This week I was asked to take part in two events.
The first came from an agency that supplies massage therapists to events and pamper parties. Visiting their website I could see they treated the Indian head massage (IHM) experience more as entertainment than a holistic therapy.
The website showed their IHM therapists dressed in a form of 'traditional' dress. The whole thing just did not seem like something I would be the right fit for. The event was a fashion show. The company would pay a flat rate for the day.
Companies like this can be a very good way for massage therapists to earn a steady wage and to meet potential new clients. My reservations stem from the fact I believe that healing on any level is about the client making that initial step. It also requires an exchange of energy and when people are receiving something for free there is the danger of there being less investment in their own health.
It’s a good gauge of an event to know who else will be a part of it
The second was an event organised by the TU Study Centre to celebrate Adult Learners Week at Woolwich Town Hall. Invited guests included the Mayor of Greenwich, a tarot reader, a nail technician, author Lola Jaye and various Trade Union stalls.
Community focus
This appealed to me more due to its community focus. I also wanted to support Adult Learners Week. The lady organising it was very amenable to covering my travel expenses and honouring my hourly rate.
I made sure to ask who else was going to be there, what facilities would be available and what the plan for the day was. Questions like this help me prepare.
They also show me how organised the organisers are and whether I will be in good company. It’s a good gauge of an event to know who else will be a part of it, though that never ultimately sways my decision.
After working out the rate I then had to set to working out the massage sequence. It’s important to me that these taster sessions are as complete an experience as possible.
There’s nothing worse than leaving people feeling like they were a bit cheated or it just wasn’t very good and they wanted more. It’s a fine line and one I continue to learn through experience.
Some people use events like this to tout for business. Others just like to feel they are using a skill which in their everyday life remains dormant.
Personally I don’t feel comfortable with the hard sell. I did create my own information sheet people could take away with them. It felt more personable than leaving out some business cards.
In it I explained the origins of IHM, the effects and any contraindications. Most people know they want a massage and they like the idea of an Indian head massage. However it’s important to me they are also educated and empowered with information on what it is and how it works.
The day itself was successful. Indian head massage is always a popular treatment and I often find myself working non-stop. This time I saw four clients an hour for three hours with one 10-minute break!
I was drained but also exhilarated by having the chance to connect with so many clients and tune into their needs so instantly. I made time to have a brief consultation with them before and afterwards.
To my delight I found that all of them asked for some literature they could take away with them. Some wanted to know how I worked, did I do home visits, where was I based and could I help them further. All of them were interested in knowing more about Reiki as well.
I took time to talk to people, advising them on the best ways forward for their particular concerns. I also recommended other practitioners I know in acupuncture and massage. I do believe what you put out there comes back to you.
If I recommend practitioners I know in other treatments to clients, that doesn’t necessarily mean I lose business. It may mean in fact I get more business.
Above all it means I am putting the needs of my client first and not going hard for the sale.
At the end of the event, the organisers gave me a box of chocolates to thank me.
I had a large handful of people who had expressed an interest in seeing me privately. Above all I had happy clients who had taken my details.
They may book in, they may recommend me to someone they know or they may just start their own healing journey. That is all positive marketing for my practice.
