Massage Client Relationship 2 of 3

By Rinalda,

I crossed the street and stood by Express House debating a matter.  There was a certain place I wanted to visit, but each time I decided on such, the rain came down heavily.  So I stood there smiling and eventually said aloud, to myself, that I will go another day.  The rain began to ease.  Yes.  I guess I have quite an imagination.  

As I waited it out a Bobo came and stood under my umbrella.  I thought he was just passing by, but no, he stood there mumbling that he will shelter for an hour or two.  My eyes widened.  Then he indicated to someone over the road to come and join him.  I looked to see who he was calling and saw no one.  

I gathered that whoever he was talking to was not visible to me.  He continued standing under my umbrella pulling at his beard.  He then whispered that when I bring up the bag of weed I should hail him up and let him know what time it is.  My eyes went wider. He then ducked out from under the umbrella and went to shelter in a doorway.  My eyes followed him.  

This was very interesting.  I eventually got back to minding my own business when he returned.  This time he stood at the back of me and whispered that I’m the one he is talking to.  I turned my head and held his stare for a moment, then decided to ignore him. He came to the front, still under the umbrella, and remarked that he liked my hair.  All this time I had not moved an inch.  

I looked at how he ducked in and out without touch me or the umbrella.  I decided that it was time to get out of Port of Spain, but I did not want to walk off first.  In less than a minute, he ducked out again.  I got a taxi and came home.

Yesterday I went to visit another mover and shaker...  Sunset massage overlooking the gulf.  Once I was out of the elevator I started pushing brochures under doors, then turned the corner to continue and there he was standing.  Thought I would have had to knock on his door, but he thought otherwise.  

We greeted and he escorted me around to see the three bedrooms so that I could make my pick.  I told him the living room floor would be best.  He got a sheet and spread it on the mat and settled down.  We talked; his first massage plus conversation.  When I mentioned that it was too dark to see the clock across the room, he said I didn’t strike him as being concerned with time, so just massage and he will pay. Fine.  

He had a torn ligament (or more) in the rotator cuff on the right side about two years ago which has caused the right bicep to be reduced over time.  It used to be larger than the left.  The muscle seemed to have shifted medially.  He felt it should have been healed by now, but it is still painful, especially when he lifts weights or swing his golf club.  I explained that ligaments are not muscles, so overnight recovery is asking too much.

When he was comfortable enough he told me that he had just passed his medical exam, which is required because he flies something, and wanted to celebrate with some weed.  He asked if I knew where he could get some good weed.  I spent the next few seconds laughing.  I told him, no.  

Fine.  Actually I have a few golf-playing clients like him who always have weed on display like it’s their furniture who often smoked before the massage.  I thought to connect him with one, but then, ethics…  I’m still doing massages for them because I ignore them.  If I’m suddenly seeing, and in this case, referring persons, everything would change.

When the massage was over we sat in the kitchen talking some more and I had cranberry juice since beer was not an option for me.  He gave me the latest novel he was reading by Robert Ludlum and I was ready to leave.  He was not ready to let me go so he decided to drop me home.  We ended up going through St. James instead of up Wrightson Road 

because we were talking too much and he missed the turn-off.  

When we eventually got onto the highway, we were going at top speed with no seatbelts.  He said it should not be an imposition and I was glad about that.  I did not know that he thought San Juan was somewhere near Piarco until I noticed, at the speed we were going we were going to go pass the Barataria roundabout if I did not alert him.  I told him he needed to get into the left lane.  

It had to be done quickly, which meant swerving in front of a Police car at short notice. He did it anyhow and asked if I could imagine what would happen if they pull us over.  No.  I did not want to.  Besides, why would they?  We were in one of those recent model silver-gray Kia SUV with spanking new number plate.  The Police know better.

The weed conversation resurfaced.  I decided that this was a test of some sort.  I told him we will look for a dark street and drive up and ask.  He was excited.  He said he liked this side of me.  Uh-huh.  And he did drive up a street, and I saw some young men liming, and I told him to pull over.  He said he wanted $600 worth of weed.  I only had $100 on me apart from a few dollars change because he had paid in US currency.  He said he could go to an ATM.  

