Inspiration to Blog for Your Massage Business

I admit, it took me a while to realize the benefits of blogging for business. I had always heard that we should be blogging, but I didn't really grasp the "why" until after I had started.

Have you been thinking about blogging, or maybe just wondering why it's a good idea?

Let's break it down.


Why Blog?

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
  Blogging helps your site get found by Google and other search engines. Every time you write a blog post, it's another indexed page on your site. More indexed pages means more chances of showing up in search engines and driving traffic to your site. New content on your site signals to the search engines that your site is active and worth checking in frequently.
  
  
• Educates
  Blogging is a great opportunity to educate clients (and potential clients) on the benefits of massage, any special services or offerings that you have, and overall wellness information.
  
  
• Establishes Authority
  Your current clients probably already see you as an expert in the field, but that fact will really be driven home when you regularly blog about wellness and massage. New clients will be put more at ease seeing your expertise from your blog posts. It's easy to forget that some of the information we know after being a massage therapist for X amount of years isn't necessarily common knowledge to clients and potential clients.
  
  
• Fosters Relationships
  Creates a two-way conversation with your clients, helping to build a relationship with them before they even step foot in your massage studio.

What To Blog?

• Think over your past week in working with clients. What are some questions you were asked? This is a great source of blog topics and material.
  
  
• Wellness tips and/or products.
  
  
• Spotlight different services you offer and explain the benefits of each one. (1 service = 1 blog post.)
  
  
• Youtube videos showing self-care tips - just add your own commentary and there's a great, informational post! Here's one that I used recently during cold & flu season, and several clients thanked me for it:
  
  

My Results From Blogging

• After writing and publishing a post to my website, I create an email campaign to my client list and paste in the entire blog post. (My main goal is for clients to read it, but if my main goal was traffic to my site, I might only put the first paragraph of the post and then link back to my blog. Or, you could still drive traffic to your site by including the entire post and then asking them to comment on your blog.) I end the email with any openings in my schedule coming up soon, and a link to my online scheduler. These openings always get filled after my email goes out.
  
  
• Many clients have mentioned that they love my emails about the benefits of massage and thank me often for them. Just this morning at yoga class, I saw a client and she thanked me (for about the 4th time) for sending these emails.
  
  
• I've sold more product and have been able to educate my clients on how the products I carry can help them.

How To Get Started

• You don't have to have some fancy blogging software to get started with reaping the benefits of blogging right away. Many website services include a blog option (Weebly, ABMP's free website, etc.) Or you can use a free service like Blogger.
  
  
• If you have trouble thinking of topics, start with the first month's posts before you publish any of them so that you get the ball rolling.
  
  
• Choose how often to post and stick with being consistent.
  
  
• Email your clients / mailing list your blog post. Encourage them to comment on the post and link back to the blog.
  
  
• If you have openings you need to fill, include those in the bottom of the emailed posts to clients.
  
  
• Add an image! Canva is a great option to create an image for your blog posts. It's a free service and you can legally use those images on your site.
  
  
• Have a friend proofread it if spelling and writing are not your strong suit.
  

Do you have a blog for your massage business? Share it in the comments, you may just inspire another massage therapist to start their own blog!

Cindy Iwlew is a licensed massage therapist and cofounder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software.

My Favorite Shoes To Wear For Massage

I used to work barefoot (for hands-on massage, not to be confused with doing barefoot massage), and while I loved it, my body did not love standing on a hard floor all day with no arch support.

Because I also do ashiatsu, I needed shoes that could easily be slipped on or off as well as easily cleaned and sanitized throughout the day if needed.

One of my clients told me about Oofos* sandals. I LOVE THESE SANDALS. They are perfect for working in. I just keep them at my office as my work shoes. My back and knees are so much happier since I've been wearing these!

Have you found an awesome pair of shoes to work in? Let us know in the comments.

*Thank you for supporting our small business. Profits made from retail sales / affiliate links are reinvested in caffeine for our developers for Bodywork Buddy so we can continue to provide you with the best services possible.

Minnesota AMTA Convention

Bodywork Buddy water bottles spotted at Minnesota AMTA convention last weekend! Thanks to Erin Howk for battling a blizzard to get the bottles into the hands of these AMTA members. :D

Bodywork Buddy Member Spotlight: Brian Jones

Today's Bodywork Buddy member spotlight is Brian Jones of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Brian owns Zenergy Therapeutics LLC.

Q: What inspired you to be a massage therapist? 

A: I grew up in a family of helpers. I always knew that I wanted to help others in life, but wasn't sure where I fit. My Mom and Grandma were incredible nurses. They were these powerhouse women that really made a difference in the world. My Grandpa, one of my Aunts, and one of my Uncles, are/were teachers. I marveled at how they inspired people, and passed important knowledge to others. Still, neither of those seemed a fit for me. Growing up I had always given my grandma foot rubs. I loved helping her feel her best. When I sat down and thought what brought me the most joy in life, those memories of helping her came flooding back, and it clicked. It's the perfect blend of the attributes I admired of everyone I care about, and I get to be a helper. It's my calling!

Q: How long have you been doing massage?

A: Not counting all those foot rubs, I've been a trained therapist since 2012.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being an MT?

A: The people. Being able to help my clients and create positive change in their lives, usually in an hour. Knowing that I make a difference. I get to help so many people from all walks of life, feel their best. Being a part of that, seeing every revitalized face after a treatment, there's nothing better than that. I can't think of a more rewarding career for me.

Q: What do you think is the most challenging issue for massage therapists? 

A: I can't speak for all of us because we're all so different, but for me personally, it's what to learn! There are so many different modalities, theories, and ways to be a therapist, it's almost impossible for me to decide what to learn first!

Q: What advice would you give to other MT's to help build their business?

A: Get out there! Don't be afraid to do events, to network, use what you know about your community to connect with the people. Do chair massage at a farmer's market or nearby salon. Go to sporting events or cross market with someone. Don't pass up opportunities to get your name to the many people waiting for you to fix them.