4 Quick Tips to Rebook Clients

1. Offer a complimentary add-on such as hot stones, hot towels, aromatherapy, foot or
back scrub, etc.

2. Email with openings for the week sent out on Sunday or Monday. 
Be sure to include a link to your online scheduler to make it as easy as possible for clients to schedule.

3. Offer tiered rates. 
For example: Monthly rate $65, biweekly rate $55, and weekly rate $45.

4. Ask them at the end of their appointment when they would like to schedule their next one!
This seems too simple, but many times all it takes is asking. Remember that clients are relaxed after their massage and may not be thinking about their calendar - likely to float right out of your office without remembering to schedule their next appointment.

Add Your "Schedule Online" Button To Your Email Signature

Adding your schedule button to your email signature can make it even easier for clients corresponding with you to schedule online.

How to add your "schedule online" button to your signature in your emails (this example shown for gmail).

From your dashboard in Bodywork Buddy, hover over Account > click Micro Site Info.

Left-click your mouse and scroll over the button image. (located under "extra stuff" at the bottom of the Microsite Info page).

Hold the "control" and "C" keys on a pc, or the "command" and "C" keys on a mac to copy the button and link.

Go to your email > click on the settings gear in the upper right corner of gmail > click on Settings.

From within settings > General > scroll down to Signature. Click within the text box, and then right-click your mouse. Click "paste". (Or click "control" and "v" on pc, or "command" and "v" on a mac.)

Click on the schedule button, and your microsite URL will pop up. 

Teacher Appreciation and Nurses Week

This week has two great marketing opportunities for your massage business. Teacher Appreciation and Nurses week are both this week in May.

While it's Tuesday and this week has already gotten started, it's not too late to send out an email to your clients to remind them that you have gift certificates available for purchase. Massage is a great gift to honor our teachers and nurses!















Haven't gotten started with email marketing yet? Check out these past blog posts for some ideas:
http://blog.bodyworkbuddy.com/2013/12/3-easy-tips-for-starting-your-email.html
http://blog.bodyworkbuddy.com/2013/08/the-7-deadly-sins-of-email-etiquette.html

Relationships

"Sometimes, the reason some things get done is because there's a relationship there."

This is something a friend of mine recently said in a discussion we were having about some big changes coming to the company she works for. The company just announced they are moving hundreds of jobs from their current location to another city 80 miles away. She was speculating on how things will change in their day-to-day operations when those jobs are not only in a new city, but are filled with people her department has never met. Starting over with no background, new people, to try and pick up where they left off with coworkers with a history of working together, a team... because of that relationship.

Her comment made me realize that all businesses are really about relationships. While it might seem obvious to some that a massage business is about building relationships with our clients, it actually wasn't that obvious to me when I was first starting out. I can remember being so stuck in a scarcity mindset and struggling on how to get clients that day that I didn't think much past that appointment and creating a long-term relationship with that client. I remember feeling scared to ask clients to schedule their next appointment because I didn't want to seem "pushy".

Now when I look at my massage practice and that some of my clients have been with me since the beginning, it's amazing. 15 years working with these people's tissues. Marriages, divorces, births, deaths... relationships. We've gone through all of these things together in our working relationship of massage therapist and client.

Clearly, there's a big difference between a working relationship in a corporate setting and the relationship that goes on between massage therapists and their clients. "Things get done" might seem a bit off topic... but the important take away from that is "there's a relationship there". Reaching out to clients in between their appointments or if you haven't seen them in a while, asking after their session when they would like to schedule their next appointment, remembering important dates or life events by keeping organized records/notes of your sessions... these things can make a difference in building that trusted relationship with your clients.

Cindy Iwlew is cofounder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 15 years. www.BodyworkBuddy.com  

If Clients Could Speak. (oh wait, they can. and DO.)

One of my clients recently told me about an experience of going to another massage therapist, and why they chose to not return. Over the years, I've often had clients share feedback of why they didn't stick with previous MT's they had been to. I'm sure there are similar stories out there from clients who had been to me in the beginning of my massage career... before I realized some of the things I might be unconsciously doing that was hindering me building my business.

So I put together a quick list of the common reasons I hear from clients of why they moved on after previous massage experiences.

