Comments on: Dipping in Your Oar: Notes on marketing massage at local events http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/2009/05/dipping-in-your-oar/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dipping-in-your-oar Massage Marketing Insights for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:13:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Eileen http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/2009/05/dipping-in-your-oar/comment-page-1/#comment-16082 Eileen Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:46:56 +0000 http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/?p=83#comment-16082 COOL, Healingartsmaq! Way to get the energy going! So I'm taking it this works for you and the clients you want to attract. What are you hoping to get out of these events? Showing your support? Attracting athletic-type clients? Both? What kind of results do you find you get — both for the event day and for people using the coupons on the business cards? Is this something you do often and is it worth it or is it just a fun day out? I like how you phrase your invitation/call to action. Thank you for sharing that. Tell me more! Eileen COOL, Healingartsmaq! Way to get the energy going! So I’m taking it this works for you and the clients you want to attract.

What are you hoping to get out of these events? Showing your support? Attracting athletic-type clients? Both? What kind of results do you find you get — both for the event day and for people using the coupons on the business cards? Is this something you do often and is it worth it or is it just a fun day out?

I like how you phrase your invitation/call to action. Thank you for sharing that.

Tell me more!

Eileen

]]> By: Eileen http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/2009/05/dipping-in-your-oar/comment-page-1/#comment-16081 Eileen Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:38:18 +0000 http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/?p=83#comment-16081 Wow, Brenda — That sounds disheartening. To *me* it looks like you checked off all the basic to-do's and then some. Because I was not there to "experience the atmosphere" I am hesitant to tell you what you could have done to get more paying clients. So keeping in mind that I AM NOT YOU and WAS NOT THERE, here are my thoughts: 1) I strongly recommend that if you want to continue going to events like this, you post your questions on either http://www.massageprofessionals.com/ or http://bodyworkonline.com/forum/. I'm not fobbing you off. I feel that actual massage practitioners sharing their experiences are going to be more helpful in the specifics department. 2) If you are going to do more events like this, think about exactly what you want to get out of them. Experience? Connections? Clients? Working vacation? Tax write-off? These are all different goals. Pick one (ONE) and work towards it. 3) I am *very* impressed you greeted people. This is hard for many people to do. Good for you for getting out there and making yourself visible. I'm curious whether you simply reminded them of the coupon in the goodie bag or whether you gave a variation on "I'm here to help you [loosen up your shoulders to improve your swing]. My space is over [by the Top Flite booth] and there's a coupon in your bag." 4) If you do this again, consider ways you can capture people's contact information: a drawing, a newsletter, etc. Then be sure you contact them with USEFUL information. Because your work is useful. 5) Is there any way you can further your connection with the COC? I mean, I'm sure they would LOVE it if you offered sessions for free to tall their members and all, but I'm thinking about individuals within the organization. You've met several of them face-to-face. Do you feel comfortable contacting them — mailing to them, speaking at a meeting? Stuff like that? Just thoughts. I am sorry you had a slow day at the tournament. Really, do think about posting your questions on one or both of the forums. I've been impressed with some of the conversations I've seen on them lately. Feel free to email me at marketingmatters@comcast.net. Eileen Wow, Brenda — That sounds disheartening. To *me* it looks like you checked off all the basic to-do’s and then some.

Because I was not there to “experience the atmosphere” I am hesitant to tell you what you could have done to get more paying clients. So keeping in mind that I AM NOT YOU and WAS NOT THERE, here are my thoughts:

1) I strongly recommend that if you want to continue going to events like this, you post your questions on either http://www.massageprofessionals.com/ or http://bodyworkonline.com/forum/. I’m not fobbing you off. I feel that actual massage practitioners sharing their experiences are going to be more helpful in the specifics department.

2) If you are going to do more events like this, think about exactly what you want to get out of them. Experience? Connections? Clients? Working vacation? Tax write-off? These are all different goals. Pick one (ONE) and work towards it.

3) I am *very* impressed you greeted people. This is hard for many people to do. Good for you for getting out there and making yourself visible.
I’m curious whether you simply reminded them of the coupon in the goodie bag or whether you gave a variation on “I’m here to help you [loosen up your shoulders to improve your swing]. My space is over [by the Top Flite booth] and there’s a coupon in your bag.”

