Defining a 'Regular' Client

[Tailight<3]

What, to you, defines a regular client? I'm trying to provide a savings to those who come see me repeatedly. Is a regular client someone who comes in once  a week, once every other week, or once a month? Just coming twice a year (i.e., christmas and birthday) every year --would that be considered a regular? I don't think so...In your practice, what constitutes a regular?Be well,Jen

 

[Lizzi(:]

For me a "regular" is a client who comes in once a week -- they get my best price break.  I reward the client who can commit to coming weekly by giving them my absolute lowest price that I'm willing to work.  I sell these as a monthly program or 4 consecutive weeks of massage.At any given time I have between 6-10 regulars a month.  To give you an idea of the breakdown:  of those 6-10 regulars -- I have been seeing 2 of them for 4 years (they have been with me since I started this program), 2 of them for 3 years and 2 for 2 years.I see these clients as the bread and butter of my practice as they provide me steady income.  They get the premium appts, I generally "try" things out with them first to see if they like it before I offer it to the general public and I do everything I can to make them feel special for being my "regular" clients.I also have a prepaid package of 6 hours which offers the next best price break.  I know that not everyone can come in once a week due to schedules, work, travel, family and so on.  So for those who wish to come on a fairly regular basis and who pay me up front, I reward them with a good deal.  My pre-paid program gives them a full year in which to use those six appts, however, I find these clients are people who come to see me once a month or every 3 weeks so they tend to purchase several of these packages per year.I have found these two groups are the people who provide me the most referrals and buy GC's to give to their family and friends which helps perpetuate my practice.One of my main business goals is to educate the public about what I do.  I want to reach the average "Jane" or "Joe" so-to-speak and teach them about what massage can do in a very positive way.  I want to share my own experience and help bring their awareness to the present while helping to phase out old thinking.  IMO, one of the best ways to influence old thinking is by direct work, demonstrating an entirely new way to think about massage.I know the majority of the folk who live in the area I work do not have the financial means to afford a $75/hour massage each week (which is my walk-in-see-me-once rate).  I have tried to set these special program rates according to what I feel provides me reasonable income and offers them an incredible deal for being great customers.  These two programs do this for me.I hope this helps.

 

[darkangel_zheinah]

You're welcome Jen.  Glad I could be of help.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I also do something similar to Intuitouch, I have a client who comes in weekly, I give him my absolute lowest price of $45. for one hour (My normal rate is $55.)  If he happens to miss a week, his first week back would be $55. and they would drop back to $45. the next week.  He does his very best to make it in EVERY week as he knows he is getting a special deal and doesn't want to have to pay the same rate as everyone else.  Funny how the psychology works.  I have other clients that come at least monthly and they can purchase a Series of 3 massages (most people can afford to part with $145 easily) and they purchase them in advance and as often as necessary.  I also put a 1 year time frame for the client to redeem their Series.  Most people use them way before they expire anyway.Sommer

 

[Baillie]

After my clients have rec'd 10 massages, they get one free.  If I break that down to a per session savings, it's 10% for them.  But 'free' sounds better to them than 10% off.Scav

 

[SportsInjuryCharley]

As for keeping track of a client's appointments: you could maybe also do a punch card  and punch it for them as they are checking out. They can see immediately how many they have left toward their reward. Also, I would be inclined to keep the card at my office instead of relying on the client to bring it in to their appointment, because if they forget it, then you're back to figuring out how to track their appointments! Maybe use a recipe box to store them? I have long thought of doing this for my regular chair massage clients, too.As for what "regular" client is -- for me, it's the ones who bring their calendars with them and book their next appt. immediately, whether it's for one, two, four, or six weeks out. A.

 

[ForumTeam]

I keep track of it in my appt. book.Under their name I put a simple notation about their visit.  If they bought a package of 6 and it is their first visit I would put "1/6".  If they are part of my weekly program, which is bought in packages of 4, I would notate it as "1/4".For those who purchase the packages of 6 I also list their name, purchase date and package details in the back of my appt book.  Each time they come in I notate their visit in that spot.Another way to do it is by giving them GC's for their visits and have them bring in their GC for each visit.  (I prefer to keep track of this information though rather than relying on the client to hold onto the GC's.) I find it very easy to keep up with.

 

[unboundedjoy]

Doda,     I use index cards to keep track of the # of visits.  I can also add little bits of info if needed, plus birthdate and phone # at top of card for quick ref.Scav