Alternative Uses for Your Massage Studio: AKA Party Central!

Before we renovated,  I had one big open space separating the reception area from the single established treatment room in the office. I had plans to use this space as a community learning center. Where folks would come from far and wide to hear me speak about the wonders of Massage Therapy. Group Couples Workshops. Lectures on aromatherapy and alternative health information.

One of two things happened. Either I didn't market it enough (entirely possible) or people just weren't interested in me talking about Massage. They would rather my hands do the talking. Which was great! That's primarily what I do. So eventually we built two treatment rooms in this space. To give the people what they want.

While I continued promoting our very first fundraiser, I had an idea. One last hurrah before the walls went up. A Customer Appreciation Event! The event was co-hosted by two friends in related businesses, Virginia Walker of Special-Tea Occasions and Amy Montandon of Rodan + Fields skin care. They each set up a booth for product demonstrations and at the end of the party I hosted a free Reflexology workshop. The party had a beach theme. Photos Here!

It even got us in the paper. 

Once the walls were installed, and two big spaces became one big space and two medium spaces, we still managed to host events in our Center. Events that focused on bringing our clients exclusive access to products that they would enjoy. 

In April, we had another Customer Appreciation Party. We invited Judy Landry, a Dove Chocolate Representative, Patsy Wiley of Juice Plus+, the McReynolds Winery, and our favorite Tea Lady, Virginia Walker of Special-Tea Occasions, all of whom graciously came out to treat our clients to samples of their very best products. 

Of course for these small business owners to make it worth their while to come and demonstrate for two hours they had items available for sale, catalogs to take home, and drawings to collect contact information. Our then staff of 5 offered complimentary chair massage in a quiet room while the guests went from room to room sampling the different vendors. It was a TON of fun! 

Today, we are hosting our third Client Appreciation Party since our opening 14 months ago. And today it is all about purses. Our very own Massage Therapist, Amy Lescoe-Hall is a Miche Representative. She will be sharing with us the latest styles to the Miche line. Party attendees will also be treated to free chair massage and yummy healthy snacks.

Reasons you should have parties at your business:

• You get to hang out with your clients, who are AMAZING people to hang out with. When they come in for appointments it is their time and their time alone. To protect professional boundaries I try not to socialize outside of appointments. Which really sucks for me, because my clients are ridiculously awesome people. The more appreciation parties I have to more chances I have to actually get to know them.
• It shows your clients that you can fit more than two people in your room. They start thinking to themselves, "hey, I bet this would be a great spot to host my daughter's baby shower!" and then they could all have foot massages and paraffin after they play how-many-squares-of-toilet-paper-around-the-baby-bump.
• Advertising! Even if they can't make it to the party, an invitation in the mail puts your business back in the front of their eyes. Hit up the local party supply store and make it a theme. Have some fun! 
• People don't go to parties alone. They bring their friends. Friends that may have never heard about your business otherwise. And what an endorsement! Every potential new client that walks in your door that day is extremely qualified to become a repeat customer.
• It shows you care. You are giving back! Go you!!

I'm missing plenty more reasons that you should have a party next week (tax deduction, staff motivation, etc. etc. etc.) but I'm trying to get this second 31 in 31 blog post out before September. Please add your reasons and party ideas in the comment section to share with others!