Massage Therapy: Be Known So you're rolling with the big boys now, you've come into your own. You can say that you are a professional massage therapist. You have your certification; and you even have your workspace set up at your home, your studio, or even the gym that you visit.

This is great! So, now that you have yourself ready to open your doors, who will be your first customer? No, I don't mean your mother, your spouse, or your best friend's sister, I mean outside of your inner circle, what is your plan to be known? There are several inexpensive options to get the word out. You will need printed materials, products with your name, trade and contact information on them. These products should have a design that would appeal to your audience. There is a company that you will want to seek out called WaterColorsCards. Watercolor's cards are designed specifically for this industry, and are something that you may want to look into. They offer thank you postcards and gentle reminder postcards to stay in front of your clients.

Other likely materials would be happy birthday postcards with a birthday promotion, massage gift certificates that you can offer year round and for holidays, and massage therapy business cards. With this company being designed for us by us, you will see that what they have available will fit your needs perfectly. You may want to leave your massage business cards in area business's where your future clients are likely to frequent, such as the business that you frequent, fitness and wellness centers, or maybe you can network with the local chiropractors and work out a referral system between you, including backwards referrals, discounts. You can also send massage postcards directly to local individuals within your likely demographic range in the area.

A sales firm can often sell you a mailing list based on either your demographic stipulations, or qualities that best fit your service. For just pennies more you can get these names printed on mailing labels as well so that you are just a stop at the post office away from your first large scale marketing campaign. Considering all of the advertising that you are putting in print, you will want to remember that no matter what the written word says, the spoken word is always stronger.

Get out and meet people, network and sell your trade. You know that there are people everywhere that are looking for a qualified massage therapist for reasons ranging from a long day to sports medicine. You want to be there for them. Visit large corporations and sell their human resources director the benefits of allowing their staff to schedule massages with you during a lunch break on the third Tuesday of the month for a bulk-rate discount. Litter your contacts with your card. This is your business to make or break, so be sure that every opportunity you have that you are telling people that you are a professionally licensed massage therapist and that you are always accepting new clients with a card in your hand, and watch your appointment book fill up.

Face to face is always the best advertising. You don't have to spend a fortune to advertise, but if you want to survive, you have to be sure to be known.

John Dirian is author of this article on Gift Certificates & Business Cards by Massage Therapists for Massage Therapists. Find more information about Gift Certificates & Business Cards by Massage Therapists for Massage Therapists here.