Masseur best practices...

[+ 7829V]

A friend of mine is starting as a masseur... and he asked me for pointers and advice. I would like to know if you can help me to come up with a list of good advice for him.

 

He is very intuitive and has a natural technique and pressure, he is not trained, but he is very good for not being trained and for just starting. He has the looks, age and body going on for him. I already gave him some tips... if you have any others let me know.

 

The ones I gave him were:

 

1. Do not upcharge for sensual/nude, have just one fee. Or disclose fees in advance.

2. Be on time, polite.

3. Answer texts promptly whenever possible.

4. Never write your own fake reviews.

 

If you have any other tips let me know

[Jakeenct]

If therapeutic only, do not post provocative pictures of yourself which may mislead

[+ 7829V]

If therapeutic only, do not post provocative pictures of yourself which may mislead

Good one!

He's open to sensual, nude from the beginning. Very open in that regard. He has an intuitive feel for what the market wants. He also enjoys massaging glutes, he knows it feels good.

[+ Travis69]

Have a separate room for massage if possible. Quiet, dim lights, music.

[+ 7829V]

Have a separate room for massage if possible. Quiet, dim lights, music.

He is mobile only at the moment. But it’s a good advice for when he can do incalls.

[Iwanttheoneicanthave]

Maybe that's just my own pet peeve but no cologne or light cologne if you really like using it, use quality products that were designed for massage and lastly, try to be engaged. That's a hard one since you won't hit it off with every customer but remember this is a service industry and some empathy is necessary to connect with your clients.

[LivingnLA]

As someone with many years of massage training and experience, here are my thoughts:

 

1. If he's planning to be legitimate, he needs to get the education and the certification/license as required by his state.

 

2. Given everything you've said, I'm guessing he's planning to be an uncertified/unlicensed bodywork provider who uses his looks and other attributes/skills to provide his service.

 

Whatever he chooses, some basic customer service ground rules:

 

A. Be consistently professional and timely in communication. And make it all match with whatever "brand" or "persona" he's creating for his service. In other words, if he's a "straight Italian from the Bronx" then his pictures, website, communication style, and mannerisms should all align with that "persona" to create the kind of customer experience he wants for his clients.

B. Be on time for appointments and also be on time for the duration. In other words, if you say it's a 60min service, don't stop at 50min. If you stop at 50min, then call it a 50min service!

C. Nail your personal hygiene. Be clean. Nobody--except for certain kinksters--likes a dirty smelly provider. And that goes for colognes and body-sprays too, unless again, you're appealing to a specific client demographic.

D. Learn basic "universal precautions" and follow them or you'll catch something from your clients or vice versa.

E. Use quality products. Consider allergies and other sensitivities.

F. Get a decent anatomy/physiology/kinesiology book and read it.

G. Last but not least, trade massage with other well regarded providers. Learn what they do and get honest feedback about what he does. It goes without saying that he shouldn't do "extras" with legit licensed massage therapists unless there's a clear understanding beforehand or he might be reported as a sex worker.

[+ EVdude]

- Quality “Non-scented” oil and creams

- ask about desired pressure and if someone asks for strong and deep either deliver it or don’t offer it (hate to keep reminding DEEP during a session)

- if he’s mobile only, consider investing in portable head rest that slips between bed mattresses (2 masseurs I know have these)

- breath freshener before arriving (seems silly to have to say but whoa some dudes have foul mouths)

[+ glutes]

NO Johnson's Baby Oil!

 

 

http://www.babyland.com.np/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/johnson-baby-oil.jpg

[LivingnLA]

- ask about desired pressure and if someone asks for strong and deep either deliver it or don’t offer it (hate to keep reminding DEEP during a session)

 

Please don't go overboard on pressure. It's incredibly easy to injure soft tissues when applying pressure without the proper knowledge and a client's complete health history.

 

If he's going to claim to provide "deep tissue" (and that's not a euphemism) then he should go through the trouble to actually learn at least one of the deep tissue styles, the contraindications, etc. so that he doesn't seriously injure someone because all it will take is one accident with a client that decides to sue/press charges, and he'll probably be ruined.

[NYMassageAddict]

Since he’s open to nude and sensual, I’d suggest that he offer something unique that differentiates himself.

 

I think guys who deliver and market a new experience - Lingam massage, edging, milking in various positions, tantric, etc are always very intriguing to me and probably commands more money.

 

I also am a fan of a masseur who runs the show. If a customer asks for particulars simply say “I will take you through a memorable experience that you’ll never forget”. I love to have an unknown experience and don’t like it pre-scripted.

 

Also I love when a masseur starts out by using drapery. It adds to the mystique. Even blindfolds or other elements that may be u expected.

