Party Tips

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on October 20, 2010 at 10:28am

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Hi Dawn!

Yes, this is a great idea! Also, I've actually had 'massage parties' at clients homes. Many of my clients live in the same neighborhood and many already know each other. So, we have a party with full hour long massage, and everyone else who's not receiving massage just mingles. I usually ask the massage clients to bring a spouse, friend, etc., etc., so I can get in front of some new faces.

You mention a contact list, and yes, this is the most important task you can do. It's the same with offering free mini-chair massages, etc., etc. You need their contact information, first, so you can then contact them in the future.

As I've harped on over and over, any public function or even a private get-together, the goal is to obtain future client information. Sure, we're there to present ourselves and will naturally get new clients here and there, but that's a given for me. I'm looking at the bigger picture, which is collecting information! Get their name, address and phone number, as well as their E-mail, if nothing else.

I don't know how much time you have before your get-together, but if you've got a week or so, I'd put together some free information about the benefits of massage. Does this get-together have a central theme? If so, you can target your information to the prospects. Taper your free information to your target market as well as to your specialties. Do you specialize in deep tissue and trigger point? Gather information on that. Hot stone massage? Gather information on that. IMHO, this goes a lot further than just handing out business cards and brochures. (Brochures list features for the most part, not benefits.)

For a creative massage business card, check this information out: Massage Business Cards If you want actual pictures of my business cards I can send that too you as well, although it takes time to print them. My business cards also tie back into my massage website with provides a ton of free information.

Do you have gift certificates you can make changes to? If so, bring a bunch of them along and pass them out. I hate lowering my price, so what I do is offer more of a 'value-added' approach. For new clients of course you can offer a discount, but instead, perhaps add something to your massage. An extra 15 minutes of massage time, or, give them a trial hot stone massage. I'm sure you get the picture ;)

As to you, personally, smile a lot and get around and meet people. Don't hang around people you already know. Introduce yourself to people you don't know, then LISTEN to them and their story; don't push yourself or your massage business onto others. After they talk and tell you their story the convo will naturally come around to you and what you do.

You may also want to scan my site here, Massage Marketing Solutions for other tips prior to your engagement.

Hope this helps!

Kris

Permalink Reply by Dawn Williams on October 20, 2010 at 12:20pm

Hi Kris...

Thanks for the tips! The party doesn't necessarily have a theme, however, there will be another woman there who makes custom design jewelry. I image a lot of ladies wanting to purchase items for the holidays so was planning on offering a 10% discount on my fees for gift certificates either for themselves or for someone on their gift-giving list.

Do you have a sign up sheet or just take people randomly as time allows? Just wondering if setting a set schedule would now allow me to mingle unless I plan time for that between people.

Thank you, again, for your valuable time~

Dawn

Permalink Reply by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on October 20, 2010 at 2:31pm

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Hi Dawn!

"Do you have a sign up sheet or just take people randomly as time allows? Just wondering if setting a set schedule would now allow me to mingle unless I plan time for that between people."

Well, first, you need to have a sign up sheet to collect their contact information regardless if you set a schedule or not. Personally, I like to set a schedule, usually first come first serve, to show that I'm organized. If you spend all your time performing massage and don't get to mingle, that's fine, as that's what you want. You've collected their contact information and have demostrated your skills. Depending on how long the get-together is, sure, you can schedule some down time to mingle.

Here's another thing...I'm unsure if you will be performing massage in a private area or in a semi-secluded area. If you are where others can come around you, ensure you give your attention to the person you are working on. I've seen public chair massage sessions where the therapist is working on one person and talking to another who is watching. This just doesn't work for me. People want our undivided attention, so we must ensure we give it to them. If someone approaches just quietly whisper that you'll be with them in a bit and head-nod over to your information (if you have any.) Another personal pet peave of mine is when the therapist takes both their hands off of me. Sure, it's required at certain times, but don't do it to point over to your information and such.

You also wrote: "I image a lot of ladies wanting to purchase items for the holidays so was planning on offering a 10% discount on my fees for gift certificates either for themselves or for someone on their gift-giving list."

You may want to confirm this (the holiday shopping idea) with the host of the party. If this is true, excellent opportunity (as you said) to get your gift certificates out there! If the host hasn't thought of this, ask him/her to make an announcement that this IS the time for holiday shopping! Put that message in prospects minds.

Offering a 10% discount....hmmm.....this isn't exciting enough for me ;) What do yo specialize in? Do you have an introductory offer for first-time clients? Can you value add something for this first-time client? If you can write in or make changes to your gift certificates, create some kind of exciting massage package for the gift certificates. If you discount, perhaps really push the gift certificates in that if they pay right then, they receive a discount. Or, discounts for multiple gift certificate purchases. I'm not against discounting, but keep in mind that it's just a small part of the process, not the end of the process. This is the gift certificate season and is a huge part of my business. If you went to my web page, I have an article on there about how to sell gift certificates during the holiday season as well. This works perfect for what you are doing here. Example:

You collect a dozen or so prospects names and addresses at this event.

Beginning the first of December, you then create a letter to mail to these people INCLUDING several gift certificates. (Include at least two gift certificates for their spouse or whoever.) A week later, another letter with more urgency, then a third letter right before Christmas (or whatever holiday) with extreme urgency. This has been hugely successful for me! This also shows the importance of obtaining clients contact information. It allows you to keep in touch with them on an on-going basis. People say direct mail is dead, but it's worked wonders for me providing it's done correctly.

Best wishes to you and let me know how it turns out!

Kris