Marketing strategies????????

[Captain Malcolm Reynolds]

 Aloha, Does anyone out there know of some good ways to attract clients with marketing, I've tried the local paper but no luck just a bunch of perverts calling me , I've also put flyers and brochures on people's doors but still not really any luck and i also made a banner but still no luck, can someone please tell me where i'm going wrong or share some thoughts I'd really appreciate it.              Mahalo

 

[Vishwas]

Maggy,First thing you need is patience.  It doesn't always happen right away.  some people get lucky with something that works.  But, for most it takes time to get things going.  In the beginning it feels like you are struggling for every single client, but you will eventually get a few regulars and more and more people rebooking or referring people to you.  To get started is the tough part.  Newspaper and yellow page ads can be expensive, so if you're looking for low cost ways to market, then you need to be creative.  You need to really pay attention to your community and what's going on.  Contact organizations and women's groups, etc. that have regular meetings and volunteer to do a presentation on massage or stress relief.  Try to get connected with a gym or chiropractor not already connected with a massage therapist and get your information displayed there.  Put out fishbowls and ask for business cards and have a monthly drawing for a free 30 minute massage.  You will collect a mailing list that way.  Also, when the person calls to redeem their free gift, try to upgrade them to a full hour.  Try to get the fishbowls and your information displayed in stores that massage minded people might visit, exercise equipment sales, gyms, salons, yoga studios, etc.  Maybe you can hook up with one of them if they are having a special promotion or anniversary celebration or something and do chair massage at their location.  Best way to get clients is to get your hands on them.  Try to donate massages to organizations having fund raisers, chinese auctions, that sort of thing.  The winner may turn into a regular client.  If not, you are at least getting your name out there in the community.  See what you can do about getting a press release in the local paper.  If you have a specialty or something, that would be good to highlight.  Send letters and make phone calls to companies to see if you can get a chair massage gig there on a regular basis.  Or even a one time shot.  It gives you opportunity again to get your hands on people and be seen.  Tax time is coming up after the holidays and that's a perfect time for accountants in need.  It does take time to build though.  Patience is the key.  Good luck.

 

[Eleni]

Marketing strategies????????

you could try to get some in room work at your local hotels or just drop a card off for any one that might need a massage while on vacation.I noticed the last time I was there a lot of the hotels have a welcome basket maybe with a little work you could get some discount cards in there.good luck and never stop trying

 

[bcakEs85]

Maggy, images of Hawaii are spinning through my head.  A couple of thoughts depending on who you want to target for your client base.  First, are you looking to work on tourists or residents?  Second, who are your favorite clients to work on?  Third, where would you find these types of people?  Fourth, spend some time getting to know the people you like to work on and offer a tremendous "get to know me" program they can't resist.  Do you know anyone who is offering specialty services to tourists?  Possibly you can set up a referral service with these people.  This idea isn't for everyone but I've often thought that if I lived near the beach it would be wonderful to work there -- close to the water.  Not knowing how close you are to the beach (nor if this idea is allowed on the beach) but what about setting up on the beach and apply sunscreen for $5 - $7?  You wouldn't have to supply it, just use their own product.  Once you have someone on your table it is generally easier to get them to book a full appointment later in the day at your office.  If it isn't allowed "on the beach" what about marketing it to specific hotels for their guests?  A 10-15 minute sunscreen application as a preventative health idea for their guests.  As for residents, are you wearing anything with your logo or company name to invite people to ask you where your office is located?  I find this to be an extremely helpful way to break the ice with people I don't know in places/businesses that I frequent.  Those who are interested usually start the conversation by asking me questions about location and what techniques I use and a few more questions which then prompts me to ask them if they want an appointment to come in and see me --  You can't be afraid to ask for the appointment -- at which point they either schedule or ask for a business card.  This works reasonably well and is of fairly low cost.FWIW, I haven't found newspaper advertising to be very beneficial.  I think yellow page ads tend to work better once your business is established, especially if you are in a small area.  Word of mouth has worked the best for me, so I spend a lot of time getting to know people, discovering how I can help them and then doing so.  There is nothing like an excited customer telling their family and friends that they got the best massage ever the other day and now their neck doesn't hurt anymore.  They are the ones who help my business the most.Goodluck!

