There’s nothing quite like the moment a client walks out of your space lighter, calmer, and more at home in their body. That part? You’ve mastered.
But building a steady stream of clients? That’s the part no one really teaches you.
Whether you're starting a brand new business or you've been at it for years, growing a massage practice takes more than skill at the table— this guide will show you 15 clear, doable tips to help you attract the right clients, fill your calendar, and build the kind of business that supports you, too.
💆♀️ 1. Dial In Your Massage Pricing (Do a Stealth Check)
Pricing can feel like a moving target—especially when you’re just starting out. Too high, and people ghost you. Too low, and you start resenting your own work. Most massage therapists don’t know where to begin, so they guess. But that guesswork can cost you in lost clients or burned-out hours.
Imagine a potential client doing what most people do—Googling around, comparing prices, not just looking for the cheapest option but trying to figure out what they should pay. If you’re too far off from what others charge, you either look too expensive or too suspiciously cheap.
The fastest way to get clarity? Call 5–10 local massage therapists or wellness studios and ask as if you were a new client.
Exact Call Script:
“Hi, I’m comparing options—what are your rates for a 60-minute session? Do you offer any packages or memberships?”
Ask About:
- 30, 60, and 90-minute session rates
- Flat fees vs. per-minute pricing
- Package deals or member discounts
📌 Tip: Track their answers in a spreadsheet and compare side-by-side.
💡 Why this works: You’ll know exactly how to position your pricing to stay competitive while protecting your time and income.
🎯 2. Find Your Massage Niche or Signature Style
Price isn’t the only thing that matters—and it shouldn’t be.
Picture your ideal client sitting at their desk for the fifth hour straight, shoulders tight, jaw clenched, headache brewing. They scroll through Google or ChatGPT, typing something like “massage for neck and jaw tension,” hoping to find someone who really gets what they’re dealing with. Then they land on your page and see: “I help stressed-out professionals release neck, shoulder, and jaw tension caused by desk work and daily overload.” That kind of copy makes someone stop scrolling.
If you’re tired of trying to appeal to everyone, the solution isn’t more generic marketing. It’s specificity. Choose a niche that speaks directly to a real-life pain point and make it your signature. Whether it’s prenatal massage, TMJ relief, post-injury rehab, or emotional release, you want your site and services to reflect that.
From the client’s perspective, this doesn’t just make you sound knowledgeable. It makes you feel safe. It makes them believe you’ve seen their problem before—and helped someone like them get through it. That kind of trust is what fills your calendar.
Example:
"At Calm Works Therapy, I don’t just do massages—I help people reconnect to their bodies. From stress-induced migraines to lower back tension from screen time overload, each session is crafted to support your body’s healing."
Think About:
- What problem are they searching for help with?
- What words do they use to describe it?
- What do they need to feel better and trust you?
📌 Tip: Search Reddit, Facebook, or local forums for how people describe their pain—use those words in your marketing.
💡 Why this works: When someone sees themselves in your messaging, they stop price shopping and start trusting.
🌐 3. Set Up a Simple Website for Your Massage Practice
When someone hears your name, they don’t call you. They Google you. If what they find is confusing or worse, missing entirely—you’ve lost them.
A simple website acts like your digital handshake. It answers the questions every client has: Do you offer what I need? Are you near me? How much does it cost? How do I book?
But here’s the thing: most website builders are overly complicated, slow, or not designed with local service pros in mind. That’s why tools like Siimple work so well. Their massage therapy template was designed to help you show up in local search and get booked fast—no technical headaches.
Example Website Setup: Choose the Siimple massage therapist template → upload logo → add 2–3 service packages → drop in a few testimonials → publish.
Include:
- Service list and pricing
- Booking link or contact form
- Testimonials and a calming image of your space
- A map or location mention
📌 Tip: Fill in your city, specialty, and name in your site description to help you get found in Google and AI tools.
💡 Why this works: A conversion-focused site helps every other tactic work better—from referrals to SEO.
