free 30 minute session with $30 upgrade to l hr.

[Iyan]

I decided to use the marketing ploy that I had heard numerous times from the national marketing gurus. I gave out around 75 gift certificates for a free 30 minute session, upgradable to one hour for $30. I had a lot of takers and yes, most did upgrade. However, they are still the deal seekers at $30/hr and I haven't seen hardly any come back for full price sessions. So, I feel my work was given away and very underpriced. For me, this marketing tactic didn't work. Has anyone had better luck with it? It is really a variation of a groupon type of deal. It provides exposure to your business, but if the takers just jump from deal to deal, what is gained? I will not be repeating this offer any time soon.

 

[noodles]

free 30 minute session with $30 upgrade to l hr.

I haven't tried this, but like you I have seen it offered and wondered how it worked out. I think the 'deal seekers" will always be deal seekers and really dislike this type of new client.

The most that I can offer is my regular fees and then maybe throw in something nice as an extra- sometimes an extra 15 minutes or hot towels or warm bamboo massage. The clients who come with the expectations of paying in full really love the extras.

It's tough, there are so many low fees in my area thanks to Groupon and Living Social. it's really hard not to buckle under the pressure and I appreciate your telling us how it worked for you. So you say you haven't had many return for a full price session? Would you say that you got at least 5 regulars out of the marketing? The other benefit is that I guess you have their contact info and can send postcards occasionally with some sort of deal when you need to fill a light month?

 

[whoever this is]

free 30 minute session with $30 upgrade to l hr.

I think that it might work better if you gave the coupons to "qualified" potential clients.
If you can't find those then change tactics...
Give the coupons for the free 1/2 hr to current clients.
Let them know that they are free to give them to anyone that they feel would like to sample your work.

If the coupons are made available to just anybody then you will certainly attract the deal seekers who don't care about the quality of the work...just how good a deal they got.

 

[Pompal 09.]

free 30 minute session with $30 upgrade to l hr.

I think that it might work better if you gave the coupons to "qualified" potential clients.
If you can't find those then change tactics...
Give the coupons for the free 1/2 hr to current clients.
Let them know that they are free to give them to anyone that they feel would like to sample your work.

If the coupons are made available to just anybody then you will certainly attract the deal seekers who don't care about the quality of the work...just how good a deal they got.

Ditto.

If you try your promotion again, it is very important to be selective as to who you give them to.

How did you decide to give the last 75 certificates to? Was it random or did you target a specific group?

Angie

 

[Pompal 09.]

free 30 minute session with $30 upgrade to l hr.

I gave the promo discounts to my regular clients and they gave them to people they thought would be interested. However, some of those same people have been the ones that my regulars have been trying to refer when the rates were not discounted. They never came then and I don't expect too many will return, as I heard comments like, "I hardly ever get massage", or "What a treat, I can't afford this on a regular basis". I tried to tell them the benefits of massage for their health and well-being, but they were just deal seekers. Also, oddly some certificates made their way to 2nd and 3rd party recipients. One girl got hers at her baby shower and went for the 30 minute freebie. She is a struggling young mother who saw it as a free gift for a one time treat. Also, I gave some to the Mayo Clinic Transplant House a few blocks away and some people did use them, but I know those people have a lot going on healthwise with themselves or loved ones and they are a transient population. The ones that I gave to the Ronald McDonald House never were redeemed. I gave some to Curves for Women and had two people schedule and then they ended up cancelling before they came. I also gave some to a school counselor and her teacher husband that come to me for distribution among school employees.

The best luck for advertisment of my new location was an article in the newspaper by a guy who writes about business relocations or openings in town. This was free publicity and brought a lot of new people in. The jackpot was a yoga instructor who saw the article and tried reflexology. She loved it so much that she has brought in the whole class (one by one of course ) and speaks of my business every week in her class. I give her a lot of freebies for her kindness.

So, I guess the moral is try different things and find the one that works the best for you.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Massage Therapist dubai]

free 30 minute session with $30 upgrade to l hr.

The only time I have ever offered this type of a discount is when I've donated sessions to fundraisers. The 1/2 hour session in the donation but the certificate contains the upgrade offer.

I don't think I would use this as a referral promotion for the reasons you've experienced. (Lack of repeat biz)