 

[Snarky]

Aloha,  Thank you so much to eveyone who shared there ideas with me I am really gratefull. I'm so stoked to have stumbled on this site everyone here is very knowledgeable and very caring if anyone else has some more ideas I'm listening.                                                                                      Much mahalos,

 

[7K3]

precari515,Congrats, that's a great idea... and a special Dr that will let you leave your business cards in his office for his patients to see!BTW, I've given chair massage to my dentist and his staff, so you might want to consider that... and/or that whole Dental Spa idea.  ;D

 

[Master of Eternity]

Marketing strategies????????

I've found that meeting people in person is one of the best ways for me to get clients. As a result, I'm busy going to meetings, mixers and the likes but it helps me get the word out and connect with people who may refer to me. I met a lady recently who runs a company that does in-home non-medical care (basically, helping with groceries, laundry, etc). She said she has many clients who would like my services. You won't typically find great contacts like that just through flyers. People like to know who they are going to. The draw back for me has been to put what I do into a few catchy words---and it changes with the audience. Some people like it, others don't. Next time you meet with a group, you'll have a better idea of what sells. Definitely have a 10 and 30 second "commercial" when in a group.

 

[Steve N]

Marketing strategies????????

Following up on Sadiedawn's post, look into BNI.  

http://www.bni.com/

They seem to have a chapter in HI.

 

[Alpha]

i think having a website has been the most important marketing strategy i have used- and it has paid off the most.  good luckgrainnewww.chicagothaimassage.com

 

[Pavlovs Dogma]

I could swear I've heard that reply somewhere else before...EDIT: What happened to the person who "started with a handful of clients and now has business coming out the wazoo?" Did my calling them out on their post make them delete it? Who'da known?  

 

[maca]

Another poster mentioned that personal meetings work the best.  I would like to add that I have considered adding a coupon on the back of my business card that offers a $5 savings on their first massage.  

 

[keld2682]

I wanted to share Marketing strategies????????

I wanted to share something I did for the first time this Christmas.  It has been awhile since I really marketed myself.  So this year I talked to a couple of business owners, real estate brokers etc.... and asked them if they would consider giving away 30 min. gift certificates to clients or other business people for Christmas.  They understood who to give them to.   Like people that would really appreciate them and also people they thought they could afford this kind of service.  Anyway, I ended up givng away almost $3,000 worth of Gift certificates for free to these business people.  The response so far has been overwhelming.  I have new people calling me everyday to book their appointment and most are upgrading.   Thank you, Sandy O.

 

[bigrobdeezey]

Marketing strategies????????

Hi Maggie,There's a ton of different ways you can market your practice.  Choose the marketing methods that both fit your budget and your personality.  For example, if you are on a tight budget, but are an outgoing person, consider networking or public speaking.If you have some funds to pay for marketing, I'd suggest doing a postcard mailing to affluent clients who live near your studio or office.There's a lot of good free info on this site, so it's worth taking the time to read a lot of the posts that other therapists have done to stimulate your marketing mind.Finally, there are a number of very good free marketing newsletters for massage therapists.  You can find a number of these websites (besides my own) by doing a search with Google with phrases like "massage marketing".Best of Luck,Michael

 

[P3RF3CTLY FLAW3D]

Marketing strategies????????

I totally agree with Michael's post above - there's a whole bunch of ideas on this site - better than going to an all day seminar. I did a search on 'chair massage' (as a term)(because I want to start off doing that in order to get clients [hopefully]) and there turned out to be A LOT of help in other areas as well. Good luck!

 

[Pompal 09.]

It seems like we just talked about this the other day...  The best way to grow a business, IN MY OPINION, is to ask people to help you.  Ask you current clients to refer people to you that could use your services.  I use to say things like "I was wondering if you could help me, I am trying to grow my business a little and I am looking for people to help me spread the word."  The people that helped my are still very loyal clients, and have sent more people then I could have every gotten on my own.  Someone once told me it is better to get 1% of a 100 peoples efforts then 100% of 1.  I think you have taken the first step and asked for help, now ask your clients.  Hope this helps ya.