Room was too cold. 
Remember, while the temperature may feel fine for you (or even warm for you while you're working) your client is laying on the table with only a drape and is getting their bare skin exposed to the air. Add some refreshing massage creme and you have a perfect recipe for a cold massage! It's hard to relax when you're cold. While a blanket and heated table can help to keep them cozy while covered, each body part being exposed while being worked on can be very uncomfortable if the room isn't sufficiently warm.
The take away: set your temperature in your space with your client in mind, not yourself. Check in with the client on temperature. Ask "are you warm enough?" rather than "are you cold?".

MT talks too much.
I can't even begin to add up how many clients have told me over the years that what they love about our sessions is that I don't talk. (I do have clients with whom I do talk, the important part is that I leave it up to them).
The take away: let your client set the tone for how much talking will happen in their session. Don't speak unless your client speaks. If they ask you questions, keep your answers short to allow them to choose to go silent if they wish. Clients might not know that they have the permission to be quiet and just journey inward. (and they'll never know if you keep talking...)

Too much pressure / too little pressure.
Clients have told stories of getting practically beat up in a session, and the therapist didn't check in on pressure once.
The take away: check in on pressure at least once. (not constantly, we don't want to break the flow of the session). Also check for non-verbal cues of going too deep. Are they tensing up? Wincing? Give the client permission to give you feedback on the pressure. A large percentage of getting a good session is communication between therapist and client. We, as MT's, need to make sure our clients know that this is their session and we can and want to customize it to them. Sometimes it takes more than just a "let me know if you want more or less pressure" at the beginning of a session.

MT didn't feel present.

"It didn't feel like she wanted to be there".
The take away: your clients can feel when you're not loving what you do or where you work. Have a lot on your mind? Running through your grocery shopping list while effleuraging their quads? Getting angry as you think over that comment from your MIL while taking an elbow up their erectors? Yikes! Your clients can tell. As a client of mine recently said "you can't fake being present".  While I'm certainly guilty of not always being 100% present (life happens! It's understandable that sometimes your mind will wonder when you have a lot going on outside of the massage room). But for the most part, try to clear your head before you start your session so that you can really focus on your client. This is their hour. Be fully present for them and they will notice, and will likely become a regular.

Not given full time. 
If you advertise $1/minute and charge $60, you better give 60 minutes! it's ok to do shorter time if it's known that you only do 50 min hours, etc. Or "an hour is approximately 60 minutes on the table". However, if you advertise it as $1/minute, and only give 52 minutes while charging $60, clients WILL notice.
The take away: this is about managed expectations. Lots of spas offer 50 minute hours, and it's not typically a problem because they're upfront about it. Clients know what to expect.

Massage felt rushed. 
"The whole session felt rushed and they skipped over several areas".
The take away: this has nothing to do with amount of time on table. A friend and colleague of mine who works as a large spa that only allots 50 min hours has said that the time limit doesn't have to hinder the feeling of a slow and rhythmic massage to the client. Focus on slow, broad strokes and being present. It's still possible for clients to feel like they received an amazing massage in 50 minutes.

Cookie-cutter massage. 
It felt like MT was just doing a routine, rubbing lotion on my body with their hands, or MT didn't listen to what areas I asked for more or specific work on.
The take away: Check in with your client. Listen. Watch for non-verbal signs of what their body needs. Remember that while you do massage all day, your client only gets a massage maybe once a month (maybe less than that!). Make it a memorable one, not one that would just blend in to your full day of sessions - all of them looking exactly alike. It's likely that we all learned a lot of different tools in massage school, and only use a handful of them regularly. Change it up a bit. Add in some different things that you don't do every single session. Feel like you're in a rut and need some new tools? Check out some continuing education. I find this is the best way to beat boredom in massage and to rekindle that spark; reminding me why I love massage in the first place. My clients also frequently comment on the fact that I'm always evolving and learning new things.

What reasons have you heard from clients on why they haven't returned to previous MT's? Or what comments have they made of why they've chosen your business? Maybe this post and your comments can help a newer massage therapist just getting started, or even help a more seasoned massage therapist make their sessions even better.

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 15 years. www.BodyworkBuddy.com

6 Ways to Stop Ruining Your Massage

The truth is, relaxation begins prior to your session...

Have you ever rushed in to make an appointment, and then felt scattered and anxious through the first half of the session?  While this may not be a huge deal for say... an appointment with your accountant (who doesn't feel some anxiety about taxes?), it's really a shame for this to happen for your massage appointment.

It's easier to sink into a deep relaxation and get the most out of your massage session when you include some time in your schedule before the appointment to begin the relaxation process. (Before you even get on the table.)

