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In this Post: As massage therapists, we often overlook how important our appearance is. People buy first with their eyes. Remember that! Image is important, even for massage therapists!
As massage therapists, we are often focused on more important things than image. But, image is important. How we look or appear can have significant implications for the success of our business.
As therapists, we tend to pay more attention to physical results, emotional changes, and client education.
We come to work in yoga pants, have piles of laundry ready to be folded in our waiting area, and hot stones that need to be washed in our sink.
I get it. It’s hard to take care of all the things! My priority is NOT always organizing stacks of paper on my desk or making sure my baseboards are dusted. No, my priority is my clients. But the thing is, it’s important to remember that clients purchase first with their eyes. Massage is no exception.
And, in order to have a thriving, successful practice, I need to pay attention to what keeps my clients spending their hard-earned dollars on me, instead of the spa down the street.
Image Is Important
My office manager is constantly getting on me to clean up my personal office area, which doesn’t have a door and is visible when clients pass by to go to the bathroom or two of our four treatment rooms. And she is right! It’s sometimes unkempt appearance is not a positive reflection on the way I want my business to appear. (This is why I have an office manager, to keep me in line:)
What I want is for people to walk in and immediately feel refreshed and calm. I want them to have positive thoughts, no matter what direction they look. To feel like they are buying into something good. An image of health and a stress-free world.
People don’t want to buy into a wilting plant or a dust-covered counter. This indicates a lack of care. And, I know just like me, you care. That’s why you became a massage therapist. So let’s make sure our spaces are reflecting a total and utter sense of CARE.
It may seem like a big job to whip your space into shape, and maybe for some, it will be, which is why my suggestion is to dedicate 10-30 minutes a day on sprucing things up. You don’t have to kill yourself overhauling your office in a weekend. Instead, look at it as a long game. Because the thing is, it’s going to get messy again, so it’s better if you can get into the practice of maintaining a space of which you are proud!
Create A Habit
Create the habit of tidying up a little bit every day. Come in a little early, stay a little late, or book a little extra time between one of your sessions to focus on building this new habit.
As an added bonus to cleaning up the appearance of your space, you are giving yourself the gift of a more free, less burdened mind. Which will allow you to be have greater creativity, accomplish more, and attract additional clients to your practice.
When you are disorganized and cluttered, everything competes for your attention. This type of chaos makes it hard to work and thrive. And I want to see some thriving therapists out there!
Related: Decluttering Your Massage OfficeDecluttering Your Massage Office
It’s More Than Just Our Space
One thing to note is that having a positive business image is more than just our physical space; it is also our physical being. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, proper personal hygiene matters, like a lot!
I’ve watched one too many therapists eat stinky food as their client sit waiting for their massage, come in reeking of smoke, and have a generally disheveled appearance.
It’s no good. We need to try a little harder here!
I mean, like, keep a toothbrush at the office. Wear clean clothes every day. Shower. Wear deodorant. It doesn’t have to be the antiperspirant kind. I LOVE my crystal!
Personal Hygiene seems like such common sense, I know, but sometimes we get lazy. WE ALL DO. So, this is your reminder. Take care of your being.
Clients notice how we look and smell!
Related: Proper Personal Hygiene and Sanitary Measures as Massage TherapistsProper Personal Hygiene and Sanitary Measures as Massage Therapists
Try Grounding
Clients also notice when we aren’t grounded. This is another representation of our image. Flying into the office 5 minutes before the treatment is scheduled is not a good look! Once again, it shows a lack of care. And, once again, I know you care!
Related: 5 Grounding Techniques For Massage Therapists
Bottom line here, image is important. In order to make a real, sustainable income, we must pay attention to the way we are perceived. And, I promise we can all work on this, myself included! Start paying attention to small ways you can make positive changes to the appearance and image of your business. Take small steps daily, and they will compound. I’m not saying things have to be perfect, but DO strive for the best you can!
Author Profile
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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