I said let’s try this first and if it works he could then go to the ATM.  Fine.  I wind down the window to talk to the young man.  After saying: Good night, I could not articulate what it was that I wanted.  The guy stood there smiling at me, and my client leaned over to explain.  We both ended up saying the same thing together.  The guy said the person who sells is not there and he could not help.  I told him thanks and we drove up the street, turned, and came back down.  All the young men were standing on one side now.  

My client suggested that we stop and ask when we can expect the seller.  Fine.  He stopped, and before I could ask, the very young man held out his hand with a sample.  My client took it and smelled it and said he did not like the quality.  That was accepted and we drove off.  I reached over and touched him.  Your hand is wet!  Yes it was.  I was sweating profusely.  The whole exercise was killing me and he was cracking up with laughter.

He took me home and wanted to know why my door was open.  I told him my son was there.  So we sat outside and had a conversation about his son who is 29 years old and behaves older than him.  Good for his son, he must have gotten that from his mother’s side because his Dad is very spontaneous.  Speaking of spontaneous, he wanted to kiss me before I disembarked.  I told him I only do hugs.  He did not want that.  

Then he said, you’re like four different persons.  I liked you back there with the guys, but I’m glad I met my mind first.  He read the blog and thought that I was a mystic and wanted to be in my ‘aura.’  So he called me and I sounded like a mature woman and he felt comfortable with me.  But when I showed up on his lobby I was totally different to what he imagined and he wanted to kiss me.  I asked if he was satisfied with his massage.  

Yes.  You have smart hands, you know, like a smart phone.  I like your feet, there’re probably smart too.  I bet you have smart lips.  I bet everything in between your hands and feet are smart.  Where do these people come out from?  He leaned over.  I told him he could kiss my cheek.  No.  Lips.  I asked if he knew that kissing on the lips facilitates the transference spirit via the breath.  No one talks to me like this.  I love it!  

Give me some spirit.  He is incorrigible.  I then told him I think I want to write about our encounter so it would not be wise for me to become embroiled.  Embroiled?  Wooooo!  I want to be embroiled with you.

I’m stepping out of the vehicle now, Sir.  No, wait, did I mention that I won’t mind seeing you without your clothes? No, I guess you were just thinking it.  Yes, I was.  Do you look good without them?  I’m like a cloak rack.  What?  A cloak rack.  I look better with things hanging on me.  I don’t agree with you.  Do I get to go now?  No, wait.  I want to say that you are a unique person.  

Meeting you was not normal and I will cherish it.  It’s funny that an old whipper snapper like me can bring out the child in you.  Whipper snapper?  What’s that?  He just laughed.  Sometimes I get a massage and it’s like a piece of crap, but this was good.  Thanks.  

I think that you are definitely not normal and it would not be wise to be around you often or I might not recognize myself sooner than later.  Do I get to go now?  Yes, I will let you go to your son. Thanks.  He gave a little bow and I said: Namaste.

Look out for part 3 to be posted tomorrow. 

“Any wine will get you high.  Choose the purest.”

www.wix.com/rinalda/rinalda

A Lesson On International Massage Therapy Accreditation

Stay Within The Law In Different Countries

This article explores the legality of Massage Therapists who travel to different countries to practice their trade. 

It's an interesting personal narrative that provides useful information for any genuine massage therapist..  

It was earlier in the year that my sister was vacationing in Anguilla with her family when she thought to do massage, for beach-dwellers.  Her husband was skeptical, but he has learnt to give way to her creative ideas…sometimes.  She solicited a few persons and the reviews were flattering after the massage.  She contacted me before she vacationed here to let me know of her success and we spoke of her getting certified.  

The plan was to start the modules and do supervised practice on her family while here, and the rest of the course could be done as distance education, with her showing up again for exams.  Agreed.  Never happened.

I was telling Mom the other day that I have not been seeing my sister on Skype and I was wondering where she disappeared to.  Mom said she needed her rest.  Her new job was taking a toll on her.  New job?  Oh, she still teaches, but flies off to Anguilla on Saturdays – for the day – to do beach massages, and has been complaining of her skin peeling from sunburn.  

