Sex and Trinidad & Tobago Massage Therapists - Part 2

Massages with Happy Endings

Why are Trinidad and Tobago men so obsessed with sexual satisfaction when they hear the word “massage”?

This is a question we focused on in the last post on this topic.  One Massage Therapist attributed the pervasive misconception to the history of massage in Trinidad and Tobago.  Citizens of this country were introduced to massage not as a healing art but as a precursor to sex. 

In the early years the only commercially available massages were done in what was known as Massage Parlors.  Men were offered erotic or sensual massages usually performed by scantily dressed, very attractive young women.  

It was a legitimate way for both encumbered and single men to “get off” without the guilty feeling of having paid a prostitute or “make a fare” as it is said in Trinidad.

Massage therapy is relatively new in Trinidad and Tobago when compared to older cultures.  It was the emergence of a culture of sports that legitimate Massage Therapy really began getting a toe hold in Trinbago.  Most dedicated athletes appreciate the therapeutic value of a well done massage.

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Mainly because of sports, more local men became certified Massage Therapists with the ability to execute a professional Swedish, Deep Tissue or Acupressure massage.  This was the catalyst that transformed the perception of the industry for a significant of men in Trinidad and Tobago.

Ironically, now men are fending off women with the same misconceptions of their mail counterparts.     

Most legitimately certified massage therapists must constantly be on the alert to weed out clients seeking massages with “happy endings”. 

In the real live example in my last post, I promised to share how what was a legitimate appointment turned out.  I called to confirm and the conversation was short and disappointing.  Here’s how it went...

“Hello I’m calling to confirm your appointment for a full body massage at 8:30 AM”

“Yes, I’m getting ready to come out there right now” he said, then continued.

“I have one question to ask; do I get a release at the end of the massage?”

“Do you mean you will like to be jerked off after the massage?” knowing the answer before I asked.   

“Yes” he answered.

“No” I responded, “you are looking for a different type of massage, we don’t do those.”

“Ok” he said.  “I’ll call you back”

“Have a nice day” I said, as I hung up the phone.

Dammit admit it.   Trinidad and Tobago men and women do have misconstrued idea of Massage Therapy.  We know that now.  The more important question is not why but how. 

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How can legitimate massage therapists turn this thing around? 

Education is the obvious answer. 

But how do we re-educate a cultural belief?  How do we change men’s minds?

Marketing 

Follow this blog we share with you some of the marketing strategies and tactics you can use to educate your market.

I see it from a marketing perspective and maybe you don't. Feel free to suggest how this could be done, share it with us.  Let us know what you think.  

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Sex and the Trinidad and Tobago Massage Therapist

Men Seeking Sensual Therapeutic Massages

All massages are sensual but what we are referring to here is erotic or sexual.  

In Trinidad and Tobago there is a thin line between a Massage Therapist and a masseur.   Most adult men think that the word "Massage" has everything to do with sexual satisfaction.  

 Licensed Massage Therapist who are not willing to do what Masseurs do must be adept at screening out male clients who assume that a full body massage includes massaging their private parts.

Literally hundreds of Massage Parlors, offering sensual or erotic massages, have sprung up in every city in Trinidad.  What clients will find in these parlors are Masseurs who cater to an overwhelming national male need for sexual gratification.  The masseur’s only qualification is a pretty face and attractive body, certification is welcomed but not a necessity.  They can easily pass themselves as Massage Therapists with "Extra Benefits" benefits all based on compensation.  

It becomes hard for most men to tell the difference between a therapist and a masseur.

The following is an example of what can happen when an ad is placed in the Health Care Classified Section of the Express.  The ad specifically states therapeutic massages by appointment or home service.   The phone rings…

“Hello” I said, answering the cell phone I used in my classified newspaper advertisement.  I am an independent Massage Therapist renting space in a Massage Therapy office in San Juan.  

“Hello, I’m calling about the ad for a therapeutic massage” the voice on the other end said.

“Would you like to make an appointment?”

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“No, not yet, tell me what do you offer?  Can you tell me something about the massage?

“Sure” I said. “You will get a therapeutic massage that relieves stress and promotes relaxation.  Your acupressure points will be massaged to stimulate your circulatory and nervous system to function better.  At the end of the massage you will feel totally different.”  I assured him.  

A red flag should have gone up then instead I continued with a question…

 “Have you ever had a massage done before sir?”

Yes, I have”,  he responded, "it’s just that the woman that did it… well I lost her number and cannot get back in touch with her. 

“Would you like to make an appointment”?   

“Yes I would” he responded.  “Can I come in for an early appointment on Tuesday?”

“What’s early to you sir?”  I asked.  

“Eight thirty”, he answered, “I go to work for 10 AM and I want to be massaged before I go”.

