Six New Ways to Promote Massage Gift Certificates

You sell more gift certificates when you plan ahead.

Even though Christmas may seem far away, it’s time to prepare for your holiday certificate sales. If you like, first read our archived articles and blogs that give you the basics of gift certificate promotions.

Now let’s explore some new ways of marketing those little client-attracting gems.

1. Use a business card to market gift certificates.
Get a second version of your regular business card or choose a different one specifically to promote certificates. Highlight a message such as: “Simple solutions for the holidays. Massage — a gift everyone loves. Ask about our gift certificate packages.” Include your contact information.

2. Having an office display is tried and true.
Grab your clients’ attention with a fresh message, such as: “Free gift certificate insurance! Give us your contact information when you buy gift certificates. If your giftee doesn’t use it within a year, we will let you know — you’ll be able to use it for your next session!”

3. Arrange a massage or spa party.
Give brief samples of your work to participants as well as demonstrations of products and/or specialized techniques. If you offer gift certificate packages, describe them. Consider selling salves for sore muscles, hot and cold therapy products, and aromatherapy or other products you sell in your office. Invite clients to bring their friends and relatives.

4. Instead of stating that you offer gift certificates, get specific.
Offer “hostess gifts,” “housewarming presents,” “gifts for the woman or man who has everything,” or “gifts for your mail carrier.”

5. Include the chance to upgrade in your gift certificates.
For example, help out your clients on a budget by offering 1/2 hour as well as 1 hour gift certificates. In the half-hour gift certificate, include a coupon, such as, “Add another one-half hour to your gift for just $20.”

6. Create a postcard, business card, or coupon to promote your gift certificates.
Wherever you have an opportunity to meet new people, have postcards or business cards that announce a special such as, “Call before December 1 and get 10% off gift certificates.” Pass them out at an open house at your office, for example. Offer them where you do your regular chair massage. Post one at a gym, library or office building or give a stack to your hairdresser or barista.

Any one of these ideas requires preparation. Decide now how you want to market gift certificates this season. Then take your first step toward that goal!

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Reprinted with permission from Natural Touch Marketing™ for the Healing Arts. Natural Touch Marketing offers professional tools for nurturing a thriving practice by building relationships, sharing your knowledge, and showing that you care. Free resources incude monthly articles, quick tips and tricks, interviews with successful practitioners and more. Visit them at www.NaturalTouchMarketing.com.