We hear it all the time, “Spas have to retail!” But even when we understand the imperatives behind the statement, which include margin opportunity, increased sales per square foot, and higher ticket prices, many spas don’t always know how to retail. Just putting up a few shelves with products on it, as is the case in 90 percent of spas, doesn’t necessarily count as retailing. Retailing professionals have developed a laser focus on the science behind moving products out of...

Just because the economy is improving doesn’t mean clients don’t still want a deal. In fact, they’re probably even more interested in pinching their pennies after surviving the latest recession. If you’re hearing an increasing number of clients uttering the dreaded words, “I need a discount,” you may be wondering how to respond. Andrew Sobel, co-author, along with Jerold Panas, of Power Questions: Build Relationships, Win New Business, and Influence Others (Wiley, 2012), suggests that, instead of answering yes or...

If you manage your Spa's Facebook Page, you have to have Facebook Pages. This simple application let's you manage any Pages attached to your personal Facebook account. Meaning, if you are an Admin for a Page you can Post to the Page, get notified on your phone when people comment on your Spa's Page and post pictures! Your iPhone is now a full management tool for your Spa's Facebook Page! This application is essential to creating immediate communication with your...

In today's competitive Spa market it is important to make sure you are doing everything to touch your target market in a very specific way that will resonate. Any sound Marketing Plan includes a strong digital approach. The digital effort requires an attention to detail not quite necessary when dealing with print and other similar Marketing platforms. The digital age is an instantaneous one and needs to be nurtured accordingly. Below are 5 different digital mediums and the appropriate steps...

Are you promoting using the latest tools on Facebook? Facebook Offers, a new feature on Facebook means increased Edge Rank. What is Edge Rank? This is basically the algorithm that determines whether your status update is seen by the people who Like your Page. New features are promoted into the newsfeed, right now that newest shiny feature is waiting for you on the status bar of your Facebook Page, Facebook Offers. Think of this as shot at Groupon, now you...

Now more than ever, your excellent spa services must be accompanied by imaginative ideas that will cause a stir and make you STAND OUT AND GET TALKED ABOUT! My inspiration for this blog came from these fascinating Facebook Pages: Old Moss Womans Secret Garden , Suzi Homefaker , and Junk in the Truck . If I didn't have a Spa Development company, I would own a Design & Decorating company...for sure As children, my sisters and I were raised in...

A sensitive therapist is offended by something a new receptionist said and is threatening to leave, and a long-time employee is furious about being passed over for a recently vacated management position. These are just a couple of examples of the workplace conflicts that can take up much of a spa director’s time. In The Exchange: A Bold and Proven Approach to Resolving Workplace Conflict (CRC Press, 2011), authors Steven Dinkin, Barbara Filner, and Lisa Maxwell offer up suggestions for...

Pinterest ( www.pinterest.com ) is the hottest new social media tool. Its ease of use for visually bookmarking, organizing, and sharing the things people love has made it a hit among individuals and businesses alike. Millions of people use Pinterest to keep track of objects they love, places they enjoy, foods they want to eat, and things that inspire them. So how can you use Pinterest to promote your spa? Pinterest is valuable for marketing, because it gives companies the...