That’s kinda pushing it.  She is the darkest child.  Nothing there for the sun to burn.  But I understand.  My few years in the ‘Trinidad sun’ with olive oil on my skin have cooked me so well that I’m almost sheer melanin.  Anyway, my brother-in-law babysits while his wife is ‘out there’ feeling up other men…and women too.  It pays better than her fulltime job and requires no academics.

Since I could not wait for her to log into Skype to update me, I called.  The massages are being done with aloe vera.  The fresh gel is rubbed in the hands and applied to the skin of the client.  But she has gotten creative, she adds a bit of baby oil when there isn’t enough glide.  She really needs a lesson in aromatherapy.  No mixing of synthetic products with natural products.  

The clients couldn’t care less, but I told her in future she should use natural oil.  Of course I was curious about pricing.  Oh, she is modest.  Legs: US$30.  Upper body (back/arms/neck): US$40.  The price has nothing to do with the hour.  When she is done, she is done.  For persons needing the whole body (minus the genitals – she said) done, it is US$70 upwards, as this would include the chest and abdomen, and body mass must be considered.  Where did she learn all that?  This is the exact thing that aggravates massage regulatory bodies; persons earning a living without subjecting themselves to paper tigers.

Her husband took to phone to advise me that his wife is cooking for him.  I told him he is a lucky man, but I’m not sure how to use that information.  He wanted me to know that he wants her to finish cooking, so he will occupy my time instead.  Fine.  He had some news: my sister has experienced a significant decline in her waist and hipline, as she has to walk up and down the beach playing Sales Rep and giving sample massages.  Good for them both.  Lighter on his pelvis.  

Easier to maneuver.  More news: my sister is now the wife of the Pastor.  Really?  Why would she go and do that when she has a budding career traipsing along the beach?  That is unbecoming of a Pastor’s wife.  I told him her place is now to sit on the stage in her Sunday best, with her ankles and knees locked while she tries to hold her head steady at the top of her spine.  He said she has to also have a little knitted kerchief to place over her knees in case her dress is not enough to cover her kneecaps.  Excellent idea.  Better yet, make her wear a robe.

I congratulated him on his promotion.  He is one of the most realistic Pastors I know.  He’s been qualified for over 10 years, but focused on building his family and career.  I guess he feels he has thing under control, so he is letting himself take on…the whole congregation.  Christians are the best.  They never really know when to leave your house so that you could have a moment with your wife.  I know.  My Ex was a Minister too.  Yea.  We have a thing for men of the cloth, or vice versa.  Any……….way, he now has to get his license.  Can’t a man preach without license?  

Yes and no.  I understand.  I have a King James Version of the Bible, and I can’t preach because King James died before he could have accredited me.  I told him now that there are two official Pastors in the family (him and Dad - yea) I would certainly have to get married to keep up appearances.  He informed me that the ceremony would come at a price.  Sure.  I expect it would be the price of the ‘upper body’ as that is where the lips for kissing and the finger for the ring are attached.  So I’ll have US$40 and a man ready.

Let’s stick with the massage.  My sister…he has to massage her every time she returns from Anguilla.  Exhaustion in every form is what she experiences.  There goes the centering lesson that she missed.  He wanted to know who does my massages.  Who?  There no need for a who.  I only need to sleep.  While I’m doing that, the chakras metabolise the energy I need so that when I awake, I am fine.  

He thinks that’s unacceptable, I need to have massages, and suggested that I give my ex-husband a call and propose that he be my masseur.  I told him as far as I could recall he was a good receiver, not giver of massages.  He said that over time he might have developed an eagerness to give.  Uh-huh.  Listen, the guy has paid his dues already.  Just let him be.  I was born in the Year of the Tiger (Chinese Zodiac).  The Tiger is the largest of the feline species, which makes me a Royal Cat…with stripes/rank.  Tigers are associated with Emperors, not Pastors.  But he tried…few men have successfully domesticated a Tiger.

