2008 New Years Resolution for Financial Fitness of Your Aesthetics Business

The new year approaches and it is time for some financial fitness new year’s resolutions for your aesthetics business. Do you have all of the business you need and want? Probably not. Most of us could use more. There is always some attrition of clients. Some move away, some pass away and some for various personal reasons move on. Others are lost to competition. Even if you have a good client base and stay busy, adding more clients is a sign of health in a business. Take some positive steps this year to increase your business as much as you can handle.

First, take a look at your overall marketing plan. How do you acquire new clients? Do you just rely on referrals and word of mouth? Word of mouth is the best type of publicity that you can get, but for most businesses, as good as it is it may not be enough. A good public relations program can go a long ways towards increasing your client base. Do you send out press releases when you hire a new clinician? Your daily newspaper business page and your weekly business journal will both print them for you, making more people aware of your business.

How about networking? Do you belong to local groups, clubs and organizations? The chamber of commerce, local business and networking groups and even social activities are all there to help you get the word out. Just follow the three foot rule when you go to events. If someone gets within three feet of you, hand them a business card and make them aware of your business.

Now let’s discuss advertising. Dollars are hard to come by and you need to spend them wisely. Is your paid advertising reaching the demographic group that your clientele belongs to? Many spa businesses rely only on the local newspaper for advertising. Newspapers all over the country are loosing readership and raising ad rates at the same time, so the newspaper may not be your best bet. Have you looked at radio recently? Many local radio stations offer discounts on advertising purchased in January. It is traditionally the slowest time of the year for them, and you may find bargains that are on the station the people you want to reach listen to. If you have a web site, then use the commercials you buy to drive listeners to your web site to learn more about your business. Be creative and you’ll have the best financial year ever.