Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/97768
T his road map outlines one simple marketing idea for each month of the year. All you have to do is follow along, implementing that month's strategy, to reach your goal of a healthier, more profitable practice. Plus, you'll help more and more people in your community benefit from massage along the way. Cut these pages out and keep this map handy—on the bulletin board in your office, on your desk, or even laminated and with you as a reference. Ready to start your trip? Let's go! January Valentine's Day Gift Certificates As with any trip, you need to anticipate your needs and prepare for them ahead of time. You don't want to arrive at your destination and then think about what you should have packed. So let's look ahead to the first major stop on our marketing calendar, Valentine's Day, and start preparing now. Gift certificates are ideal ways to build your practice. Someone buying a gift certificate is not only referring someone, they are actually paying for that person's session ahead of time! This initial process for creating Valentine's Day gift certificates is simple, and that's good. Simple things get done! Anticipate your needs and prepare for them ahead of time. Here's what you need to do: • Buy a supply of gift certificates. The better the gift certificates look, the more you will sell. (I've found that I can increase redemption rates by 60 percent by selling a full-color certificate rather than one with black print on colored paper.) Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) partners with www.thegiftcardcafe.com (get discount information in the Members section at www.abmp.com). There, you can find customizable gift certificates when you log in. •Start planting the seeds. Post one of your beautiful gift certificates on the back of your treatment room door with a sign that simply says, "Gift certificates available." This is the last thing clients will see before walking back to the reception desk with their credit card in hand. • Remind your clients that Valentine's Day is coming. In the middle of the month, put a sign up at your reception desk with a Valentine's Day image and a message that says, "Give the people you love a gift certificate this Valentine's Day," and display the gift certificates you have available. As clients come to pay you at the end of their session, simply ask, "Would you like to purchase gift certificates for Valentine's Day?" Clients will appreciate the reminder. 58 massage & bodywork january/february 2013