This is one of the most popular client questions.  Right up there with, do your hands hurt?   For many massage therapists it is a difficult answer.   You learn a good Swedish session in school, but also a few other modalities mixed in, while you may not be trained in Lomi Lomi perhaps you have a colleague that taught you a move or two.

Defining your massage can be a difficult process, however, once you get an answer that works, it can be the best way to get potential clients to try your massage.

Let’s get some things straight.   You’re client wants you to address their issues.   This is not to say that you need to know every modality in order to work with every client, quite the contrary.  You should have a good knowledge of many modalities, not in practice but an understanding of what is out there.    Find modalities that work with your best clients and study them or take the proper CEUs.    Get to know other massage therapists in your area who specify in other areas.  Refer all “other” clients to them.

What’s an other?  An other is a client that you would rather not work with, or who is looking for modalities you don’t offer.   If you are into deep tissue and your client is looking for prenatal massage, refer them to someone else.    Focusing your energy on that one client could take a toll on your practice.  If your doing a full day of deep tissue sessions and in the midst of that a neonatal client comes in, your work with them is likely to be a little too intense and what’s more if you don’t enjoy the work it’s not doing anything for your energy.    The worst part is, this prenatal client could refer other prenatal clients, or likely have a bad experience and tell even more people.    Try to identify clients you enjoy working with and focus on getting that type of client on your massage table.

Ask clients what they like about your sessions with them.  This is a great question for their second visit.    Another good gauge is Three Words.  Ask colleagues, and others that know you professionally to describe you with 3 words.    You may be surprised by what you hear.

This is a multi-part post – There’s quite a bit to cover regarding one simple question.