The conversation soon became muffled.  I had to ask him to repeat himself.  Then it registered.  He was eating.  His food had been served.  Fine.  Then the phone was on speaker to facilitate the food imbued conversation.  Both of them were talking to me at once with the children in the background like a noisy orchestra.  They wanted to know how are things here with me, otherwise.  Always fine.  And the classes?  Fine.  Oh, I got a call recently about teaching some people…  

Yes, I was contacted by a very familiar organization that had done their homework on me and was interested in having me tutor some of their staff.  The formality of a letter detailing the course, etc. was requested and I agreed to do such the next day.  No.  They wanted it the same day, at least a soft copy.  Interesting.  I was with a client and finished what I was doing before writing the letter.

The next day I got a call saying the letter was reviewed and they wanted me to add a few benefits of doing the course.  Really?  Okay.  I made the adjustment and printed the letter.  I then left to go to work intending to deliver the mail afterwards.  Halfway to my destination I got a call.  

Same people.  They wanted to know what time the mail will be delivered.  I said after lunch.  No.  They will come for it.  Interesting.  They suggested I took a detour.  I got out of the maxi and waited at the location they suggested.  When they arrived, we greeted and I was invited into their vehicle.  

There was a little clarification here and confirmation there, then one enquired of my destination.  The engine got started and I was dropped off where I needed to be.  Phew!

A few days passed and I got another call.  This time they wanted to know if the FHT diploma is recognized in the USA.  Well, I was silent.  I thought everyone knew that America does its own thing.  She asked if my silence meant it was not recognized.  I said ‘not recognised’ is not the ideal way to put it.  The USA has their standards that they prefer to have met.  I cited the example of a student with A Levels who goes there to live and learns that he/she has to do the GED.  Does that mean the A Levels is not recognized?  

She said that she understood, but her tone was different, like she wanted me to be more convincing.  All that I had gone through with them in a few days communicated that there was some urgency to their making decision.  Maybe the decision was almost made when someone decided against blind loyalty to the current institution they use.  The person probably was asked to provide an alternative.  My name was probably pulled from a bag.  Now I’m supposed to engage in tactics to outwit the competitor who talks of USA recognition.  Oh please, don’t do me that.  I don’t compete.  What I can do is provide you with some facts.

In all fairness, I called the two schools providing the ACTT programme and asked if their massage course was internationally recognized.  Yes, in both cases.  I asked if they are recognized in the USA.  Yes, in both cases.  Based on?  The fact that the courses are accredited.  Okay.  Some of you are aware that there are cases in which locally trained Therapists showed up in the USA and learnt differently and had to start all over.  So the attitude of the Therapist is to accept what is offered here, work for enough to pay for foreign education, then fly to foreign and get that education.  I’m yet to learn differently. 


But, it was good to hear the confidence the schools had in their accreditation.  It would be better if they try for more evidence-based confidence.  Anyway, there is a little island called Trinidad whose accreditation is said to be accepted in a big place like the USA, and someone is questioning whether accreditation from a big island like England has the same weight?  Very interesting.  I breathed in, breathed out, and sent (a little more than) the following:

…please be advised that the International Education Research Foundation offers evaluation and credentialing for foreign trained Massage Therapists (and other professionals) who wish to practice in the USA.  Their procedure includes contacting the local school for verification purposes and the results of the evaluation are sent directly to the Board in the State which the Therapist chooses to practice.  

Should the Board decide that the required hours are not met, recommendation is made for such to be done through Continuing Education programmes.  The alternative to schooling is to complete a Board-approved apprenticeship programme after which the licensure exam can be taken.  For this the Therapist has the option of NCETMB or MBLEx.

Travelling Massage Therapists are fairly familiar with the work of the AMTA which provides information on the U.S. profession and information on State massage practice laws and requirements, and the NCBTMB which provides information on national professional examinations and certification, State regulations, and links to State licensing authorities.  

However, despite their clout, they are not acknowledged by every State, and the State Board has the final say.  Some States require certification only, some license only, and some require both.  

In which case, a Certified Massage Therapist needs to have a license for his/her practice to be considered ‘legal.’ Because the requirements of each State Board vary, a Licensed Massage Therapist in one State would have to retake the exam should he/she relocate to another State to practice.  The Massage Therapist who has FHT or ACTT accredited massage qualification, which are both internationally recognized, and wishes to immigrate to the USA to practice, would be subjected to similar protocol.

