Outcall issues

[jimbot]

If you do outcalls, what do you wear? Do you have a "uniform" or "look" for when you work (outcalls or otherwise)?

Do you have a checklist of everything you need to bring, and how is everything organized? If you do aromatherapy, do you bring all of your oils or do you make blends ahead of time?

I have one client I see at home, and I always feel discombobulated - I feel rushed and never "pulled together." When I get to her house, the dogs are barking and always under foot, the phone rings, people walk in on occasion to ask her something ... not the best atmosphere for relaxing ... for either of us! :roll:

 

[MacKenzie G]

Outcall issues

If you do outcalls, what do you wear? Do you have a "uniform" or "look" for when you work (outcalls or otherwise)?

I wear what I wear in the office. Right now most of my work garb is yoga attire.

Do you have a checklist of everything you need to bring, and how is everything organized? If you do aromatherapy, do you bring all of your oils or do you make blends ahead of time?

Everything I need stays in my car. But here's the list of stuff that I carry around: Table, Foam crate/mattress pad, bolster, linens, massage cream, cd player/cds. I don't have everything organized into a "one trip" system. I usually take two trips to the car, others probably have better suggestions. I don't do aromatherapy. Are your choices extensive? Do you have or could you get a bottle holder/organizer bag?

I have one client I see at home, and I always feel discombobulated - I feel rushed and never "pulled together." When I get to her house, the dogs are barking and always under foot, the phone rings, people walk in on occasion to ask her something ... not the best atmosphere for relaxing ... for either of us! :roll:

The outcalls I do are fairly casual, people I've known for years, and they are just really glad that I come out to their house. Dogs barking, other people in the house, etc. they are still able to really enjoy themselves. It's their place, so it's probably very very comfortable for them. Not like hearing extra noises in an office, spa, or salon. And since I am in their home I feel that they are in control of how "serene" their environment is for their massage. I don't sweat it when phones ring, dogs bark, people walk around, etc.

Even though if feels weird to you, I'm sure the person you do outcalls for is just so glad to stay home for massage!

 

[meg09]

I wear a black tee shirt and scrub pants that look like kackis. As far as the distractions, if it doesn't bother them, let it slide.

 

[:-)]

I usually wear Lands End polo shirts with my name and Massage Therapist monogrammed on them. Then I pair them with stretchy black (kindof like yoga) slax. In the summer I switch to uniforms, I think they are a much cooler alternative.
I have a plastic bin with all pertinent paperwork(health history's, release of information, etc) that stays in my SUV at all times. I pack for each client with separate rolling duffel bags. Sometimes I take essential oils with me, esp now that cold and flu season is fast appraoching. People like the E.O.'s to help with their sinus's and such. I also have 2 folding stools that I keep on hand, I have found that I need 2 of them since one gets left behind occasionally and that saves me from making a special trip to retrieve it.
The handiest thing is the organizer that attaches to my sun visor. I keep pencils, pens, a notepad and my fingernail files all within easy reach,, it is a life saver! Plus there is a zippered pocket for my checks/ cash that I accumulate throughout the day. Can't tell you how many times I have left checksinside a duffel bag or in a pocket and then have to go searching. The organizer has really stopped that pattern.
My SUV has a remote to open the back hatch, it is worth it's weight in gold.
Jeez, can you tell that over 70% of my practice is on the road????

 

[businessman95]

Hi! I have done outcalls for some regular clients, I will be moving and shifting my focus with my new business to strictly outcall in a month, so while I'm not 100% now - I do have some experience with it.

I wear what I wear in my office, black yaga pants, black tee, colored sporty thingy (not a hoodie, not a sweater....dont know how to describe it! Its like a sporty running jacket thingy that I can take off if I need. I have them in every color!) and slip on/off shoes.

No checklist, keep it all in a large tote bag, and misc. (like extra sheets and whatnot) in a rubbermaid tub in my SUV.

Do offer some aromatherapy, I only bring 3 choices in a small cosmetic bag.

When I start outcall full time I plan on having a laminated "Do Not Disturb" sign for the door.

When they book their App. giving them a reminder to turn ringers off and maybe send the kids out of the house via playdate.

