Mobile

RE: Mobile

Hi Hawkwind

I practice both mobile and practice from a clinic.

The worst thing about mobile is when you get a hoax call and there is nobody there when you get there, a complete waste of time, effort and money.

I used to carry a mobile couch with me but I just throw a single flat sheet onto the bed now and cover them with a towel and do the treatment, it a bit tiring on the back but not as tiring as the floor, you can use the dining room table if its big enough and they have a quilt to soften it.

The biggest pro is the minimum amount of outlay for equipment assuming you have transport and people are often more relaxed in their own environment but not always if that is a big part of their stress then no good at all 🙂

RE: Mobile

I am a moble therapist, and carry a bed around, much more ease on the back, I always treat men who ring up for an appointment in a doctors surgery, and always take a contact phone number as that way I can ring them back and confirm the appointment on the day. With working as a mobile therapist I get to understand the person and they family with being in their own homes they are much more relaxed and when you finish the treatment you leave them in the comfort of their own homes nice and relaxed
Down side to being a therapist is getting stuck in traffic and late for the appointment but most people enjoy being treated in their own homes.

thanks
lorrainewr

RE: Mobile

I would agree with Lorrainewr. I also work from both a clinic and am mobile, and both have their pros and cons.

I always think it is nicer for the client to be treated in their own home; they are generally more relaxed in their own environment, and after a relaxing treatment, can be left to totally chillout, fall asleep, have a bath or whatever, whilst I just disappear!

The downside is the added time to travel to different addresses, finding parking close to the house, lugging massage table, towels, oils and other paraphenalia around.

I generally only take bookings for mobile through word of mouth ie someone I know, or have treated passing on my info. If I am not sure I direct them to the clinic. I may get less money this way, but itis worth it for the safety aspect IMHO.

I find I am working more at the clinic now, some people do actaully prefer to get away from their homes for the treatment. I always make sure that there is sufficient time between bookings so that people are not rushed in or out, and there is time to chat if they want!

Hope this helps!
k x

RE: Mobile

Hi Hawkwind.

I think it depends where you live. I lived in North London and did mobile stuff when I first started out. It was all word of mouth so I never went to anybody I didn't know and I am shocked that anybody would make an appointment and not be there when you turn up! What's all that about?[&:]

Since I moved back to the Wirral I haven't had the need to do it and now run and practice in my own clinic. I know that there are therapists who do mobile, but because it is so easy to get about here and the traffic is easy then there isn't the need.

I found with mobile stuff it was mainly evenings and an hour's appointment would take two hours. Yes, it was lovely for the client, but for me it was hard work and a lot of lugging the couch up stairs etc. Though I did enjoy it. I wouldn't choose to do it now though.

You can carve yourself out a niche market if there is the demand. It is up to you and when you start out you have to do whatever to get clients. I just don't have to do it now and nobody asks.

RE: Mobile

I occasionally do home visits, but only for clients that come via my on-site work or through a personal recommendation from a friend or another client. I personally wouldn't do a home visit for somebody I didn't know, or who hadn't come recommended. As a female therapist, I think it's too risky.

As the previous posts state, it's great for the client, but can be a pain lugging a couch and backpack full of towels oils etc. And it is time consuming. I usually factor travel time and cost into the price of the treatment, afterall, it is far more to the clients benefit, than it is yours, to treat them in their home. Nobody has ever complained about this and all are happy to pay the extra for the convenience.

Something I have done in the past is to get a few bookings at the one address i.e a husband and wife, or flatmates, or even their neighbours. This way you're only carting the stuff to one address, but getting a couple of bookings in the one shot. It's also good for them as you can distribute the travel costs across all the clients, bringing down the individual price of the treatment. Might work as an incentive for some. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.
Anconablue.x