Here’s a link to a new article about our Hot Stone Massage Training, what sets us apart from other Hot Stone Massage training schools and also a link to the Hot Stone Massage Kits we offer exclusively to participants of our Pohaku Hawaiian Stone Therapy courses.
Here’s the direct link:
Cheers
James
Aloha Bodyworkers,
I’ve just posted a new article about Lomi Lomi Training to our website that talks about how Lomi Lomi was taught in Ancient Hawaii and how it is generally taught today. It also includes a link to a 5 minute Lomi Lomi Massage Video demonstration by Tania Hodder.
Aloha Lomi Lomi Bodyworkers!
This is a quick update to let you know that we now have just 2 places left on our upcoming Lomi Lomi Advanced Course in June.
Here are the dates:
Lomi Lomi Advanced Course
June 7th - 13th, 2008
Tallai, Gold Coast Hinterland
If you’re one of our Lomi Lomi Foundation Course graduate’s and you’re feeling like you’re ready to take your knowledge and skills to a whole new level, then we’d love to have join us on what is going to be an awesome 6 days!
You will learn A LOT of brand new techniques including underbody work directly on the table (no sheet), arm and leg rotations and stretches, pregnancy massage, extended massage sessions and Deep Tissue Techniques!!!
You’ll also get to review what was covered in the Lomi Lomi Foundation Course, so don’t worry if you haven’t been getting a lot of practice in.
Anyway, that’s all for now. If you’d like to take one of the last 2 places on this course, then send me an email or give our office a call on (07) 5531 0178.
You can also visit our Lomi Lomi webpage for more information.
‘Manawa’ - Now is the moment of power!
Aloha nui loa,
James
Aloha Bodyworkers!
On the weekend we finished another Spa Body Treatments Course up here in the beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland.
We had 6 ladies (nearly everyone experienced MTs) come and learn these decadent Spa Body Treatments that you can practice almost anywhere, without needing a shower.
It was really satisfying for Tania and I to see them confidently performing our complete sequence of Spa treatments by the last day of the course.
Even more so was seeing these normally very busy ladies get to receive such beautiful pampering during the 3 days with us and to leave us feeling rejuvenated and glowing.
Anyway, I just wanted to share with you the feedback they gave us before heading back into their busy lives…
Just click on link below to read what they said:
http://www.touchofaloha.org/support-files/indulgence.pdf
Thanks for your time and have a beautiful day!
James Thomas
Co-Founder
TOUCH OF ALOHA
P.S - If you’re interested in learning more about this course, check out our Spa page at:
http://www.touchofaloha.org/spa-therapies/
NOTE: We only have 2 places left on our Spa course that starts in 4 weeks time.
Aloha Friends & Marketers of Massage!
In my last post I covered just how important massage testimonials are when it comes to marketing your business and attracting new clients.
But what it is that makes a great massage testimonial?
Well, other than talking about how professional, nice or wonderful you are, a great massage testimonial will ideally ‘prove’ how your massage effectively solved a ’specific’ problem for your clients.
Your testimonials should also address any specific ‘hesitations’ (if any) that your clients had prior to booking in with you, which we’re ultimately proved to be unfounded.
If you have a specific ‘target market’ that you are focusing on, then you should ideally have lots of great testimonials from people from within that market.
For example, when I used to practice massage from home, I would always target one primary market - stressed out, white collar professionals aged 35-55.
Want to know why I always target that particular market?
Well, other than the fact that their bodies are screaming for massage and I want to help them, they also have the disposable to income to ‘afford’ regular massage.
This makes your marketing that much easier, because if money is an issue for the people you are targeting than you will need to be all the more convincing in your message and your offers all the more appealing (value-added).
Plus, we usually always live in areas where ’stressed out, cashed up’ professionals are abundant.
{SIDENOTE: Take a drive, walk, ride around the area surrounding your practice. What kind of houses are there? What kind of cars are in the driveway? What kind of businesses surround you? This is your most easily accessible market, so you would do well to get to know it so you can tailor your marketing so that it speaks to them directly.}
Anyway, I had built up a number of regular clients from the ’stressed out, cashed up’ professionals market mainly by going into office buildings and asking if I could put my flyers up in the staffrooms, which worked beautifully.
However, one day it occurred to me that my clients we’re primarily male and I wanted to balance this out a bit by attracting more female clients from this market.
So I opened up my marketing file and took a closer look at my flyers, brochures, ads etc and I made an interesting discovery.
Every single testimonial I had used was from a male. No wonder I had been attracting primarily male clients.
I also felt that there may have been some reservations from potential female clients because I was a male massage therapist.
