Hi
I am currently employed part time as a remedial masseur for a football club.
I have been doing between 1 and 5 private clients a week for a month or so now on top of the football club. I have the urge to generate more work, like NOW!!.
I had this idea to approach running/swimming/rowing/rugby/triathlon clubs in my area to offer to go down and do a taster session of 15 minutes per person.
I thought I might offer to do a couple of hours for free and anyone interested in having a full session, I can see privately.
My only concern is that I might be seen as not very successful if I have to go around giving free massages. So, should a be charging a nominal fee?
I'd love to hear from anyone who has tried this and is able to share some knowledge/pitfalls/success stories.
Thanks
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
you're right, it's hard to generate more business without seeming 'desperate' !!
I followed a similar route, linked up with a local 'serious amateur' football team and gave them short massage treatments on a voluntary basis - it worked very well.
I was totally upfront about needing as much post qualification practice as I could get and also that I wanted to use their sessions as an opportunity to build a client base.
My view was I could either sit at home doing nothing and pay for local adverts etc or get out there (and still earn nothing LOL) but gain constant practice and improve my technique.
I'd say it is a good plan - referrals in my experience are the best source of clients, you can't beat the word of mouth source of publicity....
:nature-smiley-008:
I would say it's a poor route for more business.
1. You are likely to be at the back of a long queue especially with running, tri and football clubs who are likely to have someone who already does therapy for them and plenty of people trying to get in. I have a few affiliations and I guard them fiercly. However have a go as you never know.
2. It's rarely worth doing anything for free as it makes the treatment worthless. It doesn't matter how good you are it will be seen as a free treatment. People will always want things for free and will accept it regardless. If it's free how can the client decide if it's value for money if they haven't handed over some hard earned cash.
3. You will always be under pressure to do low paid treatments from then on.