Question:
I have recently had 3 telephone calls in the space of a week from men enquiring about a back massage, after finding my advert in yell pages. None of them knew anything about massage and asked lots of questions, which was fine. However all of them asked if they would have to take their clothes off, which by then started bells ringing. However I remained calm and professional and explained the treatment. I was also asked if I worked in a clinic or at home and as I work at home alone, started to feel uncomfortable. They all seemed more interested in where I lived than what the treatment could do for them and were unwilling to leave their names or numbers. One guy expected to come over today and when i told him I had no appointments for over a week he muttered something and hung up.
I am not suggesting that they were all perverts but can anyone give me some advice on the right questions to ask prospective clients, etc to increase my confidence in dealing with them in the future.
I would add that I do not advertise anywhere else and to date all of my clients have been either people that I know or referred by friends or clients.
I would really appreciate any help that you can give me
many thanks
jenny
ps not sure if this is in the best place but happy for mods to move it for me :)
Hi Pinkangel,
Its funny (well its not), but I've had a couple of calls from men wanting exactly the same thing in the last two weeks!! Both only had mobile numbers and I explained that I couldn't visit them and I wouldn't be able to see them at my home, but they were welcome to go via the therapy centre I work in. Have a look at the FHT site they have guidance for mobile therapists [link]http://www.fht.org.uk[/link]
The reason why I think its funny is that I notice that you are based in the North East - I'm Tyne & Wear. I did get a couple of names - but I won't publish them here - if you want to PM me -please do - though I'm away from early tomorrow until late Sunday
LOL
FBx
hiya....
over the phone I normally enquire if they have any of the following conditions prior to treatment
If they are having a massage for a specific problem (although they normally offer that info first if they are)
Diabetes
Cancer
Epilepsy
BP problems
Asthma
this gives me a little insight to the client as well as letting them know I am interested in their health...
also if it is a male that I do not know (and at the moment the maj. of my clients are massage work are male) I ask them how they found me and also say something along the lines of.... "i do just have to point out as we do not know each other that this is a professional treatment"..however saying that if they have a groin or glut problem i have been know to tell them to wear small pants or they risk them being pulled down:)
hope that helps you somewhat
Tigs
x
Funnybunny[sm=hug.gif] Hmmm interesting that you're in same-ish area and have had similar calls. Will pm you.
Tigs[sm=hug.gif] some excellent tips will use them gratefully.
thank you to both of you for taking the time to offer your advice.
Much love and Light
jenny
[sm=hug.gif]
Hello,
If a client will not give me his/her name and a phone number to contact them in case I need to get in touch before th eapointment, I would not book them.
If you feel they are dodgy, asking a few health related questions will stress to them that you are doing a professional treatment (of the therapeutic type).
Artemis
Excellent answer! That will show them that you are not intimidated by them and they get the message strong and clear!
Amber
excellent advice, thais!
I do state up front that it is remedial massage, not sexual, and I apologise for being blunt, but 'i do get funny phone calls'. Sorts the men out from the boys. I never book an unknown male in without getting a name, address, telephone number (land line) and I send a letter of confirmation with leaflet. I stick to my gun sthat I cannot see them for two weeks, 'cos I am so booked up (usually am anyway). If alarm bells ring, i ask loads of health related questions. Any one who will not give you home details, or doesnt want to wait for an appointment, I put them off. Most men, who are after 'massage' as opposed to our massage, get the message pretty quick. I missed the clues on one guy, though, and he booked in for kinesiology - kept asking if he needde to take his clothes off, or could I touch lower as thats where it hurt (you can guess where lower got very near to!!) as it happened, I did an excellent kinesiology session, gave him a very blunt lecture about his overweight, diet, blood suger problems etc etc ect and the potential health problems to come.
If you are ever in doubt about a male client. either dont do it, or make sure someone else is close at hand. Dont be afraid to put someone in their place if they start to give the wrong signals and it gets embarressing. Be cool, calm & professional, and if you really cant handle it, tell them to get dressed and leave (while you wait outside the room) but remember to charge!. There are more than enough ladies who are happy to provide the other services.Oh, and I never do full body massage for any males I dont know, or havent been referred to me.
