A question that comes up often in my business is “exactly how do I go about target marketing for my massage therapy business?” I understand where the confusion comes from and why many of you aren’t completely sure how to do this. When I was just starting my business, target marketing was foreign to me too. It seems we aren’t exactly sure who we are as massage therapist in the marketplace, and because of this we aren’t sure exactly how to get started target marketing to attract clients.
I tend to look at my massage therapy business and the way I market myself as a 2 part equation. A: Your Brand + B: Target Marketing = C: Successful Business.
The 2 Components Of Marketing
The first component of target marketing is to develop your brand or, unique qualities as a massage therapy business. Your brand is what makes you unique. It is the sum of your qualities, your visions, mission, beliefs, values and unique attributes as a massage therapist and individual. Everything that you bring to the “table” 
It may take some time to completely figure out your brand, but once you do you will be able to target your marketing to specific groups of people much easier- The second component of target marketing is finding and targeting specific groups of people in your marketplace that you are able to solve problems for. Being successful in business is all about solving problems and/or offering a unique experience that a person is desiring for one reason or another. A person doesn’t buy a hammer because they want a hammer. A person buys a hammer to build or hang something. The hammer is the problem solver. The same is typically true for massage therapy services. People will come to you for help with solving their unique problem or concern. In this instance the massage therapist would be the hammer. That doesn’t sound great, but you get the idea
Knowing how to attract clients so that you are desired and needed is what makes a massage therapist successful (among other things). The greatest way to build a business is to position yourself so that people are searching for you, instead of you feeling like a salesman and seeming desperate to attract clients. Being a desperate business owner is unattractive and ends up pushing people away. When you position yourself as a leader, an expert and an authority in your marketplace who is capable of solving unique problems, your life as a massage therapist will become so much easier. Your phone will start ringing off the hook and your appointment book will be booked solid!
Take the time necessary to develop your unique brand, target market to the groups of people you desire to work with and I can guarantee you that you will watch your business grow by leaps and bounds.
To your continued success,
Ann Ross
August 15th, 2010 at 12:58 am
Hi Ann,
Your information is so inspiring. I think I have been lacking the confidence to take pride in myself and my brand and to price myself according to what I have to offer. I have been scared about what I need to do to get myself out there (and whether I will be successful). But your information is certainly gives me the confidence to get out there and put my best foot forward.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Hi Belinda,
Thank you so much for reaching out! I understand the lacking confidence feeling, I went through this exact same struggle. Fear can be paralyzing for sure! My advice would be to keep learning, start taking action on the things you are learning and really work on pushing through those fears. Everything that made me successful was the result of pushing through a fear. If you need help with anything or have any questions don’t hesitate to send me an email. I’m always available!
Cheers!
Ann