Here's some tips to help you prepare for your session and ultimately, get the most out of your massage:

1. Include some buffer time in your schedule so you're not coming directly from traffic or a meeting.
   
2. Turn off your cell phone.
   
3. Don't eat just before your massage, but also don't show up starving.
   
4. Take several slow, deep breaths before you even walk in to your massage therapist's studio.
   
5. Use the restroom.
   
6. If your mind is still racing during the massage, focus on how the work feels on your muscles.

Learning to take some extra time and preparing can help deepen your experience, making the effects much more far reaching.

What other tips do you have for the best massage experience?

Tweetable: The truth is, relaxation begins prior to your session.

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 14 years.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com 

The 7 Deadly Sins of Email Etiquette

Email marketing is definitely something we should be doing as massage therapists to keep connected with our clients.  (Did you catch Hillary's guest post a few weeks ago? A great testament to the power of email and building a list!) While it's not as exciting as social media, it's more personal and speaks directly to our client - it has potential to be much more effective than social media.  (If measuring effectiveness in ACTUAL BOOKINGS and not just "followers" or "likes" in social media.)   I'm not saying that social media doesn't have it's place in marketing for your massage business, because I think it does.  I do, however, think a lot of therapists who are struggling to build their practice are putting too much emphasis on social media and not enough on other areas to reach their ideal clients.  (More on this topic and ways I do feel social media is valuable later.)

When I was building my practice, I used email as a tool to help fill my schedule.  I'm dating myself here, but this was before social media was an option.  So it was a no-brainer for me to put some energy into email marketing.  This was also before awesome services like Mailchimp (or at least as far as I knew at the time), so I was doing old school emailing.

There's some cardinal rules to emailing for marketing purposes.  I highly suggest a service to make your life easier.  For one, it includes the unsubscribe link which is required by law so you're not spamming people with unwanted emails.  I like Mailchimp because it's free for up to 2,000 email addresses or something crazy like that.  But there are other similar services I have used as well - they are all pretty user friendly and easy to create beautiful emails.  I'll be doing another post soon with more info and details of using services like Mailchimp - so watch for it if you're interested in learning more.

If you're using a service like this, some of these mistakes won't be an issue because it's automatically prevented within the service.  However, these are all good things to keep in mind when emailing clients:


The 7 Deadly Sins of Email Etiquette:

1. Not using BCC when emailing groups.
   BCC stands for Blind Carbon Copy.  It's just plain rude to email clients en mass and have their email address for everyone to see in the "To" field.  Or using CC (carbon copy) which also allows all receiving the email to see the addressees.
   Don't do this.  It's unprofessional.  Your clients will notice and will not appreciate it.
2. Not having permission to email.
   It's always a good idea to have your clients permission to email them, and let them know ahead of time how often they can expect an email from you.  A monthly newsletter?  A weekly email with last minute openings?  Create some lists for clients to be a part of so they can receive all or only part of your email blasts.  Let them know what to expect.
3. Overusing High Priority.
   This won't be an issue with a service like Mailchimp, but flagging an email as "high priority" when it isn't will only irritate your clients.  Especially if they are in the corporate world and using email for business.
4. WRITING IN ALL CAPS.
   For the love of all that is holy, please don't do this.  This is considered yelling in text.  It will send the wrong message.  Same goes for using many different fonts, colors, etc. Many things that make a bad website can be applied to emails as well.
5. Delivery and Read receipts.
   Not an issue with mailchimp as it shows you who has opened your emails.  This is another annoyance in regular email.
6. Non-professional address for business communication.
   I had posted something a while back on our Facebook page about using professional email addresses and it was quite the controversial topic.  I certainly wasn't saying that therapists aren't professional if using a gmail or yahoo account, but that it's more professional to use your business domain name in your email address.
   Unless, of course, you have something like sparklyunicorn@yahoo.com for your address.  In that case, then yes. I am saying that's unprofessional.
   While I'm a proponent of being yourself in your marketing, aim for being your best professional self.
   Use your business name if using a free email service. MassageByCindy@gmail.com sounds better, right?
   Or use your domain name.  If you don't have a website yet, or don't have email with it, you can easily get a Google Apps account for $50/year or $5/month that includes a gmail account using your company name.  Cindy@MassageByCindy.com is even better, right?
7. No unsubscribe option.
   This is the spamming legalities I was referring to earlier in this post. Make it easy for clients to unsubscribe from your emails.  It's the law!

