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summer slow down?
Is anyone else experiencing the summer slow down? people seem to be too busy with vacations and outdoor time during the warmer weather. Any tips/advice on how to get the ball rolling again?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Melissa McGarvey, LMT on
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Hi Kerry,
Summer is always when my business slows down a tick. I recommend running some Summer specials that will create the outcome you are looking for - for example book an appt in July and get a free upgrade or if you schedule one per month all Summer long you get a package deal. I find specials bring people back in and also stay in contact with your clients during your slow time. Send postcards, emails or however you communicate with them. Sometimes though people are just distracted by the sunshine and offtime Summer brings, in which case I try to catch up on all the things I don't have time to do during the busier times.
Take care!
Melissa
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Permalink Reply by Michelle Burroughs on
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Summer slow down is very cyclical. We really use this time to focus our efforts on marketing. We also participate in fundraisers throughout the community. By keeping your name in front of people now, when there is a bad weather day they call you right away. Also, if you have a completely dead day coming up, send text messages or emails to your clients announcing that you have unexpected openings on that day and offer them a special for coming in to fill your slots. Most people just get busy with family activities but still want to get a massage and you just gave them a reason.
Best of Luck!
~ Michelle B
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Permalink Reply by Kirsten Niesar on
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Get yourself out in front of people, if you are in an office setting, put out your massage chair and offer by the minute, get a sign out on the street to lure people in.
My associate are at a weekly market offering $1/minute massages and our buisness is booming, every week we are adding new clients to our books.
Also try to capture some of the tourist traffic in your area. My busniess usually dramatically slows down in the summer simply because many of my clients go on vacations or the kids are home and they simply do not have the time. We ramp up our visibility in the community and at the local visitor's center, offering visitor's center people discounts on the weekends (which are also typically slower for us).
Good luck!
Kirsten
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Permalink Reply by Monica Wason @ Green Belly on
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Hi Kirsten, I recently started my practice about 3 months ago and I've found other ways to get more clientele by offering more than just a massage service. I decided to target a certain group of people (prenatal) and totally advertise just pertaining to Prentatal Women - I have flyers/cards in local GYN clinics, Babies R Us, and forum websites for mothers. That has helped so much, because they come in and refer their friends, husbands, other family members, etc. I have a referral program of "refer a friend a receive $10 off next massage". It get's them to bring in someone else and also makes sure they come back. It's great! During "Slow" time send out an email to all your clients with this "July Refer A Friend Special".
Another thing I did was incorporate Body Art with Massage. This has been GREAT! The client is already undressed and I can apply temp body art (tattoos) anywhere they want. I recently started this & it has been a hit! My website is www.green-belly.com if you want to see what I'm taking about.
Hope this helped inspire you to be creative with your biz!
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Permalink Reply by Kathie Young on
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Sometimes I send my clients emails - not necessarily to give them discounts or anything like that. But, rather with misc. tidbits of information (ie..updates with my scheduling website or what new things I have learned). It always seems like there are some of them who actually forgot about me and call me right away for an appointment. I think it's just like the others were saying - you just gotta remind your clients about you. I also know about when my slow time is and like to schedule class's for myself and use that time to advance myself. Don't under-estimate your down time. I really believe it's the universe giving you time to do things YOU need or want to do.
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Permalink Reply by Maria Daniela Mohr on
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It's very very slow where I live! I have tried everything and things aren't really working well, I feel you!
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Permalink Reply by Jody C. Hutchinson on
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I've had more than the usual summer slowdown. The insurance crunch has really hurt my referrals from PTs and doctors. So, I'm cutting back on my practice and moving into another career in sales. But, my first job interview requires me to drive 300 miles to meet the owners and then, if hired, work in my area. Wish me luck.
jh
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Permalink Reply by Marissa on
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August is actually my first "slow" month. All the regulars are booked as usual, but the new traffic is waning. School, sports, and back to school shopping, as well as last minute vacations seem to be the cause. Better luck next month!
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Permalink Reply by Julie Onofrio on
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I am busier than ever...people are training for various sports events, overdoing it camping, hiking etc and just trashing their bodies having so much summer fun.
You have to be doing something to market yourself even when you are busy.
My website is my best tool for getting new clients.
I think it is mainly about changing your perspective from people are too busy for massage and away on vacations to people are busy and they need massage to keep going or something like that.
Julie
www.massagepracticebuilder.com
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Permalink Reply by Walt Fritz, PT on
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I agree with Julie. You website should be one of the most important tools for generating new referrals. And, if things are slow, what better time than now to either start a website, or update your information.
Building your niche' should be your number one priority. As a physical therapist, my competition is vast. Open the Yellow Pages or Google PT's and see what I mean. But, it is my area of specialization that keeps my schedule book full.
I am a 100% Myofascial Release therapist, but that is not how I market myself. The name of my business is the Pain Relief Center, as that is what I do best. Sit down and re-think your "keywords", whether for your website, other advertising, or for your elevator speech.
The competition for Massage therapy is probably at least as competitive as for physical therapists. What is it that you do next? Not the modality, but the service that you will provide? Pain relief, relaxation, or whatever. Market yourself around that.
Summer doldrums may be just the time to rebrand yourself.
Walt Fritz, PT
www.RochesterPainRelief.com
http://www.myofascialpainrelief.com/myofascialresources.html
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Permalink Reply by Craig A. Wilson on
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Kerry,
I am feeling the pinch as well.I get a few of my return clients,but not like fall,and winter.I hated to do it but I had to put an ad in Craig's List for coustomers oddly enough I picked up a few and none of them were creepy...LOL
Put yes I am pinching the penny as well.
Take care and I hope things pick up for everyone.
Craig
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