subject: Marketing Your Day Spa: Combine Online & Offline Techniques [print this page] Combine online and offline strategies for maximum success
From even before it is open, it is essential to your success to establish a powerful brand when defining how to do your day spa marketing. Looking at advertising that works in today's marketplace, you will note it is also time to get an introduction to internet marketing for your business.
The first step to deciding on a day spa marketing strategy is to decide what your objective will be. Do you want your spa to sell XX number of dollars in total services, or is your goal to become the number one spa in your area? Once you have a firm idea of exactly what it is you want, only then can you aim all of your strategy toward your target, and properly evaluate it's success.
Next, defining your business is key. You need to brainstorm and decide what differentiates your day spa from the competitors. What is your target demographic? Who are the customers you want to attract? Then aim your day- spa marketing pieces at that demographic, using the features and benefits of your business and its services.
Integrating your spa website, and any printed materials like flyers, brochures, and offline advertisements with your business should be a seamless process to potential customers and clients. In addition, every piece of written advertising should also direct people to your website. With start-ups, your website offers you an opportunity to create the image you want for your day spa marketing and build your brand identity.
Get creative in promoting your day spa. A great way to build a database is to have a grand opening celebration, complete with special deals, intense publicity, direct mail to your target niche in the surrounding area, and a contest drawing. Offering a raffle with a chance to win gift certificates or free treatments in exchange for name and email address can help you build a targeted email list of potential customers. You can utilize these email addresses later to offer them a free copy of your spa's newsletter. Be sure to let them opt in, and do not flood their inbox with junk - you want to build a lasting relationship with these customers, and that is based on trust and value. Do keep in touch on a regular basis; every two weeks or once a month should be plenty.
Another element to your day spa marketing should be listing your business on Google Places. When customers search for a day spa, you want them to see yours on a map, and realize how close it is. Those results now come up first in Google, and there is no cost for businesses to list.
Social media marketing cannot be overlooked in your marketing strategy. Social media consists of sites like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and numerous others. Think of it as word of mouth advertising on steroids. Build a Facebook 'page' for your day spa, and invite everyone on your email list to join it. You will be surprised how quickly your page grows as people use your services and recommend you on that page. You can also put up special Facebook only discounts and add a full list of your services.
Further internet marketing can be helpful if you write some guest blogs on other related sites with high Google page rankings (PR) and link back to your website using appropriate anchor text. If your spa is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, your anchor text might be Tulsa Day-Spa with a hyperlink that takes clients directly to your site. Make your blog postings compelling and full of value, and readers will want more. You can find out more about social marketing and internet marketing- the hows and the whys, by visiting any number of sites. One of the most in-depth is
