How can I help a Spa?

Did you ask her how she was marketing to that email list? She doesn't necessarily need to get new customers in order to make more money. She could really focus on getting repeat customers back in the door and working on up sells. She could potentially even consider some kind of referral program. There are tons of things she could do that probably wouldn't cost her a thing and could boost sales considerably.

But if she is looking for new forms of marketing, does she has a facebook page for her business? If so, does it have a welcome page with a special offer on it? Has she ever thought about using text message appointment reminders? Not only will that cut down on the amount of no shows but it gives her an additional list to market too.

Hope that helps! Feel free to PM if you have any specific questions!

Good job taking action and getting a sit down appointment btw!!

Good decision to make,Mobile marketing helps alot in terms of business.thank you

Absolutely love the ideas given by thedealmaker above. I would take a serious look at the demographics serving the spa and whether the owner is adequately serving that demographic. From what you've written, the owner seems to have the desire to market to an exclusive clientele. If that is the case, then repeat business and upsells are going to be the focus of any marketing efforts. The reason I say this and not "getting more clients" is that exclusive high-end patrons are more than likely far fewer than the general populace at large. If you can ferret out the owner's "vision" then you'll have a better chance of selling her.

Regarding metrics, I think a simple "How did you hear about us" on an initial customer questionnaire would be the owner's best bet, especially if the options are visible for marking instead of a "fill in the blank" answer.

Remember that marketing is either emotional, logical or some keen mix of both. In my line of marketing (politics) emotional is most often utilized. If the general public responded to logic in politics, believe me that there would have been a President Kerry elected in 2004. If the spa is based on health then the logic of taking care of your body and the emotion of "getting away from it all" could be useful. If the spa is mainly based on beauty, then the emotion is apparent. I would use this when approaching the owner on what you can do for the spa.

I hope I was able to offer some small contribution.

Respectfully,

Shawn

Has anyone mentioned a custom facebook fanpage app?

This could get the spa moving really quickly with a 'hot' package offer if you like their page. It has to be custom though, I wouldn't do a cheesy simple page.

Chances are that every client they have is already on FB, why not keep them up to date through a FP Custom App?

What advertising medium does this business have in place, right now, to get out a weekend promotion for this coming weekend? (very powerful question to ask a business owner)

Everyone talks about groupon, the fact is groupon takes half of your money. Is that a good deal? I don't know maybe, you have to run the numbers. Plus there is a waiting list in most cities.

Start with a fan page app.

Have a laptop in the store at the counter and have the clients sign up for their 'preferred customer' status by entering their email address for a coupon off their next visit as well as deals and perks throughout the year.

Some where I saw a mobile website mentioned. What is its purpose? What will it do for the owner? Let everyone know their hours and location? Or is it a lead generator?

She is collecting email addresses? How? On a sign in sheet at the front counter? In her POS system? (Point of Sale)

Everything, Every Thing must resort back to the sales funnel.

Don't be intimidated by a little bit of lingo that this business person has. Most of the time some business owners do know a little bit because they have to to stay in the game. Dig in with them and see just what they know about 'collecting' email address. Ask them how they are going to use their mobile site? Are they also going to incorporate a short code service for sms marketing? Do they have a QR Code at the front door with their contact info so that patrons can store them in their mobile device?

It's sounds like this business owner has some what of a marketing outline but needs a professional to come in and build them a plan. They already know the importance because they are working on the things that are the latest buzz.

However, be the professional and talk about sales funnel. All this other stuff is just different technologies to get your message out. Use those technologies to drive sales.

This will be an easy customer if you prove your value in their mind, simply because inside, I believe they really need somebody to put it all together for them.

Just my $.02

Ray S.

You could also suggest a mobile app. Ask her, as a business woman, how often she carries her smart phone.

Then state the benefits of mobile QR coupons, customer check ins, fan wall, and in app messages like SMS but with out the text rates!

Usually business owners know that mobile is getting big but really don't know how to tap into it.

Good luck!

Jerry

I would have said, "What has worked for you?" Then tested that to death on adwords, then put it to use in ALL her campaigns. I do this all the time. I never run print ads, kijiji ads or anything without first testing the different offers and headlines in adwords. Only cost a few bucks and think about it....you are saving them TONS of money by making sure their messages are really working in the first place. Bet no mobile site or groupon agent offered her that.

You know, I saw this recently with a laser clinic actually. They were wasting about 95% of the ad space on stuff about their location, useless headlines, fancy logos and about how they just moved, They were also all over the place on which service they were pushing. Very confusing full page ad. Weird that they do not know which one to focus on. Help businesses with that focus and prosper.

I will give you another example. Most lawyers have ads that list their services and contact info. What a waste! In my province, lawyers make their retirement income on Wills and Powers of Attorneys (executor fees are HUGE sometimes in the hundreds of thousands). You would think they would PUSH wills like crazy. Some do and make the money. But no, most push real estate law because its their immediate bread and butter. There was a few smart lawyers that even offered free wills when a couple bought a house. This pretty well guarantees their future income. Talk about a selling point...

sorry off topic a bit but you get the idea...

you could probably show her some google search count for similar business in that area.