How to get Clients as a Massage Therapist
As a masseuse, you are innately focused on the well-being of others. Whilst it is natural that your motivation is to maximise the physical health and well-being of your clients, it is crucial that you don’t forget to nurture your business too. Making sure you reach enough clients as a massage therapist is essential to your success.
You might wonder why some of your competitors appear to have no shortage of clients, whilst you have been actively seeking out this blog to find out how to get more. The answer is that there are plenty of potential clients out there for you – you just need to learn how to effectively reach and retain them.
Let’s take a look at some effective strategies you can employ to get clients as a massage therapist.
Figure out who your ideal client is
In order to focus your marketing strategies and get more clients as a massage therapist, you need to determine exactly who your target client is.
Niching down the type of massage services you would like to provide can help you focus your marketing efforts on a specific group of people. For instance, prenatal massage and sports massage target different very different markets! Don’t waste your valuable time fielding enquiries for services you don’t provide.
Understand your niche and you will be able to create an effective marketing method that will appeal to your target clients.
Build a website to promote your business online.
I don’t need to tell you that the bygone days of searching for a new service in The Yellow Pages are long gone. The vast majority of people looking for a masseuse will head straight to google. If you don’t have a website, or you have one that ranks so poorly that it is languishing on page 2 of the search results, then you are effectively making yourself invisible.
Yes, social media presence is also important (more on that later) but you might be surprised to learn that a staggering 84% of people think that a website is what makes a business seem credible.
Having a professional-looking website that ranks highly on search engines is vital.
Here are some things that you should definitely include:
- Your Services – Include helpful information such as the benefits of massage, the type of massage services you provide, your hours and prices. Mention any specials you offer, such as an introductory special for new clients, discounts for referrals or discounts for multiple appointments.
- Your Expertise – Include information about you, your qualifications, how long you have been practising, and any relevant training or areas of expertise/specialism.
- Reassurance – New clients may feel vulnerable, after all a massage is an intimate experience. It would be beneficial for you to include photographs of yourself looking professional and approachable, along with photographs of your treatment area.
- Contact and booking information – make sure it is easy for clients to contact you by various means. Ensure you have a messaging facility that means you don’t miss enquiries whilst away from work or with a client. Always respond in a timely manner. If this is your first contact with a potential client, they need to see that you are reliable and professional.
- Testimonials – Once you are established, ask current clients to submit feedback that you can post on your site. This helps demonstrate your professionalism and credibility to potential new clients and reassures them that you will do a good job.
Here are some simple things you can do to boost your search engine ranking to ensure potential clients are able to find your website.
Focus on retention
Getting existing massage clients to rebook is the most effective way of building your massage business. It uses far fewer resources to encourage repeat custom than it does to constantly focus your efforts on finding new clients. Repeat customers are also a brilliant advert for you – what better testimony of your services that people want to keep coming back?
Many people make the mistake of thinking that a massage is a luxury or a one-off treat. However, as a massage professional, you know the truth is that regular massage is a necessity that your body requires on a regular basis for optimum health. Make sure your clients know that the more often they receive a massage, the easier it will be for them to maintain good health.
After treatment, follow up with an email the next day summarising their appointment and make a recommendation for the course of ongoing treatment. Show that you have listened to any concerns and that you have a plan to treat them.
Here is an example:
“Dear Barbara, it was great to meet you yesterday and I hope that you find your neck has more freedom of movement following your treatment with me. As we discussed, the area of tightness across your shoulders will certainly need further work and I would recommend booking another appointment. I agree with your thinking that your job is likely to be the cause of your posture problems and pain, and regular massage is highly effective at treating and correcting this. I have attached a link to an article about some changes you can make to your workspace that you may find useful. Please get in touch if you have any queries.”
Following up with clients shows them that you value their business and have understood their needs.
Existing clients are also likely to promote your services to others and so are a fantastic source of free advertising for you.
The reality is that your existing clients would probably love to book a massage more than they do but are too busy to take the initiative. Make it easier for them and initiate the contact.
Further your presence on social media
Using social media can be great for your business as it will attract more people to your website and is also how many people search for new services. Studies show that around 1 in 3 people looking to engage a new service or business will search social media as their first port of call. A social media presence is essential if you are trying to get more clients as a massage therapist.
Facebook is the most used social media platform in the UK, so a Facebook business page will instantly give you the biggest reach. Make sure you set up a business page rather than a personal one as this will equip you with some key tools to help grow your business. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are also great ways of keeping in touch with your current clients, advertising any offers, and nurturing your relationship with them, which encourages loyalty.
Word of Mouth
I touched on this earlier, but it bears repeating: Word-of-mouth provides information that allows people to understand your work and express its value to the people they know. It is the most powerful and effective tool for getting more massage clients.
Word of mouth not only means asking existing clients to recommend you, but it also means talking to your friends, colleagues, and people you meet as you go about your day. If people get to hear what you do and see how passionate you are about your business, they will bear you in mind the next time they hear someone needing a massage.
Encourage your current clients, friends, and family to promote your business to people they know. Offer an incentive, such as a free or discounted appointment, for referring a specific number of paying clients.
People love to hear someone sharing their enthusiasm in a way that connects with their own interests and needs. While the particular person you are talking to at the moment might not be a potential client, they might know someone who is. The more you share what you are passionate about, the more people will come through your door.
Network
Face-to-face networking events are a useful way of promoting your business and can often open up unexpected opportunities for promoting yourself. Attending networking events will allow you to meet other professionals who could pass enquiries on to you that fit your specific niche.
If your target clients are patients with medical issues, you could attend events where you could meet with chiropractors or physiotherapists. If you specialise in prenatal massage, attend events where you might meet doulas or prenatal yoga instructors. Check your local Chamber of Commerce for networking events for local businesses.
Networking with other professionals is mutually beneficial, as you will undoubtedly find you always have clients to recommend to each other. Other small business owners face the same issues as you and are likely to respond warmly to any suggestions of reciprocal promotions.
In Conclusion
The great news is that there are plenty of strategies you can use to get more clients as a massage therapist. As a results-based Business Coach for female entrepreneurs, I am used to working with women just like you to build a successful business.
Get in touch to book a free 30-minute consultation with me to find out how I can help you grow your massage business and get more clients.
