veggie
Well-Known Member
Ok, I started full time two weeks ago in a gym with day spa services (I was available for a few hours during evenings for the previous month but only ever got one client during that time, then the manicurist who was available during the day quit, so I took over). I am the only nail tech and I have a private room in the back behind double doors. There is also a massage therapist whom I've never met because she only takes appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays and only comes in for appointments. There used to be an esthetician but she moved back to Russia and has not yet been replaced. They have tanning beds too.
I'm available about 50 hours a week but so far I haven't actually worked more than six hours a week. Everything I've read so far from anyone has said that I should physically be there for the entire time I'm available. However I'm not sure this would do me any good as nobody can *see* me in my room, and there isn't really any place I can "hang out" and be visible outside of my room.
This week I've set up a portable table in the front lobby and am offering free hand massages to people (it's a women only facility actually) as they come or go. Lo and behold I'm finding that the majority of them have no idea I'm available at all, and have never even seen the treatment room, nor did they know it was there. I made up copies of my price list and hours and put a 10% off coupon on it to hand out, and I've gotten several new appointments plus many more nibbles just since Monday. I'm planning to do this for the rest of the week, staggering my hours so I can a chance to talk to most of the members. I've also put a nice big copy of my pricelist in a sign holder on the front desk, with my business cards and smaller copies of my pricelist to take. I'm also planning to do the hand massage thing at all of the open houses and other events. I'm going to print up some promotional signs to hang up in the locker room as soon as I get my printer woring again as well. Some of the personal trainers have been promoting me (which is nice), but I sort of get the idea they only do it when I'm sitting right there. :lol:
So this week I have six hours worth of appointments. My goal for the immediate future is to be working 10-15 hours a week on average. This is basically how much I would need to meet my financial needs and make this job worthwhile. I'd like to meet this goal by the end of May.
I'm starting with the members of the health club as they're the most accessible and I'm very convenient for them, but since you don't have to be a member to use the salon services I'm wondering kinds of things I can do to promote myself outside of the gym. Are leaflet drops effective? There are tons of residential areas nearby.
Also, I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to offer a free service (something small like a mani or a hand and foot massage) to all new members so that they not only know I'm there but get a chance to meet me and get hooked on my massages. It's a lot of work I'd be doing for nothing which makes me sort of unsure, but I really think it might work. I'd like to be able to offer free products with services, but as of yet I don't have any retail offerings. That's going to be kind of an investment I can't afford to make right now.
Any other ideas or comments on my ideas are totally appreciated. Thanks.
I'm available about 50 hours a week but so far I haven't actually worked more than six hours a week. Everything I've read so far from anyone has said that I should physically be there for the entire time I'm available. However I'm not sure this would do me any good as nobody can *see* me in my room, and there isn't really any place I can "hang out" and be visible outside of my room.
This week I've set up a portable table in the front lobby and am offering free hand massages to people (it's a women only facility actually) as they come or go. Lo and behold I'm finding that the majority of them have no idea I'm available at all, and have never even seen the treatment room, nor did they know it was there. I made up copies of my price list and hours and put a 10% off coupon on it to hand out, and I've gotten several new appointments plus many more nibbles just since Monday. I'm planning to do this for the rest of the week, staggering my hours so I can a chance to talk to most of the members. I've also put a nice big copy of my pricelist in a sign holder on the front desk, with my business cards and smaller copies of my pricelist to take. I'm also planning to do the hand massage thing at all of the open houses and other events. I'm going to print up some promotional signs to hang up in the locker room as soon as I get my printer woring again as well. Some of the personal trainers have been promoting me (which is nice), but I sort of get the idea they only do it when I'm sitting right there. :lol:
So this week I have six hours worth of appointments. My goal for the immediate future is to be working 10-15 hours a week on average. This is basically how much I would need to meet my financial needs and make this job worthwhile. I'd like to meet this goal by the end of May.
I'm starting with the members of the health club as they're the most accessible and I'm very convenient for them, but since you don't have to be a member to use the salon services I'm wondering kinds of things I can do to promote myself outside of the gym. Are leaflet drops effective? There are tons of residential areas nearby.
Also, I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to offer a free service (something small like a mani or a hand and foot massage) to all new members so that they not only know I'm there but get a chance to meet me and get hooked on my massages. It's a lot of work I'd be doing for nothing which makes me sort of unsure, but I really think it might work. I'd like to be able to offer free products with services, but as of yet I don't have any retail offerings. That's going to be kind of an investment I can't afford to make right now.
Any other ideas or comments on my ideas are totally appreciated. Thanks.