Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Heather Capitanich on March 7, 2011 at 4:50pm

I am also a small business with just myself providing the services.  I have a handful of clients that seem to always want a deal no matter what. It also depends on how regular of a client they are in order to get me to give a deal.   I tell my clients that if they want a deal on product, they need to purchase at least $75 worth to make it possible for me to do so.  I also ask them not to mention this to other clients, it's a SPECIAL deal just for them :)  Seems to me that these particular type of clients want to feel the love....

It has gotten these clients to purchase more product to get the deal & they are trying different products in doing so & liking what they would have probably never purchased with out that deal.

In this situation, I am not comfortable enough to just say NO.  In this hard economy, I think that it's more difficult than ever for people to justify spending the money in the first place and they feel that you appreciate the purchase.  I wouldn't want them to go to the competition either.

I feel that I have gained more from my generosity, than not and that the word travels into referrals and happy clientele...

Hope this helps

Permalink Reply by jackie mozingo on March 7, 2011 at 7:21pm

Brenda, I too am solo.  So when I offer deals like these I let them know it is a special... When they ask you about another deal I tell them they will have to wait and see.  Or I am not sure if I have time to run another special right now as I am so busy from this deal. Maybe you could do a points system. That way they will have to work harder to reach that free product/service. I am just now ending my punch card deal, get 5 services and get the 6th one half off. They never keep track of the card and expect me to retro it. So now they have to purchase upfront to get the free one. Hope that helps some.

Jackie

Permalink Reply by Brenda Griffin on March 7, 2011 at 7:37pm

Jackie, I appreciate your reply.  Thank you.  It helps me confirm that I need to stand firm for myself and yes, I had thought to reply that they will have to wait for a future special that might be what they are looking for.  Thank you again.

jackie mozingo said:

Brenda, I too am solo.  So when I offer deals like these I let them know it is a special... When they ask you about another deal I tell them they will have to wait and see.  Or I am not sure if I have time to run another special right now as I am so busy from this deal. Maybe you could do a points system. That way they will have to work harder to reach that free product/service. I am just now ending my punch card deal, get 5 services and get the 6th one half off. They never keep track of the card and expect me to retro it. So now they have to purchase upfront to get the free one. Hope that helps some.

Jackie

Permalink Reply by Brenda Griffin on March 7, 2011 at 7:40pm

Heather, thank you.  Yes, I too worry about them going elsewhere and I do weigh  their value as a regular customer.  It's interesting to trach the ones who only come when there is a deal.  That's what I was trying to do with this "special" was get the ones who do not use certain products to step outside their box and try something else.  Please keep sharing on this site.  It's great for us solos.

Heather Capitanich said:

I am also a small business with just myself providing the services.  I have a handful of clients that seem to always want a deal no matter what. It also depends on how regular of a client they are in order to get me to give a deal.   I tell my clients that if they want a deal on product, they need to purchase at least $75 worth to make it possible for me to do so.  I also ask them not to mention this to other clients, it's a SPECIAL deal just for them :)  Seems to me that these particular type of clients want to feel the love....

It has gotten these clients to purchase more product to get the deal & they are trying different products in doing so & liking what they would have probably never purchased with out that deal.

In this situation, I am not comfortable enough to just say NO.  In this hard economy, I think that it's more difficult than ever for people to justify spending the money in the first place and they feel that you appreciate the purchase.  I wouldn't want them to go to the competition either.

I feel that I have gained more from my generosity, than not and that the word travels into referrals and happy clientele...

Hope this helps

Permalink Reply by Laura Cooksey on March 8, 2011 at 9:46am

I'm not a solo practitioner, but we stopped doing any "special deals" for clients.  Every single time we did any kind of deal, we would get people in who were not committed to getting their skin clear, just wanted "a deal".  It was a complete waste of our time.  The only deal we give is a $20 referral credit for anyone that our established clients bring in.

Permalink Reply by Brenda Griffin on March 8, 2011 at 1:17pm

Laura, I so understand this and I tend to not offer any specials either, just a $10 discount for "last minute" appointments, meaning they are filling a cancelled slot.  However, I tried this special and then they come out of the woodwork.  Thanks for sharing.

Permalink Reply by Denise Ivers on March 8, 2011 at 1:48pm

I offer a 20% discount on a future visit when clients refer others to me. 

For my clients that purchase product I offer $10 off a future product order after $250 in total sales or a complimentary lip or brow wax plus a trial size of sunscreen that they can slip in their purse or pocket.  I'm always preaching sunscreen so this in  turn help my product sales and potentially my services to the client if they do not already have me do their waxing.    

 

I also throw in "freebies" to brand new clients like the little round sponges I use to cleanse or exfoliating gloves I use for back treatments.  It may sound like over kill but I purchase these items very inexpensively based on what I charge and I feel that it has really helped my business to grow. 

 

I agree with you Heather, it's a tough economy and clients will move on if they don't feel they are getting the best service and treatments.   My clients don't ever ask for discounts but I offer them because I want more business by referral. 

Permalink Reply by Heather Capitanich on March 8, 2011 at 3:46pm

ooo!  I like the idea of the trial size SPF.  I also preach about always wearing sunscreen & this enables clients to try what I have to offer.

 

Thanks Denise!

Permalink Reply by Brenda Griffin on March 8, 2011 at 6:02pm

Denise, thank you, some great ideas.  I like the idea about the samples and/or the waxing to get them to try something they don't. 

Permalink Reply by jackie mozingo on March 9, 2011 at 8:32am

@Denise, what spf do you use?  I use Bioelements and it's to expensive to just throw in their purse.

Thanks

Permalink Reply by jackie mozingo on March 9, 2011 at 9:20am

As a solo esty, I have a hard time keeping retail in stock. Does everyone keep retail or get it as they ask for it.

I know this is a big part of our income so I want to have it,. How much should you invest or keep on the shelf. Thanks all..

Permalink Reply by Kirsten Kayser on March 9, 2011 at 9:39am

I think it makes the most sense to offer a free upgrade on a treatment (like a specialty mask or hand treatment) rather than a discount on product. This way the client is still paying the normal price for the service, but receiving a 'free' service worth xyz.. That way you are not discounting your services and losing money. It might cost you a little bit more for the paraffin dip or whatever you give them, but you're not drastically cutting your profit either. You dont want to get into the whole discounting situation with your clients or they will start to see you as the place to go to get 'cheap' services which you aren't in the business to do!

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