the momentum on referrals has built and it is decidedly the most important source for clients. I continue to book at least 14 days out and by the end of the month I have booked over 90% of my available appointments.
Just keep on trying. You'll eventually find what works in your market.
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Permalink Reply by Rajam K Roose on
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Word of mouth can be slow goin', but once it's established, you're set! You can also go around to local businesses in your area and introduce yourself, just to let them know you're there! By that, I mean actually spend a couple days and go into the businesses and introduce yourself to the owners and talk about what you do and where you're located.
Another great option is to give informal lectures about massage, free to the community. You can either rent a room at your local library and even some health food stores have rooms they rent to for that sort of thing, oh yeah, so do regular grocery stores!
Another option is to contact local groups who are looking for speakers, for example, I once did a talk about aromatherapy and massage to a local botanical garden society. You just have to search out the different groups and then approach them with your information---just make sure it relates somehow!
But, although I do break down a pay for some sort of advertising every now and then, it hardly brings me any business like what I mentioned above--and, of course, word of mouth---it's the best!
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Permalink Reply by Richard G Romine on
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Harry Banek said:I moved into a studio location in December 2008 after a year providing seated massage and reflexology at Vitamin Cottage. I had very few people become regular clients either as house calls or at my home studio.
I offered specials in the local newspaper for Evergreen Colorado and that's how I got started. I ran ad for January and February and tapered off in March. I ran another offer for reflexology in April and May. I tried running ads again from October 2009 through March 2010 with very little success. I put out my A-frame at the road side and garnered at least a dozen clients who saw it in the past year. Give out business cards with specials for other businesses in my neighborhood has been helpful. Certificates in December were a big hit with my active clients and has brought in many new clients in the past three months. I have my website. No ad in yellow pages, Leafletting cars was a bust (1 client from 300 leaflets). Though I initially used massage therapist locator websites, I only had one response in two years. I have done free 10-minute reflexology sessions at evening events with local businesses and initially that worked; may have been saturation factor that diminished return on time invested (attending an event for first time in 3 months on March 19). Over the past 15 months, the momentum on referrals has built and it is decidedly the most important source for clients. I continue to book at least 14 days out and by the end of the month I have booked over 90% of my available appointments.
Just keep on trying. You'll eventually find what works in your market.
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Thank you for sharing your experiences. I tink you hit with getting out and meeting groups. Thank you for your time!
Harry Banek said:I moved into a studio location in December 2008 after a year providing seated massage and reflexology at Vitamin Cottage. I had very few people become regular clients either as house calls or at my home studio.
I offered specials in the local newspaper for Evergreen Colorado and that's how I got started. I ran ad for January and February and tapered off in March. I ran another offer for reflexology in April and May. I tried running ads again from October 2009 through March 2010 with very little success. I put out my A-frame at the road side and garnered at least a dozen clients who saw it in the past year. Give out business cards with specials for other businesses in my neighborhood has been helpful. Certificates in December were a big hit with my active clients and has brought in many new clients in the past three months. I have my website. No ad in yellow pages, Leafletting cars was a bust (1 client from 300 leaflets). Though I initially used massage therapist locator websites, I only had one response in two years. I have done free 10-minute reflexology sessions at evening events with local businesses and initially that worked; may have been saturation factor that diminished return on time invested (attending an event for first time in 3 months on March 19). Over the past 15 months, the momentum on referrals has built and it is decidedly the most important source for clients. I continue to book at least 14 days out and by the end of the month I have booked over 90% of my available appointments.
Just keep on trying. You'll eventually find what works in your market.
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Thanks to all who responded to my advertising question. Great info. Getting out and shaking hands with different groups and business! Repete and re-repete same.
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Thank you!
Rick Morgan said:Do what they said- plus
One thought:
Get a "local business listing" on google. It's free. http://www.google.com/local/add/analyticsSplashPage?gl=US&hl=en-US These work when someone types in a service/product and a town/city for a search. IE " Massage in New York" Set up a couple different ones based on keywords people might use. avoid the common ones if you are in a densely populated area of massage providers. Instead of just "Massage Therapy" list your service as "sports massage, deep tissue massage, pregnancy massage" It works best when you have a website but you can use just a phone number too.
Set up a business page on review sites like YELP.com. Have a client or two write a review on them for you.
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Permalink Reply by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on
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Hey Richard!
I invite you (and others) to take a quick peek at my website: Massage Marketing TipsThere's just too much information over there to drag over here ;)
The massage marketing tips are also free ;) ('cept for the Facebook gig.)
I'd love some feedback as well on what folks are specifically looking for!
Kris
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Cool site, Thank you
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Permalink Reply by Irene Diamond, RT on
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There are so many effective ways to market yourself- but first you need to be able to let folks know what you do. Not "I'm a massage therapist"... nooooo, too boring. How about, "I get people out of pain!" or "I help women with their pregnancy through massage", or "I provide stressed-our office workers a way to relax and get rid of their arm and shoulder pain with seated massage i their office"... Create what I call, your "Target Market Commercial".
Once you have this rolling off your tongue, you'll have a much easier time when you are speaking with people and shaking hands turning them into clients.
Good luck!
~ Irene ~
www.MassageSuccess.org
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Permalink Reply by Emma Torsey on
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A good looking sign outside of your office with your phone number on it.Place your business cards in health food stores,local gyms and leave cards on the waiting room tables by the magazines in your doctors office.Bring a massage chair into a local nursing home ,give the folks a free 5 min. sample massage and your business card.
Best wishes,
Emma
P.S-Bring a massage chair to your local farmers market too.
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Thank you, I like the twist, I am seeing Medical Massage as the future, covering everything you mentioned. Not just a rub down but a workout for your body and we do the work for you.
Irene Diamond, RT said:There are so many effective ways to market yourself- but first you need to be able to let folks know what you do. Not "I'm a massage therapist"... nooooo, too boring. How about, "I get people out of pain!" or "I help women with their pregnancy through massage", or "I provide stressed-our office workers a way to relax and get rid of their arm and shoulder pain with seated massage i their office"... Create what I call, your "Target Market Commercial".
Once you have this rolling off your tongue, you'll have a much easier time when you are speaking with people and shaking hands turning them into clients.
Good luck!
~ Irene ~
www.MassageSuccess.org
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Permalink Reply by Emma F. Clites on
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Because of what we do, it is necessary for people to know, like, and trust you before they will call you. The best form of advertising for us is word of mouth! Find a BNI group in your area and join. Get involved with your chamber of commerce, and offer a referral bonus for current clients who refer their friends and family. You will get way more bang for your buck this way. Yes, you should be listed in your phone directory to draw in some new folks. But, getting in front of folks and letting them get to know you is really important.
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