Here in Trinidad and Tobago, there is no legal requirement as the Act that was presented to Parliament was omitted, having never received the President’s signature to become Law.  Hence the regulation of the practice of Massage Therapy is largely a self-guided process with exceptions being in cases where there is affiliation with professional bodies by whose Code of Conduct they abide.  

Accreditation is one form of regulation through education; hence some schools have undertaken the rigorous process with the objective of obtaining recognition through quality assurance.  This recognition, while international, does not guarantee automatic acceptance for practice in foreign countries.

It is my hope to see Massage Therapy incorporated into mainstream settings, and obtaining profession status with recognized Massage Therapy institutions is one way to achieve this.  By default, because these institutions require high standards of affiliates, massage education that meets international standards are essential.  

To this end, I accepted the invitation to participate in the review of the National Occupational Standards for Massage Therapy (a few years ago) undertaken by the NTA, which aided in ensuring that my collaboration with the FHT resulted in a quality programme that complies with both local and international NOS.  My efforts with students thus far (both FHT and ACTT accredited diplomas) have resulted in a 100% pass rate.

From a holistic perspective, I would say that the merit of the programme cannot be determined solely by a course content that is worthy of accreditation, but also by the successful transference of knowledge from teacher to student, the empirical knowledge of students themselves, and the testimonies from members of the public who have benefited from the quality of their massages. 

The Diploma in Massage Therapy qualification conferred by the FHT indicates the fulfillment of standard massage education and training requirements, ensuring that the Massage Therapist is able to demonstrate the ability to apply standard massage therapies, pass a written exam testing theoretical knowledge, and show an understanding of ethical requirements.

I hope that this information aids in your decision making.

Have a pleasant day.

I have tried to get AMTA and NCBTMB to pronounce upon the accreditations and name an institution in Trinidad and Tobago that is on their list of approved schools, but…nada.  No official comment was available at the time of writing.  Hmmm.  

Meanwhile, come Saturday, my sister will be on the beach in Anguilla, as confident as ever as she tells her clients that Massage is ‘in her blood’ and earning more money than some of the Certified Massage Therapists who are somewhere squabbling over license and whose school is more recognized.  

We are wasting time, too much time.  It would be good to have the opportunity to be of service to this company, but I believe that if I am chasing my blessings, I am heading in the wrong direction.  

Blessings are supposed to come from behind and overtake us.  So I will let this be.  What is mine, is mine.  I have never dangled treats in front of potential students to get them to join the class.  Everyone who has journeyed with me had to decide whether they trust me to deliver.  They had to make up their own mind, because if I made it up for them, then I have to keep it made.  Exhausting. 

I just might need those massages.  In which case, I have a call to make.  What’s his number again?

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. 

Are You Making This Classic Massage Therapists' Marketing Mistake?

Don't Become Victim To This Offline Marketing Pitfall

Remember the there by five card that doctors used many years ago before computers were invented.  They called it their "patient card", a 3x5 card with scribbles about the patient.  

It started with the patient name, it may or may not have had an address but at a minimum, it recorded the date the doctor saw the patient and the reason for the visit.

These cards accumulated into hundreds and sometimes thousands. This was the doctor’s patient database.  Not that he called it that himself, to him and everyone else at the time it was a “patient card”. 

Times have certainly changed and unfortunately many massage therapists do not see the need for keeping a “patient cards”.  It was extremely important to his practice.  Ok, you're no doctor but the idea behind it is the same; longevity of your practice. 

In marketing these cards would have been labeled "customer/client cards",  We refer to it as a customer database i.e. a collection of information on every customer, client or patient. You would think that a database requires a computer?  It does not.

Even without a computer you should have a database. This is more important than getting new clients. 

Not doing this is the biggest marketing mistake made by many massage therapists.  It creates a huge hole in their business operations.  The sad fact is if their great grandfathers saw the need for it on copy books; why is it being ignored today?  

Computers do make it a lot easier to accumulate, record and manipulate the information as various needs arises but it is not absolutely necessary.  

Without a customer database you are just a peddler in the market place looking for the best price for your services.  Think about a market vendor at the local market and you will get the picture. 

Decide quick, today, that you must build a client data base.  Take the quickest route even if it means a plain sheet of paper.  Don’t leave it for tomorrow, this is extremely urgent, the future of your business depends on it. 

