Words have power, and two of the most powerful words in business are “thank you.” Conveying your appreciation to clients can be transformative. It strengthens the reputation of your spa or massage practice, and it engenders positive feelings about you and your business in the minds of clients. Those feelings do much to keep clients coming back year after year and inspires them to tell others about your service offering.
There is another upside to client appreciation. Gratitude can foster happiness in you. Research shows that “practicing gratitude has proven to be one of the most reliable methods for increasing happiness and life satisfaction; it also boosts feelings of optimism, joy, pleasure, enthusiasm, and other positive emotions.”[1]
Convey appreciation to clients with the most impact
Some things to keep in mind in making gratitude a part of your business brand include:
Be specific: When expressing client appreciation, it is more powerful to be specific about what you are thanking them for. Besides being a loyal client, you might want to thank them for being pleasant to work with, referring prospects, being flexible when you have had to change appointment times and so forth.
Be genuine: You do not want to appear that you are showing appreciation to a client just because it is polite or good for business. Be sincere when conveying gratitude.
Handwritten client appreciation notes stand out
When it comes to showing appreciation to clients, even a simple thank-you will be valued and make the recipient more inclined to want to continue to do business with you. However, you can leave an even more lasting impression and stand out if you hand write the note, especially in today’s highly digital world. Your note should include:
- A greeting that includes the recipient’s name.
- A few lines thanking your client for their business.
- Indicate how much their business or help means to your spa or massage practice.
- Include a call to action. Offer a discount for the next treatment or a special gift with retail purchase.
- End your note with sincerely or best regards and sign it.
Extend gratitude with a special thank you-gift for customers
Clients will appreciate your heartfelt words of gratitude. You can make the message even more meaningful by giving a special thank you gift for customers. Consider the following:
Free add-on services: Add a service free of charge to a therapeutic massage, such as a foot or neck massage. You also might want to offer a foot scrub, back scrub or aromatherapy. You additionally could give out a coupon for “extra time” for the next scheduled massage.
Personalize the experience: One size doesn’t fit all, and it shouldn’t. Every client has unique needs. The more you know about your client, the more you can personalize the service by using products that contain ingredients they like and playing their favorite music during a session.
Discounts for referrals: Word of mouth continues to be one of the most effective ways to get new business. It’s surprising how few people ask for referrals considering satisfied clients would most likely be delighted to give you one. But don’t take referrals for granted. Reward clients for them. Everyone loves a discount. Some of your clients may be very enthusiastic about referrals if you tie them to a discount for a treatment. You might even want to establish a rewards type of program so that after a certain number of referrals, a client gets a free treatment of their choice. Use your social channels to let clients know about your referral rewards program.
Indirect ways to show client appreciation
Ask for input: Nothing is more flattering than asking someone for their input. You can send out a survey to ask clients what they like about your spa or massage studio and to recommend ways you can improve. Also periodically ask clients for feedback during treatment times. Circle back to clients and let them know how you plan to use their recommendations.
Promote clients: On your website or in your social media channels, showcase clients who agree to participate of course. Customer testimonials are of great value to your spa or massage practice, but you also can help clients promote their business or special passion by showcasing them in your promotional efforts.
Stay in touch: Keep in contact in between visits with an email newsletter to let clients know what’s new at your spa or massage studio. Include advice on good skin care and health as well as information on trends in the marketplace. If you see an article online that you know would be of interest to a client, send them the link or a PDF. You also can copy an article you find in print and mail it. The gesture indicates you have your client’s best interests at heart.
Do not wait for special occasions or holidays to show appreciation to clients. Make client appreciation part of your service offering and client will return the favor through their loyalty over the years.
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[1] “Gratitude,” Greater Good Magazine,” Accessed August 26, 2024. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/gratitude/definition#why-practice-gratitude