Episode 003: The Worst Advice We Ever Received

In this article we’re exploring business advice so misguided, it felt like a cruel joke. We will dissect the worst tips we’ve ever heard as massage therapists and why so many of these myths persist. Whether you’re an established therapist or a newcomer, this is a great opportunity to join us as we debunk the most damaging advice we’ve heard over the years, so grab a cup of herbal tea, sit back, and let’s dive in.

“Don’t Quit Your Day Job Because Massage Can’t Be a Full-Time Career”

Jackie: We all remember those early days when we wanted to go full steam ahead in massage therapy. Yet, like clockwork, someone would come along with their sage advice: “Don’t quit your day job; you can’t make massage a full-time career.”

David: Right? I had a massage college teacher say this to me. He genuinely believed it wasn’t possible to make massage work as a real, sustainable career. Talk about motivation, though! I’ve made it my mission to prove him wrong ever since.

This advice is unfortunately common, especially for therapists still in training. While it’s true that massaging forty hours a week isn’t ideal due to the physical demands, most of us already know to balance hands-on time with other necessary tasks.

For anyone wanting to go full-time, the trick is in the balance—working fewer hands-on hours and dedicating time to other facets of business management, like client booking, note-taking, and marketing. Avoiding burnout is key, and that doesn’t mean avoiding full-time work entirely. You just need the right structure. And you need to price your service right to provide you with a meaningful income.

“No One’s Looking for a Gentle Massage. You Can’t Make a Business Out of That.”

Jackie: As a new therapist, I remember hearing that nobody wants a gentle massage; clients expect it to be painful if it’s going to be effective. That whole “no pain, no gain” mentality can be so damaging.

David: I was once asked what style I practiced, and I mentioned myofascial release. They stared at me like I’d just confessed to doing witchcraft. If a massage doesn’t hurt, they think it’s pointless! But the truth is, gentle methods are highly effective.

Our industry has embraced painful methods for far too long. Many clients have different needs, and many can’t tolerate intense pressure. The reality? Some clients seek pain relief without the stress of painful treatments, and this preference is more common than people think.

“Word-of-Mouth Is the Only Marketing That Works—Don’t Bother With Websites or Social Media”

For many of us, the importance of word-of-mouth is drilled into us from the start. And yes, referrals are fantastic once you have a solid client base. But let’s be clear: new clients are unlikely to find you through word-of-mouth alone when you’re just starting out. This is where a strong online presence steps in.

Jackie: You shared a great example with me, David, about a client who found you through a specific search. He looked for a therapist specialising in trigger point therapy, which he’d only found on your website.

David: Exactly. People want specific solutions. The more you put out there about your specialties, the easier it is for potential clients to find you. People search for treatments like myofascial release, trigger point therapy, or even massage for specific conditions, and if you aren’t online with those keywords, they won’t find you.

So, if you’re starting out, here’s our hot tip: invest in a website and talk about the services you offer. It’s one of the best long-term strategies for growing a clientele.

“To Build a Client Base, Offer Discounts or Work for Free”

Another popular piece of misguided advice is to “get people in the door any way you can”—often by offering heavily discounted or free sessions. For self-employed therapists, this can quickly lead to burnout, with few to no loyal clients to show for it.

Jackie: This has to be one of the worst pieces of advice I’ve received. It came from someone who didn’t even work in massage, which made it more infuriating. “Give discounts, offer free sessions, whatever it takes to get clients.” No way!

David: This reminds me of Groupon, where you’re practically forced to cut your rates in half, attracting clients who are often bargain hunters rather than people looking to invest in regular care.

Offering discounted sessions from time to time might work for certain business models, but building a sustainable practice requires clients who understand and value your work at its true price. Building this solid client base requires respect for your time and skills—something discounted services often fail to cultivate.

“You Can Just Skip Tax on Cash Payments”

In massage therapy, as in any business, cash transactions can sometimes create a tempting loophole. But avoiding tax on cash payments isn’t just unethical—it’s a legally punishable offense.

Jackie: Cash is legal tender, of course, and many clients prefer it. But we must treat it like any other payment, accounting for it properly.

David: My accountant has said many times, “It’s fine to pay taxes—just not more than you should.” And it’s true. Cash payments are real earnings, and failing to report them only leads to trouble. Plus, including every dollar in your earnings keeps your business record strong.

From building a reputable name to maintaining legality, cash payments shouldn’t be a loophole but a helpful tool for accepting payments in varied ways. It’s about valuing your time and effort and keeping your business practices transparent and professional.

“Markets and Expos Are the Best Places to Attract New Clients”

Ah, the classic “you have to do the markets if you want exposure” advice. While attending markets and expos can seem beneficial for some industries, it isn’t necessarily the best route for every massage therapist.

Jackie: I’ve tried the market route in the past. Most of the time, it was a waste of time and money. People often want to browse and aren’t looking for service-based experiences like massage.

David: Yes, there are some situations where it works, but the cost often outweighs the benefits. When entering any public event, go in with a specific plan and an expectation of what “success” will look like. Markets and expos might be a tool for gathering contacts. Use is it as an opportunity to build your list, get exposure and build credibility.

“Cash-Only Policies Are Perfect for Avoiding Extra Costs”

A piece of advice we hear often is to stick to cash-only policies to avoid bank transaction fees. It’s true that payment processors take a small percentage, but offering clients multiple ways to pay is worth it for most businesses.

Jackie: I remember once looking for coffee at a market but the vendor only took cash, and I didn’t have any. The same happens in massage when clients expect multiple options for payment.

David: Absolutely. Especially in this digital age, more people are carrying cards and expect seamless payment options like pay ID or EFTPOS. It’s all about making it easy for clients to pay you.

When you refuse to accept card payments, you risk creating friction that may lead clients to choose someone else. It is okay to only take cash though – or only take direct deposits – as long as you communicate that very clearly before your client arrives.

Just make it easy for your clients to pay you. They want to give you their money in return for your service. Make it easy, let them give you money!

Wrapping Up: Takeaway Tips for Avoiding Bad Business Advice

We’ve all received bad business advice at one time or another. The trick is learning to sift through these suggestions to build a sustainable, successful practice that works for you. Here are some takeaways from today’s episode:

• Value Your Work: Avoid discount traps and work-for-free schemes. Your time and skills are valuable!
• Embrace Technology: From websites to payment systems, let tech make your business accessible and user-friendly.
• Avoid the “Cash Trap”: Include all earnings and make your practices professional from day one.
• Know Your Audience: Just because an event works for some doesn’t mean it’s right for your business.

If you’ve enjoyed this deep dive into misguided advice and learned a tip or two along the way, why not subscribe to The Folding Towels Podcast on your favourite platform? Don’t forget to leave a review and share it with your fellow massage therapists—we all know someone who could use a little good advice!