Filling up schedule

[Neil g]

Hi everyone,

So here is the situation. I have this week off from my second job and the therapist I share my room with is out of town so I have my office more days than usual. However, Thursday and Friday this week I don't have any appointments yet. I was wondering if anyone had any neat ideas to pick up clients really quick.

My idea for right now is to email all my clients that are not scheduled this week yet or next and let them know I am running a special on Thursday or Friday. I figured I would offer a fairly substantial discount because at this point I would benefit more from just having the schedule filled. I guess the question I have about this is how do I phrase it. I mean I don't want to come off desperate or that they can always get a same day appointment type thing because usually it is at least a 1 week wait, this week is an anomoly. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

What kind of ideas does anyone have about reaching potential customers that have not yet in been in to see me. I know this goes against "marketing" rules because I need them quick and that is not how advertising works. But if anyone has ever done something similiar let me know what worked and didn't work for.

Thank you everyone for your input!

 

[Margaret]

First off, there are no rules for marketing. Use what ever works for you!!

My only thought is that your clients who have appointments scheduled ahead will take your deal this week and cancel their other appointments. Thinking like this, you could then offer them a special that goes something like.... get a massage this Thursday and Friday and get your next appointment for half price. Then have a disclaimer saying something like... Both appointments must be paid for at the first appointment, half priced appointment must be equal or lesser in value than the first, and second appointment must scheduled at the time of first appointment.

How does that sound??

Christine

 

[Kaori]

Hm, what about making them "Client appreciation days" and giving everyone who books those days a nice discount? Or maybe designating those days as special and perhaps collecting for a "Cause"... humane society or other charity you're particularly fond of? A perceneforum.xxxe of the massages done on those days will go to (insert charity here). In addition you could give the client a discount on their session as well to make the offer even more attractive.
Or I believe Christine (Greatlakes) has offered an "early bird special" in her print ads before and I think has gotten a good response. Haven't you Christine? What about doing the same thing, calling it an "early bird special" to book up the hours that you want to work those days. Perhaps discounting the slots between 8 AM and 3 PM while your evening hours stay the regular price?
I think it just depends on what you want to do!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Do you send out email newsletters? Every month that I send out my e-newsletters I get appointment requests from my regulars for that same day or the following. Like clockwork the email jogs my client's memory and I get several emails within 10-15 minutes of sending the campaign. They usually read like this...

I was just thinking to myself that I'd love a session today, do you have anything this afternoon?

or...

OMG! My feet have been killing me this week. You don't have any cancellations for today do you?

I don't know if it works for others but I always send my e-newsletter out on a slow week. I used to send it at the first of the month, every month, but then found I couldn't accomodate all the last-minute email requests. I certainly don't mind seeing people last-minute when I can control which day I want to be "last-minute client day." :

Hope this helps!

 

[psihopupu]

Maestra,

Yes, my early bird special works great, but with the little time she has left to get it together...

It would be nice if she could get the word out to new clients, but time is short!! Does she work in a salon or dcs's office?? She could put something up there easily. If she has an independent office she may be able to put something outside...

Christine

 

[Tabitha]

newsletters

Do you create your own newsletters? or do you use some sort of service?

Aamna

Every month that I send out my e-newsletters I get appointment requests from my regulars for that same day or the following

 

[onlycrazyboy777]

newsletters

Do you create your own newsletters? or do you use some sort of service?

Aamna

I create my own.

 

[purplefruit17]

I think newsletters are great and want to get into making my own as well. Microsoft Publisher has some good basic templates. What kind of articles do you put in your newsletters? How often do you send/email them out. I'm a new therapist (starting August 1 Any info would be appreciated, thanks

Aamna

 

[zsiuj8j8]

Aamna - so we don't continue to hijack this thread would you like to start a new thread?

Edit: It took me a moment to find it but here's another thread on e-newsletters: http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=618