I am just back from our massage therapist state convention Classes, networking, stuff to buy and a bit of fun. I had the joy of being a test body, demonstrating treatment by one of the best bodyworkers in the world today. But the big annual meeting/convention paradigm is changing Conventions are losing attendance, and may […]
My massage client had gone to a fancy resort spa with an extraordinary view of the ocean. The spa was world-class. The services were expensive, the atmosphere somewhat reminiscent of a place where Roman emperors might have gone for a holiday. How was your massage? I asked him when the holiday was over. I had […]
Most massage therapists charge by their time spent in a session, so dealing with client cancellations and no-shows is a particularly dear subject. Big massage businesses just put their policies out there: 24-hour cancellation or full charge for the missed session. No appointment without a credit card to “guarantee a reservation.” It is a survival […]
Massage therapists are like musicians, athletes and dancers. We train, we practice, and yes, we ache. Those of us who are in it for real are often playing despite pain. Therapists should be doing all kinds of things to stay in the game, from stretching icing and exercising. But like our musician and dancer friends […]
Many therapists could benefit from the use of a massage office. Your own spot saves your back from wrangling tables at house calls. Your own spot also offers a great learning experience – how to develop skills to negotiate and keep an office, handle bills and make more income. At some point in every massage […]
Sometimes a client just appears looking for a massage. Literally a walk-in. What can a therapist do to turn a lookie-loo into a booking? These potential clients may be trying to size up you and your spa. Offer a quick tour. If they like you and your spa, but are reluctant to make an appointment, […]
Here’s my shortlist for what a good massage therapist needs to know: Talk to the client first, not during a session. Get enough information to know what the client seeks, whether they want a complete massage or spot work, and if they have medical conditions that should not be massaged. This communication takes only a […]
On a massage therapist’s first day at work, the training starts with how to say hello to a client. Easy? Oh heavens. I have had massage trainees stare at the floor. Roll eyes in a complete circle looking everywhere but at the client. Worst, a brief nanosecond of eye contact followed by staring over the […]
Massage therapists are not known for their left-brain skills. It’s hard to keep track of money, supplies, and clients and still use the powers of intuition and touch to help people. Or is it? There are some relatively simple and low-tech ways to keep track of things so you can keep up with your bills […]
The other day, whilst talking to massage therapist friends about the best and worst places to do massage, we came up with lots of candidates for best, but the worst won hands down: beauty salons. Yes, it has happened to many massage therapists. It may have been a fill-in job during massage school or a […]