Economy hitting me very hard...question...

[Thebringeroftruth]

okay..the economy is seriously affecting my business! I know the area where I live is getting hit hard..There are lay offs and people are afraid to spend money..in fact, my husband got layed off Thursday..

My phone is NOT ringing..I'm not exaggerating!

At the salon Saturday we had an open house like an early christmas thing with gift certificates discounted etc..I gave away free chair massages all night and not one person booked with me or bought a gift certificate..I gave out my card and thats all they wanted.

So, my question is...maybe would this be a good time to offer some BIG discounts???? Instead of like 10 percent off..offer more?

I sent out some postcards to some regulars wo havent been in for awhile for 10 dollars off an hour, and 5 off half hour..

 

[R.sandals]

I think it depends on how long its been going on. If you had a slow week, give it a month before deciding to give to large of discounts.

But you know your local economy better then us so do what you feel is best.

 

[Goldie6669]

I'm curious to know how much you've felt worry or other negative feelings around this lately? And how it feels to say something like, "My business is thriving in this economy." Say it out loud and tell me!

I love the manifestation technique where you spend some meditative time visioning what you want, just telling yourself a story about how great things are (and what concrete things are making them great) and really feeling how *that* would feel...

...and then gently ask yourself/God/the universe (what is difference?), "I'd like some guidance. What's my next step?" and then quietly listen. What's the impulse that comes up?

 

[Pompal 09.]

I had a client come by my spa today to see my baby. She and her husband a usually regular clients all summer. She said they haven't been getting any massage or eating out this year.
We are offering some really good specials right now. I think that people are just wanting to spend less, but they still want massage. 45 min massage for $50 is going over well, we are also giving away free add-ons on Thursdays. Our customers seem to be coming in a little less and spending a little less. I have cut back to being open 4 days per week to reduce overhead (for the winter our slower time anyway).

 

[Lotus]

Joshua, great idea! That true, a vision is an awesome thing to develop and keep your eye on!!! Negativity breeds negativity...thanks for the encouragement..oh..

" MY BUSINESS IS THRIVING IN THIS COMMUNITY!" howzat???? :


and natural healing..good ideas...I hope your business picks up soon! we are prob. just having a little dry patch where people are kind of afraid to spend and will get back to normal soon ...

 

[James L]

which reminds me:

"without a vision the people perish" Proverbs 29:18

 

[jonathan.moreno14]

Another exercise: go to the most expensive restaurant you can find and order a drink or an appetizer or dessert. Take in the vibe while you sit there. What's it like? Look for evidence of a thriving economy, of flow rather than restriction, and of continued success for yourself and everyone.

 

[comodoro]

"I am a successful business owner who joyfully serves many people."
That one's been working well for me lately - I'll give it to ya for free!
"The fear in our community has dissolved, and grows upward and outward into love and abundance we make for each other."
That's a little more wordy but dang it makes me feel good!

Sending lots of good vibes to you and your family Jacqueline. I know layoffs feel very very not-abundant at the moment of impact, and I sympathize.

 

[Dogbreath]

yippie!!! This is very positive!!! :

 

[goodfella]

Don't go down the path of offering discounts. The consumer very quickly realizes that if you discount your product that should be the base price. And when you go back to your pre-discount price, you will see the customers drift away because you are too expensive. Look at what discounts and rebates have done to the automotive industry.

Better to offer specials or reduce your product. The 45 min. massage is a great idea. So is marketing to niche groups rather than the world.

We'll get through this economic storm.

And you can always market your services as something to take the stress away from what's happening on wall street or Main Street.

 

[LQ_MASSAGE]

One of my positive affirmations that I use daily is:

"I am richly rewarded, creatively and financially, as a CranioSacral Therapist."

Of course, you can change the 'CranioSacral Therapist' part to MT or bodyworker or whatever.

Also, when I sit and do some visualizations about a busy practice, I imagine a HUGE, LONG line of clients starting at my door, going down the stairs, out the building door, down the street, etc, etc. They are all in line to pay my full fee for my services. Sounds sort of silly but it helps me feel successful and makes me smile every time I visualize it.

It is important to feel the emotion you are going for to have it show up in your life. So, you should try to do things that help you feel successful in the now.