(the 2 above are hypothetical, I have not had the opportunity to implement them)

I love doing housecalls, its a great change of pace from the office, but I understand what you mean by feeling disombobulated - it takes me a few minutes to get into it, I take a few more moments than usual, to breathe, focus and center myself.

 

[???? ?? ????]

Great ideas - thank you all for your posts.

 

[jusme]

After you do several outcalls you won't feel as discombobulated.
I still have a problem when it is a really crowded work space. Oh, and I have a client that insists on total darkness. I swear until my eyes adjust that I can't even find my bolster. I literally prop it where I can easily find it as soon as I enter the room.
I take my time (well within 3-5 minutes) to get myself grounded after I leave the room and the client is getting on the table. I usually do a couple stretches and draw my Reiki symbols, then I usually am good to go.
I love my outcalls. I had great advice early on and have followed it with great success. And that is to encourage clients to supply the table if they are interested in booking weekly or bi weekly appts. Most of them have found that they really like having their own tables , some meditate on it. Some use it for gentle yoga moves (geriatric and less limber clients, especially). I try to show them some good exercises that will help stretch their hip flexors, pec major, Q.L.,,,, anything that helps put more value to the table. Good luck, I hope you enjoy your outcall practise as much as I do! Oh, and try to be maybe 15 minutes early? I pull over close to their homes and finish some scheduling or SOAP notes and that gets me past the driving issues of traffic or whatever.

 

[weddingdress_xtryan]

Hi cabwy,
Just a quick thought for your client who likes the dark, how
about talking them into a nice eye pillow? Explain that you
need some light to see in order to avoid possible injury to yourself. After all this is a liability issue for them, if you get hurt, not to mention preserving yourself!

As for anyone else doing housecalls, since I did them years ago when first starting out:

It can be very helpful, when you are making your initial appointments to give the client a quick rundown on your requirements for the massage space:

1) Tell them how much room you require to move around comfortably, (I like a 9x 12 space, but that can be tough in the home setting) plus things being pushed back & out of the way in advance.

2) Having a CD player or Ipod setup - if they have one, or a place to put yours - if you bring it along. The same with candles, if they like having a soft glow to the room.

3) Turning off the phone, putting the pets in another room, having someone with the kids, etc.

By doing all this, it makes the client think about what type of scenerio allows them to relax, and it give them a good
sense of setting up boundaries for themselves as well. This is afterall meant to be "their time" for some R&R, plus setting the seforum.xxxe for the session. It may get them thinking they'd like to do this more often, just to give themselves some peace from the day to day hectic pace of life they've been living too.

 

[WarpNet]

Sadly, this is with an eye pillow. :shock: And it was actually a gift from me! In her defense she has fibromyalgia and suffers from migraines so has a real problem with bright lights,,well even dim lights,, well maybe any lights whatsoever..... *L*
Other than this preference for dark, dark, dark rooms, she is an absolute gem. I have learned to adapt.
I've been giving weekly massages in her home for over 4 years, I have the room memorized! Thanks to her I also see her parents ( in their 80's and they have bi weekly appts) her sister, occasionally her husband, and when they are in town, her adult children.
Initially when I would explain to a prospective client to allow enough room they would assure me that there "was plenty of room" only to arrive and find this tiny little area eeeked out- now I know to really explain the space needed to enable me to give a quality massage. For anyone who hesitates to state this clearly I have found it is less stressful for the person getting the massage also. No one wants to be all ready for their massage only to have the therapist standing in the designated space clucking her tongue and shaking her head.

 

[mint frost]

Anybody mind of I go a little off topic? Since we are on the topic of outcalls I have a question about your pricing - What do you charge? And any less if there is more than one client you will be seeing at the house?

The median price for an in office massage in my new area is $50. What I charge now. With a little snooping I found I have more years of experience (full time at that) than any therapist in the area, and mobile massage is not offered anywhere in the area. I was thinking $95 but have been lately drawn to $105 (my standard hour is 75 minutes, will be offering complementary EO and hot oil treatment for hair.)

Have also been thinking of 1st massage 95 or 105, second massage 25% off, since extrea cost really lies in travel and set up/take down....well I'm allready there and already set up and have to take down anyway - I might as well encourage a husband or wife to get in on it. What do you think?

