Hi, Ladies: Almost every salon and business I go to offers some type of "loyalty" program for clients. From the salon to the grocery store to Panera to every drugstore, they all have their loyalty cards.
Most today aren't punch cards—they're swipe cards, which are more difficult to fake. Or some businesses just keep track of the points at their front desk. Some are for a specific $ amount—spend this and receive this in rewards. Others are for special promotions. Others are used to promote new services, products etc. For example, after so many services, receive a bottle of polish, oil, lotion, etc. It's a really great way to keep clients loyal to you—they're less likely to run in somewhere else because it's convenient if they're saving up point/punches/whatever. In most towns today, they have many, many options for their services, and saying thank you not only keeps them coming back but also helps generate referrals. You just have to make the numbers work for you so you don't lose money while at the same time offering something that actually entices the client. And I completely agree with M—dollars spent on rewarding loyal clients go much farther than special offers for new clients only. If you're going to discount your services, do it for loyal clients who send you referrals. For example, a free pedicure after they send in 3 new clients for a pedicure, etc. However the numbers work best. Then, it can be a marketing expense but is so much more effective than running an ad because of your loyal clients' personal endorsement. Best, Jayne Jayne Morehouse President, Jayne & company, a full-service brand communications/creative agency [email protected] Twitter @JaynePR @BeautyIQ Connect with me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jayneandco http://www.facebook.com/jayne.morehouse 440-846-6022; fax: 440-846-6024 16496 Falmouth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44136 On Apr 26, 2012, at 7:18 PM, Michelle Phoenix wrote: > If and when you do decide to offer coupons, do it as a thank you for your > long time clients. They're the ones that got you where you are today. I > always get mad when I hear of some great new bundle deal from my cable > provider and it's only for new subscribers. What about me?!? On more than > one occassion I have cancelled my cable and signed up as a new customer to > get the deal but it shouldn't be that way. > > Glad I could help. > > M- > > On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 7:03 PM, Renee Parnell <[email protected]> wrote: > Thank you, Michelle! I totally agree with you. That is why I don't discount > services. I might offer a special coupon on occasion for a percentage off, > but the occasions are few and it is never a dollar amount. In my salon, > everyone is booth rent so I can only suggest but I highly suggest that they > don't do that either. That whole thing just ran all over me, so I appreciate > your feedback. Oh, and I will NOT be offering free pedicures. You are SO > right. Thanks! > > On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 5:24 PM, Michelle Phoenix <[email protected]> > wrote: > It's actually NOT a good incentive. As you said, what if there's a week > where everyone comes in for their free service? How do you pay your bills? > I'm sure your smile is lovely but that ain't gonna get it done. Also, the > incentive would only be to bring in more clients like the one you described. > YOU are the boss of your life, do you really want to fill it up w/ people > that make you unhappy? I've fired more than one client and I see that as my > right. Otherwise, what's the point of being my own boss? > > Best of luck honey. > > M- > > On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 5:16 PM, Renee Parnell <[email protected]> wrote: > okay, I had something happen the other day that's just been eating at me and > I want to blow off steam here and not in front of clients. > I had a client that I was actually finished with but she was still sitting > there at my table. My business partner made a comment about some tote bags we > had discussed a day or two before, and wanted to know when they would be > here. The client is listening to our conversation. And this is not *really* > relevant, but in a way it is, but this particular client is almost 40, never > been married, is an accountant with the utilities company, still lives with > mama and daddy just like she always has, and has never had to worry about a > thing. That being said, as she's listening to our conversation about getting > tote bags printed with our name on them, she chimes in at the end saying SHE > thinks it would be better advertisement if we would do a punch card like this > salon used to do in the downtown area (which is now out of business, btw) and > use a punch card where you got a free pedi after so many punches. I had to > bite my friggin tongue off. First of all, I didn't hear anybody ask her what > she thought. But I really am the type of person who looks at things from all > perspectives, even if something does piss me off. AFTER I get over being > pissed, I look back and TRY to weigh it out evenly and be objective. So, > should we use a punch card? One salon where I worked (booth rent) used them > and I went along with it. But guess what? It was only for nails! So WHY is > this? I mean, this is what gets me....do they expect this of their stylist? > So many color/cut/styles and you get one free? No. And as an aesthetician, I > haven't ever had anyone ask about getting their card punched for a free > facial. If they did I would laugh like a hyena right in their face. And for > crying out loud, we are talking about scrubbing their feet for a living. And > you are wanting us to do it for FREE after you've been here so many times? > grrrrrr. I know it's a good incentive to give away something for free, but I > swear it just makes me mad. So what if I have a week where EVERYBODY wants to > come get their free pedi? What about HER work....I have to pay my power bill > every month. Do I get one FREE after I successfully pay my bill 10 times in a > row? > Okay, I'm still mad but maybe I can get over it. BTW, when I initially > started using Shellac, I did it at no extra charge for the first few months > just to get people started using it and then told everyone that I would be > going up due to product cost, the extra time, etc. She knew this. But every > time she comes in with her money all counted out to the penny, (and yes, she > does tip, EXACTLY 15%) and that's all she brings in with her. The money is > just all rolled up in her hand and she lays it down on my table when she > comes in. She never added the additional $10 even though she knew. Then she > brings her mother in. She is as worrisome as the day is long. The mother was > doing the same thing. Then one day she had to write a check. Asked me for the > amount and I told her---she looked at me like "WHAAAT???" I explained that > the lower price was only an introductory price and had changed months ago, > but I had just let it slide. So now it's like a big deal for them to pay the > extra $10 I guess. I would N E V E R go into a place and say something about > they need to be giving away free services. It just steams me sitting here > thinking about it. But maybe I'll get over it now. Like I say, I know it's a > good incentive, BUT.... > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "NailTech" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en. > > > > -- > Michelle Phoenix > Owner & Elite Licensed Nail Technician > > Wet Paint Nail Spa > NAILS, SKIN & HAIR > www.wetpaintnailspa.com > Online Booking Available > (617) 868-0620 > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "NailTech" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en. > > > > -- > Renee Parnell > Chattanooga, TN > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "NailTech" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en. > > > > -- > Michelle Phoenix > Owner & Elite Licensed Nail Technician > > Wet Paint Nail Spa > NAILS, SKIN & HAIR > www.wetpaintnailspa.com > Online Booking Available > (617) 868-0620 > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "NailTech" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NailTech" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en.