 

[Zach M]

Don't go down the path of offering discounts. The consumer very quickly realizes that if you discount your product that should be the base price. And when you go back to your pre-discount price, you will see the customers drift away because you are too expensive. Look at what discounts and rebates have done to the automotive industry.

Better to offer specials or reduce your product. The 45 min. massage is a great idea. So is marketing to niche groups rather than the world.

I agree we had 18 appointments yesterday! $ off your regular prices is generally not good, then people don't want to pay full price later. We make up new services/packages that are not normally on the menu. I found 5 jars of walnut body scrub, I'm thinking maybe a nice relaxing 40 min back treatment. Scrub, massage, masque and foot massage for $50 it's a great value and I get to use up all this product I have sitting around. Think about what you have and can put together for some less expensive unique treatments.

 

[ashcowgirl]

actually, business is bad for me and the entire salon..I think its the area I live in,,most of us dont have a lot of money and there are a lot of lay offs..so, I may end up discounting temporarily to help them out and to help out myself..we are a very white coller community here..and there are a lot of stressed out hard workers ..any thoughts? t102

 

[Neidy]

Although the entire country is affected, some people are having way more problems than others. Coming from an area where you, Jacqueline say is one of the harder hit areas, it may be a good idea to offer a discount for a limited time.

You could market it something like an economy stress relief or whatever and offer shorter sessions for less. Like a previous poster mentioned about the 45 min or 1/2 hour. Let your regulars know that you don't want them to have to give up part of their healthcare during this time and make a discount, say if you usually charge $80/hour go to $60/hour and let it be known that it is for a short time only. You could just offer it over the holidays but don't sell any gc's with that discount.

I do offer packages, buy 6 and get 7th free but don't usually agree with discounts either. However, this is a special situation and unless you have been in poverty with no jobs available it is hard to comprehend.

 

[Kaycee]

:iagree:

things are tough here. a couple of weeks ago i significantly downsized my practice. cut my expenses by about $1k/month. the revolving door of employees was frustrating, especially when i tallied up how much money i'd spent on them and how little i had to show for it. so we've gone from 1600 sq ft to 580 sq ft. and we're back to two of us.

trust me, i didn't want to do it. at all. but sometimes you have to take drastic measures, and other times you just have to tweek here and there. go with your gut. don't panic, make informed decisions and be positive!
amanda

 

[Hello!]

jacqueline, I'm curious to know how things are going for your. What kinds of steps have you taken? What kinds of differences have you seen so far, if any.

Oh, and I wanted to say keep at it! Let us be your cheerleaders!

 

[LC850]

well Joshua,
There is no change yet..what I have done is just this week sent out 10 dollars off for an hour for my regulars who have slowed down..

and thats it..I'm kind of just sitting here at home thinking about all I can do...I even had one regular say he's waiting to see who gets the presidency and see what the economy is doing before he spends money for a massage..

I am also thinking that with Christmas coming people will buy gift certificates..

 

[ecogrl23]

well Joshua,
There is no change yet..what I have done is just this week sent out 10 dollars off for an hour for my regulars who have slowed down..

and thats it..I'm kind of just sitting here at home thinking about all I can do...I even had one regular say he's waiting to see who gets the presidency and see what the economy is doing before he spends money for a massage..

I am also thinking that with Christmas coming people will buy gift certificates..
the girls at the salon who do hair, said many of their clients are doing theyre own hair color at home instead of the salon..and coming in a few weeks later than normal to get their hair cut..

I'm not giving up..I do feel people are waiting to see what the economy is doing before they come in..I've had several of my clients say they have been layed off their jobs...

I'm pondering now..lol

and yes! Be my cheerleaders!!!!!! : t054 :joyous: :woohoo: t041 :dancingparty: :dancingparty:

 

[Cammie]

Definately don't give up! This WILL pass and you are a thriving business. Take this time to revamp your marketing, take time for yourself, ect.

I just noticed starting this week and next, I have much less private work! And one client decided not to reschedule at this time, others doing the same thing but don't always actually say that to me.

I do well at the insurance company I do massage at but if it comes down to it, I would get a part time job. Because you know what? At another job you meet people and market yourself!

 

[Love Canada.]

yes, I've been looking into getting a part time job for now since my husband also got layed off ..it will be okay...
softy..sorry your private practice is starting to feel it too..

everyone keep posting encouraging words..and if you need encouragment we will encourage you too!