Massage therapy jobs are a great fit for people who are outgoing and friendly, and who enjoy improving people’ lives and developing relationships with clients. They also offer a bright employment picture, at least for the foreseeable future, as well as a chance in many instances for people to choose their own schedules and working hours.

When you graduate from a formal massage training program and pass the exam to get your license, you have the option of either going to work for an established massage business or going into private practice. This may be the most important choice you make early on. Don’t get too stressed about the choice, however; if you choose to go into private practice and it’s not working out, you could always apply to get hired somewhere else. And if you work for someone else and you don’t like the work setting, you could always quit and start working for yourself.

One of the main benefits of working for yourself is that you can set your own schedule. You can also work at home, inviting the general public in for a massage somewhere in your house. This way, you don’t have to pay for daycare if you have kids, and your work setting might be more relaxed. Or you could choose to travel around to other people’s homes and give them massages there. Either way, the only way you can be profitable is if you market yourself effectively. Set aside money to pay for ads in local publications, or on TV if you can afford it. Set up a business Facebook page, advertise on friends’ websites, and make sure your own company website is as attractive and search engine-friendly as possible. (If you don’t know how to make a site search engine-friendly, hire an advisor to help you or read up on the subject as much as you can.) You also want to treat every customer like he or she is very special to you-which that person should be. Be friendly, cheerful and accommodating. That way, this person will recommend you to his or her relatives and friends. Word of mouth is crucial in the early years for any business, and that’s especially true of massage therapy.

The great thing about working for someone else, on the other hand, is that all you have to do is show up for work and practice your craft. You don’t have to worry about balancing the budget, attracting new customers, what your legal responsibilities are, or about the upkeep of your equipment. Many people feel uncomfortable inviting the general public into their homes, especially for something as intimate as a massage. And some people would feel unsafe going into the homes of strangers. Plus, sometimes it’s nice not to be at home all day. Many people enjoy getting up and going somewhere else for work, and interacting with colleagues as well as with clients. The choice is entirely personal, however, so think the issue over carefully before you arrive at a decision.