Who We Are

Survey Says!

ABMP conducts a member survey every two years as a way to take our members’ pulse and gain a better understanding of who they are, what they do, and what services and resources we should provide for them (or stop providing, as the case may be). We just completed this survey and I’ve been able to sneak a peek at some preliminary data (it’s good to be the president).

A bit about surveys: on occasion members contact us and ask why they weren’t included. Without subjecting you to my grad school statistics lecture (you’re welcome), nearly every survey/poll conducted relies heavily on sampling. In short, we establish a subset of members whose characteristics and responses will adequately speak for the entire group. Typical reasons for sampling, instead of surveying the entire population, are money and time. The key is to make sure you have an adequate sample size. In our case, we are blessed; ABMP members traditionally are very willing participants when we ask for feedback. Thank you to all of you who share your insights.

A more robust review of our member survey will be published in the January/February edition of ABMP’s member newsletter, Different Strokes, but I thought I’d share a snapshot of what we know already, compiled in the ever-popular Fun Facts/Did You Know? format.

• Five out of six ABMP members (and massage professionals in general) are female.

• Nearly 85% of members attended college; 53% obtained a degree (two-year, four-year, or graduate).

• All members report being one year older than they were at this time last year. Just making sure you’re paying attention.

• Quiz time: among our members, which modality is practiced more—pregnancy massage or stone massage?

• Average session length for our members is between 50 and 75 minutes.

• Three in four members have kept their prices the same over the past year.

• Members report nearly half (45%) of all new clients are referred by existing clients. Keep brushing your teeth and smiling.

• Answer: stone massage by a nose (52% to 48%).

• One in seven receives third-party health insurance reimbursement.

• One-third of members reported making more from their practice in this year. One-fourth made less money; 41% stayed the same.

• Only three in eight have a website for their practice. WHAT? When you can have a free one from ABMP? I’d like some answers, please, folks.

• 98% report receiving “friendly, responsive, and professional” service from ABMP. Thank you; we’ll get to work on that last 2%.

1. 

   Thanks for the stats Les! I agree surveys are a “sampling” and don’t always represent everything as it really “is”. However, like ABMP’s survey and others, they give us an idea of what might be happening in the world…from the percentage that do take the time to share information and be a voice.

   I’m also getting some fun and interesting results on the massage career survey!

   The wonderful news – EVERYONE loves their career for the most part.
   Yes females do rule right now!
   And Swedish is NOT dead! Nice to know.

   Another FYI – LMT’s are taking Ce’s, lots of them!

   The biggest comment I am receiving is the majority wishes their schools provided better business and marketing for their success!

   To all that participate in any survey realize we all need to hear from you to make any of this statistically work !

   Thanks for posting Les! I appreciate your efforts.

   Comment by Gloria — November 5, 2009 @ 5:15 pm

2. 

   Gloria,
   I just wanted to say what a great job you did with the survey and I hope that you do recieve more responses, from a lot more therapist . I do think that it is important to know what is going on globally to help our profession and make sure people are getting the education needed not only to prosper but for the reason we are all here and that is to help people.Les thank you for being here and presenting all the wonderful material that you present, Great job. Peace

   Comment by Travis Alligood — November 6, 2009 @ 6:40 am

3. 

   I frequently quote from ABMP’s stats when I’m writing books and articles. Thanks for doing this and including your usual sense of humor:)

   Comment by Laura Allen — November 6, 2009 @ 8:07 am

4. 

   Thanks for taking our pulse and letting us know that all members report being one year older than they were at this time last year. The statistics are much more interesting that my grad school statistics class – that’s for sure! I appreciate the helpful information. What a cool picture to go with the article. Wishing you ongoing success in everything you do. We are very fortunate to have ABMP in our massage community! Bravo!

   Comment by Ariana Vincent — November 6, 2009 @ 5:56 pm

5. 

   Thanks for the sneak peek, Les. Glad to know we still have a pulse, given we are a year older. It’s all about the pulse!

   Comment by Jan Schwartz — November 7, 2009 @ 4:38 pm

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7. 

   So that’s why I’m an MT, I have the right sense of humor! Glad to be part of such a great group.

   Comment by Teresa Parrish — November 17, 2009 @ 8:22 am

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