What makes you different?

[brooklyn]

Hi all,

What makes you different from the competition?? Why would a client choose you over the next therapist?? After all, many of us are trained to do the same thing. So, what is it that would make a client choose you over someone else?

In my case, I am 18 months out of school. Still a newbie in the biz. So, I try to toss in little things comfort things that my clients will enjoy. I have warmed socks for their feet after I am done working them, I have warm rice packs for their backs, I use a few hot stones after my hand work, I have a warm compress for their eyes, table warmer, fleece pad, surround sound music, a wrap around wall mural, glow in the dark star scape, 2 dozen different scents of oil, I have a money back guarantee, new client specials, and I have over 100 cd's in my collection. Of course, I also give a great massage, but so do tons of other therapists out there. I have also been complemented on my great table side manner.

What makes your practice stand out from all the others?

 

[Pompal 09.]

I am not sure what all the other therapists are doing since I haven't gone to them all. But one gal used hot towels on my back and that was nice, another gal does good stretching, and a guy does wonderful slow work. I've picked up a bit from each of them, things I really enjoyed. Otherwise, I am just me. And there isn't anyone else in town who is me. I really like my clients, always leave time to chat before and after sessions, I am patient and wait for muscular releases, I have a maintenance plan, I have a table warmer, and in general I really like the space I've created for me and my clients....but I don't do much for bells and whistles right now.

Some of the things you do sound wonderful! The eye compress sounds lovely, is that just a warm towel or a pillow of sorts? I was thinking of adding an eye pillow, but was wondering about how to keep it sanitary....just putting a tissue between it and their eyes? And the music collection is definitely something I am lacking! I have a couple of favs but really would like more selection....

Do you find that those things help you keep regulars?

 

[Gabby Jolene]

I get lots of comments on what I do. I get the most comments on the warm socks. I hear all the time such things as, "Oooh, I like this or that, I never had that done before." I think it makes the client think they are special.

I have small rice packs I keep between two heating pads to keep them warm. I have them wrapped up in pieces of flour sack dish towels and which get washed between clients.

Christine

 

[SeaF]

I work at a fitness facility with 3 other therapists. What makes me different? I'm not sure. I've done a lot of work on my co-workers. When someone is looking for a MT they always say "Oh, Stephanie is goooood" You'd like her, bingo, new client! Sometimes they stay, sometimes they don't. Also, one of the other MT's worked with me a lot when I was in school and I have picked up some of her style. When she went on maternity leave most all her clients came to me. Word gets out. Otherwise, I am just me. Not much to look at, on the heavy side, me. But I feel I give a great massage and I have confidence.

Steph!

 

[airjbasketball]

Great Lakes it sounds if you are off to a great start!!

I also try to do little things to make a massage session memorable or special for my clients. Fresh flowers in the room, hot stones for every client, hot packs for feet and neck, etc. All the little things really matter and the clients truly appreciate the extra effort.

As far as massage techniques, I am trying to focus on Asian modalities to set me apart from everyone else in my community. I live in a small town and most people are not educated on some of the more obscure massage techniques. So, I have taken CEU and ceritification courses in Lomi Lomi, Ashiatsu, thai yoga, etc. I do a few strokes or techniques on the client, educate them on the modality, and then explain why that particular massage would benefit them. My clients think it is cool to have a massage therapist who knows different types of massage.

Lastly, personality counts. Having a smile on your face, greeting a client by name, and being focused and present during the massage will make a difference. I want my clients to know that I appreciate them visiting my office and I want their experience to be the best that it can possibly be. I love my job and I feel that my enthusiasm rubs off on my clients.

 

[james h]

Maybe keep in mind the two different types of benefits you can make yourself unique with. There are the benefits of your service (your massage and everything you do during a session), and then there are the benefits of your business.

Business benefits are very important. Your location could make you stand out as better for clients. Your hours could make you stand out. Easy online scheduling could make you unique. Your professionalism on the phone, how you dress, and how you interract with your clients can really make you stand out.

 

[Princess Lex]

I feel that I am different for a few reasons:

I have more experience than most MT's that I know in my area while also being younger.
I work very intuitively - letting my hands, eyes, and intuition, tell me what the body story is.
I am good at visualizing a persons work space through what their body shows me. Allowing me to suggest appropriate corrections.
I customize every massage to fit the need of the client.
I am good with "first-timers".

Compared to other therapists that I have been too:
I have a table warmer and nice sheets
I have an electric lift table making it easier for clients who have trouble getting on the table and off.
I also have tilt on the table for prental clients
I have a large selection of music
I offer maintenance plans
Heat packs or ice available for use on every client

My space is limited. So I offer what I can for my space.