4) If you do this again, consider ways you can capture people’s contact information: a drawing, a newsletter, etc. Then be sure you contact them with USEFUL information. Because your work is useful.

5) Is there any way you can further your connection with the COC? I mean, I’m sure they would LOVE it if you offered sessions for free to tall their members and all, but I’m thinking about individuals within the organization. You’ve met several of them face-to-face. Do you feel comfortable contacting them — mailing to them, speaking at a meeting? Stuff like that?

Just thoughts. I am sorry you had a slow day at the tournament. Really, do think about posting your questions on one or both of the forums. I’ve been impressed with some of the conversations I’ve seen on them lately.

Feel free to email me at marketingmatters@comcast.net.

Eileen

]]> By: BrendaW http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/2009/05/dipping-in-your-oar/comment-page-1/#comment-16057 BrendaW Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:57:43 +0000 http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/?p=83#comment-16057 I had the opportunity through my local Chamber of Commerce to participate in a golf tournament. I put 20%off coupons (chair massage) into the goodie bags, had signage up in several places, stood in the line handing out goodie bags and lunches( telling each participant personally, with a smile, to look for the coupon in their bag). My chair was set up in a prominent place. I had informational brochures as well as my cards and brochures displayed within easy reach. The space was made inviting with soft music and flowers.I made myself useful(and visible) by helping with the auction table, in the kitchen, and out on deck. I gave free demos to the site manager and the assistant golf pro. I was there on site from 10am to 7pm. I met a lot of influential people and passed out some cards and brochures; but had TWO paying customers. What more could I have done?! Thanks, Brenda J. Windom, LMP I had the opportunity through my local Chamber of Commerce to participate in a golf tournament. I put 20%off coupons (chair massage) into the goodie bags, had signage up in several places, stood in the line handing out goodie bags and lunches( telling each participant personally, with a smile, to look for the coupon in their bag). My chair was set up in a prominent place. I had informational brochures as well as my cards and brochures displayed within easy reach. The space was made inviting with soft music and flowers.I made myself useful(and visible) by helping with the auction table, in the kitchen, and out on deck. I gave free demos to the site manager and the assistant golf pro. I was there on site from 10am to 7pm. I met a lot of influential people and passed out some cards and brochures; but had TWO paying customers. What more could I have done?! Thanks, Brenda J. Windom, LMP