[LivingnLA]

NO Johnson's Baby Oil!

 

If he's planning to use oil instead of a good quality lotion or creme, he should look into the healthiest and most easily washable oils, like coconut. But, oil also provides the most glide, so pressure control is much harder when using oil. Wash-ability really matters for oils and many are terribly hard to wash out completely and successfully without using detergents designed to remove oil. If he's performing massages on a client's bed and uses oil, that client might be very mad about the rancid smell that might develop when the oils don't wash out. So, again, picking the right oil matters if he's planning to use oil.

[+ FrankR]

If he's planning to use oil instead of a good quality lotion or creme, he should look into the healthiest and most easily washable oils, like coconut. But, oil also provides the most glide, so pressure control is much harder when using oil. Wash-ability really matters for oils and many are terribly hard to wash out completely and successfully without using detergents designed to remove oil. If he's performing massages on a client's bed and uses oil, that client might be very mad about the rancid smell that might develop when the oils don't wash out. So, again, picking the right oil matters if he's planning to use oil.

Couldn’t agree more. I prefer massage cream to avoid an oily mess.

1. Biotone is the best creme in my experience, makes for best experience overall. Some oil may come in handy towards the end of the session though...

2. If you only do outcall, keep the client apprised if you are running late. Offer to take a shower when you arrive, a 5 minute cleanup before you begin the session conveys respect (definitely wash your hands at a minimum)

3. Ask about pressure, trouble spots, music before you begin.

4. Be truthful in advertising. Under promise, over deliver will gain you recurring visits in my book.

5. Learn to read the client. Does the client seem comfortable? Does he enjoy conversing with me or is it a distraction? Is the client shivering because he is cold and I need to turn up the heating?

6. Send a discreet follow up note after the session if you would like the client to become a regular. People want to feel appreciated and if you enjoyed meeting somebody, why not say so.

7. Never, ever forget about an appointment and tell me you ‘overslept’ So my business means so little to you, you couldn’t even take the time to pencil me into your calendar or set an alarm??

8. If you want to win a place in my heart, take a shower after the session and invite me to wash your back! (Okay, now I’m definitely pushing the boundaries!)

9. Be gracious and maintain a sense of humor at all times; unexpected things will happen (client burping). How you react will say more about you than the client.

10. If you used oil/creme on the client’s feet during the session, always wipe the soles of his feet at the end of the session. Dont risk the client slipping and falling on a tile/wood floor.

Edited May 21, 2018 by FrankR

[+ Funguy]

Couldn’t agree more. I prefer massage cream to avoid an oily mess.

1. Biotone is the best creme in my experience, makes for best experience overall. Some oil may come in handy towards the end of the session though...

2. If you only do outcall, keep the client apprised if you are running late. Offer to take a shower when you arrive, a 5 minute cleanup before you begin the session conveys respect (definitely wash your hands at a minimum)

3. Ask about pressure, trouble spots, music before you begin.

4. Be truthful in advertising. Under promise, over deliver will gain you recurring visits in my book.

5. Learn to read the client. Does the client seem comfortable? Does he enjoy conversing with me or is it a distraction? Is the client shivering because he is cold and I need to turn up the heating?

6. Send a discreet follow up note after the session if you would like the client to become a regular. People want to feel appreciated and if you enjoyed meeting somebody, why not say so.

7. Never, ever forget about an appointment and tell me you ‘overslept’ So my business means so little to you, you couldn’t even take the time to pencil me into your calendar or set an alarm??

8. If you want to win a place in my heart, take a shower after the session and invite me to wash your back! (Okay, now I’m definitely pushing the boundaries!)

 

8. You may be pushing boundaries but, you never know. Especially if you are doing sensual/erotic and HE. Most offer a shower after (even if at client) and will turn client's shower on to have warm or hot water for him.

I had one masseur (sadly, retired) who was extremely!! erotic without HE but at end said LET'S shower and he went to town. Much more satisfaction than plain HE.

[Jason901]

Hold to appointment times. don't cancel at the last minute. send confirmations. the thing that drives me crazy is last minute cancellations. also be very very clear about out call only. it'll just waste time to have people reach out and then realize that neither party can host.

[+ 7829V]

As someone with many years of massage training and experience, here are my thoughts:

 

1. If he's planning to be legitimate, he needs to get the education and the certification/license as required by his state.

 

2. Given everything you've said, I'm guessing he's planning to be an uncertified/unlicensed bodywork provider who uses his looks and other attributes/skills to provide his service.

