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Strategies (free massages)
Off the top of my head Wednesday, I thought about giving away some massages as a way to get ppl in the door during these slow times. So I posted on fb that I had two spots available for free massages. Within literally 2 mins one was already gone. But It too a few hours for the second one, after I reposted. But in the end I eventually did three free massages instead of two. By the way these were half hours not full. And each person tipped so it wasnt TOTALLY free and instead of making what I would have I still got more than initially would have with the potential of getting more bookings in the future.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Karla Linden on
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I would suggest strategically giving away free sessions - and keeping those to 30 minutes, not a full hour. When I say "strategically" I mean giving free sessions to people who might be future referral sources, such as complimentary health care providers, doctors, attorneys who might refer, etc.
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Permalink Reply by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on
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Hi Frank!
My thoughts on FREE massage is this....
First, what's your purpose for giving away massage?
I see it twofold: One, donating massage to those who want and need massage yet may not be able to afford it. Two, free massage is used as a marketing strategy to acquire this 'freebie' as a regular client as well as for referrals.
I'll address point number two with just one quick point.
As a marketing tactic, free massage, imho, is a part of a process.
The most important part of this process is acquiring this 'freebie's' contact information. No one receives a free massage from me (in this setting, not in donating massage) until they provide me information. Why? This is the beginning of my marketing funnel. I want to be able to contact you in the future. Proactive, not reactive. It's a quick process, even with free chair massage. Have a clip board available and quickly get their name and address.
Then, you can follow up with this prospect in whatever manner you'd like.
I'm out of time, hope this helps...
Kris -
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Permalink Reply by Dawn Williams on
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Frank, would be interested with a follow up as to whether or not this strategy worked for you. I like the idea...you could also offer a lottery for a free massage. Just as a thought, something like offering a drawing for a free massage and stipulate that you need name, phone #, e-mail etc. This way you could also be building up your contact list....
Has anyone tried this? -
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Permalink Reply by JB Harding, III LMT A.A.S. on
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I have given away plenty of free massages myself.. It has shown to work in creating a buzz and getting clients.. Now I will say to my own fault that you must check back with those people and give them an even more reason to hire you back.. I primarily used chair massages as a free massage promo, no too many table massages... Once Summer is over i will be pushing more free table massages and even offering discounts to those who schedule an appointment with me or a free upgrade to a Hot Stone for those that schedule right then and there... But again, you cant go too crazy with the freebies either...
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Permalink Reply by Wendy on
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I have given away more massage than anybody has a right to. The thinking is that once somebody experiences how fabulous it is that they will make it a part of their routine. I have rarely found this to be true. If you are going to give away massage for free make sure you track the return on investment of your time. It costs you. And your time is your most valuable asset...are you sure you want to give it away? I get much better returns when I speak to groups (runners in training, etc), or from clients leaving happy.
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Permalink Reply by Choice Kinchen on
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I've said this before. I DONATE free massage to 2 organizations (related to health problems I have). I have limited resources....me.....and I have to parcel out my time and energy carefully. That is why I'm still in the biz after 10 years and despite having scleroderma and lupus. The few times I tried freebies, yes there was interest. When the freebies were gone, so was the interest. These are not the types I want as clients anyway. My clients now understand and value my massage. The others can go to ME or the schools and get what they pay for.
My main work is in corporate massage so I do a lot of chair. I get up on my soapbox when therapists think that chair is to be used only as freebies and marketing. That is what my school taught...and they were wrong. -
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Permalink Reply by Eric Brown on
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Good for you Frank! This is one of my favorite strategies and one of the key ones keeping my clinics filled. Kris and the others on the board are totally correct on one point: It has to be done strategically otherwise you don't see returns for your effort. When done right in a way that does not devalue your worth and that has good rebooking systems in place it really can have a miraculous effect on your practice. I know this is a shameless plug, but if you don't believe therapists can make a lot of money by giving away free massage, check this out. There is a link on that page to actual recordings of therapists who have done this quite successfully: http://eric.bodyworkbiz.com/2010/08/533/. I want to encourage others to follow Frank's lead.
Laura said:My experience with people who get free massage or discounted massage is that they ONLY come when the service is free or deeply discounted. I can think of only one who has converted to a full-fee client. -
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Permalink Reply by Bridget Turnbach on
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Free is for Me right? I enjoyed your post it remids me of a local successful florist in town. Each week on his Billboard outside Reads: ______________ Come in for your FREE Dozen Roses. Fill in the blank with whatever name you choose.
"Bridget Come in for your FREE Massage this week"
You might even use an email marking tool and target past clients that you have'nt seen in a while.
Best of luck.
Bridget -
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Permalink Reply by Frank J on
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That is actually on my list of things to for future strategies..
Dawn Williams said:Frank, would be interested with a follow up as to whether or not this strategy worked for you. I like the idea...you could also offer a lottery for a free massage. Just as a thought, something like offering a drawing for a free massage and stipulate that you need name, phone #, e-mail etc. This way you could also be building up your contact list....
Has anyone tried this? -
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My goal is only to get them as a potential client but their friends as well. I have picked up several friends and fans of page on fb. @ karla, that sounds like a cool idea but where I am those people are hard to get to. granted also the every day person is not my target client. i am in the business to help people heal from the pain from soft tissue dysfuncions. And at this time any advertisment is good advertisment.
Kris Kelley said:~
Hi Frank!
My thoughts on FREE massage is this....
First, what's your purpose for giving away massage?
I see it twofold: One, donating massage to those who want and need massage yet may not be able to afford it. Two, free massage is used as a marketing strategy to acquire this 'freebie' as a regular client as well as for referrals.
I'll address point number two with just one quick point.
As a marketing tactic, free massage, imho, is a part of a process.
The most important part of this process is acquiring this 'freebie's' contact information. No one receives a free massage from me (in this setting, not in donating massage) until they provide me information. Why? This is the beginning of my marketing funnel. I want to be able to contact you in the future. Proactive, not reactive. It's a quick process, even with free chair massage. Have a clip board available and quickly get their name and address.
Then, you can follow up with this prospect in whatever manner you'd like.
I'm out of time, hope this helps...
Kris -
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Permalink Reply by Diana Moore on
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Hi Frank,
It seems like you are reaching people on Facebook, which is awesome. What so you think of the idea of offering free add-ons, rather than free sessions? We feel it may be a better way to get people in who are willing to pay for your service, i.e. people who are more likely to become clients.
I wrote an article on this you can read at: http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/NTM-Article-Archives/6/Marketi....
I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Diana -
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Great stuff in your article, Diana! Thank you for sharing!
Cheers
Diana Moore said:Hi Frank,
It seems like you are reaching people on Facebook, which is awesome. What so you think of the idea of offering free add-ons, rather than free sessions? We feel it may be a better way to get people in who are willing to pay for your service, i.e. people who are more likely to become clients.
I wrote an article on this you can read at: http://www.naturaltouchmarketing.com/NTM-Article-Archives/6/Marketi....
I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Diana -
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