The Unstoppable Massage Therapist
More than anything what a massage therapist needs to be successful as a massage therapist is being passionate about what you do…
Does doing massage leave you feeling more alive? or feeling drained?
Does doing massage add more to your life? or does it seem like a chore?
Do you love doing massage enough that you are willing to do whatever it takes to build a successful massage practice? Are you willing to market your practice and work to educate the public about what you do?
I get emails from people saying they have tried everything to build their massage practice - sent flyers, put an ad in the newspaper and did what they thought was everything to get new clients. The thing is that most advertising does not work as people react to sales pitches. What is needed is building trust with a potential client. In order for a potential client to trust you or have anyone trust you, you must trust yourself first.
Just sending one flyer to one group of people is not trying. Sending 20 mailings and changing the mailing each time and sending it until you get the combination that works is trying. And even if that fails - do you have the passion and motivation to keep going? Are you willing to take a part time job in a spa or at massage envy while you follow your dream?
When you are passionate about what you do, it becomes contagious. People will flock to you to find out what it is that you know or have that someone else doesn’t have.
If you are going to massage school because it is ‘easier’ than going through another program that you would really be going through - think again. If you are using massage as a stepping stone to other things it usually will be ok, but your practice may not flourish if you are just doing it half heartedly until your other ship comes in.
Your passion is also what will sustain you through all the trials and tribulations - the steep learning curves of engaging in a new career. Being passionate requires a deep conviction in yourself and what you do. It requires a deep faith in yourself and your abilities. It requires knowing that you deserve everything that you desire.
Do you thing that everything comes easy to people like Steve Jobs or others? This commencement speech that Steve Jobs gave back in 2005 shows that he struggled just like everyone else. The difference is that he kept trying until everything clicked into place.
The book “Unstoppable” also has many stories of triumph over difficulties that were brought about mainly through passion and perseverance.
When you work at something that you feel passionate about - the work will feel more like play. You will be excited to market yourself and learn to get the word out to others. And as I said before - it/you will be contagious and usually have little marketing to do. People will come to you because they can sense the passion for what you do in every word you say or don’t say.
The unstoppable massage therapist sticks with it for years if necessary to bring their dreams to reality. They work on themselves to uncover the beliefs that are causing them to struggle to make ends meet. They have passion for what they do and they love who they are. They have an unshakable sense of themselves and don’t give up easily. They do whatever it takes to fulfill their dream. They plan for their business and their personal lives. They respect themselves enough to charge what they need to make. They value themselves enough that others value them to. Doing massage gives a feeling of aliveness and vitality.
The unstoppable massage therapist…
Share your story of being unstoppable here or on my other site www.massagetherapycareers.com in the stories section.
August 6th, 2007 at 7:21 am
The best marketing is via networking - meeting people and introducing yourself. Very few people go to massage therapists through direct mail or an ad alone. Personal referrals build a practice.