5 Big Steps to Doubling Your Massage Business

Building a thriving practice involves not only mastering your craft but also actively seeking ways to attract more clients. These days we’re focused online, but there may be a surprise or two.

Here we go, these are the top five things you need to do to get new massage clients and get repeat customers coming back again and again...

(Don't miss the list of 25 bonus ideas at the end!)

1) Build a Great Website and Get New Massage Clients ​

Your massage business website serves as the virtual front door to your massage therapy business. It's often the first point of contact potential clients have with your services. So investing in a well-designed and informative website is crucial for attracting more clients.

But Melissa, I’m a Massage Therapist, not a Website Designer!

I know.

Still, you must get this done. Whether you YouTube-Tutorial-Brute-Force your way through it, or hire someone to get it done, it is a must.

If you dread trying to figure it out and need a fast way to get this done, contact us ad we’ll see what we can do.

Here are some key elements to consider when building a great website:

User-Friendly Design: Your website should be easy to navigate, with clear menus and intuitive layout. Ensure that it is mobile-responsive to accommodate users on various devices.

Most decent Wordpress themes meet this criteria, so get a self-hosted Wordpress site and a good theme.

Compelling Content: Provide detailed information about your services, including different massage types, pricing, and your credentials. Use high-quality images to showcase your space and create a sense of relaxation.

Don’t include a bunch of fluffy nonsense. Give people helpful content and your site will be much better for it.

Online Booking System: Implement an online booking system that allows potential clients to schedule appointments easily. This convenience can significantly increase conversion rates.

We’ve tested a ton of these. Most recently we helped a Massage Therapist with a Vagaro implementation. That has a pretty slick way to create your online booking that is designed with massage therapy in mind. 

This needs to be an easy and streamlined process.  If it’s clunky it’s worse than not having one and relying on your phone.

Testimonials and Reviews: Showcase positive testimonials and reviews from satisfied clients to build trust and credibility.

Blogging: Regularly update your website with informative blog posts about the benefits of massage, self-care tips, and other relevant topics. This not only positions you as an expert but also helps with SEO (more on this later).

2) SEO for Massage Websites

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). When your website appears near the top of relevant search results, you increase your chances of attracting potential clients actively looking for massage services in your area.

Here are some SEO tips for massage therapists:

Keyword Research: Identify relevant keywords and phrases potential clients might use when searching for massage services. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your website's content, including blog posts, service descriptions, and meta tags.

Local SEO: Optimize your website for local search by creating a Google My Business profile, encouraging customer reviews, and ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information across online directories.
Content Marketing: Regularly create informative, high-quality content that addresses common questions and concerns related to massage therapy. This can help your website rank for more keywords and establish you as an authority in your field.

Link Building: Build relationships with local businesses, wellness centers, and bloggers to earn backlinks to your website. High-quality backlinks can boost your website's authority and improve its search engine rankings.

3) Online Advertising for Your Massage Practice

Online advertising is a powerful tool to reach a broader audience and attract new massage clients. Here are some online advertising strategies to consider:

Social Media Advertising: Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer targeted advertising options that allow you to reach potential clients in your area. You can create compelling ad campaigns to promote special offers, new services, or seasonal discounts.



Google Ads: Use Google Ads to display your massage therapy business at the top of search results when potential clients are actively searching for services like yours. Utilize keyword research to optimize your ad campaigns effectively.

Facebook / Instagram Ads: Facebook and Instagram are great places to run ads. Not only can you target by age, interests, income, etc., but you can also build a following of your existing clients and run specials for holidays, package deals, and anything else you can think of to get re-booking.

Influencer Collaborations: Partner with local wellness influencers or bloggers who can promote your services to their audience. Their endorsement can have a significant impact on attracting new clients.

That brings us to...

4) Nurturing Existing Clients

While attracting new clients is essential, don't forget the importance of nurturing your existing client base. Repeat clients can become your most loyal advocates and sources of referrals.

In general, here's how to maintain and grow your relationship with repeat clients:

Personalized Service: Remember your clients' preferences, treatment history, and any specific concerns they may have. Providing personalized service demonstrates your commitment to their well-being.

