What kind of Massage Packages do you offer?

[Nnifer]

I'm looking to offer some type of discount package to my clients, but I'm not sure what to do. I do mainly outcall (I'm new and don't have a space) and I'm charging $60 an hour, but more if it's farther away. I was thinking of doing a package with 3 massages, but they would pay up front and I'd discount it 20%. They would also have to use the 3 massages within 2 months. My husband thinks that people would never take advaneforum.xxxe of it because they wouldn't want to pay $150 up front. So, I'm left here trying to think up new ideas and new ways of coming up with packages and incentives. I also don't want to sell myself for too little either, so I need some input on what you do and charge!!! What are your massages packages you offer??

Thanks a bunch,

Jen

 

[Sami]

How about offering a free treatment? For example for all my clients at present their 10th massage is free, the equivilent to a 10% discount.

I also have a referral program in place, if someone they know comes for a massage and mentions the exisiting client referred them they new client gets £5 off the treatment and the exisiting client gets £5 off their next treatment.

Mat xxx

 

[Ethel!]

Jen:

First off, your rates sound reallyreasonable for outcalls! I'm not sure where you are located, but in my area, a one hour office visit goes for $60-70 pre tax. IMO, your clients are already getting a deal.

I have a package deal of buy 5 (prepay) get the sixth free. I also have a "maintenence" rate where the client gets $5 off if he/she books again the same day after a session.

 

[Rugby Stud]

THank you...I like the ideas you suggested. I do beleive that I am giving a great deal already. Part of the reason is because I am trying to build my clientelle (sp?). I'd just like some incentives to be able to fill my schedule. I do love the maintainence rate suggestion where if they book that day they get $5 off next visit.

 

[Carla Rawr]

We also offer a prepaid deal. When a client prepays for 4 or more massages we give them a 10% discount. This really helps out our regular clients. 10% may not sound like much, but it adds up when you're coming in for massages 2-4 times a month.

We also reward our clients by sending them a card for a free massage after 12 visits. We like to mail it out to them because we think it's a nice surprise....going to the mailbox and pulling out a card for a free massage!
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We used to offer discounts to new clients only, which is also a good way to get started, but after a while we decided it was better to reward our regulars who come back again and again.

Angie

 

[Alexandra Solano]

i'm not into prepaid specials for my business. for some reason i don't like them...never have. i do like offering $$ off if they rebook at the end of their session. from what i've noticed, clients really enjoy it and they appreciate the $$ off as well as knowing that they have their next appointment scheduled already!

 

[clove1971]

A lot of great ideas here already. Fozzyo's policy matches mine almost exactly. After 10 massages, I give clients the 11th one for free. Although it works out to a 10% discount, it's more fun because they actually get a free massage, which feels more like a gift. They love their "freebie day!" I also do a referral bonus of $5, as a "thank you." (Again - similar to Fozzyo).

Although I don't do the "maintenance rate," that does seem like a good way to encourage people to rebook immediately, which is the fastest way to fill your calendar and build a regular clientele. I can see why you like that idea.

Regarding prepaid packages, I chose not to offer those because I wanted to reward all regular clients, not just the ones who could afford to pay in advance. However, that was just my personal choice. I know other therapists who offer prepaid in my area, and a lot of people don't mind paying in advance. (I disagree with your husband there). However, you may run into some trouble if you have a quick expiration date. People might feel cheated? Moogie - you mentioned that you offer prepaid deals. What's your expiration date policy on those?

A nice thing about having discount programs is that you have ready answers for the bargainhunters -- those people who call promising to become regulars if you cut them a deal. If you have a policy of prepaid packages, or free massages after they are established regulars, you have answers ready and won't get talked into cheap rates unintentionally. Be careful not to choose too many discount programs, though. You don't want the discounts to double and triple up and cut your rate too much. Keep us posted on what you decide!

 

[Dylan]

What we do for the prepaid packages is issue 4 gift certificates. This makes it easier for us bookeeping wise. The GCs do carry a 6 months expiration date, however the prepaids are not obligated to use them in that time. This is done more to encourage them to get massage regularly. We ALWAYS accept GCs after the expiration date.

