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Elizabeth Fletcher Brown
Elizabeth Fletcher Brown

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Archive for For Clinic and Day Spa Owners

Massage Holiday Gift Certificates: Last Minute Sales

by Elizabeth
December 20th, 2010

christmas_cert.jpg

It is not too late to make money from holiday massage gift certificate sales. There are many folks out there stuck with ideas for last minute gifts.

We just got a call from a client who wanted to buy some massage gift certificates as Christmas presents, but she needed them right away.

So we emailed her, and attached a file for a gift certificate that she could simply print right from her own computer. You could do this too.

If you don’t already have a digital certificate, here is one that you can use. Simply right-click on this link for your holiday massage gift certificates, and save it to a file on your computer, and then it is ready to attach to an email.

Make sure the person who purchases it knows to fill out any information needed (ie the number to call to schedule, the expiration date if that applies to you).

As for payment, the simplest way is for them to pay you by Paypal (if you have an account) or by credit card (if you accept them). If it is a regular client you trust, you can also have them mail you a check. If you like, you can tell them the certificate won’t be “activated” until you receive payment.

And if you are looking for some last minute, attractive, inexpensive (free!!! – other that the paper to print them on) massage Christmas gift certificates for your practice,  then look no further.

Simply print the certificates on good quality paper and cut around the borders. For a nice finishing touch you can buy green or red envelopes inexpensively at any office supply store.

My gift to you. Enjoy. :-)

Categories For Clinic and Day Spa Owners, Getting Massage Clients, Keeping Massage Clients, Massage Business Snippets, Tools of the Trade
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Market Your Massage Business as a Green Company Part 3

by Elizabeth
April 26th, 2010

This is the third and final installment of the article, How to Market Your Massage Business as a Green Company By Lori Hill

5. Practice What You Preach and Boast Whenever You Can
To avoid being accused of “green washing”, your actions need to match your mission.  Don’t engage in wasteful practices that will make others question your sincerity. 

On the other hand, if your business cards and company stationery are printed on recycled paper with soy based ink, be sure to indicate this on those documents.  Not only will this raise awareness about what your company believes in, but it may also inspire others to go green the next time they have a print job. 

6. Educate Your Fellow Professionals and Other Local Business Owners
Volunteer to speak to fellow professionals and local business owners about how you have gone green in your business.  This will help educate your colleagues and associates and give you more credibility and visibility as an expert in this area.

7. Give Back to Mother Earth
Donate 1% of Your Sales to 1% for the Planet – www.onepercentfortheplanet.org  This is an alliance of 1,079 companies worldwide that donate 1% of their sales to a network of 1,717 environmental organizations worldwide.  

Become an Activist/Volunteer in the Community
March to the White House or your state capitol, attend environmental rallies, clean up a stream, plant trees or send letters to your legislators and then write about it in your blog and e-Zine.  This will raise awareness about an issue you care about and let your clients know that you are sincere about your mission to be green.

Categories For Clinic and Day Spa Owners, Getting Massage Clients, Keeping Massage Clients, Massage and Money
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Market Your Massage Business as a Green Company Part 2

by Elizabeth
April 24th, 2010

Here is the second part of the article by my friend Lori Hill (www.lorihillevents.com). Enjoy!

How to Market Your Massage Business as a Green Company Part 2

2. List Your Green Initiatives on Your Web Site
Outline your green office procedures as well as other green practices you engage in during the course of business.  A potential client may pick you over the competition because you share their values.   

3. Announce Your Green Initiatives and Services in Your e-Zine or Blog
Let your clients know that you have gone green and how you’ve gone green.  It may increase their loyalty to you and give them a reason to spread the word that you are a sustainable massage business. You may also inspire them to act on green initiatives they hadn’t thought of.

4. Say It In Your Tag Line
Incorporate your sustainability beliefs into your tag line.  For example, BP uses Beyond Petroleum.  Incorporate this into your logo, business cards, invoices and the greeting in your voice mail.  This will let your clients and potential clients know that you are serious about sustainability.   

