Interested in performing chair massage? Here’s a sneak preview of the Mastering Chair Massage DVD with massage therapist Diana Haynes. Diana has been practicing massage therapy since 1972. In this video, Diana uses her practical experience and wealth of knowledge to teach beginners and established therapists the art of chair massage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Build a solid massage therapy practice through word of mouth.
(Continued from Massage Marketing Part 1 and Part 2)
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 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.
Use your massage chair as a marketing tool.
Most chair massage sessions are shorter than table sessions. Because of this shorter time commitment, chair massage is cheaper for the client. For first-time clients, this means they don’t have to worry about wasting money if they don’t like the massage. People will be more willing to try massage therapy if they can test it out first for a smaller fee and then invest in full-body massage later, if they so choose.
Convenience is also an appealing factor for chair massage clients. They don’t have to drive to your office or schedule an appointment. They don’t have to take as much time out of their day for massage, and they won’t forget to call for an appointment. Your presence reminds them how much they need a massage. And with the convenience of on-site chair massage, they can get one right away.
Seated massage provides an escape from the stress of work and everyday life.
Portable Massage Chair
Seated massage is an excellent introduction to massage therapy for potential clients. A chair massage allows clients to sample the power of healing touch before experimenting with the deeper benefits of full-body massage.
Chair massage is typically administered with the client fully clothed, eliminating the need for absolute privacy and opening up your massage practice to public locations and group events. Chair massage usually involves shorter sessions, which is appealing to busy clients who may struggle to block out an hour or more of their time.
A controlled research study published by the International Journal of Neuroscience provides scientific evidence that office chair massage reduces job-related stress and increases the productivity of workers. Seated massage is particularly beneficial for relieving neck and shoulder tension built up from long periods of sitting or repetitive motion work.
Massage chairs are easily portable and take up less space than a massage table. The structure of the massage chair is designed to mimic the fetal position and invoke a sense of nurture and security.
Open yourself up to a wider client base through corporate massage.
Massage in the workplace allows you to reach individuals who may never have considered booking a massage therapy session before. Their reasons for neglecting the power of massage may differ, but they generally boil down to two excuses: time and money.
Many of your corporate clients will fall into the overworked or overstressed category. They simply can’t find the time or energy to book a table massage and travel to your office. With the on-site convenience of corporate massage, however, your clients have no excuse. Chair or desk massages take as little as ten minutes and include no prep or travel time, so your clients don’t have to block out an hour or two in their day. They also don’t need to plan ahead by booking an appointment a week in advance.
The other limiting factor for table massage is cost. With corporate massage, almost anyone can afford to invest in regular massage. Some employers cover the full cost of a workplace massage contract. Other employers subsidize your services and employees pay a reduced cost. Lastly, some corporate locations hire your services for the convenience of their employees, who pay you directly for your services. Even in situations where the employee covers the full cost, the shortened sessions offered with seated massage cuts the cost down to a reasonable rate for any employee to cover.
Some potential massage clients may be hesitant to try new things. Chair massage is a great way to introduce the power of massage therapy to new clients. It also allows the client to remain fully clothed, which may be another barrier to table massage. With these hesitations aside, more individuals will benefit from your healing touch through corporate massage.