🎥 Watch this video tutorial
💼 4. Create Massage Service Packages
When people are in pain, they want clarity—not confusion. If your site says “call for rates,” it becomes one more obstacle between them and relief. And that pause? It often sends them to someone else.
Think about your client’s state of mind. They’re sore, foggy, maybe frustrated. They need a plan, not a puzzle. When they land on your page and instantly see options like “Quick Reset – 30 min / $55” or “Deep Calm – 90 min / $125”, they relax. That’s one less decision they have to make.
Website Copy
Example:🌿 Quick Reset — $55
- 30 minutes focused on neck, back, or jaw
🌸 Deep Calm — $90
- 60 minutes full body + aromatherapy add-on
🌙 The Unwind — $125
- 90 minutes deep tissue + hot towel + foot scrub
Bundle:
- Entry: 30-minute relief sessions
- Mid-tier: Full-body balance
- Premium: Luxury, extended sessions
📌 Tip: Feature your top 3 options above the fold on your Siimple site.
💡 Why this works: Flat-rate, clearly labeled sessions eliminate friction and help people say yes faster.
🎁 5. Run Seasonal Massage Specials
Most clients don’t book massages until something hurts—bad. But that means you’re always at the mercy of last-minute calls… unless you flip the script.
Seasons bring their own stress. You can tap into that by offering timely packages that align with how people feel right now. Picture a new client scrolling through social media, shoulders tight, after a long week. Then they see: “Spring Reset: Rejuvenating massage for post-winter tension—$15 off until April 30th.” That makes them stop scrolling and start booking.
Examples:
- 🧧 Lunar New Year: 20% off until March 10th - Book Now →
- 🎒Back to School Reboot: $15 off – for parents and teachers - Book Now →
- 🍁 Seasonal Detox – Lymphatic and digestive support for spring - Book Me!
Promote On:
- Your Siimple website banner
- Instagram or local Facebook groups
- Google Business Profile updates
📌 Tip: Update your special monthly and pin it to the top of your homepage.
💡 Why this works: Timely offers meet people where they are and give them a reason to act now.
📸 6. Capture Before-and-After Moments
Massage therapy is one of those services where the transformation is felt more than seen—but that doesn’t mean you can’t show it. Your job is to translate the invisible into something people can understand and trust.
Think about it: your client walks in tense, irritable, slouched. After 60 minutes with you, they’re breathing easier, standing taller, and smiling softer. That shift matters. But unless you capture it, the next potential client can’t see it.
You don’t need dramatic face shots or spa selfies. A calm photo of your studio, a quote from the client, or even a before-and-after energy check-in works. The goal is to help new visitors feel the experience before they ever book.
How to Do It:
Ask for permission to document their session experience rather than their appearance.
“Hey, would you mind if I snapped a photo of the before and after. We don't have to show your face or name, but I would love to use it on our website to share with other's in pain in the hopes that it will make the more confident to come in for a session.
Photo/Quote Tips:
- Take a calm shot of your treatment space before and after a session
- Record a short before and after video
- Add client words like “Before: Couldn’t turn my neck. After: Drove home smiling.”
- Keep it short, grounded, and real
📌 Tip: Use your Siimple site gallery to post visual proof—it builds emotional connection and trust.
💡 Why this works: People can’t always imagine the results of a massage. But show them someone else’s story—and they’ll want the same.
🌟 7. Ask for Testimonials While the Glow Is Still Fresh
The best time to ask for a review isn’t next week. It’s right after your client floats off the table, blurry-eyed and blissed out, feeling like a better version of themselves.
That window—right after the session—is when their gratitude is highest and their experience is most vivid. Miss it, and the momentum fades. Life gets busy. The review never happens.
Clients are 4–10x more likely to book when they see testimonials from people like them. - BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey
So don’t be shy. Make it simple and easy. Have the link saved. Ask like you would a friend.
