Hard to change peoples opinions?

[Ray B]

In the area I live(northeast iowa), it seems like massage is looked upon as only a luxury and not really as something that can improve your overall health. The most "known" massage places here in town are "day spa's" with hair salons so most people here think massage is just to get rubbed down for a hour and then your done.

My way of business is totally different. Like most of you that own your own practice, I sit down with the client and discuss many different things with them to help them understand what's causing the problems. There really isn't any well known successful private practices here... and well I would LOVE to be one of the few successful private practices! haha. But I really can't figure out how to show people that massage is more then just what they have stuck in their head.

Once I get people in the door most of them rebook at least once. But my main problem is getting people IN the door! My office is located in a chiro's building so that helps but I would like to pull in the community as well! Please help...I'm young and this has been digging at me for awhile now.

Sorry for the rant!

 

[jak.]

When I had my practice for several years in a small city in Alabama, that was also the view there-- that massage was an expensive luxury. I discovered that if I wanted to change the mindset of potential clients, I needed to do it through health care professionals they trusted.

The key that made my business grow was getting several physicians as clients, including a physical therapist and a radiologist. After they experienced my services, they began referring me a lot of clients. For one of the physician clients, I knew someone who knew a physician and gave them an hour gc to give to the physician as a gift, (Which they needed anyway for her birthday) but of course, didn't tell the physician the gc was free from me.

I also sent out letters which I hand delivered to many chiropractors, and meet with three of them. They only brought in few referrals, but that's all I needed to get them in the door. And I sent letters to a lot of general care physicians letting them know about my services and how it can help clients with certain issues. I also offered them free 1/2 hour massages if they wanted to try my services.

Another idea, that I hadn't followed through on, is to find out from the human services department of health care centers how to get listed in their newletters and place an ad with a small discount like 10% off first visit or something like that. Market to healthcare folks and in turn they will send you clients (patients).

At one time, I had helped a writer for the local paper get over his carpal tunnel, he wrote an article about it in the paper and that brought in a lot of clients. You can contact your local paper about doing a story on how massage is great for healthcare and not just a luxury expense.

You can even contact your early morning news station and see if they would like to do a story on massage or chair massage. That's also how I got onto an early morning news program doing chair massage. You'd be surprised at how much they are looking for stories to fill those morning hours and also how many people actually are watching that early!!

With some creativity you can become that well known successful practice in a small town!

 

[Pompal 09.]

I think partnering with other healthcare providers is a wonderful idea. You might also consider finding clients who are health and fitness aware. Perhaps cycling clubs, running groups, tennis facilities and that sort of thing.

 

[Mandie]

People don't want to really hear advise. They usually want empathy for their complaints.

You can't change people's beliefs only your own. I am sure there are some people there that do understand the value of massage. You just have to find them.

Do you get a massage once a week and pay for it or do you just think it is a luxury?

Julie

 

[iamcrazyy]

Massage is 'breaking ground' here as ppl don't realize the value of massage and are sometimes afraid of it because they don't know what to expect. I think they have a mental image of being laid out on a table totally naked and uncovered. So many ppl have breathed a sigh of relief after receiving massage stating that it was NOTHING like they expected. I'm scared to ask what they expected. lol I do chair massage at our local fair each year and it no longer amazes me the number of ppl who say, "I can't have a massage, I have back trouble". Ok...

Kathryn's methods are very similar to mine in that I contacted the local doctors, chiro, and physical therapists and offered each of them a free 30 minute massage. Only the two PT's took me up on my offer and I get many referrals from them, although one of our local doctors has started referring clients to me. Yay!

Getting ppl on your table, and having them fall in love with massage is the key. In my area, I was able to build clients by giving away free 30 min massages. That doesn't work for everyone, but it worked here.

 

[Ava is Dank <3]

It is so hard to educate a public who has been through years of misguidance. And hollywood doesn't help much either!

I think all these tips are very helpful!

I have only just begun practicing, but here is a simple idea I just though of today.

I am going to try to use the term "massage therapy" as often as possible, in marketing and in conversation. I will try to avoid just using the word massage by itself.(unless I am saying swedish/deep tissue/sports massage, etc.) I think it might catch someone's attention and show that I intend to be taken seriously as a healthcare providor.

 

[AllyBerry]

It is so hard to educate a public who has been through years of misguidance. And hollywood doesn't help much either!

I think all these tips are very helpful!

Here is a simple idea I just thought of today. It is very small, but I believe it will have some impact.

I am going to try to use the term "massage therapy" as often as possible, in marketing and in conversation. I will try to avoid just using the word massage by itself.(unless I am saying swedish/deep tissue/sports massage, etc.) I believe it will catch a little attention and show that I intend to be taken seriously as a healthcare providor.

 

[Ninni]

It is very similar in the small town I live in as well. It does eventually change but it takes time and it helps to have a couple of clients who are verbose and jubilant to others about what you've done for them. I would encourage all of your clients who are comfortable doing so talk to other people about your work and how they have benefited from it.

One of the best sources for new clients are referrals by your current clients because they know what you offer and most likely know others who would benefit from your work. Simply letting them know you would appreciate any assistance they could provide to help you build your business might be enough. Additionally, you could develop a referral program that would reward your clients for sending people to you.

One thing to keep in mind is the 80/20 rule which means 80 percent of your business comes from 20 percent of your clientele. It is worth staying in touch with your current clients since they've come in to see you already.