Folding Towels - A Podcast for Massage Therapists with Jackie and David

Ding dong, it's July and the start of a new financial year, at least in Australia it is. Today, Jackie and David dive into budgeting tips for massage therapists. We talk about how to set a basic budget so that you can properly plan for your year (and plan for the unexpected), paying yourself a living wage, and prioritising your income. Discover the key items to include in your budget, the discipline of putting money aside for taxes, and documenting your expenses regularly using spreadsheets or software so you don' have to do it all at the end of each year. Finally, do you really need the latest iPhone and iPad on that expensive plan? If you wonder where your money goes every month or year, and how to take control of it then sharpen your pencil and listen in.

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From marine biology, to working in retail, to learning massage to connect with her mother with dementia.  Join Jackie as she talks with Liz Sharkey from Massage Training Australia.  Liz recognised early on that many of the training colleges aren’t teaching the really basic skills that therapists need to know (like report writing and notation).  These might not be the skills that many of are excited about (hello we are tactile people), but skills that we NEED to have.  Liz is on a mission to ensure that massage therapists in Australia (and worldwide) have access to the correct information, can do all the things they need to do to be compliant, and can upskill to be excellent at what they do. Her venture, Massage Training Australia, isn’t merely a business; it’s a lifeline offering practical courses designed to navigate real-world challenges not just how to knead muscles but how to navigate the intricate realm of running a successful practice.

Join Liz’s free Facebook Community –Australian Massage Therapists Community

Learn more with Liz at Massage Training Australia

*** Connect with Jackie and David ***

Do you want to reach out to us? ⁠⁠⁠Head to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and fill in the contact form.

Join Jackie and David as they unpack whether or not it is okay to only work with women as a massage therapist. We discuss in general "what does the law say". Explore the reasons why massage therapists might want to only work with women, and ways to do this directly and indirectly. We discuss branding that specifically targets women (e.g. Sportsgirl), and ways to say no to male clients who might want to seek massage with you (perhaps they were referred by a friend). We want you to know that your own safety is paramount and that gender-specific services can be both ethical and lawful when ensuring your own and client safety and comfort.

Do you want to reach out to us? ⁠⁠⁠Head to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and fill in the contact form.

In this episode of the Folding Towels Podcast, we're diving into practical, low-cost strategies to help massage therapists attract more clients and grow their business. David shares ten actionable tips that require more courage than cash, perfect for any massage therapist looking to expand their clientele without breaking the bank.

We'll explore the power of digital communication, from crafting engaging email newsletters to creating relatable video content. Learn about the "Law of 666" for personalized outreach and discover the pros and cons of running a gift voucher campaign.

Networking with local health professionals, following up with clients through thoughtful texts, and writing engaging blogs are just a few of the additional strategies we'll cover. We'll also delve into structured email campaigns and unique approaches to engaging male clients.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to boost an established practice, these tips will provide you with the tools and inspiration to take your massage therapy business to the next level. Tune in and find out how small, courageous steps can lead to significant growth.

Previous Episodes we mention:

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Do you want to reach out to us? ⁠⁠⁠Head to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠and fill in the contact form.

In this extended and final episode in this series, Jackie and David chat about even more stuff that they never told you about in massage school.

Do you need a mentor and how to choose one?

How much can you expect to be paid as an employee?

What's "the going rate" for rental and profit share and is it as good a deal as it sounds (spoiler alert, no it isn't)?

How often do you stop and listen to what your client is actually trying to tell you?

Are you charging what you are worth, or are you being greedy?

We might not be registered health professionals but we sure are regulated! (David might have some big feelings on this) -==>Check out this 60 minutes investigation into Cosmetic Surgery in Australia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKlQu2oGeh0

Can I massage in the first trimester of pregnancy?

Can I massage a person who has a cancer diagnosis?

Does massage detoxify the body? Read this article here ==> https://www.painscience.com/articles/poisoned-by-massage.php

Did you know that there is a world Championship for Massage therapists? ==> video teasers from the 2023 Championships https://worldchampionship-massage.com/best-videos-2023/

Unregistered Health Professionals Codes (as at June 2024):

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*** Connect with Jackie and David ***

Do you want to reach out to us? ⁠⁠⁠Head to our ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and fill in the contact form.

What would you do if someone "raised a flag pole"?

Do you know how to drape to work on someone's glutes without pulling their pants all the way down?

Do you know how to use your body weight to generate pressure and do you massage with just your hands or are you also making good use of broad forearms?

Ever been asked to commit health fund fraud?

And just what do you say if someone calls you a masseuse?

Jackie and David talk about all these things and more in this listener requested episode - with more stuff that they never told you about in massage school.

*** Connect with Jackie and David ***

Do you want to reach out to us? ⁠⁠⁠Head to our ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and fill in the contact form.

Jackie and David are back from a break - Conference, Coronavirus and just other stuff. It's rolling into the end of financial year. Jackie is Registering for GST for the first time, David is doubling down on compliance stuff. But really, this week we are here to talk about the podcasts that we listen to and enjoy. Remember, not everything that you do and listen to has to be professional - which is why we crack off this episode with One Song (Jackie's favourite) and Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe (David's favourite).

Jackie and David chat about ways to keep up your education without breaking the bank. If you are a member of a professional association, you need to commit to education every year. And even if you're not a member, continuing education helps to keep you fresh, motivated, up to date and connected with your industry. From borrowing books from the library, to watching webinars and listening to podcasts, to super affordable memberships and then there is MOOCS (it's 100% free y'all) learning has never been easier or more accessible.

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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc

Join David as he talks about why you should use email to connect with your clients, what not to do and what he loves to read in an e-news. Sending regular e-mails to your clients doesn't have to be hard, long or fancy, and it especially shouldn't feel dirty. But if you want to cut through the crap already in their inbox you need to give your clients a reason to open your news. Swap the idea of selling for stories. A glimpse of you that your clients can connect with. Like a letter from an old friend. Treat every E-news like it has the potential to go beyond its recipient - because often they do!