 

Whatever he chooses, some basic customer service ground rules:

 

A. Be consistently professional and timely in communication. And make it all match with whatever "brand" or "persona" he's creating for his service. In other words, if he's a "straight Italian from the Bronx" then his pictures, website, communication style, and mannerisms should all align with that "persona" to create the kind of customer experience he wants for his clients.

B. Be on time for appointments and also be on time for the duration. In other words, if you say it's a 60min service, don't stop at 50min. If you stop at 50min, then call it a 50min service!

C. Nail your personal hygiene. Be clean. Nobody--except for certain kinksters--likes a dirty smelly provider. And that goes for colognes and body-sprays too, unless again, you're appealing to a specific client demographic.

D. Learn basic "universal precautions" and follow them or you'll catch something from your clients or vice versa.

E. Use quality products. Consider allergies and other sensitivities.

F. Get a decent anatomy/physiology/kinesiology book and read it.

G. Last but not least, trade massage with other well regarded providers. Learn what they do and get honest feedback about what he does. It goes without saying that he shouldn't do "extras" with legit licensed massage therapists unless there's a clear understanding beforehand or he might be reported as a sex worker.

Great thanks! He did ask me how much did it cost to get certified, I was not sure, but I told him it was maybe between 5K to 10K and thousand of hours of training. Is this correct?

[+ 7829V]

8. You may be pushing boundaries but, you never know. Especially if you are doing sensual/erotic and HE. Most offer a shower after (even if at client) and will turn client's shower on to have warm or hot water for him.

I had one masseur (sadly, retired) who was extremely!! erotic without HE but at end said LET'S shower and he went to town. Much more satisfaction than plain HE.

I have never experienced this. Usually they offer the shower, but they do not shower with you... or not together.

How as with you... both of you shower together?

[+ 7829V]

Have a phone number of a nice attorney on hand. In almost 20 years of being in business, I was asked to show my license twice. once while working in a spa the other time during an outcall.

In my case nothing happened due to having the license however if you don't have one and depending on the state you live in they can and will arrest you and massaging without a license can have hefty fines.

 

Thanks! This is important I think. Where to look for a good attorney that understands this business? Is there like a YELP place for attorneys?

[LivingnLA]

Great thanks! He did ask me how much did it cost to get certified, I was not sure, but I told him it was maybe between 5K to 10K and thousand of hours of training. Is this correct?

 

It depends on the state. Have him go to https://www.amtamassage.org/regulation/stateRegulations.html and click on the state he's operating in. That will take him to a page explaining who in the state oversees massage, the education requirements, etc.

 

If he's in California, the CAMTC is responsible for overseeing state certification. They currently require 500 hours of education at an approved school and a passing grade on the MBLEx test. If he's in California, NHI and probably Healing Hands are two of the best purely massage schools. A reputable school is going to run $12-$18k. Any more and he's being taken advantage of while anything less is going to be a subpar education.

[+ 7829V]

Couldn’t agree more. I prefer massage cream to avoid an oily mess.

8. If you want to win a place in my heart, take a shower after the session and invite me to wash your back! (Okay, now I’m definitely pushing the boundaries!)

.

 

This has come up a couple of times... the shower thing. I have never experienced.

How frequent is this for you? Did the masseur and you shower together? Was that part of the time you hired him or that went beyond that?

[+ 7829V]

It depends on the state. Have him go to https://www.amtamassage.org/regulation/stateRegulations.html and click on the state he's operating in. That will take him to a page explaining who in the state oversees massage, the education requirements, etc.

 

If he's in California, the CAMTC is responsible for overseeing state certification. They currently require 500 hours of education at an approved school and a passing grade on the MBLEx test. If he's in California, NHI and probably Healing Hands are two of the best purely massage schools. A reputable school is going to run $12-$18k. Any more and he's being taken advantage of while anything less is going to be a subpar education.

Thanks! Very helpful information.

[cal]

It is okay to turn down a client if you do not get a good feeling from your initial contact.

[+ 7829V]

It is okay to turn down a client if you do not get a good feeling from your initial contact.

This is a very important one!

And never feel obligated to do something you don’t feel comfortable or goes beyond your own boundaries.

[+ Travis69]

It is okay to turn down a client if you do not get a good feeling from your initial contact.

Initial contact in call, email or text or when they walk through the door?

[+ FrankR]

This has come up a couple of times... the shower thing. I have never experienced.

How frequent is this for you? Did the masseur and you shower together? Was that part of the time you hired him or that went beyond that?

Save water! Shower together!! That’s my story and I am sticking to it.

 

Happens infrequently. The shower needs to be large enough to easily fit both of us. Dont mean to mislead, so let me be clear: they are masseurs, not escorts, so this is a shower and little more. This is usually not ‘on the clock’, post massage time.

Edited May 22, 2018 by FrankR