So I mailed out a card, a Feedback form, a $50 massage gift voucher and a self-addressed postage paid envelope to 5 of my female clients that I felt I had a good rapport/connection with.
In the card I asked if they would kindly fill in the Feedback Form and send it back to me.
Here are the 5 questions I asked them on the Feedback Form:
1) Did you have any hesitations at all about booking in for a massage with me?
If so, what we’re they?
(example: being a massaged by a male, or concerned that the massage might be not be firm enough etc)
2) How did you feel at the beginning of the massage?
Did you have any specific aches, pains, injury or discomfort?
(example: tight neck and shoulders, headache, sore legs etc)
3) How did you feel at the end of the massage?
Did you get what you needed from the massage?
(example: pain relief, relaxation, rejuvenation etc)
4) Was there anything about the massage you didn’t enjoy or that you feel I could improve?
5) What did you enjoy about the massage?
I then asked them if they could write me a testimonial that I could use in my marketing and that they could simply refer to the answers they gave to my 5 questions to help them write it.
I also gave them a few examples of testimonials I have received in the past.
{SIDENOTE: Asking these specific questions and also providing examples of past testimonials you have received actually ‘trains’ your clients to give you great testimonials. Provided you’ve actually given them a great massage treatment of course!}
So, within the week I had 4 out of the 5 ladies return their Feedback Forms / Testimonials to me and they we’re just fantastic.
I then called up each of the 4 ladies and thanked them and asked them when they would like to book in for their next treatment and use their $50 gift voucher.
{SIDENOTE: I only offered 90 minute massage treatments in those days at $100, so the $50 gift voucher was effectively a 50% discount, without calling it a discount. Promoting discounts to your clients and using the word ‘discount’ can be very damaging to your business, but that is a subject for another post.}
When they came in for their treatments, I kindly asked if I could take a small photo of them with my digital camera so I could include it with their testimonial and they all agreed without hesitation. Note: I emphasized that the photo would be small.
In less than 10 days I now had 4 really great testimonials, all from women in my target market.
One of which I’ve included below:
So let’s take a closer look at it and see why this is such a great testimonial…
If we take a look at the first paragraph we can see that Anna did in fact have reservations about being massaged by a male therapist, so my intuition was spot on there.
However, in the second paragraph she comments on how professional I was and how I made her feel ‘comfortable and safe’.
This is huge because other females within my target market will be able to relate to her initial reservations BUT at the same time they will see that I am a ‘good guy’.
If we look at the third paragraph we see that my massage effectively ’solved a problem’ for Anna.
Before the massage she felt stressed and tense in her neck and shoulders and afterwards her stresses had melted away and the tension had been completely dissolved.
Now this is very important because I know that pretty much everyone in my target market sits at a desk, works on a computer and usually has a heavy workload that must be completed by deadlines, so there are many other women in this market that are going to have this exact same stress and tension.
Anna’s comments in the third paragraph ‘prove’ that MY massage is an effective ’solution’ to this common ‘problem’.
In the last paragraph, she goes on to say that it was the best massage that she has ever had and that she highly recommends me to anyone wanting a truly excellent massage.
Now that is a powerful and convincing endorsement and a great way to finish the testimonial strongly.
If we look at the bottom you will see that I have included a photo of Anna, along with her full name, her age, her occupation and the suburb where she lives.
Including all of these details, makes your testimonial both credible and believable.
Some marketers will tell you that you should also include their phone number and email address for maximum impact. However, while this would definitely increase your testimonial’s ‘believability’, I have not found it to be necessary in the massage industry. Besides, I wouldn’t feel good about plastering my client’s private contact details all over the place.
Anyway, this post has ended up being much larger than expected so let me wrap up.
Once I had my 4 ‘you-beaut’ testimonials from women in my target market, I then updated all my marketing pieces (flyers, brochures etc) and included a 3 testimonials from my male clients and 3 testimonials from my female clients.
I then set about placing them in all the office staffrooms that allowed me to place them there.
Within just a couple of weeks, the number of female clients that booked in for treatments increased and within a couple of months my male/female client ratio was very close to 50/50. How’s that for ‘balance’.
When I asked each of my new female clients what made them decide to book in for a massage, every single one of them said that it was the testimonials from other women!
So this case study goes to show you just how much your testimonials can influence both ‘how many’ clients make contact and book in for a massage AND ‘what type’ of clients make contact and book in for a massage.
So if you have a specific ‘group’ of people that you target with your marketing, make sure that you use plenty of testimonials from people within that group. This will serve to attract and ‘persuade’ more of the same people to come and try out your services.
Anyway, I hope you found this information useful.
Keep doing the great massage work that you’re doing and be sure to keep gathering great testimonials for your marketing.
