Starting a massage practice may seem simple or incredibly daunting, depending on your (financial) circumstances and intentions. For many, starting their own business is a big step. When starting a business, there is a process to follow, though it's not always clear what that process entails.
That's why it's important to think carefully about your business in advance to avoid setbacks. It's a good idea to start researching things like marketing and legal regulations early on. The following six questions cover key points to consider if you want to start your massage practice quickly and successfully.
1. What Will Your Massage Practice Focus on?
It’s obvious that your massage practice will focus on massages. However, it’s important to develop a strategic plan in advance. This helps prevent investing in the wrong materials, wasting time on ineffective marketing activities, and losing money through missed opportunities.
For instance, do you want to work on location or in your own practice? If you want to rent or buy a space, there are a lot of things to think about. But even if you plan to offer mobile massages, there are considerations you may not immediately think of.
If you're planning to give massages at home, you’ll need to notify your mortgage provider and insurer that you’re using your house for business purposes. Also, think about practical matters. Can your clients park easily? Is your space accessible for people with disabilities or the elderly? Will your neighbours be affected by your business? If you’ll be working on location, inform your car insurance provider, as you'll likely be driving more than usual.
Will you use the same phone number for both business and personal calls? This can seem unprofessional to new clients. Separating your business and personal life is also important for maintaining a good work-life balance. Tip: Websites like eigennummer.nl offer the option of linking a landline number to your mobile phone, as well as features like custom voicemail, hold music, and call groups to create a professional phone system!
2. What Will be The Name of Your Business?
A name says a lot about a business. It’s easy to choose something cliché, but this won’t make you stand out. On the other hand, don’t delay starting your business just because you’re stuck on a name. Choose a name that clearly communicates what you do, and ideally, one that sticks in people’s minds.
While a good name might take time to come up with, don’t let it hold up launching your practice! Once you’ve chosen a name, check if it’s registered with BOIP under another business. If it’s available, you might want to consider registering it, although this isn’t required. If you don’t register, other companies can use the same name.
3. Have You Thought About Insurance?
Yes, it’s boring, but it’s necessary when starting a massage practice. Insurance is important not only for yourself but also for your clients. Consider liability insurance, legal expenses insurance, business car insurance, disability insurance, and possibly inventory or life insurance.
4. What Is Your Budget?
This is straightforward. Whether you’re renting or buying your space, or starting with at-home massages, you’ll need the right equipment to perform massages. What equipment do you already have? What items do you still need, and what will they cost? If your budget is tight, you might opt for cheaper products, but remember: you get what you pay for.
For example, you might find cheap massage tables on platforms like bol.com or Marktplaats that look just like more expensive ones in photos. The problem is, you can’t judge the quality from a picture. These tables might be less stable and more prone to breaking, costing you more in the long run.
At Zengrowth.nl, we offer beginner massage tables with a great price-to-quality ratio. And what about disposables and oils that you use daily? Will you buy them in bulk from a wholesaler or in smaller quantities from a local retailer? Setting a solid budget and determining priorities is key before you start spending money.
5. Who Are Your Competitors?
Many new business owners underestimate the importance of doing a thorough competitor analysis. Start by listing the massage practices in your area. What services do they offer? What are their prices? Where do they advertise, and how do they attract clients? Study their websites and keep an eye on any new products or promotions they advertise.
It’s essential to develop a USP (Unique Selling Point) by identifying what sets your massage practice apart from your competitors. Once you know what makes you different, make sure to promote that message in your advertising.
6. How Will You Attract Clients?
One of the biggest challenges when starting a massage practice is attracting new clients. What methods will you use to bring in customers? Will you advertise in newspapers, magazines, or online? The downside of traditional advertising is that you can’t easily measure how effective it is. For instance, you won’t know how many people saw your newspaper ad. In contrast, online advertising allows you to track results more accurately.
Having a website is crucial for being easily found by potential clients. Many people are intimidated by building a website, but platforms like WordPress and Strato make it incredibly easy, even if you have no experience!
By asking yourself these six questions, you'll be better prepared to start a successful massage practice.
