So your massage room is set up and you’re ready for service — but your booking calendar needs a little help. If you’re wondering how to get more massage clients, you’re not alone. Despite the steady rise of your industry, it can still be challenging to build and maintain your client base.
Ready to work out the kinks in your business strategy? Check out these massage therapy marketing ideas to start growing today.
Define Your Brand
Develop Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
Ask yourself: What makes my business unique? What sets me apart from other massage therapists? The answer to this question is your USP or unique selling proposition.
Highlighting your USP throughout your marketing channels is how to make your massage business stand out from the competition. Whether you specialize in mobile services for busy corporate employees or offer a luxury experience at affordable rates, make sure your audience knows it!
Create Branding Elements
Your branding elements must work together to communicate what your business is all about. These include:
- Name
- Logo
- Font
- Voice
- Colors
- Tagline
- Imagery
- Messaging
Take time to select these details thoughtfully and use them consistently in your marketing materials. This helps to boost brand awareness and better position you when a lead is finally ready to book.
Build an Online Presence
Your potential clients are online, so your massage business needs to be here, too! The point is to make yourself more visible to increase your chances of attracting clients — in all the ways they search and scroll.
Publish Your Business Website
Create a business website if you don’t already have one. With the variety of website builders available now, you can quickly get your business online using drag-and-drop templates that are free and easy to use.
Why do you need a website to attract more massage clients?
- It enhances your credibility (that is, it makes you seem like a real business)
- It allows you to showcase your business exactly how you want to
- If you set up online booking, it makes it easy for clients to book services
- It gives leads an informative place to “land” after finding you in search results
Be sure to think about your audience’s experience when fine-tuning your website. What questions will they have, and what actions will they want to take? Anticipate their needs to lead them toward scheduling an appointment.
Implement SEO Strategies
- Set up your Google Business Profile and link it to your website
- Include local keywords like “massage therapy [your city]” in your website copy
- List your business in local directories, like Yelp and Yellow Pages
- Encourage clients to review your services and reply to them
Get Active on Social Media
With billions of active users and opportunities to connect, you can’t afford not to be on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X.
Because maintaining active profiles can get overwhelming, it’s best to choose one or two you can reasonably commit to and post engaging content regularly to attract new clients.
Here are some massage therapy marketing ideas for social media:
- Client testimonials
- Educational series
- Tips on wellness and self-care
- Short demonstrations of massage techniques
- Behind-the-scenes moments at your practice
- Promotion announcements tied to social media trends
- Collabs with local health or wellness-related businesses
- “Get to Know Me” – share more about yourself so people can connect with you!
Pro Tip: Use social media management software to make content creation, publishing, and monitoring easier. Rey Kifuri, Video & Social Media Manager at Insurance Canopy, says:
“Before you start looking for a social media management platform, take a minute to think about what your must-haves are vs your nice-to-haves.
Think about things like: What platforms can the software post to? Does it show you the metrics you need to track success? Personally, I like Metricool. It’s affordable, super easy to use for posting across multiple platforms, and lets you manage your Google Business Profile too. I really love being able to access everything I need in one place.
If you want more detailed analytics, Hootsuite could be worth looking into. It’s known for having a ton of features, but it comes at a higher price, so make sure you’re clear on what matters most for your business.”
Engage With Email & Text Marketing
Staying in touch with clients through email and text marketing helps keep your business top of mind. Marketing massage therapy requires continuous connection because you want clients to keep coming back for more sessions — just be sure to be intentional each time you hit “send.”
For email marketing, consider sending:
- Special promotions
- Wellness and self-care tips
- Updates on new services or hours
- Bite-size reminders about the benefits of regular massage
For text marketing, try sending:
- Appointment confirmations
- Last-minute service openings
- Personalized check-ins after sessions
- Reminders to leave reviews after receiving services
Don’t forget to get permission before sending promotional messages and keep your messaging on-brand and concise.
Expand Your Reach With Partnerships
Network with other professionals, businesses, and the local community to extend your reach. You want to establish yourself as the go-to massage therapist in your area – someone others can recommend because of how you show up.
Look up other health- and wellness-related businesses, like gyms, fitness centers, yoga studios, float studios, and health food stores. Then, reach out to ask if they’d be interested in offering reciprocal referrals to their customers. For example, a gym member gets a discount on their first massage with you, while your clients get an offer for a discounted workout class.
Next, get involved with the community. From health fairs to farmers markets to charity or school events, there are many opportunities to set up an educational booth and provide consultations and free mini massages.
Run Enticing Promotions
How can you make your offering irresistible? By running promotions! Make it hard for leads to pass up your special offers.
