Changing $

[gina]

Has anyone else lowered their prices for the summer or because of the economy to keep people coming in? We are running a "summer special" to keep a hopeful flow.

 

[Liam]

I don't think running some specials is bad but I would never consider lowering my prices across the board. If anything, I am thinking of a raise at the end of summer.

 

[LuvInLust]

I raised my prices a few months ago. I'm doing a little add on each month as an incentive, but I haven't had any problems with the flow of people. Infact each week I have actually had more week than the last!

 

[Jessica <33]

Raise prices, no way poss. at this time. We have been at the same rate for two years come Sept. My reg. clients would be fine, but we would loose any new traiffic. With the high vol. of foreclosures in our area, other discounted massage places and single income families, I don't see a way. I have more people ask when the next special is going to be just so they can come in.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I have left my rates alone and am doing fine. Because I do outcalls, I have added a travel fee and/or minimum massage length if I go out of town.

 

[Abby Berlin]

If you're wanting to attract new clients, how about running a "new client only" special or a "1st time only" discount??

Your current clientelle wouldn't be effected...you wouldn't lose money by lowing their cost but at the same time you would (hopefully) get some new people in.

Angie

 

[Montificus]

If you're wanting to attract new clients, how about running a "new client only" special or a "1st time only" discount??

Your current clientelle wouldn't be effected...you wouldn't lose money by lowing their cost but at the same time you would (hopefully) get some new people in.

Angie

This is a great idea. I had a special where I celebrated "Friends and Loved Ones" by giving a first-time client referral special. When a client referred a new friend the new person and the person who referred them but got X amount off a full body massage.

I much prefer giving upgrades than discounts though in general and will sometimes run a "schedule this month and get an extra 10 minute foot massage added to your regular session" or some such thing. Adding - rather than charging less.

Angela

 

[Pompal 09.]

Great ideas, thanks. The only prob. I have is that I share my space, I'm on a rent basis and she is on a % (she has to log all her massages and pay a % off that, were I am a flat rate which has it's advaneforum.xxxes). Also we do not do our own sched, the front desk of the health club we rent at does it for us, so we try and keep things as easy as poss. or our sched's get really screwed up (too many hands for one book).

 

[Jos h2o]

Great ideas, thanks. The only prob. I have is that I share my space, I'm on a rent basis and she is on a % (she has to log all her massages and pay a % off that, were I am a flat rate which has it's advaneforum.xxxes). Also we do not do our own sched, the front desk of the health club we rent at does it for us, so we try and keep things as easy as poss. or our sched's get really screwed up (too many hands for one book).

SPeak with her about the possibility of going in together on a summer special coupon! Everyone wants to have new clients!

What about a "Beat the Heat Massage: Spend an hour in the cool indoors as refreshing as any beach vacation. Schedule a luxurious full body massage in July and get an extra 10 minute foot or hand massage added for a little extra pampering." type of thing?

Angela

 

[Quintus-Zadok]

All this talk about the "terrible economy" had me wondering, so I checked.
My comparison to last year, year-to-date=I'm up this year.

 

[Bollox]

We haven't lowered basic prices but I talked the owner into letting us run some super summer specials, such as a full body scrub and spa pedi for $65 as a 'get ready for the beach' deal. That's $20 lower than if they were purchased separately. I also surprised some of my regulars by giving them $10 off the next time they came in because they'd referred someone to me. If I get a new client who doesn't rebook but I feel probably would become a fairly regular client, I'll send them a 'Nice to meet you/Thank you' card along with $10 off their next visit.

 

[Mukunda M]

At our spa, we're about to start a cross-referral special: schedule a massage with your hair appointment, get 20% off, and vice versa. It'll get the staff promoting each other, and boost income for everybody. I'm excited to see how it'll turn out.

In addition, I'm headed to ATL at the end of July for three days of training in Tui Na and Japanese Zen Facial Massage. Can't wait to come back and see about integrating the facial massage portion with our estheticians' offerings for a package deal. Should be a boost for all concerned!

 

[420Borat]

I actually just raised my rates because I am so busy.

If you offer a discount be sure to have a clear intention about why you are doing it and what you goal is in doing it so you can know if it is doing what you want it to be doing - like how many clients do you want to be working on each week?

Also if you set lower rates be sure you set rates that will still support you in what you need to make. My financial advisor says to charge what you need to make so you don't feel resentful.

Julie