Ignite Your Massage Therapy Business!
If you want to live a life of abundance and joy, there's no better way than through massage therapy. It'll make you healthier, it'll make people happier and more focused, and it'll give you the chance to serve others in your community. The thing is, it can be a bit overwhelming to put together a business. There's so much to think about in the beginning -- the equipment, the office space, the training, and all those other details. It can seem like a lot to handle at first, but it doesn't have to be! All you need are these tips for getting started:
1) Get Your Equipment
First things first -- you're going to need some tools if you want to practice massage therapy. The best way to go about this is by purchasing your own personal kit of massage equipment rather than renting or borrowing someone else's. Oftentimes therapists like to combine their equipment with their business name on it. That way, people receive your name along with the massage therapy you provide!
2) Choose an Area to Practice Your Therapy
You may not have much choice on this one before you actually open your doors for business, but once you're up and running, you'll want to find a local space where people can come in for their massage sessions. What's more important in that area is finding a spot that's easy to get to. A lot of therapists like to choose a location that's close by, but others have found success by offering their services in an office building or even at a hotel or resort. Be sure it's easy to get any clients there when they book their sessions.
3) Get Your Business Cards
You want business cards that really capture the essence of your business. Choose something professional or pretty, but that also includes a bit of personality. Put your name and your contact information on there, along with any other pertinent information like your website or social media profiles. You can even make it look like a gift card by merging the information into one design!
4) Choose an Open Time and Place for Your Business
Most massage therapists like to choose an open schedule. That way you're available for clients whenever they need you, at times that are convenient for them as well. There are some places where it may be more appropriate to hold your business at a specific location, but for the most part that's not ideal. Look into using a commercial space or setting up shop at a hotel or resort to attract clients.
5) Train Your Employees First
A lot of massage therapists choose to hire their own staff in the beginning. While this isn't an obligation, it's still a good idea to familiarize yourself with your employees before you hire them. If you don't know what it's going to take to keep them happy and focused, you may end up hurting yourself in the long run. Pay attention to their strengths and weaknesses so that you can work closely with them from then on out.
6) Introduce Yourself to Your Clients
While the definition of a massage therapy session is almost universally accepted, it's not always easy for someone to put a face with the title they've hired. Make sure you're introducing yourself to everyone who books a session. There is no better way to show your professional side than by standing out in client conversations. And even if you often encounter the same people in your community, don't be afraid to go up and introduce yourself again the next time they come in!
7) Create an Effective Marketing Strategy
Creating a marketing strategy for your massage therapy business can seem overwhelming at first, but it's actually surprisingly straightforward. The first thing you need to do is figure out how you're going to market yourself before you open the doors of your practice. Consider using free social media platform services like Facebook and Twitter as well as online advertising like Google AdWords or Pay Per Click marketing. These are effective strategies for getting your name out there quickly.
8) Create a Website
A website is absolutely essential to any business, and it's even more crucial for massage therapists. If someone has a serious need in their lives, they're going to be searching the Internet for an answer in order to help themselves. If your practice doesn't have a website (or even if it does), you're going to fall behind your competition. Be sure to create your own unique landing page that addresses the pain points of the people you want to service and gives them a direct solution.
9) Develop Social Media Accounts
A lot of successful businesses use social media to promote their business and stay connected to their clients. If you want to connect with your clients, you'll definitely need a social media account. It's easy to manage and even easier for people to find you online, so make sure you're ready for that when the time comes!
10) Plan for Growth
Keep in mind that this is a business, not a get-rich-quick scheme. You're going to have to keep these plans in mind when you open up your practice. This means budgeting for office expenses, marketing strategies, and equipment maintenance. The more you do for your business, the more successful it will be and the more likely it is that you'll be able to provide better services as time goes on.
11) Sign Contracts with Your Clients
It's important to make a contract with each of your clients regarding their expectations about what they should expect from a massage therapy session. For example, if you're providing massages on a particular day and time then people can expect you to stick with that schedule and don't cancel or rearrange appointments without prior warning.
12) Design Your Own Website
While it's not necessary, a lot of therapists like to take this step and create their own unique website. This is a great opportunity for you to put your own unique spin on the web world and let people know about your practice! All you need is a domain name, which can be purchased through sites like Godaddy or Hostgator for very little money. A lot of therapist use WordPress as a free content management system, and they offer some amazing features that you can use to connect with clients through your website. Taking this step will demonstrate serious commitment to your business and help it grow in the long run.
Conclusion
This guide was meant to be a starting point for any massage therapist, regardless of their experience level, exposure to business concepts, or even their education. While I won't be able to tell you exactly what every aspect of your business is going to look like on the outside, I hope I gave you some ideas that will help you start out strong.
The most successful massage therapists are always looking for ways to stay relevant in the business world and keep their practice on the forefront of their minds. The things listed above should be a starting point for you so that you can help yourself along the way! Keep in mind that any business is a learning process, and this will apply more than ever with your first few months of opening your practice.