Looking for advice for a GC Promo Long post

[King H]

Hey all- this post may get some flack, but I'm interested in all opinions because I am still undecided about the route I will take.

In June I am going on a 'super vacation' (Cue Happy Dance NOw!) I will be gone nearly the entire month, exploring parts the European coast through a mix of a cruise ship and extended touristing at the first and last port....then top it off with a few extra days in NYC before I hit home...I know....spoiled rotten....but my aunt got a fabulous deal and I couldnt pass it up.

The trip itself is paid for, I have handled that with a second job with paychecks devoted purely to the trip, *whew* I am currently working on a little extra spending money besides what I have already saved, and cushions for the bills at home for June and for the bills in July.

Two of my best clients think it would be a fun idea to do a GC promotion in March, April and May and advertise it as an "I'm going on vacation!" thing.....1/4 of me thinks "hmmm thats kind of a unique marketing spin..and I LOVE unique!" and 1/4 thinks "ewww tacky" 1/2 of me thinks "ya good idea! Minus the mentioning the vacation thing"

So I think I *might* like to do a GC promo for those months, I'm thinking each month the deal will get better (Xmas time my "Buy three get One free" goes over HUGE and ppl are asking about it by Sept. Lots use it for their own use) So I am thinking something like that? Maybe it would be smarter to do a promo when I get back instead?

Q #1. Is this a horrible idea?
Q #2.have you ever done anything like this?
Q #3. What has your BEST GC promo been?

**I do realise that I will have to actually redeem all of these GC when I get back** I also am familiar with the lure of GC being percieved as "free money" I know they are not, not at all.

Most of my client base is people who have been seeing me for years, and I see most of their families as well. I dont do much advertising because of my loyal client base, I dont really NEED too. So I am also thinking this big promo would be a good time to get some newbies in.

THANK YOU for reading this and I hope to hear from you!!

 

[GeltBesepap]

with such a devout following, it might be a good idea to come up with a particular package and offer it to a select group of clients, that way you're steady money that you count on doesn't change. i can't figure out how to write that any more clearly.

i've developed a couple of big packages to help my business make a transition. i don't want everyone to purchase it, however. i DEPEND on my weekly clients' payments... but a couple of them, i could do without for awhile (up-front pay).

this still isn't coming out on paper ( : ) like i mean for it to. hopefully you get the idea.

good luck with this and congratulations on such a wonderful, amazing trip!

 

[Tannaz]

ThatMassageGal,
Is it possible you could dream up a GC special and call it "March Madness?"
You could of course make it a quantity based special, but I actually think that some kind of added service might be equally as popular this time of year. But it might depend on where you live. For this colder time of year with hopefully the promise of spring not far off... you might consider adding a special foot service. Or possibly going with a vacation theme for your clients who are not able to "escape" right now... (A little Hawaiian music, a little tub of sand and a few seashells... and perhaps a little tropical juice post massage...)
The only other idea I had was for May, which of course would include Mother's Day. You could do a special, buy 2 get 1 half price... or however much you wanted to discount. (One for his mom, one for hers, one for herself?)

 

[TheDoctor]

Promo's are good but I don't know about one stating... "Hey, I am going on vacation, buy certificates!"

To me it screams, you need money for vacation.

The other suggestions are good though. March Madness, ect.

 

[LgTuttle]

softy - lol i agree, I never would have thought of it myself....but like I said the idea came from two of my best clients so that got part of me thinking *maybe* it wasnt as tacky as I initially thought it was...it kind of is though isnt it?! : ok I wont go with that marketing spin.

MakingChange - I get what you are saying...good idea - the low cash flow from my regulars is what had me worried about to begin with. I'll think more about that, I don't really feel comfortable offering discounts to some and not others though - this is a small town and my client base is very intertwined (sp) BUT thats is a good spin on the promo thing and I'll see if I can cook something up!

Maestra - I DO love your foot add on idea - very fun! Something I might do anyway! I have not had much success with add-on promos though, I think they are a ton of fun to develop (Ive done chocolate themes, peppermint pedicure theme, fabulous feet, and a few others) but when it comes down to it the promos that really go over for me in my area are just plain 'ol boring discounts. I will use your idea for the mothers day GCs! - I have a bunch of clients that buy for their own mothers plus their spouses anyway - never thought of promoting that exclusively! *DUH!*

I am thinking:

SPRING FEVER
March - 1 hour GC for only $40

April - When you receive a massage in April, get 50% off GC for a friend.
or
Get $15 off each massage when you purchase a series of 3

May - Mother's Day - Buy 2 GCs get 1 free (One for his mom, One for yours and one for YOU!)

Should I advertise them all in one add, for all three months, or individually each month? (newspaper/or radio, plus my own mail outs and countrer signs) Should people know whats coming and have time to plan on it?

 

[all right giggity giggity]

Oh and..... for the 50% off for a friend....*should I be very strict about the for a friend part? I have an inckling that I'll have many clients wanting this for themself, and stocking up. *And should there be a limit of 1 per massage? Never done this one before.

I'm comfortable with the steep discount - because I never give such discounts - it will be nice to treat my clients and give them the opportunity to give a massage to a friend for such low price, but I wouldn't blame them for trying to take total advaneforum.xxxe of it. ya know?

 

[~*Shadybaby*~]

Oh and..... for the 50% off for a friend....*should I be very strict about the for a friend part? I have an inckling that I'll have many clients wanting this for themself, and stocking up. *And should there be a limit of 1 per massage? Never done this one before.

I'm comfortable with the steep discount - because I never give such discounts - it will be nice to treat my clients and give them the opportunity to give a massage to a friend for such low price, but I wouldn't blame them for trying to take total advaneforum.xxxe of it. ya know?

You could only offer the 50% discount to NEW clients?

My December/Christmas promo was buy 4 hour massage gift certifs, get 1 hour free - they could use them for themselves or give as gifts