Marketing for Valentines Day sales......

[Da ProfessorX]

How do I do that?? I would think it would be the perfect time to give a massage as a gift, but I don't know where to start. What is everyone else doing?

 

[Canned Frijoles]

Here are three threads about Valentines day. You might find something you like in there:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1226&highlight=valentines

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1211&highlight=valentines

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=617&highlight=valentines

I don't usually do too much "holiday" marketing. But I am sure you will get some good ideas from others on the board.

 

[Universal]

Thank you! Now I just wish I knew what rose petal massage and champagne bath salts were like, how they're made.......any takers? With being "Rose of Sharon Therapeutic Massage", that just sounds RIGHT!

 

[x :) x]

Thank you! Now I just wish I knew what rose petal massage and champagne bath salts were like, how they're made.......any takers? With being "Rose of Sharon Therapeutic Massage", that just sounds RIGHT!

Last year we did a rose petal sugar scrub for Valentines Day. We got organically grown petals (ours were dried, I think fresh petals would have been nicer). We added them into our scrub mixture and applied it as usual. I think adding in rose EO and or rosehip seed oil might be even nicer!

Steph!

 

[merget]

I just found this site, with recipes! http://www.makeyourcosmetics.com/recipes/viewrec.asp?id=233&cat=salts
I love your avator, Steph! Thanks for the additional ideas!

 

[OG LOC]

I just found this site, with recipes! http://www.makeyourcosmetics.com/recipes/viewrec.asp?id=233&cat=salts
I love your avator, Steph! Thanks for the additional ideas!

Thanks for the link. Thanks for the compliment. I found it online, feel free to use it. I'll PM you the link to it's page.

Steph!

 

[Alyssaa]

One Valentine's Day I did a special gift certificate offering with a handmade soy candle & a matching (EO fragranced) lotion in a pewter organza drawstring bag. Last year I met with a wholesale florist & offered gift certs with a flower delivery. I did the arranging & built in fees for the supplies, work & deliveries. It wasn't as widely successful, but it felt great, and those who received the deliveries l-o-v-e-d it all! I might do the same this year! With my instant gift certificates from my spaboom relationship, that might go over great! (we did sooo much business over the Holidays, I have to have faith it'll be successful for this as well!)
Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Pompal 09.]

Okay, I've decided to ask at the 2 hardware stores if I can place desk signs and flyers with them. I'm going to target my ads at men for the first time ever! (I also shop at the hardware store, so I'm not being sexist, just was trying to figure out how to interest men in gift certs. for valentines day. Please nobody beat me up!)

I'm thinking the sign will be eye-catching, and will change weekly, but specifically asking men to take the flyer and get that Valentine's gift taken care of. I think I'll go for humor, here. The flyers will be 1/4 sheet size, so easy to stick in the wallet, and have very basic info - the valentine special (massage with bath salts and a chocolate, probably a chocolate rose if I can find those this year) and my contact info. Short and to the point, so he can get in, get what he wants and get back out. Right?? (Men, please feel FREE to respond!)

This could be fun!

 

[Just Call me AJ]

That is a great idea, too, Jill! And now I have to do a forum search on spaboom. I have looked into them a bit, but wasn't sure if it would be worth it. It's nice to hear you had good results!

 

[Garrett]

probably a chocolate rose if I can find those this year)

Just a suggestion - you could make the roses yourself. Either a simple chocolate rose or one on a lollypop stick. It is very easy to do - If you want to know more - let me know.

 

[the man 505]

Hi. I noticed the Starbuck's Coffee down the street has already started their marketing for Valentine's Day, as of 1 week ago, with "pink and red things" all over the place. Maybe it would be worth it to come up with a "themed" display to get people in the spirit.

Also, while I am thinking about it, it may make sense to keep an eye on Starbucks marketing, and see how and when they start advertising/marketing for holidays and events. Even though they are coffee, they surely have some pretty big hitters in their marketing dept. that know the "when's" of beginning a promotion.

Just a thought.

 

[BerliGansLonaz]

Also, while I am thinking about it, it may make sense to keep an eye on Starbucks marketing, and see how and when they start advertising/marketing for holidays and events. Even though they are coffee, they surely have some pretty big hitters in their marketing dept. that know the "when's" of beginning a promotion.

Just a thought.

I think that's a great idea! Being a SB junkie, I'm always stopping in to get my caramel frap. I had never thought of using another business as a "marker" for holiday advertising! Would help take the guessing out of the game!

Steph!

 

[OG LOC]

probably a chocolate rose if I can find those this year)

Just a suggestion - you could make the roses yourself. Either a simple chocolate rose or one on a lollypop stick. It is very easy to do - If you want to know more - let me know.

Making them would be fun! Please, do tell! It really doesn't need the stick. They could be wrapped a lot more prettily than the store-bought ones are!

 

[Uchiha Itachi]

Hi. I noticed the Starbuck's Coffee down the street has already started their marketing for Valentine's Day, as of 1 week ago, with "pink and reg "things" all over the place. Maybe it would be worth it to come up with a "themed" display to get people in the spirit.

