Tips

[Pompal 09.]

I am going and doing free chair massage at a health fair for a local business.  I have never done one before, I am taking all the things I feel will be necessary.  However can you take a tip jar or does that really make you look bad?  I dont know??  Thanks for any info

 

[Arthur Always]

I personally wouldn't have a tip jar, but if they offered me a tip I would take it and thank them.my 2 cents...  

 

[tron]

I have done many health fairs.  I would not put out a tip jar.  I have never seen other therapists do it.  You are suppost to be there to advertise your business, greet potiential clients and give free massages.  If at all possible, bring another therapist with you or a friend that can help greet people and hand out your brochures and business cards while you are giving chair massages. ( YOU WILL BE BUSY) With another therapist, you can take turns giving massages so you are not working every minute you are there.  From my experience the massage booths at health fairs and by far the busiest.  So try not to wear yourself out.  Also, I have found you will be lucky to get maybe one or two new clients out of it.  This has never been a very successful way for me to show my business.  But you never know!  Just from the ones I have done, in upscale communities.  People want their darn free massage, but that's as far as they go.  I usually put out a free drawing bowl.( Win a free 1/2 hour massage)  This has worked well, when I was trying to build my business.  I called almost all the people who entered and got them into the door for a free massage.   Then you encourage them to upgrade or reschedule.  This really helped when I was starting out.  Now-a-days I don't have to go to great lengths to get new people in the door on a regular basis, but I still do it once a year.  I also  try to remember the ones who have come in the year before and chuck their entries, because they will take advaneforum.xxxe of the free massage, but not come to you on a regular basis.  After a few years you get smart and learn not to be taken advaneforum.xxxe of.  This may not sound very nice.  But I have done tons of health fairs and especially if you do any on a yearly basis.  You get to know the ones who enter everything and have no intention of using your services except when they are  free.  Hope some of these suggestions help.

 

[flexcavano]

Tips

Taking someone else with you also gives BOTh of you the luxury of BEING worked on while the 'worker' describes what their doing to anyone about to take the hook!About the tip jars... I wouldn't bring one either, but have your appt planner & gift certificates with you!I hope it pans out for you & you have success with your efforts!Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[puddinniddup]

Thanks so much for all of the insight.  I didnt think a tip jar would be very professional, however I have never done one before.  I am taking another therapist with me.  I wouldnt do it if she werent there, way tooo busy.  Thanks again.Sherri

 

[Crazyspidey]

When I do those events, I focus more on education, GC sales and trying to book appointments rather than just being there to give out free massages.  It's been my experience too that giving away free 5-minute chair massages doesn't necessarily cause people to flood into my office.  You might want to consider offering a special rate on gift certificates purchased at the event (perhaps "buy 3, get 1 free" or something like that).  Hopefully, you'll be able to generate some sales and appointments and really make the time worthwhile.

 

[Syndicate]

Have you considered taking your table and doing neck, hand or foot massage, also?  I find this gets me more clients from health fairs than just the chair alone.Scav

 

[Shannon (: 8.21.09]

I actually dont have a chair.  I like to use my table as well.  My style of massage on the table is very similar to chair massage.  Thanks