Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/557366
F r e e S O A P n o t e s w i t h M a s s a g e B o o k f o r A B M P m e m b e r s : a b m p . u s / M a s s a g e b o o k 89 OVERCOMING OBSTACLES Can I Trust You? Massage is very personal. Clients aren't just buying a toaster or socks. They are making themselves vulnerable and allowing another person to touch their bodies. Trust is a major factor for getting and keeping clients. You have to prove you are trustworthy. The best way to go about that is to be professional in every way. Respond to phone messages and emails quickly. Never talk about other clients, so your current client will know you won't talk about her. Keep your place clean and organized, and be ready for clients when they walk in. Be knowledgeable. Having answers to common questions people ask about massage shows you know what you are talking about, and will increase your clients' trust in you. Let people know you are continuing to learn. You, too, are a customer of many businesses. What makes you go back to certain ones and avoid others? Treat your clients the way you would like to be treated and you will gain their trust. They will be loyal to you. intentions. People shake hands and hug frequently and innocently. Almost everybody enjoys a short neck rub or back rub from a friend or family member who probably doesn't have any massage training. Emphasize that they are just as safe with you—except with you, they will get better results since you are educated in this work. Touch is a common and natural occurrence. It connects us and makes us feel less alone. But in our hands- off society, many people may be lacking touch. Massage is a safe way to provide the touch people need. To overcome this objection, describe how different types of people use massage as part of their wellness plan. Athletes, active people, parents, people with medical conditions, people with injuries, people with anxiety and stress—more people than ever are embracing massage as part of a well-rounded lifestyle of health and wellness. Chances are your clients will find themselves in one or more of those categories, and realize it is not weird to seek relief from the issues they face. Again, being professional in everything you do lets potential clients know they are safe with you. No. 4 Obstacle: I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT Think of a time when a friend wanted you to try something new. You had loads of questions and wanted to have a certain comfort level before trying it. Now, think back to before you started massage school. You wanted to know what it would be like, what you would be studying, and what it would be like to give a massage. For somebody new to massage or new to you, it helps to walk them through the process step by step—from the time they enter to the time they leave. Go over the intake procedure and explain why it is needed. Give an overview of what your massage is like, including the pressure you use and the areas on which you will and won't work. Cover important issues like clothing and draping. Let them know they don't have to talk during the massage, but they can if they want. Give them a clear picture of massage as a safe and nonsexual way of allowing a trained professional to help them take care of their body. Trying anything new can be awkward—especially massage, which is a very personal experience. People want to know what to do and how to act, so make it easy for them. Provide a clear description of what will happen during the session and you will be more likely to get an appointment. In addition, make sure you answer other common things people wonder about, such as falling asleep, having gas, needing to use the bathroom, and becoming aroused. Alleviate these concerns by letting the client know such things are perfectly normal and will not negatively affect the massage experience in any way.