    

There are many benefits, just think creatively and you may be able to come up with some yourself.    

As we go along I will share a few tactics you can use with your database. Test everything and see how it works. Start with your past clients.

That’s all for today.

Stay Blessed.

Massage Therapists In Trinbago Should Celebrate Ash Wednesday

A Cultural Phenomena - A Captive Market 

Ash Wednesday should be the beginning of the year for Massage Therapists in Trinidad and Tobago.  

There is no other time of the year when so many Trinbagonian are hurting from using muscles that were only used last year. 

Walking, chipping, jumping  and palancing penerates muscles and sinews and cartilages; they pain.

The muscles in my lower foot from the tip of my toes to my calves are mushy and painful.  Having quite a few contacts in the industry I felt that at least one would contact me and offer their services.  

What really hurts was when I had to call the person I had my last massage with, (I hate calling her my MT anymore) she did not call me. But I still made the appointment for this afternoon. Does that say anything to you? 

It was only after I made the appointment that I thought about what actually happened.  This is not how it was supposed to work. 

I had recommended to one MT last week that she take advantage of the captured market of weary masqueraders but I think she was more focused on masquerade.  

I suggested that she give a couple of the band owners she knew a small flyer offering each a free massage.  My idea was to offer a foot massage for about 10 minutes each. 

The person would have to make an appointment for the free massage and be qualified to receive it.  . 

The intention is to separate the people who are open to a massage from those who are not and to use the ten minutes to up sell them on a full body massage.  

There is nothing like having a captive audience where you can begin the consultative selling process. 

Everyone in the country who played Mas this year have aching feet today unless they played the Mas on a float.  

If you are a therapist without clients today you should certainly reconsider your marketing. 

If you are a client with aching feet, contact me and I will recommend a good Massage Therapist in your area. 

The number is 686-7396

Why Every Massage Therapist In Trinidad and Tobago Should Use Facebook

The #1 Reason Why Every Massage Therapist in Trinidad and Tobago Should Use FaceBook

Facebook has become synonymous with the Internet in Trinidad and Tobago.

In fact, when you put meaning to the statistic generated within Facebook the numbers tell an interesting story.

Here are some findings with interpretations.

As of March 2nd 2011 there are:

Exactly 403,860 people 13 to 64+years old registered on Facebook who actually live in Trinidad and Tobago. With a census population of just over 1.228,691 according to World Stats, it means that approximately a third of the population in T&T are registered on Facebook.

The total internet usage in Trinidad and Tobago is reported to be 485,000 representing 39.5 % of the total population now get online.


Eighty three percent of the people on the Internet in Trinidad and Tobago are registered on Facebook.

Compare the 33% of the total penetration on the Internet in T&T to the 77% penetration in the United States.

Would you imagine that there would be a greater percentage of people in the US registered on Facebook?

Not so, the US penetration is only 43% compared to T&T 83% Facebook penetration.

Facebook has penetrated the psyche of Trinbago culture almost as much as the Internet.

Here are some other interesting Facebook statistics on Trinidad and Tobago. Facebook calls this the "estimated reach", i.e. the number of people in a particular age group in Trinidad and Tobago that Facebook reaches:

• There are 218,040 people on FB who live in Trinidad and Tobago between the ages of 18 and 25 inclusive
• There are 275,740 people on FB who live in Trinidad and Tobago between the ages of 25 and 50 inclusive
• There are 36,000 people on FB who live in Trinidad and Tobago between the ages of 50 and 64 inclusive.

These are interesting statistics because now it can be concluded that Facebook has a reach, in the 18 year olds and above, of 529,780 Trinbagoians.

That is more than the Express (45K), Guardian (40K) and Newsday (40K) a total circulation of 125,000 daily. Facebook reaches five times as many Trinbagoians. .


What does all this mean to massage therapist in Trinidad and Tobago? It means that all these entities cannot ignore this social network. It means that they must find a way to leverage it to accomplish their missions. Facebook is not fading away.


Some of the early adopters will be the first to maximize the Facebook potential but many will continue to see it as just another social network. It is a social medium but it’s also a communication medium with the pre-requisite infrastructure to support any type of communication.

