20 Questions About Spa Quality & Plastic Surgery.

I've got links today that I think you should stop and read if you are in the Spa business.

The first will get you to stop and think about how things are running in your daily business.

20 Questions About Spa Quality

A spa quality system includes everything that the spa's staff needs to know and information about how to safely, effectively and efficiently deliver treatments and services that consistently meet the needs of spa clients. By using a quality system approach, the spa is positioned for long-term success. The following 20 questions from Spa Quality, LLC are designed to help you determine if your spa's quality system is complete.

Second is what I think is an important piece that everyone should consider when dealing with clients, in fact I'm sure some in the spa business have experienced this themselves.

The Price of Plastic Surgery

Jessica asked the woman why she would want this surgery. The woman told a story about being teased many years ago in school about her eyes. It doesn't matter where you live. Teasing leaves deep scars on self esteem. Unfortunately, plastic surgery does not always erase these words from your head.

Until next time.

Madison for MoreSpaTraffic.com.

Spa Entrepreneurs ROCK! With salt even.

I've got to share these two news items that I came across today. It really excites me to see people stepping out and filling niches and recognizing markets.

Check out this new spa in New York that is a salt spa. It supposedly helps breathing and such. I'll tell you what. I'd love to try. Here in Florida I constantly have a sinus trouble.

Salt spa opens in New York City

A type of spa popular overseas is now popping up in New York City.

It's made of salt.

It not only has beauty benefits, but can improve your health as well.

There are more than a thousand salt spas in eastern Europe, and a handful in Israel.

This other news item on a spa is a great example of people with a vision and passion accomplishing something great.

The Waterfall, a Taste of Relaxation in Sacramento

As Melody Johnson and Shirley Lewis enjoyed a relaxing day at the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay day-spa, they were troubled. They thought it was criminal that many people couldn't afford such an experience. The two women see relaxation not as a luxury but as a crucial, restorative part of life.

With that in mind, they decided to create a place where people can afford to experience a full serving of relaxation. Thus, Sacramento's Waterfall Relaxation Center was born.

Such news items always encourage me in business and I hope they've encouraged you too. There's always a way to make the most of what is going on in your life today.

Do you reward your clients?

That reward should equal the value of the client to your spa/salon business.

I'm certain you have clients who frequent your spa or salon on a regular basis? You can tick them off on your fingers naming each one. They are regularly booked.

You know who they are when their day goes by and they don't show or they call in to cancel, you miss them because in a big way they have become part of your family.

It's those clients who are your fans. The people who come not just because of the quality massage or facial or hair treatment, but because your business offers them something more, sometimes something as intangible as friendship or a place to rejuvenate.

How do you reward those guests for their loyalty?

Is the reward equal to their value as a customer to your spa/salon?

If it's not equal to the value of that client to your business than you may want to study upon that for a little while.

Unless you're one of the big chains with large marketing budgets as large as their square footage, you are going to find it difficult to let the people within driving distance know you exist. Harder still is finding a way to keep your name before those people on a regular basis.

Those loyal clients know people and they will willing spread your brand because they have found value in you. They are the people who will bring others via that old fashion marketing mechanism of "word of mouth".

In essence those clients are the coals to your fire that you need to nourish and keep burning. If you let them cool then getting that fire going will be more difficult, or worse, you might find that all your coals have become wet!

So as you consider ways to reward your best clients, consider that reward in relation to their value.

Remember, we're here to help connect with those customers:
www.MoreSpaTraffic.com.

What did your clients take with them when they left your spa?

I realize you probably have an immediate answer to that question but stop for a minute and get into your creative mind. Imagine yourself in the position of your client driving into the parking lot for your spa or whichever mode of transportation is used in your area. You, as the client, are probably stressed, perhaps muscles tight from being hunched over a computer keyboard or dealing with young children all day, and you walk through those spa doors which promise escape from that stress.

Then what? What's the check in like? The waiting room?

Mentally walk through the spa to where you as a client need to go for your appointment for your facial or massage, etc. What do you as a client observe, what do you hear? Music, voices, noises, smells?

Now, the appointment is over and you leave, what's that process like? You exit the doors of the spa, hopefully refreshed and cleansed, you pull out of the parking lot onto the busy road and head to your next destination.

Ask yourself, "What did you take with you from the spa?"

