Tip #6 of ten- reader’s picks from “The Magic Touch: How to make $100,000 per year as a Massage Therapist”

August 22nd, 2010


Listening to your client is lucrative: in fact, not listening could lose you $1 million over the next twenty years!

As Massage Therapists we have a unique opportunity to learn so much just by listening. The successful businessperson adapts to their client’s needs. Never ignore the opportunity to learn something valuable and respond to your clients according to their needs. My clients return again and again because I treat them as individuals with unique needs and I never put my needs before theirs.

My dream client is a man I call “Rick”. Rick is kind, funny, generous with tips gets a massage at least 25 times per month. He buys massages for friends and family members and he loves to develop long-term relationships with MTs all around the world. During our first session, he told me a story about the MT I was replacing, a therapist he’d been going to for ten years. This woman had recently begun pushing her beliefs on Rick, telling him about how scattering flowers on her friend had cured her of cancer and other stories Rick considered “woo woo.” After repeatedly asking her to keep these beliefs to herself, Rick finally had to stop the massage and ask the MT to leave and never come back. I estimated how much money she had lost and – yep, you guessed it- about $1 million dollars over the next twenty years. All because she felt her needs of sharing her opinions were more important than her client’s needs of expressed comfort.

Massage Therapists lose valuable client relationships and all the referrals those clients would have sent their way each and every day by not learning this simple lesson. Don’t let it happen to you. Be the MT who listens and earns the clients trust (and the million bucks).

Tip #5- Reader’s picks from “The Magic Touch: How to Make $100,000 per year as a Massage Therapist”

August 22nd, 2010

Do’s and Don’ts: The smallest details turn most discriminating clients, in the world, into loyal devoted clientele.

If you haven’t been practicing the following essential tips, I encourage you to start now. I have interviewed the highest paying clients from around the world and time and time again I hear the same complaints. The do’s and don’ts in “The Magic Touch” will get you on the right track before bad habits develop. If you can learn to please the most discriminating clients, you can turn nearly any client into a devoted life-long regular.

Do: Accept credit cards.

It’s not difficult. You don’t even need any extra equipment; you can process cards over the phone and have the money directly deposited into your business account. I cannot stress how important it is to offer this to your clients. Don’t make them remember to stop for cash before their session or you risk making a last minute appointment a hassle instead of a luxury. Especially in these economic times- many clients prefer to put expenses on their AMEX cards to reap more benefits than they would paying with cash.

Don’t: give your client energy work unless requested.

You may believe that a form of energy work is exactly what your client needs. But unless they have asked you for it, your good intentions may be completely misread. Consider that your energy work may be perceived as you being lazy, delusional, scary, disrespectful, time wasting, or snake oil selling. I am a Reiki Master and I NEVER give energy work where it is not requested. It is simply disrespectful of others’ beliefs. You must always remember that your opinion of what others need is just that: YOUR opinion.

Don’t: Use oil unless it’s requested.

Oil can stain clothes and sheets and contrary to popular belief does not wash off skin or hair easily. I prefer a hypoallergenic lotion. It’s fragrance free, easy to clean up and doesn’t absorb too quickly, increasing the time your hands may remain in contact with the body. Your clients will appreciate you choosing products with their needs in mind.

Do: Refer to your customers as clients, not patients.

According to a great many of my clients, being called a patient makes them feel as if you are calling them “sick”. They don’t appreciate it. The typical client gets a massage for a variety of reasons. One of the biggest reasons is to relax. The idea of seeing a doctor is not the least bit relaxing to most people. But this is the subconscious train of thought that goes through your client’s mind when you call them a patient. Also, it creates expectations that you can provide medical care outside of your scope. It isn’t appreciated by many Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, or Doctors, all with whom you should be networking.

Do: Be a clock-watcher. It can be hard when starting out to accurately judge the duration of each massage. But not only do you run the risk of making the client late for an important date when you run long, you also short-change yourself. If you really feel a particular client may need work beyond the allotted time, wait until about ten minutes into the massage and ask if they’d like to extend the session. This way they will be sure to say “Yes” if they have the ability to do so.

Do: Practice non-invasive draping techniques. In school you likely learned to drape in a complicated and restrictive manner. Often clients feel you’re inexperienced when you use techniques that require multiple steps, lots of effort and accidental exposure. It’s tough to describe the best way in writing and that’s why I’m working on a video illustrating a simple and effective draping technique. It will be available on Amazon by the end of Summer, 20

Massage Therapy, Bodywork and the Money-Monk Mindset

August 22nd, 2010

Massage Therapy, Bodywork and the Money-Monk Mindset

There seems to be a prevailing belief among many Massage Therapists that it is impossible or even “unspiritual” to earn a sustainable living in the profession of Massage Therapy. Money tends to be a subject that is frowned upon when brought up in this profession. Eyes glass over when you break down the simple math of how much Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers can be earning and how “easily” they can be prosperous.

