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Free Advertising and Marketing
Hi everybody! I was wondering if anybody would like to share some info and tips on free or low cost marketing and advertising. I do things like post flyers and give free demo's. Anyone with ideas or suggestions?? Thanks so much!!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by rudy m smith on
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I have never advertised or promoted my business. Instead I gave the very first client the energy and attention you would give to 2 clients... she left and started chattering amongst her friends who subsequently booked appointments and I repeated the process. Within 8 months I had 30 steady clients a week. And so the story goes. Give em all you got! Blow them away with your awesomeness! Surround them with the best! And remember - it's all about them - when people are paying a lot of money for massage they should never be exposed to (your stuff) or stories about other peoples stuff.
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Permalink Reply by Rachael Lynn Ostrander on
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Awsome idea's!! Thankx so much!
Monica A. Roberson said:bartering works beautifully....some local radio stations offer trade a deal..or dial a deal...it is worth looking into...i am involved and it FREE....you just might have to give away a few massages..they always come back! what about charities or fundraisers?chair massages? the first 5 min. are free and if you schedule a 60 min massage today...you get half off..or something..vista print is great also..car magnets? business cards are reasonable and they work..i just happen to love the library soo. now and then I will go and put business cards in books...whoever you want to target..people with...chronic pain..pregnancy..depression..holistic medicine..Network..Network..Network..people you know that someone they know..always put it out there...you could "trade" a massage for a "free" website design..talk ..talk....talk..
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I have been meaning to use discounts for referrals, this is a perfect idea! Thank you very much : )
Marissa Macias said:Hi Rachael! Like many, I've found that word of mouth is the best marketing. Look into referral cards... Massage Warehouse has some that are inexpensive. Create a standard. Every one of your current clients gets a referral card (number them and keep track) before they leave. If they give the "stub" to a friend, the friend will get $10 off their first massage and so will your already established client. I do this and it works VERY well. New clients got a good "write up" from their friend and are excited about a big discount. And your clients are feeling like they are helping you, their friends, and still getting a big discount! You may look at it as a loss, but they WILL be back at full cost. And, all you're "losing" is your time. 10 minutes? Not a bad deal.
Side note: Thanks for joining Go Green! Glad to have you there and looking forward to what you have to share!
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That is brilliant, and a write off!
Bridget Turnbach said:Go to DMV re-register you vechile with commercial plates, pay the few hundred bucks extra in insurance per year and logo and put a hone number on your vehcile (not those magnetic signs either) About $250 to $300 to letter, $25 to $30 extra a month in insurance (less if you don't live in Jersey, lol) and you will be amazed! It's the gift that keeps on giving!
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That is so great, congrats on the account. I have been meaning to do more social things with my chair.
Travis Alligood said:Hi Rachel,
I went to a pool party last Friday night and made lots of contacts, which one of them included picking up a corporate accout for chair massages. I will let you know how it turns out.
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Permalink Reply by Ellen Stetson on
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Rachael, here's what I do, it's working! First, my personal Chiropractor's office always has a stack of my cards and brochures, and they actively refer clients to me for Reflexology as well as MT. They do so, even though they've had an LMT on contract. Why? She is often booked, we are friends as well, and everyone is happy to share (abundance mentality at work.)
Also, a have a nice perk based on my friendship with the owner of the building where I have my private practice (small attractive one room.) The building has it's own web site; unusual, but the first floor is a georgeus event facility. I will be featured on their web site. It's a win/win. I get the free hits from anyone looking to book events, and they believe it's attractive to have an on-site Massage Therapist for wedding parties!
I also have a friendship with a well-established Aesthetician. She too has an LMT sharing her space who is not always available, so they refers business. When I shared an office with another Aesthetician, she and I shared advertising costs to keep them lower.
I am a member of a service organization and occasionally get referrals from club members.
A client of mine owns a sign company. Recently I traded a 90 minute massage for two madnetic signs now on my car! I e-mailed my logo and had him design the sign to match my type face on my brochure. Many complements on the signs, though it's too soon to tell if clients will be generated. I've always looked for name recognition for my work, and this puts it everywhere I drive, for cheap!
After two years of advertising in the Yellow Pages, I dropped my listing. The more you pay for your ad, the better chance you have a design that will clearly state the type of work you do. At the time I could only afford a one-liner, which still gives me the kind of calls I'm not looking for. Men just passing through who want massage today. My interest is only in building repeat business, establishing long-term relationships as an adjunct to my clients' wellness care.
Hope this is helpful~
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Permalink Reply by Donna Whitton on
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For the most part, advertising really is a personal thing, or rather town/community. Each community accross the nation responds differently to each form of advertising.
