Hi Estys,

 Just wondering if any of you feel that Groupon and the likes are not going anywhere should we fall prey to it or should we come up with a great deal of our own to build clientele? My question falls behind the thought that Although we don't like these deals, they are able to reach an audience that most of us dream of. Perhaps selling of a membership on groupon vs. a service in which a client receives a discount for the services vs. half of the price...if that? What do you think?

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The membership idea is good.  I used groupon when I first started on my own, and gained quite a few loyal clients because of it.  Some of them even started getting massages and attending yoga classes at the establishment where I rent my room.

 

I know there are a TON of horror stories out there, but my Groupon experience was almost entirely positive.  I did have a few no-call no-show clients, but the deluge of good clients I gained far outweigh the crappy ones.  I would just suggest treating the Groupons as though they were your best, highest paying client...if they don't return, chances are they will still tell someone about their awesome experience with you.

 

 

Also...

 

Groupon is notorious for being a freeloader's paradise, but a lot of the people use it to try out a place without investing too much into it.  A few of my clients have talked about going and spending $200+ on a service that ended up being subpar.  After being burned like that, people are more careful where they spend their money, which is where groupon comes in to benefit both parties.

 

When I did mine, I did it as a package.  3 facials for X amount of money.  That gets them in the door a few times, and gets them addicted ;)  It also creates more of an opportunity for you to upsell or sell product.

Your dead right, best bet for Groupon are package deals..if you can get them to visit you at least 3 or 4 times, they are pretty much yours from then on. Provided you treat them well :)

I'm not into the packages only because groupon gets half. I've been offering them the same rate to return and so far 99% have returned.

great marketing strategy!

how do you deal with no shows, Kim? do you ask for the cc# and/or charge a fee for no shows?

When they no shows and they have a groupon usually they have forgotten. Personally in my case I feel I'm trying to build a cliental and I've had 2 no shows and allowed them to reschedule. I don't want to ruin my chances, just in case. Every client matters to me.

I've only had a few people no show (but we also email and call to confirm the day before the appointment). I give them a second chance, but if they do it again I void their opportunity to use the voucher, and email them to let them know they can come in and have the value applied towards a service. So a $30 groupon facial turns into $30 towards a $70 facial.

Yes. Me too! I feel that is fair enough.

also, when you talked to the groupon rep to set up your groupon deal, how long did it take to go live after the approval? thanks in advance!! :)

Hi Kim M.,

 I love that idea and thank you for sharing a Positive experience because you are right, there are so many negatives. I think if we all share ideas that worked it benefits us all in this business.  I love the package deal!

I agree with Kim. Groupon helped me fill my book in the beginning and helped pay for products and equipment when I was starting out. I gained many repeat clients. My advice is have something for them to come back for, great service 1st, treat them like full paying clients, great professional products they can't get anywhere else and I do a membership program with a fee to join, then a discount on service for members only. It's been going really well. And yes, some are not ideal, but they aren't a good fit for me and my business, I move on and don't get hung up on the small few who are unpleasant.

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