To complement the MASSAGE Magazine article, “10 Steps to Outcall Safety and Success,” by Danielle Bianchi, in the May 2011 issue. Article summary: Sessions provided to the two primary types of outcall clients—the hotel client and the home client—differ in logistics and environments, but they do have many similarities. Here, learn about the challenges inherent in providing mobile massage therapy, and the planning and practice necessary in order to achieve safety and success.
by Corrine Mollett
On-site, or outcall, massage is a type of massage where the therapist performs massage on location, such as a private residence, hotel, workplace, athletic event or nursing home. Whether you are just beginning or already established, promotion of your services is a critical aspect of being a successful on-site massage therapist.
On-site massage has endless possibilities. Sports massage practitioners can perform massages at athletic events or gyms, for example. Chair massage practitioners can perform massage at businesses as part of a wellness program. Swedish massage practitioners can offer on-site massages at bridal showers, events and parties. Massage practitioners can perform massage for the elderly in a nursing home.
Here are 10 tips for promoting your on-site practice:
1. Create a vision and don’t give up. Just because you had a low turnout one time does not mean it will be that way next time.
2. Always keep gift certificates, business cards, brochures and flyers on hand.
3. Determine your target market. Next, go through the phone book or search online and make a list of contacts and businesses, and then contact them about your massage services.
4. Follow up after contacting potential clients. Mail promotional materials, such as flyers and business cards, to your contacts. Then follow up with a phone call.
5. Practice client interactions. Prepare a script of the benefits of massage and how you can help clients.
6. Place an ad in a local newspaper. Advertise in a relevant publication to maximize your exposure.
7. Create a website to promote your services.
8. Market your services using social networking websites, such as YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Create accounts, make contacts and post comments daily on specials and events you are attending.
9. Get creative. Offer free massage clinics at local colleges, gyms or businesses and attend local health and wellness fairs.
10. Dress and present yourself in a professional manner at all times.
Building an on-site massage practice will take time. Remember, you are not selling; you are educating the public to help make their lives easier and healthier.
Corrine Mollett completed massage school in 1997 and a bachelor’s degree shortly after, and has been practicing and teaching massage since. She founded the Center for Massage Therapy CE (www.massagetherapyceu.com) in 2002, providing home study continuing education for massage therapists.