Do Massage Therapists Work As Slaves?
Today’s show was originally posted on my blog
голова болит секс The Day After Tomorrow hd 2 years ago, but I thought that the message was so important that I am replaying it again here.
Dr Michael Kruse , has been nominated twice as Chiropracter of the Year in Washington State, and has referred thousands of his patients to massage therapy over the years.
And he thinks that massage therapists work as slaves! Listen to find out why?
This was recorded live at a North Cascade AMTA business panel featuring Dr Kruse, Sally Ledgerwood and yours truly.
There are three ways to listen….
henry poole is here online Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
1. Listen right now: Shortbus psp In Search of the Jaguar full movie 8MM 2 dvdrip The Moon and the Stars movie
)
2. Right Click the Download MP3 link above and save to your computer. голова болит секс
3. Subscribe to the Podcast Feed Below
Do you think we work as slaves? Hit the comments link below and tell us what YOU think.American Dreamz video
Ann-Marie Thompson on 05 Oct 2008 at 5:12 pm #
I think some of us work as slaves. I do, without choice as my practice is in Jamaica so the exchange rate makes it impossible to charge more. I charge $3500 JA for 1hr massage (out call) which is about $48 depending on the value of the dollar and under $1 per minute for chair massages.
Dana on 06 Oct 2008 at 6:13 pm #
I agree with this chiropracter, but he certainly has an attitude on him. Plus, in this economy–is it really legitimate to expect 300-400 for 3-4 hours of massage and education? I believe that would require me to market in wealthier neighborhoods, events, etc. Additionally, I find it less rewarding to work with people who have money to burn because they aren’t as appreciative.
Renee on 13 Oct 2008 at 4:25 pm #
I agree compared to a lot of other professions. But it is such a fine line, charge too much people will go some where else and you may set them up for disappointment. Or charge too little and they think there is something wrong with you, even if the massage was great. Plus it takes some guts to charge more than the rest. Especially if the client challenges your prices. People that are rich are rich for a reason. They like a good deal just like the rest.
Karen Dimmick on 22 Jan 2009 at 5:28 pm #
I agree, I think a lot of massage therapists don’t charge what they could be charging. However, to charge more your marketing has to make you stand out from the crowd and show you’re different and provide something no one else in your area provides. Without that, all the public has to make a choice on is the price, which ultimately means they’ll go to the one who charges the least.
Jeff Sauers on 07 Apr 2009 at 10:53 am #
If only massage therapists will one day wake up and realize that we don’t HAVE to work as slaves if WE take it upon ourselves NOT to be actual ‘employees’ but as ’subcontrators’ instead.
Most of the time the line between the two are blurred, but if we as massage therapists have this attitude such as, ‘give me work’, we’re forever doomed to always being looked upon as ‘employees’ only.
But I personally know from my 16 years experience as a working massage therapist for doctors and say spas and now as a marketing teacher for massage therapists that if you approach a doctor or day spa owner with a solid marketing game plan and show them exactly how their business is going to benefit without any extra effort on their part, believe me, you can practically name your price!
The problem is that 99.9% of massage therapists don’t take it upon themselves to learn how to effectively leverage themselves, learn what business owners want from their therapist, or know solid marketing strategies that are proven to attract clients on a consistent basis.
Without offending anyone, most therapists simply don’t take it upon themselves to approach a doctor or day spa with a solid marketing game plan in place and ready to go!
If you were a doctor or day spa owner, wouldn’t YOU be way more impressed if a therapist came to you with a solid marketing method for quickly generating clients without any extra effort from you? Wouldn’t you wish to speak to this person as opposed to the typical resume and/or letter of introduction that basically just says, “give me work”?
Here’s a little secret - most doctors and day spa owners don’t know how to properly market themselves, anyway! So if you speak with the doctor/day spa owner and basically say, “I’m not looking to be an employee, I’m looking for a place to start my massage practice in. I’m going to do… (name a few marketing strategies that also shows the many benefits for their business). I’ll do all of the marketing, so you don’t have to worry about that. I just need a room to work out of. This is how I’ll easily market to your existing clients… (name marketing methods). And not only that, but after two months, if you’re happy with the amount of clients I’m generating, we can part ways - not hard fellings. We can split everything 50/50, ok?”
You’ll NEVER again have to settle for what little money and/or clients they give you. YOU’LL be in complete control of your own massage practice.
If you actually implement this method, you’d have businesses calling and asking YOU to set up a practice inside of their location instead of having to settle for whatever they offer you.
Oh - and you WON’T be scaring off clients either - not even in this economy because if you speak to a niche market in a way that they’ll respond to and show them exactly why and how your massage session is different and how they can’t get it from any other therapists, they’ll pay more! I mean, think of it…
If price was always the issue across the board, we wouln’t have $5 cups of coffee, designer clothing, gourmet dog/cat food, cigarettes, and rolls royces. Yet, people a still lining up for ALL of these items.
So be creative, set yourself apart from your competition, take it upon yourself to learn effective marketing (not what your competition is doing), and you can easily have as many clients as you need without feeling like a slave to anyone!!!
My blog explains more about this topic, if you’re interested.
bansai on 18 Apr 2009 at 11:05 am #
i used to work as massage therapist on cruise ships and have definitely been exploited to the maximum! shifts were twelve hours (8am to 8pm) daily every day in a week. i worked on commission and the most i made was out of the tips (10-15%).
this kind of work will not recommend to anyone meditating on this. instead — work hard for yourself on land, save something and then buy yourself a cruise. then be pampered in onboard salon and spa as passenger.