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How to Raise Your Massage Rates

Running A Massage Therapy Practice

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In this Post: Increasing your prices is intimidating! But often necessary to create a thriving business. Learn 8 steps for how to raise your massage rates.

How to raise your massage rates.

So you have determined that it is time to raise your massage rates, good for you! But, now what? How do you actually go about the process of increasing your prices? How much do you raise them? 

Still unsure whether the time is right to make a rate change? Check out: When to Increase Massage Rates – 5 Signs It’s Time for a better idea of when the time might be appropriate. 

Other professions periodically raise their rates – no sweat, why shouldn’t we as massage therapists afford this same luxury? 

You know what, we should! Periodic raises are appropriate. We should make sure that we are charging well within industry standards for the area in which we live. When we do continuing education to increase our skills, it is appropriate that we are compensated more for our time. 

There are many ways you could approach this process. Here I am sharing my tried and true methods for how I have implemented these changes in the past. Twice I have gone through this process, and I am about to embark on a third rate increase in a few months. I have found the process with these methods to be surprisingly painless and effective.

I’ve even been surprised to have clients congratulate me and tell me, “it was about time.” Shocking, but true. 

You may find pieces of my process resonate with you, or you may come up with a method all of your own. Either way, if you are reading this, I’m willing to bet it is time for you to implement a change. You have probably been considering this shift for a while, lamenting over the details and whether the time was right or you were worthy. 

Well, I’m going to tell you, the time is right, and you are worthy. Take that leap of faith and proactively make your dreams a reality. It is time for you to create a thriving, sustainable business. One that allows you the freedom and flexibility to establish balance and harmony in your life. 

8 Steps For How To Raise Your Massage Rates

Step 1 – Set a date.

I usually like to pick a date at least three months out. This gives me plenty of time to wrap my brain around all the steps involved with my process. I have time to reflect on the specifics of pricing, get mentally prepared for the emotions involved, and gives my clients ample warning about the impending hike. 

Step 2 – Work on your mindset mentality.

This might be the hardest step of them all. In this step, you are establishing conviction and faith in your decision. Meditate on your mission. Practice self-affirmations that validate your worth and reasons for increasing your prices. It is never easy raising rates, but the more confident you are in your actions, the smoother the transition will be! Don’t let questions about losing clients, being good enough, and whether you are raising rates enough, circle through your head. It is time! Now keep reminding yourself! 

Step 3 – Spread some breadcrumbs.

Start casually mentioning to your regulars that there will be a rate increase in the near future. This way they won’t feel like you are springing things on them overnight. This may feel a little intimidating, but if you have been working on Step 2 or mindset mentality, you should be feeling truly confident that you deserve that raise. At this stage, I usually tell people that I am not yet sure about all of the details, but that it won’t be anything drastic. I don’t like to quote specific prices at this time, in case I change my mind. 

Step 4 – Figure out your new prices.

A lot of factors go into play here. So, think carefully about what adjustments you would like to make. If you raise them by too small an increment, you will go through this same process again in a year or two. Perhaps that is okay with you, but know that it never gets easier emotionally, not to mention all the printed material you will have to redesign and possibly pitch. When figuring out a number, think about how your skills compare to those around you, how you value your time, and who your ideal client is. Remember that you can always offer discounts, it is much harder to charge more. 

Step 5 – Make edits to your promotional material.

If it is printed material that you are changing, send them to the printers. If you have a web developer, make sure to get them the new pricing. Let them know when you want the pricing to go live on your site. Having your prices in writing is a good idea, there is something about how we as humans process material in print that makes it seem more legitimate. Legitimize this process by getting prepared and armed to pass out price sheets when the time is right. 

Step 6 – Send an email.

About a month before you are slated for the increase, send an email out to your client list. This is when I would first divulge the new prices, as well as explain my reasoning for the increase. Mention things like continuing education you have taken, what sets you apart from your competitors, and any other factors that seem appropriate. 

