Being unable to serve your clients during this coronavirus crisis sucks. Believe us, we know. But how you spend this downtime is up to you. You can sit around watching Netflix or you can use this time to prepare yourself—and your business—to excel like never before once things get back to business as usual (hopefully soon!)
Here are 6 great ideas you can work on right now:
- Expand your knowledge. Know everything you need to know about proper sterilization? You better. In a post-COVID-19 world, your clients will likely be asking a lot more questions. Here’s a good place to start: A Healthy Starter on Sterilization. Now is also a great time to take formal CPE courses to certify your knowledge of your practice is up to date. Also, consider learning about ancillary services to help boost your revenue—for example, blemish/skin tag removal and telangiectasia procedures, facials and brow enhancements (for any new procedure, check your state regulations first). And educate yourself about retail products that can also contribute to your bottom line and promote customer loyalty—hyperpigmentation reduction, brighteners, aromatherapy, skin care and more. Or take the time to really educate yourself about the history of our industry.
Check out these helpful resources:
- Electrology FAQ’s
- CDC link on proper sterilization
- EPA list of disinfectants against COVID19
- Additional cleaning tips from CDC
- Refresh your marketing. Do your business cards look outdated? Do they list the services you provide? If not, it’s time to design new ones. Also, consider adding compelling marketing brochures that clearly explain the benefits of electrolysis and include room to include your contact information. Prestige offers a collection of fresh and appealing materials. These can be handed out directly, sent out or even left in the offices of doctors with whom you have developed referral relationships.
- Thoroughly clean and update your treatment room. For clients, peace of mind will be top-of-mind. They’ll want to know and feel that they are being treated in an environment that is
safe and sterile. Take time now to sanitize and organize your treatment space. Freshen things up with a new coat of paint in a bright or soothing shade. Rearrange things according to the principles of feng shui to promote a more relaxing experience. Also, consider adding new artwork and a poster or two, such as the Human Hair Chart or Skin & Common Disorders Poster, to help you explain your treatment and lend a professional touch. Finally, be sure to include important policy notices and perhaps signs such as “For your protection, this office follows the most up-to-date guidelines for sterilization and sanitation.”
- Keep up with current clients! In this time of “social distancing”, we all could use a little more human contact—if only through emails, phone calls, texts or social media. Reach out to your clients, ask how they’re doing, keep them informed about the improvements you’re working on and when you expect to open for appointments again. If you use email for general updates, be sure to blind copy all recipients to ensure email addresses aren’t disclosed. Instead, consider using a free mass email service such as MailChimp or Constant Contact.
- Re-connect with past clients. Touching base with clients you’ve treated in the past is a great way to secure new business for the future. Perhaps these clients were thinking about having more treatment in a different area. Or maybe they have friends who are interested in having treatment. Often, it just takes asking those questions to find out. Set a goal of calling five or ten past clients a day. Take time to sincerely learn about how they’re doing. If appropriate, offer them a special add-on service or product for booking an appointment or referring a friend. Most importantly, just reach out!
- Consider bundling services. If you haven’t done so in a while, take time to review your pricing to make sure you’re competitive and fair—to yourself as well as your customers. But honestly, even if you have been underpricing your services, now is probably not the time to raise them. It’s likely we’ll all be feeling pinched for a while. Instead, consider “packaging” multiple services you offer at a price that’s less than you’d charge for the services individually but increases the total sale to each customer. For instance, a brow treatment and facial package at a special price. Or an “add-on” scalp massage or foot bath at the end of a treatment.
Need ideas or products for additional services you can offer? Just see below.
- “The Fast & Fresh” or “The FreshMaker” – for a couple quick hairs and an add-on facial
- “Twin Touch Up” – for brow and upper lip work
- “Appreciation Appointments” – offer your frequent customers a reward punch card where they can earn a free session
- “Ears a Deal” or “You Heard Right!” – a quick ear trim/zap
- “Armed & Fabulous” – arm hair treatment with an add-on facial
- “Digit-al Deluxe” – the Electrologist’s version of a mani/pedi: toe and finger hair removal plus a soothing facial
Tags: Electrolysis corona, electrolysis covid