How to Deal with Requests for a "Sensual Massage".

Advertising massages can result in a lot of clients, typically male, looking for a “sensual massage” with a “happy ending”. So how can you start an advertising campaign without attracting unwanted clients who are seeking services which you are not offering?

1. Avoid Classified Advertisement Websites

Advertising on online marketplaces can result in a lot of unwanted clientele calling out of hours requesting a massage. The situation may be distressing for a therapist when they’re unable to tell apart viable customers from those seeking a “sensual” massage. The best form is to avoid these websites and stick to advertising in local magazines instead, or social media using tailored advertising campaigns to reach the intended audience. Alternatively, if you wish to remain on the site, omit the word “massage” from your advertisement.

2. Reject Calls from Withheld numbers

If a customer is genuine, they will call from a private number, or they will leave a message. Avoid answering calls in the evening when you’re no longer working as this is prime time for unwanted customers.

3. Be Clear About the Service in Your Advertisement.

Advertising your service correctly can improve understanding of your business. Using words like “professional beauty massage”, “holistic therapy”, “remedia therapy” and informing your readers that you have health fund cover should be effective in weeding out clientele that may be seeking different services if they can see you are well established in other forms.

Don’t use the term “no sensual massage” as this will mean that google and search engines will pick up the words “sensual massage” from your website, and show them in the results for this term.

4. When Taking New Clients Into Your Home

If you are accepting clients into your home, especially if they are first time clients, to protect yourself from unsolicited requests, you can welcome your client by letting him know that if he hears any noise from a different room, not to worry as your partner is working from home. This will mean that any clients with the wrong intentions should refrain themselves.

5. When No Other Alternative

If you keep being hounded by inappropriate requests, or find yourself in uncomfortable situations with clients which you thought you could trust, it may be best to not accept male clients, unless they have been referred to you, or booked as gifts by your clients. Alternatively, you can offer male clients “back, neck and shoulder” massages only where the client should remain clothes except for their top.

And remember, clients showing their genitalia unwarranted is indecent exposure and can be investigated by the police. If your client has done this against your wishes with you, there is a very real chance they may have done so with a different therapist too, who may have felt too vulnerable or violated to report it further.