Outcall Suggestion & Needs List

[dayquil_1]

Hi. This thread was started so that we can come up with a nice format to provide clients with regarding outcalls.

Of course, each person may want to have different information, but if we can put all the info we can think of here, then everyone can tweak it to what is workable for them.

So let's get to brainstorming and make up something great that everyone can use!

 

[Crystal Waker]

Here's a starter for us. Please add ideas, change wording, etc. etc. so that we get this "good" !

Before taking "out-calls", the therapist should ask him/herself if he/she has any pet allergies? Don't like cigar/cigarette smoke, are environmentally/chemically senstitive, or aren't the kind of person that can deal with the unexpected -- Mobile work may not be for you.



Sample phone statement:
Thanks for calling. Yes, I/we offer services are at your location, home or office.

(You can emphasize that bringing the service to the client means they don't need to do a thing except breathe and enjoy the service. They should also know that out-call massage may take away from the quality of massage the person receives, if there are too many other destractions occuring in the area. Therefore, the "list" suggestions of things they can do that will enhance their experience and also make things easier for you.)

Also, I'd like to direct you to my business website which has a downloadable PDF file of my CLIENT SUGGESTION & NEEDS LIST FOR MASSAGE THERAPY AT YOUR LOCATION, HOME OR OFFICE along with a copy of my client health intake form. If you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate you download the intake form, fill it out and send it back to me before your appointment if possible. Also, it is important to take a look at my CLIENT SUGGESTION & NEEDS LIST, and familiarize yourself with it. After doing this, please contact me, with any information I need to be aware of.


-=-=-


CLIENT SUGGESTION & NEEDS LIST FOR MASSAGE THERAPY AT YOUR LOCATION, HOME OR OFFICE
To be sent to client before or upon scheduling appointment.

Thank you for inquiring about therapeutic massage site specific work. Site specific work may be performed in a home, back-yard, office, or hotel. Though it shouldn't have to be said, please note that these services are of a non-sexual type, and any request of such services will be cause for immediate termination of the session.

So, you may ask, "Why the 'list'?". Well, since everyone has their own comfort level and style, I have found it helps to cover a few things that come up from time to time. (Any suggestions to improve these statements?)

Pets -
-Does client have any?
-Is the pet well behaved?
-Will the pet lie under the table?
-There is a possibility the pet may get underfoot or stepped on, which can be an issue for the therapist.
-Are another "energy" in the room and I will be "aware" that the pet is "there". Will this be a problem for you (client) if the I am not always completely focused d/t the pet being around?
-Pets, generally, will follow their owner's emotional state - so as you (client) begin to relax on the table, the pet may curl up and nap nearby. Does your pet do this?
-Will the pet be asked to climb on the table with you (client)? Believe it or not, people sometimes do this.
-Should/can you (client) shut the pet out of the room or crate them? Will this be a good idea for your pet? Some people insist upon putting their dog in another room to 'not bother' me while I am working. But, if the dog cries or barks continuously, that can be very annoying.
-Is there a biting issue?
-If possible, I may greet the pet in the household, particularly dogs, if they're there with you (client) at the door. I feel this is important so I can guage if the dog is agressive or fearful of a stranger. (I am going to be putting my hands on their "mommy" or "daddy", and that may be perceived by the dog as hostility.)

People
-Will there be people entering the room and touching you (client)unexpectedly


Phones
-If possible please turn off any phones in order to make your experience more enjoyable.


Temperature control
-Is under client control
-Would you like me to bring a Thermophore heating pad with me in order to warm the table?
-On occasion I may bring flannel sheets if you feel you will need more warmth
-I will provide a blanket and or towel for use in case you (client) gets "chilled" during the massage


Square fooeforum.xxxe of the space they want to do the massage in
-What is the square fooeforum.xxxe of the massage space?
-Please move furniture so that there is enough room for my massage table
-I may have to move furniture - many clients have no idea what amount of space is needed. If I do, I will move the least amount possible.

Property
- Are there any steps or other difficulties in working on their property?
-It is up to the client to clear any snow-covered walkways

Music
-Do you (client) have a CD player or should I bring my own "sound system" for use during the massage?

-=-=-=-


*insert suggestions for pre and post massage self-care here*

... after the greeting, i ask the client where to set up and i do so. if they haven't had massage before i go into a little more detail about the sequence of events, draping, undressing, etc... right before i step out of the room to go wash, is when i remind the client to adjust the lighting, blinds, cell phone/phone ringers, and thermastat to 'make it more comfortable for you'.

I've had dogs goose me while I gave a massage, cats jump on the table; I've worked in homes where the owners were heavy smokers, had gas fireplaces turned on in very warm weather, telephones ringing, babies crying, UPS men ringing the doorbell, neighbors fighting. ... They really had no idea how much all those little things do distract. So, I think a written sheet might help them think of those things.

 

[gReeN dAy RuLeS]

Doesn't anyone want to help get this made out for all to use?

I know my wording can't be THAT good! :mrgreen:

 

[My Nickname does not fi]

Tex, I think you've done it. Thank you...mk

 

[420xPASSiONx420]

*laughs* This is funny. Surely there must be more!