Thank you for letting me get off topic - procede with your discussion

 

[Danielle]

Hi maybe,
This can be really agonizing, so many factors to be considered! I probably do not charge as much as I possibly can but I see most of my clients on a steady basis and want to reward them for that.
My regular hourly charge is $100,
90 minutes = $140.
120 minutes= $175.
I decided early on not to take on a lease or some sort of rental space and since I don't have a "formal"office space I feel very comfortable with these fees. It isn't like the outcall clients and taking me away from my office.
This additional charge of 30-40 dollars is explained to them (drive time, the energy of carrying stuff into their homes, AND cost of fuel.) You will find that most clients who are interested in a moblie massage service are busy and more strapped for time than money and fully appreciate that we travel to them.
Bear in mind that I work in an area where money doesn't seem to be scarce, (speaking for them NOT-for me!) But I also have retirees on a fixed income and they really appreciate the hard work and planning that goes into being a mobile massage service.
I also do not discount whether I see one person or three, I find that it starts to muddy up everything when I don't see all of them each time.
IMO it is kind of like having an office space and stating that hey, I have a full book today so since I was already here you all get a discounted fee today!
I hope this helps! Going mobile has it's ups and downs but I really do enjoy it. I have so many doggie and kitty friends that I'd like to think really look forward to my arrival as much as their owners do!

 

[wonny435]

ahhhh I see your point! (about not discounting additional massages)

Thank you for the additional info - I felt that mine would have been appropriate prices, and I see that they are. Thanks!!

 

[dccgirly1862]

I do some out calls because I live in a tourist area with vacationers and vacation homes on the lake. I charge $15.00 per massage more than my in office price and I will only travel out for more than one massage. And I will only travel in my general area. I simply ask where they are and if it’s too far for me, I refer to a few MT’s that I know who only travel out. Out-calls is not my gig, but I don’t mind doing it some; my plan is to do larger groups like bachelorette parties etc.

I went out to a beautiful lake house where a couple had rented it for their wedding and since they were from another state far away yet they had family and friends close by, they invited any guest to stay too (they rented it for a week) so, I went out there 10 minutes from my house and gave 4 massages and the next day they had me come back to do 3 more! This same group rents this same house for the Ice Fishing Derby in the winter, so I expect a call. I have some clients who own vacation homes and leave my card in a folder of “things to do” for people who rent their homes. So for me, I only do what I want and it has worked out well, I don’t charge a high rate but I get really good tips and I am picky about where I’ll go.

I recently had a vacation planner contact me about her setting my appointments and hiking the price up and I told her some areas that were too far for me, she was very pushy and wanted a cut for referring me! I told her, “I was uncomfortable with that arrangement.” She kind of bullied me, couldn’t understand why I would turn down business…what she didn’t understand was that I like what I do and I like to deal with my clients directly but, mostly my business is not all about Out-calls…..What I’ve done has worked out well.
I just pack a large laundry bag and make two trips into the home, I also have a folding stool and my table. I don’t have one of the very light tables with the telescoping legs, if I did a lot of out calls…I would get a light weight table!
I am a new 1st year therapist, still figuring things out.
Dancing Leaf

 

[cadij]

Hi Dancing Leaf,

I've got a suggestion to make the hauling of stuff a little easier for you. Consider investing in a couple of
large rolling suitcases, with the pull type handles. Then you don't have look like Santa Claus coming in with your bag of goodies ! It looks more professional & makes it easier on your back too !

As to your pushy vacation planner, good for you for standing your ground, & sticking with what works for you.
She sounds like she'd be a real pain to work with, even if you'd gone along with her plan.

Deb/riversinger

 

[spanky]

Dancing Leaf, I love your member name. It makes me smile.
You sound like you are off to a great start and good for you for not allowing that planner to push you around.
Those folding stools are tough, one day I forgot that I had placed it behind my car and backed over it!! t102
It looks a little scuffed but still works.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hey Dancing Leaf -

Nice to hear from you, and thanks for sharing your experience about outcalls. I am going to PM you because we have a lot in common, and I may have an opportunity for you if you are interested.