Be sure to check back for the third and final part of this article.

Categories For Clinic and Day Spa Owners, Getting Massage Clients, Keeping Massage Clients, Massage and Money
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Market Your Massage Business as a Green Company Part 1

by Elizabeth
April 22nd, 2010

My friend Lori Hill (www.lorihillevents.com) speaks frequently about greening your business operations and personal life. She recently wrote this article on how to market your massage business as a green company. I thought you’d enjoy it.

How to Market Your Massage Business as a Green Company By Lori Hill

Research is showing that more and more savvy consumers want to do business with green companies. This is especially true for massage clients and prospective clients who are naturally already inclined towards healthy living.

So, if you have a green business, or plan to go green, below are tips for marketing your business as an organization that practices and believes in sustainability.

1. Join Green Business Organizations
There are many green  business organizations that you can join that can not only help you learn to be more sustainable in your business practices, but also assist you in marketing your business as a green entity.  If you become a member of any green business organization, be sure to list this on your web site.    

Green America’s Green Business Network – www.greenamericatoday.org
This provides the networks, resources, and technical assistance needed for socially and environmentally responsible businesses to emerge and thrive in communities across the United States.  All members must complete an extensive application process.  Once approved, you must pay an annual fee to maintain your membership.   

Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) – www.livingeconomies.org
BALLE has a network of chapters all across the United States and Canada.  Many have special programs as well as monthly meetings with speakers.  There are individual and business memberships available.

More to come in Part 2

Categories For Clinic and Day Spa Owners, Getting Massage Clients, Massage and Money
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Buying an Electric Massage Table?: Watch Out For Hidden Shipping Costs

by Elizabeth
August 9th, 2008

Massage_table_unloading.jpgWhen I was shopping around online for my electric massage table I was surprised to see that there was quite a variance on price when it came to shipping and handling costs.

These tables are heavy, (as you can see it took two guys and a trolley to move it) and so the shipping costs can be considerable. There was one vendor that I was considering buying my table from as they had it listed for a little bit less than competing sites.

But their web site said that after I placed my order I would be contacted by a representative and told the shipping method and cost.

That seemed a little dodgy to me so instead I called the company before I ordered. Good thing too – the amount they wanted to add for shipping was very high.

I did a bit more research and found my table at another site where the actual table was a little more expensive, but they were running a special and the shipping was FREE!

That saved me a couple hundred dollars! So if you are looking for an electric massage table do shop around and look for special packages.

By the way, my dog JJ wasn’t too excited about the new table, but he LOVED the box.

jj_on_table250.jpg

Categories For Clinic and Day Spa Owners, Massage and Money, Tools of the Trade
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Do You Like Flat ot Tilted?

by Elizabeth
August 5th, 2008

everest_flat_250.jpgIf you are thinking about buying an electric massage table, do remember that some tables are flat, just like a traditional massage table, where the whole table lifts up in one piece.

callistoga_massage_table_250.jpgBut others have the additional flexibility of moving in sections, so that you can position the client even more precisely.

Our last electric table had three sections that moved independently, which was really nice.

But the massage table that we really liked this time around (as it matched all of our other criteria) only came with two options. We could get it flat, or with a tilt option.

Earthlite_Everest_Tilt_250.jpgWe didn’t know if we would use the tilt feature that much, but as the difference in price was minimal (all things considered) we chose the tilt option as it allowed us to position the client anywhere from slightly elevated to a full seated position.

As it turns out, I’m so glad we made that choice because we use the tilt feature quite a lot. It’s especially great for when a client is congested, or is uncomfortable for any reason lying flat.

I’d highly recommend that you consider a similar option if you are going to invest in an electric table too.