To your massage success,
James Thomas
Marketing Director
TOUCH OF ALOHA
Lately as I look around at the marketing efforts of lots of massage therapists I’m left scratching my head asking, “Where are your massage testimonials?”
I mean, when it comes to marketing massage (or any business for that matter), testimonials from happy clients are an incredibly powerful motivator in getting potential new clients to make contact with you and book in for a massage treatment.
Just look at the wildly successful acne product, ‘Proactiv Solution’ for example. I’m sure you’ve seen their infomercial at least once. (One of my core marketing mentors Dan Kennedy was a consultant on this Guthy Renker campaign as well as on the Tony Robbins infomercials). Anyway, three quarters of the infomercial are testimonials from extremely happy customers which include before and after shots of their skin.
Do you think ‘Proactiv’ would have been anywhere near as successful had they not used testimonials? Absolutely not!
No matter what it is you’re selling/offering (acne cream, weight loss programs, fitness equipment, massage etc) testimonials will go a long way in ‘convincing’ your target audience that what you’re offering really works. In fact, they are absolutely essential!
When it comes to massage, you’ll want your testimonials to ‘prove’ that you are professional and truly excellent in providing your clients with what they want, whether that be relief from back pain, stress or just a totally relaxing and pampering experience.
We are funny creatures in that what other people say about a person very often influences our opinions/beliefs a whole lot more than what that person says about themselves.
Although it is our job to sell ourselves as the best solution to our potential client’s problem, this means nothing if we then don’t provide testimonials to ‘back up’ what we are saying about ourselves and the services we offer.
Testimonials are the ’social proof’ that what we say about ourselves as massage practitioners is true. Without them, our marketing will be left weak and ineffective.
So, if you are not yet including testimonials in every single marketing piece that you do, please, please start doing so A.S.A.P!
As someone with over a decade of experience in marketing and promotion, I cannot make a stronger recommendation to you!
Stay tuned for Part Two of this article where I explain exactly what makes a powerful massage testimonial, as well as how to get them from your clients.
Until then, I wish you much success!
James Thomas
Marketing Director & Co-Founder
TOUCH OF ALOHA
Aloha Friends!
Just a courtesy announcement to let you know that we have added in an addition Hot Stone Massage Course in June.
Both our April and May Hot Stone Massage courses are now fully booked with waiting lists and we have now started taking bookings for June.
June may seem far away however we are already in March!
Can you believe how fast the year is moving?
Anyway, if you’d like to learn an amazing Hot Stone Massage that has proven to be very successful in the nation’s top Spas, we’d love to have you join us for an intensive and ‘fun filled’ 3 days at our mountain retreat in the Gold Coast hinterland.
You’ll walk away with the ‘know-how’ and equipment to give an incredible and ‘unique’ Hot Stone Massage treatment that your clients will simply rave about. YES, it really is that good!
To learn all about the course and what our graduates are saying about it, please visit our Pohaku Hawaiian Stone Therapy page at:
Alternatively you can call our office and speak with Tania Hodder directly on
(07) 5531 0178.
We’d love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.
Mahalo (Thankyou) and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
James Thomas
Marketing Director & Co-Founder
TOUCH OF ALOHA
Aloha Friends!
Just a courtesy update on our upcoming Spa Body Treatments courses in April and May.
Currently we have just 1 place left on our April 18th, 19th and 20th Spa Body Treatments course and just 2 places left on our May 23rd, 24th and 25th Spa Body Treatments course.
These 2 courses are the only Spa training courses we’ll be running in the first half of 2008.
The next Spa course is not until September so if you’d like to learn how to perform the most decadent Spa Body Treatments in your own ‘dry’ massage room (without needing to become a qualified Beauty Therapist), then this course is for you!
It is a fun 3 days that will leave you feeling totally pampered and inspired to go home and offer these beautiful and ‘lucrative’ treatments to your clients.
You will be amazed at the number of different and exciting treatment combinations you will have to offer and it will feel like a breath of fresh air for your massage business.
These wonderful Spa Body Treatments will give you more variety and enjoyment in your working day (in addition to your regular massage) and will allow you to potentially make more money for your time, with less effort.
To learn more about this new and exciting course and how you too can cash in on the booming Spa industry, please visit our Spa Therapies webpage at:
http://www.touchofaloha.org/spa-therapies/
Alternatively you can call our office and speak with Tania directly on (07) 5531 0178.
We’d love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.
Mahalo and enjoy the rest of your day!
James Thomas
Marketing Director & Co-Founder
TOUCH OF ALOHA
Aloha Friends!
As you know we have a Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Foundation Course scheduled from the 29th March - 4th April.
For some weeks now this course has been fully booked, HOWEVER…we have just had 1 participant transfer from the March course to the Foundation Course in May.
