summer slump

[Barragan L]

My practice is in Arizona. I don't know what areas you all are from, so I'm curious if you go through the same 'summer slumps' that we do here in the Southwest. It's difficult not to get discouraged when your appointment book takes a nose dive, and I know that you can never stop promoting (it's an ongoing business-building and business-health activity). The other designers/therapists in our salon have the same experiences. The owner suggests taking your vacation during that time. (!) That leaves me thinking:  what's a more proactive approach? I e: mail updates & advertisements to my clients every 2 weeks, send out beautiful postcards once a month & up until just now have been advertising on a coupon website through the valley's largest newspaper. Any other ideas? In the past I have done doorhangers, but it's just too hot right now to hit the pavement. ha. Let's brainstorm!sagetherapist

 

[Brendan K]

Yes, summer in Arizona can "burn you out!" Summer is a good time to take your vacation, and contact any outstanding gift certificate holders or package owners. I like to use the summer months to revitalize myself for the upcoming busy season. It is useful to have an understanding of your approximate annual income and spread it out over the course of the year, rather than reaping and sowing as the seasons peak and valley. I tend to use more email communication with my clients to save on poseforum.xxxe but I do send coupons, newsletters, birthday and reminder cards. You can also use the time to  teach a class, or write an article. There are many options to turn downtime into uptime.As always, trust the process and trust that summer is likely a time to reflect and reconnect with what you need in the months to follow. Self-care is always nice.Best wishes sagewoman,aliveandwell (and hot too!)

 

[Kenzie]

summer slump

Thank you v. Good advice.It's good to see some new posts & I encourage anybody reading to either answer or create some of your own topics.The majority of my gift certs & packages are either 'cashed in' or just received, so I don't feel right about focussing there, but I have to say that your idea about writing an article turned on a light bulb or two in my imagination. Thanks!J/sagetherapist

 

[Relheok]

I think more than the summer it's got to do with the economy in general.  I live in southern CA and my private practice has slowed dramatically as has my few days at my spa job.  I'm very interested in this "doorhanger" thing you mentioned in your original post.  I'm assuming you hang advertisements on people's doors but does that go against post office law.  I'm not an investigator or anything but I once did a flyer thing when I lived back east and someone who worked at the post office told me it wasn't legal to deliver mail to someone's home unless it was posted and brought by a postal worker?  Maybe that only applied to putting something in the mail box vs. on the door.  Do you know if this would apply to door hangers?  Did you get a good response from them?  Please advise.  Also, if you've received a good response, what sort of offer did you place on it?  Thanks, Joe E.

 

[Ruby.fuse]

summer slump

I always have flyers from various businesses hanging on my door when I get back from work. The laws probably just vary from city to city. Just don't hang flyers on doors which say "No Soliciting". But I'm sure you knew that already....

 

[sexy man]

Joe,My doorhangers were advertisements for our salon/spa grand opening. I only hit the housing developments that were right in the neighborhood, and yes, there was a really positive response. We always ask people how they heard about us (as do I on my client intake form). Many times the response was, "I got a flyer on my door in November".  This was my first experience doing advertising in this manner. To tell you the truth, I do have some pointers about the experience. I chose to do my deliveries during "non-peak" hours. I dressed professionally & was prepared with a smile & a few rehearsed lines (sounds silly, but read on!) just in case someone saw me approaching their door & opened it up as I was standing there. It did happen.... more than once. I simply handed the flyer to them & said hello, etc. "We've opened a beautiful full service salon/spa in the neighborhood. I'm the Massage Therapist there & wanted to extend a special offer for massage & spa services and gift certificates." The doorhangers are legal, as I'm not opening any mailboxes, but I really believe it helped me out by being prepared. My doorhangers were as professionally presented as I present myself. I am now at a different salon/spa and am facing the same grand opening preparations. I will certainly do the doorhangers again. The cost is minimal. I do my own desktop publishing, so I did the entire project, but Kinkos or Office Max/Copy Max, etc can help you out within reasonable costs.JillSagetherapist

 

[Bby v.]

Thanks so much for the info.  I may do that for my own practice.  I am also working for a new salon at the moment.  Luckily, they have a huge advertising budget and they're doing all sorts of direct mail throughout the area.  One last question, was the door hanger a cut-out shape so it actually hung on the door and did you cut them yourself or is that where kinkos comes in.  Thanks for the tip.  I'll let you know how it works out.  Joe E.