Did the client JUST receive a massage or an aromatherapy treatment? That memory and sensation won't last without some key ingredient attached to it.

Your client needs an experience. Is that experience one of thorough and enjoyable service?

Is there an element of your spa that rockets it above your competition? What is it that your clients journey out into the world with that makes them say, "You've got to go to my spa. You will be transported and the dust of the day will wash off your soul"?

Only you can figure out what that element is, but when you do you can strengthen that element thereby giving your clients the ability to become your cheerleaders, your cubicle/water-cooler preachers. We at MoreSpaTraffic.com can help you with that process with our proven technology that will increase your referrals and connect you with your clients beyond the life escaping walls of your spa which you love and into which you pour your passion.

Two great articles to read for your Spa Business.

Good afternoon!

I hope your weekend was a great one!

Better still I hope you finding this week to be reved up and productive.

I came across two sites today in my reading that I thought I would pass along. I think they can help you in your Spa business.

The first is an in depth piece that deals with merchandising and helping you sell more of your merchandise products from your store.

Here's the link:

Terry's Spa Blog | REVVING UP AT-HOME SPA MOMENTS.....

.....WITH HIGH-PERFORMING PRODUCTS

(AND, DON’T FORGET THE RUBBER DUCKY!) 

Here's a snippet:

INTRODUCTION: The retail component in any business requires an acute awareness of not only the competition, but also what the demographic thinks it wants. Imagery, that first impression, is the “gotcha factor” that has always worked. The psychology of retail includes not only experiential marketing of goods and services, it also includes trying to convince the consumer buying what it thinks it really needs without the customer really knowing that they needed the product in the first place. 

I've worked retail for a long time and there is some really good advice in Terry's post.

The second article is found on Alternative Medicine Zone. I am listing it because I know you have some customers who suffer from migraines and there is some good advice here that you can offer those customers. They will appreciate your concern and attentiveness to them:

Managing Migraine Pains With Holistic Approach

The head is the head of the body, and keeps track of all that goes inside. It is notable that all sense organs, that give our life the instinctive flushes, are present in the head.

And thus, it is essential that it is kept in the pink of health.

The pain in the head, or headaches are common happenings and in fact the world’s most common disease along with common cold.

As always. Be sure to check out what we can do for your marketing program at MoreSpaTraffic.com. Our program can increase your business by 15-20%.

Interesting article and data on Hotel-Spas

Be sure to check out this article:

Hotel Spas - Therapy for Tough Times - By Robert Mandelbaum and Gabrielle Lerner

The dynamics of the spa industry enable it to persevere longer than other industries for several reasons: a large portion of its consumers are affluent, an increase in stress can further emphasize the importance of staying healthy, and in difficult times people tend to seek out experiences rather than material objects. Yet during such economic times, the spa industry inevitably suffers as consumers re-prioritize and cut back on luxuries.

I continue to note the positive data and attitude to people in the spa industry during these difficult times. This industry I think is positioned to with stand much of the downturn that people are experiencing if we can be creative and connect with our customers in real and reliable ways that benefit the customer.

Check out that full article and also be sure to click over the MoreSpaTraffic.com for how we can help you with your Spa and Salon business.

Spa Trend

I just read an interesting article and thought I'd pass the link on.

SpaFinder Predicts 2009 Spa Trends

In particular, one clear macro trend is emerging: the interweaving of medicine and spas in unprecedented ways, with spas poised to increase their roles in wellness and health care while hospitals evolve to embrace spa-like offerings and hospitality. As the expensive, sickness-oriented Western health care model comes under intense review, spa innovation and influence on both traditional and alternative/complementary medical fronts is growing. With consumers increasingly receptive to preventative wellness solutions and effective non-Western wellness modalities, spas are seizing the opportunity—and the spa-medicine relationship has never been so rich or strong.

Even though the economy continues to slump there is evidence that the spa business is growing. People are recognizing just how important taking time for the spa is for their health. More and more people are recognizing the value of spas for releasing and removing the stress and it's effects.

I've said it before, but spa owners and managers care about people and that is directly related to business. And because they care they look for creative ways to meet the needs of their customers.

If you are a spa owner, remember to check out MoreSpaTraffic how we can help increase your traffic, connect with your customers, and double your referrals. Right now you can try it out with our 14 day free trial period.