Try these massage promotion ideas:
- First-time client discounts
- Seasonal or holiday specials (think “summer relaxation” or “Valentine’s treat”)
- Package deals (multiple sessions bundled at a discount)
- Birthday discounts
- Group discounts
- Event-exclusive discounts
- Social media contests
- Happy hour discounts (for slow seasons, days, or timeslots)
- Wellness packages with business partners
Invest in Advertising
You may have to spend a little to make more, but the good news is that once you start creating content on your social media accounts, it’s just a few clicks to turn that content into a strategic ad.
There are many ways to advertise, but one of the simplest strategies to get more eyes on your business is to turn one of your existing Instagram posts (say, an excellent client testimonial!) into a boosted ad. Make the free switch to an Instagram business profile, choose your target audience, and then set a budget and duration. Easy!
Did you know that 50% of Instagram users are more interested in a brand after seeing ads for it on the platform? Those are odds worth the try.
If you’re willing to shell out extra cash, consider Google Ads, which combines AI with your input to increase your business’ online reach. You get personalized support from an expert, so this option might be ideal if you want a solid game plan from the get-go.
Some other massage advertising ideas include:
- Yelp ads
- TikTok ads
- Facebook lead ads
- YouTube video ads
- Nextdoor sponsored posts
- Local newspaper/online ads
Utilize Business Cards
An often overlooked but effective way to do massage therapist marketing is to carry business cards everywhere. Keep a stack on hand to give to clients, local businesses, and potential referrals. You never know when you might meet someone looking for your services!
Your business card should maintain the same branding (colors, logo, etc.) you use on other marketing materials and include your name, contact information, website, and a brief mention of what you do.
It’s especially helpful to add a QR code that links directly to your booking page. Remember: anything you can do to reduce the friction of signing up for an appointment can result in a smoother experience for your clients — and more business for you.
Retain Your Client Base
Massage therapy marketing isn’t just about getting new clients. It’s about retaining your current ones, too.
Create a Referral System
As you get more massage clients, don’t be shy about asking for referrals. Your happy clients are more likely to sing your praises, and that word-of-mouth recommendation is worth everything.
A referral program doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply let your clients know they’ll receive an incentive whenever they bring in a new friend to book with you.
Create referral cards or text or email templates for your clients to use. Include a unique referral code on each to easily track how new clients find you.
Bonus Tip: Are there local influencers in your area? They may be interested in promoting your business if it’s aligned with their personal brand! Ask if they’d consider participating in an influencer referral program.
Rebook After Sessions
Wondering how to get massage clients to rebook? Well, right after a massage with you, your client is feeling amazing! Capitalize on the moment by getting them to book their next appointment before they leave.
Try an offer like “Sign up before you leave today to receive a free bottle of massage oil!” or “Book three appointments now for 20% off!”
This is a simple strategy that works because the benefits of your services are fresh in their mind. Ask them to rebook and throw on a small promotion — done deal!
Offer Loyalty Rewards & Appreciation
Give your clients a reason to keep coming back. Try implementing a loyalty program that rewards clients for each visit, leading to discounts, free sessions, or even massage products they can take home.
Get to know your clients and take notes about their sessions, plus anything else they share with you. Send personalized messages on their birthdays or special occasions to remind them that you value them.
If it’s within your means, host appreciation events during the holidays or on your business anniversary. Events like these are a fun way to connect with your clients, for them to connect with each other, and to celebrate how your massage practice has enriched their lives.
This may go without saying, but strive for authentic connection! In a recent survey, 74% of respondents said brand loyalty is about feeling understood and valued.
Display Your Insurance Coverage
Carrying massage liability insurance is essential for protecting your business, and it can be a powerful marketing tool.
Displaying proof of insurance (like an insurance badge) in your massage room or on your website and social media profiles helps build trust with clients. It shows you take your practice seriously and are committed to providing a safe experience.
It can also help you expand your practice if you want to work with gyms, wellness centers, or special events, as these contracts typically require you to carry liability coverage.
FAQs About Marketing for Massage Therapists
How Important Are Online Reviews for My Massage Business?
Online reviews are crucial for your massage business! Potential clients rely on reviews to gauge the quality of your services before booking, so regularly encourage your current clients to leave reviews online — it helps you stand out against competitors and enhances your credibility.
What Are Some Creative Massage Advertising Ideas?
- Run a contest on social media: Ask viewers to duet your Reel with funny content and offer a free session to the contestant with the most likes
- Partner with an unlikely local business: Offer a reciprocal discount to customers of escape rooms or a kids’ play place
- Take your business where people are waiting around: Provide mini sessions near car dealerships or banks
- Give away branded stickers at a local event: Everyone loves a freebie — advertise your business with promotional merch in the community
- Host a self-care workshop: Show attendees all the ways they can unwind and relax while educating them on the benefits of your services
