When planning to start this business, you need to first choose the types of massage therapy you will offer to your patrons. At that point, you may consider taking on a partner or contracting other massage therapists to help fill the role of providing various massage services. Also have it in mind that in this industry, a massage therapist can decide to open a retail location and cater to walk-in and referral clients or have a contract with a health care provider or another massage therapy business.
Experts strongly advice that you start with the latter to build a customer base and then open a retail space. Then after you must have chosen a location, you can then choose a business name or do business names search with the county or state agency in charge of registering business names.
Industry Overview
It is very necessary to state that businesses in the massage therapy business majorly provide therapeutic and nontherapeutic massages. You need to understand that therapeutic massages are made up of soft-tissue manipulation techniques while nontherapeutic massages are primarily for relaxation purposes.
We believe that even though a whole lot of massage therapists are sole practitioners, the dominance of non-employers in the industry is expected to continue over the five years to 2025. As the industry’s average wage is anticipated to remain relatively low over the five years to 2025, most therapists will find it necessary to maintain other sources of income to supplement their massage parlour.
From our research, we were able to note that the geographic distribution of businesses in the Massage Services industry is based majorly on the distribution of population and economic activity, showing the small scale and localized nature of most massage and spa salons.
List of Niche ideas in the Massage Therapy Business
Indeed there are a lot of fantasy and myth attached to business ownership, mainly spread by well-intentioned friends and co-workers. They involve terrible tales of woe, filled with toil and trouble, paperwork, long hours and diminishing returns. While some look through rose-coloured glasses, seeing only a dream of total fulfillment, financial reward and flexible hours, while inwardly dreaming up the speech they’ll give when they become rich.
For your information, starting and running a business is not a Mount Everest tour, but you simply have to take it seriously, offer fantastic service and above all – make sure you enjoy yourself. In the Massage Therapy Business, you need to first choose the services you will be offering your clients. This is industry is so huge and can be very confusing, but take your time to make a necessary decisions.
The types of massage therapy you can leverage on may include;
- Aromatherapy Massage
- Baby Massage
- Bamboo Massage
- Cellulite Massage
- Chair Massage
- Couple Massage
- Craniosacral Massage
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Elderly Massage
- Energy Work
- Esalen Massage
- Facial Massage with Stones
- Full Body Massage
- Hot Stone Massage
- Indian Head Massage
- Manual Lymph Drainage
- Massage Cupping
- Medical Massage
- Myofascial Massage
- Pregnancy Massage
- Raindrop Therapy
- Reflexology
- Relaxation Massage
- Sports Massage
- Swedish Massage
- Thai Body Massage
- Therapeutic Massage
- Tibetan Blissful Sleep Massage
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Watsu
- Zero Balancing
Economic analysis
In this business, you can offer treatment packages as a lot of Massage Company’s bill per session. We believe that those who accept insurance simply collect the insured’s co-payment and bill the rest directly to the insurance company.
But in the case where you choose not go the insurance route, offer your customers a little relief by accepting credit card payments for your services.
We also believe that a lot of good entrepreneurs offer more than just their services. They profit from offering goods such as Bio freeze, essential oils, books and CDs. If you choose this avenue, just remember that there is nothing worse than leaving a massage only to be bombarded with someone wanting more money.
It is very important to state that due to the intimate nature of the business, a lot of massage therapy business owners choose to keep their companies on a smaller, more local level. But if your plan is to expand to have multiple locations (and employees) across the city, there is nothing preventing you from finding large-scale success. This business is indeed one that needs the Talent or rather blessing of having a miraculous hand. Make sure to put everything in shape before you open your door for business.
Starting a Massage Therapy Business – The Marketing Plan
- Marketing strategies for a Massage therapy business
Even though word of mouth will be your greatest marketing tool, there are other things you can do. You need to start first by building relationships with the medical professionals in your community. A lot will refer clients to you and allow you to put your literature at their front desk. No matter what route you take for your massage business, social media is the most affordable way to share information that specifically targets your demographic. Here are few ways to start…
- Use the newspapers
- Networking
- The internet
- Business cards
- Leaflets
- Gift cards
- Referral programs
- Donations
Increasing Client Retention in your Massage Therapy Business
Apart from a marketing strategy, your best way to attract and retain clients is through your healing skills and affordable pricing. Have it in mind that once your customer walks out of the facility feeling refreshed, they will not only come back, they will tell everyone they know. Other ways to increase customer retention may include…
- Compare prices
- Stay current on industry trends
- Treat every customer as a guest
- Expand the services you offer in your facility
- Hire an aesthetician, nail technician or other service providers to make your business a one-stop beauty and pampering destination to draw in more customers
- Sell body-related products and other beauty products like cosmetics for home use
- Hold an open house or special holiday events at the salon to attract new customers
- Keep a database of your customers and follow them up
Strategies to Boost your Massage Therapy Brand Awareness and Creating a Corporate identity
Even though you are in the business to heal, you are also in it to make money. Here are a few ways you can build your business brand awareness and increase the profit of your new business.
- Offer multiple payment options-: Many consumers will find another place to go if your business doesn’t accept credit cards.
- Accept insurance-: This opens your business up to a whole new set of clients that would otherwise be unavailable to you.
- Work nights and weekends-: Make yourself available during the times your customers need you most.
- Accept gift certificates-: Studies indicate consumers spent $130 billion on gift cards in 2015, with almost $1 billion going unused.
- Offer spa packages-: If your vision is a more spa-like atmosphere, increase your earning potential by partnering with individuals to offer a bevy of spa services.
