Charging for Chair Massage

[Maddie]

I'm doing chair massage this weekend at a cat show.  I'm not exactly sure how to promote it as far as what to charge.  I'm planning on charing $1/per minute.  I'm not sure if I should give a break for a longer massage ie 15 minutes for $12 or just charge $1/per minutes and that's that.  I"m working on the poster that I'm going to use and am feeling a bit stuck!  Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[T.F.C]

Charging for Chair Massage

I'm doing chair massage this weekend at a cat show.  I'm not exactly sure how to promote it as far as what to charge.  I'm planning on charing $1/per minute.  I'm not sure if I should give a break for a longer massage ie 15 minutes for $12 or just charge $1/per minutes and that's that.  I"m working on the poster that I'm going to use and am feeling a bit stuck!  Thanks for your suggestions.

If it is only going to be you, then you'll probably be getting real tired by the end.

I definitely would not charge less for longer stints of work.  

Maybe considering incriments like this. ($1.00 is a little low in my opinion, for the amount of work you'll do.)

5 mins. = $5.00
10 mins. = $15.00
15 mins. = $25.00
30 mins. = $50.00

It is just a thought, that the 5 mins. for $5 will be the majority of your clients this way, which will save your hands, get more people on your chair, and hopefully give you more of a chance to pass out cards and flyers on your business.

It has a tendency to minimize people taking up chair time and loosing potential clients who would otherwise just "walk on by".  Also, this format keeps you from needing to provide as much "change" (change for large bills) and when someone does get on your chair for a long period of time, you are being paid properly for the wear and tear on your hands and body.  If they ask, you can explain that longer chair massage is not the same as performing a massage with lotion on a table, is more difficult for the therapist and this is why the cost is higher for longer lengths of time.

You have to think too... most people who go to a "cat show" probably are not going to be real funky about cost.  I mean, you have to have some expendable income to be going somewhere like that in the first place.  So, I wouldn't worry too much about feeling like you are charging "high".  It may seem high to you, but you have travelled there to provide the service, and will be standing on concrete all day, and will be at the whim of whoever comes along, basically.  We have a tendency to think about what we can personally afford to pay and not what is fair for the amount of work we are doing.  Make sure and get paid for what you are putting into this, is what I think.  

Just some thoughts.  They may or may not blow your skirt, but you asked......  ;D

 

[Ashlie]

I agree with TexasGal.  $1 minute is not enough.  After you add in the time to get to the event, set-up and break down time, preparation time prior to the event, you then include your actual massage time.  Once you really think about it, you should be charging more than the $1 minute that was somehow drilled into our heads as a reasonable charge. I need to listen to my own advice and raise my chair massage rates. Times change and so do gas prices.  

 

[DanC]

Charging for Chair Massage

$5 to sit down, $1/minute for each minute. That creates a break the longer they go ($2/min for 5 mins, $1.17 for 30 mins)Stick to that formula and you will find your wallet fat and your hands happy.

 

[TheRyno]

Thanks for the good information.  You brought up some points that I hadn't thought of.  This will be my first chair massage outing.  My concern is that I would have difficulty getting people on the chair initially.  Have you ever been to an event open to the public, where they are not receptive to chair massage?

 

[GameFreak]

Another question for everyone!  What experiences do you have with working with another MT at a chair massage event?  I know that I will be busy, but I don't know that I will get tired enough to share my profits.  Please share your ideas! Thanks!

 

[Lillyyyy]

If this is your first, then keep the price at a $1 a min.  at least to see what response you are going to get from all of the cat lovers! If you go to high they might just spend it on the cat anyhow!  Really this is not the best event for chair massage, but at least your getting your name out there!! Good luck!Meeeyyyyooowwwww! ;D

 

[zaza]

Quilt shows are another good place to go.  The men are sitting around (generally) while their wives are running about.  The people are generally an older crowd and need a little massage to help them out.My mom was at a show recently and she said she watched a therapist work most of the day with a consistent flow of people in her chair.As for the cat lovers, I think they are going to be at your chair if they are interested and they won't if they are not.  I don't think you have to keep your price at a $1/min. or be worried they'll spend their money elsewhere.  I would figure most of them know exactly what massage is, and if they are interested or not.Just my opinion.People are generally receptive to chair massage, but even if they aren't, it will give you a great place to hand out cards.  Make sure and have PLENTY of them.If you are trying to build your business, you may want to have a drawing for $10 off their next massage, or hand out $5.00 off their first table massage with you.  Who knows, but I guess the possibilities are many, if you want to market.  Take something to do, in case you are left with "nothing to do".And,  I'd suggest going by yourself the first time, unless you just happen to have a really good friend you trust.  Otherwise, if the person you take ditches on you, you are going to be aggravated, and that does not make for a good experience.  However, there is never anything wrong with having a friend along, and it can help pass the time, or one of you could go "look" for chair massage-ee's while the other worked.  Just depends on what you are comfortable with.  Please let us know all about it next week!  

 

[Cool Kid]

Charging for Chair Massage

Another question for everyone!  What experiences do you have with working with another MT at a chair massage event?  I know that I will be busy, but I don't know that I will get tired enough to share my profits.

You probably won't be that tired, at least not while you're there, if you're busy. I did a chair event at a health fair (back when I used to do free chair massage, still a student) and was busy the entire time. Didn't even get to take a break! (Once again, stupid of me, because I wasn't charging.) I was on my feet for about 8 hours or so that day. I wasn't tired at all because I was either too busy to notice, and having too much fun talking with people. It's when I got home that it was time to hit the couch. Remember, if you have someone in your chair at all times (even if it's a back-up friend), people will show interest.

To get started, maybe call a back-up friend to come sit in the chair while you provide them with free massage. This will get people interested, and not think the chair is exercise equipment (I've been told this is what a massage chair looks like by the non-informed.). You'll have a line going in no time!

 

[I love my mutts~]

Charging for Chair Massage

I know how this sounds, but...Although I've given but a few chair massages, I much prefer doing 15 minute tune ups on a table. You're able to get so much more accomplished. 'Course, the table's a bit heavier to lug around.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Charging for Chair Massage

To get started, maybe call a back-up friend to come sit in the chair while you provide them with free massage. This will get people interested, and not think the chair is exercise equipment (I've been told this is what a massage chair looks like by the non-informed.). You'll have a line going in no time!

Cool idea Seforum.xxxg!  I never thought about putting the friend on the chair!!!!

 

[chris w]

SO.... how'd the show go?   8)

 

[islandgurl]

Charging for Chair Massage

Cool idea Seforum.xxxg!  I never thought about putting the friend on the chair!!!!

Got this idea when I did a chair gig at a club. Nobody was sitting in the chair, so I had a friend come over and sit down for a free 10-minute chair massage. I had a line going soon after.  ;D

EDIT: And yes, already being in the club atmosphere, I did accept drinks instead of money at times, hehehe.