Becoming a great massage therapist will require more than just taking up massage therapy courses and learning the proper techniques. There is more to it than just that. If you want to become a better massage therapist who delivers superb service from start to finish and get return clients, coming up are our seven suggestions.
1. Know Your Numbers
All practitioners can’t get to the next level of their career path without knowing as well as managing their key performance indicators. And this does not just involve the financial basics but also your average service and retail sales, most popular services, the frequency of visits, and your client retention rate.
These numbers are what you’ll use to scale the success of your practice. Moreover, they will help you identify the different opportunities for growth and improvement.
You can begin by having a clear view of where you are now and determine the areas that need improvement. Also, compare where you today with the past couple of years. By closely monitoring your progress, you can work on consistently growing your practice.
2. Plan Ahead
Growing your knowledge and skills will only happen with planning. After knowing your numbers, you can begin to map out your plan for the next six to twelve months. Visualize where you want your career to be by writing things down and creating a plan of action. It is also crucial for you to give yourself a deadline for completing the things you set out to accomplish.
Remember that without a plan, getting more new clients, retail success and professional growth will only be part of your wish list. To reach your goals and develop your skills, be on the lookout for courses, coaches and additional resources.
3. Create a Welcoming Entrance
To become a sought-after massage therapist, you must ensure that your clients are happy the minute they walk into your door. For most people, a massage is their way to escape from the worries they have at work or at home. So it is important for you to create a welcoming ambiance the moment they step into your door. They should be able to relax as well in the waiting area. Make sure that your full marketing collateral exudes the same welcoming and warm feeling.
4. Prioritize Good Communication
Though your technique is important, communication is even more vital when it comes to dealing with clients. So before each massage session, talk to the client to know their goals for the massage and to establish their expectations.
Moreover, communicate with your clients during the massage by asking how a particular pressure feels, how the room temperature feels, and if the music is too soft or too loud. Inform them as well that they can tell you if they want something different any time. However, you should not talk too much as well to avoid interrupting their focus.
After the massage, immediately get their feedback. Determine if you have met their goals. It is also important for you to share several home-care tips so they can feel better and more relaxed in between visits. Getting their feedback can motivate them to return to you since they know that you really care about delivering the best massage possible.
5. Build a Community
Team up with other professionals to expand your knowledge as well as opportunities. Successful massage therapists and other professionals claim that surrounding yourself with great people who counterbalance your weaknesses is among the keys to becoming a better massage therapist.
6. Keep Learning
The massage therapy field is continuously developing. Thus, you should keep an eye out for different continuing education and professional development opportunities like BTEC training courses. This way, you can stay in tune with the latest findings, practices and trends.
7. Have a Suggestion Box
One of the best ways to get input from clients is to have a suggestion box in the waiting area. If you have encountered dissatisfied or angry customers, do not take this personally. Rather, use these criticisms constructively to improve your practice.
Use the above-mentioned tips to fine-tune your massage therapy knowledge and skills. And be sure to remember that even the little details can make a huge difference in your practice!
AUTHOR BIO
Marc Innes is the Owner and Principal of the School of Natural Therapies, a training school for Massage & Holistic Therapies located in London. Marc began his career in the NHS, working in a number of managerial and training roles within the Ambulance Service in London. He spent much of that time educating and coaching medical staff. Over time, he developed an interest in all things complementary to Allopathic Medicine, in particular, Reiki Healing and EFT, which culminated in running a successful teaching and ‘energy healing’ practice. Marc is passionate about the massage and complementary therapy industry.
