zianuray

I'm a darn good massage therapist.  I'm not good a bragging on myself -- which is part of marketing.

If you're good at marketing -- whether a pro or just "better than me" -- what would you consider a fair swap?  Half-hour on my table for a one-page flyer?  90 minutes for a 6-panel brochure? 

I want something that will tell people why they should be on my table and get them to actually make the call, make the appointment, and show up and pay me.

I realize that there will not be a 100% response rate,

To discuss rates, etc., comment here or email me at zianuray at livejournal dot com

Also, have added a FB page for the vending side of things -- Fifth House

AND, of course, since I'm waiting for a delivery that must be signed for, I now have a 1330 massage appointment in Monett...!

Local Massage Business adds Facebook Page

If I've worked on you (massage), made a "concoction" (aromatherapy or otherwise) for you, or if you like my soaps and candles, would you please write a little about it for either my LinkedIn profile or email it to me so I can put it on my website [initials only on the website, but if you're willing to allow office managers or salon/spa owners (aka, "persons of hiring decisions") to email you please say so]. 

Also, I may print a page of rec's with emails to go with my resume -- again, please let me know if your address is NOT to be handed out.

I'd been to the "English" store in the Amish community a few weeks ago, commented on the new building and was informed that there'd been a fire due to an electrical fault -- the old building was just gone.  Well, Reba's back open on a full schedule now, and has added several things to the store -- the important thing here was that the library wall had burned too!  (Books she'd lend to the community, not an official tax-funded library.)  And I still had a LOAD of books from that dumpster rescue over a year ago....

And today someone came to get the books!  Yay!  I have my folding tables back, and the library has a good start again :)





And draggies if anyone wants to click :)

And a scroll.

Got a call yesterday that could be good PR, could be more trouble than it's worth.

Someone has a daughter on total care, about 15 miles away over not-so-good roads (travel time would be at least 30 minutes one way) according to the phone number prefix.

Had an MT coming for several years to work on the daughter, but the MT raised her rates and she couldn't afford it anymore.  Taking the daughter to my office in Monett is out of the question, apparently, and calling any of the MTs in her own town (at least 3 that I know of) likewise.

She wants me to drive out every week to work with her daughter for an hour -- plus travel time of an hour, plus setup and all -- for $20 each trip. 

She can't afford regular rate, can't leave her name, didn't ask if there are options or if I'd take insurance.  If she's been primary care for someone for years, wouldn't she know to ask about insurance?  If she's a distraught mother, wouldn't she ask about barter or somesuch?

I've had several people try to scam me already, and I just don't know if this is another.  I feel bad that she can't afford the regular rate and that I don't feel I'd be breaking even.  If she'd be willing to work with me on options -- like getting me referrals from her church, support network, whatever -- I'd work with her in return, but just "No.  Gimmie."  bugs me. 

Granted the daughter has a raw deal (if she exists), as does the mother (as supposedly primary caregiver),  but I've hauled table to out-of-the-way places before and been told, "Oh, s/he's not here -- well, since you're here, you can work on me while you wait!"  (When you tell them the rate, they insist "But you're already here!  It's not like it's going to COST YOU anything!")  Which would be OK IF they'd pay me for the work, but that wasn't in their game plan.  And I consider that a scam, too.

Does anyone know how I can find out if this gal is on the up-and-up?  What really makes me suspicious is that it seems none of the MTs in her own town are willing to work with her, or why would she be calling someone from elsewhere?

And before y'all get all "UR being MEEN" on me, yes I do have some "charity cases" that pay a greatly reduced rate.  As well as my other tings I do including blood and sweat (but not tears so far, except when the needle slips).

ETA:  And the votes are in...and I'm leaving it well alone.

I actually made enough to pay the rent on the massage room this month -- granted, part of it was from On-Site work in Springfield, but hey! 

Emotionally quite satisfying.

Well, got through that intact...but severely over-peopled!  The other MT was in Branson for the day, so I had the pleasure (and pleasure it was) to do 5-minute "free samples" and handed out cards and did a couple of brief aromatherapy consults.

Also got one appointment set up!  And a definite time/day for a swap :D

The Studio end of the building has VERY bad acoustics -- anything going on is very audible in all areas and the tile floor seems to raise the volume, so with the Zumba music going and 15 people all talking over it and each other...yeah, I was overstimulated.  Left stuff as it was and locked up; went back today to clean and pack up.

Also had to tighten the screws that hold the seat to the frame on the massage chair -- wonder how often I'll have to do that.  It's an NRG brand, any input on that?  (I want a Dolphin ii eventually!)

In Aurora, there are two farmers' market associations -- at the same park.

The one I just joined gives each member a copy of the vending license (for the city) so you can set up any day you wish.

"Regular" days are Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, any day it's barely tolerable out.

Day pass is $1 day for up to 5x.

A year's membership is $15. 

Guess who signed up?

And they're trying to get access to a "certified kitchen" for members to use for jams and relishes and soaps and such.

Heee!

I will have to be relatively careful about my wares -- the little pretty bottles are "no" but if I put oils in them I mixed, that's OK.  The item-which-is-for-sale must be homemade/handmade.  But of course, massage is handmade!  So I can set the chair up too!  Wheee!

Over a week ago, I called a certain salon in Springfield for an interview to see if they'd rent me the room advertised (for massage, natch).  Went in, had the interview, "we'll let you know."

A couple of days later, i posted a CL ad saying that I was looking to rent a room for this purpose.

The husband of the gal who had interviewed me responded saying that I should call her for an interview.

NOW there is another ad up, and from the looks/phrasing I believe it's the same salon and the same people.

It's in a decent location, etc., and the price is bog-standard for the area, so I'm wondering if they're just too picky or if there's something ~wrong~ that I'm not picking up on.

I did mention that I'd be happy to audition at their convenience, just LMK when...


In Other News, there's an open house this Saturday at the Herb Depot (where I have my studio) and both therapists will be doing free 5-minute chair rubs that day.  I've also posted that if you book for the month of April (and yes, I'll be including the last week of March in that) you get $20 off your one-hour session.  And that I'll be having a drawing for one free session.

Going to ask the other gal if she'd like to set up a tip jar between us with the contents going to, say, a no-kill shelter or the Humane Society or somesuch.