This is REALLY super long! =)
Schools are a great place to start!Make sure you have all kinds of payment plans and/or options. ย Check into health insurance companies that have an allowance for massage (there are an awful lot out there).I work part-time out of a day spa, and then part time offering on-site corporate massage. ย If you need any stats or references for information, let me know.What I did, though, was contact local businesses, from dealerships to real estate and insurance companies.Schedule a demonstration. ย Give them the information they're going to want. ย Definitely give them payment options. ย Depending on how you filed your business, the payment plans might vary greatly, and you may not be able to accomodate many businesses right now. ย One of my largest clients is a bi-weekly and pays ahead one month at a time, as an employee benefit.One of my other large clients allows the employees to pay individually, and they are also bi-weekly. ย There is no payment in advance, but they are required to book the massages ahead of time, rather than simply a set date, so that I don't go all the way out there for 2 employees.Some of my smaller clients pay half up front each week, or bi-weekly, and the employees pick up the other half of their massage at the time of the massage.My smallest client (8 employees) is a weekly appointment, and they pay a month at a time, one month ahead of time. ย The company pays for the services in full, as an employee benefit.In cases like these, I am paid as an independent contractor. ย They write me off as an expense, and I am responsible for reporting and tracking ALL taxes.That is something you will have to watch.If you can land that one account, preferably a local business person, you will receive referrals like you wouldn't believe!Try not to stretch yourself too thin. ย 20 consecutive people at 15 minutes each is a lot harder than it sounds. ย Allow time between employees for chair adjustments, discussing their massage (especially first timers!), etc. ย Don't forget to allow yourself a break or two.You may want to track down a local therapist and try to barter a weekly massage in return for a weekly massage. ย Your best bet advertising is word of mouth, as always.In my area, I just so happen to know several business owners, and previously being a car salesman (eeww I know!) and having owned a tanning salon, I had a pretty good jump as to where to go to drum up business.Something you may want to try (while a direct letter to human resources and/or general managers will help) is directly calling. ย Tell them who you are, why you're calling, and give them a quick little pitch. ย You have less than 15 seconds to make a first impression, but you will also have immediate response and your own enthusiasm to help you out. ย The worst thing that can happen is they'll tell you no. ย The best thing? ย You can give them answers to their questions and get a demonstration scheduled.Letters are so not personal, sometimes don't make it to the correct person, and when they do, sometimes they sit in stacks for weeks. ย Not to mention, the wrong set up, even the wrong font, can land that letter in the trash can before it has been read completely.Hope that gives you a little bit of an idea as to where to start. ย If you've been practicing and have or had a client base, let them know about your new endeavor. ย And don't forget your research. ย Huge corporations like GM are behind this concept.Email me if you have any questions or need any
[email protected] luck!Jennifer