slooooow

[ssssss]

Ok, I know its "that" time of year for me, everyones on vacation and not gettin in to see me! I have even been thinking about purchasing a massage marketing program. I really need to know if anyone has tried one that WORKS! Please, no reps respond, I need info from a fellow MT who has tried something like this and had success! Common sense tells me to just wait, this too shall pass, as it does every season....but for some reason Im especially antsy this year! Any info would be GREATLY appeciated!!

 

[luiselbatigol1981]

i am so right there with you - things have been scary lately. my book is slammed but my other therapists' schedules have been incredibly sparse. i'm ready for these children to get back into school and the appointment books to fill back up!

 

[lovelystephanie]

I agree, try a postcard with some kind of summer add-on. It worked for me last spring ('06) when I had a slow week or two. I only sent out 25 postcards and had (I think) 4 people call and schedule right away.

Now that I've hired someone, I hit the summer lull. LMAO! Figures. But I haven't done a postcard campaign, so I'll be doing that soon ~about 100 this time.

 

[Ethiopian ruler]

Im pretty sure I dont need a marketing program lol when things slow down , I get antsy.... I have been getting my postcards ready. Even making my list of new places to leave info (cards & brochures) its just frustrating, this time of year....i will be so glad when school starts, folks are back from vacations.... heavy sigh!

 

[So tel C to Pro]

i agree with christine. i've been scouring the boards and yesterday had a marketing meeting with my employees.

we discussed:
contact spheres - name 3 people who want you to succeed, whose referral you would trust. tell them what kind of clients you are looking for. if you hear someone say they're stressed, etc.. would you keep me in mind?

christine posted about hair salons that don't offer massage a long time ago. we did that today, we called ahead, got a count of everyone including the staff, asked if it was ok and then took a flyer in the breakroom and coupons for everyone there.

we're doing the same thing with teachers. sagetherapist suggested a 'fall back into good health' thing. we're each picking 5 schools, calling the secretary for permission and staff count, and asking if we can drop by a flyer and coupons. a twist is that we're also sending info for each room mom. we're doing this before school begins; the teachers are already there and will be super overwhelmed when the children get there. we'll provide like a welcome packet for the teachers to give their room moms.

and banks. lots of bank mergers here. we're hitting up our own personal banks and the branches we go to.

the kids all have to havecheckups before school starts, we're hitting up the ped offices when we go as well.

these are all ideas that i either got from here or adapted. don't buy a marketing program, in my opinion, the REAL SOLUTIONS are right here.
good luck
amanda

 

[Papa Alpha Oscar-lylo]

I tend to use the summer slow-down time to re-evaluate what marketing that I did the past year and how did it work and then plan what I want to do during the next year.

I also look at what services tended to gain more clients (such as what body wrap attracted more clients, what about it did they like most, etc.) If I'm so inclined ~ I'll redesign some of my body wraps and body scrubs (create a new theme or what add-ins I want to incorporate).

Also I take this time to purge my client files.

 

[Gray Wanderer]

late summer specials

I'm going to do a late summer/fall special. I just haven't decided what! I live in a small town and I do get frustrated at people who have the 'coupon' mentality. You know, those people who won't buy anything unless it's on sale? This is a typical mentality in my area, it isn't personal to my business. I even had a lady call asking if she could use a competitor's coupon for my business! Since they charge much more than I do, I couldn't afford to take a 50% hit so I nicely said no.
Anyway, what kind of specials does anyone here offer?
I've done: Buy two massages get one free (Christmas) Buy one get another 50% off (mother's day), $15 off a 90 minute massage (Father's day). Everyone asks me when I'm bringing back the mother's day special. UG! But discounted business is better than no business I guess.

 

[MikeL]

I like to package spa treatments into a nice summer special to help with skin care from the sun...