“OK, not a problem, I’ll see you then.  Here’s how you get to our place…”

 The point today is that Massage Therapists must exercise caution when meeting new clients.   There was nothing much in our conversation to trigger any suspicions if you are naive to what can transpire.   

There is a significant segment of men in Trinidad and Tobago who know the awesome therapeutic value of a well done massage.   These men get regular massages as evidenced by the number of well established massage establishments in the country.  

However and unfortunately we still need a lot of education or re-education to occur before the scales are tipped.   In a society obsessed with sexual satisfaction and machismo the only solution would appear to be a change in legislation or enforcement if laws do exist.   

This is how it turned out. 

4 Marketing Tactics Independent Massages Therapist Should Use

Massage Therapy Marketing For Beginners

Massage Therapy schools in Trinidad & Tobago do not include sessions on how to build a massage therapy business.  Every year hundreds of new Massage Therapists graduate with varying degrees of skill levels, in other words some have embraced the discipline and others are just so-so.    

All compete in the market for the available clients.   How you market your business whether you are just starting or have had your certification for a number of years will determine your success. The following are four basic tactics that every Massage Therapist should use to market their services. 

1.  Word Of Mouth:  By far the best way to get more clients is word of mouth.  That is someone telling their friends about your ability to give an effective massage.  This form of advertising is also the most inexpensive.  You start by letting your friends and associates know about what you do asking them tell their friends and associates.  Unfortunately, in order for this type of advertising you must first be good at what you do and secondly it does not work overnight and can take a few years to become a sustainable form of advertising. 

2.  Referrals:  This is very similar to word of mouth in that you do require your clients to tell their friends and associates about your business and it could cost you nothing.  It’s different because it should become an integral part of your business.  In other words it must be a system you have that you execute with every client.  For example, you may have a referral process where you discount future massages for each client when they refer another paying client.  Point on this system is that each and every client you get must know about it and it should be in writing.  Use the free intake form to get data on your clients.  Get it from this post. 

3.  Classified Newspaper Ads:  Now you are paying, although it’s not much and the cost of these ads can be recuperated easily.  This assumes that you know something about how to place a classified ad and the words you use to attract clients.  It’s too much to go into the mechanics here but where you place the ad in the classified section is important as important as the words you choose.  Most ads are sold by the number of words you use.  Bear in mind that a classified ad is not intended to sell your business.  The purpose is to get prospects to call.  If you try to do anything else with the ad, it will not work.  

4.  Flyers:  This is a little more expensive tactic that can return significant returns; however, it must be done strategically.  That is to say, yes you want to do flyers targeted to a niche.  The returns on mass audience flyers are generally pitiful.  Flyers works best when a specific niche of your market is targeted.  For example, you can focus on the hotels and tourist markets.  Make flyers and distribute in hotels, motels and guest houses in Trinidad and Tobago.  Make arrangements with the hotel management to offer a massage service as part of their hotel package.  Offer the hotel a monetary incentive to include your service in their advertisements.   

The bottom line is as a new or even old Massage Therapist you must find a way to incorporate as many of these basic strategies in your marketing.  The goal is to build a more sustainable practice.  You can sit on your massage fingers and complain or get up and do something.  If you do nothing else, at the very least you could employ a systematic word of mouth strategy tied to a referral system.   

Start reimbursing yourself for the tuition to learn what you know, now is the time to get it back. 

Most Massage Therapists Have The Shoe Maker’s Problem

Caught In The Trader’s Trap

He builds and repairs shoes for hundreds of customers while ignoring holes in the soles of his own shoes.   Massage Therapist almost never get a massage themselves.  They don't realize that unlike the shoemaker their entire business depends on their health. 

Whether a Massage Therapist works for an organization or is independent, finding the time to have a massage on their own body is almost impossible.  No doubt, it is easy, and most do, self massage when they feel a pain but for many of the pains they cannot effectively massage.  

The truth is that Massage Therapists are similar to doctors, lawyers, plumbers and shoemakers.  In fact, any profession that relies on an individual’s skill for sustained income falls under that is called the “Trader’s Trap”. The pitfall is that their economic survival depends on their good health.  If, or should I say when,  their health is affected in any way, they immediately lose their income.  

The irony is that most Massage Therapists know the benefits of a therapeutic massage; yet they come up with reasons like “I’m too busy”  “I can’t find anyone to massage me”  or  the classic “I don’t need one”.   It's the same excuses that many of their clients use when they try to avoid having a massage done.

And take a guess which part of the body feels the pain first.  Yes, you are right, the feet.  Most Message Therapists are on their feet most of the day which will eventually take a toll after a few years.  

What's your excuse?  When's the last time you had a massage done on your feet or whole body?  

Take your own medicine and get a massage soon, no one knows the benefits better than yourself.