Post-Session Ask Script:
“Hey [Name], thank you again! If you’re feeling good, would you mind leaving a quick review? It really helps me find more great clients like you. Here’s the link: [short link]”
Follow-Up Tips:
- Send the link via SMS or email within 24 hours
- Mention something personal: “It was great helping with your shoulder pain”
- Offer a little guidance: “Just a sentence or two is perfect!”
📌 Tip: Rotate fresh testimonials on your Siimple homepage—they act like mini referrals for new visitors.
💡 Why this works: Social proof turns trust into bookings. One good review = one new client.
📱 8. Stay in Touch with Past Massage Clients
You gave them the best massage of their life… and then they disappeared. Not because they didn’t love it—but because they got busy, forgot to rebook, or thought they’d remember later.
This is where a kind, simple text can work magic. It’s not pushy. It’s not salesy. It’s a reminder of how good they felt—and how easy it is to feel that way again.
Rebooking Text Script:
“Hey [Name], just checking in—I’ve got a few openings next week if you’re feeling tight again! Let me know if you’d like me to hold a spot.”
What Makes This Work:
- Use their name and remember a detail if possible (“after that jaw work we did”)
- Keep it casual, kind, and low-pressure
- Send a handful per week—not all at once—to manage replies
📌 Tip: Add their last testimonial or service summary to your Siimple site and link to it in your text as a reminder.
💡 Why this works: Most people need a gentle nudge, not a hard sell. You’re reminding them to care for themselves.
🗓 9. Share Seasonal Body Care Checklists
Your clients want to feel better, but most of them don’t know how to stay better. That’s where your expertise becomes your marketing.
Instead of waiting for them to come back with the same issues, give them a simple seasonal checklist. Think of it like a wellness guide from someone they trust. It helps them stay ahead of tension, and it positions you as their long-term support—not just a one-time fix.
Checklist Ideas:
- Spring: “Detox & Decompress” (hydration, movement, lymphatic support)
- Summer: “Cool & Calm” (sunburn care, sinus relief, grounding techniques)
- Fall/Winter: “Immune Boost Routine” (warm compresses, digestion support, regular massage)
How to Share:
“Hey [Name], here’s your Summer Reset Checklist—let me know if you want help with any of these!”
📌 Tip: Upload it as a downloadable PDF on your Siimple site with your logo and booking info.
💡 Why this works: You’re offering value without selling—and staying top of mind in the most helpful way.
📝 10. Leave Friendly Maintenance Care Notes
Most clients come in focused on one pain point—neck tension, lower back aches, or general stress. But as a therapist, you can often spot deeper patterns: a rotated hip, jaw misalignment, shallow breathing. These are things they don’t see—but you can.
Instead of waiting until the issue becomes unbearable, leave a friendly follow-up or note suggesting what they might focus on next time. It shows you’re not just doing sessions—you’re thinking long-term about their well-being.
“Hi [Name], just a quick note after your session—I noticed some tightness in your calves that might be contributing to the hip tension. Next time we could focus on that area to support your posture even more.”
Note Tips:
- Keep it calm, clear, and helpful
- Mention how it supports their overall wellness
- Frame it as a partnership in their healing
📌 Tip: Email or text your suggestion the day after a session while the experience is still fresh.
💡 Why this works: You position yourself as someone who cares about the whole picture—not just today’s pain.
💬 11. Set Up a Massage Referral Program
Word of mouth is still the most powerful (and affordable) marketing you have. But if you’re just hoping people recommend you, you’re leaving it to chance.
Over 60% of massage clients say they found their therapist through a friend—but fewer than 15% of therapists have a referral system. - Massage Council Article
The fix? Create a clear, simple referral offer that makes it easy—and rewarding—for happy clients to spread the word.
Something like “Get $20 off your next massage when your friend books theirs.” It’s low effort for them and builds instant trust with new clients who come in already sold on your service.
Referral Script:
“Loved your session? Send a friend my way and get $20 off your next massage when they book!”
Program Details:
- $20 credit per booked referral
- No limit—clients can refer as many as they want
- Works for gift cards too
📌 Tip: Mention your referral program at checkout, in follow-up texts, and clearly on your Siimple website.
