Question form a reader:
I’m a newly licensed esthetician and newly employed. I love what I do, but I need to build a successful clientele base. Any helpful advice/ suggestions/ experiences is greatly appreciated. I don’t want to become another esthetician that gives up too soon due to frustration/lack of money. Thanks so much! Lees
Dear Lees,
Based on the information you provided me, there are things that are within your control and things which are out of your control:
You are employed by a new spa. The spa owner needs to market and get the word out to the community to encourage and promote the spas business and generate traffic to the spa. They will need to do this through and internet presence (website) promotion thru Spavelous , local TV presence, PR efforts and community support programs in addition to other local marketing efforts. Here are 10 key points in no specific order.
- You need to market yourself remember that you represent your work so your skincare is critical to being a role model for the benefits of your services. Put your best Face forward. I can not tell you how many people comment on my skin and what to know what I do. I am not an aesthetician, but I use the opportunity to promote my aesthetician, the products I use and all spas.
- If your spa allows service exchanges, offer to do services on the massage therapists, nail technicians and receptionists at your location. The nail technicians have a captive audience for an hour or two and they have an opportunity to recommend you. The receptionists can make or break you. Treat them well, they are the ones to book you. As a massage therapist, I always tipped my receptionists and locker staff each day. Make sure that this is acceptable with your spas owner. Most owners do try to balance out services, but your fellow employees like to know that you value them.
- Carry Business cards: give out your business card to everyone. If there is a salon or other business where your spa is, go out and visit them. Meet their staff introduce yourself. Don’t just wait for them to find you. Do be respectful of these business and ask how you can help them as well. Check with the owner of your spa to see if she will allow you to offer an initial introductory offer for those you speak with as you prospect. Make sure you give your clients a thank you note with your business card at the end of the service.
- Customer Service: Follow up with your clients to see how they are doing with the procedure you performed. Maintain client cards to indicate client concerns, what you used recommendations for the next service and follow-up notes on what their results are. If the guest is happy with your service and is there anything they would like you to change next time. If the client is happy, ask them to refer you to their friends and thank them for their business.
- Knowledge is Power: You should know, believe in and use the products that you use in the spa. Product recommendations should come from the heart and you should believe in the benefits and have your own success story. Share your knowledge at appropriate times with the guest, but allow them to enjoy the service. Understand all of the key ingredients and the benefits.
- Do the little extras: Separate yourself from the competitions with the little extras. Small things make a Big difference. Thank you cards, birthday cards, keep them informed of new products, procedures.
- SMILE and be positive and have good energy. No one wants to have a service from someone and listen to them complain about where they work, other employees, the tools that they do or do not have, or their life. The focus is always on the guest.
- Attitude of Gratitude: Be grateful for each and every client you have. DO NOT focus on the clients that someone else got that you think you should have had. DO NOT complain about how little a tip someone left. Be grateful for the tip you received.
- Refer your clients to others in your spa, They will return the favor.
- Refer your client back to yourself: Let them know what service you will do on them the next time and why. Or let them know when they will need to schedule their waxing.
Good Luck Stay Positive and accept the responsibility for your own success…failure is not an option!
If you love where you are working, make sure you visit us and sign up for our newsletter so that you can nominate your spa, spa owner and spa director for Spavelous’ 2007 ROSE (Role Models of Operational Excellence) awards. Information for voting will be out within the next week.
Marie Bernat
COO Spavelous
