Has anyone ever marketed towards gyms...specifically Curves?

[Juu]

I'd like to try and market to our local Curves...theyre popping up EVERYWHERE like weeds, and I did go to one for almost 2 years, but now I'm at the Y...ANYWAYS... I'm totally lost and haven't the faintest clue on how to introduce myself and my business in a letter. And I'm not really sure hwat I want from them...I guess maybe I cold do an exchange with them...they could pass out my coupons for a free 30 mins massage to new members, and I could do the same at my office. Or maybe I could donate a full hour massage or two for a "contest" my old Curves used to have contests frequently.

As you can tell I'm rather scatmassageplanet.netrained about this all, has anyone done this kind of thing before? I'd love to hear stories and details!

Thank you,
Brooke

 

[starfrappe]

I'll be watching this one! I tried about a year and a half ago to get something going with Curves, but the owners here were just not interested at all. Someone from my school was going into one to volunteer occasionally - that was all they would allow - and after about 6 months no work had ever come of it. I guess why pay for a massage when you can get one free?? But I would think that if done correctly, that would be a great market. I didn't come up with what "correctly" would be.

 

[Jen]

I went into a Ladies Workout Express and offered free chair massage for 2 hrs one evening (Monday when they were supposed to be really busy). I only had 10 people in the chair. I gave out free 1 /2 hr coupons (with option to upgrade). 3 people came in. 1 upgraded. 1 used her free coupon, then my follow-up discount for her 2nd visit, then nothing since, and the third woman is a monthly 1/2 hr regular.

Every single woman who got the free massage seemed to enjoy it a lot.

I haven't tried going back, mostly due to conflicting schedules with my husband (LWE wants me there 5-7pm, but hubby gets home after 6pm, so he needs to have a day off for me to do this).

 

[Thong]

There is a Curves directly next door to the salon I work at. The lady that owned the Curves said that their franchise contract doesn't allow them to offer services other than Curves stuff. I don't know if any of that is true or not. Regardless, I have been told that a bunch of the ladies that work out at that Curves have picked up my brochure, but few of them booked and the ones that did were one timers.

BUT... It might also be b/c of a situation that arose last year. One of the employees at the salon forgot to turn off the water for the foot spa pedicure thingy and it leaked all over the building and into the Curves suite. Although that was resolved, I wonder if that may be another reason she wasn't so nice to me.

 

[[VegLove]]

I did free chair massage at a Curves a couple of times, but only got one client out of it who only came a few times. This was very early on in my career and I have since learned that it is CRUCIAL to keep in contact with these people and you will eventually pick up a few of them. Just going in twice was not really enough. They need to see you there more often and kind of get to know you before they will book a full session.

I also did a few things at Ladies Workout Express. At once I gave a little talk on stress or something and also did free chair massage. I did not give out any discount coupons, which was probably an error. At another one I did chair massage and it was getting close to Christmas. I sold quite a few gift certificates and also booked a few clients.

At another Curves I just asked if I could display my brochure and cards and they agreed. One of the workers there became a client, who recommended her family and cousins and they recommended people and it has really turned into a TON of clients for me.

They are all individually owned and I think it would probably depend on the owner whether they are going to "bend" any rules that the company has about promoting other services. If you are approaching the Curves that you used to be a member of, they might be open to the idea. I say to give it a try. All they can do is say no.

If you do chair massage there, I would see if you can do it a few times so that the members get familiar with you. They maybe can chat with you or they will see you in action and begin to build trust. Giving the owner a free massage might help her to promote you. One of the owners of the LWE was very enthusiastic about me and I think that's what helped me out there. I would definitely recommend a coupon of some sort that has an expiration that is fairly soon. Maybe give them some sort of extra bonus if they book their appointment right there on the spot. And most of all, get their e-mail addresses and send them e-mail at least once a month about specials or just tidbits of information you have found. Be funny, upbeat, informational and don't just be asking for appointments.

 

[Vampurr Kitteh]

In the past year I have marketed toward a ladies workout place like "Curves", called "Fitness Lady". I gave the owner a massage and gave her postcard sized gift certificates for a 30 min. massage to give to each new member that signs up. Being that she had just opened, she gave out many of my gc's, and that has brought me many new clients. Yes, I had to give away some of my work, but it came back 10 fold with new returning clients. I have several people call every week to book their free session. Also, many people want to upgrade their massage for a full hour and I charge my 1/2hour rate of $40. It brings new people through my door on a regular basis, which in this business, is what you want.

 

[Geo]

I just had a few questions about this topic because it was something I really wanted to try.

First, is the owner at a place like this usually around during the day. Is it best to just stop in or should you make an appointment of sorts?

Second, I am a male but have a few female employees, will they be hesitant towards me because I am a male. I don't mean to sound sexiest but I think some males have a stereotype that women at these places don't want males around. I hope this isn't the case. ;P

My idea was to try and get brochures displayed and give them some 1/2 off coupons for new clients or promotions and such.

Thanks for any insight you might have!