What do you think?  Do you have more to add to the list of deadly sins? 

I'll be writing more in the coming months on using email marketing to promote your massage business... so stay tuned.


Related posts:

Set Yourself Apart From the Competition
Powerful Ways to Show Appreciation to Your Clients
5 Lessons I've Learned

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 14 years.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com 

Put Some Steam On it [Portlandia Inspired]

For today's blog post, I thought I'd write about what I'm doing in my own massage practice these days. For several years now, I have been specializing in ashiatsu deepfeet therapy. I also practice massage cupping, hot stone massage, and ashi-thai.

In the beginning of my massage career, I had attended a spa therapies class at Aveda through my employer. That is where I first encountered the Steamy Wonder and have wanted one ever since! I didn't really think it would be easily incorporated into a dry room setting, (the only way I saw it in training was in a spa wet room), so I just kind of forgot about it.

And then a couple of months ago I met a therapist who uses the steam tent in her massage practice every day. After picking her brain a bit, I decided to take the plunge myself and get myself a Steamy Wonder.

I have been having so much fun with this!

Closeup pics of the pulley system before steam tent is attached.

Steam tent on my table and stored up by ceiling by pulley system.

For starters, I had a pulley system installed in my ceiling so I could easily store it out of the way. Because I have my ashiatsu bars directly above my table, I had the pulley system installed just to the side of my table.

After a few practice sessions, I was ready to offer it to clients. It's really simple and easy to use and takes no time at all to be comfortable enough with it to add it to your menu. I've started by offering a complimentary 20 minute steam add-on to my client's regular massage sessions.

So far, I would say about 2 out of every 3 people are LOVING the steam treatment. I have been doing some scalp massage while they are steaming, and afterward I wipe them off with hot towels with lemongrass essential oil before moving on to the massage. What's been amazing to me is how their muscles have softened before I even start to work with them. The steam literally melts tension so that by the time I get to doing the massage, they are already like butter on the table.

Not only does it make my job easier, but I feel like I'm actually giving them even more benefit to the massage with the addition of steam.

While I find myself wanting to "put some steam on it" for every session, it's still a bit too early to tell just how much steam I'll be doing overall as add-ons.  Once I've had it implemented for a bit longer I will update with a post detailing how it's going.  (I'm sure it will go over much better than the ending of the "put a bird on it" skit from Portlandia.)

I've included some pics of the pulley system going in, as well as pics of my beautiful new steam tent :-)
Have you ever used steam in your massage treatments? What have you found the benefits to be?

*A special thanks goes out to Mary who reignited my excitement about the Steamy Wonder and got me thinking again about the possibilities!

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 14 years.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com 

Got Issues in Your Tissues?

Today's blog post is an interview with Shannon Gilmartin, instructor for ACE Massage Cupping.
I hosted a workshop with Shannon at my studio a few years ago and absolutely LOVED her class.  I still use cupping every day in my massage practice, and my clients love it.

What exactly is massage cupping and how is it different from traditional chinese medicine cupping?Massage cupping is a modern adaptation of the ancient cupping therapies. We use cups to mimic massage techniques and as an adjunct, therapeutic technique.

What are the benefits to the client to use massage cupping?

Benefits vary widely, as massage cupping is truly as versatile a therapy as is each massage therapist. Its benefits include lymphatic drainage, loosening adhesions (from small cellulite dimpling to scar tissue and fascial bindings), moving stagnant materials/decongesting areas of the body, stimulating blood flow, hydrating and nourishing tissues that are otherwise lacking, relieving inflammation, releasing deep tissue restrictions, and sedating the nervous system. Clients receive therapeutic massage for so many different reasons and I truly think every client can enjoy this technique. Ever since I began working with massage cupping, EVERY client I have used them on has enjoyed the work and its results! Great descriptions I have heard from clients are that they feel 'more fluid mobility,' 'aired out' or that their tissue has 'breathing room' from massage cupping- how great does THAT sound!?

What are the benefits to the therapist?

The therapist benefits extensively, too. For one, massage cupping is a major vasodilator so the therapist saves their efforts to warm the tissue of their clients. Also, many of us have those clients who LOVE deep tissue but the therapists get burnt out, overuse their thumbs and struggle while the clients keep saying they can go deeper. The cups allow for quick hyperemia and hydration to their client's tissue, thereby allowing for much deeper sensations to be felt by the client with less exertion from the therapist. Also, the client feels MUCH better the next day. Many deep tissue clients feel tender and sore the following day(s) but the cups allow for much easier after effects with phenomenal, lasting results. That being said, many of us want to help our clients so very much and the results from using cups appropriately truly enable us to help release restrictions effectively and in many cases give permanent resolution!