Case in point: A Massage Therapist working 11 months of the year, five days per week would have to earn $400 per day to reach an income of $100,000. Each day can be broken down into an average of 5 massages (one hour and fifteen minutes each) at $75 per hour 4 massages at $100 per hour, or 2 massages at $200 each (90 minute travel massages for example). You can reduce either the number of massages you give, or the cost per massage by increasing income generated in other ways too. Examples of other streams of income: referring massages for a small fee to other providers or offering a holistic line of health and wellness products to your clients. Blogging can provide an effective marketing platform for your clients as well as bring in money off ads placed in your blog or from affiliate partnership sales.

There are many ways to earn a good living at this profession. Healers deserve to be well compensated. Spirituality and money do go hand in hand – if you let them. The fastest way to help the world and it’s inhabitants is to make a boat load of cash and give it to your favorite charity! Imagine what you could do with an extra $10, $20 or $50,000 per year. What great things would you accomplish with that money? Would you help others? Of course you would! You are a Massage Therapist- caring for others is ALREADY apart of your basic nature. Therefore, you SHOULD be the wealthy ones in the world, I believe. In my humble opinion, the Money Monk Mindset holds us back from our potential in this culture. It is one thing to fear being rich, it is another entirely to turn your back on making enough to sustain a healthy lifestyle for yourself and create the abundance in your life to affect the world in a bigger way. You were put here on this planet to follow your dreams. Money cannot do that for you- but it can make the path a whole lot easier. No one has time to follow their dreams when they are stressing over paying rent and basic medical care. When I was a poor Massage Therapist I was very little good in the world, despite my best efforts. I played small because of my beliefs and low self-esteem and as a result- effected very few people positively. We have to first be okay with loving ourselves before we can truly give big love to the world. Don’t be afraid to break through your current beliefs. Healers deserve a BIG piece of the pie- for we are the ones whose instinct is to give it back threefold!

Be abundant!
~Meagan

Slave away at Massage Envy or build your own practice?- The what’s what on Massage Therapist Contractors versus Employees

August 22nd, 2010

Slave away at Massage Envy or build your own practice?- The what’s what on Massage Therapist Contractors versus Employees

After readers finish reading “The Magic Touch” many of them decide to take their practice to the next level. This either usually means one of two things:

1) The reader is wondering what the benefits of them becoming an independent contractor would be versus their current employment position

OR

2) The reader is wondering if they should expand their sole provider business into one that hires employees or independent contractors

I get asked a lot of important questions about the laws involved with using independent contractors. It’s easy to step over the line and illegally treat an independent contractor of Massage Therapy as an employee and many a Massage Therapists business stays small, rather than grow leaps and bounds because of this fear. While I accept no legal responsibility for the information I supply here, and each state has different laws in regards to what defines an independent contractor of massage services versus a employee, I feel I can help to begin to answer these questions for you and give you an example of my own experiences.

First, Independent Contractor is self-employed. While a spa, heath center, medical provider, or hotel, for example may ask the Massage Therapist to provide Massage Therapy services to their clients, they may not demand that the Massage Therapist remain on the property and the Massage Therapist can refuse to accept the appointment (unless they have signed a contract giving away these rights, typically this only happens in a case where a Massage Therapist agrees to be available for any clients within a certain agreed upon time range). This arrangement has it’s good points and bad points but I believe it is the most advantageous situation for both the establishment in need of Massage services, and the contractor IF the contracting Massage Therapist negotiates for the following: at least 60% of the rate of massage (I never contract for less than 75%), flexibility of scheduling (a contractor should have the freedom to decline any massage, this way the massage contractor can be on-call for multiple establishments at once and increase their number of over all massages performed each day) without this level of compensation and pay it is not necessarily worth the extra efforts of being an independent contractor ie: duties of running your own business, tax filing, covering your own health insurance etc. But if you are self motivated- I believe being an independent contractor is a fantastic way to transition into owning your own business entirely. You learn the ropes without having to come up with a huge advertising budget and can focus on building your business at a comfortable pace. In fact, I still contract services at approximately 80% for high-end hotels along with seeing my own clients. If you negotiate the right benefits and “jump” for those last minute, high compensation clients- I bet you won’t want to leave these types of positions either.

