10 Tips to Promote an Onsite Massage Practice

April 29, 2012

Onsite or outcall massage is a type of massage where the massage therapist performs massage on location, such as a workplace, an athletic event, or a nursing home. Whether you are just beginning or already established, promotion of your services is a critical aspect of being a successful onsite massage therapist. You may have questions such as: How do you promote your services? Where should you advertise?  How do you know what types of massage to offer? Who do you contact about attending an event or party? Who do you contact about performing massage in a workplace?  

Onsite massage has endless possibilities. Sports massage practitioners can perform massages at athletic events or gyms. Chair massage practitioners can perform massages at businesses as part of a wellness program. Swedish massage practitioners can offer onsite massages at bridal showers, events, and parties. Massage practitioners can even perform massages in a nursing home on the elderly. In any case, promoting and maintaining an onsite massage practice can be a tricky task.  

Here are 10 tips for promoting yourself and getting your business name out there.

1. Create a vision and don’t give up. Just because you had a low turn out one time does not mean it will be that way next time.
2. Always keep gift certificates, business cards, brochures, and flyers on hand.
3. Determine your target market. Once you have determined that go through the yellow pages or search online, make a list of contacts/businesses, and contact them about what you would like to do.
4. Follow up after contacting potential clients. Mail promotional material, such as flyers or business cards to your contacts/target market. Then follow up with a phone call.
5. Practice client interactions. Prepare a script of the benefits of massage and how you can help the person or client you are talking to.
6. Place an ad in a local newspaper. Advertise in a relevant publication to maximize your exposure.
7. Create a website to promote your services.
8. Market your services using social networking websites such as YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Create accounts, make contacts, and post comments frequently on specials and events you are attending.
9. Get creative! Offer free massage clinics at local colleges, gyms or businesses and attend local health and wellness fairs.
10. Dress and present yourself in a professional manner at all times.   Building an onsite massage practice will take time. Remember you are not selling; you are educating the public to help make their lives easier and healthier!