Through the last three years I've discovered that newspaper ads and half-hour massage donations to charity events gain the most response for my business; in contrast, doing free chair massages proved unsuccessful. I only advertise on the radio during times I know there'll be listeners - like sponsoring/mentions before announcing events during a local festival. And, having a website in today's society is necessary: utilizing ABMP's free website is definitely cost effective.
As for free to low-cost tips: I buy extra Body Sense magazines, place my label on them and ask businesses like doctor offices, dentist offices, and nail salons if I may place a few in their waiting room. I'm still working on a way to include a bunch of phamphlets or business cards that potential clients could take with them after their appointments.
Having a good relationship with your communities doctor's, especially chiropractors, and hair stylist can be effective also.
And, of course, don't be timid to talk to perfect strangers about what you do and believe in regarding your skill, even if it's in the check-out line at Wal~mart.
Repetition really is key and Massage & Bodywork has a great article on advertising in this months issue.
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Thank you very much I appreciate all of your input. And yes it is very helpful : )
Ellen Stetson said:Rachael, here's what I do, it's working! First, my personal Chiropractor's office always has a stack of my cards and brochures, and they actively refer clients to me for Reflexology as well as MT. They do so, even though they've had an LMT on contract. Why? She is often booked, we are friends as well, and everyone is happy to share (abundance mentality at work.)
Also, a have a nice perk based on my friendship with the owner of the building where I have my private practice (small attractive one room.) The building has it's own web site; unusual, but the first floor is a georgeus event facility. I will be featured on their web site. It's a win/win. I get the free hits from anyone looking to book events, and they believe it's attractive to have an on-site Massage Therapist for wedding parties!
I also have a friendship with a well-established Aesthetician. She too has an LMT sharing her space who is not always available, so they refers business. When I shared an office with another Aesthetician, she and I shared advertising costs to keep them lower.
I am a member of a service organization and occasionally get referrals from club members.
A client of mine owns a sign company. Recently I traded a 90 minute massage for two madnetic signs now on my car! I e-mailed my logo and had him design the sign to match my type face on my brochure. Many complements on the signs, though it's too soon to tell if clients will be generated. I've always looked for name recognition for my work, and this puts it everywhere I drive, for cheap!
After two years of advertising in the Yellow Pages, I dropped my listing. The more you pay for your ad, the better chance you have a design that will clearly state the type of work you do. At the time I could only afford a one-liner, which still gives me the kind of calls I'm not looking for. Men just passing through who want massage today. My interest is only in building repeat business, establishing long-term relationships as an adjunct to my clients' wellness care.
Hope this is helpful~
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Yes I read the article and I did find it very helpful, thank you for all of your advice, I really appreciate it : )
Donna Whitton said:For the most part, advertising really is a personal thing, or rather town/community. Each community accross the nation responds differently to each form of advertising.
Through the last three years I've discovered that newspaper ads and half-hour massage donations to charity events gain the most response for my business; in contrast, doing free chair massages proved unsuccessful. I only advertise on the radio during times I know there'll be listeners - like sponsoring/mentions before announcing events during a local festival. And, having a website in today's society is necessary: utilizing ABMP's free website is definitely cost effective.
As for free to low-cost tips: I buy extra Body Sense magazines, place my label on them and ask businesses like doctor offices, dentist offices, and nail salons if I may place a few in their waiting room. I'm still working on a way to include a bunch of phamphlets or business cards that potential clients could take with them after their appointments.
Having a good relationship with your communities doctor's, especially chiropractors, and hair stylist can be effective also.
And, of course, don't be timid to talk to perfect strangers about what you do and believe in regarding your skill, even if it's in the check-out line at Wal~mart.
Repetition really is key and Massage & Bodywork has a great article on advertising in this months issue.
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Permalink Reply by Jorge Arnaldo Pabón Acevedo on
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The merchant is not a matter that is the task of a single day. It is not easy, but not impossible. Takes time and dedication. We start with the family, family members wishing to take the services and they must know people they refer as a massage therapist. Preparation of brochures, booklets, business cards and flyers. These deliveries to the people who know you do get to third parties. I tend to leave cards in the windows of shops and at cash registers. Also in the churches can prepare charitable activities, where will offer maybe 10 minutes of chair massage to people who are present at the scene. There will come people with curiosity and need for massage, we deliver cards to the clients and then we shall. Make special discounts, advertise on websites that are made for people to contact each other.
There are many ways, each with their own.
Blessings!
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Thank you! I actually do this already, I wear my Equilibrium shirt constantly! : )
Samantha J. Bennett said:Going on errands, etc.....Always wear your business shirts or have some specially made that has your business info on it. Whenever someone asks you about it- have your business card handy. You'll always have someone ask!
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Permalink Reply by Joelle Arnold on
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Post ads in daily or weekly newspapers....consistency is key...for someone to react and act on the ad, they have to see it 6-10 time so I hear.
Volunteering at local events or charging by the minute for chair masage is also good.
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