💡 Why this works: People trust people—not ads. When a client brings you someone new, they’re doing the marketing for you.
📍 12. Boost Your Local SEO
When someone searches “massage therapist near me,” you want to be at the top of the results—without having to run ads. That’s where local SEO comes in.
It’s not complicated. You just need a website that’s optimized for on-page SEO, local searches, and a few key steps done consistently.
SEO Essentials:
- Use a website builder like Siimple with built-in SEO fields
- Add your city to your homepage title and headings (e.g., “Prenatal Massage in Austin”)
- Write alt text on your photos (e.g., “calming massage room in Oakland CA”)
- Verify your Google Business Profile and upload real photos
SEO Copy Example: “I offer personalized massage therapy in [Your City] for stress relief, injury recovery, and posture improvement.”
📌 Tip: Embed a Google Map showing your location directly on your Siimple site for extra local search power.
💡 Why this works: You get found by people ready to book—no need to chase them down.
🤝 13. Partner with Local Wellness Pros
You don’t need to do all the outreach yourself. Some of your best clients are already talking to other professionals—chiropractors, doulas, acupuncturists, therapists. And those people are already being asked, “Do you know a good massage therapist?”
Make that answer easy for them. Reach out and offer a partnership: something like a mutual referral setup, client discount, or co-hosted workshop.
“Hi [Name], I’m a massage therapist based nearby. I’d love to refer clients to you and offer yours 10% off their first session. Would you be open to teaming up?”
Best Partner Types:
- Yoga studios and instructors
- Midwives, doulas, and pelvic floor specialists
- Mental health therapists
- Personal trainers
📌 Tip: Keep a few printed cards or simple flyers you can leave with them. Bonus if you both share the same values or target audience.
💡 Why this works: You borrow trust from someone they already like—and grow your clientele without paid marketing.
🔁 14. Offer a Monthly Massage Membership
If your schedule feels like a rollercoaster—booked out one week, empty the next—a monthly membership can smooth out the ride. It helps you build reliable, recurring income and creates a better rhythm for your clients.
People love simplicity. A flat monthly fee that includes a session and some perks? That’s one less decision for them to make—and a huge step toward loyalty.
Example Plan:
$85/month = 1 x 60-min massage + 10% off any extras + priority booking
Let sessions roll over so it doesn’t feel restrictive. You can also offer a couple’s version, or even a “flex plan” for irregular clients.
📌 Tip: Add a “Join the Membership” section to your Siimple site, and explain the benefits clearly.
💡 Why this works: Predictable revenue for you. Consistent self-care for them. Everybody wins.
🔒 15. Book Their Next Session Before They Leave
Think about the last time you got a haircut or saw a chiropractor. The really organized ones don’t let you leave without booking your next appointment—and there’s a reason why. People intend to come back, but life happens.
So take that off their plate. At the end of your session, say:
“Want to go ahead and grab your next appointment while we’re here? You can always reschedule later if needed, but it holds your spot.”
It feels helpful—not salesy. And it builds a rhythm that benefits you and them.
Booking Incentives:
- Offer 5% off if they prebook
- Or priority scheduling during busy weeks
- Mention that spots fill up quickly, especially around holidays
📌 Tip: Use a booking tool like Calendly or embed your Google Calendar link on your Siimple site to make this seamless.
💡 Why this works: It takes advantage of their current clarity—and locks in future income for you.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Most massage therapists don’t need to hustle harder. They just need a better business flow.
Whether it’s clearly showing your rates, offering a timely special, staying in touch, or creating a recurring service—these ideas work not because they’re flashy, but because they’re grounded in how real people make decisions.
Your next great client is probably already looking for someone like you. They just need a reason to trust, to click, to book.
So pick 2–3 of these tips and implement them this week. You don’t have to do it all. Just start where it feels easy—and let the momentum build from there.
Because the businesses that grow aren’t the ones with the loudest marketing—they’re the ones that make it Simple to say yes.
