Starting out as a massage therapist can be exciting… and a bit nerve-racking. You’ve trained hard, you know you’re good at what you do, and now you’re ready to start helping people feel better. But where on earth do you actually find clients?

The thing you need to know is, there’s no one magic formula. Getting busy takes time, consistency, and a bit of strategy. (Expect it to take at least a year – often more – to get fully booked.)

But if you can get these three things happening, you’ll be well on your way:

✨ People need to see you regularly
✨ They need to hear about you from others
✨ And they need to be able to find you easily

That’s it.
SEE. HEAR. FIND.

Let’s break that down into what it actually looks like when you’re starting out.

1. Be Seen  – Get Visible in Your Local Area

You need people to see you and your business when they’re out and about. Being seen means showing up consistently in small, everyday ways. Social media is great, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle.

Think about all the little places people might come across your name:

• A hoodie or T-shirt with your business name on it

• A sign outside your house or treatment space

• Leaflets or business cards in local cafés, gyms, or yoga studios

• A mug with your logo in the hairdresser’s

• Chatting to people when you’re out and about – not salesy, just natural conversation

People need to come across your name again and again before it even registers. (They say it takes at least seven times before people start to notice!)

So if you post something online and no one books, don’t assume it “didn’t work.” It’s just one of those seven little moments of visibility that help people remember who you are.

Tip: Consistency beats cleverness. You don’t have to post every day, just keep popping up in the right places where your potential clients are.

Use Social Media Wisely

Social media can help you be visible, but it doesn’t have to take over your life.

Share posts on your business page AND on your personal page.

• Show your personality and what it’s like to work with you

• Educate people about how massage can help with their specific problems and post about things your ideal client might be feeling.)

• Include kind feedback (with permission!) from happy clients

• Start conversations – ask simple, relatable questions or share posts people can comment on. The more you engage and interact with people the more they get to know, like and trust you (and the more likely they are to want to book a treatment with you.

The more people see you as a real human who cares, the more they’ll want to book.

 Get Out and About

When you’re new, the goal is to get as many people as possible to meet you. It builds trust faster than anything online. Get talking to as many people as possible!

Try:

• Attending local markets or fairs and offering short taster massages

• Volunteering your skills at charity or sports events

• Partnering with local wellness businesses to do joint events or giveaways. Reach out to gyms, yoga studios, and other wellness-related businesses in your area to see if you can offer your services on-site.

• Give taster sessions to their community, do special offers or giveaways to get new clients through the door. You can also refer clients to each other or join together to put on events or workshops.

Make sure you have a way to gather people’s phone number or email addresses. A good way to do this is to do a prize draw or raffle with the prize being a massage. (If you get a way to contact everyone who enters, you can give them a special offer for those who didn’t win.)

These in-person connections make people remember you  – and when they’re ready to book, you’ll be the first person they think of!

2. Be Easy to Find – Sort Your Online Presence

When someone’s ready to book, can they actually find you?

Your Google Business page and website are key  – they’re what make you appear when someone searches “massage near me.”

Here’s a quick checklist:

Claim your Google Business listing
Go to Google My Business, claim your page, and fill it in properly. Add your contact details, hours, and a short description of what you offer. Include a few photos of your treatment room and update it when anything changes.

Use Google Posts
You can share short updates, promotions, or events directly on your Google profile  – it keeps your listing fresh and active.

Get your clients to leave reviews
They help you show up higher in search results and build trust. Positive reviews can new clients. Make sure to respond to any reviews, whether they’re positive or negative.

Get your NAP right
Your Name, Address, and Phone number should be identical across your website, Google listing, and social media. Small differences (like “St.” vs “Street”) confuse search engines.

Optimise your website
It doesn’t need to be fancy. Just make sure it’s mobile-friendly, easy to read, and includes where you’re based and what you do. A simple Home page, About page, and Services page are enough to start with. Do make sure you include your name, a photo of you and the location of where you’re based on the home page. (Here’s a checklist for The Perfect Website )

3. Be Heard  – Let Others Talk About You

What other people say about you carries far more weight than anything you could say yourself. This is where reviews, recommendations, and word-of-mouth come in.

This is where reviews, recommendations, and word-of-mouth come in.

Ask for Reviews

After a great treatment, ask clients to leave a Google review. Keep it easy – even a short line makes a difference.
Reply to them all, even if it’s just to say thanks.

Create a Referral Programme

Encourage your clients to spread the word with a simple offer:

“Refer a friend and you both get £5 off your next treatment.”

That way everyone wins  – and it keeps people talking about you.

Network and Build Relationships

Don’t overlook connecting with other professionals in your area (eg. chiropractors, yoga teachers, acupuncturists, osteopaths, and even other massage therapists.)

Most of us aren’t in competition. We all have different approaches, and referring to each other helps everyone.

A quick introduction message like, “Hi, I’m a local massage therapist and I often see clients who’d benefit from your kind of work,” goes a long way.

This kind of social proof is sooo useful. It shows people you’re trusted, professional, and worth booking.

Other ways to get clients in:

Offers and Promotions

We need to get people through your door so you can wow them with your massage skills. One way of doing that is by offering promotions and specials for new clients.

 Also think about offering a package deal for multiple sessions. This helps you get clients AND encourages them to come back for more sessions.

Volunteer!

The most important thing when you’re just starting a business is to get out and about and get visible. Volunteering your services is a great way to get experience and exposure.

You can offer to provide massages at local events, sports teams, or charity events. This not only helps you get clients, but it also shows your commitment to the community.

Create a lovely, cosy space

Sounds obvious, but creating a really nice space for your clients is essential. You’d be surprised how many therapists get this wrong when they’re just starting out. What you were taught in massage school isn’t always the best, most comfortable way of setting up your space. It’s definitely not all about paper roll and towels!

Make sure your massage room is clean, tidy, warm and relaxing. Use soft lighting and soothing music to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Your clients will be more likely to return if they feel comfortable and relaxed during their sessions. If you want help with how to make the client experience EVEN MORE amazing, check out The Massage Mastery Programme

So yes, building a successful massage therapy business takes time, so be patient, and stay committed to providing the best possible experience for your clients.

There are so many ways to get clients as a massage therapist. Experiment with different strategies to see what works best for you and your business. Remember SEE, FIND and HEAR.
And most importantly, focus on providing the best possible experience for your clients, and the rest will follow.

For more ways to market yourself easily – check out 29 Ways To Get Clients (without paying for ads)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Want more tips and advice like this? Come and join the community of fellow massage therapists!

Massage & Holistic Therapists – Build Your Dream Business is a free Facebook group where I regularly share tips, strategies and give free trainings on how to get consistent clients using simple marketing know-how. I created it to be a useful and nurturing space for you to take your therapy business to the next level. I’d love to see you in there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•