Categories For Clinic and Day Spa Owners, Keeping Massage Clients, Self Care, Tools of the Trade
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More Considerations When Buying An Electric Lift Massage Table

by Elizabeth
August 1st, 2008

earthlite_ellora_.jpgAs with any massage table purchase, you’ll want to consider the amount of leg room you prefer. For example, my husband does a lot of Cranial Sacral Therapy and energy work from a seated position. So leg room is an important consideration for him.

However, unlike portable massage tables, hydraulic or electric lift tables sometimes have the motor boxed in under the table in a way that reduces leg room considerably. We knew this would not work for us.

Other electric tables have legs that cross in a way that could also restrict your choice of positions when working on a client. For example, sitting at the side of the table could be a challenge.

So if leg room is a factor for you too, do choose your new electric table carefully.

Categories For Clinic and Day Spa Owners, Self Care, Tools of the Trade
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Electric Massage Table Controls: One Set or Two?

by Elizabeth
July 29th, 2008

Some electric lift massage tables come with hand controls, some with foot controls and some with the option of both.

When I was researching tables I didn’t think I would use hand controls, so in the end I chose a table that shipped with one set of foot pedals. My last electric table had two sets of foot pedals, one for each end of the table (or each side if you prefer).

I decided to try it with just the one set, but I made sure before I bought my table that I could add an extra set later if I wanted to.

What I found was that I really missed the second set. The pedals somehow always ended on the other side of the table when I needed them.

So I ordered an extra set of foot controls (if you do this, don’t forget the “splitter” that lets you plug both sets into the motor unit) and I am so glad I did.

I do recommend you get two sets of controls. When you are spending this much money anyway, it’s well worth a bit extra to make your life so much easier.

Categories For Clinic and Day Spa Owners, Self Care, Tools of the Trade
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Silence Please!

by Elizabeth
July 25th, 2008

no_noise.jpgTwo other things to think about if you are shopping around for an electric lift massage table are the noise of the motor and the smoothness of the movement.

I have found that “silent” is a subjective term when it comes to a company describing its table. Of course, if you can try out a table before you buy it that is ideal.

If not, you can always go online and read some reviews of the table you are thinking about. I’m happy to say that our new table is virtually silent, which is really nice. Our old one sounded a bit like a locomotive was in the room.

Also check out how smoothly the table glides up and down, and how quickly or slowly it moves. Again, this may be something you have to do via online reviews.

With a good table you can hardly even tell (if at all) when the table is moving. My husband (also a massage therapist) and I had fun with this. We took turns lying on the table with our eyes closed while the other person adjusted the height. We found that neither of us could accurately determine when the table started moving, but there was a slight “settling” sensation when it came to rest. Not bad!

We also liked that our table moves very slowly and the control pedals are very precise.

Categories For Clinic and Day Spa Owners, Self Care, Tools of the Trade
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Choosing an Electric Massage Table: How Low Can You Go?

by Elizabeth
July 22nd, 2008

When thinking about buying any new massage table there are always many decisions to make. You’ll want to consider things such as the table width and length, the thickness of the foam, the color and texture of the fabric, the weight capacity of the table, whether you want round or square corners, what brand you may have a preference for, and which optional accessories you may need.

However, there are additional considerations that are unique to buying an electric lift table. One of the first things you’ll have to decide upon is how low to the ground and how high up you would like the table to go.

For my husband and I, it was more important for the type of work that we do that the table went as low to the floor as possible. It mattered less how high, as long as it had about a 12 inch height range (which is the difference between the lowest and the highest setting).

I found that some tables had more range of movement and some less, but 12 inches seems to be about average.

So think about your clients (do they need a lot of help getting on and off the table, in which case one that goes lower to the floor may be better) and the type of massage that you do (for example, if you do a lot of work standing, make sure you choose a table that lifts up high enough).

So be sure to look for a hydraulic table that meets your height requirements.

But that’s just the first thing… more to come.

Categories For Clinic and Day Spa Owners, Self Care, Success Snippets, Tools of the Trade
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