"I'll be your guinea pig!"

[flybishop]

I swear, it seems like every time I tell someone that I'm currently attending school for massage therapy, they get all excited and say "You can practice on me!" I laugh and try to change the subject, then they keep pressing, asking me my schedule, could I come to their house, etc, then say "I'm up for a free massage anytime!" :roll: Whatever. I give a massage every day in school -for free- and then on Fridays I work in the school clinic doing 2 massages -again, for free- so I'm not really in the market for people to practice on for free. Then there is the whole "You actually go to school for that?" Um, yes.

Also, I've started working in a hair salon (I'm booth renting) and when people ask me how much I charge, and I say "it's $50 for a one hour," they look at me funny & say "But aren't you in school?" I say yes, and they say "So is it cheaper now while you're in school, then you'll raise your rates to $50?" NO. It's $50 now. Seeing as how I am only the second MT in my town, and the other charges $65/hr, I think thats a pretty good deal. Geez!

Sorry, I had to vent. I'm sure almost all of you can relate though!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Oh yes, we can relate!!!

Just establish yourself cheerfully but firmly as not-a-sucker and they will eventually get it.

When they ask about your rate at the salon, you could always conspiratorially whisper that if they can get you a better "student rate rent" you can give them a better student rate massage.

 

[Eat shyt and die]

:iagree: YEAH!!! What she said!

 

[Rein]

It's frustrating, but this too shall pass. Sounds like you're doing a great job standing your ground and mostly "laughing it off"... if you can pay even less attention to them, and more attention to yourself, that can be valuable.

What is your growing edge around money and rates and charging for your work and worth and value and exchange? What can you work on inside yourself?

 

[njknjk]

Just say, "I do all of my student massages through the school - their phone number is ___-____ to schedule an appointment or I'm available at SuchAndSuch a location and my fee is $50 per hour." and then leave it at that.

Glad you are learning boundaries at this early beginning - believe me, they will continue to be tested.

Angela

 

[Fariz]

I'm a student massage therapist and we've been told we're not allowed to take money or any gratuities until we're licensed.

I've been wondering about the best way to transform clients from "free" massage to paying customers. I've thought about sending thank you cards to everyone I've "practiced" on for their help and offer them a 50% rate of the fee I intend to charge after that.

Any comments?

 

[Hardhat]

I'm a student massage therapist and we've been told we're not allowed to take money or any gratuities until we're licensed.

I've been wondering about the best way to transform clients from "free" massage to paying customers. I've thought about sending thank you cards to everyone I've "practiced" on for their help and offer them a 50% rate of the fee I intend to charge after that.

Any comments?

Different states do have different requirements.

I'd send that thank you note, then let them know what your regular rates are. You are *not* required to be treated as a student forever. They got free massages for a very long time, for which they should be grateful. Yes, they let you practice on them.....but they enjoyed every minute of it. If anyone balks at full price, just tell them to average it in with the free ones - their cost per massage is incredibly low.

Actually, anyone who balks at having to pay just isn't going to be a good client, anyway. People who "want it free" WANT it FREE. Just say no.

A sense of humor and firm boundaries will make the transition faster and easier. It's hard to start out firm, but easier in the long run. Some will be displeased, but they will get over it or they will not be clients - which is better in the long run than being run over by demands.

 

[Some Chick]

I've been wondering about the best way to transform clients from "free" massage to paying customers.

My own experience prevents me from advising that much energy be put into such an attempt. I agree that most people who want it free just want it free...

 

[johnevanwinston]

I live in Oklahoma, and there are no licensing requirements for massage therapy here. If I weren't confident of myself, I would be giving free massages to get more practice. But, everyone whom I've massaged, including my instructor, has said that I'm good at what I do, and should start charging. So I did Besides, I give a free massage every day at school, one to hubby a few nights a week, and my mom once a week. I get enough practice!

 

[peyton blair summers]

I got that too back then. In our state, we're allowed to work under a student license after a certain amount of hours in class. You can even get student insurance under the ABMP for this situation (not sure about AMTA). I had business cards made up before I graduated and I would hand them one and say "Here you go then! I'm currently doing outcall only but I would love to come to your home to work on you! When I get a place, I can let you know!" All very cheerfully and with a big smile. Our instructor beat it into our heads that aside from donations/charity work, we should not ever give our work away. People that get freebies don't translate very well into paying clients. I knew it would be really hard to start charging them after giving it away. Of all those people that wanted freebies, none of them have come into the shop or become paying clients.

I figure that when our electrician was doing his apprenticeship or my hair dresser was near to graduating, I didn't expect their services for free.

 

[VeganAlexa]

Congratulations on standing your ground. I once thought giving free massages was a way to build business, didnt work too well. People who want free want free. :roll:

Just like people who go to student clinics for $35 dont transform into $70 clients.

Congrats on standing ground, you'll be busier then you want soon enough.

Jason