clever things to get people into your chair

[Merry]

I'm the shy quiet type so I was wondering if anyone said anything clever to get people into their chairs at sporting events, fairs etc? A fellow therapist ask me to work an MS 5K walk as a volunteer so I could give my business cards out. I've never gone to an event...I don't even own a chair so she's letting me borrow one. Yikes, I choose massage therapy because I"m rather introverted. :wink:
I realize we can work on a friend to show people what it's like but...what do you say to people walking by to entise them?
Thanks!

 

[el tom]

bee,
Usually its a whole lot easier when you are giving them out as a freebie at a walk/run event. I don't think you'll have to worry about getting folks. (Make sure you have a sign that says FREE Chair Massage and a stack of biz cards)
Erik

 

[shealynn r]

Hmm, something clever....how about "free massage! free massage here!" That should do it

 

[LegendZ]

Don't forget a nice, friendly smile!

Others have suggested having someone you know around to get a massage to spark interest. That way people aren't walking by wondering what that chair is for. 8)

 

[Douglas B]

What to say

this works about 20% of the time

"You look like you need a massage"

Responses

No thank you
I have no time/money
Can I give you a massage (from guy)
You know I do need a massage

trust me it works
you might have 1 person out of 100 you might say something offensive, but trust me don't take it personal

Maria, RMT

 

[Troy]

Thanks, I was kind of worried that people would walk on by me. I feel better.

 

[Artie]

Never take it personal

Hi simplybeemassage

I noticed your post was from Jan 2005. How was the event?


If you ever do another event remember

"You look like you need a massage"

it works for me

 

[Curtis M]

BTW

I like your website. Just wondering where you get your Lavender vanilla sugar scrub?



Maria, RMT

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi Mariaminm,
It's funny that you should compliment the website since it's changing to something totally different in the next day or so. I traded massage for my current one and the new one is costing me, but it's a little bit more spa looking.
I make my own scrubs since they are much less expensive. I grow my own spearmint, peppermint, lavender, lemon balm, etc. I mix it with jojoba oil and a dash of essential oils for extra umph and...it works great. Oh ya, I actually keep the dry ingredients premixed in mason jars and add the oils when they show up. (in a single use size bowl) I love Bath and Body Works but there scrub is thick and heavy.
As for my post...it was made April 14th 2006 so I haven't been to the event yet. Wish me luck though.
I use raw brown sugar with the lavender since it looks good with the lavender buds.
The other two use sea salt and has flecks of the chopped leaves.

 

[Poojy :)]

It will be easy to get someone in your chair....promise.
I try to always bring a friend or colleague(or family member) along to help out. If no one is in your chair...put them in it.
Some people are phobic about being first......I don't see this too much when a free massage is in front of them.
Robyn

 

[sarasmile]

Two clever things I've used are:

1. Have more than one therapist and chair.

2. Simply engage people walking past your booth in simple conversation. Hand them a business card and coupon. Say hello and ask them how they are doing or if they are enjoying the event. Ask them if they have tried chair massage or would like to try it. If they have that look in their eye I hardly give them a chance. I gently welcome them towards my chair while handing them a clipboard with a brief intake.

This may seem a bit pushy but it is done with the right intention. And it works.

My company just worked an 18 day fair. There were times we had nobody in our chairs but there was a lot of foot traffic going by. Using the technique above we could just about fill our chairs at will and have a waiting line. And these people were paying customers. Plus we handed out over 10,000 business cards and coupons.

My first foray into chair massage in a public setting was the opposite experience. I would not engage the folks walking by. I would stand at the ready next to my chair using inviting body language. But I was too timid. I did not want to "bother" anyone.

We are all massage therapists and not salesmen. But I have to say the more I have embraced the basic fact that sales, and not the kind of person you are or how good of a therapist you are, drives all businesses, the more revenues have increased. More revenue means I am providing more of this great work to more deserving bodies.

 

[Candi C]

Tim this is so true.

If you just stand there waiting for the people to hop on, you will be pretty disappointed when more than 2/3? 3/4? walk on past. If you engage them, and tim did a great job illustrating how, you will keep busy. You will have some say that they'll probably come see you. Some will. Most won't. Oh well. Good luck

 

[Giacomo]

We are all massage therapists and not salesmen. But I have to say the more I have embraced the basic fact that sales, and not the kind of person you are or how good of a therapist you are, drives all businesses, the more revenues have increased. More revenue means I am providing more of this great work to more deserving bodies.

t038 t038 t038

A few months back I was still limping along at 7-8 massages/week. I went and had a massage from an acquaintance of mine. She did a great sales job on me at the end... telling me very specifically why a series of sessions would be helpful to me, and what my scheduling/package options were. Yeah, I rebooked. I also realized this was the piece of the puzzle I had been missing... closing the sale.