Loyalty Programs: Implement a loyalty program that rewards clients for their continued patronage. Offer discounts, free sessions, or exclusive promotions for repeat bookings.

Regular Communication: Stay in touch with your clients through email newsletters or personalized messages. Send them wellness tips, special offers, or updates on new services to keep them engaged.

Ask for Feedback: Encourage feedback from your clients after each session. Their input can help you improve your services and show that you value their opinions.

5) Networking with Local Practitioners

Networking with local businesses and professionals can be a valuable source of new massage clients. Consider the following strategies:

Partner with Chiropractors or Physical Therapists: Collaborate with local chiropractors, physical therapists, or other healthcare professionals who can refer clients to you for massage therapy as part of a holistic wellness plan.

Spa and Salon Collaborations: Establish partnerships with spas and salons to offer complementary services. You can cross-promote each other to attract clients interested in a broader range of wellness treatments.

Attend Local Events and Expos: Participate in local health and wellness events or expos to showcase your services and connect with potential clients. Offering chair massages at such events can be a great way to introduce your skills to a wider audience.

Offer Discounts for Referrals: Encourage your existing clients to refer friends and family by offering referral discounts or incentives. Word-of-mouth referrals are a powerful way to attract new clients.

BONUS! Here are 25 more ideas to attract new clients...

There's more! There really is a ton you can do to market yourself and your business.  Here are some quick hit ideas...

1. Social Media Advertising: Use Facebook and Instagram Ads to reach a broader audience.
2. Content Marketing: Produce valuable, informative, and engaging content through blog posts, videos, podcasts, and infographics to attract organic traffic.
3. Social Media Marketing: Leverage social media platforms to connect with your target audience and promote your products or services.
4. Email Marketing: Build an email list and send targeted emails with promotions, newsletters, and updates.
5. Directory Optimizations: Use a tool like White Spark or Yext to make sure all of your online directory listings are consistent and accurate.
6. Referral Programs: Encourage existing customers to refer new customers by offering incentives or discounts.
7. Chamber of Commerce: Attend Chamber events, conferences, and local business networking meetings to connect with potential customers.
8. Online Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot to build trust.
9. Google My Business: Create and optimize your Google My Business listing to enhance local search visibility.
10. Landing Pages: Design dedicated landing pages for specific products or campaigns to capture leads.
11. Partner up: Partner with other therapists to cover your schedule and vice versa.
12. Cold Outreach: Reach out to potential customers via email, phone calls, or direct messages on social media.
13. Content Syndication: Share your content on relevant platforms and websites to expand your reach.
14. Affiliate Marketing: Set up an affiliate program to have others promote your products in exchange for a commission.
15. Guest Blogging: Write guest posts for industry-related blogs and include a link back to your website.
16. Webinars and Workshops: Host online events to showcase your expertise and attract new customers.
17. Local Advertising: Advertise in local newspapers, magazines, or radio stations to reach a local audience.
18. Direct Mail: Send targeted direct mail campaigns to potential customers in your area.
19. Concerts and Farmers Markets: Set up a chair near an outdoor event (with permission) and provide 5 minute massages. Collect emails!
20. Community Involvement: Get involved in your local community by sponsoring events or participating in charity activities.
21. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: Invest in paid advertising campaigns on search engines and social media platforms.
22. Customer Testimonials: Highlight customer testimonials and success stories on your website and marketing materials.
23. Content Upgrades: Offer valuable content upgrades (e.g., ebooks, templates) in exchange for email sign-ups.
24. Add a Service: Explore things like Bemer Therapy or Hot Stones to add to your service menu.
25. Geo-Targeted Advertising: Use geo-targeting to deliver ads to specific geographic areas where your target audience resides.

Building a successful massage therapy practice requires a multi-faceted approach. By building a great website, utilizing online advertising, mastering SEO, engaging in local business networking, and nurturing repeat clients, you can create a steady stream of new and loyal clients. Remember that success may take time, so be patient and persistent in your efforts to attract more massage clients and grow your practice.