]]> By: healingartsmaq http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/2009/05/dipping-in-your-oar/comment-page-1/#comment-16056 healingartsmaq Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:36:16 +0000 http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/?p=83#comment-16056 This happened to 2 of us from a massage therapy clinic I formerly worked at: We were at a first-annual fundraising event, not accepting any payment, not even donations to award back to the fundraiser (park ranger rules--must abide), sowe were simply there to provide pre- and post-race table and chair massages. From an event that had about 200 runners + their supporters + vendors + volunteers, we maybe worked on about 10 people, total. We had a plain white tent (which stood out well in our location), and since there were 2 of us not being busy, I decided to take our business cards (which were specially printed to include a discount they could use at a future date at our then-office) and did a very brief-and-to-the-point speech: I got their attention by walking toward them while making eye contact and smiling saying "Hi!" and reaching my hand out to shake theirs. Unless they have something very against you people don't usually refuse a handshake and it's a great way to say, "Yes, I'm talking to YOU!" Obviously they're going to want to know why you made that advance, so now the door of opportunity was open for me to say my name, that I'm a licensed massage therapist and that we were providing FREE massages for all persons present at the race--not just racers--at the 'white tent over there' as a thanks for helping making 'today' possible/putting forth effort to help today's event's cause. Then I handed each person both of our business cards with the discount side face-up and mentioned that these cards can be used at a future date at our office, and they could share them with anyone if they wished. I said, "Thanks," and "I'll look for you at our station!" In this case I avoid using "Hope to see you..." because it is processed by potential clients as "I'm desparate for business and awkward about approaching people, and I might be nervous about the work that I do." Nobody wants to be at the mercy of a nervous person doing something for their health. There are ways to be bold and forward without being pushy. "I'll look for you at our station" doesn't say, "I'm keeping my eye on you," but rather "I view you as important and I will remember your face/our conversation, making it not awkward when I see you again". I have continued to do that on my own, if the case ever was. I never charge unless I am requested to be there. I only accept free-will donations (and I always make more that way than charging because people then don't have to get out money and count--they just give a small wad of money, which can be anywhere from their spare pocket coins to $20), and if it's a fundraiser, 100% of donations given for massage go back to the cause---people love that, because they feel and know they are helping and getting immediate thanks for their support. This happened to 2 of us from a massage therapy clinic I formerly worked at: We were at a first-annual fundraising event, not accepting any payment, not even donations to award back to the fundraiser (park ranger rules–must abide), sowe were simply there to provide pre- and post-race table and chair massages. From an event that had about 200 runners + their supporters + vendors + volunteers, we maybe worked on about 10 people, total. We had a plain white tent (which stood out well in our location), and since there were 2 of us not being busy, I decided to take our business cards (which were specially printed to include a discount they could use at a future date at our then-office) and did a very brief-and-to-the-point speech: I got their attention by walking toward them while making eye contact and smiling saying “Hi!” and reaching my hand out to shake theirs. Unless they have something very against you people don’t usually refuse a handshake and it’s a great way to say, “Yes, I’m talking to YOU!” Obviously they’re going to want to know why you made that advance, so now the door of opportunity was open for me to say my name, that I’m a licensed massage therapist and that we were providing FREE massages for all persons present at the race–not just racers–at the ‘white tent over there’ as a thanks for helping making ‘today’ possible/putting forth effort to help today’s event’s cause. Then I handed each person both of our business cards with the discount side face-up and mentioned that these cards can be used at a future date at our office, and they could share them with anyone if they wished. I said, “Thanks,” and “I’ll look for you at our station!” In this case I avoid using “Hope to see you…” because it is processed by potential clients as “I’m desparate for business and awkward about approaching people, and I might be nervous about the work that I do.” Nobody wants to be at the mercy of a nervous person doing something for their health. There are ways to be bold and forward without being pushy. “I’ll look for you at our station” doesn’t say, “I’m keeping my eye on you,” but rather “I view you as important and I will remember your face/our conversation, making it not awkward when I see you again”.

I have continued to do that on my own, if the case ever was. I never charge unless I am requested to be there. I only accept free-will donations (and I always make more that way than charging because people then don’t have to get out money and count–they just give a small wad of money, which can be anywhere from their spare pocket coins to $20), and if it’s a fundraiser, 100% of donations given for massage go back to the cause—people love that, because they feel and know they are helping and getting immediate thanks for their support.

]]> By: Marketing Matters | Massage Magazine | Massage Blog http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/2009/05/dipping-in-your-oar/comment-page-1/#comment-10264 Marketing Matters | Massage Magazine | Massage Blog Tue, 19 May 2009 20:37:43 +0000 http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/?p=83#comment-10264 [...] article: Dipping in Your Oar: Notes on marketing massage at local events[...] [...] article: Dipping in Your Oar: Notes on marketing massage at local events[...]

