A person presenting marketing ideas for home based massage therapists and family counselors in the UK asks for practical marketing advice on a “low budget”.
Skip Rosell responds…
Most one-person businesses that are just starting out or have a small client list have plenty of free time between appointments.
I know if that was me and I had only two appointments for the day I would love to give a free Consolation or Massage to new people walking in the door, that I have a chance to sell more to, then just wait around for walk-ins that will pay.
And the most inexpensive way to do that is with a “paper and ink” program.
Every business card that is handed out should have an offer to get them in the door.
Present this card and get your first visit free.
Have your small client base put their name on the back of the card to all their referrals and get a free session.
Bosses Gift Program. Have the boss of offices give out your free offer.
Fish bowl in restaurants and coffee shops and stores with a win a free session or other promo.
Cross-promote with like businesses. Any sport store or center to give out free certificate to your Massage service.
You get the idea. I would sit down and write out a list of all the places I do business. Like the gas station, the coffee shop, the deli, the drug store, etc. Then I would make a list of all the people I know and where they work. I would then plan a “paper and Ink” promo for each place by using business cards and certificates.
Also I would print flyers to place in all out-going mail to the electric company, Telephone Company, rent, garbage, etc. Any bill I sent out would have a flyer. This can be 1/3 of an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper to keep the cost down. I would also post this flyer in every store and business I could, that I stopped in during my daily travels.
And the only way they would get the free service is if they filled out a form with their name and email address to receive a newsletter or specials or discounts. This form can be right on the back of the certificate or business card.
Hope this sparks some other ideas.
Chuck adds… You could also find sales people who sell to top companies near your location who would like to give away a “free premium” to their paying customers. A free “stress reduction” session to busy executives would have a very high value.
By performing, for instance, a neck and shoulder massage at the executive’s place of business, you might be able to
1) come to the business at regular hours to sell 10 minute neck and shoulder massages
2) generate additional work at your normal place of business
No comments yet.