 

[Smoochy "Heathen"]

Hi Joe.I did the whole project myself:  used cardstock (one time it was divided into thirds - the size of #10 envelopes, and once dividing the page in half lengthwise - I liked this best). I have a good paper cutter, so I even cut my own cards (and gift certs, and postcards, etc). I used a "jumbo" die-cut punch (available at Michaels, JoAnne's or any major craft store) in round or daisy shapes to punch the large hole to hang on the door. I like doing my own projects, but some people don't have the time or patience. That's why I mentioned Kinko's or Copy Max. to most, it would probably be worth the expense of their doing the printing and cutting, etc.If you have any cool ideas to share, please do.... I am always willing to try something new, or even brainstorm an idea with someone that could be beneficial to us all.Take care.JillSagetherapist

 

[Celine]

Sage, thanks so much for the info.  I'm going to be working on it shortly.  I really want to put a major push on my private practice.   Some of my spa work is getting tedious.  When I figure out what I'm going to do (designwise), I'll email you a copy.  Thanks again for your help.  I've only been a part of this forum for a few days, but you are definitely a huge asset to the group. Thanks again. Joe E.

 

[jerlovesmetal]

I just found this web site and have found all of your answers very helpful.  I don't have advice on this subject, but I like others responses.  I practice out of my home, so I find it is nice to be less busy during the summer to spend time with my kids.

 

[Sea Of Love]

summer slump

Two suggestions....we sell a lot of gift certificates for Christmas and then have them expire 6 months from then....putting a lot of people rushing in during the summer months. OR, move your practice somewhere more hospitable like Idaho in the summer. In other words, Move with your clients. There is a couple up in Stanley that do very well with that lifestyle. They spend half their year in Idaho and the other half in Florida. It wouldn't work for everyone though. Our slow season is in September/October.

 

[Kate B]

I guess up here in the Pacific NorthWest, things are a little different.  We get so busy during the summer we don't know what the weather is like until we go home at night.   Our slow times seem to be after the first of the year ( like end of Feb until tax day.)  Then it picks up again.  I must admit that we do almost exclusively treatment work (L&I, PIP, etc.)  So I guess less people are working and driving???  I think we all have slow time but for different reasons.  Less people in our area around that time (vacation in sunnier places).  Just a thought.

 

[ArmyChemo]

summer slump

Hello. I'm in New York City and I don't have a summer slump, but I do have an early spring slump...EVERY YEAR! I think year after year that it will get better, with the stability of my private practice becoming stronger every year. Now, it's started again. I am going on vacation in April, but it's hard because I still have to pay my incredibly high rent, even when I'm not there. I've put an ad out in a local New Age paper to rent the office hourly, weekly or monthly, but it hasn't come out in print yet. I have a sneeky feeling I'll actually LOSE money this season, but I made more money this year than any other. I guess it's all relative....but it HURTS!

 

[Beer and TV Olympian]

summer slump

I'm in NC and have not experienced a slump.  I just use downtime to do community service and freebies... never know where that next client is coming from.  I went to a very demographically challanged church for free to teach simple relaxation and stress busting techniques to grandparents raising infant children and guess what ...one of the attendees worked for a school system and had grant money...I am now instructing inner city youth within the school system?Give to the community ...it gives back.

 

[arvecar]

Sagetherapist,From all of your paper cutting tools, sounds like you may be scrapbooking??  I just started doing it.

 

[sofeinurbizness]

summer slump

Soufin7,No, but I probably should start... especially now with my first baby on the way. I just find uses for all kinds of different crafting items, I suppose.Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Jakob]

I too live in Arizona!  Last summer I was very busy in a Chiropractic office.  I have opened my own practice since and Most of my cliental are retired and travel during the summer.  So I have seen a dramatic drop in appointments.  I am very concernced, but I think I am going to not worry about it for the next 8 weeks while the kids are home from school and then when they go back, work my butt off to start the marketing again.  I am still working enough, but not like usual.  I guess this is a good time for by body to rest.  I seem to work too hard sometimes and find myself suffering for it.  But I will be checking out this site for more marketing ideas for the future.  The best marketing idea I have had, and built up my business quite well is giving promotional massages.  I keep a fish bowl for a drawing to win a 30 min. massage in 3 salons.  It has been such a success.  Yes, I had to do some free work, but that costs you nothing except your time.  Without my fishbowls I would not have been as successful finding clients.  Getting them in the door is key.  Working your magic is the next.  Most people reschedule before they leave or they upgrade for the whole hour.  So you advertise for free and make money at the same time.  You just can't lose!!

 

[bitsonews]

I'm crafty too!  I tend to jump around to different crafts a lot.

 

[Pompal 09.]

summer slump

cropaholic here scrapbooking is a passion for me I find a lot of therapist are very creative and crafty.Any body want to talk scrapbooks send me a e-mail. ;D ;D ;D

 

[Ella]

Tranquil, I just started on scrapbooking.  I used to LOVE stickers as a kid and that kind of got me started.I think we therapists are a very creative lot!