 

[WhatFunHeresLisa]

What makes you different?

I have warmed socks for their feet after I am done working them, I have warm rice packs for their backs, I use a few hot stones after my hand work, I have a warm compress for their eyes...

Wow, these are great ideas Great Lakes! I'm not into the business world yet (I'm finishing up school) but I've taken care to equip my home office with a space heater, heated table, surround sound, wall sconces and a bathroom across the hall.

I've been using an online appointment scheduler and my practice clients have loved it so far. I'm also going to make sure I can accept credit cards when I start charging -- but I love the idea of the warm compress for the client's eyes. I imagine I'll need to make some compress covers for sanitation purposes. That can't be too hard. And who knows, maybe I can sell them on my website!

 

[Cass]

The big difference between me and the others in my town is that I do outcalls.

The next big difference is that I cater to the elderly and am not afraid of "equipment", wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, etc. The elderly have been seriously neglected around here! The new chiropractors in town that I have enjoyed getting to know said the same thing - they are open to treating the elderly, and have found that the elderly here are starved for their services. Isn't that sad!

I also have done many chair massage events, both for a fee and also for charity events. I have been very visible.

I look forward to having my own permanent space. You have great ideas!

 

[kisses]

I have more experience than most MT's that I know in my area while also being younger.

Ha, Cyber-twin, me too. There are a few MTs around here who are chronologically older, and a few who have been doing MT a little longer, but many "young ones" to the business around here.

I work very intuitively - letting my hands, eyes, and intuition, tell me what the body story is.

I try to work intuitively too. A couple of times I've shocked clients by what my intuition/fingers tell me about them.
Me: "So, how long ago was your car accident?"
Client: "Sixteen years ago, how did you know?"
Me: "Your body told me. You didn't get treatment at the time, did you?"

I am good with "first-timers".

I really enjoy "first-timers," I love helping them discover the joys of massage and I like to spoil them a little bit too!

Compared to other therapists that I have been too:
I have a table warmer and nice sheets

Oh yeah, me too. Table warmer, don't leave home without it! Seriously, I take it with me for outcalls too. And I use flannel sheets nearly year round.

I have a large selection of music

Me too, classical, new age, soft jazz, and others, my taste is fairly eclectic. And I try to carry at least one CD from each genre at all times! LOL

I offer maintenance plans

I used to, but I found a lot of people didn't want to "stick" to the contract. So sort of lost interest in it. But am considering starting it up again since so many here are having success with it!

Also, as far as I know, I am the Only MT in my city that does Outcalls.

 

[Shannen Shenanigans]

What makes me different?

Well i am new to full time but eversince i started massage, peolpe always say, this is the best massage i have ever recieved. I am grateful.
Every one hour massage or more:
hot towels wraped in dry towels
eye pillow warmed by hot cabi ( by sitting on top of the hot cabi)
hot stones for the neck area warmed in hot cabi
A hand towel rolled up to fit under their cervical area. It provides support of the head during cervical massage. I don't hold the head up. Its too heavey for my hands. Pull it toward you so the base of the occiput is lifted. (it also serves as a barrier for the hair, so oil doesn't get int the hair)
table warmer
aroma therapy
visualization for letting go
and a small review at the end
I hand them a small tissue with lavender on it
with that i say "For the rest of the day i want you to carry this with you, if at any time you begin to feel overwhelmed by anything, smell this and remember that you had a massage today and return to this feeling"
This small tissue gives them the strongest memory to relaxation and thought of me for the sense of smell is tied with memory the strongest. So many look foward to this tissue and feel that they are being cared for in a way that is different to others in my field.

 

[mami_pabon]

I like that tip about the tissue with the scent!! I will have to work that one in my practice!!

Christine

 

[oneof5]

Tobian-
Oh that tissue tip is excellent. What kind of visualization techniques do you use?

 

[nat]

The eye compress sounds lovely, is that just a warm towel or a pillow of sorts? I was thinking of adding an eye pillow, but was wondering about how to keep it sanitary....just putting a tissue between it and their eyes?

akb - i actually made silk pillow cases for the eye pillow... i use a new case with each client.

 

[Cudnt_b_happier]

Visualization

I use words that come to me but use the rule that the sub concious only hears affirmations. Such as I am fearless, not i am not afraid any more, I only use affirming words, and allow my mind to bring them to the front and center. Close your eyes and listen to the words that come to you when you are closing your massage. It started like that and worked into, I truly want to do hypno therapy people love my voice and tell me so so many times. Hope that this helps.