Users have the ability to use email, instant chatting and sharing information all within the network. It’s the ideal medium to maintain constant contact with any group, company, organization or a significant segment of the Trinidad and Tobago population.

Ignore it at your own peril.

Speed Up Your Computer: Instant Trial Download

Embracing Competition To Build Your Massage Therapy Business

Shifting Your Business Building Paradigm

Competition helps businesses and industries grow.  It's a positive force in any business environment although it is hardly ever seen that way.  

But think of it for a moment, saturated markets provides a working model for new businesses.  Simultaneously, it stimulate the demand side of the market.for the particular products or services.  

Competition enables choices and a wider range of selection.  It moderates prices and can even self adjusts to inefficient operations. Competition is essential to a robust market environment. 

If you read the previous blog post you would already have the answer to the question; "why buy from me?"

If you have that answer now, you can see how you can be more prepared to enter the market and stand out from the competition.  

This is an essential step, whether you are operating as an individual, or an established business you must formulate a unique selling proposition with a strategic business model.

To understand the concept of competition in marketing your business, consider a pie the total market.  Assume it represents all the massages that take place in your particular market place.  Now see that pie sitting in front of you on a table.  Can you eat it all?

For normal people, the answer is absolutely not, eating a slice usually satisfies their hunger.  The reality is that every industry is like the pie.  You are vying for a share of the market, a piece of the pie. .


We agreed that you couldn't and maybe even won’t eat the whole pie.  What if from that big pie you cut out a slice with the pink frosting?  That's what you do when you identify an attractive niche in your market.  You cannot have it all anyway. 


The piece you cut out is still more than you can eat but it's all you want.  This is your massage therapy niche, you have just reduced the number of potential clients you could approach but you have also drastically reduced the number of direct competitors in your market.  


You may be the sole player in that particular niche.  Your competition will certainly be limited. 


Now let’s introduce a cooperative element into your marketing.  Remember the left over pie.  


Think it's possible to tap into the larger segment of the massage therapy market?  If you have already carved out a niche for yourself, do you think that other massage therapist will cross paths with some of your perfect clients?  


What if you were able to get them to refer these clients to you?.  


Definitely counter intuitive but consider the advantages of being able to cooperate with other genuine massage therapists: You will have 

§  Qualified referral to your business because of  your positioning as a specialist.  You can offer to reciprocate or pay a fee. 

§  A wider variety of skill sets at your disposal  when you refer your clients to their services which you don't perform. 

.

§  Benefits of focusing on your core area of expertise to consistently produce  successful results  

A cooperative strategy will require that you become familiar with a network of other massage therapists. 


This is not possible if you are still insecure and believe that the market is small and clients are limited.  It will not happen if you don't know your specific target market.  It certainly will never happen if you continue to think that you should own every massage client.  This is what one professional had to say:about massage therapists and competition. 


Competition is a reflection of your fear.  You fear that there won't be enough clients for you or that you have to take clients away from everyone else in order to be successful.  Online Quote


That's why you were asked to focus on yourself first. It is the reason why you should formulate a  unique selling proposition before ever looking at the competition.  It allows you to easily decide on your target market, identify your real competition and develop an efficient business model.


Becoming cooperative instead of competitive is one strategy but that’s only one.   


There are many ways to grow a business in a competitive environment.  The most important and I might add no cost way to attract clients is to develop, use and live with a unique selling proposition.


This is so important to your business that the next post will delve into how you come up with a unique selling proposition for your massage therapy business.  

What's The Primary Reason A Massage Prospect Would Choose You or Your Business?

How To Get More New Clients

Today let's talk about marketing your Massage Therapy practice.

Here is the assumption; you are a small practice, a place to call your own and you need clients.

You have already tried, or hopefully not tried printing flyers, giving everyone you meet your business card and calling all the family and friends you know.

If you were enterprising you may have place an ad in the newspaper but that is not sustainable. So now what?  What can you do to get more clients.

The first question you should ask yourself is; Why should someone do business with me?  Why should they not go to someone else who does massages? What makes me special, different, unique?

In a lot of the cases, especially in your local market the perpetual question in your prospects mind is; Why should I massage anyway?  What do I get out of it?

