Disappointed with the success of your massage website? Instead of throwing in the towel, try these 3 quick tips for increasing the effectiveness of your massage website!

1. Include contact information on every page.

   Make it easy for your clients to contact you. Include your phone number, business address, and email address on every page of your website. This tip is also good for higher rankings in local searches on Google, Yahoo, and other search engines. When people search for a massage therapist in your city, your website will be more likely to pop up in the first few results.

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2. Write a personal profile of yourself and any other therapists who work at your business.

   Share your qualifications, training, and personal interests (whether they’re related to massage or not). Let your potential clients get to know you as a person, and they will feel more comfortable calling for an appointment.

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   You can boost your search engine rankings by including keywords related to massage in each therapist profile. For example, include keywords such as any modalities that you specialize in (Reiki, pregnancy massage, Shiatsu, etc.), any unique services you offer (spa treatments, hot stones, etc.) and off-site services such as home massage or corporate massage. People searching for a massage therapist who specializes in pregnancy massage, for example, will be more likely to find your website.

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3. Update your website regularly.

   Fresh content, whether through a blog or a news page, is important on two different levels. One, it helps your clients stay informed about new services, special offers, and events. And two, it boosts your rankings in the search engines by feeding them fresh content (which they love).

Related Content

• Want more tips on how to improve your massage website? Check out the Massage Your Website article in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue of Massage & Bodywork!

Massage Your Website article featured in Massage & Bodywork | Page 22

You can read the full article, “What’s On the Web: Massage Your Website,” on page 22 of the print version or digital edition of the November/December 2009 issue of Massage & Bodywork magazine.

Does your appearance and massage equipment say "professional"?

Some therapists choose to use an intake form for every customer, even for quick sessions. Even if you choose not to use intake forms, post a sign-up sheet for customers to write down their name and address, phone number, and email. Besides giving you a way to follow up with your customers, a signup sheet will also help you keep track of who’s next in line.

After the chair massage event, send a follow-up postcard with a promotional coupon to encourage your event massage customers to discover the deeper benefits of a full table massage session.

Bring your appointment schedule along to book office appointments on the spot. Then you don’t have to worry about customers forgetting to call in to schedule an appointment. Booking on the spot means you don’t have to rely on the good intentions of potential clients. You can also bring along several gift certificates for individuals who may be interested in purchasing a massage session as a gift for a friend or relative.

As you promote your services at an event, remember that your professional appearance is representative of your massage therapy business. Set yourself apart with a sharp, clean, and professional look, both with your personal appearance and the appearance of your booth, massage chair and equipment, and promotional materials. Your look will be interpreted as a reflection on the quality and integrity of your business.

Lastly, realize that many of your event clients may never use your services again. Don’t let this discourage you. Your goal is to connect with those few individuals who will turn into regular clients. This is what will make your massage event marketing a success.

Related Posts:

• Why Should I Market My Massage Business at Events?
• Event Massage Marketing: It’s All in the Details
• How to Attract Customers to Your Massage Event Booth

Focus on attracting your ideal
massage therapy client.

A dollar per minute is the standard fee for chair massage. Charging a reasonable fee makes your services accessible to individuals of almost any income, while at the same time discouraging those who are just out looking for freebies. Attract customers with a potential for commitment, not those who are out to take advantage of your services.

If you hit a lull during the day, don’t just sit around waiting for your next customer. If you make yourself approachable, others will be more likely to ask questions and consider your services. Stay alert and standing, ready for your next massage. Make eye contact and smile at people passing by your booth. Hand out brochures, business cards, or promotional items to people who look curious or interested in your services.

One way to attract customers to your booth is to hand out bottled water with personalized labels. Give them to your customers after the massage to encourage them to stay hydrated and to flush out the toxins released by the massage. The bottles will serve double duty by promoting your booth for you as your customers carry them around throughout the day.

Another promotional idea is to offer a drawing for a free massage session at your office. Not only does it draw people to your booth, but it helps you gather the names and contact information of potential clients. Follow up after the event with a promotional coupon or mailing that encourages them to consider using your services as a regular part of their self-care.

Related Posts:

• Why Should I Market My Massage Business at Events?
• Event Massage Marketing: It’s All in the Details
• How to Convert Chair Massage Customers into Regular Massage Clients

A lightweight aluminum massage table works well for sports event massage.

If you have enough space, you can partition off a makeshift room to allow a sense of privacy for your customers. Some potential clients may be hesitant to receive massage in a public setting with crowds milling by or stopping to watch.

On the other hand, working out in the open draws attention to your services and shows what you have to offer. Potential clients who are hesitant to try new things may feel emboldened by observing firsthand what to expect during seated massage. It also gives them a sense of assurance to know that they’re not the first in line. Seeing the relaxed and carefree expression on the face of the last customer may dissolve that last shred of uncertainty.

If you are targeting athletes at an all-day sports event, you may prefer to use a portable massage table. For most other events, a portable massage chair will attract more individuals, as it is less intimidating and works great as an introduction to bodywork. Seated massage is generally shorter and keeps the line moving so that you don’t lose potential clients who tire of waiting in line.

