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n the last article we went over career opportunities in the field of Sports Massage, and now, in our last article in this series, we will go over opportunities for those of you who rather go solo by running your own private practice or through freelancing.
Freelancing
The term freelancing literally means “selling work or services by the hour, day, job, etc., rather than working on a regular salary basis for one employer.” As a freelance massage therapist, you set your own schedule, set your own rates, and take on as little or as many clients as you want. Most freelancing massage therapists carry a mobile table and perform sessions at a client’s home.
Private Practice
The main difference between freelancing and operating a private practice is overhead. As a private practitioner, you may rent a space, which in turn results in higher operating costs, but may also yield you a higher return. You may want to establish set business hours as well, rather than only open up shop when you have an appointment, as you may have walk-in customers.
With both freelancing and private practice, you will need to devote both time and money to marketing in order to both build up a clientele and bring in new clients. Specialization can also help, such as taking CE (Continuing Education) courses, to increase your client base and expand your practice.