Marketing
May 25, 2023
We are in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis and cities, states/provinces, and countries are asking the general public to practice social distancing in order to help slow the spread of the Coronavirus. Because of this, massage therapists will see a slow down or a complete stop to their business for at least the next few weeks.
Today, ClinicSense has launched a new feature to help massage therapists make money even while they are closed.
The new feature allows you to create a gift certificate promotion. This will incentivize customers to buy now, but use the gift certificate in the future. We believe this creates a win-win for you and your customers. You get to put cash in your pocket today, and they get to save on a service they know they'll use in the future anyways, all while doing their part to support a local business.
But just creating a gift certificate promotion is not enough, so we've created this 7-day plan to help you sell. Each day ranges from a 10 to 60-minute commitment. The goal is to sell 5 gift certificates per day, for 1-week, and earn $2000+.
The first step is to add the Buy Gift Certificate button to your website. Here’s how to do it. If this is something you need help with, submit a support ticket and we'll add it for you. Make sure it's in a prominent place - the customer shouldn't have to search for it.
Next, create a gift certificate promotion. Here's how to do it. There are two styles of deals you can choose from:
Choose an expiry date 7 days from the date you create the promotion. It's important to create some urgency to claim the deal.
The final step for today is to post your promotion front and center on your website.
Your regular customers are likely to be the most excited about this opportunity. They know for sure that they'll be using a gift certificate once COVID-19 has passed, so it should be an easy choice for them. Pick at least your top 10 customers (but the more people you contact, the more successful you'll be). Here's an example of what you can write:
Hi NAME, this is YOUR NAME from YOUR BUSINESS NAME. You may have heard that I've had to close my doors because of the Coronavirus. I'm reaching out because I'm offering a promotion until EXPIRY DATE that I think you'd be interested in. You can get YOUR DEAL. This will give you a chance to save now and use the gift certificate once I'm back open :) Are you interested?
On Day 3, you're going to combine the power of selling gift certificates online with ClinicSense's email marketing. Today you're going to send out an email to all of your customers to tell them about your offer. Here's an email script you can use. Feel free to copy it and tailor it to your business. Here are instructions on how to send an email campaign.
Next up, it's time to hit up your business and your personal Facebook & Instagram pages. If you work with other massage therapists, have them post the deal to their personal pages as well. We have created 40 graphics that you can use and post to your profile. We have posted 3 examples below, and you can download the full set here.
Along with the image, you'll want to write something personal. Here's an example:
Buy online at >> YOUR WEBSITE
COVID-19 has presented us with an opportunity for a win-win situation: you will get a great deal on your next massage by buying a gift certificate today, and at the same time, you'll be helping a local business make it through the Coronavirus while we're required to be closed.
Today I'm offering YOUR DEAL, which is valid until EXPIRY DATE.
Buy online at >> YOUR WEBSITE
Once you've posted it, reach out to your friends and family and ask them kindly to share your post.
Video is the most engaging content. Some of you will have to be extra brave to go on camera, but if you don't incorporate video into your promotion, you're missing out on a big opportunity. On top of this, it allows people to connect with you on a more personal level. You don't need fancy equipment, just your phone and a quiet place. Speak from the heart, and if you need some inspiration, here's a starting point:
Hi everyone, this is YOUR NAME from YOUR BUSINESS. I wanted to tell you about how you can save a bunch of money on your next massage. From now until EXPIRY DATE, you will get YOUR DEAL when you buy a gift certificate. You can buy on my website, YOUR WEBSITE, and the gift certificate will be instantly emailed to you.
My intention is to create a win-win situation. You will get a great deal on your next massage by buying a gift certificate today, and at the same time, you'll be helping a local business make it through the Coronavirus while we're required to be closed.
Thanks so much for your support, and once again, you'll get YOUR DEAL when you buy a gift certificate. You can buy online at YOUR WEBSITE.
Hope to see you soon and until then remember to practice social distancing and to wash your hands frequently. Bye for now!
Just in case you're thinking, I just sent out an email and I posted to Facebook & Instagram yesterday, let me reassure you that at this point only a minority of your network knows about your deal. The open rate on your email was likely around 20%, and you can be sure all of your friends and followers didn't see yesterday's post. So while it might feel like you keep repeating yourself, remember, this video will likely be the first time most of your network hears of your promotion!
Once you've filmed your video, post it to Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
This is a stressful time. When COVID-19 has run its course, just think of how many people you'll be able to help with an hour of relaxation.
I can assure you that owners of businesses are well aware that their employees are stressed too and they want to do everything they can to help them. Right now, that means allowing them to work from home, but when they are ready to return to work, what better way to keep employees happy than sending them for a massage.
So on Day 6, create a list of 10 businesses in your area (or more if you're really ambitious). Choose businesses that have 10 or more employees and are a close drive to your office. Make a list of the business name, the manager's name, and the manager's email address or phone number.
Next, you're going to contact each one of them and present them with an offer:
Try to call the manager first. If they don't answer, then send an email. Here's a sample email that you can send.
Today, you're going to send out another email to your clients and re-post your deal to social media. This time, you're going to create urgency by highlighting that today is the last day they can claim your promotion.
Here's a sample email you can send.
And here are the social media graphics once again. But this time, the message you post along with the image is going to be a bit different:
Deal expires tonight at midnight! Buy online at >> YOUR WEBSITE
This is your chance to save on your next massage appointment! Since my office is closed because of COVID-19, I'm offering a special discount. If you buy today, you'll get YOUR DEAL, and you can use the gift certificate at any time in the future. This gives you a chance to save while supporting a local business!
And that's it! Depending on how long you're closed for, you may want to create a wait one week, then follow all 7 days above again. Next time, use a different style promotion. So if the first promotion was 25% off gift certificates, then the second one will be $15 off when you spend more than $75.
We'd love for you to reach out after completing the 7-day course and share how many gift certificates you sold. You may have even added some of your own ideas that you'd like to share with our community. Seeing examples of massage therapists that are weathering the storm can really help lift the spirits of the entire massage community.
For 14 Days