Related Posts:

• Why Should I Market My Massage Business at Events?
• How to Attract Customers to Your Massage Event Booth
• How to Convert Chair Massage Customers into Regular Massage Clients

Chair massage draws new clients to your massage business.

Traditional marketing and advertising venues, such as newspaper ads and fliers, tend to be more passive. You submit your ad or post your fliers and wait for the phone calls and clients to start pouring in. Event massage marketing takes an active approach, allowing you to interact with potential clients face to face.

Chair massage lets the customer sample your work. All it takes is the right touch and the right customer, and before you know it you’ve earned a client for life.

Some of the best places to market your massage business are sporting events, conventions, trade shows, health fairs, county fairs, farmers markets, and conferences. The more popular and well-attended the event, the better your chances are of attracting the attention of a steady stream of customers.

The best events for marketing your massage business are those that attract people who are interested in health and wellness or relaxation. You also want to focus in on events that draw in local crowds, since your goal is to connect with potential clients in the area.

Related Posts

• Event Massage Marketing: It’s All in the Details
• How to Attract Customers to Your Massage Event Booth
• How to Convert Chair Massage Customers into Regular Massage Clients

Struggling to find new marketing ideas for your massage business? Curious about the value of online marketing? Check out our new hub on HubPages.com on Why Massage Therapists Should Use Twitter!

Learn how to:

• Create a Twitter account for your massage business
• Find followers for your Twitter account
• Market your massage services on Twitter

Build a solid massage therapy practice through word of mouth.

(Continued from Massage Marketing Part 1 and Part 2)

Chair Massage

Reach more clients with chair massage.

Offer chair massage sessions at community and social events, health fairs, business expos, farmers markets, athletic events, country clubs, coffee houses, bookstores, or universities. Bring your appointment book to schedule office sessions on the spot for interested clients.

Some therapists offer chair massage for free as a marketing promotion, but clients looking for handouts are less likely to become regular clients. Most massage therapists charge a dollar per minute. Individuals who are willing to pay for seated massage will be more willing to invest in your services for full body massage.

(For more tips on chair massage, see Get More Clients with Chair Massage Marketing.)

Business Cards

Business cards should also be an important part of your massage therapy business plan. Give extra business cards to friends and family members who are willing to refer your services. Keep a stack of business cards at the appointment desk, where clients can pick up a few on their way out if they know of people who may be interested in your services. Don’t hesitate to pass out business cards on your own as well.

Building up your massage business takes planning and hard work, but the results are worth the effort. Your business and your clients will benefit from your efforts to reach individuals who can find hope and healing through massage therapy.

Build a solid massage therapy practice through word of mouth.

(Continued from Massage Marketing Part 1.)

Community Involvement

Another source of potential referrals is community involvement. Network with community members and local business owners, especially those who work with clients and customers that would benefit from therapeutic massage. Individuals who are prominent in the community can effectively market your business through word of mouth.

Chiropractors, fitness trainers, and physical therapists are key individuals to include in your network, but don’t limit yourself to the obvious. Be creative. Include health food stores, specialty gift shops, bridal shops, and counseling centers.

Focus on the type of clients you hope to attract. Do you specialize in pregnancy massage? Network with family planning centers and local health clinics. Sports massage? Partner with local gyms, yoga centers, and sports chiropractors. Massage for the elderly? Connect with home health care workers, senior centers, and nursing homes.

Exceptional Service

On the flip side, word of mouth can also work against you if your massage practice offers less than clients expect. The foundation of any massage business plan must include a professional atmosphere and relaxing environment.

If you try to scrape by with threadbare sheets and oil-dotted walls or neglect to clean the restrooms, your clients will notice and tell their friends. Clients are more likely to become regulars if they perceive that you care about their health, their time, and their comfort.

See Massage Marketing Part 3 for more marketing tips!

Build a solid massage therapy practice through word of mouth.

Venturing out on your own with a new massage business, or hoping to breathe new life into your established massage business? Whether you have a faithful client base or are still waiting for your first client, these tips will help you form a solid massage marketing plan for your business.

Your Best Strategy

Of all the massage marketing ideas you may hear about, word of mouth is by far a massage therapist’s strongest asset. Clients who have personally benefited from your healing touch are a natural advocate for your massage therapy practice.

People tend to accept opinions based on personal experience, particularly when those opinions are offered freely, with no underlying motives. Personal referrals from friends or family members—or even casual acquaintances—are more likely to generate a response than traditional advertising venues such as newspaper ads or flyers.

Loyal clients raving about your massage skills to their friends and family, resulting in an endless chain of referrals and new clients, is an inspiring vision, but in the meantime, what can you do to light the spark?

Referral Programs

One way to spark referrals is to offer a special deal for clients who refer your massage services to a friend or family member. How does this work? Here’s an example. If a new client books (and keeps) an appointment as the result of a referral, the client who made the referral receives a free or discounted massage session. If the new client rebooks at the end of their first appointment, your regular client gets another incentive, such as hot stone massage.

Other rewards for referrals could include free add-on treatments such as foot massage, spa treatments, or aromatherapy. These add-ons encourage the client to sample other services you have to offer. If they enjoy it, they may even consider adding it to their regular massage sessions.

See Massage Marketing Part 2 and Part 3 for more marketing ideas!