A business left home alone?!

[Chipmunk]

Hey all! So here I am on a lovely Sunday afternoon - doing one of my favorite things...scrouring MassagePlanet for new tips and tidbits....good times...

Its only April, but I am a little worried about what Autumn will bring. Here is the story - this summer I will be gone for 2/3 months. For June, my office will be closed while I'm trapsing around Europe - lucky girl I know. I'll be home for 3-4 weeks in July, then August I am off again for a month long 'working roadtrip' where I'll be miandering through the states with a friend and her friends' company (non massage related. I'll make enough to pay for August bills, but not much more. I'm in it for the experience.)

Sounds like too much for a short period of time, but I have a travelors soul and I haven't left this state for years so its long overdue LOL!

I am so excited about these opportunities, but I haven't left this business for more than a long weekend in the 6 years I have been practicing! I am nervous about coming back to an empty appointment book, and it staying empty or slow while I get back in the groove - I will be running nip and tuck with all of the expenses of traveling so I need a plan to counter act the enevitable. My plan so far:

*prepay for an add in the paper to run a week before I get back, and the week I am back. (each time) with maybe a special.

*Postcards from vistaprint ready to be mailed a week before I get back (each time) ( I dont really ever see TOO much influx from postcards, but I like sending them)

*Having my schedule available at my place of business (in a womens fitness center) so people can pre book for when I'll be back.

*Sending a newsletter before I go, chitchatting about some new things, tips for summer, about my trip, when I will be back, how to make an appointment while I'm gone etc. (In May, and again in July...or an I'm BACK! one in Sept. or all three - too much?)

Something feels like its missing, like this wont be enough, and I will be left with an empty July and Autumn, I simply can't afford that. I feel very anxious about this. Like a mother leaving her baby for the very first time! UGH!

Any and all advice/ideas are welcome!!

 

[DANC3R]

Have you spoken to your regular massage clients personally about you leaving? What do they say? You probably have a few that will wait for you, some others may want to get massage from someone else while you're gone.

Maybe you can come up with a little "see you soon" package (or some other catchy name) for your regulars. You can write the newsletter type thing, also including a list of practitioners they can use while you're gone (people you know who will be expecting them when/if they call), and then maybe a coupon or add-on of some sort if they PRE BOOK for your return? You could even add a little gift of some sort, bath salts, candle, etc, and express your appreciation for their continued patronage.

Also, I know advertising is different everywhere, but have you had any success with newspaper ads in the past? The other things you have sound good, but I have never, and I have heard from others also, that newspaper ads don't have a good return. Your money (might) be better spent on those pretty vista print color postcards to clients whom you already have addresses for.

I think you have done really well preparing! You've got several ideas lined up, and I'm sure you'll get some more in this thread. Don't sweat it. Have fun on your trip and trust.

Oh, also, maybe when you get back you can start an aggressive gift certificate promotion, just to put cash in your pocket? Good luck!

 

[red]

Oops!

 

[Gary Y]

I love the 'See You Soon Package'!! Great idea - I'll use it! - thanKs!!

You are right, I rarely see fabulous results from the paper, I guess I just continue to use it out of habit (I usually only use it for Holiday promotions) So that money may be better off saved. I have been running bi-weekly adds for April and May.


I am running an aggressive GC campaign in May, don't want too many of those suckers out there! :

Thank you shivashiva!!