Welcome to MassageBook, where our mission is to help independent massage therapists call their own shots and build the practices of their dreams. One of the most common growth problems we hear about is competition. Many therapists ask, “How can I compete with big-box massage franchises and their massive ad budgets and marketing teams?” Our answer is simple: You don’t.
But wait! Before you throw your hands up in frustration, let’s clarify. We’re not saying you can’t compete at all. Instead, we suggest you take the pressure off yourself to go head-to-head with the giants. Sure, they might have prime locations and dominate the airwaves, but you have something they don’t: Your unique touch and personal connection with your clients. That is your secret sauce.
Now that you can breathe a sigh of relief, let’s talk about making the most of what you’ve got. Efficiency is critical, especially if it’s just you running the show. Your time is precious and better spent helping clients than hunting them down. So, what’s one of the best ways to keep them coming back again and again? A monthly membership program.
“But hold on,” you might say. “Don’t those franchises you told me not to worry about offer membership programs?” Yep, they sure do. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to compete with them directly to learn from them.
Why do membership programs work so well?
Membership and subscription services are like magic beans for growth. They’re built on repeat business to help ensure a steady flow of income. So even if you sell streaming services, dog toys or massages, it’s a game-changer however you slice it.
Lucky you! The perks don’t stop there. Both you and your clients will love the following five benefits:
1. Stay top-of-mind with clients
Do you know the number one thing keeping your clients from booking more sessions? We’re willing to bet most would say they simply forget to book follow-up visits. Not if they’re enrolled in a membership, though. Members are auto-billed for monthly service credits and always have a reason to book.
2. Cultivate healthy habits for your clients
As we all know, many powerful benefits of massage therapy come only after a series of regular sessions. More clients receiving regular work from you means more clients with clear and undeniable improvements to their health and wellness.
3. Foster stronger client relationships
Regular clients who experience the positive impact of your skills in their daily lives become great ambassadors for your practice. And what are ambassadors good for? Recommending your services to friends and family. In other words—free and highly effective marketing!
4. Build a foundation for long-term stability
A solid base of loyal clients who visit regularly is the backbone of any successful practice. A membership program encourages more frequent visits and ensures your practice stays strong. Now, you can spend more time doing what you love and less worrying about your upcoming rent.
5. Enjoy peace of mind from predictable income
Do you know how much you’re getting paid next month? Unfortunately, a healthy paycheck that does more than just cover the bills isn’t always guaranteed. If you’re fed up with your up-and-down income, a membership program can help you get paid like clockwork every month. That should help keep your stress levels down.
How to start and run your own pro-level membership program
MassageBook’s all-in-one practice management software includes everything you need to create, sell and manage monthly membership plans—no experience needed! Benefits include:
- Hassle-free setup: Create and customize detailed plans in a few simple steps.
- Endless possibilities: Offer extra rewards, discounts or perks to wow your members at every turn.
- Convenient enrollment: New members can sign up on your website 24/7 and securely save their credit cards for automatic billing.
- Precise reports: Organize and track service credits, available balances and appointment history in each member’s record.
- Flexible adjustments: Update card info, edit credits or pause enrollment on the fly to keep everyone on the same page.
- Seamless checkout: Book and redeem credits in person or let members do it online using their computer, tablet or phone.
So, back to big-box massage. Who’s ready to (not) compete and win? You are now! Start your free 30-day trial of MassageBook today and enjoy unlimited access to every feature—membership management included!
