Need Help Creating an Ad

[Loving <3]

I need to design an ad for inclusion in my local Chamber of Commerce Directory about me and my business.

My focus is on baby boomers and living an active lifestyle, sports, healthy diets and exercise. I want to come across with this message utilizing massage therapy on a regular basis.

I'm looking for a good catch phrase - something that will draw the reader in, followed by one or two photos (of athletes, healthy food?)

Also, an offer to receive a treatment at a reduced rate was recommended.

There are so many creative souls here on MassagePlanetL that I thought I may tap into your creativity.

Any ideas?

 

[My 3 Boys]

Need Help Creating an Ad

Also, an offer to receive a treatment at a reduced rate was recommended.

This may get people to try you at a reduced rate, but almost all people looking for discounts are looking for discounts - they're not interested in paying for a full price treatment the next time, they're more likely to find try the next massage therapist with a special on.
If you just want to get a lot of one time only clients, discounts can be a great way of getting some clients in that will give you some money. If you are after building a client base of returning clients, discounts usually don't get those people in.

 

[t j]

Agreeing with Melb. Go ahead with a great ad, and I hope there will be lots of help for you here. I've never written an ad, so I'm not much help with that part. BUT skip the discount. Chambers of Commerce like to suggest service members give discounts.....or freebies :roll: . But in my experience, discounts get one-timers more often than not. (I know one member here does have good sucess with first-timer-only discounts, though.) If they *really* want to see a coupon from you, adding 15 minutes to any hour massage booked works very well. It doesn't take anything from you, expense wise, except 15 minutes. The client feels they got "something for nothing" but they booked the full price session already. They have put the same value on your hour than you have, which is a very good start to a client-therapist relationship.

 

[Hannah T]

Melb and Sharon -

I appreciate your position on the discount thing. I'm really not sure what to do in that regard. I want the ad to state the importance of receiving REGULAR massage, and the benefits it has toward staying active.

The additional time added on might be a good idea, or maybe a free "upgrade" to an aromatherapy session?

 

[Pompal 09.]

Melb and Sharon -

I appreciate your position on the discount thing. I'm really not sure what to do in that regard. I want the ad to state the importance of receiving REGULAR massage, and the benefits it has toward staying active.

The additional time added on might be a good idea, or maybe a free "upgrade" to an aromatherapy session?

Upgrades are great!

 

[Sheng Thao]

I am trying out a special where you get $20 off your SECOND 60-minute or 90-minute appointment. (Has to be used by the same person.) We'll see how it goes.

I know, me running a special, fall on the floor in shock, but the well is running a little dry!

 

[Archer]

If the chamber is really leaning on you to provide a discount, why don't you offer $ off if they buy a package of 5 or 6?

You might think of targeting your ad to one particular group within the chamber members, for instance: golfers. They have money, they're highly competitive, if they have a sore back or sore arm they KNOW it means a couple strokes more in their game. Granted, they tend to be a little bit seasonal, but if you get a couple of golfers in, and they like you, they'll talk. (Not necessarily to the people they are trying to beat! LOL!)

There's your athlete picture too. You can get tons of golf pictures off the cheap stock photo sites, or if you're good with a camera, just go down to the public course and take some yourself. (Take a standard waiver for any face shots you might get.)

"Too many bogeys? Try massage to get you back to deuces!"

I know, I know, it's cheezy. Just a quick idea, I'm sure you can think of a better one. It's what I'd do though, instead of targeting every conceivable market at the Chamber, narrow it down to specifics, and really grab their attention. If your area is more of a tennis town, target them. Hikers? target them. IOW, for an ad, pick one and do that one thing very well.

/bossy stacey

 

[Absent]

I am trying out a special where you get $20 off your SECOND 60-minute or 90-minute appointment. (Has to be used by the same person.) We'll see how it goes.

I know, me running a special, fall on the floor in shock, but the well is running a little dry!

BJ I think what you are doing is an excellent ideal. I almost always stress to not give a discount on the first session but reward frequent flyers. Say for example you find yourself a little slow business wise. Why not offer the $20 discount for the nintey minute session if they come at least twice a month. If they come only once a month then the next month it will be the regular price, if they come a second time the same month they get the twenty dollar 'incentive'.

I dont like to call it a discount but call it an incentive instead.

Good luck,

Jason

 

[brad p]

i thought i'd add - if you're target market is baby boomers, be careful about what "pictures" you decide to put in your ad. a picture of an athlete is not going to get them. they are not going to connect with a pic of an athlete. maybe a pic with a healthy looking "senior" or something along those lines.

how are your prices compared to people around you? maybe instead of running a special, focus on the fact that your rates are lower/more affordable than others in the area or some sort of spin like that.

 

[Pink Taco]

Marketing to a target market

marketing is a tricky one... ive found that you have to, not only have to specialize in an area to have a target market, but to also find how to contact the market that you're after. you have to think about important questions such as. What type of people you want to have as clients? once offs, long terms, regular relaxation, sort term rehab etc. how do people find out about you? through word of mouth, flyers, business cards, letter drop, news papers, websites. What are people expecting? what are you providing? What is something that defines you as different or simply 'worth it'??
Finally... You have to be confident in yourself before you can market yourself the way you should be marketed. If you still have problems then maybe seeing a marketing adviser would help you.