Now if your prospective client knew the benefits of a professional massage they would be begging you for an appointment.  But that's not the case, they know nothing about you, they do not understand what a deep tissue massage does.  For example, if they are over 50 and have never been massaged what would you want to tell them? If they were in constant pain; what would you tell them?

These are questions your should ask and be able to respond to for before you  introduce yourself.  Know the  benefits of not only the massage but why you?  If you are a therapist and you are reading this answer the questions.  If you wish, and you are bold enough, share your answers.  Maybe we can sharpen up a bit.

Imagine I'm a potential client you just met and you want to convince them that they should do a massage with you.  Why?  Tell me.  What makes you different?  Why will they want to come back?  Let's hear you.

Take Your Massage Therapy Business To The Next Level

Cherie Sohnen-Moe (http://www.sohnen-moe.com)is an author, business coach and international workshop leader and has been in business since 1978.

She was in private practice for many years as a massage and holistic health practitioner before shifting her focus to education and coaching. In her coaching/consulting practice she has worked with individual practitioners, (such as massage, acupuncture, nutrition consultants, counselors) to small wellness centers to day spas that have multiple locations.

Her consulting clients also include retail boutiques, restaurants, automotive repair shops, schools and artists.

She has also served as a faculty member at the Desert Institute of Healing Arts, the Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and was an adjunct professor at Clayton College of Natural Health.


Massage Radio

Massage Therapy Bed In Trinidad and Tobago For Pain

The Thermal Massage Bed

The following article was printed in the Trinidad Newsday last year.  Just to insure that the contact information was still current I contacted the owner, Selman-Sookdar owner of the Migun Center.

She advised me that the business had moved to 16A Lucknow St. in St James and the new business number is 628-0901 and 705-2150.  Below is a video I found that gives you a look at the concept.  This is the same bed that is used in the Migun Center.  The technology is standard.

 

If you are interested in an alternative massage therapy session, contact her directly for an appointment.  The contents of the article follows:


Excerpt Newsday Article 

By VERDEL BISHOP Tuesday, May 18 2010

MASSAGE THERAPY can work wonders on a tired body and if it is done using Migun Thermal Massage Bed, it can only be described as pure magic.

That is the claim of Patricia Selman-Sookdar owner of the Migun Centre, in Woodbrook, who says she knows about the therapeutic wonders and benefits of thermal therapy, which she explained goes beyond providing chiropractic therapy.

Selman-Sookdar said the Migun Thermal Massage Bed places heat and pressure on the points in the body connected to certain organs. She added that thermal therapy is effective in treating strokes, ulcers and problems of the kidney, prostate, heart and liver.

“As anyone who has experienced the massage bed will tell you, the bed will cause all the tension in your muscles to disappear and reduce the amount of pain you feel by a great deal.   

Read the rest of the story here

Why does Americans rate massage as highly as medications?

After Reading This You Should Be Totally Convinced 

A new survey conducted by an independent research firm, this annual survey is the ninth commissioned by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

The result of the survey is another reason for the growth of the massage therapy industry globally, including here in Trinidad and Tobago.

The survey went on to state that "one out of five US adults got a therapeutic massage in the last year".

Here are some of the other survey findings. .

• 90 percent of Americans feel massage is good for a person's health.
  
• 93 percent agree with the statement that massage can be effective for pain relief.
  
• Use of massage in people age 65 and older has tripled from 4 percent in 1997 to 15 percent in 2005.
  
• 22 percent of Americans had a massage in the past year; 34 percent had a massage in the last five years.
  
• 73 percent of those who had a massage would recommend it to a person they know.
  
• 46 percent of respondents at some time had a massage to relieve pain.
  
• Among respondents who discussed massage with their health care provider, 57 percent said this health professional strongly recommended massage or encouraged them to get a massage.

It shows that one in five U.S. adults got a therapeutic massage in the last year. Three-fourths of them would recommend it to others — one reason for the body therapy's growing popularity.
If we used the above statistics as a window to the globe you will realize that if you have not had an massage as yet, you should be seriously considering making an appointment to get one soon.

Go here to read the entire article


If you live in Trinidad and Tobago go here to see how it can make a differentness in your life. .