Here’s a video of the Free Hugs event Seth and I did a week ago. The camera man followed another group of huggers, so you won’t find us in this footage. There was lots of hugging and lots of fun. My next big project will be International Hug Day. Hope you’ll join me.
The BBC recently ran a story on the increasing interest in virtual conferences.
As little as three years ago when I started the World Massage Conference with Scott Dartnall and Melanie Hayden, the idea that you could have a virtual conference seemed ludicrous to most. A lot of people couldn’t fathom it.
Even after explaining the virtual conference concept in person at massage conferences, the attendees would cock their heads to the side with baffled expressions and invariably ask us, “And where is it being held?”
It’s awesome that people are finally getting it. A virtual conference is just like being there. Not only do you get to hear presenters you would never have the opportunity to see live, but you get to be part of a global community. It’s fantastic to see massage professionals from around the world connecting and getting to know one another. I love the dialog that happens when therapists from very different backgrounds and experiences come together and share insights and information.
It’s exciting to be on the cutting edge of online learning. And I’m delighted to have been instrumental in making it happen and being a part of it.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, go to World Massage Conference. The Fall 2010 conference will be open for registration in August, but the replays for the Spring 2010 conference are available online. Register for the spring conference recordings and you’ll get free access to the fall event.
How often do you say, “Yes, but”? At Sarah lee, the top people walk around wearing white buttons with a big black slash through them. Those buttons prohibit anyone from saying the word “but.”
What if you had to say “Yes, thanks!” or “Sure, how?” every time someone had a suggestion?
Source: The Big Moo by Seth Godin
Massage Therapy Radio is hosting a special broadcast on the Al Gore massage scandal next Thursday, July 15th at 9pm EST. I’ll be hosting along with co-host Don Dillon an interview with Meagan Holub with perhaps some additional visitors.
Meagan Holub, the author of The Magic Touch, has been in this uncomfortable position a number of times as massage therapist to prominent celebrities and public figures. Holub will outline her strategy and responses to “The View” program. Holub will outline how massage therapists can respond solidly in situations when the client has sexual intent, and how we as a profession can influence media perception positively to our profession individually and as a community.
As part of the show, I’d like to hear from you as a listener. What are your thoughts on the situation? What do you think of the comments made by hosts of “The 
View” and what are you doing in response? You can leave a message for me at 1-800-609-9006 ext 9714. (The message says testimonial line. Just ignore that.) We’ll play several of these audio segments on the broadcast next Thursday.
Call the number above and leave your thoughts or go to Massage Therapy Radio and leave your comments in the Q&A box. Then be sure to join me for the live broadcast next week.
Wow! It certainly has got the attention of massage therapists. Hosts on the popular TV show “The View” made what many massage therapists consider inappropriate remarks about the profession. This is following allegations by a massage therapist that Al Gore made inappropriate sexual advances during a massage outcall for Gore at a hotel.
The YouTube content is blocked here in Canada, but you can view the segment on the ABC site here: Al Gore Massage Video.
The blogs are abuzz with discussion and a Facebook group started about 48 hours ago for the purpose of getting a public apology from the show. It already it has about 2,200 members. The group founder is requesting that massage therapists come together to sign a petition which can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/2g86txv.
Massage Therapy Radio is hosting a special broadcast on the issue on July 15th. Sign up for notification of the broadcast and listen in to make your thoughts known.
I’ve been asked by a number of people to weigh in on the issue and I’ll use the words of Oscar Wilde who said, “There is only one thing worse than being talked about and that is NOT being talked about.”
That’s my take on the situation. Situations like this get people passionate about an issue and it makes stuff happen. If you feel compelled to write a letter to the View and its sponsors or sign the petition, then do it.
Being a marketing coach for massage professionals, I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to educate your community and develop your business. Start sending press releases to all your local media and stimulate some discussion as “the expert”. Here’s your chance to have an impact and make something happen.
Complaining or swearing at The View hosts doesn’t do anything. Either let it slide or take some action.
The other issue raised beyond the public view of massage is that of therapist safety, especially those who do outcalls. I was going to develop some resources around this years ago, but was flamed on discussion boards as a fear monger. Massage therapists are a high risk group for sexual assault and I think therapist safety needs to take a bigger place in the current discussion about the incident. Massage therapists need to be better equipped to deal with these situations. Most therapists are just not adequately prepared when confronted with the very real dangers of our profession.
Please share your thoughts and comment below.
I wrote/edited about 100 pages yesterday for a Chair Massage textbook I’m working on. It should be the definitive guide. In the process, I came across a lot of practitioner stories in the archives. If you want to tell me about your chair massage business feel free to post a reply below.
Here’s one from a woman who was working fulltime at another job at the time and who was looking to transition into a chair massage career:
“I have been doing chair massage part time, as I’m still working full time for another two years or so. To date, I have been working mostly in banks, and that is going extremely well. Many have evening hours and are open Saturdays, which minimizes the amount of time I have to take off work.
They have all paid for the employees’ massages. It’s a non-issue. All the massages at the banks have been 15 minutes/$15. Usually I meet with the branch manager or manager of financial services/customer service.
When I’m finished at each location, I ask for one or two contact names for other branches. I follow up with those, saying so and so gave me your name, and essentially I’m in.
Most banks have “greeters”. They have proven to be the best people to do the reminder calls the day I’m there. That keeps everything on track. I offer the option of music with the massage, which 98% want. I designed and used a brief evaluation form last year. I now have the feedback I was looking for, so am no longer using it, at least not as long as I’m in the banks. I always left copies of the evaluations with my contact.
Regarding benefits, we always say offering massage makes the employer look good, shows that they appreciate their staff, etc. I can’t tell you how many times people said this, in some way or other, either on the evaluation or directly to me. I make sure to use that as a key “selling point”, in addition to the fact that people feel more relaxed, energized etc.
There’s no question that having a target market, as you always advise, has definite benefits. It makes it so much easier to go from one location to another and your credibility builds up quickly. To date I have not attempted to organize regular, repeat visits to each branch. For me, part of the fun/challenge is the promotion/marketing (I know that’s quite the opposite of many), so I really enjoy making new contacts and going to different locations. I recently called all the branches I went to a year ago, and there will be a few repeats this winter.
This is funny! As I’m writing to you, one just called. We’re all set up for post RRSP season, St. Patrick’s Day and the first day of spring. Last year she had me in on Valentines Day, provided lunch for everyone and decorated the place all in red, hearts, etc., so I know she likes “theme” dates.
The only promotional pieces I use are my business card, your list of companies that have had on-site massage (I’d love your most recent copy, if one exists) and benefits of chair massage (from binder). I also leave them a sample memo put together by one branch and a sign up form. They appreciate these resources. It’s one less thing they have to think about preparing. I am putting together a one-page descriptor, but for my needs to date, the above has been sufficient. In addition, I have given friends massages for birthdays, special occasions, etc.”
All the best,
Barbara Hollander