Since then I have been employing the same method, I'm getting many more rebookings, and most weeks I end the week with only having had one or two spots go unfilled. A few weeks I have even booked 3-4 sessions more than my personal max, forcing me to realize that I have limitations. HA!

I don't like sales, personally. But I do like seeing people get better, so I've found that if I look at it that way, "I can help you with your efforts to resolve your pain/stress/tightness," it's easy to encourage them to choose to have (another) massage.

 

[funnyarmor]

You definately have to be a business person, but there are some tricks that work. With school, whenever we did the chair thing we'd have someone - not in "uniform" sit down and get a massage. I assisted in a lot of community events and would often go in jeans and a school t-shirt while my classmates were in our designated scrubs.

I was already graduating and they were newish so I was giving them the pointers I'd picked up... anyhoo..

It's rather amusing how many people will jump in once they see that someone is getting massaged. . .So, in my "civilian" attire, I'd sit down and we'd litteraly pick someone up in a few minutes.

Another thing we did was have a stress survey and then tell the client they are being registered to win a free massage. Then from the list we compiled, either mail or e-mail the group back. Depending on how the day was for us, we'd give the free massages accordingly. We had something like 2 free massages for every 50 sign ups. The rest, we would mail that they were not a winner, however... and put something like 20% discount, etc.

It's a nice way to get people through the door and it worked. As a side note, I also ended up getting about 6 people to start at the school. LOL!

Jackie.

 

[jimmy4burnet]

I've found that a sign-up sheet works wonders! There are only so many time slots.....many more people around than chances to get a massage. It becomes an "emergency" to get signed up before there are no more opportunities.

When I've had a sign up sheet, I've made much more money than when I have put up signs, talked it up, demonstrated and discounted all at once.

 

[^_^]

Last year I set up my chair at our annual Garlic Fest. People come for miles every year to try garlic products such as garlic jelly, garlic ice cream and even garlic margaritas. I decided to go with the spirit of the event and made a sign that said;

"Love Garlic? Try a garlic aromatherapy massage!"

I did let everyone know that they could have the massage without the garlic scent; only 2 were brave enough to try it. For 2 days people walked by and laughed at the sign and then hung out watching the sessions going on and then signed up for their own massage. I had a crowd of 20-30 spectators for alot of the time which created an amazing buzz around my booth. At one point I went for 5 hours straight without a break.

The few times that my chair was empty I had someone I knew (or another vendor) sit for a massage because, as said in an earlier post, it's easier to get people to sign up if they see someone else in the chair.

I also had a display and spoke about our local chapter of Habitat for Humanity who I help raise funds. In fact my sign also said that a portion of the proceeds would benefit Habitat. It made me look good and I had a place to talk about a group I'm passionate about.

Bottom line, have fun. And definitely use the word free in your signage; it's the most powerful word in marketing.

Enjoy!

 

[Melody]

Watch the Godfather. Remember its not personnal its business.
If someone doesnt want a massage then move on it not you its the massage. You and your team cant massage everone.

I suggest saying "You look like you need a massage"

Goodluck

Maria, RMT
Massage in Motion
http://www.massageinmotion.ca

 

[ajwooding]

What to say

this works about 20% of the time

"You look like you need a massage"

Responses

No thank you
I have no time/money
Can I give you a massage (from guy)
You know I do need a massage

trust me it works
you might have 1 person out of 100 you might say something offensive, but trust me don't take it personal

Maria, RMT

If they say they don't have time, tell them it's only 15 minutes(or 10) Everybody has 15 minutes... and everbody has ten bucks

Christy M.T

 

[Gary D]

Wow these are some great sounding tips, I am going to have to give these a try. My thanks to everyone! I hope simplybeemassage's event went well, too.

 

[Benedict Y]

One of the best ways is to let people see someone in the chair and enjoying it. So line up some people or hand out some freebie cards - if you don't specify the length of the massage on the card, you can give 2-3 minutes. Anything to get people in the chair. Event organizers are among the best because they will talk you up