Secondly, sole providers who are looking to expand by providing other Massage Therapists services to their clientele- should seriously consider contracting, rather than hiring employees. With the proper legal contracts signed between the contractor and business owner – the owner can maintain absolutely no responsibility towards the contractor. Contracting services to Massage therapists can ensure you very little extra tax filing, no health insurance benefits to provide, and no legal recourse for “firing” an individual. There is no need to “fire” anyone- you simply don’t call them in anymore if they don’t meet your standards of service. The best way that I have found to keep your contracting Massage Therapists from slipping into a “grey area” that could be construed as employment is to contract a large list of qualifying Massage Therapists and call down the list each time a massage is scheduled. This way you are expecting nothing, only offering work. The MT has the freedom to decline. With this method you’ll find that the crème of the crop will rise to the top of the lists very quickly. In fact, though you are not allowed to insist of standards of dress code or professionalism to stay within the definitions of being a contractor (not an employer) I have found that it is effective to express to the MTs how you do things and express to them that those who embody equally high standards will rise to the top of the call list. Those who want to work will quickly adapt. Those who don’t -quickly find themselves the last to be called (if at all). This situation allows a massive amount of freedom and flexibility for each professional. I also have found that it boosts morale to have a group of independently minded contractors working for you. Because they are not bound to a work environment all day and can instead choose to enjoy their lives and work at will- they still love to be a Massage Therapist. The higher level of compensation and freedom keeps them happy and productive which keeps your clientele coming back for more!

Whether you are looking to contract or be a contractor and you need additional information on this rewarding side of the Massage Therapy profession, I am available for consultations and would love to further assist you. You can contact me at meaganholub@hotmail.com.

Here’s to your success! ~ Meagan

Want your business linked to “The Magic Touch: How to Make $100,000 per year as a Massage Therapist, Meagan Holub LMT and www.hundredthousanddollarmassage.com?

April 3rd, 2010

Of course you do! Because the more businesses mention you, the more you are building your name and reputation for free!

So here’s what I can promise you- if you leave an amazing, inspiring and totally new review on why you think every Massage Therapist should read  ”The Magic Touch” on amazon.com, I’ll use that review on my press page and link your website to your name. It’s that easy.

And if you feature the book or review it on your website, blog, radio program, or periodical- let me know and I’ll add that here too. Along with a great big thanks!

“The Magic Touch: How to Make $100,000 per Year as a Massage Therapist” would not be successful without all you do. I don’t have a marketing team or a big fancy publishing firm, but I do have my readers spreading the word and day by day the sales numbers are reaching impressive heights- all through word of mouth! I want to make sure that your efforts are rewarded too- so get out there, leave a knock-out review and you might find yourself featured on the Press Page!

Cheers! ~Meagan

Readers of “The Magic Touch” can “friend” Meagan Holub on Facebook!

April 3rd, 2010

Hi!

If you’ve found this blog you have either read The Magic Touch: How to Make $100,000 per Year as a Massage Therapist” or are curious about the book and/or me as the author. Perhaps you even have a few questions you’d like to ask me.

Well, you can- just befriend me - Meagan Holub LMT on Facebook. Not only do I pop on there multiple times each week to check in with all my readers, but there are a great number of super savvy professionals in this industry I have been lucky enough to befriend. They, like me, will be more than happy to answer your questions or help to inspire ideas for you to achieve your personal goal of success. Don’t be shy! Come find me on Face book and join in on the fun!

“The Magic Touch” LINKS to products and services

February 12th, 2010

I appreciate all the feedback on the links in “The Magic Touch”. I picked the very best resources and products that I could find for you to build your business and turn your clients into repeat clients every time.

And then I went chasing the pursuit of perfection and took the links down and moved them to the blog- and well, generally confused my new readers. I’m sorry.

The pursuit of perfection often leads you full circle, and I am happy to tell you that the LINKS page will be built back into the hundredthousanddollarmassage.com website and up and running on April 5th, 2010.

Just a few more days! Wahoo! In the meantime you can still find the selections at www.meaganholub.posterous.com. Thanks for your patience!

~Meagan

Hi everyone!

September 27th, 2009

Welcome to my blog! The first 100 copies of the The Magic Touch: How to Make $100,000 per year were released over six months ago and I’ve heard nothing but positive results from those that purchased it. I put my heart and soul into writing this book. It is my deepest desire that every healer who reads it find something within it’s pages that resonates with them, sparks an idea or two, gives them a giggle and most importantly provides them with advice never-before given about how to earn a great living while working only twenty hours per week.

Whether you live in a small town, large city, are medical massage or spa treatment oriented, new to this profession, or seasoned but still not getting the results you seek… this book for you.

If 80% of the world’s wealth is in the hands of 20% of the people, shouldn’t it be in the hands of caring individuals like yourself? Individuals who contribute positively to the world? I believe it should. I will continue to communicate everything I have learned in my fourteen year ascent from broke and unhappy, to prosperous and living the life I love in this blog; for those of who don’t prefer the paper version.

Here’s to a life of healing! Cheers!

~Meagan