Self-Employed Massage Therapist Starter Kit

1. Check your qualification and insurance

   Before anything else, make sure you are covered for the work you plan to do and where you plan to do it.

   • Check your qualification is accepted by insurers and professional bodies Guide: Check your qualification is accepted by insurers and professional bodies
   • Get insurance that covers where you work: a clinic, at home or mobile Guide: Get insurance that covers where you work: a clinic, at home or mobile
   • Keep your certificates and insurance documents somewhere easy to find

2. Check whether you need a licence

   Many London boroughs license massage premises, and some also cover mobile work. Rules differ from one council to the next.

   • Find out how special treatment licences work in London
   • Check with the council for the borough where you will work
   • Ask other therapists about your borough Forum: Ask other therapists about your borough

3. Find somewhere to work

   Room hire is usually your biggest cost, so compare options before you commit.

   • Compare hourly, sessional and monthly room hire Guide: Compare hourly, sessional and monthly room hire
   • Look at rooms other therapists are offering Forum: Look at rooms other therapists are offering
   • Read the agreement before you sign: notice, insurance and what is included Forum: Read the agreement before you sign: notice, insurance and what is included

4. Set your prices

   Price from your costs and the pay you need, not just from what others charge.

   • Work out your minimum price per treatment Tool: Work out your minimum price per treatment
   • Compare your prices with the rest of London Guide: Compare your prices with the rest of London

5. Put your paperwork in place

   Good records protect you and your clients, and a clear policy saves awkward conversations later.

   • Use a consultation form with every new client Tool: Use a consultation form with every new client
   • Publish a booking and cancellation policy Tool: Publish a booking and cancellation policy
   • See what missed appointments could cost you Tool: See what missed appointments could cost you
   • Give clients an aftercare sheet Tool: Give clients an aftercare sheet

6. Find your first clients

   Most new therapists build their diary through a few reliable sources rather than paid ads.

   • Plan where your first clients will come from Guide: Plan where your first clients will come from
   • Share what works, and what does not, with other therapists Forum: Share what works, and what does not, with other therapists

7. Look after yourself and keep learning

   Your body is your business. Plan your week so you can keep doing this for years.

   • Plan your week so you do not burn out Guide: Plan your week so you do not burn out
   • Keep a record of your CPD Tool: Keep a record of your CPD
   • Find courses other therapists recommend Forum: Find courses other therapists recommend

8. Join the community

   Working alone is easier when you have other therapists to ask.

   • Introduce yourself in the forum Forum: Introduce yourself in the forum
   • Read why self-employed therapists need a community Guide: Read why self-employed therapists need a community

Your ticks are saved in this browser only, so you can come back and carry on. Nothing is sent to us.