Making a living out of massage?

[Coucoucounc]

Hi all

I was just wondering, how many of you make a living out of doing the massage, do you have other jobs to supplement your income or do you make enough money from the massage alone, only asking because I am just starting up. Another quick question how long did it take you to build up a decent client base?, any answers would be much appreciated.

 

[feefifofum]

Hi Kate, if you go to search and put your question in, you will find that we have discussed this a few times, but this is a subject very close to all of our hearts, so its good to keep this one going all the time.

I think it is extremely difficult to make a full-time wage immediately out of massage. I've been doing this for 10 years now, and luckily have never had to rely on my wage for paying the house bills, etc, as my husband has always made sure that we can survive on his wage alone.

What I would suggest is that you don't overspend on products and equipment expecting to be able to pay it off with your earnings. slowly build up your products by buying things gradually.

I work anything from 4 -24 hours a week. You can never guarantee how much work you will be doing as clients have a tendency of not turning up for appointments, so be very careful not to spend money until you have it in your hands. I have often looked at my diary and mentally totted up the weeks earnings and then been shattered when clients have cancelled or not turned up. Now I look at a day at a time. of course, on the other hand you may have 2 appointments booked in, and you get a last minute call so end up doing an extra 1 or 2 appointments, so big bonus.

If you have to rely on your wage to live, then don't give up your day job.

Most people reckon it takes 3 years to start establishing yourself. So, don't give up to quickly.

 

[OooZsu]

Hi ya Kate

I think the experience that daisy chain has mentioned is very typical of complementary health in general.

A lot of people go into this business with high hopes, and get disapppointed easily.

Most of us have a second job (for me it has been working in adult and further education) or has a partner working full time.

You can be working hard one week and have no clients the next. Or have a few clients one week and then they all cancel. What can you do about it? Not much. This is why therapists have to charge decent sums of money. To handle the bad times and the cancellations. You have to charge high rates being self-employed.

Another thing to think about massage (holistic/classical) is you need more skills like sports, remedial, aroma etc to offer a comprehensive service. The more effective you are, the more clients come back and recommend you to other potential clients (best type of advertising ever, but a bit slow).

Others may disagree, but I feel generally speaking advertising is the biggest waste of money ever. You might as well pour money down the drain. Keep advertising to a bare minimim. Buy the highest quality business cards you can afford.

Please don't let me put you off, at least you are asking the right questions!

Best Wishes

Reiki Pixie

 

[Hello Beautiful(:]

It was five years before I took the plunge and went 'full-time self-employed' and that was in 1982. There have been a few occasions where I have had to take up a casual labour job (clerical temping/bar work/cleaning etc) when therapy work was a bit sparse - also, we have moved around alot (miliary wife) so every new post meant establishing a new client base, so I worked part-time for a few months at those points. However, I've been a sole trader now since 1998, with no need for paid employment (although still have the occasional 'lean week'!). The job really is what you make it, and it takes a bit of elbow grease to get established - clients don't just walk in the door (unless you have a salon !). And, Reiki Pixie is right - advertising is a waste of money - word of mouth is the best method, plus, getting yourself known. I have done talks for local community groups - offered tasters to Mums&Toddlers - hung out with the local Womens Institute crowd! It has been fun! Now, 30 years later, I have regulars I have been seeing since the first time we lived in this area in 1978 (I sent them updates as we moved around!) - and I can bank on a minimum of 20 clients a week - sometimes more if I am working weekends. I have kept my charges 'affordable' as my clients have to see me regularly due to the therapy I offer. I will never be rich, but I am extremely happy with my life and career. Good luck with yours.

 

[bones50]

HI kate,
You will have to know you get results for clients and this can be done by increasing your skilss so clients get better fast . and they like your massage to want to pay for it .Poeple pay only for results or benefits of massage .

siew

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi there I like Daisychain am lucky enough in that we can survive off my husband's wage and so anything I bring in is a bonus. I have been qualified for a while but have only been 'seriously' trying to attract clients for the past 18 months since my youngest went to full time school. I have definitely seen my business grow in this time but it definitely wouldn't be enough to live off!!! Having said that I am having my best month ever with 40 treatments - this time last year I had 15 - and so it has definitley improved.

I work from home and therefore don't have the benefit of a shop front and I don't really advertise. I put lots of flyers into windows and do door drops from time to time which do seem to work. But the best method is word of mouth every time as well as taster sessions. I just think that it is hard work really to keep on promoting yourself but if you are prepared to do that then it does slowly start to happen.

Like Daisychain said I don't count on my money until I actually get it as people don't turn up or change their appointments. And I try to spend as little as possible!! except I have a fettish for books!!!

Having said that despite the hard work of keeping yourself going as it can be a lonely job I do really enjoy it and find it really rewarding. And I love the clients - it can all be really interesting. So yes go for it but I would say don't expect to be able to make a full time living out of it in the short term unless you are perhaps going to be based in a salon or holistic centre.

 

[cyelkuycigkiypety]

Hi all,
Like Kate, Im just starting up in massage. I qualified in June, have a wonderful log cabin down the garden and no clients. Ive put flyers through doors, an ad in the local shop and also in the local village news. Ive had 4 clients, 2 of which come round regulaly ( and all of them are friends or neighbours) I wondered if I havent put the right information on my flyers, I think Ive got the price right ( £20 for full body- introductory price £15 ) Thought about donating a gift voucher to the local playgroup Xmas raffle, but apart from that Im running out of ideas and getting really fed up.
Luckily we do not have to rely on the money to live as I have a job, but its so frustrating that I worked hard for a year to gain the qualification and nobody want my treatments. Can anyone give me some ideas to get things rolling. I need your help. Please...........caz

 

[nadia ? ...xx]

Caz

do check out the business forum, there are lots of business buidling posts in there, which are relevant to a massage practice.

tigress

 

[Kimberley G]

Thanks Tigress,
Ive had a quick look at the business forums, I think I could find some tips.
thanks

 

[cool person]

Advertising on the web is the way to go. I get 90% of my business that way. It's not that people don't "want" your massage - they simply don't know about it. Leafleting has a very low return rate. Around 1 or 2%. Good luck and be patient,hang in there - it takes time.

 

[feefifofum]

I agree with ‘reikipixie’ and ‘Jabba’ that word of mouth is the best form of advertising. As I’ve mentioned on earlier threads, I have serious reservations about using the internet for advertising. There are a lot of people who use the internet to look for a very different type of “massage” ! If you are contemplating starting a website for advertising, I’d recommend reading the thread Safety for therapists . I’d also recommend Kate to read the earlier thread Establishing your business , which covers much the same ground as this one.

Alan