And remember, much to some mens embarressment:), massage is arousing, even if they are genuine! so sometimes you have to be tactful.
Mind you, I dont get the problems now, 'cos I only do bowen.
good luck,
penny
[sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]
I am not suggesting that they were all perverts but can anyone give me some advice on the right questions to ask prospective clients, etc to increase my confidence in dealing with them in the future.
I would add that I do not advertise anywhere else and to date all of my clients have been either people that I know or referred by friends or clients.
I would really appreciate any help that you can give me
many thanks
jenny
ps not sure if this is in the best place but happy for mods to move it for me :)
Answers:
Hi Pinkangel,
Its funny (well its not), but I've had a couple of calls from men wanting exactly the same thing in the last two weeks!! Both only had mobile numbers and I explained that I couldn't visit them and I wouldn't be able to see them at my home, but they were welcome to go via the therapy centre I work in. Have a look at the FHT site they have guidance for mobile therapists [link]http://www.fht.org.uk[/link]
The reason why I think its funny is that I notice that you are based in the North East - I'm Tyne & Wear. I did get a couple of names - but I won't publish them here - if you want to PM me -please do - though I'm away from early tomorrow until late Sunday
LOL
FBx
Answers:
hiya....
over the phone I normally enquire if they have any of the following conditions prior to treatment
If they are having a massage for a specific problem (although they normally offer that info first if they are)
Diabetes
Cancer
Epilepsy
BP problems
Asthma
this gives me a little insight to the client as well as letting them know I am interested in their health...
also if it is a male that I do not know (and at the moment the maj. of my clients are massage work are male) I ask them how they found me and also say something along the lines of.... "i do just have to point out as we do not know each other that this is a professional treatment"..however saying that if they have a groin or glut problem i have been know to tell them to wear small pants or they risk them being pulled down:)
hope that helps you somewhat
Tigs
x
Answers:
Funnybunny[sm=hug.gif] Hmmm interesting that you're in same-ish area and have had similar calls. Will pm you.
Tigs[sm=hug.gif] some excellent tips will use them gratefully.
thank you to both of you for taking the time to offer your advice.
Much love and Light
jenny
Answers:
[sm=hug.gif]
Answers:
Hello,
If a client will not give me his/her name and a phone number to contact them in case I need to get in touch before th eapointment, I would not book them.
If you feel they are dodgy, asking a few health related questions will stress to them that you are doing a professional treatment (of the therapeutic type).
Artemis
Answers:
Excellent answer! That will show them that you are not intimidated by them and they get the message strong and clear!
Amber
Answers:
excellent advice, thais!
I do state up front that it is remedial massage, not sexual, and I apologise for being blunt, but 'i do get funny phone calls'. Sorts the men out from the boys. I never book an unknown male in without getting a name, address, telephone number (land line) and I send a letter of confirmation with leaflet. I stick to my gun sthat I cannot see them for two weeks, 'cos I am so booked up (usually am anyway). If alarm bells ring, i ask loads of health related questions. Any one who will not give you home details, or doesnt want to wait for an appointment, I put them off. Most men, who are after 'massage' as opposed to our massage, get the message pretty quick. I missed the clues on one guy, though, and he booked in for kinesiology - kept asking if he needde to take his clothes off, or could I touch lower as thats where it hurt (you can guess where lower got very near to!!) as it happened, I did an excellent kinesiology session, gave him a very blunt lecture about his overweight, diet, blood suger problems etc etc ect and the potential health problems to come.
If you are ever in doubt about a male client. either dont do it, or make sure someone else is close at hand. Dont be afraid to put someone in their place if they start to give the wrong signals and it gets embarressing. Be cool, calm & professional, and if you really cant handle it, tell them to get dressed and leave (while you wait outside the room) but remember to charge!. There are more than enough ladies who are happy to provide the other services.Oh, and I never do full body massage for any males I dont know, or havent been referred to me.
And remember, much to some mens embarressment:), massage is arousing, even if they are genuine! so sometimes you have to be tactful.
Mind you, I dont get the problems now, 'cos I only do bowen.
good luck,
penny
[sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]
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