What about info for pre and post massage self care? I don't have a clue what to write there, except "drink plenty of water"... "POST", of course!

 

[Quan Le]

Get a good nights sleep before the massage so you don't sleep through it.

Schedule time to take a nap or a walk or just quiet time after the massage. Wouldn't it be great to have a shop big enough to let the client take a nap after the massage? Just let them sleep for an hour, point them to the shower, then send them off with a big jug of water. Ahhhh...

 

[Jade]

As a male therapist I have not yet had any...."problems", and it is always my hope that niether myself nor anyone else will. One of my partners classmates had a standing policy of calling a loved one at the begining and the ending of the session. In this time of uncertainty the path of prudence may be the wiser.

Just my 2 cents.

Good luck to all.

Patrick

 

[JadeMerik]

Never use the term outcall

Check you local escort ads - they use the phrases InCall and OutCall.

Try to distinguish yourself from that lot

"Our services are at your location, home or office"

 

[syed]

Never use the term outcall

Check you local escort ads - they use the phrases InCall and OutCall.

Try to distinguish yourself from that lot

"Our services are at your location, home or office"

Thanks for that suggestion. I tried to tweak the above information to reflect this better.

 

[MIH1406]

I'll try to fit this into the original post when I get a chance.. but am parking it here for now:

Hi,

This is something I ran across some time ago, and there are a number of people out there who use this protocol for it's particular features.

Although this quote I am going to provide is more about safe calls with "blind-dates", I would say it may be something the massage profession would be interested in instituting in circumstances such as house calls. I have inserted the word *client for date and *house call for blind date, in all instances.

-=-=-=-SAFE-CALL PROCEDURE

Prearrange and agree that you will call your friend immediately after you meet your *client.

Set up a key word beforehand, one you can say if you need help. For example, you can say everything is "great" if you need help or everything is "wonderful" if you're okay. (this probably would not help regarding a client, but I am leaving it here, just in case -- possibly you could use this when making your inital call to say you arrived safely-- if you thought something was amiss, you would be able to alert someone to a potential problem, but not one that should be acted on immediately (?)... maybe - just thinking out loud )

Your friend should be ready to come get you, if needed.

Arrange to call at specific times. If a phone call is not made on time, your friend should call the police. The police in most cities are familiar and cooperative with this procedure.

If an emergency does arise, your friend can tell the police you made this arrangement because you are on a *house call. Your friend can tell them that in all likelihood nothing is amiss, but could they please send a car around (to the meeting place or to your *clients home or apartment) just to be sure.

-=-=-=-

Hope this helps.

Personally, I don't like to perform house calls, however, there is a good market for it, and many people who have tight scedules like this alternative.

I mentioned somewhere else, but am not able to locate it right now, that I know of a lady who makes her clients purchase a table and keep it at their home (along with sheets and music), so that all she takes is her lotion. She also requires that they be on a regular schedule if she is gonig to perform house calls for them.

Just a few thoughts.

 

[sanjana]

Regarding outcalls:
Make sure you set which hours you're willing to do them! I hadn't had anything set, figuring people wouldn't ask for anything unreasonable, and I was sort of caught with my pants down. A woman that I'd seen once before called me and requested we set up a weekly Sunday night arrangement, for an hour and a half each for both herself and her husband back to back, and they wanted to start as late as possible, which meant that I wouldn't really be packed up and out of there until after midnight! I had always assumed that ppl would respect the normal waking hours of a professional with a human body clock, but I guess not. I hadn't thought of that before and it burned a little.

Also, set which days of the week you'll do them. I live in a large metro area with lots of straaange people, and I definitely do not do outcalls on Fri or Sat nites. By this token, set your boundaries on how far you're willing to travel. Do this in advance so that you can think clearly without any pressure. That way, when a client calls up requesting an outcall, you can ask what their nearest major intersection is, and then you'll know whether that's in your service area or not. Decide, too, how much it's worth to you to drive certain distances. If your price goes up the further you drive, have that all planned out in advance, too. (Maybe this's overkill, but it helped me immensely to make a photocopy of the metro overview page from my Mapsco and then make a color-coded map of my calling area and my price breakdown per distance. I also dark-gray shaded areas that I would not go, be they too far, or bad parts of town, or whatever. I stuck it in a page protector and I refer to it constantly.)

I think the list is a particularly good idea. Many clients don't even realize how many distractions there are that take away from their enjoyment of a massage. Also, I like the idea of asking them to set up their own CD player in the room, put in their favorite CD, and stick it on repeat mode. That way, you don't have to take extra time setting up music and trying to learn how to work someone else's CD player, and you also don't have to lug your own. This can make a big difference!

And most importantly, if you can (and this applies primarily to outcalls made to someone's house), see all new clients at your location first, the only exception being those referred to you by ppl you know and trust. Get a feel for them. I state on my website that services at other locations are available for established clients. I hold hard and fast to this. If you can at all help it, never go to the location of someone who's an unknown quantity. That's just asking for trouble.

It may also be a good idea, too, to not take same-day outcalls. Set it up in advance. This often weeds out those who would make trouble.

Just my thoughts
Hugs,
~Jyoti