Marketing Ideas

[thecat131]

Hi there
I’m a newbie to this forum.  I found Micahel through HayHouse radio and was attracted by is sense of humour and up front manner.  His accent also gets me - kind of an English American!! 

This is a very long post, so ‘grab a cuppa and get comfie!’ 

I have been working as a Remedial Massage Therapist mainly from home (Melbourne, Australia) on a part time basis for about 4 years now.  In September 2006, I took 6 months leave of absence from my day job to concentrate full time on massage. 

I’m looking for ideas and tips on how I can build the business.  So far I have done the following:

•   Advertised in the local paper
         When I went full time, I had a limited time offer for new clients where they would get their second massage at half price. 
         I got three bookings from this.
•   Advertised in the Yellow Pages
•   I have a 1.2m sign on the wall of the local milk bar (across the road from a gym)
•   I am listed on the following websites:
              o   http://www.ntpages.com.au
              o   http://www.totaltravel.com.au
              o   http://www.usenature.com
              o   http://www.livingnow.com.au
              o   http://truelocal.com.au
              o   http://www.aamt.com.au (Aust Association of Massage Therapists Ltd)
•   Mail drops
•   Written to and phoned gyms, playgroups, schools and larger business to promote my services
•   Left brochures at local milkbars, supermarkets, community noticeboards and with other alternative therapists
•   I hand out fridge magnets when I am paying for goods and services around town
•   I have incentive schemes in place
            o   Refer a friend and get $10 off your next treatment
            o   For each ½ massage you earn a stamp.  Once you get 8 stamps your next treatment is ½ price.

I have contacted the local radio station, I don’t know how many times – by phone, email, and letter asking to advertise, but they do not respond.  I am taking this as a sign from Spirit that I shouldn’t do this!

For the 3rd year running, I had a stall at the annual Festival in town.  I was selling wheatbags and handing out fridge magnets/brochures and generally chatting to people.  I also offered free 2 minute seated massages with the option to extend to up to 15 minutes for a fee.  Every time I massaged someone, I put their details in a raffle to win a free 30 minute massage.  About a week after the Festival, I sent a letter to everyone in the raffle, offering a $10 discount on their first treatment (valid for a month).  I got two bookings out of this.

I’m doing this again in December on ‘market day’ at the local supermarket.

You do not have to be registered to work as a massage therapist in Australia unless you want to claim the service through your health fund, which most people don’t have.  There are 9 other therapists listed on the Associations web site.  I have called all of them so I know my prices are pretty much the same as everyone else (however, no one else has the incentives I offer).  Of course, this means there could be heaps more unregistered therapists, but neither the registered or unregistered therapists appear to be advertising. 

Every year, one of the local papers has a Business Achiever Award where readers nominate their favourite business in 24 different categories.  It was awesome to be a Finalist this year and I take every opportunity to promote this fact in my marketing material. 

So far I’m averaging 7 hour a week of work.  Before I went full time I was averaging 6 massages a week, so in two months I’ve got an extra hours work a week.  It’s a start, I guess but obviously not enough! 

Until today, I was working from two locations but I just got an SMS from my landlord telling me she is shutting up shop.  If I want to continue working in the neighboring suburb, I will have to find another venue.  This is the third time an ‘external venture’ has fallen through for me, so again, I’m taking this as a sign that it’s not meant to be.

Phew – reading this back I have done quite a bit but I do sound kind of desperate!  Probably because I am!  I so don’t want to go back to office work!!  I know I am an excellent massage therapist and I really enjoy what I do.  If anyone has any ideas on what else I can do, please let me know!! 

Thanks heaps
Cathy

[Michael Neill]

Hey, Cathy -

Sounds like you're taking all the 'right' actions, but are they the ones that really inspire you?

If you were only going to take the marketing actions that you would feel good about doing even if they got you no new clients (and stop doing anything that would only feel worthwhile if it 'worked'), what would be left on your list?

(And of course if you're ever in LA consider yourself booked!  )

Happy exploring,
michael

[Bethlove]

HI Kathy,
It sounds like you have covered so many of they positive ways to connect with people and promote what you have to offer.
I'm wondering what would happen if you asked people what it is that keeps them from coming for massages.
I too am a healer and I work through bodywork and art.  So, I understand where you are coming from.
blessings,
~*Beth

[cthorp57]

Hi

I recently found a new massage business while I was sitting in my doctor's waiting room. He had a pile of leaflets on the table and was running a promotion similar to the one you are using. I was happier using someone my doctor seemed happy to recommend.

Good luck
Catherine

[Andrea R]

Something struck me Cathy, as I read your post. Two things actually. First, I'll bet if people knew more about YOU, the person who will be touching them, they would flock to you. Do you have a web site where you can share some stories about yourself? What brought you to massage, what is meaningful to you. That will help people connect with you.

I think if you could get onto local radio and people could hear your voice and ideas and advice the audience would call you for appointments. How to get on radio? I was a talk radio host in the US and Canada, and what I would want to see is a media release. Write a one page of who, when, what, why, where and how... but don't just write an advertisement, give the radio show producer a fascinating story. Newspapers too.

Maybe talk about why people come for massage and what types of people come to see you. Maybe group them into: kids, teens, moms, grandparents, etc. and what their specific needs are. For example, moms may have pain in their lower back from lifting kids, kids may need massage after an intense baseball game. Grandpa may need massage after taking up bowling in his retirement. Make it funny. I once made a list of 19 classifications of dates (not the fruit, but the couples' activity): blind dates, pity dates, etc. It got attention and I got on the air.

And don't be concerned about having only one location. You don't need to be running around. They will come to you.

Andrea (I'm transitioning from marketing professional services/practices to crisis counseling.)

[angie]

Hey Cathy
i have just noticed your post.
I moved to Brisbane last June from the UK.
I am also a  self employed remedial massage therapist. I work through an established business paying commission of 30%
i have nothing else to pay, no advertising, no oil, no towels etc., i just turn up and do the massages.
I have been at work today and completed 6 treatments.I am registered with the AAMT and have found that  most of my clients claim on their private health insurance which i have found to be a big plus in this country. Unlike the UK which doesnt usually cover this modality with private health insurance.
You might enjoy working in an established business and you can always swap a treatment with a collegue 
I spend quite a lot of time in melbourne doing NLP and have met a guy who has just bought a massage business somewhere in Melbourne.  He was after me working for him till he realised i live in Brissie! .
I could find out where abouts he is and if its commutable for you if you would like me to.

Angie 

[baldzach]

Kathy,

I am in marketing for a living.  In conjunction with my 90-day money game, I'd be happy to offer my services. 

For example, I've worked in PR (public relations) before, and I could help you draft a media/press release that you could send to local media outlets (radio, television, newspapers).  I've also done some rudimentary website design, graphic design (you'd be surprised at the difference professional looking media can make!  media meaning business cards, brochures, flyers, etc.)

Shoot me a PM if you're interested, along with what your budget is.

Good luck!  And if you ever come to Salt Lake City, consider yourself booked as well!

[Richard]

Hello Cathy??!!

You all sorted now with 'marketing ideas' for your business? 

or after some more tips?

kind regards
Rich