How to Start a Massage Therapy Business 1-2-3
Imagine Having 100's of Massage Clients Every Month Without Paying $1,000's in
Advertising...
Whether for therapy, relaxation or rehabilitation, massage therapists are in high demand. Many clients use
massage therapy on a regular basis, while others for special occasions or medical treatment. In any case,
customers understand the benefits of massage and are willing to pay good money for it. Sports Massage Therapy,
which helps relieve athletes of pain, stress and actually heal from injuries, is one of the most profitable
forms of massage services.
Want to know the secrets to finding and keeping good clients without spending a lot of money? Professional
Massage Therapist, Amy Roberts, shows you step-by-step how to build a successful massage business, where you'll
have customers coming back again and again.
Note: This complete program is being featured on the AMTA's MT Journal and has been read worldwide by
thousands Massage Therapists. If you are a Massage Therapist (especially if you've just gotten started or have
been doing massage a short while and really want to fire up your practice), this is the perfect solution for
you.
Save $100's starting your business: Launch a Massage
Business + Free Intro Massage Biz eBook
Find out from Sharon Alfonso, a Registered Massage
Therapist and Massage Business Owner, what it takes to succeed in this field. She shares her own business
experiences plus lots of tips from other successful massage therapists so you can succeed.
With her marketing advice, you'll also be able to avoid the common problem of not being able to find
clients. We think this is a great start-up guide, see what you get:
- Step-by-Step: Renting work space vs massage therapy at home, plus massage therapy equipment and
supplies you will need
- Marketing: how to find customers for your massage business, get free media publicity, referrals
and attract new massage clients at health/wellness events
- Tips for setting fees & accepting payments by insurance
- Free Samples Included: contracts, news release, business plan, letters, marketing materials and
more
- Get it Risk-Free >> Start a Massage Business
Massage Advertising: You Don't Have to be a Salesperson
An easy way to
meet potential clients and get referrals for free without having to give a sales pitch is to get involved
in your community. Join professional groups and industry organizations to network with others.
Participate and plan events involving people in your local neighborhood.
The more active you are, the more word will get around about who you are and what you do. You'd be surprised
that how the friendships you make can turn into business opportunities - simply because people like you.
10 Steps to a Great Career in Massage Therapy
The world can be a stressful place. Most of us feel like we're living at the speed of light, running here,
there, and everywhere. And to top it off, because of life's pace, a lot of us have chronic pain. Tight
shoulders, aching necks, tired lower backs. And we seem to get sick more than we used to.
As a Massage Therapist, you can help others overcome chronic pain, recover from injuries and illness, reduce
stress, and just plain help them feel better.
Now is an exciting time in the field of
massage therapy, which is expanding like never before. The public's use of massage as a healthcare
modality has tripled in the last decade, which in turn has caused a tremendous increase in the demand for
therapists.
Massage therapists can be seen working almost everywhere, and spas, health clubs, cruise ships, physician's
offices - even the local mall - are just a sampling of the places where a therapist can work.
Here are 10 steps you can take toward your dream career as a massage therapist, based on the FabJob Guide
Become a Massage
Therapist.
1. Is a Career in Massage Therapy for You?
Before deciding on a career as a massage therapist, you should first ask yourself the following
questions:
- Do I like working with people?
- Do I enjoy caring for and helping others?
- Can I work quietly, without much conversation, for much of the day?
- Can I empathize with someone, without taking on their 'stuff'?
- Can I work independently, without much supervision?
- Do I have strong communication skills?
If your answer was yes to the above questions, a career in massage therapy may well be for you.
2. Discover the World of Massage Therapy
As a massage therapist, you will be trained in the fundamentals. Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, and
Trigger Point Therapy are usually taught by most massage therapy programs. However, there are many other forms
of bodywork out there, ranging from Myofascial Release to Reiki (a form of energy work.)
Not only are there many different modalities of massage to choose from, there are many areas of
specialization as well, including Pregnancy Massage, Medical Massage, and even Animal Massage.
Do some investigating to find out what types of massage might appeal to you as a practitioner. Contact local
therapists or schools and ask questions about the different types of massage, or do a search online using the
terms 'massage therapy', 'bodywork', or "therapeutic massage" to find out more.
