Creating a Spa Massage Practice
Many massage therapists have built a lucrative practice by offering an array of spa therapy treatments. In addition to various styles of massage therapy, spa treatments can include adjunct therapies like hot and cold stone, exfoliations, mud or seaweed wraps, and reflexology treatments. Aromatherapy can play a role in each of these spa therapy sessions. Before adding any new treatments to your massage therapy practice, be sure to confirm that your massage license authorizes you to perform them.
When opening a massage and spa practice, begin by offering common and universal services such as massage and mud wraps. Avoid any expensive up front investments, such as saunas or tanning beds, when you first open. You can explore those options once your business has grown enough to warrant the expense.
Study the demographics of your community to determine what treatments are likely to be most popular. A small, rural community will not have the same mindset towards various treatments as an upwardly mobile professional community. For example, what works in Austin, TX may fall flat in communities 50 – 100 miles outside of Austin. What is an easy sell in Silicon Valley, CA may be far less in demand in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Marketing your Spa Massage Practice
When marketing your spa therapy treatments, focus on the physical benefits of your services instead of the pampering aspect of those same services. Yes, a massage and mud wrap is relaxing and makes your skin softer, but it also helps improve circulation, reduce pain and swelling, and rid the body of toxins. Stress long-term benefits, so your potential clients see your services as more than an hour or two of pampering. A high-stressed, white-collar professional might be swayed to lay out a hundred dollars for relaxation, but a physically laboring blue-collar worker may want more than relaxation for that same amount of money.
Some of the best advertising to a spa therapy practice is word-of-mouth, so don’t neglect to offer a referral program. You can also market gift certificates to your existing clients, as a way to bring new people through your door.
Expanding Your Spa Massage Practice
Once you are becoming established, you can consider expanding your services. You might want to consider bringing in other professionals, such as estheticians, electrolysis, hair stylists and make-up artists.
To learn more about popular spa therapy treatments, the Institute of Somatic Therapy offers a variety of courses. Click on any of the links below for more details:
Spa Therapy Techniques
Hot Stone Massage
Reflexology
Aromatherapy