Traveling Massage Therapist
The demand for traveling massage therapists is on the rise. According to the 2012 Massage Profession Research Report the number of women receiving massage at home more than doubled from 2010 to 2011. Massage provided in clients homes, at businesses or in corporate settings increased to 50 % over 39% in 2010.
Being a traveling massage therapist has it’s advantages. You can schedule your appointments at your convenience. You have flexibility to schedule as many or as few in a day as you would like. And when you go into a client’s home, they are at ease and very welcoming. They are much more comfortable in their own surroundings. You can develop client relationships that are long lasting.
But there are also disadvantages. It is physically more demanding because you’re lifting equipment in and out of your car, whether it be a table or massage chair. They are bulky and heavy. You sometimes have to carry these up several flights of stairs.
You also have more expenses and need to consider the travel time. Clients sometimes don’t understand the higher cost of an in home massage (or in room for hotel massage) because you have to add fees for several things. Fuel, travel time, sometimes parking fees apply, the physical demands of loading and unloading, set up, music, aromatherapy. All the supplies that are usually conveniently set up in a room if you’re a stationary massage therapist.
When you are in someone’s home, they sometimes have other things going on as well. You have to be clear that they have a scheduled appointment time and you need to stick by that. Otherwise, you will find yourself spending 2 hours in their home instead of 1.
As a traveling massage therapist you have to consider safety issues. You need to be aware of situations that could be unsafe and screen individuals by phone prior to going into their home or hotel room. Be sure to get their full name so that you can do a google search or possibly check linkedin or facebook for information on them. It is also a good idea to let someone know when you arrive and what the address is. If you do outcall massage at hotels, check in with the front desk or concierge when you arrive and let them know the guest you’re there to see. You just need to be smart and take a few precautions.