The whole purpose of the prepaid discount is to get clients to make massage a regular part of their lives. We want to do everything possible to makes this as easy for the clients as we can. Since they've already paid for the massage, they tend to rebook quicker. This is better for us as we get more repeat clients and it's better for them since their bodies get the massage they need.

Win, win situation for all.

Angie

 

[JoshuaEvanss]

Wow...thank you everyone for your lengthy detailed responses. I agree with each of you and your reasons for doing or not doing packages.

I think, for now, I'm leaning towards offering the $5 off if they book today and NOT doing the packages just yet. I am going to focus on building my business first and then determine if there is a need/want for prepay packages. My rates are low and in all honesty, I hope to be able to increase them sometime in the near future. Like I said, I am just starting out and have only a couple "repeat clients". I am going to start focusing on the NEED for massage instead of the WANT. I think I am going to purchase some of those brochures from informationforpeople.com and give them away as well.

I'm still hoping for any more ideas...I am known to change my mind at a moments notice!! Thanks so much everyone for your comments. Have a great day!

Jen

 

[GrenadeLove]

Jen, something to consider: Do you have a massage chair? You may want to buy (or make your own, not hard to do and makes it more personal) chair massage brochures/handouts and give them to your outcall clients. You never know when one of them may want to you come to an event or give chair massage at their workplace. Also, remember to leave a few extra business cards with each client so they can refer friends and family to you. If you have a special or referral deal you can write or print it on the back of your card. Good luck!

 

[NeoNerd]

Hi Jen

I agree that $60 for an outcall is pretty cheap! But then I also understand how rates can vary widely across the country, and for plenty of reasons.

But anyway...

When I first started out, not quite 2 years ago, I also charged $60 for 1 hr (in-studio) and I offered the same 3 for $150 package. I didn't have any stipulations or anything at the time. I found that I got very few takers, which I thought was kind of strange. When someone did bite, usually what would happen is a male client would see me at my school location or find my private practice on one of the few internet listings I participate in, and schedule one for them, then bring their girlfriend or wife in for their second one, and then schedule themselves again for the third one, and that was it. They were the kind of ppl that liked to get massage spur-of-the-moment and didn't give it another thought beyond that.

What I've found works a bit better, at least for us, is this:

Client comes in, gets massage, comes out with nice half-dazed happy-place feeling, sits down to conduct payment, and I have my schedule book open and ready and I ask them if they'd like to schedule again. Almost always, the answer is yes. Then I let them know that I've instituted a new policy for them that if they reschedule an appointment before they leave, they get a credit applied toward the next appt. (Never say "discount"...it tends to bring out the Cheap in ppl...use "credit" ) If they reschedule WITHIN the next 4 weeks from that day (and keep the appt without moving it--unavoidable one-time emergencies aside) then they get $10 off their next appt. If they reschedule for, say, 6 or 8 weeks out, then it's $5. I tend not to reschedule ppl for any more than 2 months out, ks ppl tend to forget when it's that far in advance.

Results: About 90% of our ppl rebook before they leave, and for 4 wks away or less. Some others schedule for 5-6 wks out. Only a few are on an as-needed basis. This way, our schedule is moderately busy, our clients get regular care, they're looser and more relaxed, we give them better massage than we otherwise would ks we tend to remember ppl much better if not too much time passes between appts, and our income is steadier. It's a win-win all the way around.

And, actually, it's the same as the 3 for $150. Actually if you were to implement this, you'd get more. The first time you'd see your client, they'd pay the full $60. Every time after that, they pay $50 IF they schedule within 4 wks. On the first 3 appts, you'd then make $160. After that, if they stick with it, they pay $50 per appt, so it's like giving them perpetual blocks of 3, only they don't have to pay upfront (and I think that's what has stopped some clients from doing packages, in my experience). And then it's one rule to follow: rebook before leaving and save lol.

Just my winded thoughts But I really think you're on the right track with thinking long-term like that.
Hope that helps!
Good luck!
~Jyoti