Facial Massage with Body Wrap - $95.00 (Regularly $140)
Tropical Body Scrub and Aroma-Massage - $95.00 (Regularly $135)

8) 8)

 

[mattyboy666]

spa extras with massage

I have tried the spa 'extra' here in the past with little results. For the life of me, I don't know why because I LOVE body wraps and such. Maybe I wasn't doing the right combo.
Also, I'm limited with what I can do without a shower. I'm taking a class in October on spa techniques that don't require showers. Wish it were sooner!

 

[fabiolapistola]

It has taken a lot of public spa benefit education to get to this point...Those that have had services prior love them or hate them ~ either way.

 

[vatsal]

I use to offer $5 off any massage during the slow months but as things gotten busier, I stoped that. Typically it would just be my regulars anyways and a few that only seem to appear with coupons. lol

Instead, I have a seasonal service that is cheap. This summer is a Hydrating Bodywrap, perfect for dry summer skin. It is going over well and has decreased the amount of deep tissue work for me! YEAH!

 

[zombieombie]

I don't have a summer slow down. My August is usually my busiest month with all the summer adventurers working in their gardens, hiking and hurting themselves or getting sore.

I think there is a lot to be said about beliefs - many massage therapists themselves want to take time off in the summer so they create a slow schedule!

I usually take time in the fall so I know it is coming and need to have enough money to do so.

Most marketing needs to be done before you are slow. It is a constant process of educating clients and I of course highly recommend websites. I get one or two new people a week from my site so don't have to do anything else and have such a set of regular clients that I have had for years (15 or more!)

I actually think a website is the only thing you really need and that the process that I recommend (Site Build It! ) also helps you get clear about what you are doing and what you want and teaches you how to write (communicate ) with clients and potential clients in real life too.

And I am also making quite a good living just on my sites alone and only am doing massage 2 days a week anyways now. Anyone can really do it if you have something that you love talking about and sharing and have patience and persistence...


Julie Onofrio
http://www.massagepracticebuilder.com
http://www.thebodyworker.com
http://www.massagetherapycareers.com

 

[Joey .]

i completely agree with julie (massagegeek). the time to do something about the slow times is way before it arrives. don't wait until it's upon you because then it's too late.

i also think that a website is the single greatest tool for your business. a good website. one that's simple, easy to read & understand. also, sell g/c's on your site. you're crazy not to. leave your website & g/c info on your voicemail and don't mention it at the end. make that the first part of your greeting.

 

[Bryan Greener]

I don't have a summer slow down. My August is usually my busiest month with all the summer adventurers working in their gardens, hiking and hurting themselves or getting sore.

My July and August are usually fairly busy also, but I partly figured I stayed busy because I (like Julie) practice around Puget Sound where it stays pretty cool most of the summer!

Tera you are always full of interesting ideas (I think of you every time I lie on my table w/the music on to make sure the rooms looks/feels good for clients). For some reason I never thought of mentioning the website on my voicemail greeting, but I'm going to try that now.

 

[?l????? peac??]

so for those of us that had/ve slow summers, have they begun to pick up yet?

for us the public schools went back in on 8/9, privates on 8/14. on 8/7 the calls started back up, regular clients that have been missing since the late spring saying 'aaaaagggghhh! the kids are finally going back to school, when can you work me in?'

those are crazy calls for the clients, but happy ones for us! especially since these are the every week or every other week clients.

i'm happy to say that we're back on track. always room for improvement for the 3 of us, but much better than we were during july!

what about you guys?

 

[Whitneyloohoo]

I had a slow week and a half. I freaked out over nothing! When people came back from vacation, the calls began. Hope everyones kickin arse @ work!! :} or at least rubbin backs lol

 

[<3OnLy 1 WaY Up<3]

I am picking up again. I did learn, market early, and take the 2 weeks off that the chiros I work for take off in the summer(and relax)! I did that last year, didn't work out this year, will know for next year!

Glad other people are picking up, and hope everyone else who had a slow summer is as well!

Myrrha