]]> By: jeniene http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/2009/05/dipping-in-your-oar/comment-page-1/#comment-10079 jeniene Wed, 13 May 2009 14:45:15 +0000 http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/?p=83#comment-10079 Hi, my name is Jeniene. I am a CMT in Michigan going on 8 years now and the biggest lesson I have learned in regards to marketing in this field is you have to give a lot to get a little. Were the girls charging for their services that day? I would rather do 30 free chair massages and gain 5 regulars as opposed to charging a fee and only doing 3 people and gaining no regulars. I worked in a salon my first year and offered BUY ONE HOUR MASSAGE- RECEIVE YOUR NEXT HOUR FREE for the entire year! It was challenging financially but it paid off in the end because I gained some solid cash regulars who are still with me to this day at the chiropractic establishment where I now practice. Whenever I do a chair massage marketing event I have learned that you need to attract people to your area any way you can because once we get our hands on people is really when the magic starts. It is our gift. If you are sincere in what you do, people will feel it. I always take a FREE DRAWING with me. People like FREE stuff. I bring a white board and easel and advertise for a FREE ONE HOUR or HALF HOUR MASSAGE GIFT CERTIFICATE. Make sure they put their name and number on a raffle ticket and tell them they need not be present to win. Little paks of biofreeze are attracting to people as well. Also in addition to passing out benefits of massage, give them a coupon for $5 off their first full body session in your place of practice. I hope these ideas work as well for you as they have for me. Good luck and God Bless you all, Jeniene Hi,
my name is Jeniene. I am a CMT in Michigan going on 8 years now and the biggest lesson I have learned in regards to marketing in this field is you have to give a lot to get a little. Were the girls charging for their services that day? I would rather do 30 free chair massages and gain 5 regulars as opposed to charging a fee and only doing 3 people and gaining no regulars. I worked in a salon my first year and offered BUY ONE HOUR MASSAGE- RECEIVE YOUR NEXT HOUR FREE for the entire year! It was challenging financially but it paid off in the end because I gained some solid cash regulars who are still with me to this day at the chiropractic establishment where I now practice.
Whenever I do a chair massage marketing event I have learned that you need to attract people to your area any way you can because once we get our hands on people is really when the magic starts. It is our gift. If you are sincere in what you do, people will feel it.
I always take a FREE DRAWING with me. People like FREE stuff. I bring a white board and easel and advertise for a FREE ONE HOUR or HALF HOUR MASSAGE GIFT CERTIFICATE. Make sure they put their name and number on a raffle ticket and tell them they need not be present to win. Little paks of biofreeze are attracting to people as well. Also in addition to passing out benefits of massage, give them a coupon for $5 off their first full body session in your place of practice.
I hope these ideas work as well for you as they have for me. Good luck and God Bless you all, Jeniene

]]> By: Massage Marketing http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/2009/05/dipping-in-your-oar/comment-page-1/#comment-9732 Massage Marketing Sun, 03 May 2009 07:05:14 +0000 http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/?p=83#comment-9732 Hi Eileen, I hope they learned from that opportunity. Did you get a chance to talk to them about the marketing possibilities? This case study is a great insight for other massage therapists though! Take care Hi Eileen,
I hope they learned from that opportunity. Did you get a chance to talk to them about the marketing possibilities? This case study is a great insight for other massage therapists though!
Take care

]]> By: Eileen http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/2009/05/dipping-in-your-oar/comment-page-1/#comment-9710 Eileen Sat, 02 May 2009 15:04:24 +0000 http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/?p=83#comment-9710 Beth — Do you have any "hand care" handouts you can hand out? Or shoulder/flexibility/muscle strain/etc.? Just a thought. Massage Marketing — Sort of a waste BUT they did take the opportunity to figure out what they could do at their next event. So that was good. And I got the chance to write about it so maybe other folks can think more fully about their upcoming events. Beth — Do you have any “hand care” handouts you can hand out? Or shoulder/flexibility/muscle strain/etc.? Just a thought.

Massage Marketing — Sort of a waste BUT they did take the opportunity to figure out what they could do at their next event. So that was good. And I got the chance to write about it so maybe other folks can think more fully about their upcoming events.

]]> By: Massage Marketing http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/2009/05/dipping-in-your-oar/comment-page-1/#comment-9697 Massage Marketing Sat, 02 May 2009 07:04:59 +0000 http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/?p=83#comment-9697 Great case study! As you said giving out hand outs would have got them much more business. Such a waste of a great opportunity. Great case study! As you said giving out hand outs would have got them much more business. Such a waste of a great opportunity.

]]> By: Beth http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/2009/05/dipping-in-your-oar/comment-page-1/#comment-9689 Beth Sat, 02 May 2009 01:55:50 +0000 http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/blog/marketing-matters/?p=83#comment-9689 Actually, I can set up for no charge without a booth -- though I don't know if either option would allow me to charge. (It's my pet charity, though, so I'd likely have a tip jar with proceeds over gas money going right back to the Shelter.) Actually, I can set up for no charge without a booth — though I don’t know if either option would allow me to charge. (It’s my pet charity, though, so I’d likely have a tip jar with proceeds over gas money going right back to the Shelter.)

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