Tan4Love

Hello! I have recently purchased an existing salon in small town Iowa. We have approximately 4700 hunded people in town. Currently WOM is how I have been doing business as the previous owner was never open and I am open 7days a week, so word is getting around town. There is 1 other place in town that offers tanning. A gym and members can use their bed for an additional monthly cost. I have 4 beds and each has been relamped within the last 30 days. I am hoping to find someone on this site that has experience with marketing in a small town. I have been giving all new clients 10% off their first package and have set up a 'monthly tanning membership' offer that is working well. Existing clients receive a free tan when they refer a new client. I carry a small selection of lotions and have priced them very reasonable (nothing over $30). I am 15 minutes away from the next largest city that has a couple of franchises where most people have been going to tan.

I would appreciate any insight / ideas for marketing as I don't want to hit a wall with new people so soon.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for sending your ideas.

Diane
The Shop Tanning
Carlisle, Iowa
theshoptanning@aol.com

Tan4Love

Ms. Rae,
Thank you so much for taking the time to email me. I love all of the suggestions and will be using them in the future. I am going to do a 'tan free Saturday' on 5/30 and am in the process of getting my marketing in place.

Have a good day and thanks again!
Diane

collin

Wow Diane sounds to me like your really getting it on and doing all the right things to jump start that business and the ideas from Rae are spot on and can only lead to further success for you and your business.

The thing is..no business can be turned around in the blink of an eye...time,effort,tears and so forth are whats needed and it is through this sustained approach that makes a business successful.

So patients and loads of hard graft and you will get there..you certainly seem to be doing the right things and are made of the right stuff...success will follow in good time.

Good luck

Tan4Love

Collin - thank you for the encouraging words. This site is becoming invaluable to me and am learning. My clients are getting very excited about the 'free tanning weekend' (I decided to do it 2 days). Word is getting out and I am working with other local businesses to trade advertising (you scratch my back - I scratch yours)..I have also told my existing clients for each 5 referrals I get that buy a package they get a month of free tanning. Thankfully, I understand what it takes to run a business as my husband and I own a daycare center (52 kids and 19 employees). I work full time and am not afraid to pay my dues in order to succeed. The biggest hurdle is overcoming the previous owners reputation, but as the community is learning who now owns salon they know that it will be clean, open during posted hours, and that I will do everything possible to make their visit a good one.
Thanks again and I look forward to learning more from everyone here!
Diane
theshoptanning@aol.com

Tan4Love

Hello! Well, my free tanning weekend is done..and sadly, it was a bust! Only 6 people came in with the flyers, coupons..I have a sign on my door that I will extend the free tanning coupons until 6/7/09..the weather this past weekend in Iowa was mid-low 80's absolutely beautiful..then today it is rainy and overcast..I am going to partner with our local elementary school for 'Operation Backpack' and give people who donate a backpack or school supplies a good deal on tanning if they use my site as a drop off...a little disappointed about the turnout but am looking forward now to fall so I can get a jump start on people keeping their tan this winter..have a good day and thanks again!

CrystalSS

Here is something I do and it works very very well for me. I incent referrals better than anything else I have going on in my business. The lifetime value of a new customer far outweighs me giving a few more free tans away. Most stores around me will do one tan for referring someone and to me that does not excite me enough to really get out there and gather friends. My incentives are SO good my customers are out there being pied pipers just about everyday. Some customers bring me 2 a week in peak season and they are excited about it. One free tan to me is like Burger King saying if I bring in a friend I get an extra pickle on my burger. Just my personal opinion, the way I operate and just passing along what works for me and how I try and reward people that bring me customers. But like I said...the lifetime value of that new customer is just that big of a deal to me. Take care and best wishes on your operation.