Ideas to market my massage business in the local area?

antsea

I want to promote myself as a massage therapist. I've been reading about internet marketing, but thinking that the best way is through the local area.

Flyers in cafes etc seems quite inefficient and they quickly get covered.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Also, as this is a sideline have to think of the cost/benefit so a big investment of money or time might not be feasible.

Tx

Claytone

It's really important these days to have a very good Google places page (search for Google places and you'll need to get a Gmail account. But it's free and worth it). People will look up the town you're in and then search for 'massage' in that area. You need to have a professional looking page for them to look at. Take pictures, get reviews up, and good descriptions of what you offer and how you're different from the competition.

You can also sign up for something like Groupon, which will send a lot of business though can be costly.

antsea

Thanks. I'll look into that.

littlemissscruffy

A friend of mine who has her own beauty salon has befriended the owner of a local hairdressers and they have an agreement to promote each other to their clients and to have each others price lists and leaflets in the shops. It seems to work really well, so I would recommend speaking to other businesses in the area which will have a similar client base to you but without providing the same treatments and ask them to do the same, it'll be mutually beneficial for them and you so I can't see many saying no!! HTH x

billsavings

littlemissscruffy wrote: »

A friend of mine who has her own beauty salon has befriended the owner of a local hairdressers and they have an agreement to promote each other to their clients and to have each others price lists and leaflets in the shops. It seems to work really well, so I would recommend speaking to other businesses in the area which will have a similar client base to you but without providing the same treatments and ask them to do the same, it'll be mutually beneficial for them and you so I can't see many saying no!! HTH x

They call it Buddy Marketing in USA.:D Often you have already prepared the materials and have incurred the costs. The extra distribution is a near zero cost to you.

littlemissscruffy

billsavings wrote: »

They call it Buddy Marketing in USA.:D

I have a degree in business and marketing I probably should have known that!! ooops :rotfl:

antsea

Hmm...thanks for the ideas. The thing about these is I don't run my own premises, I work out of a therapy centre which has it's own google places page. So don't think I want to 'overlay' that one.

Similar with 'buddy marketing' yes I might be able to build a relationship with someone but would just be a case of recommending them to clients as and when. I won't have a high volume, so will a hairdresser say be interested in reciprocating with me?

Not shooting down what you're saying, just thinking aloud.

nexus2011

Try advertising at a local gym if they let you.Also get flyers done offering half price massage if they show the flyer.Just make sure you have all the suitable insurance.

smitchy73

I would've suggested the gym too, sports clubs etc, where people may get injuries that need to be massaged.
What about any larger companies you could perhaps offer some taster sessions for a small fee, hand out fliers to the people you treat. We had that in one of our larger offices and most people who attended found it extremely helpful and stress busting, and I know the person who had carried out the taster sessions got some regular business out of it.
By the way I'm not a marketing specialist but just think where I'd like to get the details of someone in such a specialised area.

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

Are you a member of the FHT?

They have a list of all members and what they provide for 'shoppers' to find a therapist.

PasturesNew

Think about where you can offer freebies/samples in public places. e.g. local sports events, local festivals, etc. Be out there and be seen doing it.

Offer to write a column about massage for the local papers.

Get some bumper stickers and ask all your friends/family to use them.

Support local benefits/causes events by providing massage on-site for a donation to the charity on the day.