Network And Become Active In Your Local Community
Massage therapy is an inherently localized business. Nearly all your clients will come from within a ten mile radius. A massage therapist who is known by more people gets more clients than one who isnt. Networking in your local community goes a long way in putting your name out there. Attend housing association meetings, track meets, high school games, charity events, and the like. Move around and talk to people.
In social situations, What do you do? is bound to come up. I am a massage therapist, is the logical answer. The other person might mention their job and youll spend some time chit chatting about both your professions. You educate the person on the benefits of massages and conclude with a smooth, You should come in for a massage some time. Consider including a friends and family discount to sweeten the deal.
You should also consider setting up a stall or offering massage coupons at an athletic event like a track meet or softball game. Free massages for the winners and discounted ones for the fans. This approach also gives you the benefit of publicity.
How To Get Started
Start by thinking about what your clients ask you about during sessions. Do your clients often forget how often they should come in for a visit? Do they remember what stretches they can do to keep their hamstrings loose between sessions? Is there one area of massage that you specialize in, like helping athletes or pregnant women? Are you passionate about helping your clients feel completely blissful during sessions, or would you rather dig in to help them loosen deep knots?
Once youre generating original writing, make sure you share these thoughts across your social media accounts. Let your current and future clients know what youre great at, who you are, and how you can help them live their best lives. When you become too busy with clients to keep writing, you can always outsource that work so you can focus on doing what you love.
Remember, people prefer to work with experts in their field. By keeping on top of communication and education, youre on your way to being recognized as one!
Advertise Your Massage Therapy Business By Seo
How do you advertise your massage therapy business by SEO?
Just write an article about your service, state a few key things about your massage practice and put a link in the resource box at the end that points back to your website.
Now you have just created another back link to your website from an article directory!
Now, there are many different aspects of search engine optimization that will need to be addressed when optimizing your website for the search engines.
However, most of this can be automated by using software packages that allow you to create SEO rich pages.
Some of these software packages are designed for affiliate marketers and some are designed for website owners who want to increase their page ranking in the search engines.
It really depends on your needs as to which package you should purchase. Also, you should note that while SEO by Target will allow you to target specific keywords within your article you must remember that the higher up you remain in the rankings the more competition you will receive.
When doing so you must choose your keywords carefully.
While you should include keywords in your title to help your search engine optimization efforts, this is not enough.
In order to draw attention to your website you need to use a PPC or pay-per-click campaign.
Your PPC keyword phrase should be very targeted and specific, but at the same time it should not be used to spam the directories.
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Start A Referral Program
Who could possibly be better at helping you generate more leads than your happy satisfied customers who got to experience the soothing joy of your massage services?
A referral program is a type of word-of-mouth marketing, in which a customer is encouraged to refer your business to their family or friends, and avail rewards in return.
Heres how you can go about creating your own referral program:
1. Provide attractive introductory offers that your customers would definitely want to take up and would propel them to promote your brand to their circles of influence as well.
2.Allow your existing customers to take some timeto know and enjoy your services, and then you can pitch in your referral program.
People trust the opinion of their family and friends, so if you get referred by your client to their inner circle, they are more likely to book an appointment with you.
3. You can offer incentives for customers to introduce your services to their family and friends.
For example, your referrers can achieve reward points and avail them the next time they visit you. Reward points can include special massage sessions at discounted rates, coupons for massage products, etc.
These rewards can be introduced to your new customer as well. Hence, a win-win for both the referrer and your new intake. Similarly, you can incentivize new leads by offering discounts and coupons in exchange for their email addresses.
Take Advantage Of Video
One way to set yourself apart from the competition is to develop an education massage video that establishes you as a knowledgeable expert in the field. As an expert massage therapist, you know the different massage techniques and tools for a successful practice, so why not show them off?
Video is a great way to market your services and convert clients given that by 2022, online videos will make up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic 15 times higher than it was in 2017. When it comes to YouTube, users view more than 1 billion hours of video each day, and 72% of customers prefer to learn about a product or service by way of video.
