Welcome Postcards

[iamcrazyy]

I am thinking of creating welcome postcards to send to each new client that I receive. Does anyone one do this already? And/Or does any one have any suggestions about what each postcard should say...

Thanks

 

[Z-Man]

I answered no. I don't use postcards. After a clients first visit, I send them a welcome letter. I thank them for allowing me to be their therapist, remind them about my referral rewards program, and enclose a copy of the Office Agreement Policy that we both sign prior to the session and a half dozen of my business cards.

 

[Pompal 09.]

At a high volume, sending Welcome post cards to new clients is cost-prohibitive. We have been sending e-mails instead, and that generally gets a great response, including some testimonials we can use in marketing.

 

[BOMSR]

I checked off 'No' because I send new client 'Thank You' CARDS.

At a high volume, sending Welcome post cards to new clients is cost-prohibitive. We have been sending e-mails instead, and that generally gets a great response, including some testimonials we can use in marketing.

For a postcard, I wouldn't consider $.75 per client to be costly. Plus I feel there are so many more benefits to a client getting a nice note in the mail versus their e-mail. People love receiving non-junk mail that is meaningful and thoughtful. To me, there's something about receiving a note that I can actually hold and feel while I read it.

Plus, I have had several clients tell me that my card has been posted on their fridge. And almost every client thanks ME for sending them a thank you card. It has a much different impact than electronic communication.

(Of course, this is just my opinion and experience. Yours may vary. )

 

[Heakesaurry]

I voted no as well. After the first visit, I email my clients a set of stretches that corresponds to the areas of their body that would benefit most by stretching. It comes from free software that I learned about here on this board. You can download the program from :

http://www.vhikits.com/

Some of my clients actually do the stretches I recommend! :shocked:

 

[Neil A]

I send a "Welcome To Our Practice" letter.

Someday, I hope to incorporate some of what pixielady wrote some years ago at MassagePlanetL (specifically, a similar version but scaled down version of her "Welcome Packet"). I don't make reminder calls.

Our policy is as follows:

Day -1 = Reminder call
Day 0 = Massage
Day 1 = Thank you card
Day 3 = New client welcome packet
Day 21 = First newsletter (we put out 4/year, so whichever is current is sent)
Day 45 = Holiday offer (whichever holiday is closest, usually a free 15-minute upgrade certificate)

After that we send the usual newsletters as they are printed, holiday cards for the major holidays, and a birthday card.

I mention this schedule because the pre-session confirmation call is part of it. The only time we don't do the call is if it's been less than four or five days since booking.

We've found this spacing allows us to contact the client and keep us in their thoughts without being overbearing or annoying. Our goal is to have our clients think of us first when massage is mentioned and get regular massages, rather than just once or twice a year. We become friends and many clients appreciate the subtle reminders.

1) Welcome Letter
This essentially is similar to the thank you letter that they have received or will receive.


2) About Us
Biographies, information about the company


3) Treatments
A list of the treatments we offer as well as prices


4) Referrals
About referrals, benefiting CLIENT, as well as special offer


5) Preparing for a Treatment
Article on how to prepare for a treatment


6) How NMT Works
Article on NMT


7) What We Can Help With
NMT things we can help with


8.) For Businesses
Things that we can do to help them improve their business

9) Gift Certificates
Examples of gift certificates


10.) Business Cards for THEM


11) Business Cards for FRIENDS


12) How to talk your boss into letting us come out to the office


13) Policies


14) Most recent (not current) newsletter (they are quarterly)


15) Offers from a dermatologist and chiropractor that I partner with for marketing stuff frequently


All of this is placed in a two pocket folder (no prongs) and mailed in a large manilla envie. The welcome to the practice letter is, of course, the first thing they'll see.

 

[juli]

Our policy is as follows:

Day -1 = Reminder call
Day 0 = Massage
Day 1 = Thank you card
Day 3 = New client welcome packet
Day 21 = First newsletter (we put out 4/year, so whichever is current is sent)
Day 45 = Holiday offer (whichever holiday is closest, usually a free 15-minute upgrade certificate)

Although I don't do welcome cards or emails myself, I can see where clients might appreciate one such mailing. However, if I received 4 mailings within 45 days from anyone but a close friend, I would find that overbearing & ask to be removed from the mailing list.

 

[Richard R]

I don't do postcards, but everyone always gets a handwritten thank you note which I attach to my welcome "packet" (this is made up of things relevent (brochure, samples) to the client and a thank you coupon to add on an additional amount of minutes or some add on to their next massage.

I don't have anything against postcards, but it has been my experience that when i send them, they often don't make it to their intended target. It may be my local postoffice, but the last time I sent a bunch out I included one to myself. I got mine 2 months later and most people I asked regarding the postcard had not received it.

 

[Michael N]

I voted "yes". We do have WELCOME postcards, but haven't mailed any in awhile. We are now doing WELCOME packets (I work w/ a chiro) that explain treatment options, office poicies, services offered, etc.. and we stick the WELCOME postcard in there. I will have to check to see what is written on them exactly... I originally went with postcards because they are less expensive to mail than an envelope and easy to create on vistaprint so that they look professional.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I checked off 'No' because I send new client 'Thank You' CARDS.

:

I voted "yes" even though we send out Cards not postcards cause I was thinking potatoes/patatoes....same difference.

We send out cards made for us by our local Printer. Ours says "Thank you" on the front and then when you open it up it reads:

.....for giving us the opportunity to be of service to you. Our staff will constantly strive to earn your continued confidence.

My card is enclosed. Please feel free to call on me whenever I can be of further assistance.

Once again, Thank you.

P.S. If our service pleased you we would appreciate your recommending us toyour friends and associates.

We think that the cost per client is low enough. It's just a good way to reaffirm our commitment to our clients, another chance to remind them of how good they felt when they left us and to give them another business card to keep or to pass on to others.

Angie

 

[ERIN R]

I voted "yes" even though we send out Cards not postcards cause I was thinking potatoes/patatoes....same difference.

Angie,

The reason I was so specific is that I do think there is a slight difference in how a postcard / card is received by the client. This is completely my opinion, but I feel that there is a little more weight given to a card that one has to open up and read than a postcard. I feel postcards can have more of a 'marketing' feel to them even when they are for 'Thank you' and/or 'welcome'. To me, there is more of a 'relationship' feel with an actual card than a postcard.

I hope that made sense ... :

 

[glurginuirm]

I also marked 'yes' although I send out a 'Thank You' card with a written message relative to the session. I follow up with a reminder postcard with a $10 for their 2nd visit, a discount postcard for their birthday, and one for the Christmas holiday season. I also place a follow-up call two days after the session to check in with the client.

There are a lot of great ideas in this thread!

 

[ERIN R]

I hope that made sense ... :

Yes, perfectly!

Angie

 

[NJKay]

Provide superior customer service and you'll blow away all those who don't.

We send cards to welcome all new clients and also send them a gift on their birthday.

We also get their email and provide them with a bonus for signing up for that list.

We also have a new client info brochure we give them when they're here.

Lots of info, lots of appreciation, lots of rewards.