How long have you been a therapist and how long have you been teaching?

I have been in the massage therapy business since 1999, working with Massage Cupping since 2004, and teaching with A.C.E. as an educator since 2008.

How did you come across massage cupping?

Funny yet true story: I saw an ad in a magazine for a class in Las Vegas. I wanted to go to Vegas and see my friend, learn about this technique that used fire, and the whole trip would be for business! Little did I know what a life changing experience the class would be.

Why did you decide to start teaching it?

When I left the class, I began practicing on myself and the results were amazing. I had been in a severe car accident when I was 17 and had a very large scar on my cheek and many muscular discomforts associated with the accident. I committed to working on myself regularly for a while; it began softening the rigid adhesions and scar tissue, and drew glass and sand out of the scar. Eventually my face looked almost 'normal' again. I contacted Anita Shannon with my enthusiastic testimonial and asked if they were ever interested in someone to help them... and here I am :)

What conditions have you successfully treated with massage cupping?

Wow, honestly too many to list. A few stellar examples: I am passionate about the scar tissue work and over the course of a year’s constant work, I helped dissolve 30-year, almost full-body, scar tissue (client had gastric bypass over 30 years ago, and followed by a brutal skin removal surgery which left thick rope-like scars from elbows to knees)! I am also passionate about working with amputees and have had amazing results with not only alleviating phantom pains but also helping purge the old blood, debris and medications from the remaining limb's tissue. The pulmonary results have been impressive; I have a COPD client who 'breathes because of me' and I have been able to help improve her quality of life, It is such rewarding work! I have helped avoid surgeries to 'clean out the area' for all natures of injuries. Athletes have quickly recovered from both injuries and intense sporting events – with enhanced performance, too! Post plastic surgery clients have accelerated healing from the drainage done with the cups. Diabetic, necrotic tissue that goes from open fissures and black tissue to no fissures and light brown coloration! And of course, there are people who say 'I can handle the deepest pressure you can give me.' I first use the cups a little, then BARELY give them DEEP work and they say WHOA!!! See!? I could go on and on. 

What do you like best about teaching massage cupping?

Sharing this awesome technique and its potential, and then seeing every student just GET IT. Every class, every student truly enjoys it and I see 'light bulbs' every time! It is so rewarding to be able to help pass this along because (I believe) every body can benefit from this in some capacity.

I am honored to work with Anita Shannon and the other educators in A.C.E., as I honestly feel our work changes lives. Words cannot convey the reward we get day in and day out from people all over the world and seeing how much our work helps. Cupping is as old as time, but these techniques Anita created and how we all cohesively came to share massage cupping and vacutherapies as both educators and bodyworkers is by far the most rewarding experience I have had.

My website is www.shannongcmt.com; our national website is www.massagecupping.com. We offer classes all year long, everywhere!!

A huge thanks to Shannon for this interview and for the awesome class she taught at my studio!

Check out this video of some massage cupping done by founder Anita Shannon:

Tweetable: "many of us have those clients who LOVE deep tissue but the therapists get burnt out."

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 14 years. www.BodyworkBuddy.com

How To Lose Customers [Infographic]

Browse more data visualizations.

Dealing With the Death of a Client

A fellow MT and friend had a client pass away last week.  As she was contemplating attending the funeral, and how to best go about being a support for the family - I realized that this is not something that massage school prepares us for.  (At least, not mine... did yours? If so, I'd love to hear more about your experience.) 

Dealing with death is difficult enough on it's own.  Add in the professional relationship (and in the capacity of a therapeutic one at that) creates it's own special challenges.  

The stages of grief are:

• shock or disbelief,
• denial,
• bargaining,
• guilt,
• anger,
• depression,
• acceptance/hope.

The funny thing about these stages is that it isn't always nice and organized - experiencing the list in order.  Often times, these feelings jump all over this list, bouncing around to different aspects with no rhyme or reason.  

I don't have any secrets for dealing with the death of a client.  It's a very personal thing and how to best deal with it will vary from therapist to therapist.  Whether or not you choose to go to the funeral, or simply send a card... so I guess, although it would be nice to have some kind of preparation for this situation in massage school ... What would that entail?  

