5 Powerful Ways to Start Getting Clients as a Holistic Therapist

When you’ve just finished training or are trying to get your first few bookings, it can feel daunting. Where do you start? What works? What doesn’t?

Here are five of the most effective, beginner-friendly ways to start getting clients and building a sustainable business:

1. Contact Your Case Study Clients

This is your low-hanging fruit. These are people who already know you and have experienced your treatments.

Send them a warm thank-you message for helping you complete your diploma. Let them know you’re now offering treatments professionally, and as a thank-you, they’ll receive a special ongoing rate.

Important tip: Don’t lock in a specific discounted price. Instead, offer something flexible like: - “20% off treatments for the rest of the year” - “€10 off all appointments this season” - A free upgrade like an extended session or added sugar scrub.

This lets you raise your rates later without awkward conversations.

Also, ask them to refer you. Let them know: “If you know anyone who might benefit from my treatments—especially for things like headaches, PMT, or muscle tension—I’d be so grateful if you’d pass on my details.”

Word of mouth is powerful, and people are often happy to help when asked directly.

Want to add a valuable upgrade? Check out my Lotions & Potions Course

2. Set Up Google My Business

Google My Business is a game-changer for holistic therapists: -

• It’s free

• It shows up in local searches and maps

• It attracts people who are already looking for your services

When setting it up:

• Be sure to include your location in your description (e.g., “massage in Raheny” or “aromatherapy near Malahide”)

• Add real photos of you and your therapy space (well-lit and clear is enough—no need for perfection)

• Fill in every field: business hours, description, services, and contact details

• Encourage happy clients to leave a review

Once I set mine up, I began getting 2–5 new clients a week consistently—and it’s not something you need to keep updating like Facebook. Once it’s up, it works for you.

Want help setting yours up? Check out my Google My Business Mini-Course 

3. Videos for Social Media

Short, engaging videos are a brilliant way to reach new clients and build trust. Here are three types that work really well:

a) Snippet Videos - 30-second clips of your hands performing a massage, applying a sugar scrub, or setting up a treatment. No client faces needed—just show what you do best. Describe what’s happening, like: “This stroke is deeply relaxing and helps ease  muscle tension.”

b) Unpacking Videos - Show yourself opening new stock or ingredients and talk about their benefits: “Today I’ve got castor oil and sweet almond oil—amazing for muscle pain and inflammation. I use these powerful oils in my Delux massage.

Or - Aloe vera gel is incredible for healing and moisturising the skin. I’ll be using this in my beautiful light moisturising cream after my reflexology treatments.”

c) Face-to-Camera Videos - Yes, it’s brave—but it’s powerful. Talk about your treatment day, give a room tour, or share a success story: “One client had intense PMS symptoms—after three treatments, her mood, skin, and pain all improved dramatically.”

Always include a booking link in the caption.

These videos aren’t just for social media—you can also use them on: -

• Pinterest

• YouTube

• Blog posts

Social media gives quick visibility, but disappears fast. Blog posts and YouTube, on the other hand, grow slowly—but they stay out there for good.

4. Use Groupon (with strategy!)

I used to avoid Groupon entirely. The discounts are steep, and you often barely cover your costs. But one of my students used it brilliantly.

She offered a Groupon deal to attract new clients. Then, at the end of the first treatment, she said:

“If you’d like to come again, I can offer you the same special price if you book directly with me within the next week.”

She retained enough clients this way to build up a solid client base quickly. After two low-cost sessions, many clients were happy to continue at full price.

Yes, you’ll get a few bargain-hunters—but you only need a handful of loyal clients to start filling your diary.

5. Add Mini Upgrades

An upgrade is essentially something that’s very valuable to your client, but that costs you little in terms of time and money.

Mini-upgrades are a fantastic way to increase bookings, raise your rates, and really help your clients by reducing stress, easing pain, improving the skin condition etc.

Offering simple add-ons like a sugar scrub, scalp massage, or essential oil balm can make your treatments more luxurious, help you stand out from other therapists and make it easier to raise your rates.

One of my students started offering a reflexology foot scrub as an upgrade—and within a week, she doubled her bookings and earned an extra €360.

If you have multiple treatments, you can create mini-treatments from them:

• Offer a mini Indian Head Massage as part of another treatment

• Add a short Reiki or energy healing session before or after another treatment,

• Use a signature reflexology balm tailored to ease specific conditions like IBS.