Even in a recession men and women like getting their hair cut, enjoying a relaxing massage, or doing other things that make them feel energized and beautiful. The problem is they may do it less, counting that haircut or massage or facial as more of a luxury than a necessity. For you, a spa owner or manager, it means you have to somehow reach out to a wider customer base in order to keep the lights on and your stylists cutting, but how do you achieve good spa marketing when you’re not a trained marketing expert?
Fortunately, the key to your dilemma might not be in spending oodles of money in television, radio, or billboard ads. The key may be fairly inexpensive, though it will take some time. If you’re not already taking advantage of social networking and that kind of personal, friendly contact that makes your customers feel like family, it’s time to get on board.
You most likely have an internet presence, and if you don’t, you’re living in the Stone Age. More and more people rely on internet searches to find products and services than are thumbing through a printed phonebook, so setting up a website is crucial to drawing in those customers who are hunting for you. If you already have a website, take an objective look at it and get some feedback from people who will tell you the honest truth. A poorly designed and executed website will drive people away. Spending money on a professionally written and designed site is usually money well spent, since customers will linger longer over good text containing relevant information, easy navigation, and inspiring pictures of what your spa has to offer.
Now that you have a solid web presence, it’s time to draw as many people in as possible. Social networking sites are a great way to connect with your current customers and make them feel special. Places like Facebook and Twitter are good places to start. Make your updates interesting, catchy, and relevant to their lives. If you’re texting, make sure your text offers something important to offset the intrusion. Lots of businesses give away promotions that only people who are connected to your social networking accounts will get, and that makes them feel like they’re part of an exclusive club of VIPs. Who doesn’t want to feel that way?
Another great method of spa marketing comes from newsletters. Think of e-mail and print newsletters as your customized beauty magazine, since beauty magazines mostly exist as forums for advertising beauty and grooming products and services in an attractive way. You don’t need glossy pages and perfume samples to turn out a regular newsletter that is chock-full of interesting information about what concerns your customers most. Again, if it is well-written, entertaining, and informative, you’ll keep their attention and hopefully draw them back through your doors time and again.
Everyone wants to look and feel beautiful. Your spa offers those types of services. Thus, you have the perfect marriage if you can harness the power that is effective spa marketing.