3. Know the Requirements for Practice in Your Area
Before choosing a training program, one of the first things you should investigate are the requirements for
becoming a massage therapist in the area you wish to practice in.
Each state and/or city or town has different requirements for massage therapists. If you are unsure where to
gain information about practice requirements, contact the school/training program you are considering, or
contact a local massage therapist. Either should be able to point you in the right direction.
4. Training for Your Career as a Massage Therapist
There are many different types of schools and training programs available to someone who wants to become a
massage therapist. To find a program that suits your needs, check your local yellow pages under 'Schools' or
'Massage Therapy'. You could also do a search online using the phrase 'massage therapy schools' or 'massage
therapy training', or contact some local massage therapists to find out what schools/programs they
attended.
Once you have found some training programs and/or schools, make sure to check out several. Each school or
training program will more than likely have a different curriculum and philosophy, and you will want to choose
one that will match your needs and personality. Especially important is that the school or training program
meet the educational requirements for practicing in your area.
5. Volunteer Your Services
Once you have begun your training to become a massage therapist a great way to get more 'hands on'
experience is to volunteer your services to others. You can volunteer to work on friends and family, or offer
your services to community organizations in your area. This is also a great way to start building a clientele
even before your training is finished.
6. Finding a Job
Once you've finished your training, it's time to start working as a massage therapist! If you've decided
owning your own business is not for you, you need to find a job. One way to find employment as a massage
therapist is to check with the school or training program you attended.
More than likely, they will have a list of employers who need to hire massage therapists. Otherwise, you can
check your local paper, check online employment sites, or even create your own job. Numerous types of employers
need massage therapists including medical clinics, health clubs, spas, and corporations.
7. Start Your Own Business
If you've dreamt of being your own boss, a career in massage therapy can be the perfect way to go. However,
keep in mind that being your own boss means just that you decide on everything from how many hours you work,
how many clients you see, and how to set up your office.
But you also have to make decisions on whether to incorporate your business or not, whether to do your own
taxes or hire an accountant, and what fees to charge. The Small Business Administration has many resources for
new business owners, and the best part is, they're all free!
8. Get and Keep Clients
If you have already been volunteering your services, chances are you already have some clients. Once you
have a few clients, you should be generating some word-of-mouth advertising, which means your clients will be
telling others about you.
If you are still in need of more clients, you could establish an alliance with other healthcare
professionals in your area. This would entail contacting someone (say, a chiropractor or physician) by mail and
enquiring whether they would be interested in establishing an alliance where you would refer clients to one
another.
To keep the clients you already have, make sure your practice is client-centered. Your clients are doing you
a favor by utilizing your services. Make sure you return that favor by giving the best service you possibly
can!
9. Take Care of Yourself
Massage therapy, by it's very nature, is a caring profession. But in the process of taking care of others,
we can often neglect to take care of ourselves. Recognizing the signs of self-neglect can go a long way to
prolonging your career as a massage therapist. If you feel like you just can't listen to one more client's
problems, and you'd rather be on the massage table yourself, you may be on your way to burn-out.
Try these steps to regain some balance in your life:
- Eat balanced, nutritious meals - at least three per day.
- Get enough rest. Studies have shown we all need a half hours sleep for each waking hour of our
day.
- Get exercise. Even though massage is a physical profession, you still need to get in about 30 minutes
of physical activity each day.
- To stay flexible, limber and mentally centered try Tai Chi or Yoga.
10. Grow as a Professional
As a massage therapist, your success will also center on your growth as a healthcare practitioner. Taking
classes in new techniques, reading books about different types of bodywork, and getting massage from other
practitioners can all aid you in your professional, as well as personal, growth.
Massage Therapy is a rewarding and challenging field. Not only do you help others, massage therapy is a
career that will enhance your own life over and over. Now that's a Fab Job!
About the Author: Based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Massage Therapist
by Sharon A. Alfonso, LMT.The complete guide gives detailed advice on how you can get hired as a massage
therapist or start your own massage business. Visit How to Start Your Own Massage
Business for information.
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