Day of marketing for free or guaranteed one-time income?

[Voelven]

A week from next Monday, I have two opportunities I can choose from.

1) I was invited to do (free, for "exposure) chair massage for a local mom's group. They'll have (I forgot how many- maybe 50? 75?) women there. They're having one other MT besides myself there. It'd be about 1.5-2 hours.

2) I was asked to do some work for someone-- pretty much all day on Monday. That's a one-time thing. Not sure how much I'd make. Definitely *something* (I'm guesstimating $50-$100). But it's guaranteed that I'd make *something*, whereas at the marketing thing... who knows? This little job has nothing to do with our business or massage at all.

I'm fighting my head over this, 'cause I really don't want to go set up somewhere and end up not getting anything out of it. Though, this is to my target market (women in their childbearing years). But I really *hate* our massage chair-- it's one of those where you have to press in the buttons to adjust it and I can never get those pressed in, so I always look like a dork trying to adjust the chair. We can't afford a new/second chair (Hubby likes this one just fine), especially just for a marketing event.

I need to let the event lady know by this weekend for sure-- I already told her I'd be there and that I'd get back with her this weekend with/for more details, so I need to make this decision soon.

(I've been a bit discouraged with our marketing efforts lately, so I imagine that reflects in this post. Sorry.)

Anyway, given the choice between "unpaid chair marketing to your target market" and "guaranteed, if small, amount of income, one-shot deal that has nothing to do with massage", which would you pick? BTW-- we ARE in this for the money (ref. JLW's recent thread lol).

 

[Wolf Mike]

Day of marketing for free or guaranteed one-time income?

My general thoughts:

If you need (must have / don't have a choice) cash now, take the non-massage related job and be happy about it.

If you want to market to you target group and hate the chair, take a massage table instead and give a small lecture, following with a brief example on the neck and shoulders, the back & the feet - three seperate clients of 5-10 mins. each.



Good cross-thread for a few thoughts:

• 20 minute presentation

 

[hollie]

Day of marketing for free or guaranteed one-time income?

It is difficult when you have agreed to do the 'free' event already. On the other hand, they already have another MT committed so they are not being totally left in the lurch.

I do some events for 'the exposure' but they seldom amount to anything.

I think you will have to let the 'free' place know that, much as you would love to be there, you have had the opportunity of paid work and that has to come first. Others might have another approach.

By the way, why don't you know how much you will be making at the 'paid' place??

 

[Young@58]

Day of marketing for free or guaranteed one-time income?

I was invited to do (free, for "exposure) chair massage for a local mom's group. They'll have (I forgot how many- maybe 50? 75?) women there. They're having one other MT besides myself there. It'd be about 1.5-2 hours.

I really hate people who think we should be thrilled to work for the "exposure" that comes from toiling for a group of people too cheap to pay for a chair massage. If you do the freebie group, I guarantee 50-75 attendees will get to know you as someone who's willing to work FOR FREE. If you really want exposure to this group of people, offer to come to their event to talk about the work you do and host a little Q&A session. See how much they still want you to come...

Do the other gig and get paid.

 

[Bloatedtoad]

Day of marketing for free or guaranteed one-time income?

I don't mind doing some volunteer work, but when I do, I'll volunteer myself, thanks. I hate being asked, pretty much for the reasons Pete stated.

 

[Crissy S]

Day of marketing for free or guaranteed one-time income?

I was invited to do (free, for "exposure) chair massage for a local mom's group. They'll have (I forgot how many- maybe 50? 75?) women there. They're having one other MT besides myself there. It'd be about 1.5-2 hours.

I really hate people who think we should be thrilled to work for the "exposure" that comes from toiling for a group of people too cheap to pay for a chair massage. If you do the freebie group, I guarantee 50-75 attendees will get to know you as someone who's willing to work FOR FREE. If you really want exposure to this group of people, offer to come to their event to talk about the work you do and host a little Q&A session. See how much they still want you to come...

Do the other gig and get paid.

:iagree:

 

[protein6x]

Day of marketing for free or guaranteed one-time income?

Update:
I just re-read your post... I didn't realize you were invited to do chair massage only and had already agreed. My mistake when responding.

I like Marion's wording:

• "As much as I would love to be there, I have been given the opportunity for paid work on the same date and that has to come first."

At that time you could add (similar to Pete's thought):

• "I would love to come give a short lecture about my services sometime. When I do that, I usually bring my table in order provide two to three 5 minute hands-on examples. You can expect the presentation to last approximately 30 mins."

 

[kristinhah]

Day of marketing for free or guaranteed one-time income?

Thanks for the replies, folks-- much appreciated.

We went to a local massage therapist meeting last night (our little group is growing! Yay!), and I brought the dilemma up there. All concurred as well-- the non-paid "marketing" gig probably won't be worth it in the long run.

I also realized that I still have a bit of residue from a physical issue that I'm still dealing with too, so I *really* don't need to be working for free.

I did think of bringing the extra table instead of the chair so will have to remember that for the future.

I like the idea of offering to come and do a presentation with demonstrations at a later time.

I don't know how much the pay for the other deal is because I haven't asked her yet. I was trying to figure out how to do BOTH, but that would have left me not arriving until well after noon and she needs help starting at ten am.

And I agree that I need to be honest with the one gal and let her know why-- that it's because of the money. I hate thinking that it may make me look "bad"; OTOH, I have a family who really enjoys things like eating and having a roof over our heads.Dh has clients booked already for that day, and I don't *have* to be at our office, so it is a good opportunity to "increase our income potential" by at least a little bit.

I'll think over how to say it, and then get back with the one gal later today. Need to get back with BOTH of them today, actually. Thanks again.