Getting the word out

Is Groupon really the only way to drive business anymore??
Any ideas on getting the word out affordably AND still getting value for your services??
Or has the whole world been trained to cheapen every service and good out there??
(Can you tell I'm a little irritated by the whole trend?!?)

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Permalink Reply by Teresa Ochoa on July 27, 2012 at 1:04pm

I keep getting phone calls from Groupon, and I don't know if I want to try it. 

are you looking into it?

Permalink Reply by Shelley Hancock on July 27, 2012 at 1:12pm

We are about to do our third Living Social...it has paid off tremendously for us! We advertise treatments that these people can't get down the street somewhere else, so if they like the treatment, they'll be back to us. This time we are promoting our new Electroporation treatment. Nobody has this equipment.

 

I've done only one Groupon. We found that the clients it brought in were different than the Living Social people. We got tons of women from Living Social that were savvy about skincare treatments. It's really been a pleasure working with them and great for business! 

Permalink Reply by Teresa Ochoa on July 27, 2012 at 1:14pm

So Shelley, Living Social in your eyes would be a better choice? same rules as Groupon? 

Permalink Reply by Shelley Hancock on July 27, 2012 at 1:16pm

In our experience, yes, Living Social was better. Same rules. I would suggest making sure you put a cap on the amount sold. We cap at 200. You don't want to get overwhelmed and then not treat these potential long term clients well...then they'll never become long term clients!

Permalink Reply by Teresa Ochoa on July 27, 2012 at 1:18pm

Thanks Shelley! and I am loving the ultrasonic spatula too! Just started my treatments with it, clients like it alot, so does my hubby!!

Permalink Reply by Michell Jones on July 29, 2012 at 3:07pm

Try Style Seat. They do a similar concept but they only take 30% not 50 like Groupon and you get to choose different options for your deal. I'm trying it right now

Permalink Reply by AJ on February 26, 2015 at 3:30pm

Hi, I'm in AZ and have been a business owner of a small day spa for several years.   In a nutshell I find as a general rule...u get back what you put out.  For example, if you put out  groupons, you are getting those clients who are looking for a "deal".  And, for the most part, you will never see them again.  Groupon was created as a way to generate advertisement without putting any money out up front.  Advertising is going to be a  cost in your budget..period.  Either time or money.  As a rule, it has been my experience anytime I try to take advantage of any of these types of deals offered from groupon, yelp etc.  It always comes back to bite me in the hiney!  I have a family member who is also in the business and utilized Groupon.  Groupon refused to stop selling their products at the end of the term, and continued selling far beyond past the agreed upon date.  Can you imagine?   Now people expect you to honor those prices and you are stuck!  Now that is a headache you don't need as a new business owner.   In the end it works out to be that you collect about 25% of your regular rate.  Unfortunately, it has been my experience as well, the more you give people....the less inclined to tip they are.  So, don't count on that either.   I have found it far better to market to my existing client base.  If you create your own "specials" you are out far less cost and can give more to the client.   Oh, and read the fine print.  Groupons technically "NEVER" expire.    Even though they have an expiration date, that just means the "deal" expires, Groupons are always valid for the price a customer paid for them and you agree to honor that.  Which still means u end up giving about a 50 % discount on an expired groupon.  Just something to think about, hope this helps! 

AJ

Permalink Reply by Teresa Escoffery on February 27, 2015 at 7:44am

In the end it works out to be that you collect about 25% of your regular rate.

That is a recipe for disaster if you are foolish enough to agree to those terms.  NO ONE, not even the cruelest slave driver in the industry has all in costs of a treatment of 25% of revenue.  So why on earth would you ever sign up for a system where you lost money on each sale.

We have used Groupons and the like quite a bit in the past 4 years and make money on every single on we sell.  in our current offer, we sell $230 of a couples massage for $150 and only pay Groupon $25, so we net $125.   I certainly don't expect any of them to ever come back, so I have to make my money -- however little -- on the initial visit.

Groupons technically "NEVER" expire.    Even though they have an expiration date, that just means the "deal" expires, Groupons are always valid for the price a customer paid for them and you agree to honor that.  Which still means u end up giving about a 50 % discount on an expired groupon. 

Again, discoutning 50% if the fatal flaw in ;this scenario.  The reality is, a client is buying an $X value gift certificate from Groupon to your business, and the fact that it "never" expires is no different than any other Gift Certificate your business sells.  The client has 5 years to redeem the GC and after that your state escheat laws kick in.  I am not a big fan of Groupon et al, but dont blame the notion of GCs not expiring on them -- that was Obama's doing as part of the consumer financial protection act from a few years back

Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on February 27, 2015 at 5:21pm

Your political opinions kind of take away from the message you are trying to convey I think.

Permalink Reply by Teresa Escoffery on March 2, 2015 at 9:01am

Not a political opinion, a statement of fact

I suppose any discussion of buisness expenses that includes sky rocketing health insurance would be considered a political opinion too?

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