Handing out discounts

Would like your feelings on an idea I have. I rent a room in a very busy nail salon and until recently business has been pretty steady. I was more than pleased with business my first 3 weeks. Then the last couple weeks have been painfully slow. Slow for the nail techs as well. I did only start about 5 weeks ago. I recently added some new services including the radiancy FSD from Shelley Hancock and have sent e-mails to the dozen or so clients I have on file. My question is do you think it would be a good idea to hand out a coupon(for lack of a better word) for maybe 5 or 10 off their first treatment while they are getting their mani/pedi or would this be tacky/inappropriate? Also how do you all feel about "referral" discounts? Do you give them and do you give a discount to both the referrer and referee? Any tips or suggestions are more than welcome and encouraged please.

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Permalink Reply by Nicole on March 1, 2013 at 9:56am

I have $10 off first facial treatment printed on the back of my business card.  I have them sitting on the reception desk and a couple of other areas in the salon.  The nail tech has them on her desk and stylists hand them out at their stations as well.  

I just got the Radiancy FSD as well.  I have not used it yet.  I need to watch the videos and practice this weekend.  Have you used it much?  How are people responding?

Permalink Reply by Melissa Bradley on March 1, 2013 at 5:36pm
Nicole...too late to print on my business cards. I'll keep it in mind for next batch. I tried the FSD on myself and love it. I did 4layers of a PCA jessner peel, 10 days later the FSD then 2 days later the skin script lemon zest enzyme mask with a dash of Lactic acid followed by the seaweed mask and my skin looks amazing! At first I thought I might have overdone it but its all good. Just brought the FSD to the salon this week but haven't used on a client yet. E-mailed my clients on file offering their first FSD treatment at a special price.

I think I will hand out discount cards and give the nail techs some to give to there customers when I'm not available.

Thanks!
Permalink Reply by Jodi on March 1, 2013 at 6:24pm

You can get an ink stamper for a few dollars printed up that you can then stamp on the back of any business card.  That's what we had, and just stamped it on a few (I think at the time it said $15 off your first facial).  That way it wasn't on the back of every card, because you don't want that on apppointment cards you give to existing clients.   Now we just offer the special price and I think she had postcards made up announcing that first time price (which is the same as the $15 off).  

Permalink Reply by Jodi on March 1, 2013 at 5:16pm

I also have a first visit special, we just name the price, not the dollar amount off.  We also do a referral discount, as referrals will be your best source of new clients.  The new client gets the new  client price and the referring client gets a discount on her next service.   Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Melissa Bradley on March 1, 2013 at 5:21pm
Thanks for your comments ladies.
Permalink Reply by Deborah Kenney on March 2, 2013 at 5:15pm

I have given a referral credit of $10. to clients and tenents where I work. I think it's great if you can go around and introduce yourself and give out some coupons for discounts. Every little thing helps especially when you are new.

 

Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on March 3, 2013 at 5:26am

when I bring in a new service or product I offer a pretty big discount.

I do this so that I will get a lot of takers and so I can get some practice on performing the treatment.

So you can either offer a package - similar to what you did on yourself - or put together something else very enticing,

One of my last...I sent out an email offering a service at almost half price but limited it to the first 10 people on my list. I sold out in 2 days. All those peeps got a discount coupon for their next treatment and for home-care. Over half took advantage of that. The following month I offered the same service at a lesser discount and opened it up to everyone...and I sold about the same amount.

I didn't do so well with my Radiancy promotion - it's been a struggle for me to get people on a series.  I use it on myself and like it very much...and I finally have two clients that get it as an add-on to their facial.

I suspect it's just my demographic. Very few women in my area even GET facials...let alone purchase skin care products! Once I get them in my treatment room I ease them into proper homecare and the more advanced services.

I think it's a good idea to offer a special deal to entice new clients into your treatment room. And it doesn't have to be a $$ amount. My current promotion I made up a wonderful package at a good price...then put at the end in smaller print...or $10 off any other facial.  So far, I have had 4 people book the package and only one use it as a discount.

Oh - and I totally agree with giving a referral reward!

Permalink Reply by Gladys Allen on March 15, 2013 at 11:14am

Melissa I have just opened a spa 2 weeks ago. I have a flyer for $35 Massage, Facial or Mani Pedi or All 4 for $100. This gets them in the door..... I have to keep them, :) it builds my email list as well for any other specials I may want to run in the future. Id rather have something than nothing at all. just sayin :)

 

Permalink Reply by Natalie on March 15, 2013 at 11:27am
I would take advantage of everyone that walks through the door- especially those that show interest is a given- you can give an " introductory price/promotion for new clients monthly and same for new services using any new apparatus
you are using. Have a postcard made up for $15 -$25 off this or that. I find under $15 or 25% does not get to much of a hype or following. Be sure to explain the service and how it benefits the clients. Naming the price also works - normally $80- book this week/month for $65 just an example)
If allowed I would take advantage of
Nail clients- buy one facial wax get one free or if you have a fast results facial or peel give % off where you can get them in the door/room and still make $ - offer discount for booking that day or week. Have a flyer made up with monthly or weekly deals ( package or single) have it clearly standing in a frame or standup plastic holder visible in waiting area.

Referring is the best compliment and word of mouth will bring you business so absolutely compensate them - first one a thank you and some samples or a candle and bath salts ( or just a thank you!! Maybe an add on service of choice) second $ and third free treatment of choice ( you name a value or amount) they can gift it or use. Hope that helps and gives you some ideas!
Permalink Reply by Jodi on March 15, 2013 at 12:41pm

My thinking with discounts is I prefer to offer a percentage off rather than a flat dollar amount off.  That way, customers can get pick what service they want and not feel 'ripped off' at the discount.  The more the treatment cost, the more their discount with a percentage and they feel they are getting more for their money. 

Permalink Reply by Sheila Gordon on March 15, 2013 at 8:41pm

I got tiny address labels and printed $10 off $65 service new clients on it and stuck them to my business cards.  I have no problem handing out a disocunt to get someone in the door.  I don't agree with the whole don't discount your service.  You can always make up the difference with selling retail. I say referrals, person giving referral gets to choose a small add on for free, lip treatment, eye treatment, maybe led...just get them ont he table dfor he extra time rather than give money off for that.  Then they will likely want that service again and you will make the money back.

Permalink Reply by Kristy Floyd on March 15, 2013 at 9:49pm

I love that idea! Thanks Sheila :)

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