What does a successful massage therapist need? Well, the usual things come to mind: A massage table or massage chair, oil or lotion of some sort. But that’s not what I have in mind exactly.
What I was thinking that every therapist needs is clients. No clients = no business.
Getting clients can be challenging, especially if you aren’t an outgoing, talkative person. But it can still be done in a way that is comfortable for you.
I got most of my clients when I first started by providing volunteer massage at fund-raising events like cancer walks and by doing free mini-chair massages (5 minutes) at monthly business events.
How often did I do these business events? I think I missed only two or three in seven years.
There was a meeting every month, always in different locations, and the ‘regulars’ would bring new guests to me saying, “You have GOT to try this!” Those two free hours of massage once a month brought me a huge following over a reasonable time.
There are people in the massage and bodywork profession who believe you should never give your services for free.
I believe, however, that there are times when giving free massage is a good, kind thing to do and can also be a very profitable marketing strategy for getting new massage clients.
You CAN be a successful massage therapist!