Joint venture-both new

[Sylar- Goodbye for now.]

Hi all,I just started a new job at a salon here in Michigan....the owners, a husband and wife, both have been hairdressers for 20 years and in December 2002 they opened their own full-service salon, hair, nails, and now massages and facials.  I've been doing complimentary chair massage a couple of days a week to introduce myself to people, let everyone know that we now have massage available there.  (I'm the first massage therapist they've had, so there is NO previous massage clientele).....so far, we're handing out coupons for $10 off their first one-hour massage with me (it's normally $70/hour)....I know that this will take time, especially since I'm brand new and this is new for both of us, but does anyone have any suggestions on how to start filliing the books?  Especially with the holidays coming!  For the December special, we're going to offer a free paraffin dip with their massage, but I want to get people in there now!!!  Everyone seems to be responding well to the complimentary 5 minute chair massages (of course, because it's free!)...any suggestions?  I know that I have to be patient, but it's frustrating when the bills have to get paid too  :-/

 

[Yobitza]

Joint venture-both new

Hi.I also work in a full service salon. I love it. The hairdressers I work with are my very best allies in getting new clients streaming in my treatment room when the books get dull, so I know you can start the same wheels spinning.As far as holiday specials go, we have a 'bundle' deal on massage gift certificates. They are already on sale now. Buy five, get the sixth for free. I have beautiful signs all over the salon (I'll e:mail you one if you write to me personally) in lucite frames & clear menu card holders. I have already sold 2 sets & my partner has sold one. Market it as a way to get your Christmas shopping done early AND to afford treating yourself! Ideally, you want people to give at least a couple of them away, so you reach newer and newer contacts, but it's also a way for some regular clients to afford massage more often over the stressful holidays, etc.My partner is new (just out of school), and we have discussed why it's beneficial for even the few regulars she has to be able to take advaneforum.xxxe of this. While you're 'building', or even in a slump (I'm just returning from maternity leave, so we're both slow right now), it'll "buy you time". By that, I mean that you get the advaneforum.xxxe of having that $300 or so ($350 if your massages are $70) to pay bills with & keep your head above water while you market like crazy to get more new clients. AND... before you know it, it's time to market the next special for Valentine's Day, etc.Something that worked well (and still does) for my partner and I is to offer the hairdressers half price massages. Encourage them to see you regularly, even if for only a half-hour on the neck/back/shoulders. They have a BIG need for that work. Their working postures & standing all the time (often in heels) will make them some of your best regulars. They can "fill" the empty spots in your schedule, keeping you in cash when you need it most. We also offered to give any of the operators at the salon a free massage if they get 4 of their clients to book for a massage.Both of those offers have been really successful.One suggestion: charge for the chair massage. It's a psychological thing. Even simply charging $5 for a 10-minute stress buster will place better value on your work & effort than giving it away for free. If you give ANYTHING away for free in a salon, do it like they do with their products, etc. Make it a 'gift with purchase'. Offer a free additional half-hour for a Thanksgiving special in November. If they book a half-hour, they'll get the hour at the same price, etc. It gives you a little time to show off all the best of your stretches & strokes. You can give them the option of receiving a gift certificate for a free half-hour massage to give to someone on their holiday list instead of using it at that time (ensuring that someone new will walk into your practice soon). Whenever clients call for gift certificate appointments, have the receptionist ask if they'd like to "upgrade" to a longer massage, or add a paraffin dip, etc for a nominal charge... that way you're getting some cash for those free gifts.This all works best if you are a renter instead of a commission person, unless even as a commission worker you receive 50% (or whatever) for the pre-pay bundles & gift certificates. (important detail, because a certain amount of those will never be redeemed & you could be missing out on that money).Good luck.Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Nicole]

Joint venture-both new

Jill,

Eric would be proud...  

rtamm,  

I suggest a course called "fill your practice"  it is at http://www.bodyworkbiz.com and it is an excellant course.  It does cost, but you will earn the money back pretty fast.  Just and idea.

Dale

 

[veraks]

I am on a commission there, so if someone does choose to buy a bundle all at once, or even a gift certificate, how can I politely bring that up to the owner, that I'd like to get paid for that at the time of sale?  It's strange, I offer everyone that walks in the door a complimentary 5 minute chair massage, and a lot of people decline...I'm thinking "come on, it's free!!!" but some people are just like that I guess.....what do you think of this idea?  The next ad is due for the local paper they advertise in (they are BIG about advertising, which is great because so many companies don't spend the money they need to for it) and I'd like to have something like "Holiday Special, 1 hour massage for $49!!!"  I usually charge $70 for an hour, but just to get people in the door and only run it until say, the first week in January?  I don't want to sell myself short, what do you think?  Funny that you mentioned the paraffin dip Jill because that's going to be our 'December special'....a free paraffin treatment with a 1 hour massage.  I get the weekly e-mails from http://www.bodyworkbiz.com and I would like to do the online course, so we'll see....

 

[redrum5785]

rtamm, if you are an employee receiving a commission (perceneforum.xxxe of the treatment cost) then I don't think you are entitled to a cut of the purchase of a gift certificate.  Your cut happens when you do the treatment.  If they don't redeem, you're sort of out of luck.  If you are an independent contractor, marketing yourself and making your own appointments and the owner is simply collecting money for you, then it's a different scenario.  As Jill said, as a renter it's very clear.  I think this a perfect reason why a written agreement is so critical and what sort of things need to be addressed from the beginning.  Joe E.

 

[hungry heart]

Joint venture-both new

Hi Dale!Eric here from BodyworkBiz. You're right, I am proud of Jill. Great suggestions! Eric Brown, Grand Massage Poohbah

 

[Come to Chat! its fun!]

Joint venture-both new

Thanks Pooh-bah, and Dale.... I'm learnin!Jill