Whether its something you do once a month or something that is a foundation on your website, a short, professionally produced video can help you connect with prospective clients and reconnect with your current client base. Some simple ideas include:
- Tutorials and Tips
- Live Q& A Sessions on Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat
- Short Teasers For Upcoming Events, Promotions, or Products
The goal is to establish yourself as a go-to person for those looking for expert information on the best techniques and massage therapies.
Edan Harari, the founder of Kinetic Body Therapy in New York is a master at leveraging video. When you visit his business Instagram page, youll see a mix of video content, including informative videos when hes speaking to the camera, as well as videos of his practice in action.
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Online Business Card Advantages For Your Massage Business
- Printed cards have to be handed out to one person at a time. But online cards are indexed by Google and can be found by anyone who is interested in the massage topic without ever having seen you in person.
- You can make those cards yourself without having to go to a print shop
- Unlike printed cards, online cards can be totally free
- You can change your online massage business card at any time easily
- Online cards can display a lot more information than your printed ones
- If you dont have a real website, you can have a link to your online business card on your printed business card.
- You can include a link to your online business card as part of your email signature
- If you post comments anywhere on the web, like on social websites or forums that relate to your massage business, you can include a link to your online massage business card.
- You can put a link to your online appointment calendar on the card
Obtain Massage Business Licenses Certifications And Insurance
Most states have regulations, licensing, and insurance requirements to become a massage therapist. These requirements vary from state to state.
For example, some states require that youve attended an accredited school. Typically, these schools need to be approved by a massage therapy association thats affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education, such as the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation .
You will also likely need to pass a licensing exam, like the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork exam. You can find your states licensing and training requirements here.
Beyond that, additional certifications in specialized techniques like Swedish, Thai, or cupping can differentiate your business from your competition.
Lastly, at the minimum, youll need general liability insurance to protect your business. Massage therapy involves intense physical contact with clients. Youll be protected if a client tries to sue your company for any injuries or damages.
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How To Advertise Your Massage Therapy Business
There are ways to advertise your massage therapy business by networking with fellow massage therapy professionals.
Networking is important for your business, and can help you build a solid team of trusted and dependable massage therapists who will be willing to offer their valuable services to your customers.
You can use network marketing and professional networking as a tool to advertise your business and reach out to others in your field of practice.
Networking with other massage therapists can be accomplished in several different ways.
One of the most effective ways to advertise your business is to join massage therapy organizations or message boards where you will be able to post specific information about your business, your rates, your services, and any special promotions that you offer.
Retain Your Best Clients
If you want to control your marketing costs, the best thing you can do is retain your existing clients. Its far cheaper to retain clients than it is to constantly earn new ones.
Be aware that even your best clients are not as loyal as you think they are. You have to remind them that you care about their business, keep them informed with health tips and offer them occasional specials.
Use an email newsletter, your social media and CRM software to keep in contact with clients. Keep your name in front of them, and update them on new massage techniques and other salon offerings.
Keep in mind that there is always some new competition just around the corner, ready to advertise aggressively and tempt your clients with special offers and discount prices. Stay a step ahead or youll find loyal clients jumping to the competition.
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So Whats The Secret For Success
1. Make a plan and follow it
2. Start with the first step only and stick with it until it is done.
There is a saying: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Or a more politically correct version of this wisdom is that Each journey begins with a single step. If you take enough of those steps, one day you will get to your destination.
Advertise Your Massage Therapy Business By Using Google Adwords
Advertise your massage therapy business by using Google AdWords, the search giant online advertising platform.
This is a cost effective and time saving option for massage therapists to advertise their business in an extremely competitive market, as well as increasing their customer base.
Advertise by using Google AdWords by entering a keyword phrase that describes the services you offer in the search box on the Google home page.
