Ha ha I'm making a loss at the moment, so does that mean that when I go for a massage, they would need to pay ME? 😀 😀 😀
I'm a sports therapist, and specialise in myofascial release, and yes some are sports, others are dancers, actors, celebrities, that rely on being able to perform, thankfully I have built up a good reputation and get good referrals and my techniques work so they pay.
It would be nice if EVERY client paid that much, but in the real world it's £45 per hour, which people are very happy to pay.
Thankfully, I work with a few other therapists and we swap massages, which is a GREAT perk of the job!
sounds good to me! how long would you say it has taken you to build this client base?
Ha ha I'm making a loss at the moment, so does that mean that when I go for a massage, they would need to pay ME? 😀 😀 😀
Hang in there Pinky!
sounds good to me! how long would you say it has taken you to build this client base?
I am in my 3rd year at my current clinic, having relocated from another city, and the first 12 months was fair, but not fantastic, 2nd year was good, and the last year has been great, but definately through referrals.
Its like any business though, it takes time to build, and obviously as this thread is about why clients dont return, we have to make sure we give our clients 100% of what they want.
Wow I've just read this thread in one go (aided with coffee) and I'm now in need of a good massage.
There has been some good points made, but sadly I'm none the wiser as the only examples have been of very poor therapists.
Yep, just done the same, although I've had two cups of coffee and toast!
Good to read negatives as well as positives. After a delayed start (broken finger) I'm about to start advertising myself, I already do friends and family (no charge) although I stopped giving treatments to give my hand a chance to heal, I am now starting again, although my hand still aches after each treatment, so I'm taking it slowly to build up my strength.
Now the question is would you accept a treatment off someone who is clearly not well, be it cough, cold, in my case broken fingers? At the moment my treatments are a bit light on the left side as this hand is clearly not in synic with the right.
Fudge
Fudge, that is an excellent question.
I've recently had a cold and have been worrying a bit about this.
I have to admit if I was going for a massage I feel it would detract from the experience if my therapist seemed unwell, and definitely if they were coughing or sneezing during the treatment :p
Once I qualify I think I'm going to have to fight off illnesses like this with everything I've got!!
As for broken fingers, I'm sure I wouldn't notice if you didn't say anything - you could do petrissage with your right hand reinforced by your left, couldn't you? (I've only just started training btw!)
Don't wish to go off topic, but i have always decided to take time off if i am not very well. I don't think it sounds too good to my clients or very hygienic if i am coughing or sneezing over them. Luckily i try and take herbal stuff to keep my immune system fairly strong!
If you dont feel 100% they you wont give 100%.
When I have a cold I stick to treatments where I wont be near the client's face like reflexology.
Fudge, I'd not want a massage from someone who has broken fingers, in fear of their safety.
Wow I've just read this thread in one go (aided with coffee) and I'm now in need of a good massage.
There has been some good points made, but [COLOR="Blue"]sadly I'm none the wiser as the only examples have been of very poor therapists.
Thanks for reactivating the (my) thread.
I don't know how you can be none the wiser though as the whole jist of the thread was about poorly performing therapists and their foibles, viz. "why your massage clients don't return".
Now the question is would you accept a treatment off someone who is clearly not well, be it cough, cold, in my case broken fingers? At the moment my treatments are a bit light on the left side as this hand is clearly not in synic with the right.
Fudge
I would not like a treatment off someone who may pass on an infection.
Maybe you should ask your current clients (relatives) if they think your treatments are up to scratch yet? Maybe you can use compensatory techniques?
Isn't there a form of massage where the forearms are used instead of the hands? Let your finger(s) heal properly!
Thanks for reactivating the (my) thread.
I don't know how you can be none the wiser though as the whole jist of the thread was about poorly performing therapists and their foibles, viz. "why your massage clients don't return".
Poorly performing therapists who lack common sense. No true professional would massage with one hand and use the other to text, or leave during a treatment to take a phone call, or let their pets walk over or be in the same room as a client.
Oh, and you're welcome.
I am 'bouncing' this thread because it has some very useful comments and there has recently been another thread on the same subject. I sometimes wonder whether some of our newer members are aware of the 'search' faciilty on HP, and how much useful guidance there is buried away on the archives !!
Alan
One great way to get clients to return, and I am speaking as a client, is to have online scheduling for massage. I wouldn't allow first time clients to schedule online, but other than that, everyone case see your schedule online and just pick the time they want in advance. Not everyone wants to call and email and play phone tag for a week before coming up with an appointment. Some people are not as social and might even feel embarrassed about calling for whatever reason...All I can say, is as a client, I LOVE therapist that have online scheduling.
Atmosphere and temperature are two things that if you don't have them correct, even a great massage, might not keep a client coming back.
Does anyone know how to do online scheduling? Sounds like a good plan!