Also, while I am thinking about it, it may make sense to keep an eye on Starbucks marketing, and see how and when they start advertising/marketing for holidays and events. Even though they are coffee, they surely have some pretty big hitters in their marketing dept. that know the "when's" of beginning a promotion.

Just a thought.

We don't have a starbucks around here (which is insane in a univ. town, if you ask me, but I'm not starting one lol), but that is a good idea, to pay attention to other marketers. Hmmmmmmm......the brain is working!

 

[Bastion Lord Flash Heart]

We don't have a starbucks around here (which is insane in a univ. town, if you ask me, but I'm not starting one lol), but that is a good idea, to pay attention to other marketers. Hmmmmmmm......the brain is working!

Is there a Hallmark Store? That might be a good one to watch. I'm sure they have things going on for all the holidays, even the little made up ones like Sweetest Day.

Steph!

 

[Wagon Burner]

We don't have a starbucks around here (which is insane in a univ. town, if you ask me, but I'm not starting one lol), but that is a good idea, to pay attention to other marketers. Hmmmmmmm......the brain is working!

Is there a Hallmark Store? That might be a good one to watch. I'm sure they have things going on for all the holidays, even the little made up ones like Sweetest Day.

Steph!

Yes, there is a cute little Hallmark store! You're right, they do something for everything!

 

[Mommy of ~Andrew~ 8 mths]

Making them would be fun! Please, do tell! It really doesn't need the stick. They could be wrapped a lot more prettily than the store-bought ones are!

Hopefully somewhere locally you have a bakery or supply shop (or order online). I go to a bakery supply store and purchase good quality chocolate there (Merken's).

Get yourself some good melting chocolate (the usually come in little circular waffers).
Like these: http://www.cakeandcandyconnection.com/buymelts.html

Get a plastic mold (I buy a few so it goes faster) you like (rose shaped - of course!) and then your wrapping supplies.

Once you have all your supplies, set up a double boiler. This can be an actually double boiler Double Boiler Picture or just a pot with a metal bowl that can lay on top (not inside).

Fill the pot about 1/4-1/2 way with water (you don't want it coming out) , top with your bowl, and keep it to a simmer.

Once the simmer is good add your melts to your bowl. They will begin to melt - stir them till fully melted. Make sure to watch for steam coming from the sides - Ouch!

Once they are melted you can spoon the chocolate into the molds. Lightly tap the mold on a level surface once you have fill them to get rid of any air bubbles.

Next step is to cool. I cool mine in the freezer - just place the mold on a level surface - it takes 5-10 minutes. Once they are cool, just pop them out of the mold and wrap!

You can melt chocolate in the microwave, but I prefer to melt it on the stove.

If you have other questions about it, let me know.

 

[Willbewill]

That sounds easy enough! Thanks!

 

[Soong Bae]

Here's what I'm doing: our Christmas success has me challenging myself to keep it interesting to all those people out there that bought holiday gifts from us. My goal is to make Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day irresistable too!!!

I got a postcard from a company called Digital Sound Recordings. They have spa & other music CDs & do Custom label designs, etc. If you hit their website http://www.DigitalSoundRecordings.com you can sample their music. Minimum order is 10 cds! At $4.40-4.95 each, that is very doable. With every 90 minute or FireStone Massage Gift Certificate purchase, I am including a beautiful CD called Romance. It is soothing jazz with nature sounds. I did not do the custom label this time, but am thinking about it.

http://www.effectuality.com has wonderful (cheap!) mailers, tins, jewel cases, etc. The embossed tins for Cds & DVDs are awesome, but again, I am going slow with this one. No minimum orders! Handling charges on orders under $20, but so very doable again.

I am thinking That I'll tweak the actual Valentine's day Gift certificate to fit in the CD mailer too. I got nice, bright white ones... something like $.26 each. Stickers, labels, etc would easily decorate and professionalize the packaging in an easy way.

I thought about the flower delivery thing again, but am pre-overwhelmed if our volume of sales is even relatively as successful as the Holidays were. I would never be able to do it all. I have a friend who has just started her own Floral business, so think I'll pair up with her for a Mother's Day idea.

Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[lebronjames#1]

I have this great idea but I have yet to act on it...how late is too late to start advertising for Valentine's Day?

I want to find a florist who would be willing to trade massage for teaming up with me for a V-day promotional package, rather thank putting them together myself as in a previous post. (Discounting the floral arrangement while I discount the massage so that it's a good deal) And letting me piggy-back on their already established business and reputation for advertising. Wouldn't that be great? I just recently opened my office and the going is slow. I could use a clientel market that can afford massages, such as the people who buy from this particular shop.

I went there and spoke to the person in front who gave me the name and card of the lady I should talk to about this. I'm a little nervous to call her because I don't know how to start the conversation. I want to make a good impression, but it's a bit embarassing to market yourself directly to a stranger, asking for favors. If you have an idea for that, I'd love to hear it...