So we now have 1 place available on our March 29th - April 4th
Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Foundation Course!
If you would like to join us for what will be an amazing and intensive week of learning, laughter, lots of massage, rejuvenation and inspiration, we’d love for you to come along.
The cost for the course is $1,495 which is fully inclusive of all of your Accommodation, your Meals, your Training and Course Materials, including your Certificate and Academic Transcript as well as ongoing support via our online Graduate’s Support & Resource Centre.
Also, as we are only taking 6 people on this course, you will receive lots of personal attention and support throughout the training.
PLUS as an extra incentive, the first person to book on and secure this last place will also receive a private, 1-on-1 Massage Business and Marketing consultation with me (2 hours in person or via telephone) including unlimited email support!
So whether you are just starting out or are already a practicing massage professional, together we will create a ‘tailored’ plan to increase the number of your ‘ideal’ clients coming into your massage business, and at the same time increase your income. You will have your own professional marketer in your corner who is committed to your success!
This is the very first time I have made such an offer, so if you are keen to add the beautiful and amazing Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage to your repetoire, this really is a great opportunity.
You will need to act quickly though, as I am busy working on several different marketing projects in addition to Touch Of Aloha and my time is such that I can only make this offer to 1 person!
If that person is you, please email me at james@touchofaloha.org A.S.A.P or call our office on (07) 5531 0178.
Look forward to hearing from you and to meeting you on the Foundation Lomi Lomi Course on the 29th March!
Mahalo,
James Thomas
Marketing Director & Co-Founder
TOUCH OF ALOHA
(07) 5531 0178
P.S - You will learn a complete massage system on this Lomi Lomi Foundation Course and will therefore be able to start massaging immediately after the completion of the course, or once you are set up and ready to go.
Many of our Lomi Lomi Foundation Course graduates have successfully started charging upwards of $50 per hour for their Lomi Lomi treatments, even though they have only completed 1 course.
This because our training is very focused (and fun) and you will be amazed at just how much you will learn, and the skills and confidence you will attain in just one week with us. We guarantee it!
Aloha Friends!
Here’s our latest course update for the first half of 2008.
Remember, our courses are ‘all inclusive’ of your food and accomodation (in addition to your training and course materials) and are backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!
Lomi Lomi Foundation Course / Kahuna Massage
This special 6 day course will teach you how to give a amazing full body Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage. This complete massage system focuses on using primarily the forearms in long, flowing strokes along the length of the body in combination with the breath.
You will also learn about the beautiful Hawaiian culture and their healing philosophies and principles, and will be able to practice your Lomi Lomi massage immediately after completing the course!
Your Investment: $1,495
Upcoming Dates:
March 29th - April 4th - (Fully Booked - Waiting List)
May 3rd - May 9th - (3 Places Remaining)
To learn more about this exciting course, please visit our Lomi Lomi webpage at:
http://TouchOfAloha.org/lomi-lomi/
Pohaku Hawaiian Stone Therapy Course
(Hot Stone Massage)
In just 3 days you’ll learn how to give an amazing full body, 90 minute hot stone massage that is so ‘deeply relaxing’ and ‘soul warming’ that your clients will simply rave about it!
This is a very thorough, complete and ‘proven’ Hot Stone Massage system using the most beautiful basalt stones from the
Your Investment: $695
Upcoming Dates:
April 14th, 15th & 16th - (Fully Booked - Waiting List)
May 19th, 20th & 21st - (1 Place Remaining)
June 23rd, 24th & 24th - (New Course - 5 Places Remaining)
To learn more about this exciting course, please visit our Hot Stone Massage webpage at:
http://TouchOfAloha.org/hot-stone-massage/
Spa Body Treatments Course
This new course will teach you how to perform the most decadent Spa Body Treatments in your own ‘dry’ massage room, such as salt scrubs, mud wraps, mini facials, hand and foot scrubs etc, using a variety of different products/ingredients.
By the end of the course you will be amazed at the variety of different treatment combinations you will be able to offer your clients and they will absolutely love you for it!
Your Investment: $745
Upcoming Dates:
April 18th, 19th & 20th - (1 Places Remaining)
May 23rd, 24th & 25th - (2 Places Remaining)
To learn more about this exciting course, please visit our Spa Body Treatments webpage at:
http://TouchOfAloha.org/spa-therapies/
Anyway, that’s all for now. Hope you’ll come and join us for some fun, intensive learning, some inspiration and rejuvenation on our upcoming courses in the beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland.
Mahalo and enjoy the rest of your day!
James Thomas
Marketing Director & Co-Founder
TOUCH OF ALOHA
Aloha & Welcome To Our Blog. Please Visit Us Often!