Don’t have an email marketing practice in place? I strongly urge you to establish one as soon as possible. Check out: Email Marketing For Massage Practices for tips and tricks on how to successfully implement an email strategy with your clients. 

In the email say something along the lines of; 

We have been in business now for nine years, with the help and support of you. It has been a fun and inspiring ride! We are so blessed and honored to have gained your trust and business! Hopefully you can understand as we are currently looking at a slight rate change, slated to happen July 1st. 

We have always strived to have fair prices and feel this change is still in line with these goals. We wanted to give you a “heads up” and the opportunity to “stock up” on massages at our current price. The last rate change we had was in 2013. Keeping in line with Denver industry standards and factoring the rising costs of doing business we felt at this time it was appropriate for this change. We will still be offering package deals, giving referral discounts, Facebook “like” discounts, and various other “special’s” so please continue to take advantage of these deals. Also we will still be honoring any pre-purchased massages. 

We look at massage as a critical health tool aid. Massage not only helps relax and decrease stress, it also helps prevent injuries, decrease recovery time between workouts, and improve sleep. Thank you for valuing massage and continuing to choose us as a part of your health and healing journey!

Our New Price Structure (Starting July 1st) (A $5 increase per massage).

 (These prices do not reflect the prices I actually charge, please don’t take these prices as suggestions, they are merely an example of how to convey your new pricing structure to your clients). 

Individual Massages

$75 – 30 minute massage
$95 – 1 hour massage
$125 – 90 minute massage

Package Deals

$270 – Three 60 minute massages
$510 – Six 60 minute massages
$360 – Three 90 minute massages
$690 – Six 90 minute massages

Step 7 – Remind your clients.

Continue to remind your clients each week for the next month. Emphasize that they can purchase gift certificates which won’t expire. 

Step 8 – Make the change.

It’s time, start making the big bucks. Update your website, display and distribute your printed material, and begin charging the new rate. 

My one word of caution is not to keep specific clients at the old rates. This will complicate and confuse you profoundly. It will also allow for resentment to creep in, never a good thing. 

Rarely is it easy, or a decision to take lightly, increasing prices. But necessary none the less. As the cost of doing business continues to rise, so does our need to increase revenue! 

So go get your self-affirmations on until you start believing you are good enough, and you are worthy enough. Quit with this scarcity mindset, and start charging the big bucks! You want to thrive? Charge what you are worth! 

Massage

Author Profile

Ali Boehm
- Boulder College of Massage Therapy Graduate
- Nationally Certified through NCBTMB
- Colorado Licensed Massage Therapist
- Certified CranialSacral Level 1 through Upledger
- Certified Herbal Therapist through Nutrition Therapy Institute
- Certified Fujian Massage through Barefoot Masters
- Fort Lewis College - Majored in Art, Minored in Business Administration
- 6 Year Winner of Best Massage Therapist for "Best of The Boat" Competition
- Massage Business Owner Since 2008
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Recent Posts

  • Podcast Episode 050: Show Up & Shine on Social Media with Stacey Hagen
  • Negotiating A Massage Lease
  • Insurance Billing For Massage Therapists
  • Podcast Episode 049: Diversifying Your Income with Soul Care Coaching with Christine Boye
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the.massage.business.mama

the.massage.business.mama
My son is becoming quite the portrait photographer My son is becoming quite the portrait photographer. Don't you think? 

Today is moving day for my business, and I'm finding myself quite sad! 

I've been in my current location for a little over three years. It was a COVID move that brought me to my current location. For FOREVER I was month to month, not fully committing to the space. 

And here we are 3+ years later, finally moving to a space that feels more like home, more aligned with my goals, more appropriate. 

Yet I'm sad!

I'll miss my neighbors and my current routine. I've helped so many people in this space. I've spent some life here! 