When a user searches for this specific term, your website will be displayed. It is important to write articles and other written material relating to your massage therapy business to increase your ranking in the search engine results, as well as your ability to advertise by using Google AdWords.
The higher your website is placed in the search engine results, the more visitors you will have on your website.
If you write articles and other written material related to your practice and your keywords, it will increase your exposure to potential clients and customers.
Article writing for websites and blogs is one of the most used advertising venues today, when compared to traditional print media. The right keyword phrase or keyword combinations will increase your chances of being noticed when people search for a specific word or phrase relating to your service or products.
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Afraid To Promote Themselves
Massage therapists sometimes have a hard time promoting themselves to potential clients because they are afraid to. Some small business owners think marketing is just a way to manipulate and coerce people into buying things they dont need. They are afraid of feeling like they are being pushy, or being like the annoying salesperson that they cant stand.
There are many reasons why someone might be afraid to promote themself. One common reason is a phenomenon called imposter syndrome. This is when people feel like they are a fraud and not good enough. For other people, the fear could come from a traumatic experience in the past, or a fear of rejection. If you have a fear of promoting your massage business, try meditating on this to see whats holding you back so you can overcome it.
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
Susan Jeffers
When you promote your massage services, youre not trying to convince anyone of anything. Youre not trying to sell snow to an eskimo. Remember:
Marketing is just a way of letting your target market know you exist and that you may be able to help them when they need it. Just remember that you are promoting something that you believe in , someone you believe in , to a person you care about . The more you promote your business, the better you will get at it, and the easier it will be for you.
Web Strategies Reports That In 2017 Most Businesses Spent Somewhere Between 89 And 109 Percent Of Their Budgets On Marketing
Furthermore, that number is expected to either stay the same or rise next year.
If you can feel your heart begin to race and palms start to sweat at the mere mention of spending your hard-earned money on marketing that may or may not work, stop and take a deep breath. There are many different ways to advertise your massage therapy business that dont cost much at all.
Some dont even cost a thing.
Ive been an LMT for a decade, says Mandi Weiser, and always had to moonlight doing other jobs. However, that changed about two years ago, which is when Weiser says that she dedicated herself to taking care of her own marketing efforts.
In that time, Ive opened my own shop and increased business 150 percent, says Weiser.
And she did it all with a number of free marketing tools.
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Step : Define Your Brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you aren’t feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners, we’ll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.
Recommended: Get a logo using Truic’s free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a massage therapy business
While word of mouth will be your greatest marketing tool, there are other things you can do. Build relationships with the medical professionals in your community. Many will refer clients to you and allow you to put your literature at their front desk.
No matter what route you take for your massage business, social media is the most affordable way to share information that specifically targets your demographic.
How to keep customers coming back
Aside from a marketing strategy, your best way to attract and retain clients is through your healing skills and affordable pricing. If your customer walks out of the facility feeling refreshed, theyll not only come back, they will tell everyone they know.
Establish Your Unique Brand And Target Your Ideal Clientele
When starting a massage business you should prioritize your branding and specific niche to appeal to your ideal clients. Elements of your brand include not only your core wellness services, but also your logo, personality, tone of voice and personal story. Its really important to find your niche and ideal demographic first, and then create your marketing plan. You should take time to learn how to effectively market to your audience in a way that connects their needs with the services you offer, which will help convert them to customers.
Rebecca Bossick, Founder and Specialist Physiotherapist of Physio LDN in London, explains how she built her therapy services and the most effective marketing strategies for doing so.
I knew that in order to build Physio LDN I needed to fully understand my target audience and find my niche. In previous employments, I had specialized in elite sports physiotherapy so it was an obvious choice. I worked closely with an up-and-coming graphic designer to work on a logo that fit my brand identity and ideal client base. I knew I wanted to be a slick, modern brand with a modern take on traditional physio services such as prehab, rehab and massage, she says. The biggest learning curve has been understanding that Physio LDN doesnt need to cater to everyone, its okay to have a niche and stick to what youre best at.
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