Finding Support in a Solo Profession

Massage is a solitary profession.  Most of you work alone and many of you are solo practitioners.  This gives you freedom and flexibility but can leave you feeling lost and lonely at times.  What if there was a way to fix the loneliness without giving up your autonomy?

Massage Networking Groups

What if you could spend an hour with other massage therapists talking shop?  A time where you could talk about the local market, problems you’re having, good resources to fill a need?

You can by starting your own massage therapy networking group.  My friend Shari Aldrich did this a couple of months ago.  The meetings are open to anyone and there is no charge.  She usually hosts it in the late morning so that attendees can bring a sack lunch and be done for afternoon clients.

She usually has a main topic of discussion, but the conversations do meander a bit.  If you find that you need a CPA, someone in the room is going to have a suggestion, or 2.  Impacted by changes to zoning or licensing laws?  So is everyone else.  Why not discuss possible solutions and work arounds?

Share ideas

I can’t act on every product or service idea I get in a week, let alone a month.  Why not share them with someone who could?  In our last meeting, we discussed ways of diversifying our income and helped brainstorm ideas for one another.  One of the MTs in the group used to work in a local lumber mill and has a lot of millworkers as clients.  She knows the work environment, the physical requirements and likely injuries of the job.  She now has an idea for a service product that will help the mill owners reduce their injury rate, reduce pain and suffering amongst the millworkers, and help increase her income.

That was one example.  Everyone in the room came away with at least one new idea.  That’s a lot of new revenue streams and positive impact on the community and profession for just one hour.

How to get started

The best way to get started is decide on a time and a place for the first meeting, at least 4 weeks in advance.  Announce it on Facebook and invite all of your local MT friends.

Don’t worry about how many people show up for the first year.  The initial meeting size will swing wildly from 25 to 2, but as word gets out, attendance will become more predictable.

Your turn

I’d love to see all of you reach out and start a networking group in your area.  Here’s your first topic, if you need it:  Getting clients to re-book.  Let us all know if there is a networking group in your area already or if you’d like to start one.  Maybe we can help you make connections and increase attendance.

Are you ready to reach out?