How many?

[swingwig]

Here's a poll question:How many clients do you average per week?  During your busy season?  Your slow season?I average about 12-15 per week in my busy season, and about 6-10 per week in my slow season.  Currently, I am averaging 7 per week for the last two weeks, but I don't have any advertising out, and I am still coming back from my accident.  The most I have had in a week is 18; the least is 1. I would like to work up to seeing 15-20 clients a week.  That means I have to figure out a strategy to double my business!Next...

 

[A J]

I average 40-60 clients a week. And I only work 4 days a week.  Now that I got your attention!!  I only do 30 min appts and almost all of it is insurance work.  So I do 20-30 hrs of massage a week.

 

[Sonia]

I have 18-25 client's per week on average, most are massage clients, and some are reflexology clients. I do a lot of deep-tissue work, so I work as many hours as I can handle.  Slow season 8-10/Bussy 25-28.Last month I stared to do some advertising, and I had such a great response that I went full time with my business.  I was part-time for two years.  I would suggest doing some adverising, it's been the best invesment I have made for my business! :good luck,  Neo Massage

 

[AJ Rawr Chomp Grr]

I have been advertising, but I am in advertising limbo right now, not sure if I am goning to continue with the paper I currently advertise in, or take some chances elsewhere.I have a phone book listing coming out in August, so perhaps that will help (I wasn't listed before).  My ultimate goal is to be as busy as you in your busy season!  May I ask, in what ways are you advertising?  And, do you have much competition?  Thanks...

 

[George]

I would like to know what size city's everyone is in? I live in a town of  around 7,500. along with 4 other therapist. I have been in business for 1 1/2 years and only have 4-5 regulars ea.month....... I  have been in the phone book since last  Nov. and I thought that would bring in more business, it has helped but not  like I hoped it would. I have done some advertising in the past but nothing lately

 

[Freeeeezing !]

I live in the New Orleans area, where the population is around 1/2 million or so in the city, and around another 1/2 million from the surrounding parishes that also make up the Greater New Orleans area.  There's an abundance of day spas and and independant therapists, and while some are doing very well,  others (like me, lately) are struggling to keep our heads above water.I just got in the Eatel Yellow Pages, which will come out in August, and I will also advertise in the Real Yellow Pages, which will begin taking orders in September (but I will have to wait until April 2005 to see my ad in there).  Instead of a one line listing, I opted for a 3 line color listing that will hopefully draw some extra attention, though there are several ads in the Eatel Yellow Pages that are bigger.  If I get some moderate success from this ad, I will absolutely go bigger next time.It sounds to me that you might do well participating in local events and perhaps approaching other businesses to do on site demonstrations.  With such a small population, meet & greets are likely to be your best advertising.

 

[Jerv M]

Hey art_of_zen, you asked how I advertised...  I adverised through  a direct direct mail service, with my logo, name, services I provide and a coupon for $10.00 off my regular rate, and it also has a one month expiraion date.  This gets people motivated to call quick for an appt.I do have a lot of compeition, and I live in a state that has many massage schools, so it seems like everyone is a LMT.  I also have to take in account that most people here are not willing to pay top dollar for massage, so that is why I send out coupons.  

 

[Sick Jane]

Is this direct mail service terribly expensive?  There are some here that are very expensive that have approached me, and some I haven't inquired about yet.

 

[?? Kitty ??]

Hi guys~Just following the chat and i was interested in finding out more about these direct mailings you are all talking about!  Where would I find more info, is it the post office or what?  Also, how long did it take you guys to get to the volume that you are currently at?  I have been trying to get my name out for about 9 months now and I live in a pretty affluent area and I am not getting the response I thought I would!  Any suggestions??

 

[Lane]

How many?

I live in Salt Lake and looking back at the past few months I am doing between 90 and 100 hours per month.

 

[HandsAbove]

I live in a tourist area which swells with summer, but manage to see between 15-18 clients (hours) per week.  I have several mt contractors working for me so my goal is to eventually cut down to 12 as they get busier.  Currently I have a strategy where I will book 3-5 appointments a day 5 days a week.  Once I get to 15 for the week, however, I close out my schedule and begin to book into the next week.  This leaves some breathing room in case someone needs to move an appointment or there's an unforseen need to slip someone in quickly.  It also encourages our patrons to see someone else in our facility if they are trying to make a short notice appointment.  Right now I'm booked about 10 days out.

 

[Beautiful Disaster]

Hey, art of zen.... I paid $325 for approx.  15,000 people in a specific mailing area.  Im not a liberty to say what direct mail service I went through, because I live in a very competative area.  So call around to all the mailing services to get the best rates, and ask if other MT have had sucess in advertising with their business.  I found this company through another MT, that had a lot of success. Part of my success has been through observing others in the Massage Therapy business, and also to be willing to take a risk, and providing the absolute best Therapy to every one I work on.  Once they find a good Therapist, they stay with you, and also send you their friends!  Go for it!!!!!! ;D ;

 

[Mutt for the Truth]

Thanks, Neo....I don't think $325 is a lot of money considering how many responses you had received, and that is assuming you made back your investment plus some.  There are a few companies here that do magazine style mailings (I'm sure those are more expensive), some that send an envelope with coupons, some that are like color sales circulars, and some companies that staple several flyers together that canvasers leave at the door.  I might check them all out over the summer and see how the prices compare.My thinking is that people will be more inclined to automatically toss the ones left at the door (I do).  I would be more inclined to look at something received in the mail that is mixed with restaurant delivery coupons, furniture ads, etc.  I would also be more inclined to use a coupon if it had a pleasing photograph, or the colors were inviting. Thanks for your input.