| Before starting your own massage business, you | | | | must. Here are a couple of things you need to do: |
| already need to have massage therapy | | | | 1. Your business needs to have a website |
| experience, so I will not be covering that aspect. | | | | properly optimized for the keywords your |
| After all, you know you are ready to start your | | | | customers will search online for. 'Massage therapy |
| massage therapy business when your customers | | | | in Houston' would be a good keyword to rank high |
| are coming back for more, and when the money | | | | for if you are in Houston. |
| you earned from your side-gig as a masseur is no | | | | 2. Your website needs advertising and proper |
| longer considered 'pocket money'. Or maybe you | | | | SEO. Depending on your marketing knowledge, |
| have worked at a spa or for somebody else and | | | | you can either do it all by yourself, or hire a good |
| now you are ready to take the plunge and go on | | | | marketing advisor or expert who will do all this for |
| your own. You can do this, and here are some | | | | you. |
| tips to get you started. | | | | 3. This will free your time on doing other |
| When you start a new business, any kind of | | | | important things like getting a good set of |
| business, the first step is making a business plan. | | | | business cards. Having business cards that you |
| What type of massage will you be offering to | | | | can hand out to friends and people you meet in |
| your clients? Most therapists learn 2-3 different | | | | various places, is a must. For example earlier on, |
| styles and specialize in them, with focus on one | | | | when I was learning reiki therapy and getting |
| particular style. It is good to either have a | | | | myself attuned to it, I met a girl who was a |
| certification from a massage school, not only to | | | | craniosacral therapy practitioner. We started |
| hang if from your wall, but to increase your | | | | talking, she gave me her card, and I have been |
| credibility with your clients and really know that | | | | one of her customers ever since. |
| you can do it. | | | | 4. Furnish your business. A massage therapy is a |
| The next step is actually becoming a business. | | | | must, but you also need to take into account |
| You need to register a company name and the | | | | other features your massage space needs to |
| business type. Usually your local Chamber of | | | | have: proper lighting, a reception area, a small |
| Commerce will be able to help you with this step. | | | | office to take care of the logistics, etc. |
| You also need to have a location for your | | | | 5. When you have all these done, it is time to |
| business. Will it be a home based business, in one | | | | open your business. Business cards and |
| of your rooms dedicated to massage therapy, or | | | | advertisements in the local newspapers, |
| rented space somewhere else? | | | | magazines and even radio will help greatly with |
| Once you have gotten over the first steps of | | | | this step. Also offer a free massage to the first x |
| planning everything out and getting yourself a | | | | people coming to you, or give them a discount |
| business space, now it's the time to set it up | | | | voucher for their next massage. The possibilities |
| properly. First, you need a good massage table. | | | | here are endless as long as you attract |
| Do not rush this decision as it is important and a | | | | customers and make them return. |
| very good investment in the long run. Will you be | | | | Having a massage therapy business is more than |
| traveling to your customers to give them | | | | just having massage skills. If you want to start a |
| massage (which means you will need a good | | | | business, you need to treat it as such. You have |
| portable massage table) or will you base your | | | | to be aware that there is lots of competition out |
| therapy business solely in your own practice? | | | | there and you need to do everything you can to |
| Massage tables are by no means cheap, but they | | | | get your customers and make them come back |
| last for many years to come, and giving your | | | | to you over and over again. So it is important to |
| clients the most comfort they can get is crucial in | | | | have the proper equipment in place, such as a |
| making them return customers. | | | | very good and reliable massage table, have your |
| Next step is advertising your business. This is a | | | | massage space, have a website and have the |
| step not to be overlooked, because while word of | | | | marketing advertising in place. It is tough but it |
| mouth goes a long way, it is not enough to make | | | | can be done. All you need is have a proper plan |
| it a sustainable business. A business needs many | | | | that you will follow to the letter, step by step. |
| returning customers and advertising locally is a | | | | |