What DOES work?

[Kayla T.J.]

We've discussed a few of the things that don't work. What HAS worked for you? Any tips on advertising/marketing that brought clients in and kept them coming back for more?

 

[lollipopsucker]

Absolutely word of mouth! That has meant everything for me so far.  Also - focusing my money and efforts into keeping the clients I already have, rather than funneling new ones in the door.   Granted you have to do something to get them in the door in the first place, but keeping someone who will come back again and again, and then refer their best friend to you, and then purchase a gift certificate for their sister..and so on and so on, has been the most cost effective thing for me.I upgrade a regulars masssage once in awhile, surprise them with something new, add a few extra minutes if they need it, send postcards to my existing client list.  Usually if a regular comes late they will still get their full time, if they need to cancel with last minute notice I dont have a fuss, (as long as they arent a repeat offender). A well established client may have more access to prime scheduling hours  or maybe I'll make special office hours for them, keeping my own boundaries in check though.  They appreciate the flexability, and a regular is usually more reliable so I am happy to give it to them.  Dori

 

[Dorinta]

You never really know where your gems will come from.  Last September the week I opened my business I volunteered at  Relay for Life that was literally walking distance from my office.  I gave chair massage and did a "win a free massage" drawing to start my first mailing list.  One woman booked on the spot and has come regularly since, she gave her mom a GC for Christmas - she is now regular, her sister is now on the way.  The "winner" of the free massage didn't show up until 8 months later but is now a regular customer and "townie" who talks me up to anyone who will listen including his PT and Doc.  Each attempt slowly spreads the word.  Just keep at it and never consider anything a total failure!  You never know when it will come back.  Even if you get just one loyal customer who loves you it was worth the effort (within reason and $$s of course)! Another thing that worked in terms of cost was a mailing to 150 town chamber members.  I pulled the names and addresses from their website (free), wrote up a letter that offered discounts for bulk (5 or more) purchasing of GCs for employees or clients.  It cost maybe $60 with poseforum.xxxe, paper, envelopes,etc.  2 business owners bought $250 worth of GCs and one is a regular client now.  This may seem like small beans, but that's where it starts.  Appreciate and treat every client like they are the only client and it pays off in time.  Think abundance!!!

 

[newtypist]

It takes time and patience and effort in a number of areas to get the initial clients coming in the door.  Once you get rolling with that, then magic really is keeping them in the door and getting the referrals.  Treating them like they are the only client is very important.  This keeps them coming back.  I send a regular e-newsletter to my clients which keeps me on their minds.  For those who had been coming with some regularity and then fall away, I will send a postcard or give them a personal phone call, just to see how they were doing.  I remind my clients from time to time that I sell gift certificates.  I keep them updated with new skills I acquire.  I keep up to date with their vacations and families, etc.  You just never really know when your efforts are going to pay off.  Adding someone's name to your mailing list that entered a drawing may not pay off for 6 months.  They may not be a regular, but may refer someone who becomes a regular.  I don't know that any effort is totally worthless.  I think what DOES work is variety and consistency, combined with professionalism, time and patience.  I think if you use all of those, you should have success and the actual type of marketing techniques that work will vary from one person to another, depending on their location, their personality, their strengths, their target market, etc.  Don't we all wish there was a specific magic formula that would work everywhere?    

 

[Shep]

What DOES work?

If you're looking for specific strategies, I think you'll find that we all have differing opinions on what's bringing in results. If you want to know what my 'broad' answer is:  I think that what works is never resting on your laurels. You have a great week on the books & you stop making calls, sending out emails, etc, etc. I try to think of every single advertising/promotional step I take as 'for the future'. I never want to stall out, so I don't stop. I posted some very specific 'working' strategies in a recent query from EgoMagician
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1438&highlight=marketing+works