At bethteachesbodywork we hear from therapists all the time who hate the noise they can hear outside while they are in session.  Sometimes the clients even mention it and that can really ruin a great session.

So, we put together a list of easy-ish ways to add some sound barriers to you space.

1. Hang a quilt on the wall, the thicker the better.  Fabric covering the most offending wall will bury the sound, plus you get a great piece of fabric art to display. You can even add a piece of foam behind it for extra sound proofing.
2. A white noise machine.  These are readily available and they just add white noise. I even have had some therapists who use two different music tapes, one with regular spa music. And a second with wave sounds, that they play on a lower volume.
3. A thick rug on the floor.  Again, dense fabric buries sound!  Looks pretty too, and will add warmth to the room on these winter days.
4. Sliding a towel under the door helps keep outside sounds outside. There is a product called a “draft  dog” that you could buy, but we all have towels at our studios anyway,  just dedicate one to the floor.
5. Invest in sound panels, this might be a bit more costly but will certainly solve the problem.  With the increase in in-home media rooms there are lots of different designs to choose from.

Share your ideas with us…

Early this week I saw a video on social media in which a therapist gave his thoughts on matching up clients with therapists. He felt that this was necessary to insure therapist success and clients rebooking.  His opined that the establishment staff should know his skill set and attempt to bring him clients that he could do his best work on at the best time.  Sounds great, right?

Being served up the perfect client at the perfect time is a wonderful dream, but some of you are out there struggling for enough clients to make the rent, aren’t you?  I’m not saying he is wrong, and I’m not even saying that in a perfect world this sort of client-therapist matchmaking shouldn’t happen. In fact, my students will tell you that I make a concerted effort at our school to do precisely what this therapist was suggesting. It’s especially important as a student when you are just getting your feet under you. However, in the corporate world of massage therapy, this simply does not happen with regularity.

So, here’s the thing…how do we set ourselves up for success with every client every time?

Here’s what I think

First of all, “set your intentions.” Check your attitude at the door. Plan to do good for your client, and plan to give them your best effort while working with them.  Remind yourself of this before you meet your client, and again before you walk into the therapy room.

Create a space that is “safe” for each client that walks through your door. Let everything else go – what’s for lunch, your last client, your anger with the front desk, whatever, it HAS to go while you are with this client.  Ask your client, “what do you want to see happen?” “Is there anything you do not want?”  Explain your plan to your client, and skew toward the side of under promising a bit.  Under promise, over deliver is a tried and true sales tactic that works in just about every industry. Promise your clients reasonable, easily achievable goals, then sail past them and greatly exceed their expectations!

Finally, “trust your training.” Never say that you can do something you aren’t comfortable with or trained to do. Be honest with them, and yourself, about what you can do in your time with each client. Base your interactions on their needs and your training. Build a relationship with your client that gives them some input into what they will receive and, in turn, they will respect you and return to you.

Join the discussion and let us know what strategies you use to build rapport with your clients!

How can you make the most of Valentine’s Day when you are a single bodywork practitioner??  We’re not talking about hitting bars and trying to do something you’ll almost certainly later regret. We’re talking about how to make the most of your massage practice and make Valentine’s Day a holiday that is enjoyable and profitable for you.

Well, the easiest way is to find another therapist and partner up.  Even if you don’t have the space to give couples massage in either of your studios, you can take your show out on the road and do couples massage outcalls.  If you choose to do this, make sure that you and your partner have a discussion ahead of the scheduled session to plan out pricing and timing and all things important to both of you, especially safety, so there is no confusion when you are in front of the clients.

But, if you cannot find a partner to do couple’s massage with…how can you still cash in on Valentine’s Day??  Here are a “couple” of ideas that just might work!!

First off, you could teach a partner’s massage class.  Have a couple (or several couples if you have the space) come into your studio and teach them how to give each other a hand or foot or neck massage that they can share on Valentine’s Day and all through the year!

You can offer couples spa services, like wraps and foot massage.  While one person is in the wrap, massage their partner’s feet, then switch.  You can do these with the couple in the same room with only one therapist.  It’s a win for everyone!!

Finally, you can share the love and maybe offer a discount for the day for singles or people whose partners are away. It’s a great way to make sure everyone has a special day.

So here’s to you and loving your massage practice!  Happy “Single’s Awareness Day” y’all!!