Grief is a crazy thing. 

Myths and Facts About Grief

MYTH: The pain will go away faster if you ignore it.

Fact: Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from surfacing will only make it worse in the long run. For real healing it is necessary to face your grief and actively deal with it.

MYTH: It’s important to be “be strong” in the face of loss.

Fact: Feeling sad, frightened, or lonely is a normal reaction to loss. Crying doesn’t mean you are weak. You don’t need to “protect” your family or friends by putting on a brave front. Showing your true feelings can help them and you.

MYTH: If you don’t cry, it means you aren’t sorry about the loss.

Fact: Crying is a normal response to sadness, but it’s not the only one. Those who don’t cry may feel the pain just as deeply as others. They may simply have other ways of showing it.

MYTH: Grief should last about a year.

Fact: There is no right or wrong time frame for grieving. How long it takes can differ from person to person.

Source: Center for Grief and Healing

This help guide offers some great tips for dealing with grief http://www.helpguide.org/mental/grief_loss.htm

Coping with grief and loss tip 1: Get support

Family, friends, a support group, a counselor, etc.

Coping with grief and loss tip 2: Take care of yourself

This one is often difficult for massage therapists.  We're used to being the ones who take care of others.

Remember to take care of yourself during this difficult time.

Eat right, get enough sleep, and up your appointments with your massage therapist.

Have you dealt with the death of a client?  How did you support yourself during that time?

Tweetable: Grief is a crazy thing.

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years.

www.BodyworkBuddy.com

Picture: freedigitalphotos.net

Cold Weather Add-Ons

Well, we're officially in the Winter season in the U.S. ... although it's raining here in Michigan today, when it's normally snowing by now.  But, it's still chilly!  

So it's a perfect time to consider some ways to keep your clients cozy on the massage table.

Here's just a few ideas:

• Table warmer.
  I LOVE my table warmer from Earthlite.
  (And so do my clients! They comment on my heated table all the time.)
• Flannel sheets.
• Add in hot towels.
  One of my favorite MT's begins the session by placing a dry towel under my feet, and then wrapping each foot in a hot towel.  She leaves my feet wrapped until half-way through the session when she's ready to work on my feet.  Nice and cozy during the session, and added bonus of having the client's feet fresh and clean when you're ready to massage them.
• Add in hot stones.
  Amazing what a few strategically placed hot stones can do for warmth and relaxation.
• Heated herbal rice/flax seed packs.
  My favorites are from Mother Earth Pillows.  I like to use the large rectangle pillow on the back with some compression before starting the session.  Then I'll move the pillow to their feet while I massage their back.  It's a great way to add in some cozy!
• Paraffin dip for the hands and feet.
  This can be a great add-on service that you can charge more for.
• Add in a steam treatment before the massage.
  The Steamy Wonder is a great way to add value to your services and charge more.  It's a decent investment, but can be worth it if you use it often.  This is on my wishlist.  *hint*hint*

While some of the above ideas require some initial investment, many of them can be easily implemented into your current sessions without much money or time.

What ways do you like to keep your clients cozy during their massages?

Tweetable: Consider some ways to keep clients cozy on the #massage table.

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years.

www.BodyworkBuddy.com

Customer service photo: freedigitalphotos.net

Just Be Yourself

Just a short and sweet post today.

I recently got some advice from my Dad that I thought was pretty valuable:  Be yourself.

(And this is coming from someone with an old-school handlebar mustache.  As you can see, my Dad is awesome!)

For one, if you are anything but authentic, the people you are trying to impress will see right through you ... eventually.  And for two, if it isn't the real you they are impressed with, what's the point?

If your clients know you as bubbly and super sweet, then why would you try and be snarky with your marketing just because it's working for someone else?  Is that really who YOU are?  Your marketing is an opportunity to share a glimpse of your personality with clients and potential clients.  Of course, it should portray professionalism.  But it should also feel real.  Especially in such a personal service such as massage.  If you have to try and be something or someone you're not, you're doing it wrong.

How do you put your personality into your marketing efforts?

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years.

                                                           authentic photo: freedigitalphotos.net

The Forgotten Chest [Video]

Here's an interesting video of different techniques to work the chest using Mother Earth Pillows.

What do you think?  How much work do you do on the chest?  Do you agree it's an often forgotten area?

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com