MARKETING A MASSAGE CREAM PRODUCT TO OTHER THERAPISTS

[? ??so? ?]

Anyone have any good advice for marketing my natural massage cream product to other Massage Therapists across the nation. My article appeared in this month's January 2006 Issue of Massage Magazine. Still recovering from being run over by a car, so I'm trying to raise other streams of revenue while recovering.

Thanks
T-bone

 

[SalemC]

Hm, you might try placing display or classified ads in other magazines or newsletters or even "teaming" with other therapists or companies which market to therapists and creating a what did Texas-Gal call it, a "Strategic Partnership."
They advertise your massage creams when they sell a table, book, linens, music... you in turn could advertise their product when someone purchases your massage cream. You might even find someone to team up with for the AMTA conference in Atlanta next fall... planning on having a booth there? It's something to consider.
Sombraman asked some of us to try a new way to dispense Sombra. And sent us free samples of his product. We happily tried it and sent back feedback with our honest opinions. You would have to ask Sombraman who many sales he actually acquired that way, but he certainly created a lot of goodwill amongst the members of the board here at MassagePlanet.
We have a lot here who are just starting their practices and a lot of students - people who may very well be looking for an Alternative to the oil their schools used. :wink:
I happen to know of a e-mail based newsletter that is based out east but is sent to over 27 different states... and I doubt the owner would have a problem with allowing you to place a link to your website, if you have one.
PM me if you want me to send you her info.

 

[Ava is Beastin!]

I am interested in other massage creams.
Do you offer samples of your product yet? That is a great marketing tool.

Let us try it out first.

 

[.Music.]

Somatic39:

I read your article in this month massage magazine. I actually had this article ear marked to go back to and show a fellow therapist. I am always on the lookout for the most natural solution to massage mediums. I especially appreciated your list of ingredients to avoid. While I was aware of most of these ingredients, there were a few new ones and I appreciated the explanation of what they are and the harm they cause. I have already checked your website, before you posted by the way, and your products look great, nice list of ingredients.

I think you are on the right track. I am sure your article has already raised a few flags to more than you are aware. It might even be a great article that would appeal to those that subscibe to natural health magazines, alternative health magzines. You might look into that route for submitting articles/and advertizing.

Thank you for providing such an informative article and caring for others in your profession as well as your clients with the products you make.

I loved your motto: "People do not always care what you know, but they always want to know that you care."

So, thanks for caring

Julie

 

[Alexandria]

Somatic39:

I think you are on the right track. I am sure your article has already raised a few flags to more than you are aware. It might even be a great article that would appeal to those that subscibe to natural health magazines, alternative health magzines. You might look into that route for submitting articles/and advertizing.
I loved your motto: "People do not always care what you know, but they always want to know that you care."
Julie

I don't currently subscribe to Massage magazine I only get MTJ. But Julie might be on to something there about refferring to the health food natural products market as well. I currently work out of a health food store and they are always lecturing about parabens.
I can try to bring your website to their attention if you like. I know they carry essential oils, so maybe that would be a good fit in case my clients want to try to work on their spouses or... should a local MT need some supplies. I know there's no other store in town that truly carries anything I could use as a massage professional, unless we went into the food grade oils like canola, safflower, etc... And there goes my beautiful linens. :

 

[MissyV]

i wanted to pop in and say i wish i had a copy of the article.... it sounds like a good read.

is it printed anywhere?

 

[hcoalltheway]

it was a good read. if you read the PurePro thread, i posted a link that showed what's really in massage lotions. he's article was along those lines.


t-bone,
what's your website again? i would be interested in samples too if you have any.

 

[Fezzie]

I have the link to T-bone's website here:

http://www.sweetpeabotanicals.com/

His massage cream looks great! Fresh batches made every weekend? That sounds like powerful stuff! And the Deep Tissue Balm sounds good too.

Hey, T-bone, why don't you make a special "hands and feet" cream? I like to use special richer great smelling creams for my client's hands and feet. That way they get a touch of spa even if they didn't book an aromatherapy massage. :wink: I like to spoil my clients... just a little bit. And it's something you could add to your "spa basket" line.

 

[snoopy]

thanks for the link! i found his article. http://somaticsynergy.com/includes/Article%20Massage.pdf

 

[Alyce S]

MARKETING MASSAGE CREAM

I do make a peppermint foot massage cream. My clients love it! Just for those that are interested Therapists and businesses receive wholesale pricing on the products.

Also I wanted to know are there other therapists out there that include some spa modalities or techniques in their treatment work also?

Thank you so much for all the advice!

 

[Pompal 09.]

How to market? Well, here's my idea, hopefully it helps? Not sure if it's the answer you're looking for, but here goes...

First, make a GOOD product. I mean, never cut corners. Use decent-quality ingredients, and ignore anything you can't pronounce or that sounds like it comes from a chemistry lab manual. Don't skimp in this area. And never underestimate the scores of chemically-sensitive people out there! I for one can ONLY use oils like Vitamin E, Jojoba, grapeseed oil, and cocconut oil. That's it. I can't use any Biotone or any other lotions, creams, or gels.

Second, promote it by giving out samples and advertising (which you've done). Someone said that we need to be able to try it out first, and they're right. I have to know whether or not my skin will react (I have particularly severe eczema that I've been able to eradicate on my own by about 90%, but that's through very careful diet, avoidance of even city tap water, etc--VERY strict. Grrr ) And I have to know how it's going to glide on clients, too. And I wouldn't advertise TOO much. People get skeptical if they see too many ads, because an ad campaign that is too aggressive comes off as pushy, desperate, and almost gives the air that the product may be of low quality. But you do want some repetition. So pick a few strategic publications, run a few ads that keep saying all the right things (but not the exact same ad every time, make a small series of 3-4 slightly different ones that look similar but highlight different features of the product or something) and leave it at that. Someone mentioned alternative health magazines. Awesome idea.

Third, sell it at health food stores and on the web. I research almost ALL my products on the web. Make sure to include a complete ingredient list on the web...(I for one get irritated when the lotion company highlights the fact that their produce is made with "Aloe and Vitamin E" but don't include a full ingredient list, so I have to make a trip to the massage supply store or see if a friend has it so I can look at it, only to find a bunch of junk ingredients.) Include LOTS of info on the web.

Fourth, sell it at a fair price. And do sell it in bulk! Another irritant arises when I can only find things in little 8 or 16 oz bottles. :evil: And those little bottles are sold at outrageous prices. I'm seriously considering the half-gallon (or gallon, if I can find it) jug of jojoba oil! And don't fall into this trap: some companies try to price the large jugs at the same (or dang near the same) price per volume as they do their smaller bottles! When a 16-oz bottle sells for $8, a gallon (128 oz) for $60 is NOT that great a deal.

While it sounds like I want the best of all worlds, I'm not so naive as to think it can happen. As a consumer, I just tend to look for a fair and balanced equilibrium: a decent, natural product at a fair price. The usual ad hype and glitzy packaging surrounding many products really don't work on me like they seem to on others. I could care less what the bottle looks like, I'd like to have a product that works at a price that didn't break my bank, if you know what I mean

Well, I thank you for seeking our feedback; hopefully this helps you or someone else? Hope it was what you were looking for!

Good luck!
~Jyoti