So today, I'm just going to feel the feels:)

#themassagebusinessmama #massagestudent #massagelife #massagetherapist #massagetherapistlife #massagebusinessowner
A few years ago, when I still had therapists worki A few years ago, when I still had therapists working for me, we had an unfortunate occurrence.

A young woman who had recently been sexually assaulted came in to receive massage. She was trying to regroup and recover from her negative touch experience through massage. 

Her therapist insisted that she remove her bra.

Under "normal" circumstances, this wouldn't have been a huge deal. Not appropriate, but not a huge deal. But in this situation, it was catastrophic.

The young woman was extremely sensitive. The recent assault left her jumpy, nervous, and unable to stand up for herself.

She didn't feel comfortable speaking up and spent an hour feeling further violated. 

I was heartbroken a few days later when the situation was brought to my attention! 

Our job as therapists is to make clients feel comfortable. We have a responsibility to tap into our intuitive sense to see when our client's unspoken needs are not being met.

WE ARE NEVER TO TELL SOMEONE THEY MUST TAKE OFF MORE CLOTHING THAN THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE!

Chances are good we are working on people with turbulent touch histories. We need to be sensitive!

We must be vigilant in our observations. Sensitive in our approach. And avoid getting stuck in ruts. Each client has a complexity of emotions and past histories that they bring to the table, and it is our job to be aware of this range of experiences.

Our job is to develop tools that allow us to give fabulous treatments regardless of whether or not a client is fully clothed because healthy touch is an essential healing tool! 

#massagetherapist #massagestudent #themassagebusinessmama #massagetherapyproblems #massageentrepreneur #massagepreneur
How do you know you are a “Massagepreneur?” # How do you know you are a “Massagepreneur?”

#massagepreneur #themassagebusinessmama #massagepodcast #massagetherapist #massagelife #massagelifestyle #massagestudent #massagecoach #massagegoddess #massage
Setting your massage rates is one of the most diff Setting your massage rates is one of the most difficult things to determine in the beginning of your massagepreneur journey.

If you have yet to determine your rates, I know this might feel daunting and that you have undoubtedly spent much time lamenting over it, but now is the time to set your prices once and for all! 

However, before you arbitrarily pick a number out of thin air, I want you to do a little research/homework/reflection. 

Setting rates is a tricky thing.

Charge too little, and you will be in the poor house. Charge too much, and you risk pricing yourself out of the market. 

BUT it is important to note that often people perceive those with lesser prices as less than therapists. Charging a higher price might actually make you more appealing. 

Oh, they charge a lot, they must be good! 

Food for thought.

#massagepreneur #massagetherapist #themassagebusinessmama #massagebusiness #massagerates #massagestudent
Have you ever heard, "No publicity is bad publicit Have you ever heard, "No publicity is bad publicity?" While it isn't entirely true, there is something to this notion!

Lately, I have been encouraging therapists to contact their local publications with press releases to get featured in their local news sources. 

While promoting yourself in this way can be intimidating, it IS your job as a business owner to put yourself out there and ensure you are being seen! 

Let's first talk briefly about what a press release is. A press release is a tool you write to a news outlet to announce something newsworthy that you want them to cover in their publication. The purpose of a press release is to get coverage and get noticed by a target audience.

Some Ideas for Press Releases Include:

🖤Opening Your Business
🖤Adding Unique Modalities
🖤Classes or Events You Are Hosting
🖤Touch Deprivation and Massage Benefits

Steps Involved: 

1) Identify who to address your press release to. 
2) Properly format your release. 
3) Include useful and timely statistics. 
4) Make your hook obvious.
5) Supply high-quality images. 

When you successfully follow these steps, you will be amazed as your name and image gets shared all over town! 

If you choose to reach out to your local news sources through a press release, I would LOVE to hear how it goes for you or has gone for you in the past! Please share!!! 

#massagetherapist #themassagebusinessmama #massagepreneur #massagestudent #massagenews #massagebusiness
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