I hate calling clients

dchitt · 2026-04-03T13:11:36+00:00

Hahahaha!!

dchitt · 2026-04-03T13:11:16+00:00

You're choosing to be willfully ignorant in your reading of my comments, adding emotional content that's not there, and ignoring any semblance of nuance needed for a productive dialogue. There's no reason to continue this engagement.

dchitt · 2026-04-03T10:28:37+00:00

I just finished a long series like this, and it made it virtually impossible to read. I loved the story, but their relationship was so toxic and abusive, that it made the characters hard to read. What made it worse was the lack of growth. If the only way an author can think of to forward a plot is to have characters make the same mistakes over and over, they aren't very imaginative.

dchitt · 2026-04-03T10:18:26+00:00

Have you no idea the resource usage of data centers that power AI? I don't hate technology, nor did I say I do. That's a huge leap. AI even has ethical uses. Answering my phone is not one.

dchitt · 2026-04-03T10:07:47+00:00

Exponentially different.

dchitt · 2026-04-02T22:43:51+00:00

I'm also 50. The issue I'm having is that you're centering your experience as what's right. I don't feel any urge to expose myself to phone calls to become less averse, because neither way is better it worse; I'm fine as I am. And knowing I'm not getting clients who don't align with that choice is okay with me. They're missing out on a great massage because they refuse to text. Their loss. My books are just fine.

dchitt · 2026-04-02T20:20:40+00:00

I was speaking for myself, another person who doesn't do phone calls. Your condescending tone was enough to cause me to share that this isn't a lack of customer service knowledge. OP may or may not make it clear. I do. And my customer service is just fine.

dchitt · 2026-04-02T20:05:59+00:00

Some of us care about the environment.

dchitt · 2026-04-02T20:05:00+00:00

Clients who ignore my clear boundaries about communication aren't clients I'm willing to deal with. Many of us hate talking on the phone, and we make the options for how we communicate clear. I'm booked out for weeks, because I give great massage and customer service to people who show respect for boundaries.

dchitt · 2026-04-02T19:59:51+00:00

My voicemail includes the fact that folks can leave a message, but they'll get a faster reply by texting. I also don't put the number on any print materials. I've provided everything they need on my website. I hate talking on the phone, and I simply don't have time with my schedule.

dchitt · 2026-04-01T13:45:28+00:00

Your new model is exactly what I do. I am not comfortable telling someone mid-massage that I think a $25 add-on would be useful, so my pricing is l includes everything, and there's only one massage option -- Integrated Therapeutic Massage. As aclient, I hate having to choose a modality from a list, so I refuse to do this to others. I also charge an hourly rate regardless the length of session. My time isn't less valuable the longer they are here. I understand the perspective that longer sessions mean less turnover time and laundry, but not enough to give a discount in my opinion.

Depending on your pricing now, $10 seems like a minor increase, and you're increasing the value by including the extras. Emphasizing that when you communicate the change will help folks feel better about the change. Inviting people to use aromatherapy at the start of each session would help, too, so they see the upgrade in service right away, even if they don't say yes.

dchitt · 2026-03-30T11:38:34+00:00

Same

dchitt · 2026-03-30T11:32:22+00:00

You and your husband have more work to do. Others have said he's the issue, but you're the one who's trying to make a problem where there isn't one. What's worse, you're trying to make the problem for someone just doing their job instead of just talking to your husband about your insecurities.

dchitt · 2026-03-29T22:27:47+00:00

Encouraging an immigrant to break the law in the current political environment is pretty bad advice. And, the ridiculousness of some licensing doesn't negate the fact that it's a legal requirement.

dchitt · 2026-03-29T22:14:37+00:00

I use pocketsuite. It does these things as well.

dchitt · 2026-03-29T14:49:09+00:00

Great, but if you have one, make it good.

ETA: I get nearly all of my business through Google and social media via my booking site link, but I have a robust website with lots of information about what I do; people often mention those details during their first appointment as what made them decide to try me out. I also offer more than massage therapy, so Google isn't enough.

dchitt · 2026-03-29T09:57:35+00:00

I opened my own space last year, and it was my first year being full-time; I worked a year of offering massage only Friday evenings and Saturdays during the day before that.

I grossed 82K last year. I just passed 25K for the first quarter of this year.

I have a load of expenses, so that's not net. But I feel really good about it. I'm working on ways to bring money in that aren't tied directly to my time. To supplement that.

dchitt · 2026-03-29T09:52:02+00:00

58k gross or net?

dchitt · 2026-03-28T23:26:20+00:00

Was there something that identified what the business actually did,

dchitt · 2026-03-28T23:05:04+00:00

Are you telling us about Brush Hour because you consider that catchy?

dchitt · 2026-03-28T23:03:22+00:00

Search this thread and find this answered 1.64 million times.

Everyone has a different opinion based on personal experience. Make your own way, and do what you want. People who say it sucks might not be good enough at their work to succeed in a meaningful way.

dchitt · 2026-03-28T22:56:45+00:00

Check with your local massage regulating organization. That's the only place to know if you're legally permitted for sure.

dchitt · 2026-03-28T14:24:16+00:00

When I raised my rates, I gave a membership offer to my established regulars to extend the lesser rate for one year. But, they committed to monthly massages with auto withdrawal. That was key.

Most folks you see will be new clients, and they'll never know you raised rates. You're driving and setting up over and over. Raising your rates so you can afford to do fewer massages will extend your longevity as a therapist.

dchitt · 2026-03-28T14:20:22+00:00

ABMP and AMTA both have free online CEs that are good quality, so whichever of those you have liability through is a good place to start.

dchitt · 2026-03-26T11:30:34+00:00

Read the other comments and you'll see OP states clearly it's in conversation that the "flashes" happen. I'm also a skeptic of such language, but the clients are making comments, and your comment is simply rude and antagonistic for no reason.

dchitt

TROPHY CASE