3 characteristics of an Ideal Massage Client

3 Characteristics of an Ideal Massage Client 

There’s a lot of talk in the massage world about marketing directly to your ideal client.

I agree.

Great idea.

Sounds easy.

Why isn’t it?

'In my own experience, the reason that this isn’t super easy is that in the past I’ve hated to box myself in and focus on one ideal client.'

I’ve felt scared that I’ll limit myself and miss out on lots of great people because I would only be focusing on one ideal client.


I also felt kind of guilty for putting people in ‘a box’ of my ideal client. Well not so guilty about the one in the box but guilty that I’d put some people OUT of the box. I really want to create inclusivity in this world, and so putting people OUT of the box seemed totally at odds.


But now I feel in my bones that it’s not about excluding people, it’s more about matching to my very best fit because that’s the person I’m going to have the most impact on with my therapy.

And that’s the person that’s going to help me GROW the most as a therapist because I’m feeling so great about the exchange between us.

Now if you’re a little like me, you love getting into the deeper philosophy … the WHY part of what we’re doing here on the planet. I really do love these big ideas and positive ways to frame my experience BUT…

I’m also very practical.

I want to put my big ideas in tangible ACTION.

I want to LIVE them, not just THINK about them.


So if it’s ok with you, let’s get practical. I want to share with you 3 characteristics of my ideal client.

1. Believes I can help them
2. Is realistic about time and personal effort required for long term change
3. Values me and what I bring to our relationship

How does this show up in our therapeutic interaction?

• When someone believes I can help them, they enter the relationship with hope. I really love working with women who even though they might feel like they have tried it all, they still believe deep down that change is possible for them.   

In a really practical way, this woman follows directions during and after treatment.

• With 20 years of experience behind me now, I’m noticing patterns in pain and healing. The biggest one is that it’s a journey, not always in a straight line and although you may have a spectacular response to a single treatment, realistically it takes time and effort to create lasting change.  

​My ideal client realises this and so is willing to invest in herself and persist if not every sessions leads her noticably forward.

• I know my client values me and what I bring to our relationship when they show up for appointments, pay on time and interact with me like we are equals… I just happen to bring a fabulous range of skills and tools to the relationship that can help her meet her health goals.  

​I love consulting with my client about which of my skills and tools we both feel will give her the result she is looking for.

I hope this has prompted you to start thinking about what characteristics YOU value most and I’d encourage you to write them down.
I’d love to hear from you.

If you teasing out your ideal client is helpful to your biz, here's another blog you might enjoy!

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